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I'm sorry, they are all really witty, but Pineapple Rain, and Cthulhu, are hands down the best two names IMO for Droppod and Lictor builds respectively. Just my opinion though haha, but both are so fitting it's perfect.



"Flavor-of-the-month Nids" made me laugh pretty hard too tho

 tetrisphreak wrote:
Okay, so speaking of Tyrannocytes and how they've given a slew of new ideas and tactics about the army, i have a question.

Haruspexes? My initial reaction to them was not great - being too slow to actively engage the enemy really kept them out of my lists. I have an exocrine glued and painted, and another model that is in limbo currently. Do you think it would be worth having a Haruspex to toss into a list here and there as an extra Elite MC?

Rapacious Hunger gives it a couple extra attacks the turn it charges, and it can heal lost wounds via CC. S8 ap2 armourbane on the turn it charges makes it viable vs vehicles (edit - because he will always upgrade to have adrenal glands in my lists). Base cost is the same as the toxicrene which has a worse armor save but shrouded...

I guess i'm asking if Tyrannocytes have saved Haruspexes from being "useless". I doubt they'll find their way into tournament winning lists, but then again nobody expected Lictor Shame to bust out and take a GT. OrdoSean ran that list like a champ.

Thoughts? Opinions? Sorry if it's already been covered - this thread has exploded since Nidvember hit.

Sadly, all I can say is ...magnets. I might be wrong, but it is hard to see Haru making a come back. But it does seem like it could do quite well VS a MSU style list as it can trash both Combat Sqds and Pods with a fair degree of ease.

Aye, it's pretty easy to magnetize between the Haruspex and the Exocrine; did it with mine. Just in case I ever want to run a Haruspex for fun or because it gets some decent rules in a future codex or something.

The addition of the Tyrannocyte makes me pod one in for fun sometime.

It will be interesting to see what units see table time.

Does being able to deep strike make units like the haruspex more useful?

Makes getting synapse in amongst those psyker armies much easier(outside of dakka tyrants.

 Leth wrote:
It will be interesting to see what units see table time.

Does being able to deep strike make units like the haruspex more useful?

Technically yes, in that you can drop it no further than 1 turn from combat where it needs to be. Unfortunately there are still better much options even if you wanted to. A Dakkafex is just as effective against armour, but can inflict some decent shooting damage on arrival. Even Tervigons can be equipped to melee as well as a Haruspex, except they get a bunch of extra toys like synapse, psychic powers, spawning, objective secured, etc. This is what happens when your dedicated melee units have WS3 I3 A3 as standard...

In other news, I just went to order my Tyrannocytes from Element Games, and they've inexplicably dropped the discount on them from 20% to 15% :(

Cyteclone!

Eggzilla is too solid to pass up on.

I'm really looking forward to playing against Tyranids with the new rules, will be interesting to see how things shape up for them with the new Formations, Warlord Trait and Detachment.

 Wilson wrote:
I'm gonna run this list tomorrow;

Flyrant
Flyrant

Malanthrope

Zoanthrope brood/Neuro
Tyranocyte

Rippers
Deep Strike
Rippers
Deep Strike

Dimacheron
Tyranocyte

Gargoyle Brood x 18
Hive Crone

Mawloc
Mawloc

Bastion, Coms, Void shiled.

1843 total.

excited to finally test out the old bean bags!

Ran this today and did very well vs a Deldar Viper/MSU heavy list.
The 2 pods+ their respective units, 3 flyers, and 2 Mawlocs just have such an over whelming presence for turn 2. it's insane.
Should the game have gone onto a T5-6 I would have tabled him but we called it at bottom of 4 as we ran out of time.

Congrats on the win Wilson. How did you find that the Zoans performed? I'm still not sold on them myself. Feel like there are better things to put in a pod. But yeah, that's a nasty list

By the way, how are we not more excited about our supposed bullet sponge gargoyles for the hive tyrants? If that's the type of thing we're getting from these formations, I'll be set for the next three Christmases. You know, because GW will have all of my expendable income from now until then haha

Gourd - Zilla for cyte spam lists? Although I do like nidbury eggs lol. As for the list or one, Sean called it lector shame; why change it?

luke1705 wrote:
Congrats on the win Wilson. How did you find that the Zoans performed? I'm still not sold on them myself. Feel like there are better things to put in a pod. But yeah, that's a nasty list

