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Heya all,

So here is the list I am looking to start playing bugs with (my "core").  I am trying to build and paint up something quick to start playing (not new to 40K, but I haven't played since 3rd, and I am starting fresh as all my old stuff got sold).  My intention is a balanced bug list (Godzilla sounds cool, but for style alone I want more variety).

So here is what I am shooting for to get 500 points on the table.

HQ

3x Warriors (ScyTal, Rend, +1S, +1WS, +1 IN, ExCar, Leaping) = 129 points

Troops

16x Spinegaunts = 80 points

16x Hormagaunts (+1 WS, +1 IN, +1S) = 224 points

Heavy Support

1x Zoanthrope (Synapse, Warp) = 65 points

498 Total
36 Models

I figure it is mainly CC, with the Zoey in there to pop dreads or Rhinos and the like.  Any thoughts on quick fixes?  I only bought one box of gaunts and a box of warriors so far - built as described above.  Before I gather the rest I just wanted to get some ideas from experienced players.

Thanks,
Chris

Pretty good list Chris
When your playing do you run your zoey run up with the spine gaunts keeping them in synapse and the warriors with the Hormagaunts so that they can keep in synapse command?
As long as the Hormagaunts don't fleet to far you should be right for synapse.
Also consider swapping on of the rending claws or Scything talons on a warrior for a devourer, as the Warriors get no bonuses for not moving (no Fleet) you might as well shoot a bit on the way. Or you could just attach another warrior or just take another squad with guns in a larger game.
P.S. your list is better than mine

The only thing I'd suggest is that your Warriors don't need the +1S or +1WS.

If you do the math, you'll find that the Rending wounds are the bread and butter of the unit in CC, and that adding the additional strength and WS doesn't really pay off (points vs. statistcal improvement) unless you're fighting against poor CC fighters like the IG or Tau.

I'd take the extra 15 points and get another Hormagaunt or a couple more Spinegaunts into the list. In reality, the Hormagaunts are going to be the unit you're going to need do your damage in combat to win, so I'd take the extra body there.


Also be aware that if you play any Escalation missions you're going to be in deep trouble as your Hormagaunts start off the board. There's not a whole lot you can do about that at this level (500 points), but just be aware.

I recently played in a 500 pts league with a almost similar list (the only difference was mainly to not have the ws on warriors). I experienced many deafeats vs shooty army like Chaos ( 2 tac/plasma, fist and 2 oblits) or marines ( 2 tacs/plasma, dread with Assaut C.). The probem was that my main synapse provider ( warriors as zoan are slower) were to easy to kill. I now run a very similar list but I switched the 3 warriors for a ultra cheap winged tyrant and it work very well as the tyrant do a better job than the warriors in every domains. If your are allowed to field a tyrant in a 500 pts games list (per the rules, you can), I think thas the winged one is the way to go.

Good point Leto.

A Tyrant with just (x2) Scything Talons and Wings comes to 131 points. . .Exactly the 129 points you're paying for the Warriors and the extra 2 points you had left over.

All of a sudden that change makes the list go from ho-hum to *hot damn*!

You'll be hard pressed to lose a 500 point game with a flying Tyrant.

Hmmm.

Interesting development!  Thanks for the feedback.  My alternate was:

HQ

Same

Troops 129 points

8x Spinegaunts 40 points

12x Hormagaunts (as above) 168 points

Heavy Support

1x Gunfex 163 points

500 points
24 models

 

Given the three options now, which would you pick (Original, Flyrant version, or Gunfex version)?

Thanks again,

Chris

In descending order of lists that will help you win games:

1) The Flying Tyrant list.
2) The Gunfex list.
3) Your Original list.


You will be hard pressed to find an army that is equipped to handle a Flying Tyrant in a 500 pt. game, simple as that. Anytime you have a big mismatch like that you're in the position to dictate how the game goes.

The Gunfex is good, but you still have the issue of the small unit of Hormagaunts potentially outdistancing their Synapse.

With the Flying Tyrant, the Hormagaunts and the Tyrant can travel together and absolutely smash any units they reach in CC.

The Flying Tyrant list is damn near the perfect 500 point Tyranid list.

Yak,

Sounds great on paper, but in practical terms, is a Flyrant kitted out like that going to be of use as my army grows?  I don't want to limit myself to models that are only effective in 500 points.  Would you use a "bare-bones" Flyrant like that as a secondary HQ in 1000 or 1500 point games?

My group is pretty flexible, so if I modeled some extras (Adrenal Glands for instance) they wouldn't give me a hard time for not using them in a low point list, but I would at least like the weapon load-out to be WYSIWYG (especially if I am going to go to the trouble of putting wings on it!). 

Chris

Absolutely.

A stripped down flying Tyrant is a great choice in almost any point game.

You can later make him the super flying Tyrant by giving him Toxin Sacs, Toxic Miasma, Flesh Hooks, and Implant Attack.

The thing is, most of the upgrades are already kind of built into the model: Toxic Miasma? Well those ridge things on his back vent out the Miasma. Flesh Hooks? The boney little hooks sticking out of his chest work just fine. That just means you really need to "pre model" Toxin Sacs and Implant Attack.

A little green stuff to the end tongue or tail can give you Implant attack, and the Toxin Sac are easily added later.

Even if you do model the Implant Attack and Toxin Sacs ahead of time they are easily ignorable. Your opponents will only notice they are there if you tell them.

 

Edit: BTW, the x2 Scything Talons are *the* best weapon load out for the flying Tyrant. The only other option (x2 TL Devouers) are only really useful in a super-shooty Godzilla Pyshic Choir list.

 

A 2 talons/winged tyrant is always useful in any kind of nid list. If you absolutly want to be 100% WYSIWYG and have a Tyrant that will be good in any kind of list, this Tyrant need at least the strengh option. (143 pts)

So, with that configuration, you will be good to any pts level.

Excellent!

A Flyrant it is then.  So next questions:

1. How should I build my warriors for later (already bought 'em, might as well put them together).  Keep the CC build, or add some firepower?  I think I am inclined to keep them as a CC escort for another Hormagaunt brood down the road.

2. What wings work best to model a Flyrant?

I appreciate the feedback so far guys.  This sounds like a solid start to my army.

Chris

As for question #1, IMHO, Warriors should only ever come in two flavors:

A) CC oriented: Scything Talons/Rending Claws, Extended Carapace. Add +1 Initiative and Leaping as needed.

B) Shooty: Devourer/Scything Talons, +1 BS, +1S, Extended Carapace. Replace Talons with Rending Claws as a slightly better Assault deterent and potential to kill vehicles.

Generally I think the CC build is more useful in most army types.


2) Dragon Wings are serviceable:

UK Online Store.


I'd like to get my hands on the new plastic Balrog wings, but I don't think they're going to sell them seperately.