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I've been slowly collecting several 2nd edition Tyranid models, and now that most of them are painted it's time to play a few games. I'm a very experienced player with my other armies but am a complete noob when it comes to Tyranids, so any insight will be helpful!

Here's my initial list:

HQ
Tyranid Prime 100
-Pair of Boneswords, Scything Talons, Toxin Sacs

Troops
20 Termagants 100

10 Genestealers 140

Heavy Support
Carnifex 160

Total: 500

The Tyranid Prime will join the Termagants, using them for a meatshield. I expect the unit to draw a lot of fire as the Prime is my only Synapse. but 20 bodies should survive long enough in cover.

The Genestealers are my favorite unit in the Codex, maybe after Lictors. I know they aren't the most point-efficient choice, but in a 500 point game they may last long enough to see combat, especially after infiltration!

The Carnifex is my sole answer to heavy armor. I have seen Land Raiders taken in 500 point games, and I want to be prepared

Here's an alternate army list I considered:


HQ
Tyranid Prime 80
-Devourer, Scything Talons

Troops
10 Termagants 50

10 Termagants 50

Heavy Support
Carnifex 160

Carnifex 160

Total: 500


This list is a little more unbalanced but may be the advantage I need for Tyranids to work in small games.

Which list is preferred, and why?

Here's my TAC 500 list that is currently 3-0.

Tervigon, TS

Zoanthrope

Hiveguard

20 x Termagaunts

4 x Raveners (run out of synapse)

Alternatively, you can drop 4 gaunts to pick up rending claws or spinefists on the raveners but I think it's fun to overwhelm.. reroll all misses? gg.

edit: Tervigons at low levels steam roll. If you spawn an average of 21 gaunts a game then you've made a 20% point increase. Tervigons scale very well in low games. You can even roid them out and buy them more upgrades.

Also bear in mind that Tyranids will almost certainly be getting a new codex in January, so all these lists will require at least some tinkering then. (though gaunts and carnifexen appear to be getting cheaper according to rumours).

zaak wrote:
Tervigons at low levels steam roll. If you spawn an average of 21 gaunts a game then you've made a 20% point increase. Tervigons scale very well in low games. You can even roid them out and buy them more upgrades.

As I only play with 2nd edition models I don't see myself getting a Tervigon, unless I convert one of my old Armorcast Malefactors or something (which would be heresy). New Nid models look VERY out of place amongst 2nd ed ones.

Jangustus wrote:
Also bear in mind that Tyranids will almost certainly be getting a new codex in January, so all these lists will require at least some tinkering then. (though gaunts and carnifexen appear to be getting cheaper according to rumours).

I know, but thanks for pointing this out. I only started this project in anticipation for the new Codex but want to get a few games in before it is released. I hope the Carnifex is useful again, as I have 3 2nd ed Screamer-Killers ready to go!

If the rumor mill is to be believed, then both the Fexes and the Gaunts will be getting cheaper, whilst the Stealers are staying the same. If that happens, and you get some points to play with, and the rumor of synapse creatures getting EW, then I might consider some Warriors. I'm sure you have some of the old style Warriors kicking around. Would increase synapse and at 500 pts they are also pretty good.

Otherwise, I'd say the first list. Stealers don't need synapse and the Carnifex getting out of synapse isn't a terrible thing. Personally I'd change the Prime to have Talons, LW, and BS so he can own in challenges. Nets you another Termagant too or Frag Spines on the Fex!

 djm55 wrote:
If the rumor mill is to be believed, then both the Fexes and the Gaunts will be getting cheaper, whilst the Stealers are staying the same. If that happens, and you get some points to play with, and the rumor of synapse creatures getting EW, then I might consider some Warriors. I'm sure you have some of the old style Warriors kicking around. Would increase synapse and at 500 pts they are also pretty good.

Otherwise, I'd say the first list. Stealers don't need synapse and the Carnifex getting out of synapse isn't a terrible thing. Personally I'd change the Prime to have Talons, LW, and BS so he can own in challenges. Nets you another Termagant too or Frag Spines on the Fex!

I have plenty of the old 1st edition warriors laying around. Most of them have Boneswords, as that was before Scything Talons were standard (or even available) on Warriors, so I'll have to convert something up for the talons. I'm hoping that warriors are better in the next edition!