By the way, how are we not more excited about our supposed bullet sponge gargoyles for the hive tyrants? If that's the type of thing we're getting from these formations, I'll be set for the next three Christmases. You know, because GW will have all of my expendable income from now until then haha

Because I am panicking over how I am going to get up in time to make the hour run to the store and grab one of six remaining copies of the new book on Saturday

What new book?! Also can you get the white dwarf mags with the rules for these new models on the I pad? All I get when I search it is that pic gallery mag :/

 Brutal Viking wrote:
What new book?! Also can you get the white dwarf mags with the rules for these new models on the I pad? All I get when I search it is that pic gallery mag :/

I am talking about the Shield of Baal

As time goes on they may be available on the Black Libary. Toxicrene and Maleceptor rules are already on there.

Yeah, I'm still going with Eggzilla and #LictorShame. Lictors have gotten a reputation as a bad unit- or a rarely seen one, so it's fairly appropriate. Only thing worse would be #pyrovoreshame.

Going with Chicken Little for spores myself.

Game 5: http://vectdoes.blogspot.com/2014/11/11th-company-game-5.html

Didn't see Eggzilla. Direct and obvious what it's referring too. Well done whoever came up with that one! +1

I played a moderately fluffy game tonight with 3 Tyrannocytes. They did work. Scored me 6 maelstrom points between them. The 2 with Venom Cannons rolled absurdly good killing 6 Blood Claws, and 7 Grey Hunters, and put a hull point on a drop pod. The one with Deathspitters killed 2 terminators in shooting, and put a wound on his warlord in assault before dying.

On average, Tyrannocytes with Deathspitters will land more hits than the same amount of points put into Warriors w Deathspitters, and also out-tank them LARGELY. So they are actually quite worth their points from a shooting perspective, although Warriors also tear gak up in CC.

I got a name for zoanthropes in a pod. I think I'll call them.....


Sporozoa.

You know, I think I can get behind EggNids. Now however, I think we need to look at something rather outdated Jy2. You know, do you mind if I just call you Jim, I realize I have never actually bothered to ask you that. Anyhow, looking at all the changes that have happened to us, I believe that we need to update the first post to give a far more up to date read on just how Tyranids stand.

But now onto more important things. I understand that we finally have most of the items to make a wide range of fairly viable lists, and Tyranids seem to be the most adaptable army now which I truly enjoy. So, let me ask you guys this; How many different themed lists do you feel you could possibly build now and feel like you could take it to a tournament with no mixed feelings? IE, EggNids, Nidzilla, GribNids, Skyblight, all this, all that, etc, etc?

Gribnids with a spodded swarmlord is something i would like to try eventually.

 Unyielding Hunger wrote:
You know, I think I can get behind EggNids. Now however, I think we need to look at something rather outdated Jy2. You know, do you mind if I just call you Jim, I realize I have never actually bothered to ask you that. Anyhow, looking at all the changes that have happened to us, I believe that we need to update the first post to give a far more up to date read on just how Tyranids stand.

But now onto more important things. I understand that we finally have most of the items to make a wide range of fairly viable lists, and Tyranids seem to be the most adaptable army now which I truly enjoy. So, let me ask you guys this; How many different themed lists do you feel you could possibly build now and feel like you could take it to a tournament with no mixed feelings? IE, EggNids, Nidzilla, GribNids, Skyblight, all this, all that, etc, etc?

Unyielding actually brings up a fair point. However, if I was Jy2, I would probably wait until this campaign book comes out, as that will likely be our last major shakeup for a while at least (you know, because that's what was stopping him. Not enjoying life and playing some games along the way)

 Unyielding Hunger wrote:
But now onto more important things. I understand that we finally have most of the items to make a wide range of fairly viable lists, and Tyranids seem to be the most adaptable army now which I truly enjoy. So, let me ask you guys this; How many different themed lists do you feel you could possibly build now and feel like you could take it to a tournament with no mixed feelings? IE, EggNids, Nidzilla, GribNids, Skyblight, all this, all that, etc, etc?

I don't think we are quite ready to celebrate the adaptability of the Tyranids yet. It is unclear to me that any of the new models has a place in a top tier Tyranid TAC.

