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Hey everybody my boyfriend thinks that Im to girly for warhammer. So I decided to take up Tyranids (They look really awesome) and I need some advice on a 1500 pt army. I really don't know anything that is going on with the game or rules I just bought a mini rulebook from a starter set I haven't read it yet but I will. So I need help forming an army that I can beat him with without to much effort. Thanks Everybody

A couple of questions.
1. What kind of army does your bf play?
2. What kind of Tyranid army are you looking at running (Nidzilla, Swarm, combination, etc)?


Also, welcome to the hobby and the site.

For #1 He plays elder and I don't want it specific for him because he might take me to his store to play people there to.
#2 I have no idea what that means (sorry)

Well I'm not a nids player but I'll try to help. You definitely need to learn the rules, that's a first. After that other people, like Happyjew, will help you with you're actually list.

Well ive read a little guide online where it explains some basics. Just the turn I don't really know much to in depth yet though


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And besides if I mess something up in a game he'll probably just explain it. He'll be nice about it im sure

courtney wrote:
For #1 He plays elder and I don't want it specific for him because he might take me to his store to play people there to.
#2 I have no idea what that means (sorry)

No problem.

When it comes to Tyranids there are a few different ways to run them -
Nidzilla focuses on the use of Monstrous Creatures - Hive Tyrants, Tervigons, Carnifexes, Trygons, etc. The downside is fewer models. The upside us each model has quite a few wounds, high toughness, high strength and can be hard to take out.
Swarm is what it sounds like - large groups of Gants and Gargoyles. This method of play takes slightly longer as you have lots of models to move. Also they are much easier to kill.
Combination is basically combining the two. You have a mix of swarm units and a mix of monstrous creatures. This is more of a Balanced mix.

I guess I could go with a combination. if it could work im gonna look at the website for what models I like and I got the tyranid codex from him to so I might look at that.

Things you might want to look at:
HQ:
Hive Tyrant (including The Swarmlord)
Tervigon
Elites:
Ymgarl Genestealers
Zoanthropes (including the Doom)
Hive Guard
Troops
Termgants (if you decide to use Tervigons you will need lots of these guys)
Tervigons
Hormagaunts
Warriors
Fast Attack
Gargoyles
Raveners
Heavy Support
Biovores
Mawlocs
Trygons (including Prime)


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I also recommend you get a copy of the BRB and Tyranid FAQs.

The link can be found in my sig.

Also, the rumour mill is pointing to a new codex in November.

Learning the rules is one thing, but learning to build a list is another thing. If you have a decent grasp of the rules, try looking at what Tyranid units can perform those roles, and which ones do this most effectively. Decide which tactics you want to employ, and use units which conform to these tactics. Happyjew has provided some descriptions of basic tactics which Tyranids do well, and it's up to you to decide which you want to play. All three are viable, so the one you want is up to personal preference.

2 flying hivetyrants with 2 TL devourers
1 trygon
2 tervigons spawning lots of gaunts
Doom of malanti ( I know it's spelt wrong but you get the idea )
Lots of termigaunts
Biovores

My buddy runs this list and it is nasty
There is more to it like psychic powers and upgrades but these units is what you want to be looking at if you wanna crush your bf and definitely give others a run for their money

Where are the models for Ymargl genestealers?
and I like the looks of everything except biovores and I really love the looks of Gargoyles, what about carnifexes, spore mines or lictors
and whats the doom?

*pulls up a chair*

courtney wrote:
Where are the models for Ymargl genestealers?
and I like the looks of everything except biovores and I really love the looks of Gargoyles, what about carnifexes, spore mines or lictors
and whats the doom?

Ymgarls don't actually have a model, just use regular genestealers and give them some defining looks (slightly different paint scheme or only the tentacle heads etc.)

As for the doom he is the special character version of a zoanthrope. There is no model for him yet either so you can just do the same thing as the ymgarls (making him look different with tentacles spewing out or a cool base etc.)

I sent you a PM with some information.

The Doom is the Doom of Malan'tai, probably the most broken unit currently in existence. At 90 points he is practically an auto-take and your opponent will either foolishly ignore him (where he does lots of damage) or they foolishly spend an entire turn shooting *everything* at him trying to take him out (and usually succeeding). The best part about that is it is pretty much a turn where more important things are *not* being shot at.

Ok I could try that. Are carnifexes spore mines or lictors competitive and what units can work well together for 1.5k lists

Carnifexes are too expensive point-wise. There are better choices for what you would use Carnifexes for.
Spore Mines are the Nd version of Drop Pods.
Lictors have their use based on your army set up.

