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I have not a clue how to play Tyranids. i'm a GK player but I want to play an army that is very different from GK and I've always had a soft-spot for the dinosaur/bugs/things.

But I have absolutely no idea what list would work for them. I've read 5th and 6th ed Tyranids (and a bit of 4th) so I know that they've taken GW's nerfhammer right in the face.
Here's what I do know:
Synapse is a must.
Flyrants are the new black
Venomthropes are your salvation
The Heavy Support slot is where the magic is at
The Dataslate formations are pretty damn stronk

and that's about it. I'm deciding between the Skyblight based list with maybe Biovores or Exocrine/Tyrannofex support and 2 more Dakka Flyrants. Or a swarmy list, the Living Artillery node or Endless Swarm with lotsa Hormagaunts (I like CQC but it's pretty bad after 5th), Carnifexes and Warriors for synapse.

Any help would be appreciated. Also if this is in the wrong forum, sorry!

I think your flying monster creatures got the biggest bump this edition. T6 Tyrants flying around with 2 twin linked assault 6 str 6 guns is solid, now they only take grounding on an unsaved wound.

Carnifexs get the same guns but also have the luxury of being one of the last MC to throw out more then 1 str 9 or 10 attack in an assault now.

The biggest threat to tyrannids before, ironically enough was grey knights and the force weapons. Now just save your dispel dice for that one dispel attempt, if you cant be forced weapon with your MC's you are in good shape.

The bubble shroud is good concept with your elites, but so much ignores cover still.

Flying MC's only being grounded on unsaved wounds and not being ID by force weapon puts you in a good spot.

Some people like to run the hoard from what I've seen. Tons of gargoyles or gaunts. Im not to sure how they make that work in all honesty.

Yeah, my GK's wreck Nids. Insta-killing all their MC.

The grounding test thing was nice but the Vector Strike nerf and the inability to Charge outta Swooping meant that my idea for a CC Flyrant is gone.

Thanks for the input though. Forgot that Carnifexes got those D3 HoW attacks

It kinda depends on what sort of list you want to play. CQC? Shooty? A bit of both?

Then it depends on what type of bugs you want? All round and fluffy? Pure swarms, or some form of nidzilla....

Then we can try and help build a list. But beware, they seem to be quite hard to play now....

I don't mind the challenge of playing some Nids. The GK list I have is quite brain-dead so why not.

I would like a good mix I suppose. It's kinda hard to get the Nids that close to CC that fast anyway. I'm deciding between the Flying swarmy list or the ground based swarmy list, though I'm open to ideas. A smaller army would be more gentle on my wallet

 cycom wrote:
I don't mind the challenge of playing some Nids. The GK list I have is quite brain-dead so why not.

I would like a good mix I suppose. It's kinda hard to get the Nids that close to CC that fast anyway. I'm deciding between the Flying swarmy list or the ground based swarmy list, though I'm open to ideas. A smaller army would be more gentle on my wallet

Well, don't forget that GK, can now ally with Nids. "come the Apocalypse" So that might be a way to save some points...

If you get the Swarm, box, a Hive Tyrant, and a box of Warriors, you have enough to run a decent force up to 1250 easy. Then you can customise as you wish, once you know what "style" fits you.

Ah, the Swarm box looks like a good buy.

Thanks!. Hopefully I use most of the units in the box

The Swarm box is a fantastic buy. I definitely recommend it and as a Nid player I could tell you that you will most likely find use out of each unit (even if you don't always bring them)

Units I would recommend.

Tyrannofex. 2+ 6W MC, Nice weapon options. I have yet to play a game without bringing one since I picked up the box.

Tervigon. So she took a hit in the last codex, she's still a very viable and useful unit - especially in games that aren't Purge the Alien. Today my single Tervigon spawned 39 extra gaunts. She's definitely not bad to have around.

Warriors. There are other ways of getting synapse but I love these guys and would recommend them as you can kit them out several different ways. Zoanthropes are another decent and cheaper synapse/psychic choice that do get invulnerable saves.

Mawlock - Another of my favored choices some people like to run two of them for redundancy but my one has really destabilized my opponents back lines. One time he popped up in the middle of a full unit of swooping hawks the turn after they deepstruck and ate every last one of them much to my opponents shagrin. I almost felt bad.

