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Hey all,
I've only just recently gotten started playing in the 40k universe and thought I'd give Tyranids a try (I love their fluff). I'm trying to build something semi-competitive, but I'm not looking to win any tournaments and mostly just want to have a fun time-- though winning would certainly be nice. This is using pretty much all of the models I have so far, but I'm open to suggestions for new models.

HQ
Hive Tyrant w/ wings and 2 TL Devourers- 230 pts.

Troops

30 Termagants, 14 w/ Devourers-176 pts.

Tervigon w/ Miasma Cannon- 220 pts.

18 Hormagaunts w/ Toxin Sacs-144 pts.

17 Hormagaunts w/ Toxin Sacs- 136 pts.

3 Warriors w/ Deathspitters and Barbed Strangler- 110 pts.

3 Warriors w/ Deathspitters and Venom Cannon- 110 pts.

Elites
3 Hive Guard w/ Impaler Cannons- 165 pts.

Fast Attack
10 Gargoyles- 60 pts

Heavy Support
Carnifex w/ 2 TL Devourers - 180 pts

TOTAL- 1501 pts.


Any help that you guys could give would be greatly appreciated!

 Silence wrote:
Hey all,
I've only just recently gotten started playing in the 40k universe and thought I'd give Tyranids a try (I love their fluff). I'm trying to build something semi-competitive, but I'm not looking to win any tournaments and mostly just want to have a fun time-- though winning would certainly be nice. This is using pretty much all of the models I have so far, but I'm open to suggestions for new models.

HQ
Hive Tyrant w/ wings and 2 TL Devourers- 230 pts.

Troops

30 Termagants, 14 w/ Devourers-176 pts.

Tervigon w/ Miasma Cannon- 220 pts.

18 Hormagaunts w/ Toxin Sacs-144 pts.

17 Hormagaunts w/ Toxin Sacs- 136 pts.

3 Warriors w/ Deathspitters and Barbed Strangler- 110 pts.

3 Warriors w/ Deathspitters and Venom Cannon- 110 pts.

Elites
3 Hive Guard w/ Impaler Cannons- 165 pts.

Fast Attack
10 Gargoyles- 60 pts

Heavy Support
Carnifex w/ 2 TL Devourers - 180 pts

TOTAL- 1501 pts.


Any help that you guys could give would be greatly appreciated!

You might recheck your math...I remember a Dakkafex going for around 150...?
Not a bad force, at 1500 I think you be happier with another Big Bug or two.

Hormies with Glands totally Rawk, but are pricey, so you might want to look at going "vanilla". And see how many points that frees up.

I personally Love Tyranofex, with Adrenal, and a Thorax Hive, runs 200 pts, or a second Dakkafex would be a good addition.(150...)

If you drop the toxin, and limit the Hormie Broods to x15 each, that saves around 130. Toss in the Miasma, 155. The extra 30 on your Carnifex? 185. That is a Tyrano with Thorax Hive, you just need 15 more for the full magilla...

It's "just me", but I would toss the Hive Guard, and buy 3 Zoenthropes. Put them in two broods, one solo, one x2. That gives two rolls on Powers of the Hive Mind! And provides some durable Synapse. The Warp Blasts are just gravy. (and this saves 15 points )

With the extra Synapse you can choose, drop a Warrior brood, and put Two Hive Guard back in..? or keep the Warriors. Both sound like solid choices.

Thanks for the Carnifex fix (Carnifix?)! It looks like I might have counted for two sets of two sets of TL Devourers, whoops! Also, Zoanthropes are definitely my next item to pick up, they're Synapse and have tank-busting goodness. I'll definitely try out a Tyrannofex proxy and see if it's my thing, but I feel like another Dakkafex would also be good?

I have never, ever, regretted bringing a Tyrannofex. Ever.

I just bought my third.

So Tyrannofex are a choicey Heavy Support? What do they bring to an army list? Because I was thinking I'd get an Exocrine instead (heck, I might still get an Exocrine and say it's a Tyrannofex, I just like the way it looks).