 Happyjew wrote:

Spore Mines are the Nd version of Drop Pods.

You've gotten those confused with Spore Pods mate Which happen to be an auto take for The Doom and Zoanthropes.

Spore Mines (the little exploding) aren't the most competitive choice and neither are Lictors imo.

Remember you don't need to run a full competitive list to have fun and win. Try using units you like the idea and look of, and see if you like how they perform.

Ok so I think id like to try a mixture of the two strategies. What are good distraction units that I can send in very fast and be able to distract his army from me. So I can send everything in the swarm up.

courtney wrote:
Ok so I think id like to try a mixture of the two strategies. What are good distraction units that I can send in very fast and be able to distract his army from me. So I can send everything in the swarm up.

Gargoyles would probably be your best bet I think. They're fast and provide a screen for your other units so if he tries to shoot at what's behind them you will get a cover save for intervening models. The Gargoyle screen can be a very effective tactic.

PS. I don't play 'Nids so my advice will be general and any long time 'Nid players can feel free to correct me.

Ok cool. so I have like 10 of those move up at the beginning and distract the rest of the army so everything else can move up

 redkeyboard wrote:

 Happyjew wrote:

Spore Mines are the Nd version of Drop Pods.

You've gotten those confused with Spore Pods mate Which happen to be an auto take for The Doom and Zoanthropes.

Spore Mines (the little exploding) aren't the most competitive choice and neither are Lictors imo.

Yeah that happens. Long day not enough sleep.

courtney wrote:
Ok so I think id like to try a mixture of the two strategies. What are good distraction units that I can send in very fast and be able to distract his army from me. So I can send everything in the swarm up.

The Doom. It is a cheap unit and if left unchecked can wreck an enemies force.
MCs. You want something that screams "SHOOT ME!! OVER HERE! LOOK, I'M A BIG BAD BEASTIE WHO WILL WRECK YOU!" and our MCs are great at that.


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courtney wrote:
Ok cool. so I have like 10 of those move up at the beginning and distract the rest of the army so everything else can move up

Gargoyles primary use is screening. Either way you want to run large groups of swarm units (Gants, Gaunts, Gargoyles) as they die quickly.

Oh so I read about the mawloc and I can just tunnel it and take on all his fire for one turn and then attack right?

Well, the mawloc's effectiveness is really dependent on the type of eldar your bf is running.

So this is what I like so far.
HQ-Hive Tyrant
HQ-Tyrant Guard?
HQ/Troops- Tervigon
Elites-Hive Guard
Elites-Zoanthrope
Elites-Lictors
Elites-Doom of Malant't
Elites-Ymargl Genestealers
Troops-Genestealers
Troops-Termgaunts
Troops-Hormgaunts
Fast Attack- Raveners
Fast Attack- Gargoyles
Heavy Support-Trygon
Heavy Support- Mawloc
Any suggestions on compositions?


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And his eldar have some jetbikes not 3 or 4 tanks and not a lot of infantry. And some titan looking things ill look them up and find out what they are



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Wraiths and his HQ (at least I think it is) is standing on like a rock and has wings. His armies black and white if it helps

I think we can all realize that this got quite a few posts because she's a girl, lol.

Yea that's why I put boyfriend in the title like when he took me to the store everyone looked at me so I just hid behind him most of the time.

I run 1,5k nid list at my local store and i am enjoying good win rate ( once i went on winning streak of 34 games):

Flyrant /w TL devourers
Flyrant /w TL devourers

Tervigon
Tervigon
10x Gaunts
10x Gaunts

Doom /w mycetic spore
3x Hive guard

Trygon /toxin OR 3 zoanthropes (i was experimenting with both and this this slot is highly dependent on your enemy)

Termagaunts /w toxin take out wraiths of any kind
Tervigon are troops, MC that can spawn more troops
Flyrants are mobile shadow in the warp/synapse and is sweet at neutralising eldar psykers, also 24 TL S6 shots can take out a lot per turn
Doom of Malan'tai is overpowered
Hive guard are decent at blowing up vehicles
Trygon is mostly fire-magnet so i never DS him
Zoanthropes against eldar are mostly for Biomany to allow me to get more FNP and enfeeble enemy

Hope this will help you!

Whats the model for a mycectic spore?

Aha, social skills and warhammer don't really merge too well, at least everybody I've talked to is really nice in their own nerdy little ay. -Feasible

there is no model for mycetic spore but it is quite easy to make it out plastic easter egg or polystyrene eggs