Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Whats the most viable brood count for tyranid hive gaurd?

Tyranids noob here

Usually, as many as you can get.

i.e, 3 squads of 3?

Iranna.

Personally I'd say 3x2 or 2x3 and Ymgarls...

I see ill try the smaller group 2models x 3 brood.

like how many ygmarls? 10 or more ?

thank for the advice.

Ymgarls lose effectiveness as the brood size increases, because you spend way to many points for a few more unnecessary attacks and bodies, which means it will also be harder to dormant them.

Take ymgarls in at least 6, however 8 is kinda the sweet spot.

I recommend 6 hive guard in 2 broods, with another elites choice, ymgarls or zoies or even venomthropes can do a lot of damage.

I was planning zoies, so how many zoies in a brood? 2 are enough?

It depends on your list.

If you do not have any AV14 plan, then take some 2-3 zoantropes and 2x2 hiveguards. If you are in a shoting list take 3x3 hiveguard or 2x3 and zoanthropes. at least 2x2 zoanthropes in a pod list.

Ymgals are very good as long as there is aria terrain at your club.

My rule is 3 Guard for every 1000 points i bring.

If you are planning to lean heavily on one unit of Zoanthropes, I understand it is good form to have a tyranid prime join them in their spore and direct the strength 8 fire at him to protect the zoans from instant death. He will also serve a decent close combat nanny for the squad and benefits from their +3 invulnerable save from shooting.
Not an awful way to use a mandatory HQ slot.

Lucre wrote:If you are planning to lean heavily on one unit of Zoanthropes, I understand it is good form to have a tyranid prime join them in their spore and direct the strength 8 fire at him to protect the zoans from instant death. He will also serve a decent close combat nanny for the squad and benefits from their +3 invulnerable save from shooting.
Not an awful way to use a mandatory HQ slot.

Not possible. Read the Nid FAQ - ICs cant join units in a spore.

And even if he joins the unit without the use of a Spore Pod he will not benefit from their 3+ invulnerable. Wound allocation and all that.

at least 2 in a squad. My mate runs 2x2 at 1000p usually, and above that he ups it as he feels he needs it. If you're not using any other elites, I'd spread them out as much as possible i.e I'd prefer 3 squad of 2 than 2 squads of 3.

tryke wrote:I was planning zoies, so how many zoies in a brood? 2 are enough?

Two with a Mycetic Spore

rigeld2 wrote:

Lucre wrote:If you are planning to lean heavily on one unit of Zoanthropes, I understand it is good form to have a tyranid prime join them in their spore and direct the strength 8 fire at him to protect the zoans from instant death. He will also serve a decent close combat nanny for the squad and benefits from their +3 invulnerable save from shooting.
Not an awful way to use a mandatory HQ slot.

Not possible. Read the Nid FAQ - ICs cant join units in a spore.

Noooooooo I guess I was reading old info...
That really doesn't seem fair...

Two units of 2 is my typical min for hive guard at 1500 or less. I tend to go with 6 total above 1500, and usually two units of 3. I understand the reason to go 3x2 or even 3x3 but I like having the elite option open.

I tried using the 2x2 at 2k due to the shortage of them (went months were GW couldn't fullfill orders on them) and it just wasn't enough to matter. May as well not even have them was my observation.

As far as zoanthropes I use them in lists that lack MC punch from time to time and they are ok. But unless the list is spore/reserve based I don't personally put them in a spore. My reasoning and observation is this -- my list usually needs transports open turn 2 at the latest. After that and it becomes less and less useful. So I usually run them on foot with a prime attached. Reserve list, whole other animal but then you are talking atleast two pods with zoanthropes. and probably a third with doom.