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So I've got about 70ish genestealers that I would like to use, but I'm a bit new to the Tyranid scene. I like the idea of the whole 'they're right on top of us' feeling that the manufactorum genestealer formation offers - so I want to use it...

Having 10 units (2 formations of 5x5 - manufactorum genestealers in a 1000 pts force) seems like a fun thing to throw around - even if it's not all that competitive. That's 50 genestealers. I wouldn't mind playing around with 3 formations in a 2000 pt game, but for now we're just doing 1000 pts.

I do wonder though, how effective, having numerous small 5 man squads may be? I see it forcing the enemy to divide its firepower potency more so and granting more tactical flexibility. Then compounding that, there is the whole 'hit and run' and infiltrate stuff.

Thoughts?

If you are going to run them, I find playing off that "right on top of us" vibe to inflitrate behind enemy lines turn one. I make heavy use of the deploy to ruins/buildings from reserve and within 6" infiltrate plus GTG to make cause opponents to burn lots of overkill to remove units.

I suspect spore feild and lictors would play well with this also but have not tried it yet.

It's not bad. You will give away first blood, but your opponent should be busy going "aaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!!!!" as the xenomorphs come boiling out of the walls, so you should be able to seriously overwhelm him with targets.

Comments:
a) Two (or more) Manufactorum Genestealers Formations is probably overkill. You still can't set up within 1" of the enemy, and you need to set up within ruins or buildings - which there may not be enough of inside the enemy deployment zone to field that many broods.

b) Remember you can't add genestealers but you can add broodlords. Broodlords are a key enabler for 'stealers - at S5 they get much more antiarmour potential, and you can give them specifically biomorphs without handing them to the rest of the brood. Plus, The Horror works really well - pinning removes your opponent's ability to run away (Good!), reduces incoming shooting to snap shots (Very Good!), stops them firing overwatch (Very, Very Good!) and means that you don't suffer the initiative penalty for charging into terrain (****ing Superb!).

If you take a lot of Manufactorum Genestealers, try for the Warlord trait that gives you Stealth in ruins.

What about Ymgarl Genestealers?

 KaptinBadrukk wrote:
What about Ymgarl Genestealers?

Don't exist as a playable unit in the 6th edition book.

 Strat_N8 wrote:

 KaptinBadrukk wrote:
What about Ymgarl Genestealers?

Don't exist as a playable unit in the 6th edition book.

I thought Nids were at 7th now?

 KaptinBadrukk wrote:

 Strat_N8 wrote:

 KaptinBadrukk wrote:
What about Ymgarl Genestealers?

Don't exist as a playable unit in the 6th edition book.

I thought Nids were at 7th now?

The current Tyranid book is the 6th edition one, though it has had a good deal of supplemental material that more or less brings it into 7th.

Regardless, Ymgarl Genestealers no longer have a unit entry.

 Strat_N8 wrote:

 KaptinBadrukk wrote:

 Strat_N8 wrote:

 KaptinBadrukk wrote:
What about Ymgarl Genestealers?

Don't exist as a playable unit in the 6th edition book.

I thought Nids were at 7th now?

The current Tyranid book is the 6th edition one, though it has had a good deal of supplemental material that more or less brings it into 7th.

Regardless, Ymgarl Genestealers no longer have a unit entry.

Let's see it come out soon.

 kveldulf wrote:
So I've got about 70ish genestealers that I would like to use, but I'm a bit new to the Tyranid scene. I like the idea of the whole 'they're right on top of us' feeling that the manufactorum genestealer formation offers - so I want to use it...

Having 10 units (2 formations of 5x5 - manufactorum genestealers in a 1000 pts force) seems like a fun thing to throw around - even if it's not all that competitive. That's 50 genestealers. I wouldn't mind playing around with 3 formations in a 2000 pt game, but for now we're just doing 1000 pts.

I do wonder though, how effective, having numerous small 5 man squads may be? I see it forcing the enemy to divide its firepower potency more so and granting more tactical flexibility. Then compounding that, there is the whole 'hit and run' and infiltrate stuff.

Thoughts?

It is certainly a workable concept, take a look at Broodlord Hunting Pack as well. I think a version of this would work best with some Lictors, and at least one source of Shrouding. I posted a concept list called "Stealer shame" that might give you some ideas.

A brood lord in every unit is a must. I would then run 2 flyrants (or one with norn crown).

All the gene stealers go to ground for 3+ save then you fly the flyrants into synapse range so you recover from gtg and can charge. If you take the flyrants give them two twin-linked devourers each.

I love this concept - recently took delivery of 100 genestealers from Ebay, and as soon as they are all repaired/repainted I'm going to get a horde into action

What HQ are you thinking of taking? Deathleaper is nice and fluffy, plus cheaper than the rest so allowing more stealers Old One Eye is fun - either draws all the fire away from your stealers or takes apart any heavy armour if he makes it across the board. Don't forget Adrenal glands on the stealers - them plus rending claws gives you a chance against most armour. Then just pay the minimum troop tax - either mucolids or rippers (which, with deep strike are actually quite handy as they are ObSec). For higher point games, you could look at adding in a deathleaper assassin brood for more deepstriking fun - will really give your opponent that 'they're right on top of us' feeling.

Just remember to warn your opponent about the special infiltrate rules for the stealer formations before setting up - if you are placing terrain randomly, its only fair to warn him before he goes for those nice big ruins....

 Iapedus wrote:
I love this concept - recently took delivery of 100 genestealers from Ebay, and as soon as they are all repaired/repainted I'm going to get a horde into action

What HQ are you thinking of taking? Deathleaper is nice and fluffy, plus cheaper than the rest so allowing more stealers Old One Eye is fun - either draws all the fire away from your stealers or takes apart any heavy armour if he makes it across the board. Don't forget Adrenal glands on the stealers - them plus rending claws gives you a chance against most armour. Then just pay the minimum troop tax - either mucolids or rippers (which, with deep strike are actually quite handy as they are ObSec). For higher point games, you could look at adding in a deathleaper assassin brood for more deepstriking fun - will really give your opponent that 'they're right on top of us' feeling.

Just remember to warn your opponent about the special infiltrate rules for the stealer formations before setting up - if you are placing terrain randomly, its only fair to warn him before he goes for those nice big ruins....

Lol ya, that would be a beard thing to do.

As far as HQ goes, deathleaper would be fun, but I don't have a lictor atm. A carnifex group with one eye and termagant filler would seem sort of dependable. Got 6 carnifex with magnetized arms to play around with, I guess they might compliment the genestealer spam fairly well.

Here's a photo of my army (no I didn't paint em):

 kveldulf wrote:
Here's a photo of my army (no I didn't paint em):

Wow, nice paint job - did you get them by commission? I wish my 'EBay specials' were so well painted......

 Iapedus wrote:
:
Wow, nice paint job - did you get them by commission? I wish my 'EBay specials' were so well painted......

Thanks I bought em on ebay. They're painted by 'figure painters'.

For giggles, here's their website (tyranid section) :

http://www.figurepainters.com/galleries/tyranid/

I'll be stocking up on genestealers after reading this