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About the same points there are two major differences.

Swarmlord: has warp charge 2. is a beast with biomancy and in CC. But is very slow

Flyrant: has warp charge 1. is ok with biomancy and in CC. But is incredibly fast and can gun down most troops and glance tanks to death.

What should I use: Swarmlord vs Flyrant

Your opinions are appreciated and I'll try to respond as frequently as possible

-Hzp1

tyranids > 3000

Both.
Edit: to be more helpful, it depends on the rest of the list. My current 1850 I just use a Flyrant, but I need something that can get to the opponent quickly. Remember, Swarmy needs an escort so he gets expensive quick.

It really depends on the rest of your army. For example, I normally run a shooty army with hive guards, tervigons and biovores. For my army, the Swarmlord fits better as a counter-assault unit and force-multiplier. It's true that he is slow, but with my shooting, i don't really need a fast unit. As a matter of fact, I'm just as happy hiding behind terrain and blasting my opponents.

However, as an all-purpose general, the flyrant provides a little more flexibility because he can be almost anywhere. He also is arguably the best anti-air option for nids.

At 2K, I run both the Swarmlord and flyrant. However, at lower points levels, you probably won't be able to afford both. In such a case, you really have to see which HQ can better plug up the holes in your army.

Heres my tournament list:

Would the Swarmlord fit in?

HG:
Flyrant: old adversary: dual BL Dev: 285
Flyrant: old adversary: dual BL Dev: 285

Troops:
Tervigon: All psychic powers: AG and TS: Crushing claws: 235
Tervigon: All psychic powers: AG and TS: Crushing claws: 235
Tervigon: All psychic powers: AG and TS: Crushing claws: 235
10 devil guants: 100
10 devil guants: 100
10 devil guants: 100

Elites:
3 hive guard: 150
3 hive guard: 150

=1875

Its a 2000 point list so I ave a few points to work with

Swap him out for a FLyrant and change the other flyrant's OA for HC and outflank either a DG brood or a Trevigon and you get a some scary support down field fast with the Trevi outflank on a 2+, getting to reroll the side thanks alien cunning and being supported by the flyrant.

Perhaps add Hive Commander, but don't remove Old Aversary. It's perhaps the best 25 points in the codex.

 jifel wrote:
Perhaps add Hive Commander, but don't remove Old Aversary. It's perhaps the best 25 points in the codex.

25 points for a preferred enemy bubble on a model that's not likely to be within 6" of the rest of your army very much?

Yeah, not sure it's worth it.

I personally think the Swarmlord is a huge point sink that can easily avoided because he's so slow. He does have a supporting role with his special rules and 4 psychic powers. But 280 pts + guards is to much imo. I'd take at least one flying Hive Tyrant, maybe two if you're afraid of facing lots of flyers. I'd lose the Old Adversary, as other units would rarely benefit from it. Your list looks nice! for 125 pts you could take gargoyles to screen your Tervigons and Gants, ginving them cover.

at 2k I use both. I personally wouldn't run swarmy without a tyrant guard or else he can go down like a ton of bricks turn 1. Two flyrants seems to be too many points that can be very bad against certain lists (cron air, anything with huge weight of fire). I would drop the Old Adversary on the Flyrants because as another poster pointed out, they should rarely be hanging out within 6" of the rest of your force. That should be nearly enough points to also grab a Tyrant Guard. Drop a HG if necessary. I personally love the extra wounds, especially if Iron Arm goes off.

Swarmlord can be a great deathstar unit.. give him 2/3 tyrantgaurd and make sure he gets "endurance". let all the tyrantgaurd take one wound and then the whole unit gets to make "it will not die" rolls.

Flyrant are also great but you have to resist the urge to fly right down their throat first turn because it will die to quickly. You first got to soften up the enemies army and then do your thing.

LValx wrote:
at 2k I use both. I personally wouldn't run swarmy without a tyrant guard or else he can go down like a ton of bricks turn 1. Two flyrants seems to be too many points that can be very bad against certain lists (cron air, anything with huge weight of fire). I would drop the Old Adversary on the Flyrants because as another poster pointed out, they should rarely be hanging out within 6" of the rest of your force. That should be nearly enough points to also grab a Tyrant Guard. Drop a HG if necessary. I personally love the extra wounds, especially if Iron Arm goes off.

I 2nd everything he said...SL is awesome as a support character alone. He also is great for controlling areas of the table and protecting your more delicate units such as HG. Only get 1 tyrant guard if you plan to roll biomancy for iron arm.