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I have some old FW flying Hive Tyrants I've bought coming, and I've played them before, but is there a viable alternative? I know they are really good for their points, but could I make a semi-competitive army without them?

Here's what I have to work with

Tervigon
2 Tyrannocytes
2 crones (1 could be a harpy I guess)
4-5 zoanthropes
1-2 venomthropes
6 warriors ( no arms yet, whatever weapons)
Broodlord
16-18 genestealers (should they have the scything talons or keep them regular?)
Carnifex with double devourers (magnetized, so I guess I could change them)
Mawloc
Spores
Mucolid spore clusters
Ripper bases
Some random hormagaunts/termagaunts, not really enough to do anything with

buckero0 wrote:
I have some old FW flying Hive Tyrants I've bought coming, and I've played them before, but is there a viable alternative? I know they are really good for their points, but could I make a semi-competitive army without them?

Here's what I have to work with

Tervigon
2 Tyrannocytes
2 crones (1 could be a harpy I guess)
4-5 zoanthropes
1-2 venomthropes
6 warriors ( no arms yet, whatever weapons)
Broodlord
16-18 genestealers (should they have the scything talons or keep them regular?)
Carnifex with double devourers (magnetized, so I guess I could change them)
Mawloc
Spores
Mucolid spore clusters
Ripper bases
Some random hormagaunts/termagaunts, not really enough to do anything with

You can make a list, but "competitive" is subject to definition... Sadly the Tervigon is only baseline useful, and it requires about 21+ Termagants for spawns, so if you don't have some handy, you'll be needing them.

Having a couple of Pods does open up vistas of possibility, but it will be hard work. Tyranids do best when they can present over whelming threats, causing confusion in the enemy. Stealers are dead killy, but with out a way to get into contact, they tend to just be plain dead.

You might look at trying a Spore Field, and infiltrate the Stealers...that might put some pressure on while you pod in the Carnifex, and something else...

Because Stealers are a little over priced, the only viable use is to keep them plain. If you have Shield of Baal, you might try the Spawn off Cryptus..it looks kinda cool, and it gives Stealth to the Stealers. But that formation specifies all the mods, and it requires Scything Talons for the Stealers (x7? x8?) And a Brood Lord (no Scything)...so give it some thought.

Ripper Swarms with Tunneling can be real useful for Maelstrom, so setting them asisde in groups of x3 is a good plan.

The Warriors are also kinda overpriced, so they also tend to do best with minimal upgrades, I suggest two Broods of x3, each with a Biocannon. You can get them as low as 100 per, and you probably should. I'd likely build one of each (Venom, Strangle)

Good luck! And welcome to the Hive Mind!

I personally love Mawloc, and use them solo, or in pairs with wild abandon. I suggest you give it a try, it tends to be a "love it, or don't" kinda critter.

Awesome, thanks for replying. I should have three pods by the time I'm done. I was thinking some genestealers in a pod, a dakkafex and I wasn't sure about the other maybe a biggish unit of zoanthropes. I have an ADL I could put comms on to help them come on ( bastion would be better, but I'm unsure of the dimensions.

buckero0 wrote:
Awesome, thanks for replying. I should have three pods by the time I'm done. I was thinking some genestealers in a pod, a dakkafex and I wasn't sure about the other maybe a biggish unit of zoanthropes. I have an ADL I could put comms on to help them come on ( bastion would be better, but I'm unsure of the dimensions.

Having a way to modify your roll is a very good idea. If nothing else you can pod the Tervigon. I habitually Outflank Tervigon, when I use(d) one, and she can make a lot of drama happen in the foes backfield.

I am guessing you will be getting a Winged Tyrant or two, and when you do, your force will be a lot stronger. Stealers in a pod is probably a practical way to get them into contact, the down side is they have to stand around for a turn (they cannot shoot anyway) before they can charge. So I suggest you use the pod to provide a cover save if nothing else...