Lictorshame is an unbalanced list that worked very well at 11th company where there were no multi level ruins, Kill Points were at most a secondary, and MSU was king. Skyblight lost so much in 7th edition, and has seen its peak unless Tau, Eldar, and Necrons all take a nerfing. We are still limited to 1 viable HQ choice (Dakka Flyrants). 1 superior Elite Choice (Malanthropes), and a codex packed full of non-viable units. I don't think there is great versatility in the Tyranid codex. More than there used to be, but that is a pretty low bar.

 Unyielding Hunger wrote:
You know, I think I can get behind EggNids. Now however, I think we need to look at something rather outdated Jy2. You know, do you mind if I just call you Jim, I realize I have never actually bothered to ask you that. Anyhow, looking at all the changes that have happened to us, I believe that we need to update the first post to give a far more up to date read on just how Tyranids stand.

But now onto more important things. I understand that we finally have most of the items to make a wide range of fairly viable lists, and Tyranids seem to be the most adaptable army now which I truly enjoy. So, let me ask you guys this; How many different themed lists do you feel you could possibly build now and feel like you could take it to a tournament with no mixed feelings? IE, EggNids, Nidzilla, GribNids, Skyblight, all this, all that, etc, etc?

Sure, you can call me by my name.

Yeah, I agree. The opening thread does need some updating, and I'll probably need the help of the people here. I don't really have the time to write a comprehensive review of all of the units here, but if I break it up into sections and people volunteer to help write them by units, I think we can get it done over time. Rather than focusing on some of the units, I think this major tactica should feature all of the units - including new units, formations and even Lords of War. If anyone wants to volunteer on writing up any of the units, just say so on this thread. Then I will take over write-up duties for any and all units that no one has volunteered for.

The unit write-ups, please include the following:


How does this unit fit in a Tyranid army: What is it's role? What is perhaps the best configuration for the unit. Can we somehow use it to enhance the army (and if so, then how?), or is there absolutely no redeeming quality to it at all? Why should we take it in our army (if we should take it at all)? What are its weaknesses?

Grade: Use an A to F system, with A being a superstar, B= good, C = average, D = bad, and F = this unit sucks hard. You can add + or - to the grading if you want (i.e. A+ = mega-superstar, A- = excellent, B+ = very good, B- = good enough to be somewhat useful, C+ = somewhat above-average unit, etc.).


Here's an example:


Hive Tyrant:

The Hive Tyrant is the heart of the competitive Tyranid army, especially when you give him wings and some guns. He works best with Wings, 2x twin-linked Brainleech Devourers and Electroshock Grubs. He is a major force-multiplier that helps the Tyranid army in so many categories, including:

1. Reliable anti-tank with Devourers and Electroshock Grubs.

2. Excellent mobility as a flying monstrous creature. Can threaten enemy targets almost anywhere on the table.

3. Mobile Synapse.

4. Psychic support for the army.

5. He is a major offensive threat in the army and the best shooter in the army.

6. The best anti-air offense in the army.

7. Bullet magnet that can soak up a lot of enemy firepower and still survive. This helps to make the rest of the army more survivable.

The major weakness of the shooty flyrant is that he will have problems against 2+ save units due to the lack of AP2 shooting. He is also mediocre in Assault. He can beat non-dedicated assault units, but you really don't want him getting into combat with any dedicated assault units due to a lack of an Invulnerable save on it.

There are also 2 other Hive Tyrants. The close-combat Tyrant and the walking Tyrant (or walkrant). The cc-tyrant isn't really an optimal load-out because, once again, the lack of a Invulnerable save in close combat is a weakness when going up against enemy dedicated assault units. Also, if the cc-tyrant kills the enemy on the wrong turn (i.e. kills it on the Tyrant's turn), then he is open to getting shot at while on the ground by then enemy. In a competitive Tyranid army, there is no question that the shooty tyrant outclasses the cc-tyrant. The shooty tyrant can contribute to the Tyranid offense without putting itself at unnecessary risk, whereas the cc-tyrant cannot contribute to the Tyranid offense unless it puts itself at risk.

The walkrant can be used as an anchor to a primarily ground-based Tyranid force. He can be quite survivable if you attach some Tyrant Guards to it. However, this type of tyrant lacks the mobility of the flyrant and, as a result, lacks flexibility as well. It takes him longer to contribute (whereas the flyrant can contribute right away) and also allows the enemy more time to shoot at it and its army while it slowly marches up towards the enemy. You could put the walkrant in a Tyrannocyte spore to give him some mobility, but if you do so, then you will be better off putting the Swarmlord or a dakkafex in there instead. From a competitive standpoint, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to take a walkrant over a flyrant.