 Silence wrote:
Thanks for the Carnifex fix (Carnifix?)! It looks like I might have counted for two sets of two sets of TL Devourers, whoops! Also, Zoanthropes are definitely my next item to pick up, they're Synapse and have tank-busting goodness. I'll definitely try out a Tyrannofex proxy and see if it's my thing, but I feel like another Dakkafex would also be good?

Absolutely, Dakkafexen are made out of sparkly epic win! ...and they stay useful at all point levels. Tyranofexen are totally dominating at low point games, and "real nice" at higher point games. But one tyrano is better than one Dakka (that's kinds why it's more expensive) and Two Dakkfexen are way more expensive..

Example: Tyranofex, Adrenal, Thorax Hive 200, Two Zoeys 100 Total cost 300
Counter: Two Dakkafexes, 300

Is one "better" hard to say, but example 1 is much more durable, and has durable Synapse, So For Me, it's better. But For You, it might turn out different. It just depends on your play style, and what you like running.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Silence wrote:
So Tyrannofex are a choicey Heavy Support? What do they bring to an army list? Because I was thinking I'd get an Exocrine instead (heck, I might still get an Exocrine and say it's a Tyrannofex, I just like the way it looks).

T6, 6 wounds, Sav: 2+, add in two big Troop destroying Templates, and you get a "Unstoppable Troop Destroying Horror!" At low point games it even makes sense to toss in Regen, just to destroy the enemies morale. And it can Smash if you need it to...

Awesome! I think I'll pick up the Exocrine and proxy it as a Tyrannofex for now, I like the model a hell of a lot more and they have the same base size (I think?) I was also thinking of expanding the army with some close-combat warriors and a prime for fun, Zoanthropes of course, and a carnifex or trygon. Suggestions?

 Silence wrote:
Awesome! I think I'll pick up the Exocrine and proxy it as a Tyrannofex for now, I like the model a hell of a lot more and they have the same base size (I think?) I was also thinking of expanding the army with some close-combat warriors and a prime for fun, Zoanthropes of course, and a carnifex or trygon. Suggestions?

Going from one Dakkafex to two is a good way to climb the points ladder, that would put you at 1650. If you find 100 points worth of dudes you are at 1750, and a lot of games run at 1750. Most Tourneys seem to run either 1850, with a few iconoclasts running at 1750, or 1650....

If you made all the changes noted above you would have 1650 with the Dakkafexen, and have 200 to spend...that could be using both a Tyranofex, and a Exocrene (plus some points left over?) or just surrender to the Awesome, and get a second Tyranofex

annother option would be to find points to boost a Termigant brood to 30x, and toss in a Tervigon. Tervigon is no longer "must have", but one is still a very nice addition to a army.

Giant Fliers are always good, and so are More Gargoyles! It really depends on your experiences playing at lower point levels. If you get a lot out of a model, get and use More. If something is not working for you, shelve it, and get something else.

pinecone77 wrote:

Going from one Dakkafex to two is a good way to climb the points ladder, that would put you at 1650. If you find 100 points worth of dudes you are at 1750, and a lot of games run at 1750. Most Tourneys seem to run either 1850, with a few iconoclasts running at 1750, or 1650....

If you made all the changes noted above you would have 1650 with the Dakkafexen, and have 200 to spend...that could be using both a Tyranofex, and a Exocrene (plus some points left over?) or just surrender to the Awesome, and get a second Tyranofex

annother option would be to find points to boost a Termigant brood to 30x, and toss in a Tervigon. Tervigon is no longer "must have", but one is still a very nice addition to a army.

Giant Fliers are always good, and so are More Gargoyles! It really depends on your experiences playing at lower point levels. If you get a lot out of a model, get and use More. If something is not working for you, shelve it, and get something else.

