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So I just got a new Nid army for cheap and I'm wondering what the best builds are for a walking Hive Tyrant before I glue anything together. I know the swarm lord is were its at, but if I just want to run a walking lord other than him how would you build it? Is it even worth it and should I just make him my permanent swarm lord? I already have a wing tyrant with 2x brain leech or Scything Talons (magnets)

I run a tyrant with scything talons and 2x brainleech worms which works well for me. I run him with 1 tyrant guard and he lasts for the whole game. The brainleech worms really work against guard, with 12 shots 4+ to hit and 2+ to wound, and afterwards its funny when the remaining squad members run away off the map.

He only gets 2 weapons, so you can't run 2 lots of devourers and a set of scything talons, as that would be 3 sets of weapons.


I tend to run lash whip/bonesword, and 1 pair of brainleech devourers. Lash whip is fantastic for giving you the first hits, and S6 TL is great.

I run a deathstar build, so 3 tyrant guard, and normally an attached prime. (in 2000 pts games)


Also instead of scything talons, consider old adversary (which I also run on him) which can be a superb force multiplier.

Sorry, 1x brainleech worms

Do the ST actually come in handy or would you rather just be taking a HVC or another set of BL worms?

Jangustus wrote:Also instead of scything talons, consider old adversary (which I also run on him) which can be a superb force multiplier.

ST gives rerolls against vehicles, OA doesn't.

I prefer OA because ST seems like a waste sometimes...

In my experience Armoured Shell is pretty much a must to not die to Krak missiles, which are pretty much the go to weapon for nidzilla killing. Regeneration is pricey, but can be nice depending on how the dice favour you. Having a Tervigon close by to use catalyst on an Armoured Tyrant can even further boost it's survivability to silly levels against anything short of lascannons. A krak missile, which before only needed five shots to kill your Tyrant, ten if you have some guards for cover saves, will now require roughly 57 shots to bring it down on average, and this isn't even factoring in how many shots hit in the first place or regeneration.

For my Tyrant I typically use Lash whip/bonesword and brainleech devourers, armoured shell, regeneration, adrenal glands for just a little bit more anti-vehicle punch, old adversary, and three bonesword tyrant guards. I do however, wish I could get invulnerable saves for my Tyrant and Guard and a 2+ save for the Guard, even if I had to pay points for it.

I like going with 2 sets of TL-Devourers.

Ideally you slap him with at least 1 Hive Guard so soak up missles and get the unit cover. You can also take one(or both) of Armoured Shell/Regeration, but they're a bit pricey.

Laughing God wrote:Do the ST actually come in handy or would you rather just be taking a HVC or another set of BL worms?

They don't really, but you're also not spending any more points on your Tyrant by keeping them. I don't tend to take guns on the Tyrant since I'll probably be casting Paroxysm or Leech Essence anyway.

Hmmm seems to be alot of options people take, looks like I'll have to proxy for a while with an armless tyrant and figure out what works with my list. shell and regen seem to be common though. Thanks alot for the tips.

Or I could just stop being cheap and lazy and buy some magnets lol

Andilus Greatsword wrote:

Laughing God wrote:Do the ST actually come in handy or would you rather just be taking a HVC or another set of BL worms?

They don't really, but you're also not spending any more points on your Tyrant by keeping them. I don't tend to take guns on the Tyrant since I'll probably be casting Paroxysm or Leech Essence anyway.

MCs can shoot twice.

I've actually started taking psychic scream rather than leech essence. while it doesn't allow you to regenerate wounds, it works wonders against hordes of guard, orks, other 'nids... you name it.

HT - ST, HVC, AS. Paraox and leech.
2x TG
355
Tervi - cat
175
Thats what i run, but it becomes quite a point sink to keep him alive. i think 3 guards to too much, even AS can be overkill with 2 gaurds. its only really for the most deadly weapons, and i only really use him as support, never my main force, just shooting from the back and soaking wounds.
Personally though i drop him altogether, get a prime, or use that tervi for HQ, and invest in multiple trygons. i love em.

I changed mine to a Swarmlord soon after the codex, and planned to buy a second when I found a need to use a different walking Tyrant for other occasions.

I have not felt the need to get that second one yet.