Grades: A+ (dakka flyrant), B (shooty walkrant), C (cc-flyrant), D (cc-walkrant)


------------------------------------------------------------


I will come out with a list tomorrow. Just let me know what units you want to write up.

Think i can write some Hgaunt stuff.

Go for it! Thanks.


As people start writing reviews of units, I will start posting them on the opening page 1.

 jy2 wrote:

 Unyielding Hunger wrote:
You know, I think I can get behind EggNids. Now however, I think we need to look at something rather outdated Jy2. You know, do you mind if I just call you Jim, I realize I have never actually bothered to ask you that. Anyhow, looking at all the changes that have happened to us, I believe that we need to update the first post to give a far more up to date read on just how Tyranids stand.

But now onto more important things. I understand that we finally have most of the items to make a wide range of fairly viable lists, and Tyranids seem to be the most adaptable army now which I truly enjoy. So, let me ask you guys this; How many different themed lists do you feel you could possibly build now and feel like you could take it to a tournament with no mixed feelings? IE, EggNids, Nidzilla, GribNids, Skyblight, all this, all that, etc, etc?

Sure, you can call me by my name.

Yeah, I agree. The opening thread does need some updating, and I'll probably need the help of the people here. I don't really have the time to write a comprehensive review of all of the units here, but if I break it up into sections and people volunteer to help write them by units, I think we can get it done over time. Rather than focusing on some of the units, I think this major tactica should feature all of the units - including new units, formations and even Lords of War. If anyone wants to volunteer on writing up any of the units, just say so on this thread. Then I will take over write-up duties for any and all units that no one has volunteered for.

The unit write-ups, please include the following:


How does this unit fit in a Tyranid army: What is it's role? What is perhaps the best configuration for the unit. Can we somehow use it to enhance the army (and if so, then how?), or is there absolutely no redeeming quality to it at all? Why should we take it in our army (if we should take it at all)? What are its weaknesses?

Grade: Use an A to F system, with A being a superstar, B= good, C = average, D = bad, and F = this unit sucks hard. You can add + or - to the grading if you want (i.e. A+ = mega-superstar, A- = excellent, B+ = very good, B- = good enough to be somewhat useful, C+ = somewhat above-average unit, etc.).


Here's an example:


Hive Tyrant:

The Hive Tyrant is the heart of the competitive Tyranid army, especially when you give him wings and some guns. He works best with Wings, 2x twin-linked Brainleech Devourers and Electroshock Grubs. He is a major force-multiplier that helps the Tyranid army in so many categories, including:

1. Reliable anti-tank with Devourers and Electroshock Grubs.

2. Excellent mobility as a flying monstrous creature. Can threaten enemy targets almost anywhere on the table.

3. Mobile Synapse.

4. Psychic support for the army.

5. He is a major offensive threat in the army and the best shooter in the army.

6. The best anti-air offense in the army.

7. Bullet magnet that can soak up a lot of enemy firepower and still survive. This helps to make the rest of the army more survivable.

The major weakness of the shooty flyrant is that he will have problems against 2+ save units due to the lack of AP2 shooting. He is also mediocre in Assault. He can beat non-dedicated assault units, but you really don't want him getting into combat with any dedicated assault units due to a lack of an Invulnerable save on it.

There are also 2 other Hive Tyrants. The close-combat Tyrant and the walking Tyrant (or walkrant). The cc-tyrant isn't really an optimal load-out because, once again, the lack of a Invulnerable save in close combat is a weakness when going up against enemy dedicated assault units. Also, if the cc-tyrant kills the enemy on the wrong turn (i.e. kills it on the Tyrant's turn), then he is open to getting shot at while on the ground by then enemy. In a competitive Tyranid army, there is no question that the shooty tyrant outclasses the cc-tyrant. The shooty tyrant can contribute to the Tyranid offense without putting itself at unnecessary risk, whereas the cc-tyrant cannot contribute to the Tyranid offense unless it puts itself at risk.

