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Hey guys,
So im about to order some new units and although im not overly keen on the model, the buff it gives to the surrounding units looks too good to pass up on.
what do you guys think?
Thanks!

Short answer is no they are not mandatory. Nids have a variety of builds now. However, they are very good for what they bring to Nids, so yes buy 1-2.

Fragile wrote:
Short answer is no they are not mandatory. Nids have a variety of builds now. However, they are very good for what they bring to Nids, so yes buy 1-2.

If by many builds you mean "spam skyblight swarm if you want to compete in deathstar 40k" then yes, we have variety.

As for Venomthropes, they're quite good and they synchronize quite decently with FMCs. The problem of course; is getting them to survive themselves.

They're a solid choice, but several races (Tau, Eldar, IG) have some hard counters that can negate them pretty quickly. You need to be smart about placement and positioning to keep them alive beyond turn 1.

Thanks for the help guys, im currently running 20 gaunts, 6 genestealers, 2 Flyrants and 3 warriors. Do you think lictors, a broodlord or some venomthrobes would be best?

 tko75 wrote:
Thanks for the help guys, im currently running 20 gaunts, 6 genestealers, 2 Flyrants and 3 warriors. Do you think lictors, a broodlord or some venomthrobes would be best?

I'd perhaps consider dropping the Warriors given how squishy they are to free up points for the Broodlord and some Venomthropes.

Lictors can be worked for dropping some flesh hooks into the rear of vehicles, but it's a rather one off gimmick. I want to like Lictors but they just aren't doing much for me.

 Kain wrote:

Fragile wrote:
Short answer is no they are not mandatory. Nids have a variety of builds now. However, they are very good for what they bring to Nids, so yes buy 1-2.

If by many builds you mean "spam skyblight swarm if you want to compete in deathstar 40k" then yes, we have variety.

As for Venomthropes, they're quite good and they synchronize quite decently with FMCs. The problem of course; is getting them to survive themselves.

Skyblight is far from the only competitive build. I would suggest you experiment more with Nids.

Fragile wrote:

 Kain wrote:

Fragile wrote:
Short answer is no they are not mandatory. Nids have a variety of builds now. However, they are very good for what they bring to Nids, so yes buy 1-2.

If by many builds you mean "spam skyblight swarm if you want to compete in deathstar 40k" then yes, we have variety.

As for Venomthropes, they're quite good and they synchronize quite decently with FMCs. The problem of course; is getting them to survive themselves.

Skyblight is far from the only competitive build. I would suggest you experiment more with Nids.

It is by far the most competitive if you want to compete with Reaver Titans with maximum D-strength weapons, All the Wave Serpents, and Screamer Stars. For less cut-throat metas others are good, but you want to go balls out on the re-spawning scoring and FMCs if you want to survive Titans.

And don't try suggesting that I "experiment more" when I've got enough nid models to re-enact the Octarius war myself and have been playing since the nids had their own book.

And don't try suggesting that I "experiment more" when I've got enough nid models to re-enact the Octarius war myself and have been playing since the nids had their own book.

This is the best thing ive ever read haha

 Kain wrote:

It is by far the most competitive if you want to compete with Reaver Titans with maximum D-strength weapons, All the Wave Serpents, and Screamer Stars. For less cut-throat metas others are good, but you want to go balls out on the re-spawning scoring and FMCs if you want to survive Titans.

And don't try suggesting that I "experiment more" when I've got enough nid models to re-enact the Octarius war myself and have been playing since the nids had their own book.

that is a old of nids. Have pics? Must look pretty good as you unleash a hive fleet that across ages.

D-weapon blast spam does sort of hurt most of the other builds in the codex. DS, uncontestable, respawning scorers are about the only answers for that.

barnowl wrote:

 Kain wrote:

It is by far the most competitive if you want to compete with Reaver Titans with maximum D-strength weapons, All the Wave Serpents, and Screamer Stars. For less cut-throat metas others are good, but you want to go balls out on the re-spawning scoring and FMCs if you want to survive Titans.

