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.

^ I liked that 3rd ed tyrant but it felt very "Aliens Queen", while the current model is basically a redux of the original Tyrant model. I love the current model.

 Insectum7 wrote:
^ I liked that 3rd ed tyrant but it felt very "Aliens Queen", while the current model is basically a redux of the original Tyrant model. I love the current model.

The current HT is a pretty sculpt, but im not a fan of the head. Its just an enlarged termagant head with a big spike on it. I dont find that very fitting for what is supposed to be THE leader beast.

" border="0" />

 Insectum7 wrote:

 insaniak wrote:

 Snake Tortoise wrote:
The tyranid redesign in 3rd ed. All of the older models have an iconic look, but I prefer the current appearance that ties all tyranids together, from rippers to carnifexes to venomthropes. No other major faction has such a distinct look shared by everything

This was helped by the fact that 2nd edition Tyranid warriors were so very, very awful...

THEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDS!!!!

Spoiler:

Those aren't 2nd edition warriors... they predate 2nd ed, and are awesome.

I'm talking about these:

...which were awful models even by 2nd edition standards. The 3rd edition warriors were such a ridiculous improvement.

Interesting to note that a search for 'Tyranid Warrior' in the Dakka Gallery turned out loads of the current Warriors, a fair few of the original version, but only one single (converted) example of the 2nd edition monstrosity... which surprises me not at all.

 insaniak wrote:

 Insectum7 wrote:

 insaniak wrote:

 Snake Tortoise wrote:
The tyranid redesign in 3rd ed. All of the older models have an iconic look, but I prefer the current appearance that ties all tyranids together, from rippers to carnifexes to venomthropes. No other major faction has such a distinct look shared by everything

This was helped by the fact that 2nd edition Tyranid warriors were so very, very awful...

THEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDS!!!!

Spoiler:

Those aren't 2nd edition warriors... they predate 2nd ed, and are awesome.

I'm talking about these:

...which were awful models even by 2nd edition standards. The 3rd edition warriors were such a ridiculous improvement.

Interesting to note that a search for 'Tyranid Warrior' in the Dakka Gallery turned out loads of the current Warriors, a fair few of the original version, but only one single (converted) example of the 2nd edition monstrosity... which surprises me not at all.

Oh god. . .THOSE guys. I remember buying my first Warriors during 2nd edition, and the plastics were the go-to for a few years in 2nd. I constantly forget the metal ones existed because they're just horrible.

What's interesting is that you can see what they're trying to do. They're plainly trying to be a sleeker version of the plastics. The execution of that just didn't work at all.

Yeah, I remember people at the time bemoaning the lack of the see-through chestplate, as it was such an awesome feature on the original plastics. And those flared feet and giant, cuddly claws... Oy.

It's also where Tyranids lost their way, design wise... they went from being space dinosaurs to being space bugs, with GW still insisting that they were not bugs despite having made them look like it.

While I love the current designs, I can't help but wonder what the Tyranid range might have looked like today if they had stuck with something more like that original aesthetic.

I always thought the older plastic Warriors looked more like bugs, as they have the head-midsection-thorax structure, while the new ones look more like dinosaurs with their long tail.

But yeah, I also wonder what the direction would have been had they not gone bug/Zerg. The old ones are pretty exotic.

@Anders- Did you get it with the 2nd ed model? As that is what it based on.

 Andersp90 wrote:

 Insectum7 wrote:
^ I liked that 3rd ed tyrant but it felt very "Aliens Queen", while the current model is basically a redux of the original Tyrant model. I love the current model.

The current HT is a pretty sculpt, but im not a fan of the head. Its just an enlarged termagant head with a big spike on it. I dont find that very fitting for what is supposed to be THE leader beast.

" border="0" />

Thats probably more to do with coincidence. All Psyker tyranids tend to have a large brain sac at the back of the head to represent a more powerful brain for psychic capability, the Hive Tyrant is no different. And chalk me up as one of the majority that dislikes the Alien Queen rip Hive Tyrant.

 insaniak wrote:
Yeah, I remember people at the time bemoaning the lack of the see-through chestplate, as it was such an awesome feature on the original plastics. And those flared feet and giant, cuddly claws... Oy.