So would you suggest I drop a unit of Hormagaunts to put in more Termagaunts and another troop Tervigon? I've found in my games so far that Hormagaunts really can't be beat for moving and capturing objectives (Fleet+ Bounding Leap is deceptively fast), and Termagaunts more or less clog up the enemy works, although when I get close enough with Devourers and Fleshborers, I output enough shots to down 3+ and 2+ units surprisingly reliably. I love my Carnifex too, so a second one'd be nice-- would they make more sense as two seperate units or clump 'em together to unleash the dakka?

Text removed as being troll/spam --yakface

I think heavy choices right now are hard for Nids. They work like Eldar of old, everything has to work together, so it is best to build everything around each other... What do want them to do...?
You could spam Biovores cheap to rain down S4 barrage on foot lists, while marching forward with Carnies, Tyranofexes and have mawlocs and Lictors deep strike. I like Venomthropes for cover, I like Zoeys for synapse and psychics, I like Hive guard for S 8 ignore cover weapons. There are lots of builds. I think you can run almost anything and make it work... The only arguable more miserable things are Ripper Swarms and their fast Attack cousins and a little less to the Genestealers... (If only they were 4up armor or cheaper!)

 Silence wrote:

pinecone77 wrote:

Going from one Dakkafex to two is a good way to climb the points ladder, that would put you at 1650. If you find 100 points worth of dudes you are at 1750, and a lot of games run at 1750. Most Tourneys seem to run either 1850, with a few iconoclasts running at 1750, or 1650....

If you made all the changes noted above you would have 1650 with the Dakkafexen, and have 200 to spend...that could be using both a Tyranofex, and a Exocrene (plus some points left over?) or just surrender to the Awesome, and get a second Tyranofex

annother option would be to find points to boost a Termigant brood to 30x, and toss in a Tervigon. Tervigon is no longer "must have", but one is still a very nice addition to a army.

Giant Fliers are always good, and so are More Gargoyles! It really depends on your experiences playing at lower point levels. If you get a lot out of a model, get and use More. If something is not working for you, shelve it, and get something else.

So would you suggest I drop a unit of Hormagaunts to put in more Termagaunts and another troop Tervigon? I've found in my games so far that Hormagaunts really can't be beat for moving and capturing objectives (Fleet+ Bounding Leap is deceptively fast), and Termagaunts more or less clog up the enemy works, although when I get close enough with Devourers and Fleshborers, I output enough shots to down 3+ and 2+ units surprisingly reliably. I love my Carnifex too, so a second one'd be nice-- would they make more sense as two seperate units or clump 'em together to unleash the dakka?

I'd "clump" 'em. That opens up a Heavy slot for other things. A second Terv is a tough call. Like I said One is still a useful buy, but two really depends on your play...I'd say grab the Dakkafex, three is likely too many, but two makes the unit much more durable, and a much bigger threat I am in the minority, in that I consider Hormies as "good troops". And it seems you have had the same expirience, so stick with them by all means. You also might look at Hive commander to Outflank a Brood, that might let you get into shooting range quicker. Though it also means having to get a Synapse down range at some point.

Seeing as you're liking the Hormies, you should look into running a Venothrope or two. The cover save they grant can really improve the survival rate of CC bugs. (a Lot ) at 45 per, and a Elite slot, they compete with Zoey for atention. So I don't use them near as much as many do. It again kinda depends on your "style" . They are easy to Proxy, so you can test it out before you buy.

Played a game today with the list described above, but with Hive Commander to Outflank the Tervigon (still haven't got anything new yet) against 1500 Points of Eldar in Crusade. I ended up on top thanks to First Blood and Slay the Warlord (Popped his Avatar of Khaine with combined heavy fire from the Hive Guard, Hive Tyrant and Carnifex). Some thoughts:

-Naked Hormagaunts are definitely the way to go to allow for more heavy hitters, just swarm them up, take out basic troops with their crazy number of attacks and take objectives

-I love my Warriors visually, but they aren't doing much. Just providing backfield Synapse and holding backfield objectives. The Barbed Strangler took out a few Striking Scorpions though, and the Venom Cannon ended up finishing off a Wave Serpent

-The Outflanking Tervigon was awesome, just popped up and sent out waves of dudes. Miasma Cannon did nothing, so basically all of the tips you guys are giving are coming true!