And don't try suggesting that I "experiment more" when I've got enough nid models to re-enact the Octarius war myself and have been playing since the nids had their own book.

that is a old of nids. Have pics? Must look pretty good as you unleash a hive fleet that across ages.

D-weapon blast spam does sort of hurt most of the other builds in the codex. DS, uncontestable, respawning scorers are about the only answers for that.

I'm embarassed about my 2e-RT nids and so locked them deep away.



Would you be proud of this?

I don't think any paint job can redeem something so...goofy looking.

Some day though I'll get pics to show. But I will say I kind of liked the 3e Hive Tyrant when he looked like a giant warrior.

FMCs are indeed a good counter to Lords of War and they're a nice screw you to knights.

This is the part where I say that I don't believe that you can do it in the hopes that you'll actually do it.....because that sounds awesome

Re: the thrope, it certainly isn't the ONLY way to be competitive, but it also varies by your definition of competitive. I'm certain that the top Tyranid players at the big events this year (who with Skyblight have a chance to do very well) will throw in a venomthrope, probably sitting in a bastion. There are lists that don't benefit AS MUCH from it, but skyblight is significantly enhanced by its inclusion, as would more shooting-oriented or generally foot-slogging lists. I think Nidzilla would have the least amount of benefits because the throne can be taken down long before most of the big baddies get there.

But that being said, if by "competitive", you mean doing well at local tournaments, you will get along just fine without it. Take pretty much anything other than Pyrovores, Ripper Swarms and Old One Eye and take caution in how you use Lictors and Genestealers. If you do that, you'll have a great time with your army as long as you understand one thing about Tyranids that someone said on another forum here:

Paraphrasing: "I believe that one of the main strengths of Tyranids is bringing more than your opponent can bear. The hallmark of a good general is making sure that these pieces don't arrive one after another and all get shot to pieces one by one. If you can focus your forces and coordinate the timing of your army so that everything is coordinated and timed together, your army will be significantly enhanced."

How you do that is up to you.

IMO, they are not mandatory but you alway need one or two. For myself, is better to deploy them after you opponent set is army on the table and you will see where you need them.

I think a good rule of thumb is 1 per 1000pts (Sidnote: and 3 synapse sources per 1000 pts.)

I love them, but after running them for a few months now, most of the people I play with know that he must die first. They do all they can to take him out, and more offten than not, he gives up my First Blood =(

heracyangel wrote:
I love them, but after running them for a few months now, most of the people I play with know that he must die first. They do all they can to take him out, and more offten than not, he gives up my First Blood =(

Which is why we always place backfield LoS blockers during terrain setup.

For top tier competitive Tyranids either a Venomthrope or a Skyshield is necessary to protect your FMCs on turn 1.

Not much to add...Manditory? No, but dang useful. So useful you really need a reason Not to take a Brood. If you can swing the points a Brood of x2 is a lot more durable. One "trick" to make them more survivable is try to make the enemy always shoot through a screening unit to get to them. That way they get a cover save, that gets enhanced

An example from "Endless Swarm" list: Assault triangle, put the three units of Hormagaunts in a Triangle formation, with the "point" towards you.
Put a Warrior Brood, with a Strangle Cannon in the Center, with a Veno Brood. spread out the front and back units so most any shot passes through the Hormies. Use the Strangle cannon to force pin tests. Charge any unit the gets pinned, even if it takes you out of the Synapse bubble, you don't IB check in CC. Hopefully you'll get Synapse into range before you have trouble.

The back unit is to reinforce a attack, or take the place of an destroyed unit.(it also provides security vs drop pods, and the like) Just make sure 1-3 models of each unit are with 6" of the Veno, and the Synapse bubble takes care of itself.

Late entry: If you can swing it putting Adrenals on the Warriors is worth doing....say Warrior Brood, x3: Twin Bone,Cannon, Adrenal 130? (the twin bone is there to IK MC's that your Hormies are tarpitting. )