It's also where Tyranids lost their way, design wise... they went from being space dinosaurs to being space bugs, with GW still insisting that they were not bugs despite having made them look like it.

While I love the current designs, I can't help but wonder what the Tyranid range might have looked like today if they had stuck with something more like that original aesthetic.

Aside from having exoskeleton-armored limbs, and six of them, Tyranids have virtually no similarity to bugs at all.

Apart from the hive structure with like bees?

Or the way they are swarming through the galaxy like locusts ('the running away from something' theory matches up to this as locust swarms work as the locusts in front are fleeing the ones behind them as they search for a new source... Otherwise cannibalisation!)

The varied physical forms within a single species like ants?

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

Aside from having exoskeleton-armored limbs, and six of them, Tyranids have virtually no similarity to bugs at all.

Yes, aside from the thing that makes them look like bugs, they have no similarity to bugs...


But yes, as nareik said, between the carapace design and their whole hive mind setup and behaviour, it's not at all surprising that people linked them to bugs. But for some reason, that link caught GW by surprise, and they've at times seemed rather irritated about it.

Abaddon. Phenomenal sculpt, once you get rid of the dead primaris base furniture.

 insaniak wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

Aside from having exoskeleton-armored limbs, and six of them, Tyranids have virtually no similarity to bugs at all.

Yes, aside from the thing that makes them look like bugs, they have no similarity to bugs...


But yes, as nareik said, between the carapace design and their whole hive mind setup and behaviour, it's not at all surprising that people linked them to bugs. But for some reason, that link caught GW by surprise, and they've at times seemed rather irritated about it.

Torso and chest carapace is completely different, limb structure is different, body and limb orientation is different, heads are different, implied motion is different... It's a subjective topic but saying they look like bugs is about as close to objectively untrue as it gets. They have a swarm theme and evoke that imagery, which we closely associate with insects, creating an army that thematically feels like insects even if they don't look it!

For me Tyranids have too much flesh to be bugs.

They look normally more like scaleless lyzards/dynosaurs specially with the heads of things like Tyranid Warriors.

Or something like Skullgreymon.

 Imateria wrote:

 Andersp90 wrote:

 Insectum7 wrote:
^ I liked that 3rd ed tyrant but it felt very "Aliens Queen", while the current model is basically a redux of the original Tyrant model. I love the current model.

The current HT is a pretty sculpt, but im not a fan of the head. Its just an enlarged termagant head with a big spike on it. I dont find that very fitting for what is supposed to be THE leader beast.

" border="0" />

Thats probably more to do with coincidence. All Psyker tyranids tend to have a large brain sac at the back of the head to represent a more powerful brain for psychic capability, the Hive Tyrant is no different. And chalk me up as one of the majority that dislikes the Alien Queen rip Hive Tyrant.

The only difference is the slightly enlarged brain sac (and the placement of the ducts). How that tiny brain can pump out as much power as a zoanthrope, is another question..

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

 insaniak wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

Aside from having exoskeleton-armored limbs, and six of them, Tyranids have virtually no similarity to bugs at all.

Yes, aside from the thing that makes them look like bugs, they have no similarity to bugs...


But yes, as nareik said, between the carapace design and their whole hive mind setup and behaviour, it's not at all surprising that people linked them to bugs. But for some reason, that link caught GW by surprise, and they've at times seemed rather irritated about it.

Torso and chest carapace is completely different, limb structure is different, body and limb orientation is different, heads are different, implied motion is different... It's a subjective topic but saying they look like bugs is about as close to objectively untrue as it gets. They have a swarm theme and evoke that imagery, which we closely associate with insects, creating an army that thematically feels like insects even if they don't look it!

So... What you're saying is: aside from the thing that makes them look like bugs, they have no similarity to bugs..?


