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.

Hello everyone!

I'm just getting into 40k so I know nothing about optimal lists or the current competitive meta, nor does that really matter to me since I'm looking to play casually. Even though I'll have fun playing regardless, I'd still like to win some games

Anyways, I really want to build a Tyranid army. In other games, I typically enjoy going tall rather than wide and I know that's counterintuitive to the horde style that the Tyranids have, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. With that in mind, I browsed the models and picked ones I thought looked cool, and then tried to link them with some type of common theme; hence this shooty, low model count list.

Let me know what you guys think! To sum it up, my main goal is to:

- play Tyranids with a low model count
- have some kind of theme
- include models that look cool (I like a lot of the Tyranid models so if you have suggested changes to the list, feel free to include ones I haven't mentioned)
- have a fun army that could still hold its own and win a decent amount of casual games

Feedback appreciated. Thanks in advance!


++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Tyranids) [64 PL, 1,259pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, The Miasma Cannon, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 88pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 88pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 88pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Boneswords, Venom Cannon

+ Elites +

Hive Guard [13 PL, 288pts]
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [18 PL, 357pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [37 PL, 741pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots

+ Heavy Support +

Biovores [6 PL, 150pts]: 3x Biovore

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 208pts]: Rupture Cannon, Stinger Salvo

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 208pts]: Rupture Cannon, Stinger Salvo

++ Total: [101 PL, 2,000pts] ++

I would give the T-fexs acid spray to get more anti horde.. It looks like a solid list but going up against another shooty army might hurt because they do it better.. "they" being T'au and AM because of all the rerolls they get.
But in a casual setting I feel like this list can put out a lot of hurt

Should work well as Jormungandr. I'd swap at least some of the monstrous deathspitters for devourers, they're just better weapons and help out with horde infantry. Also you won't have enough pairs of deathspitters, only one pair come with each carnifex, and none with the hive tyrant.

I don't think I've seen a nid list with so much ranged anti armour though!

ColaColaz wrote:
I would give the T-fexs acid spray to get more anti horde.. It looks like a solid list but going up against another shooty army might hurt because they do it better.. "they" being T'au and AM because of all the rerolls they get.
But in a casual setting I feel like this list can put out a lot of hurt

Thanks for the feedback! Will definitely revise my list accordingly. Yeah, I figured dethroning the top shooters wasn't a possibility but it would be pretty cool to see bugs with guns put up a decent fight

 Snake Tortoise wrote:
Should work well as Jormungandr. I'd swap at least some of the monstrous deathspitters for devourers, they're just better weapons and help out with horde infantry. Also you won't have enough pairs of deathspitters, only one pair come with each carnifex, and none with the hive tyrant.

I don't think I've seen a nid list with so much ranged anti armour though!

Yeah, definitely was thinking Jormungandr while making the list. And good call on the devourers. I didn't even realize I wouldn't have enough deathspitters to go around. Thanks for the heads up!

Ok so I've revised the list to be better at dealing with infantry. Equipped devourers on the tyrants and acid spray for the tyrannofexes. With the points savings, I was able to move things around and include a 3rd tyrannofex with a rupture cannon (at the cost of removing the biovores). Or I might opt to keep the biovores and give one of my tyrants wings instead because they look so damn cool. Thanks again for the feedback guys

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Tyranids) [64 PL, 1,249pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, The Miasma Cannon, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 88pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 84pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 82pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Scything Talons, Venom Cannon

+ Elites +

Hive Guard [13 PL, 288pts]
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [18 PL, 357pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Deathspitters with Slimer Maggots

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [42 PL, 751pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

+ Heavy Support +

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 208pts]: Rupture Cannon, Stinger Salvo

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 184pts]: Acid Spray, Stinger Salvo

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 184pts]: Acid Spray, Stinger Salvo

++ Total: [106 PL, 2,000pts] ++

With that many warriors, i would look to add a prime, for that sweet +1

For the rest, I tried a very similar list, also jormungandr.

Except more dakkafexes, no tyrannofex (as i have none) and 2 tervigons with 3 squads of gaunts as screen, and it worked like a charm. I have hidden a full squad of venomthropes midfield, and they lived whole game so -1 to hit on everything as well

 wallygator wrote:
With that many warriors, i would look to add a prime, for that sweet +1

For the rest, I tried a very similar list, also jormungandr.

Except more dakkafexes, no tyrannofex (as i have none) and 2 tervigons with 3 squads of gaunts as screen, and it worked like a charm. I have hidden a full squad of venomthropes midfield, and they lived whole game so -1 to hit on everything as well

That's a great idea. I was able to take out my 3rd tyrannofex to fit in a tyranid prime and another carnifex. I do have a couple of noob questions:

- thanks to the added HQ, I could split up the carnifexes into separate units and get a 2nd spearhead detachment, but is it worth the extra CP if it means I'll be deploying slower (2 extra units)
- does the venomthrope effect stack with The Horror psychic power from the hive tyrants?

