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I dont really run into a point where I have to choose, as I like all of the Tyranid models to some extent. But I assume I would go Aesthetic over Gameplay advantage. I mean, even with one under-preforming model that looks cool as hell you can still win with your ruthless cunning, right?

 DanielBeaver wrote:
On the flip side, I refuse to run Vindicators or Thunderfire Cannons, because the models look so dumb.

Really? I love vindicators (got my 3 when the Apoc box came out, before they were available as singles), and Thunderfire cannons (got mine in the SM spearhead for 5th, with all the other new metal kits, the drop pod, and the codex.)

Nope if I don;t like a model - I won't buy it.

I don't really play in tournaments so proxying models I do like is not normally an issue in the local community.

I will not buy of these for my armies:

Centurions, any of the plastic Space Marine flyers, Dreadknight, Taurox, Crisis Suits, Broadsides and Riptides.

O the other hand - I have not fielded some of my fav models in 6th ed for a long time such as Howling Banshees and Wyches.

Haven't seen a Tyranid models that's been a miss so far.

 -Loki- wrote:
Haven't seen a Tyranid models that's been a miss so far.

Now that I think about it, the only model I didnt like was the forge world Sky-Rippers. And those are completely useless anyway.

I've amassed three reasonable armies and didn't really consider my buying antics until now.


I'm pleased to say that I love all my models - maybe not the building and painting part (who could imagine painting 5 drop pods would be in any way stimulating unless you were sitting on them?)

The models I have I am very happy with and I don't dislike any of them - in fact I rather like all of them. The reason for this is that if I don't like the original model (for example Cato Sicarius' stance) I build my own using the same war gear. In Cato's case I used the Captain box with Death Watch parts.


In this way I have units and characters with the correct items / war gear / size and look, but in the style I want. I can use the rules for heroes but with the actual model accurately proxied - and this pleases me and it's clear to other players who can just look at the model to see what it's armed with (as well as my army list). It helps that my 5K C:SM army is based on an entire 'Death Watch' company (100 marines in that force + scouts and support). They look different but function exactly (and look exactly) as the codex defines they should.


The 2.5K / 3K (soon to be 5K with the addition of a Warlord Titan) Thousand Sons army was much easier as the models I wanted all looked awesome (I love the Rubric marines and there are plenty of parts to modify and construct sorcerers). I must admit the Heldrake was bought when I was having a 'meh' moment but it's grown on me considerably as I've painted it in the Thousand Sons colours (the black/red with gold images I had seen before didn't inspire me)

My Dark Eldar look... well, like Dark Eldar. It's a Sliscus based army with plenty of Trueborn, Raiders, Venoms and some Wytches which I like the style of very much. I only wish I had more Reavers.


In short, I think that the ability to crack out the Bitz Box to build legal proxies has kept me very happy and allowed me to make bespoke armies (or at least characters / units). While some people may tut about kit-bashing, it's what I love about it.

 Hive Fleet Cerberus wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:
Haven't seen a Tyranid models that's been a miss so far.

Now that I think about it, the only model I didnt like was the forge world Sky-Rippers. And those are completely useless anyway.

I even like those. I do, however, wish they had a use. Now that we've got so many winged options - Tyrants, Warriors, Harpies, Crones, Shrikes, Gargoyles, it would be nice if Sky Slashers were useful and we could make a proper all winged list.

 -Loki- wrote:

 Hive Fleet Cerberus wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:
Haven't seen a Tyranid models that's been a miss so far.

Now that I think about it, the only model I didnt like was the forge world Sky-Rippers. And those are completely useless anyway.

I even like those. I do, however, wish they had a use. Now that we've got so many winged options - Tyrants, Warriors, Harpies, Crones, Shrikes, Gargoyles, it would be nice if Sky Slashers were useful and we could make a proper all winged list.

Wait, aren't Shrikes just winged warriors?
Also, as far as I know, Sky-Slashers are just as usefull as there ground counter parts, the rippers. That is to say, completely useless, but atleast they are equal.

I would never play a model I don't like just because its good.

Having said that I won't waste my money on an army I know I'll never win with, which is exactly what's stopping me from getting back into 40k.
The gulf between competitive and non competitive choices is just too much to allow me to enjoy one properly without the other.

Yes. I do run models that I like. In my IG, I have five vet squads and a CCS of all old catachan models (metal only). I just don't like the plastic catachans. As far as not effective but fun to play, mymCommissar Yarrick, 5 Ogryn, in a Chimera w/ dozer blade. Expensive unit,for,the IG, but a lot of fun.,

 Hive Fleet Cerberus wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:

 Hive Fleet Cerberus wrote:

 -Loki- wrote:
Haven't seen a Tyranid models that's been a miss so far.

Now that I think about it, the only model I didnt like was the forge world Sky-Rippers. And those are completely useless anyway.

I even like those. I do, however, wish they had a use. Now that we've got so many winged options - Tyrants, Warriors, Harpies, Crones, Shrikes, Gargoyles, it would be nice if Sky Slashers were useful and we could make a proper all winged list.

Wait, aren't Shrikes just winged warriors?
Also, as far as I know, Sky-Slashers are just as usefull as there ground counter parts, the rippers. That is to say, completely useless, but atleast they are equal.

Yes. Momentary brain fart. But still, we have the units for an all winged list, but just lack the slight FoC shenanigans to make it happen (Gargoyles to troops, Harpy to Heavy Support).

Skyblight Swarm lets you nearly run an all winged army.

I am guilty as charged over fielding Style over Substance.

I am a collector first, casual gamer second and competitive gamer third. I try to make competitive armies out of ecclectic stock, which fortunately does work due to the toolbox natures of my armies.
That being said if the model looks crap it has no place in my collection.

So my Imperial Guard army is footslogger because I dont like Chimera models, and now they have the even uglier Taurox will remain on two feet.
This is odd because all my other armies are partly or fully mechanised.
My Eldar, Tau and SM armies contain one of every unit, no more, no less. Thats the collector talking.
Variably outfitted units like Crisis suits I have enough for multiple squads of, mainly because when you outfit the models differently you get different models, and I have to have a large range of add ons also. Some I don't like such as Wraithguard so I have none of them.
When it comes to my tanks I have one of everything, but the mainstay tank of the faction gets more because its supposed to, not really due to how effective it is. I actually like the Leman Russ model, so I have no problems having two Russ and a Demolisher, but I have no artillery as I dont liker them. My IG army is old and I am not tempted to get more tanks, but might bitz order more turrets and get alternatives this way.
Finally core units are deployed with enough for three to five Troops squads, because it looks better to have a good line of basic infantry. Depending on faction all of this will have a vehicle transport or be mounted on bikes etc.