Seriously, I never claimed that they were physiologically identical to terrestrial bugs. But the segmented limbs are a visual cue that most people over the years have interpreted as 'bug', and since it's such a prominent design feature, it combines with the hive mind background to leave people thinking they're bugs.

You're welcome to disagree with that impression. I'm not trying to convince you that they are bugs, I'm just pointing out why people refer to them as such.

 insaniak wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

 insaniak wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

Aside from having exoskeleton-armored limbs, and six of them, Tyranids have virtually no similarity to bugs at all.

Yes, aside from the thing that makes them look like bugs, they have no similarity to bugs...


But yes, as nareik said, between the carapace design and their whole hive mind setup and behaviour, it's not at all surprising that people linked them to bugs. But for some reason, that link caught GW by surprise, and they've at times seemed rather irritated about it.

Torso and chest carapace is completely different, limb structure is different, body and limb orientation is different, heads are different, implied motion is different... It's a subjective topic but saying they look like bugs is about as close to objectively untrue as it gets. They have a swarm theme and evoke that imagery, which we closely associate with insects, creating an army that thematically feels like insects even if they don't look it!

So... What you're saying is: aside from the thing that makes them look like bugs, they have no similarity to bugs..?


Seriously, I never claimed that they were physiologically identical to terrestrial bugs. But the segmented limbs are a visual cue that most people over the years have interpreted as 'bug', and since it's such a prominent design feature, it combines with the hive mind background to leave people thinking they're bugs.

You're welcome to disagree with that impression. I'm not trying to convince you that they are bugs, I'm just pointing out why people refer to them as such.

I have to agree with NinthMusketeer. Their behavior has clear links to bees, ants etc, but I dont think they look like insects.

 insaniak wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

 insaniak wrote:

 NinthMusketeer wrote:

Aside from having exoskeleton-armored limbs, and six of them, Tyranids have virtually no similarity to bugs at all.

Yes, aside from the thing that makes them look like bugs, they have no similarity to bugs...


But yes, as nareik said, between the carapace design and their whole hive mind setup and behaviour, it's not at all surprising that people linked them to bugs. But for some reason, that link caught GW by surprise, and they've at times seemed rather irritated about it.

Torso and chest carapace is completely different, limb structure is different, body and limb orientation is different, heads are different, implied motion is different... It's a subjective topic but saying they look like bugs is about as close to objectively untrue as it gets. They have a swarm theme and evoke that imagery, which we closely associate with insects, creating an army that thematically feels like insects even if they don't look it!

So... What you're saying is: aside from the thing that makes them look like bugs, they have no similarity to bugs..?


Seriously, I never claimed that they were physiologically identical to terrestrial bugs. But the segmented limbs are a visual cue that most people over the years have interpreted as 'bug', and since it's such a prominent design feature, it combines with the hive mind background to leave people thinking they're bugs.

You're welcome to disagree with that impression. I'm not trying to convince you that they are bugs, I'm just pointing out why people refer to them as such.

That impression though is rather superficial, if not convenient and easy to use.

And I've never seen anywhere that Tyranids are referred to as having an exoskeleten, I always thought they had an actual bone structure since their skulls decorate several other models.

 Imateria wrote:

And I've never seen anywhere that Tyranids are referred to as having an exoskeleten, I always thought they had an actual bone structure

They have both.

 Insectum7 wrote:

 insaniak wrote:

 Snake Tortoise wrote:
The tyranid redesign in 3rd ed. All of the older models have an iconic look, but I prefer the current appearance that ties all tyranids together, from rippers to carnifexes to venomthropes. No other major faction has such a distinct look shared by everything

This was helped by the fact that 2nd edition Tyranid warriors were so very, very awful...

THEM'S FIGHTIN' WORDS!!!!

Spoiler:

I actually like these versions of nids more than the current ones. They look more alien, more disturbing. The newer ones look more...normal, I guess? Like something you've seen before.
I always thought the current nids to be Bug-Dino Zerg. Not quite insect, not quite dinosaur, but clearly inspired by Zerg.

 CthuluIsSpy wrote:

I actually like these versions of nids more than the current ones. They look more alien, more disturbing. The newer ones look more...normal, I guess? Like something you've seen before.

