Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Long story short I've got the genestealers from space hulk and I'm looking towards either GSC or a tyranid army, I know it wouldn't make a good starter for GSC I'd need to convert some acolytes up but tbh that sounds pretty fun but I'm wondering about a general comparison between gsc and tyranids.

Tyranids are currently considered very powerful. GSC don't look bad, but don't strike me as amazing either. They lost the rule everyone really liked, and the edition change has left tyranids in a better spot, so they don't need the GSC tanks and heavy weapons as much.

But that's just my first impression, I don't play either army.

If you have 20 genestealers and a broodlord, I think that means you need another 20 genestealers and a broodlord.

I've been playing a lot as the GSC, and they really struggle against troop heavy opponents (Orks, Guard). Your troops are more expensive and do not make effective trades in battle, and it is much more challenging to find a suitable ambush target. GSC does much better against smaller elite armies where it can find strong ambush targets.

Tyranid Genestealer - 12 pts
GSC Genestealer - 18 pts (6 pt ambush "tax")

I'd go Tyranid, you will find more matches where your disadvantages are less pronounced.

It isn't just ambush; it is also the possibility to ignore wounds near the patriarch.

If I wasn't already a guard player I probably would have bought GSCs last edition. This one they get a bunch of other cool stuff along with smoe of my decent units.

Who wouldnt want fnp iron fist squads next to space-miners in mining trucks?

SilverAlien wrote:
Tyranids are currently considered very powerful. GSC don't look bad, but don't strike me as amazing either. They lost the rule everyone really liked, and the edition change has left tyranids in a better spot, so they don't need the GSC tanks and heavy weapons as much.

But that's just my first impression, I don't play either army.

GSC are amazing, if for no other reason then that they can take an AM detachment - AM are top dogs this edition too.

danp164 wrote:
Long story short I've got the genestealers from space hulk and I'm looking towards either GSC or a tyranid army, I know it wouldn't make a good starter for GSC I'd need to convert some acolytes up but tbh that sounds pretty fun but I'm wondering about a general comparison between gsc and tyranids.

Cults seem to be about burying multiple very good weapons in fairly cheap units. Which also makes them useful for tyranids, as their anti tank doesn't really compare with 150 points for two 10 man squads with two mining lasers each.

The trucks are more useful now, particular for ramming into units the genestealers are going to charge.

But it is very, very easy to go overboard on melee, and aberrant a are still pretty meh.
The challenge is picking up enough firepower for dealing with proper hordes.

20 Genestealers and a Broodlord, eh. So you get a HQ with 6 attacks, who enables the unit which has 80 attacks tp get a +1 to hit on attacks if you keep them togetherish, and can give them a 5+ FNP roll, or give the enemy unit a -1 to hit and Leadership....

And you can put Tyranids into a GSC list without penalty since both have Tyranid Faction keyword, might lose out on some other auras etc.

Welcome to the Super Happy Funtime Ticklefest Army!

Please leave your skin and armor at the door.

What you now want my friend is more genestealers, a swarmlord, a flying hive tryrant, trygons & Exocrines. All winners of the new edition.

Pedroig wrote:
And you can put Tyranids into a GSC list without penalty since both have Tyranid Faction keyword, might lose out on some other auras etc.

Wrong!
GSC can use Cult Ambush only if full every unit in detachment is has GSC faction keyword.
You can however use Cult units in Tyranid detachment with no penalty (however Leman Russ riding along monstrous bugs may be seen inappropriate). Magus is nice addiction to tyranids, because of first two powers.

Funny how "Tyanid Army" now have access to 3 psychic power disciplines however only Gaze of the (4 armed) Emperor is ok if you take Primaris Psyker.

kiciek wrote:

Pedroig wrote:
And you can put Tyranids into a GSC list without penalty since both have Tyranid Faction keyword, might lose out on some other auras etc.

Wrong!
GSC can use Cult Ambush only if full every unit in detachment is has GSC faction keyword.

So have tyranid detachment and GSC detachment. You want multiple detachments most likely anyway.

 AaronWilson wrote:
What you now want my friend is more genestealers, a swarmlord, a flying hive tryrant, trygons & Exocrines. All winners of the new edition.

I've been eyeing a pair of Tervagons (IIRC...the ones that tunnel and can deepstrike other tyranid units in with them)

Take one tergavon, one prime, pair them with genestealers and a broodlord or a pack of zoats.

Take Onslaught...cast Onslaught...charge out of deepstrike with 20 genestealers.

Watch opponent cry.

I've never liked nids...but this edition I'm tempted.

 Arandmoor wrote:

 AaronWilson wrote:
What you now want my friend is more genestealers, a swarmlord, a flying hive tryrant, trygons & Exocrines. All winners of the new edition.

I've been eyeing a pair of Tervagons (IIRC...the ones that tunnel and can deepstrike other tyranid units in with them)

You mean Trygon, and it can only tunnel troops.

 Arandmoor wrote:

Take one tergavon, one prime, pair them with genestealers and a broodlord or a pack of zoats.

Again Trygon can only transport one unit - so no mixing geanstealers with broodlord or prime.

 Arandmoor wrote:

Take Onslaught...cast Onslaught...charge out of deepstrike with 20 genestealers.

Onslaught changes nothing for genestealers, as they already can charge even if advancing.
Onslaught as well doesnt make you move in psyhic (or any other) phase, so casting it is usless on creatures that enter via tunnel or spore (Unless you also use Swarmlord ability Hice Commander)

 Arandmoor wrote:

Watch opponent cry.

Two words: Cult Baneblade.

 EnTyme wrote:
Two words: Cult Baneblade.

Cult Stormblade full of Pure strains and Patriarch

kiciek wrote:

 Arandmoor wrote:

 AaronWilson wrote:
What you now want my friend is more genestealers, a swarmlord, a flying hive tryrant, trygons & Exocrines. All winners of the new edition.

I've been eyeing a pair of Tervagons (IIRC...the ones that tunnel and can deepstrike other tyranid units in with them)

You mean Trygon, and it can only tunnel troops.

 Arandmoor wrote:

Take one tergavon, one prime, pair them with genestealers and a broodlord or a pack of zoats.

Again Trygon can only transport one unit - so no mixing geanstealers with broodlord or prime.

 Arandmoor wrote:

Take Onslaught...cast Onslaught...charge out of deepstrike with 20 genestealers.

Onslaught changes nothing for genestealers, as they already can charge even if advancing.
Onslaught as well doesnt make you move in psyhic (or any other) phase, so casting it is usless on creatures that enter via tunnel or spore (Unless you also use Swarmlord ability Hice Commander)

 Arandmoor wrote:

Watch opponent cry.

Still reading all the new stuff. Onslaught doesn't quite do what I thought it did, but Having a trygon prime (needs to be a prime because they're synapse) tunnel in a 30-strong termagant squad with adrenaline is still 6-kinds of scary. Since you have to place at least 9" away it means you need to charge 9" to get into CC. With Adrenaline sacks increasing your charge distance by 1", that just means you need to roll an 8 on 2d6, which is not that uncommon. As an opening gambit, just reserve a command point for that specific roll every game, and cross your fingers you don't roll snake-eyes. If I read correctly, deep striking units count as having moved, but can still attempt to charge. They just cannot advance. It makes deep striking CC squads a valid tactic if you're into risk/reward and Tyranids are better equipped than most armies to take this gamble on a regular basis.

I need to not post while I'm at work without my books :|