Hive Crones - Okay so they nerfed vector strike but even a single Str 8 ap 2 hit is enough to hurt most tanks, ID enemy broadsides(I face a lot of these) and it gets the D3 against other flyers(which are also another common thing in my meta)

Nids aren't like any other army and for that it makes them very fun to play. I believe they have a very balanced codex and they can do really well with objectives.

I went the reverse route, bought GK because I wanted something totally different from my 'Nids.

I have to echo what was said above about the Swarm Box, it's a nice basis for your army. Also Dakka Flyrants are pretty much an auto-include at virtually all point levels, at least IMO. Zoanthropes are a nice cheap way to spread synapse, and provide occasionally effective anti-tank capabilities as a bonus (plus warp charges and whatever buffs you roll up). Dakka carnifexes are another solid choice, providing both melee anti-tank (if you can get them there) and potent shooting, as well as tearing some attention away from your synapse creatures. Biovores are another very solid HS choice, they're like the Whirlwind of the Tyranids. Whenever I run Biovores they rarely fail to make their points, though it's too bad they lost pinning, they can still barrage snipe.

Good luck building, and enjoy the change of flavor!

The swarm box it is then! Whenever I get the cash for it.

Dakka Flyrants do seem to be the way to go with the melee nerfs to Flyers but the grounding buff.

Warriors seem pretty good but maybe I'll mess with Zoanthropes, always had a preference to those.

The Heavy Support slot for the 'Nids are so tempting though! I love Carnifexes but the Tyrannofex is super cool too. And I want to try something different by bringing Biovores. And the Exocrine seems amazing too, with a kickass model

I'm if not mistaken, I can take a Tervigon as a troop choice if I first bring 30 termagaunts, which would mean a lot of termagaunt boxes. Are Termagaunts or Hormagaunts better though. As much as I like melee, the Hormagaunts nerf with Scything talons seems kinda harsh, though the lower points cost seems ok.

As for Flyers, would just 2 Dakka Flyrants be ok? I'm not partial to the Crone at all but I would probably want to bring some anti-air. And the Harpy seems iffy.

Harpy does bring pinning to the table, and is excellent anti-infantry, but you probably have enough of that as is to be honest. I personally found the crone to fill the anti-air and to a lesser degree anti-tank roll pretty well, especially now that it's a bit more durable with the adjustment to grounding checks.

Hormagants look attractive until you realize that in order to really make them a threat to anything other than GEQ you have to double their points. Pass. I much prefer a large unit of Termagants with maybe about 1/3 of the models equipped with devourers.

Would the Dakka Flyrant or the Crone be better at anti-air though?

As for the Termagaunts, are the melee upgrades like poisoned or adrenal any good?

 cycom wrote:
Would the Dakka Flyrant or the Crone be better at anti-air though?

As for the Termagaunts, are the melee upgrades like poisoned or adrenal any good?

Well, you Need at least one Tyrant, and almost everyone gets a second one...Crones are "good" at AA, and AT partialy because that is their job. Winged Tyrants are usually zooming around, so they are not properly placed.

Termigants are very poor upgrade unit. If you want to upgrade aTermigant unit add in Devilgaunts (Termigants with Devourers) You are much more likely to get good value that way.

I wish to run the Bioblast Node Formation from the Tyranid dataslates, it seems like epic fun, granted though that the Split Fire rule is mediocre at best, but the re-rolling To Wounds is nice (if the Dakkafexes hit their shots with their meh BS)

How should I load out the units in the formation? This is what I've thought of so far:

Bioblast Node
3 Warriors: 3 Lash Whips and Boneswords, 2 Deathspitters. 1 Barbed Strangler 170 points
Carnifex: 2 Twin Linked Devourers 150 points
Carnifex: 2 Twin Linked Devourers 150 points
Carnifex: 2 Twin Linked Devourers 150 points
Tyrannofex: Rupture Cannon 205 points

Also, is the Living Artillery formation any fun? It seems like the most "competitive" choice between these 2 but I do wanna field Carnfexes (my favourite Tyranid unit since I saw one)
As for the Tyrannofex, is the Rupture cannon any good? Or is the Dakkahive better. The dakkahive to me would be able to use the Formation's Re-rolling To Wounds better.