Heresy..

The Tyranid-Bug discussion is going in an off-topic tangent, agree to disagree?

 NinthMusketeer wrote:
The Tyranid-Bug discussion is going in an off-topic tangent, agree to disagree?

The topic does indeed appear to be getting away.


SO... cool models, eh?


A slightly more old-school favourite was the evolution of the Thunderhawk from flying box to something that, while still decidedly not aerodynamic at all, does look very cool.

I'm sorry to bring it back to Tyranids, but they were my first army and made a big impression on me, so I have to say that the plastic Carnifex is my absolute favorite redesign.

Unlike a lot of people apparently, I never hated the 3rd Ed grinning Carnifex, but the plastic Carnifex is a hulking monster of a design that captures the idea of a living battering ram perfectly. It fits in with the redesigned Tyranid aesthetic while still having character of its own.

It could have been a simple model a fixed pose and loadout and it would have still been cool, but I remember when it turned out to be a plastic kit with tons of weapons, heads, carapaces, tails, and biomorphs- all represented in the 4th Ed codex- Tyranid players lost their minds.

That was a great kit when it came out in 2005 and I still think it's a great kit today.

Cypher

catbarf wrote:
I'm sorry to bring it back to Tyranids, but they were my first army and made a big impression on me, so I have to say that the plastic Carnifex is my absolute favorite redesign.

Unlike a lot of people apparently, I never hated the 3rd Ed grinning Carnifex, but the plastic Carnifex is a hulking monster of a design that captures the idea of a living battering ram perfectly. It fits in with the redesigned Tyranid aesthetic while still having character of its own.

It could have been a simple model a fixed pose and loadout and it would have still been cool, but I remember when it turned out to be a plastic kit with tons of weapons, heads, carapaces, tails, and biomorphs- all represented in the 4th Ed codex- Tyranid players lost their minds.

That was a great kit when it came out in 2005 and I still think it's a great kit today.

^

I never liked the hunched over pose. Making it stand a bit more upright looks much better IMO (like in DOW2).

" border="0" />

 Just Tony wrote:

 Andersp90 wrote:
The zoanthrope has been on quite the journey since 2nd edition. But I really like where it has ended up.

" border="0" />

That said, I wish they would do something with the 2nd edition design. I think a really cool new tyranid "monster" could come out of it.


post a pic
" border="0" />

I take no shame in saying that THAT artwork is atrocious, and thank the Chaos Gods every second for the current Zoanthrope.

What, the dripping penis and 'come hither' grasping hands and face don't do it for you?

 Wunzlez wrote:

 Just Tony wrote:

 Andersp90 wrote:
The zoanthrope has been on quite the journey since 2nd edition. But I really like where it has ended up.

" border="0" />

That said, I wish they would do something with the 2nd edition design. I think a really cool new tyranid "monster" could come out of it.


post a pic
" border="0" />

I take no shame in saying that THAT artwork is atrocious, and thank the Chaos Gods every second for the current Zoanthrope.

What, the dripping penis and 'come hither' grasping hands and face don't do it for you?

No, I clearly want it to have a pair of balls too.

 Andersp90 wrote:

 Wunzlez wrote:

 Just Tony wrote:

 Andersp90 wrote:
The zoanthrope has been on quite the journey since 2nd edition. But I really like where it has ended up.

" border="0" />

That said, I wish they would do something with the 2nd edition design. I think a really cool new tyranid "monster" could come out of it.


post a pic
" border="0" />

I take no shame in saying that THAT artwork is atrocious, and thank the Chaos Gods every second for the current Zoanthrope.

What, the dripping penis and 'come hither' grasping hands and face don't do it for you?

No, I clearly want it to have a pair of balls too.

Got to maximize the hideousness.

 Wunzlez wrote:


Got to maximize the hideousness.

Im obviously not asking for a copy of the 2nd edition artwork, but a model inspired by it. Like the 4th edition hive tyrant is a redesign of the 2nd edition.