Glad to hear a similar list did well
Cheers

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Tyranids) [43 PL, 804pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Adaptive Biology

Tyranid Prime [6 PL, 77pts]: Boneswords, Deathspitter

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 88pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 88pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Boneswords, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 88pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Boneswords, Venom Cannon

+ Elites +

Hive Guard [13 PL, 288pts]
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [37 PL, 664pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: Onslaught, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [6 PL, 119pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 185pts]: Acid Spray, Stinger Salvo, Toxin Sacs

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 185pts]: Acid Spray, Stinger Salvo, Toxin Sacs

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [27 PL, 532pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [9 PL, 175pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, The Miasma Cannon, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [6 PL, 119pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

Carnifexes [6 PL, 119pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

Carnifexes [6 PL, 119pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

++ Total: [107 PL, 2,000pts] ++

I would also add that adding wings onto the tyrants is a must.. to fit those in the list.. you would need to get rid of one carnifex in the T-fex detachment and add 1 biovore one unit of warriors will have devourers instead of deathspitters and lose one hive guard.
You do lose some fire power.. but the mobility gained can come in handy playing objectives.

-on your questions, i personally would go for the extra cp, but i do not play extremely competative games so maybe there's someone with other experience that has another thought.
-as far as i am aware of, the venoms shrouding stacks with the horror (but not with carnifex upgrade )

I played my tyrants without wings. Didn't need the mobility because board was swarmed, and he stayed in the -1to hit bubble.
Also, without wings +1sv because jormunganr
He had the warlordtrait that allies in 6" ignore cover when shooting. So i positioned my dakkafexes around him.

ColaColaz wrote:I would also add that adding wings onto the tyrants is a must.. to fit those in the list.. you would need to get rid of one carnifex in the T-fex detachment and add 1 biovore one unit of warriors will have devourers instead of deathspitters and lose one hive guard.
You do lose some fire power.. but the mobility gained can come in handy playing objectives.

wallygator wrote:-on your questions, i personally would go for the extra cp, but i do not play extremely competative games so maybe there's someone with other experience that has another thought.
-as far as i am aware of, the venoms shrouding stacks with the horror (but not with carnifex upgrade )

I played my tyrants without wings. Didn't need the mobility because board was swarmed, and he stayed in the -1to hit bubble.
Also, without wings +1sv because jormunganr
He had the warlordtrait that allies in 6" ignore cover when shooting. So i positioned my dakkafexes around him.

Hmmm I'm a bit torn. I do want wings but I'll be sacrificing firepower and the Jormunganr +1 save. On the other hand, the added mobility and ability to fall back and shoot is huge, especially since I wouldn't want them locked up in combat. Since I have a low model count, I wouldn't be able to swarm the board in the same way. Perhaps I'll go with a compromise and get one pair of wings on the 3rd tyrant that has no relic or warlord trait. That way, I can have a flyrant serve as a point of focus for the enemy while the other two would ideally get less focus as a result.

I'm not sure a prime is worth it here, I'd go back to how it was without the prime. It buffs the warriors a bit, but forces you to bunch them all together to benefit. Maybe not an issue given the synapse you're getting from three hive tyrants, but in itself that's an argument against taking it. You already have enough synapse, and for me a prime is best when you just need a cheap, untargetable synapse node to babysit something.

Ok cool. With everyone's feedback I think I have the final-ish version of the list. I swapped out the heavy deathspitters for devourers, added wings to the tyrants, added a dakkafex, switched to the Jormungandr warlord trait, and managed to fit everything within the points.


++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Tyranids) [50 PL, 934pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 222pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, The Miasma Cannon, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms, Wings

Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 222pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms, Warlord, Warlord Trait: Insidious Threat, Wings

+ Troops +

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 82pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Scything Talons, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 82pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Deathspitter, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Scything Talons, Venom Cannon

Tyranid Warriors [5 PL, 86pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior: Boneswords, Deathspitter
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Scything Talons, Venom Cannon

+ Elites +

Hive Guard [13 PL, 240pts]
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon
. Hive Guard: Impaler Cannon

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Tyranids) [57 PL, 1,066pts] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [11 PL, 222pts]: Heavy Venom Cannon, Power: Catalyst, Power: The Horror, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms, Wings

+ Heavy Support +

Carnifexes [12 PL, 238pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

Carnifexes [12 PL, 238pts]
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms
. Carnifex: Enhanced Senses, Heavy Venom Cannon, Spore Cysts, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 184pts]: Acid Spray, Stinger Salvo

Tyrannofex [11 PL, 184pts]: Acid Spray, Stinger Salvo

++ Total: [107 PL, 2,000pts] ++