On another note, what upgrades do people normally get for Nid MC's? I've got Flyrant, the 4 Fexes and a Tervigon

 cycom wrote:
I wish to run the Bioblast Node Formation from the Tyranid dataslates, it seems like epic fun, granted though that the Split Fire rule is mediocre at best, but the re-rolling To Wounds is nice (if the Dakkafexes hit their shots with their meh BS)

How should I load out the units in the formation? This is what I've thought of so far:

Bioblast Node
3 Warriors: 3 Lash Whips and Boneswords, 2 Deathspitters. 1 Barbed Strangler 170 points
Carnifex: 2 Twin Linked Devourers 150 points
Carnifex: 2 Twin Linked Devourers 150 points
Carnifex: 2 Twin Linked Devourers 150 points
Tyrannofex: Rupture Cannon 205 points

Also, is the Living Artillery formation any fun? It seems like the most "competitive" choice between these 2 but I do wanna field Carnfexes (my favourite Tyranid unit since I saw one)
As for the Tyrannofex, is the Rupture cannon any good? Or is the Dakkahive better. The dakkahive to me would be able to use the Formation's Re-rolling To Wounds better.

On another note, what upgrades do people normally get for Nid MC's? I've got Flyrant, the 4 Fexes and a Tervigon

Bioblast is expensive, but it looks like fun. What you have is very good, the only maybe upgrade is Adrenals for the Carnifexen (+45 points) You could also run "Gunfexes" with a Heavy cannon+ TL: Brain Leeches for some much needed range.

I don't like the Rupture Cannon, but I think you're obligated to take it with the node? "Living Artillery" is a "good" build, and you can buy Carnifexen as Heavys points allowing.

For MC's upgrades are only a good idea for specific uses. I like to toss Thorax Hives on everything that will take them. Its only 10 per. After that its often hard to justify the expense. I also like to add Salvo spines to Harpies so they can do light AA duty.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
If you build the Swarm box, a Hive tyrant with Wings, and a Warrior Brood, you can make a list up to 1250 that will be fun, and win a few. THe if you buy a Exocrene, a Warrior Brood (or just use the one you have) and 3 Biovores, you add about 400. That hits real close to 1650. Want to hit 1850? A Tyranofex with Adrenal, and a Thorax Hive runs 200! You should get good value at every step, and you can decide what you buy based on your own experiences.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
If I recall right the Swarm comes with 40 of each gaunt, I reserved 10 Hormies, and converted them to Devilgaunts.

So you could build...

HQ: Winged Dakka'rant, Thorax Hive 240

Troops: Termigants x 20 80 (I built mine as spinegaunts, but it is a person preferance, Vanilla are just as good, and work better with a Tervigon)
Troops: x20 Termigants 80
Troops: Hormigaunts x 15 75
Troops: Hormigaunts x15 75
Troops: Warrior Brood, x3, Cannon 100, or put a little extra on for 10 to 20 more...

Fast attack: Gargoyles x10 60

Heavy: Dakkafex 150

That runs about 760? trim, and hit 750, add upgrades, hit 1000 (example 10 Devilgaunts run 80, as a Brood, or add to the Broods you have, add Toxin sacks to the Hormies for 45 per for a huge boost vs high toughness targets) all that runs you to 930, toss in ta Zoeanthrope and you hit 1000 (980 + upgrades). Or forgo the upgrades and add a second Winged Tyrant (you'll want a second one anyway ) and hit 1000 that way 760+240=1000 even. Add Living Artillery (around 400) and two Zoeys, 1500. And at 1500 you'll have a very powerfull force.


Late entry: Want to add Tervigon? Toss the 10 Devils onto a Brood of Termies, drop one brood of Hormies, add a Tervigon with Thorax Hive, that raises the cost 210 points. Pretty easy to make fit. ( if you are running Toxic Hormies you only raise the price 175.

The shattershards seem like a good choice for the Tervigons. And maybe electroshock for the Flyrant for anti tank since I can't vector strike them to death.