-One Carnifex was scary enough to take an entire turn trying to bring one down for the most part, and I imagine two in a unit would be just that much more menacing. Twin-linked devourers are so good against infantry and light vehicles it's a little nasty

 Silence wrote:
Played a game today with the list described above, but with Hive Commander to Outflank the Tervigon (still haven't got anything new yet) against 1500 Points of Eldar in Crusade. I ended up on top thanks to First Blood and Slay the Warlord (Popped his Avatar of Khaine with combined heavy fire from the Hive Guard, Hive Tyrant and Carnifex). Some thoughts:

-Naked Hormagaunts are definitely the way to go to allow for more heavy hitters, just swarm them up, take out basic troops with their crazy number of attacks and take objectives

-I love my Warriors visually, but they aren't doing much. Just providing backfield Synapse and holding backfield objectives. The Barbed Strangler took out a few Striking Scorpions though, and the Venom Cannon ended up finishing off a Wave Serpent

-The Outflanking Tervigon was awesome, just popped up and sent out waves of dudes. Miasma Cannon did nothing, so basically all of the tips you guys are giving are coming true!

-One Carnifex was scary enough to take an entire turn trying to bring one down for the most part, and I imagine two in a unit would be just that much more menacing. Twin-linked devourers are so good against infantry and light vehicles it's a little nasty

Yeah, I like Warriors to pieces, but its real hard to extract value from them. I mostly view them as a reasonably durable source of Synapse. And get pinning tests as an "extra". I tend to kit them up, but that is intimidation as much as fighting power.

A fellow posted a while ago that he was having good luck with Outflanking a Large Warrior Brood. Sort of like using Tervigon (Synapse and Troop in one package)

The only nice thing about them over a Terv. that I can think of, is that they can get Flesh Hooks (counts as Grenades, and a two shot pistol ) So they can do some CC with a better chance of a good outcome....

pinecone77 wrote:

Yeah, I like Warriors to pieces, but its real hard to extract value from them. I mostly view them as a reasonably durable source of Synapse. And get pinning tests as an "extra". I tend to kit them up, but that is intimidation as much as fighting power.

A fellow posted a while ago that he was having good luck with Outflanking a Large Warrior Brood. Sort of like using Tervigon (Synapse and Troop in one package)

The only nice thing about them over a Terv. that I can think of, is that they can get Flesh Hooks (counts as Grenades, and a two shot pistol ) So they can do some CC with a better chance of a good outcome....

So the Flesh Hooks allow them to charge in more reliably? One of my future goals is to make a unit of close-combat warriors (bonesword pairs + scything talons), potentially led by a Prime with a Lashwhip and bonesword, and maybe Flesh Hooks as well. Would this be in any way viable? They just look so COOL

 Silence wrote:

pinecone77 wrote:

Yeah, I like Warriors to pieces, but its real hard to extract value from them. I mostly view them as a reasonably durable source of Synapse. And get pinning tests as an "extra". I tend to kit them up, but that is intimidation as much as fighting power.

A fellow posted a while ago that he was having good luck with Outflanking a Large Warrior Brood. Sort of like using Tervigon (Synapse and Troop in one package)

The only nice thing about them over a Terv. that I can think of, is that they can get Flesh Hooks (counts as Grenades, and a two shot pistol ) So they can do some CC with a better chance of a good outcome....

So the Flesh Hooks allow them to charge in more reliably? One of my future goals is to make a unit of close-combat warriors (bonesword pairs + scything talons), potentially led by a Prime with a Lashwhip and bonesword, and maybe Flesh Hooks as well. Would this be in any way viable? They just look so COOL

Sure, counting as grenades means they can go at their Init when charging though terrain. Because bugs are fast, you can get the kills in before they reply.