Any ideas for my Malefactor? Should I convert it into a Tervigon, or some other big bug?

 Gorgosaurusrex wrote:


I have plenty of the old 1st edition warriors laying around. Most of them have Boneswords, as that was before Scything Talons were standard (or even available) on Warriors, so I'll have to convert something up for the talons. I'm hoping that warriors are better in the next edition!

Any ideas for my Malefactor? Should I convert it into a Tervigon, or some other big bug?

If you going to convert one, use the first list. Drop the Carnifex, and tinker with the points until you could fit it in with the troops. It would be doing the same job as the Carnifex, with the added benefit of Psyker Powers and be a scoring unit.

If I can pop in here with a question - seems like a good place - I'm running a 750 point game with Tyranids soon, similar list style, and was wondering what everyone thought about 2 Tervigons? I love the big critters, but would it just be a mean thing to do?

SBG wrote:
If I can pop in here with a question - seems like a good place - I'm running a 750 point game with Tyranids soon, similar list style, and was wondering what everyone thought about 2 Tervigons? I love the big critters, but would it just be a mean thing to do?

Not many people would be happy to see it if that's what you're asking. As to whether or not if you should run such a thing, do you think your friends would bail out of a game like that?

I've never played against the fellow before, so I don't know. I was just asking because I have heard that people don't like to play against hordes of them - I don't want to be TFG.

If you're worried about it, you might just want to try a different list. Once you get to know, bring out the big guns(if it doesn't seem like he'd have a problem with it).

Tyranids are the best army at 500 points IMO. I once saw someone take 2 Tervigons (one with toxin sacs, the other with catalyst), 11 gants (to make one of the Tervigons troops) and 2 Hive guard at a 500 point tournament. The local GW shop was running it just after Grey Knights had come out, so Tervigons also had no models and the guy's were Carnifex sized. I've never seen so many players concede in a tournament in my life, nor so many Tyranid Codices sell in one day. The guy got super lucky spawning as well, he must have made upwards of 70 gants in the final match against mech IG.

Without Tervigons though, you'll struggle. The troops are fairly weak and you're not taking many. Maybe put them in spores? Honestly, I'd wait now until the codex drop in Janurary before doing anything else.

Thanks for the responses! I am honestly expecting a Tervigon nerf in the new codcx, as GW almost always nerfs the best selling units of the last edition to promote sales of other models.

Eyjio wrote:
Without Tervigons though, you'll struggle. The troops are fairly weak and you're not taking many. Maybe put them in spores? Honestly, I'd wait now until the codex drop in Janurary before doing anything else.

I'm just going to paint and play with my existing collection of 2nd ed models until the new codex is released. I won't be doing any converting or purchasing til the new book.

One small bit of advice, if I may - regen on a Prime is actually really handy for the tiny points cost. Might be worth taking, and the boneswords are always good choices. I like the list, honestly.

Also, instead of linking the prime to the gants, link to the 'few for majority tough 6 and a beat stick meat shield.

For your previous question about converting the Malefactor, a Tervigon is a good idea but you would definitely need to add some kind of spawning sac to the back. Depending on the ruleset that comes out for the Haruspex, that might be another option as it is rumored to be more of a CC beastie. That would require some serious converting given what the leaked pics look like. Lastly, if the Tyrannofex ends up being better you could make it into that. I'm assuming that you have some old Armorcast Exocrines laying around which is why that wasn't a suggestion

As for bringing 2 Tervigons to a 500 or 750 game, personally I wouldn't do it because you will stomp everyone. Like previous posters have commented, at low point levels they are very overpowered and nearly impossible to shift from an objective. That being said, if the objective is to win then you bring them. If the objective is to game and have fun then one is plenty.

Cheers!

I do really like the idea of using my Malefactor as a Haruspex. I want to leave the model as original as possible, but people will get the idea

Unfortunately I do not have any Armorcast Exocrines... I only have the Malefactor. I will be trying to get some old Exocrines, though!

Would having a modern Tervigon model next to my old 'Nids look too weird? I would change the gants coming out of it to their second edition counterparts (as I can cast them), but will that be enough?