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I’m getting a friend into 40k and they want to start Tyranids. I’ve played a handful of games against Tyranids but I’ve never run the army. I’m trying to build them a starter army that good enough to keep up with most casual lists. I’m not too worried if it can’t keep up with optimized marines. Also don’t worry too much about wargear. If the list goes over 2000 with better options that’s fine.

Right now they have 1 hive Tyrant, 3 warriors, 20 Termeguants, 3 ripper swarms, and a lictor.

Let me know what I should change or swap.


++ Battalion Detachment (Tyranids) [107 PL, 1,993pts,] ++

+ HQ +

Hive Tyrant [12 PL, 235pts]: Monstrous Scything Talons, Power: Catalyst, Two Devourers with Brainleech Worms, Warlord, Wings

Tervigon [11 PL, 210pts]: Massive Scything Talons

Tyranid Prime [5 PL, 82pts]: Devourer, Lash Whip and Bonesword

+ Troops +

Genestealers [16 PL, 240pts]: Acid Maw
. 16x Genestealer: 16x Rending Claws

Termagants [6 PL, 100pts]
. 20x Termagant (Fleshborer): 20x Fleshborer

Termagants [6 PL, 100pts]
. 20x Termagant (Fleshborer): 20x Fleshborer

Tyranid Warriors [8 PL, 136pts]
. Tyranid Warrior: Devourer, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Devourer, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Devourer, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior: Devourer, Scything Talons
. Tyranid Warrior (Bio-cannon): Scything Talons, Venom Cannon

+ Elites +

Zoanthropes [12 PL, 270pts]: Power: Psychic Scream
. 6x Zoanthrope: 6x Claws and Teeth

+ Heavy Support +

Exocrine [9 PL, 170pts]

Screamer-Killers [12 PL, 240pts]
. Screamer-Killer: 2x Monstrous Scything Talons
. Screamer-Killer: 2x Monstrous Scything Talons

Tyrannofex [10 PL, 210pts]: Rupture Cannon

++ Total: [107 PL, 1,993pts] ++

That seems pretty decent for a beginner list, though primes aren't really all that great so I would have 6 warriors all with Lashwhip, bonesword and 4 with DEATHSPITTERS, 2 with venom cannon...you really do NOT want to waste warriors on devourers.

With the winged tyrant, best options are either 4x devourers or Monstrous Rending claws and A heavy venom cannon.

Just note that only 1 in every 4 stealers can have an acid maw, but i highly recommend you do take them. With marines going up in wounds, paying for toxin sacs on these guys is also handy, but they do get a bit expensive.

Other than that, list looks good for a start ( its fairly similar to what I began with). After a few games, I would suggest looking into Blood Of Baal, as the tyranid stuff will not be obsolete until the new codex which is going to be next year at the earliest and has some great stuff in it (especially the physiologies, but as he is a beginner, this is not necessary until he feels comfortable with the army).


I assume you intend the zoanthropes to babysit the T-fex and exocrine while the rest of the army moves forwards.

I would put Psychic scream on the Tyrant (who has the mobility to use it better), and catalyst on the zoanthropes

Its a good idea to let your friend know that Tyranids are a bit like orks...he will be losing lots of models every game so dont get disheartened.

Nids are a fun army that can utilize every phase of the game (unlike say necrons or dark eldar who lack psykers).

Hope this helps.

I kind of like double Bone Swords for the +1A.

I'm hoping they give the first pair of scything talons +1A. Hormugaunts need the help.

Breton wrote:
I kind of like double Bone Swords for the +1A.

I'm hoping they give the first pair of scything talons +1A. Hormugaunts need the help.

The milage on double bone sword depends on what you play against. Vs our friend the orks you much rather have lash whips then bonesword. I suspect something might be true vs SM as well.