I don't know that Twin Bones are worth their points, but Rending Claws sure are, and you can even add Toxic and see a cost savings(Toxic gives re-rolls mostly, and that synergises with both Rending and Instant Kill)

For dedicated CC Adrenal is better in most opinions (mine too ) Even so Rending+ Gland is cheaper that twin bone. Add Flesh hooks, and the cost is about the same, but you have so much more utility.

Definitely a good solid foundation for a list. I would for sure stick with the Devilfexes, in my opinion they're the best unit in the codex, especially if you ditch the Hive Guard for Zoathropes to fish for Catalyst and Onslaught to keep them cruising forward and shooting, while sticking around longer.

Also, if you can find 20 points laying around, definitely pick up Hive Commander on the Tyrant so you can Outflank the Tervigon or the Devilguants. Either one (especially a Miasma toting Tervigon) showing up on the opponent's back line can change a game and I've been able to use it with fantastic results in my last couple games.

Good list...don't really like the warriors, their just so iffy. Needs less Troops and more Carnifexes. Maybe a few trygons, and some genestealers to mop up anything in melee.

Consider getting a venomthrope for the cover saves, and some zoanthropes or Trygon Primes they would be a smart choice depending how you play.

I'll likely ditch a unit of long-range warriors and take some Zoanthropes instead, though I definitely will try CC Warriors and see if that's my cup of tea. Any good frontline Synapse other than the Hive Tyrant? I always worry that if it pops my Hormagaunts might just be out of range of other Synapse beasts.

trygon primes are synapse and have good close range abilities. they can also help you bring units in close to battle through reserves with his special rule.

One thing I've always liked using is a Prime and a Venomthrope,attached. Very good utility.

Hey all,
Played another game against an Ultramarines player with an Imperial Knight Paladin and a Stormraven and ended up getting crushed by his withering hail of firepower. Most of my monstrous creatures were killed before they could do anything against the bigger targets and my smaller groups couldn't get in. Any suggestions to improve the list against Imperial Knights or other high AP vehicles?

 Silence wrote:
Hey all,
Played another game against an Ultramarines player with an Imperial Knight Paladin and a Stormraven and ended up getting crushed by his withering hail of firepower. Most of my monstrous creatures were killed before they could do anything against the bigger targets and my smaller groups couldn't get in. Any suggestions to improve the list against Imperial Knights or other high AP vehicles?

The quickest solution to both problems is Hive Crone(s) Tenticle missiles for fliers, and vector strikes for Knights. Its an expensive solution, but its one way to take care of it...

Are the Hive Crones the ones with the Str 8 Vector Strike? There was someone in my play group who was using Harpies for an increased Str Vector Strike.

 Silence wrote:
Are the Hive Crones the ones with the Str 8 Vector Strike? There was someone in my play group who was using Harpies for an increased Str Vector Strike.

Yeah, that's the one...4 missiles, a flamer template of acid, and an enhanced vector strike. Not very tough though....

pinecone77 wrote:

Yeah, that's the one...4 missiles, a flamer template of acid, and an enhanced vector strike. Not very tough though....

Are there any other very viable options against things like the Stormraven though?

Fortification with AA atached.. At least a Crone is Tyranid through, and through. It is very likely that Tyranids will be forbidden from forts once the FAQ gets back up to speed.

Dakafexes, and/or Dakka'rants are from "fair", to exelant as AA. Its just that Dakka'rants have so many jobs, and are obvious targets. A Dakkafex averages a hit each time it fires, if you get lucky, you can shoot one down, more Dakkafexen add better results.

Another option is to ignore the flier, but as you've seen, it's a poor option. You can get an upgrade to Harpies that gives 4 shots at 5 Str, for a tiny piece of AA...but really a Crone is your best bet overall.

2 Flying HT w/ 24 total shots Twin Linked at a flier will certainly glance it to death and on top of that 2 out 3 games one of the Tyrants will get Warp Blast at 10 str. Bye bye flier.

Should be 20 Str 6 hits w/ 3.3 glances a turn.