The Gunfexes does seem like a good idea. If I get more Pinning down I would survive longer in an assault. But does the Heavy Venom Cannon have any use? I am noticing the distinct lack of any long range in my army, though the Nids sure aren't known for long range firepower.

I don't think I need to get the Rupture cannon (but it is S10), the Fleshborer Hive honestly sounds hilarious with 20 shots. The formation requirements just needs me to field a Tyrannofex. I could actually just field the Living Artillery node as well (am I allowed 2 formations?). Or maybe field a second Flyrant with the same load out and get some Exocrines (they look badass).

Also, now I'm curious between Zoanthropes and Warriors for synapse. The Flyrants won't be able to cast much Psychic stuff if they're far upfield (I think) so the Zoanthropes seem smart, but Warriors could wreck some serious gak.

The wallet issue is still a problem but I wouldn't mind spending more for a new army. I am selling off my older SM army to fund this new one

 cycom wrote:
The shattershards seem like a good choice for the Tervigons. And maybe electroshock for the Flyrant for anti tank since I can't vector strike them to death.

The Gunfexes does seem like a good idea. If I get more Pinning down I would survive longer in an assault. But does the Heavy Venom Cannon have any use? I am noticing the distinct lack of any long range in my army, though the Nids sure aren't known for long range firepower.

I don't think I need to get the Rupture cannon (but it is S10), the Fleshborer Hive honestly sounds hilarious with 20 shots. The formation requirements just needs me to field a Tyrannofex. I could actually just field the Living Artillery node as well (am I allowed 2 formations?). Or maybe field a second Flyrant with the same load out and get some Exocrines (they look badass).

Also, now I'm curious between Zoanthropes and Warriors for synapse. The Flyrants won't be able to cast much Psychic stuff if they're far upfield (I think) so the Zoanthropes seem smart, but Warriors could wreck some serious gak.

The wallet issue is still a problem but I wouldn't mind spending more for a new army. I am selling off my older SM army to fund this new one

Word, money is always an issue with GW. So, I've been suggesting with cost and efficiency in mind. Warriors are a middle value, but they have Synapse, can be Objective Secured (Troops) and can sport a cool Strangle cannon (pin tests) I usually camp them on a Objective in terrain, and snipe with the cannon. Zoeys are very durable (3++ save) and have lots of cool Powers of the Hive Mind! going.

I habitually run some of each, 1 or 2 Warrior Broods, and 2 Zoey Broods (+1 Veno Brood) most all the time.

Living Artillery is fairly low cost (around 400) and it gives re rolls to scatter, and pinning to blasts, with the general nurf to bombardment that is a biggie. I suppose two formations is "OK", but local traditions may run different.

The Tyrants can cast just fine, but they may die quickly if they are zooming off alone all the time. They can really benefit from screening units (Gargoyles) and terrain (ruins mostly, with a veno is even better)

I'd suggest building a 1000 point army, then once you get a feel for how you like to play adding in a Formation. That should be the most economical way to build a good force.

Good luck, and welcome to the Hive Mind!

Hm, I might squeeze in the Zoanthrope, it seems like a great unit, plus the idea of a floating brain shooting death rays is pretty hardcore

Just outta curiosity, how are Hive Guard?
And is Bio-plasma any good for the Carnifexes?
Now, what about Regeneration? Is it worth it's cost? Only the Tervigon would need it as I need that to stay alive for more Termagants, in addition to the fact that it's all close-range weapons. Plus it dying detonates all my Gants

 cycom wrote:
Hm, I might squeeze in the Zoanthrope, it seems like a great unit, plus the idea of a floating brain shooting death rays is pretty hardcore

Just outta curiosity, how are Hive Guard? And is Bio-plasma any good for the Carnifexes?

Not everyone agrees...but I like Zoeys a lot. Hive Guard are fine units...but...they compete with Zoeys, and Venos for the same slots.
So I habitually reccomend tossing Hive Guard, and replacing them with Zoeys. A Zoanthrope is durable Synapse, and has cool Powers of the Hive Mind! (3, one roll, two specified), and they can bust vehicles that are fool enough to get close. Venos Shroud units that can get a model inside a 6" bubble. Both are "must have", and both are cheaper.

