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I am new to 40K and have been trying to build a Tyranid Combat patrol for the past 3 months (Sad) I got them cause I thought they were cool. The Gaunts were simple but the Warriors and Tyrant are killing me with so many small bits and four arms that don't match. I am wondering if there were any armies that are easier to build. I have been looking at Marines, Necron, Chaos, Tau, Knights, and Sisters, any help is more than welcome.

Easy to build (no particular order):
●Knights/Chaos Knights
●Tank/Vehicle heavy Astra Militarum - Vehicles are easy, the plastic infantry aren't bad just small bitz.
●Primaris based SM forces. As are their vehicles & dreads. Large chunky pieces.
●orks - def copta & kanz heavy forces are real simple. Use grots as your troops - small yes, but generally 1 piece or just add head. Warbosses are easy as well.

Necron infantry are a bit fiddly. Especially thier heads. If you can't handle tyranid Warrior arms you won't enjoy assembling necron heads.....

Stay far away from AdMech if you don't like tiny spindly bitz.

What about the nids is giving you problems?

There are a lot of optional parts in the kits (armor extensions, poison sacks, adrenal glands) which are indeed very fiddly. I just don’t use them. From a purely WYSWYG POV, that sometimes means units are not sporting the right wargear. As they are options, it’s not quite like not putting grenades and pistols on all the marines, but real close.

As for the 4 arms not matching, it only maters some times. A few of the guns have paired arms, which should be listed in the instructions. But that’s something that’s pretty universal across GW’s armies. Most of the stabby options can be swapped around, but have left/right versions. If you cut everything off the spure they can get mixed up. They tend to have more details on the outside, and thumbs on the inside if you are having trouble tell your scything talons apart (which I’ve messed up in the past)

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Vehicles are a different kind of hard to build. The parts tend to be less small and fiddly, but you have more issues making sure hull plates line up etc.

Marines are the go-to starter army for a lot of reasons. One of which is their chunky aesthetic makes them pretty easy to build and paint. Not that there aren’t exceptions in the line, but overall they are pretty accessible.

Whatever direction you go, welcome to Dakka and 40k

The issue with the arms is that they look really off to me. The warriors look like Reggie from the movie "Lady in the Water" one arm is always massive looking compared to the other. Another thing that I feel is throwing me off is Four arms. I am really just not liking the look of the army in person, images online look amazing, but in person what I have built looks rubbish. I am going to use them as a paint test army for an airbrush, that way it's not a total waste of money. I am just wondering if there is another army like Space Marines that I should look at that are more builder friendly.

I can see so many benefits to investing in Kill Team, over buying a new 40K army.

Usually I'd harp on about the current price of the KT books, but there is the issue of buying another combat patrol & codex for 40K, on top of what you've already spent. Also, you don't want to start a pile of shame, and certainly not by adding more to it, then more, and more...it will only depress you as time goes on.

So, pony up the money for Kill Team( rules & compendium ), leave the Hive Tyrant and Rippers for a rainy day, and for now just focus 100% on your three warriors, and 8 termagants. Thats all you'll need for two "Fire teams" to play Kill Team.

Speaking of which! You can also squeeze out an additional Tyranid Prime and alternative Hive Tyrant build from left over pieces, later down the road. Basically a piece of wire and some greenstuff will model a snake body for a Prime, while a bit of planning'n'cunning will fashion a carapace for an additional Tyrant build. Your CP kit might seem overwhelming at the moment, but you actually have very close to not just a 500 point combat patrol, but a 1000 point incursion force! A bit of greenstuff or standard milliput will go a long way here. While the KT softbacks are steep for what they are, you've managed to get two combat patrols for the price of one...

TheDude88 wrote:
The issue with the arms is that they look really off to me. The warriors look like Reggie from the movie "Lady in the Water" one arm is always massive looking compared to the other. Another thing that I feel is throwing me off is Four arms. I am really just not liking the look of the army in person, images online look amazing, but in person what I have built looks rubbish. I am going to use them as a paint test army for an airbrush, that way it's not a total waste of money. I am just wondering if there is another army like Space Marines that I should look at that are more builder friendly.

So I feel like there's two parts to your impression right now

1) Models in images are different to reality. This is totally normal and its one reason I sometimes hold judgement of a model when I see a photo or render of it until I see it in person. Models in the real world can look different. Sometimes they can look even more amazing, sometimes they don't. It's also a totally personal thing so there's often no right nor wrong answer at all.
That being the case I'd encourage you to find a local club/store/shop/group where you can see other models in person. It might help you make a choice other than just purely researching online

2) It also sounds a little like you're having difficulty assembling the models. This might be just because its new and you've got a lot to learn; it might even be that its your first time doing something small and fiddly as a hobby so alongside getting used to it you're also having to build handskills and such as well.
It might purely be visual (ergo point 1) but if there's any of point 2 it might help if you post photos of your stuff that you've done, get feedback, as for tips, talk about what you find difficult. There's a wealth of ways people can help you to model better and its no waste at all as if you do still change armies you can take all your learning with you.

This is also something you can often find help for at good game stores and clubs and groups and such so you can also find out about it in the real world and in person not just online (esp as learning a hands on skill is much much easier learning with a person than just review after the effect from online help)

In terms of easy to put together, marines are typically for newer players because the models aren't too complex and you can get them on the tabletop pretty quick. If you like infantry, look for a loyalist chapter that is infantry heavy (Black Templar, Space Wolves, Raven Guard, Crimson Fist, Blood Angels, or a custom chapter) and in a color scheme you like or go Death Guard if you're going to go Chaos. If you're dead set on a xenos race, you can go Necrons, Ork, or Squats. If you go Necrons, the painting isn't too bad - prime metal, wash, dry brush, and then paint the guns. Assembly wise, they have some easy build options too. Orks are easy to assemble too - just about as easy as marines, just more or them. If you have an issue with a vehicle, it's just a custom job .

If you can find the Daemon cube army it's hard to beat.


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TheDude88 wrote:
I am new to 40K and have been trying to build a Tyranid Combat patrol for the past 3 months (Sad) I got them cause I thought they were cool. The Gaunts were simple but the Warriors and Tyrant are killing me with so many small bits and four arms that don't match. I am wondering if there were any armies that are easier to build. I have been looking at Marines, Necron, Chaos, Tau, Knights, and Sisters, any help is more than welcome.

Short of Guard?

No. All are complicated in different ways. It's part of the issues that GW has brought on themselves by overengineering miniature figures.

MY advice?

Go for 1000-2000 points, and no farther.

Plan the army out, then hit them up a unit at a time. If you are going gaunt heavy, a spray can, a couple of bottles of wash, and a three color opera, and call it a day.
Your basic HQ, 3 troops, and an elite. call it a day. The Nids might also be a good call, because with a new edition- they're finally going to get love after all this time with some new models.

Custodes are easy to build and clean. Terminators, wardens and the guards. As long as it is in plastics it is easy to build.

Even the jetbikes aren't that bad to build. But I don't think doing the jetbikes lance arm without magnets is a good idea. For ease of transport.