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Howdy.

So, I have some gaming coming up this weekend, and I'm going to be trying out my Tyranids for the first time. I don't have a vast range of units, so my initial plan was basically to throw them all on the field and see how they do. The list I was going to go for is below:

HQ:

1x Hive Tyrant with Bonesword, Lash Whip and Heavy Venom Cannon
1x Tervigon

Troops:

20x Termagants (fleshborers)
19x Hormagaunts
19x Hormagaunts
3x Warriors
7x Genestealers
7x Ymgral Genestealers

I think this comes close to 1000 points. Other than an extra 20 or so Termagants, this is essentially all the models I have at the moment. Now obviously other than the Hive Tyrant, I've ignored all the upgrades things can take such as adrenal glands and toxin sacs. Is this a good idea? I'm likely to be fighting Tau, Eldar and either Orks/Necrons.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Well based on the fact that you do have small range of units I would only think of fielding your genestealers as tyrant guard count as.
I like your idea of trying out your unit, but tbh I think a footslogging hive tyrant on his own does really need his bodyguards. And genestealers aren't the best fellows in our codex.

I think you could use electric grubs on your MC to have some anti-tank in addition to their close combat fighting abilities.
Lastly I would recommend taking some different weapons on your warriors. Spinefists and a blast weapon would fit perfectly.

You have a good base to start a nid army. A couple notes on the list:
1) Ymgarls are no longer in the codex, so you can't run them legally anymore.

2) I agree with the previous poster about the tyrant. If you are going to run a walking tyrant (which can be very good), you need at least 2 tyrant guard to keep him alive. Talk to your opponents about allowing proxies so you can try out the unit.

3) I would also drop the HVC from the tyrant for some electro grubs. Most of the time you will be running forward to get into combat, so having a long-range weapon really puts him in a split role, meaning you wont be able to take advantage of his abilities as well.

4) Unfortunately, genestealers are hard to use effectively this edition. They could be decent to hold backfield objectives or to infiltrate to absorb fire turn one. But I find it very hard to make back their points.

5) I typically run my warriors with deathspitters. The S5 shots are almost always worth the extra couple of points. Some people like to run a stranglethorn or VC, but it's really up to you.

6) With the points from the changes, I would run 20 terms and 2 tyrant guard instead of the genestealers. That will give you a decent swarm list that can just swarm with bodies and take objectives. Fielding over 80 models in a 1000 point game can be really difficult for the opponent to handle

Next purchases that would be helpful would be tyrant guard, venomthropes (for shrouded), zoanthropes (for anti-tank and synapse), and maybe some more warriors.

Thanks for the support guys! My knowledge of all things Tyranids is very limited at the moment so I appreciate it.

It's unlikely I will be able to proxy any models as Tyrant Guard, but I will give it a go. Failing that, I will watch as he dies quickly and make them my main priority as next purchase!

Is it necessary to drop the HVC for the electro grubs? I won't be able to field more Termagants as I need them for spawning from the Tervigon (here's hoping I don't roll snake eyes on turn 1!), so I think I will have plenty of spare points.

For the Warriors, I will definitely run with Deathspitters on two of the models, and I think I like the idea of having a Stranglethorn Cannon as a template alternative for long range.

So for the time being I have two options, either to keep the Genestealers as filler, or to remove them and add biomorphs to my other units. For example:

HQ:

Hive Tyrant with Lash Whip and Bonesword, HVC, Electro Grubs and Regeneration (to make up for the lack of Guard?).
Tervigon with Regeneration (as a point sink).

Troops:

3x Warriors with 2x Deathspitters and 1x Stranglethorn Cannon

19x Hormagaunts
19x Hormagaunts
20x Termagants

Which takes me up to 855 points. If it's worth it, I could remove regeneration from the Tervigon and shuffle a couple of numbers to allow me to give all of the Hormagaunts Adrenal Glands and Toxin Sacs? Although I have no idea how effective this would be?

One final question, with the toxin sacs, it states in the Codex that this gives the models the poisoned special rule, but doesn't state which level of poison. I've heard people saying it's Posion (4+), but I have no idea where this number comes from?

The 4+ poisoned rule comes from the core rule book. Something along the lines of 'if not stated in the codex, the poisoned is set at 4+'. Not a direct quote.

I love Genestealers and would still include a group of 8 or so behind the hormagaunts. Use the gaunts to break into standard units, but if a 2+ Sv unit shows up, Terminators or such, then the gaunts move aside and the Stealers do their rending thing. But only IF you have the extra points burning a hole in your pocket.

So a Tyrant Guard and maybe some Zoanthropes should be next on your list, to spread out Synapse and anti-tank a bit. Another useful option is the Venonthrope to give a bubble of shrouded. If you use that next to the Tyrant plus the Tyrant guard, it will be a bit more difficult to knock it down as it walks across the field.

Not much to add. I would also put a thorax hive on the Tervigon. If you have spare points there are some tyrant upgrades like hive commander.

Thanks all.

Just to give you a quick update, I ran the lists as best I could with the Genestealers as filler. My first game was against Tau, and although I took some serious damage, I still ultimately won, the Genestealers helping quite a bit to take down a Riptide and some Crisis suits. The Tyrant, as you all suggested, died after being hit by 36 shots from some Fire Warriors and ultimately did nothing that game other than provide some Synapse.

So, my eyes are open for some cheap Tyrant Guard, and I've also ordered some wings so I can make him a Flyrant when i don't use the guard!

Zoanthropes are definitely another essential, the lack of any invulnerable saves really hurt when I fought the Eldar in the next game (and lost, horribly)!

theimperishable wrote:
Just to give you a quick update, I ran the lists as best I could with the Genestealers as filler. My first game was against Tau, and although I took some serious damage, I still ultimately won, the Genestealers helping quite a bit to take down a Riptide and some Crisis suits. The Tyrant, as you all suggested, died after being hit by 36 shots from some Fire Warriors and ultimately did nothing that game other than provide some Synapse.

Ouch That'll happen. Congrats on getting some good use out of the genestealers. That is the benefit of having the walking tyrant. He can absorb a ton of fire and keep everything else alive.

Ok. Here's a 1000 point list that will destroy all others(haven't lost yet with it). And also another reason why 6th ed Nids don't suck.
HQ
2 Hive Tyrants
Both with TL Devourers
Wings
460

Troops
10 Termagants 40
10 Termagants 40

Fast Attack
x2 Hive Crones 310
Harpy 135

This is a total of 985. Spend 15 points however you want. Enjoy

Worth pointing out that Ymgarl Genestealers no longer exist, sadly