If you run x2 CAD, then running out of slots is less of an "issue", so that's a good spot to add them in.

Most folks will tell you that Bio-plasma is a poor buy, and I won't say otherwise...but I like the old school "Screamer Killer" It is a fairly cheap way to get some S 7 AP 2 blast power at a low cost. In general I'd grab it with extra points left over, I just see it as an "upgrade" like any other.

Here's what I've got now.
HQ:
Hive Tyrant: Wings, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Electroshock Grubs - 240 points
Hive Tyrant: Wings, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Electroshock Grubs - 240 points

Troops:
Warrior Brood: 3 Warriors, 3 Adrenal Glands, 1 Rending Claw - 110 points
Termagant Brood: 30 Termagants, 10 Devourers - 160 points
Tervigon: Shreddershard Beetles, Cluster Spines - 210 points

Elites:
Venomthrope Brood: 2 Venomthropes - 90 points
Zoanthrope Brood: 2 Zoanthropes - 100 points

Formation:
Bioblast Node
Warrior Brood: 3 Warriors, 3 Adrenal Glands, 1 Rending Claw, 1 Barbed Strangler - 120 points
Carnifex Brood: 1 Carnifex, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Adrenal Gland, Bio-plasma - 185 points
Carnifex Brood: 1 Carnifex, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Adrenal Gland - 165 points
Carnifex Brood: 1 Carnifex, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Adrenal Gland - 165 points
Tyrannofex: Rupture Cannon, Shreddershard Beetles - 215 points

2000 points total

I'm rather happy with the amount of MCs this list has. Feels like a Nidzilla list, though it's not very "Tyranid" like because there ain't much of a swarm. It's a shame the codex doesn't reinforce the fluff of a Tyranid swarm army backed up by their MCs.

I wanted to squeeze in an Exocrine though, for some AP2 goodness but I suppose Bio-plasma will have to do, just gotta keep that one Carnifex alive to melt TEQs

 cycom wrote:
Here's what I've got now.
HQ:
Hive Tyrant: Wings, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Electroshock Grubs - 240 points
Hive Tyrant: Wings, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Electroshock Grubs - 240 points

Troops:
Warrior Brood: 3 Warriors, 3 Adrenal Glands, 1 Rending Claw - 110 points
Termagant Brood: 30 Termagants, 10 Devourers - 160 points
Tervigon: Shreddershard Beetles, Cluster Spines - 210 points

Elites:
Venomthrope Brood: 2 Venomthropes - 90 points
Zoanthrope Brood: 2 Zoanthropes - 100 points

Formation:
Bioblast Node
Warrior Brood: 3 Warriors, 3 Adrenal Glands, 1 Rending Claw, 1 Barbed Strangler - 120 points
Carnifex Brood: 1 Carnifex, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Adrenal Gland, Bio-plasma - 185 points
Carnifex Brood: 1 Carnifex, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Adrenal Gland - 165 points
Carnifex Brood: 1 Carnifex, 2 Twin Linked Devourers, Adrenal Gland - 165 points
Tyrannofex: Rupture Cannon, Shreddershard Beetles - 215 points

2000 points total

I'm rather happy with the amount of MCs this list has. Feels like a Nidzilla list, though it's not very "Tyranid" like because there ain't much of a swarm. It's a shame the codex doesn't reinforce the fluff of a Tyranid swarm army backed up by their MCs.

I wanted to squeeze in an Exocrine though, for some AP2 goodness but I suppose Bio-plasma will have to do, just gotta keep that one Carnifex alive to melt TEQs

Looks like a fun list. You might want to rework your Warrior Brood builds though...A Cannon is a very nice piece of kit, and if it's a Strangle Cannon, it can pin.

For 120 points, I'd build a Warrior Brood: x3, Deathspitters x2, Rending Claws x2, Cannon....plenty of Dakka, and a fair job at CC as well.

For 110, something like: x3, Deathspitters, Cannon? Or Claws x2, Cannon will likely do more work.....I happen to like Deathspitters, but if points are short, dropping them does little harm. I just happen to see a lot of AM/IG so AP5 comes in handy.

