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With the new Tyrant model coming out, and a lot of people inevitably having pre-ordered it, it seemed fitting to discuss the best setups for a Hive Tyrant.

So, self-explanatory question

Go

Personally I like Armoured Shell + Lash Whips + Boneswords + Scything Talons + Old Adversary. Keeps it very cheap, and I don't bother with a gun since I'll be using Psychic Powers anyway.

Andilus Greatsword wrote:Personally I like Armoured Shell + Lash Whips + Boneswords + Scything Talons + Old Adversary. Keeps it very cheap, and I don't bother with a gun since I'll be using Psychic Powers anyway.

I don't play Tyranids, but this seems like a particularly efficient setup when paired with a few Tyrant Guards. The 2+ save Tyrant can soak a good number of missiles, while the guards prevent it from being focused down by AP2 weaponry.

Not a competitive build by any means when it comes to the Hive Tyrant I like wings and 2x twin link devourers with brain leechworms. Old adversary and hive commander with a 20 man gargoyle screen.

Looks awesome, lots of wings and does some decent damage with shooting and CC. Plus with old adversary all CC weapons don't really do much IMO. Bonsword? it's a MC so no saves anyways. Lashwhips? Usually attacks first anyways vs MEQ. Scything Talons? Old adversary allows reroll hits so useless.

Old adversary boosts gargoyles CC and hive commander is great for stealers coming in and making a unit troop choice outflank. Then again it's about as expensive in points as you can make it. Fun is more rewarding than competitiveness anyways.Did I mention it will look awesome with the new model

I generally run different Tyrants, depending on my list build, and point level.

You need to consider the rest of your list, when building your Tyrant.

When I run my very fast list, with lots of Gargs, I often run a Winged Tyrant, with Dual Devs, Old Adversary, and of course the Standard powers Paroxyism and Leech essence.

If I'm at 2k, I'll often run the Swarmlord, as he is a massive force multiplier, and an absolute beast in cc.

I generally don't run other Walking Tyrants that often, but if you do a Tyrant guard and Armored shell is a must.

I'd say away from the "Cannons" on any build, they are pretty useless IMO.

Roboute wrote:

Andilus Greatsword wrote:Personally I like Armoured Shell + Lash Whips + Boneswords + Scything Talons + Old Adversary. Keeps it very cheap, and I don't bother with a gun since I'll be using Psychic Powers anyway.

I don't play Tyranids, but this seems like a particularly efficient setup when paired with a few Tyrant Guards. The 2+ save Tyrant can soak a good number of missiles, while the guards prevent it from being focused down by AP2 weaponry.

Yup, that's how I run him. Bloody expensive, but lots of fun to use and extremely hard-hitting. I've recently been trying out the Swarmlord though, and while he's somewhat more vulnerable than my usual setup, he's more tactically flexible and harder hitting. He needs Lash Whips on his Tyrant Guard though.

I think the rule of thumb for each build even though they may not be considered "competitive" by the net list guru's are as follows:

Powers: only 2 options Paroxyism and Leech essence

Walking: NEED GUARDS 1 or 2. Guards offer extra wounds and help get you cover, a must have if walking. Armoured Shell + Lash Whips + Boneswords + Scything Talons + Old Adversary or hive commander depending on your list

Flying: Need some form of screen. Gargoyles are your best and cheapest bet. 15-20 of them. Wings (obviously) 2x Devourers. Again OA or HC depending on your list.

Like everyone else is saying the big guns HVC and BS are pretty useless and expensive. They need help to stay alive and like any science fiction alien race you use the weak ones to protect the strong ones. They are the core to your army and their powers make or break your list so keep them alive.

I'm no pro or champion tourny player, I just play the game and these are my thoughts so take what you get out of this with a grain of salt.

Wow, you're looking at over 300 points with that flyrant.

Scytals are *not* useless, Old Advesrary does nothing against vehicles, and as an MC vehicle punching is always good. Lashwhip bonesword combo is nice, for the potential ID and going simultaneously with foe in cover..... but in the end the key is these morphs are *free*. You're going to be using psychic powers in the shooting phase anyway. I say spare yourself the 30 points, and for 5 points less you could actually rock both Old Adversary AND Hive Commander (if you're list will utilize it).

I do agree with the gargoyle screen, kitted up and OAed they are little buzzsaws on the charge. I HATE moving them and getting them in assault however, and they really do lose a ton of steam after the charge, so choose your targets wisely.

Also I'm one of those crazy people that like shrikes too, you just have to be careful how you use them. They're all or nothing, you pick your targets, hack them to shreds in a round, or hang back until targets present themselves and plug synapse holes in the meantime. But holy crap, Old Adversary on these guys + toxin sacs will buzz through terminators like they're wet paper bags. You'll average 4.5 dead stormshield termis, and 9 regular termis with 6 shrikes on a charge.

I love my flying list.

You're going to be using psychic powers in the shooting phase anyway. I say spare yourself the 30 points, and for 5 points less you could actually rock both Old Adversary AND Hive Commander (if you're list will utilize it).

I don't understand this, because in a lot of my games, that's not true at all. I don't always use my psy powers, it depends completely on the situation. I've found my Twin-linked Devs to be a lot more useful than hitting an enemy with Paroyxism, or Leech essence.. For winged Tyrants, I think the Dual Devs is superior to Scytals. Yes, you don't get the rerolls against vehicles(this is assuming you have Old Adversary of course), but with 5 attacks on the charge you should get at least 2-3 pens in on 90% of vehicles. Hell, I'd prefer to take my chances shooting it from the rear or sides, even with the AP- as that gives me a chance to assault the contents if it's a transport. The only downside is the Flyrant is expensive. Granted, if I wanted a cheap alternative, I suspect I'd be taking a Prime for my HQ choice anyway.

Ok, so it seems that the big guns are useless, and it depends on your list.

I'm thinking of using the following set up for my Hive Tyrant:

Lash Whip + Bonesword + TL Devs + Hive Commander + Armoured Shell

My list is a half fast, half slow list. I'm using the Tyrant to bolster the slow part. Thoughts?

The Shadow wrote:Ok, so it seems that the big guns are useless, and it depends on your list.

I'm thinking of using the following set up for my Hive Tyrant:

Lash Whip + Bonesword + TL Devs + Hive Commander + Armoured Shell

My list is a half fast, half slow list. I'm using the Tyrant to bolster the slow part. Thoughts?

Are you using Outflanking Stealers? What point level are you playing? The Swarmlord may be a better choice, if you are at 2k or so, and have a lot of outflanking elements.

Also, run a tyrant guard with any walking Tyrant, they really need the extra wounds.

Nah, only 1.5k. And yeah, Stealers are probably the unit I'd outflank. Is there any other that could be used for that?