The walkrant can be used as an anchor to a primarily ground-based Tyranid force. He can be quite survivable if you attach some Tyrant Guards to it. However, this type of tyrant lacks the mobility of the flyrant and, as a result, lacks flexibility as well. It takes him longer to contribute (whereas the flyrant can contribute right away) and also allows the enemy more time to shoot at it and its army while it slowly marches up towards the enemy. You could put the walkrant in a Tyrannocyte spore to give him some mobility, but if you do so, then you will be better off putting the Swarmlord or a dakkafex in there instead. From a competitive standpoint, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to take a walkrant over a flyrant.

Grades: A+ (dakka flyrant), B (shooty walkrant), C (cc-flyrant), D (cc-walkrant)


------------------------------------------------------------


I will come out with a list tomorrow. Just let me know what units you want to write up.

Sign me up! I'll tackle Venomthropes and Malanthropes.

Hormagaunt:


Hormagaunts are usually seen as an alternative to the deep striking rippers as mandatory troops. Depending on your list composition of heavy hitters you may want those guys in.
Alternatively you can go out all out on Hgaunts and TGants and play an horde style list.
Following here is a list of things you want to consider when talking about Hgaunts:


1. Hormagaunts may look like a cheap troop, but they actually are not. Remember that nids have Tgants, rippers and Mucolids for a cheaper troop choice. Take these guys only if you have a real reason, if not then there are better mandatory troops.

2. Hormagaunts are fast. Not as fast as beasts or jump infantry, but for their cost they are indeed fast between fleet and leap. They will get into assault range by turn 2 many times.

3. Do not expect vanilla hormagaunts to provide damage, that is not their role. They will make a mess out of certain units, but that will not happen commonly.

With that said why would you take Hgaunts, what is their intended role? Well at this point it is necessary to distinguish between vanilla hormagaunts and upgraded hormagaunts.

Vanillla hormagaunts are the most commonly used and are great for screening, tarpitting, objective grabbing and assault linking.

1) Screening: Since the rule clarification that you don't need to be 25% covered by a model to get the cover save but a toe in a ripper will suffice, these guys became an interesting alternative to the more commonly used screeners. While they cost 25% more than Tgants, they will never risk to slow down your dakkafex/exocrine/whatever. At the same time they cost 16% less than gargoyles (and are obj sec). Remember to bring a shroud source with you when doing this, or the hormagaunts will be an even better target than a dakkafex for the bolters on a point per average wound basis.
2) Tarpitting: When tarpitting with nids it is either gargoiles or hormagaunts. Luckily both of them are really good at this. Gargoiles are better due to the jump infantry type and the blinding venom even if they cost more. If you want pure tarpitting go for them. Take hormagaunts if you also need them for their other roles.
3) Objective grabbing: Here the best are the deepstriking rippers. Cheaper, easier to hide and deepstriking. Hormagaunts are close second though, with the highest speed between our obj sec troops and an high model count for conga lining.
4) Assault linking: This is where Hgaunts are the best. Assault a model with a slaughter unit (Dimacherion, Carnifex, Toxicrene etc..) and at the same time multi assault that model and another unit with a unit of hormagaunts. You will get 2 benefits: first your hormagaunts will eat up the overwatch and secondly when that inital assaulted model gets slaughtered you force an harsh leadership check on the second unit while in meele with an high initiative unit. Remember that glancing and penetrating hits count for resolution and tanks are indeed the best initial targets for this maneuver. Hgaunts have fleet and high initiative for a low cost, which makes them better at this than Tgants and Gargoiles.

As you see they are not the best at anything but they are a good second choice for all of those roles, with the point 4 being an exception but it is an uncommon occurance (but can win games, keep an eye out for it). So if you need just mandatory troops or strongly need one role in particular skip Hgaunts. If you need an all round troop choice than can be spent in any of those roles then consider Hgaunts.


Upgraded Hormagaunts are almost never seen and there is a reson. They cost! For a 1W T3 6+ model they can get to ridiculous costs. That said:
a) If you need anti rear AV 10 and can't honestly get anything better then AG Hgaunts can be an option. They are fairly good at it, but will bleed points like mad when targeted.
b) If you expect to face high T targets like WKnights or Nurgle babies then consider Venom Hgaunts. If you can get them on their favorite target then they can get to tear jerking efficiency, if not they will again be point bleeders at the smallest sign of enemy fire.
c) Do not consider AG + Venom Gaunts. Never.

Grades: C (Vanilla Hormagaunts), D (Single upgrade Hgaunts) E (Double Upgrade Hormagaunts)