Ah, Adrenal glands aren't as useful? I suppose since the Warriors would most likely take a support role in my army it would make little sense to give them a melee boost yeah.

But Fleet is pretty nice for making sure the Warriors are always in cover but I could just screen them with 3 Carnifexes and a Tyrannofex XD

If I drop Adrenal, I would definitely take the Deathspitters for the boost to S5 and for AP5 (though I happen to see Tau and Eldar a plenty). The claws seem like a half-decent can-opener since I can't take a hidden power fist like the SM can.

Is 5 sources of Synapse overkill though? I was considering dropping some warriors to get the Exorcrine in

 cycom wrote:
Ah, Adrenal glands aren't as useful? I suppose since the Warriors would most likely take a support role in my army it would make little sense to give them a melee boost yeah.

But Fleet is pretty nice for making sure the Warriors are always in cover but I could just screen them with 3 Carnifexes and a Tyrannofex XD

If I drop Adrenal, I would definitely take the Deathspitters for the boost to S5 and for AP5 (though I happen to see Tau and Eldar a plenty). The claws seem like a half-decent can-opener since I can't take a hidden power fist like the SM can.

Is 5 sources of Synapse overkill though? I was considering dropping some warriors to get the Exorcrine in

Yeah, if you don't see the need for Deathspitters, then the points can go elsewhere, but the main function of Warriors tends to be camping on an objective, so having a Cannon to snipe with gives them a job while they hang out.

I am of the firm belief that you cannot have too much Synapse. Synapse hunting is a primary way to take Nids out. So having lots of Synapse is a counter. If there is enough, they may not even try. My "rule of thumb" is figure how much you need to win, then double that. A dedicated Synapse hunter should finish off one source a turn, every turn. So, how much will you have left on turn 5?

The counters are not all that strong, have plenty, make it durable (thats why I so often double out Zoeys), or hide it. Warriors can do a good job of hiding in cover, so that's where I tend to place them. Doubled out Zoeys are fairly durable (3++ save) and Tyrants are very tough as well.

I usually expect to lose both Tyrants by T3, so I plan of winning with my Zoeys, and Warrior Brood alone. If the Big Bugs survive, so much the better.

I agree about Rending Claws, they Rawk! I like placing them whenever I have points left for them.

I am of the firm belief that you cannot have too much Synapse. Synapse hunting is a primary way to take Nids out. So having lots of Synapse is a counter. If there is enough, they may not even try. My "rule of thumb" is figure how much you need to win, then double that. A dedicated Synapse hunter should finish off one source a turn, every turn. So, how much will you have left on turn 5?

The counters are not all that strong, have plenty, make it durable (thats why I so often double out Zoeys), or hide it. Warriors can do a good job of hiding in cover, so that's where I tend to place them. Doubled out Zoeys are fairly durable (3++ save) and Tyrants are very tough as well.

There would be a certain poetic irony if my synapse creatures got sniped out by Vindicaire assasins by a GK player. So the more synapse the better, the new Instinctive Behaviours are more crippling than the old ones.

It's a shame I can't fit all the MCs I wanted in. I love Trygons and the Exocrine has an awesome model

The hive mind sure is nice

 cycom wrote:

I am of the firm belief that you cannot have too much Synapse. Synapse hunting is a primary way to take Nids out. So having lots of Synapse is a counter. If there is enough, they may not even try. My "rule of thumb" is figure how much you need to win, then double that. A dedicated Synapse hunter should finish off one source a turn, every turn. So, how much will you have left on turn 5?

The counters are not all that strong, have plenty, make it durable (thats why I so often double out Zoeys), or hide it. Warriors can do a good job of hiding in cover, so that's where I tend to place them. Doubled out Zoeys are fairly durable (3++ save) and Tyrants are very tough as well.

There would be a certain poetic irony if my synapse creatures got sniped out by Vindicaire assasins by a GK player. So the more synapse the better, the new Instinctive Behaviours are more crippling than the old ones.

