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.

I played my first game against Tyranids today, and had my shiny metal ass handed to me. My opponents list consisted of a blob (20-30) of Gargoyles, another of Termagaunts, dakka Flyrant, dakkafex, a Tervigan, a mawloc, warriors, and hive guard. My MM/ML dreads blew apart the MC's, and my MM/Flamer tactical squads held their own well. Vulkan and his dual flamer assault squad were tarpitted, my Librarian did OK, and my hammernators were useless. Below is a tentative list to deal with his:

HQ
Vulkan - 190
Motf with bike and conversion beamer - 130

Elite
Ironclad Dreadnought with two HF, seismic hammer, assault launchers, in a drop pod - 190
Ironclad Dreadnought with two HF, seismic hammer, assault launchers, in a drop pod - 190
Ironclad Dreadnought with two HF, seismic hammer, assault launchers, in a drop pod - 190

Troops
Tactical Squad with MM/Flamer, Combi-melta - 165
Tactical Squad with MM/Flamer, Combi-melta - 165

Heavy Support
Venerable Dreadnought with MM/ML - 135
Venerable Dreadnought with MM/ML - 135

Just some friendly advice you might want to knock the venerable naughts down to regular dreads (if the don't conflict with another slot, it's been a while since I've played marines). Also a ML/lascannon would pair a lot better than MM/ML due to the range of a MM. What did your opponent have and what was givin you trouble?

I could drop the Venerable and give them lascannons for the same price. I kept the MM because a) it was free b) would be mastercrafted c) it was AP1. I was inflicting a lot of wounds on the MC's with 2/2 to hit/wound.

Seeing as how Tyranids lack vehicles, the LC is probably better with its higher strength.

I guess the biggest problem I had was dealing with the number of T6, 3+ wounds, units/MC's. His units were always in synapse.

Personally, I would make the Ironclads heavy instead of the Vens. Or at least move one over to heavy in case you get BGNT.
If you're going to give the Venerables lascannons, you could consider making the MM an autocannon and sitting him back. as a couple of weapons platforms. If you make them weapons platforms then keep them as HS choices.

As for the Ironclads themselves; Try making it a Melta/HF dread, that way they can have a S8 AP1 weapon and benefit from Vulkan. (Vehicles don't benefit from Chapter Tactics except for IWND for Iron Hands. Don't take this the wrong way I just see a lot of people make this mistake)

I'll get back to you if I can think of anything else.