It's a shame I can't fit all the MCs I wanted in. I love Trygons and the Exocrine has an awesome model

The hive mind sure is nice

I sure think so... And over time, as you build more models, you'll have lots more options. I posted a list called..."Endless Tunnel Assault" (?) a long while ago, that uses two Trygons (Primes at higher point levels) with Endless Swarm. If you can find it, it might give you a template to build towards. Or you may decide that "Nidzilla!" is the way to go, and run 2x CAD with two Tyranofexen, and 1/2 dozen Carnifexen.

Or give in to peer pressure, and build a Skyblight army.

I sure think so... And over time, as you build more models, you'll have lots more options. I posted a list called..."Endless Tunnel Assault" (?) a long while ago, that uses two Trygons (Primes at higher point levels) with Endless Swarm. If you can find it, it might give you a template to build towards. Or you may decide that "Nidzilla!" is the way to go, and run 2x CAD with two Tyranofexen, and 1/2 dozen Carnifexen.

What's a CAD? I would think my army is pretty nidzilla. Kinda. There's a lot of MCs at the very least. Does a full nidzilla army just forget about the Troops and just load up on the big guys?

I would love to use Trygons and Mawlocs. But they take Heavy Support slots so I have to run a formation with them. Maybe with Living Artillery. Endless Swarm seems awesome too, but they don't have objective secured.

Or give in to peer pressure, and build a Skyblight army.

Skyblight isn't unattractive to me. I've always wanted a jump infantry army, but for that, I've always favoured the Space Marines for jumpy close up action.

 cycom wrote:

I sure think so... And over time, as you build more models, you'll have lots more options. I posted a list called..."Endless Tunnel Assault" (?) a long while ago, that uses two Trygons (Primes at higher point levels) with Endless Swarm. If you can find it, it might give you a template to build towards. Or you may decide that "Nidzilla!" is the way to go, and run 2x CAD with two Tyranofexen, and 1/2 dozen Carnifexen.

What's a CAD? I would think my army is pretty nidzilla. Kinda. There's a lot of MCs at the very least. Does a full nidzilla army just forget about the Troops and just load up on the big guys?

I would love to use Trygons and Mawlocs. But they take Heavy Support slots so I have to run a formation with them. Maybe with Living Artillery. Endless Swarm seems awesome too, but they don't have objective secured.

Or give in to peer pressure, and build a Skyblight army.

Skyblight isn't unattractive to me. I've always wanted a jump infantry army, but for that, I've always favoured the Space Marines for jumpy close up action.

CAD is the "new" 7th thing, basicly each one is it's own FOC, so HQ+2 Troops= CAD, do it again, and you have two FOCs to fill...that lets you take 3 slots for each. So you can run a total of 12 Troops, and 6 Heavys, etc... In theory that could be 18 Carnifexen. It helps solve one of the major "issues" for Nids, not having any allies. Since most builds already have two Tyrants, and 4 Troops, it is effortless to modify lists.

Skyblight is pretty much the "best" Tourney level build, though I personally don't fancy it. Now that everything scores, Nidzilla is even more of a "thing". Several of the Formations also work for Nidzilla, so options abound.


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And of course it's not nessisary to go for x2 CAD...

Here is an example list using single CAD, Bioblast Node

HQ: Tyrant 240 (Winged Dakka'rant, Hive)
HQ: as above 240

Troops: Termigants, x20 80 points
Troops: as above 80
Troops: as above 80
Troops: as above 80

Elite: Zoey Brood: x2 100
Elite: Zoey Brood, solo 50
Elite: Veno Brood, x2 90



Bioblast Node: 735

Warrior Brood: x3, Cannon 100
Dakkafexen, x3 450
Tyranofex, Hive 185

1040+ 735= 1775. so you can add some upgrades, and hit 1850. Its soft on Troops, but all the Big Bugs should be drawing most of the fire. Likewise vs Synapse hunting. So you have plenty of options in both builds, and point levels.

It is also totally doable to not take a formation...you lose the special rule, but gain flexability.
Example: 3 Heavy slots, Exocrene 170, Twin Dakkafexen 300, Twin Dakkafexen 300 that totals 770, only 35 points more than the Formation. You lost a Warrior Brood, and a Tyranofex, and picked up an Exocrene, and an extra Dakkafex. Its all good.