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.

Hey all - I played my first game with my Tyranids army against an opponent using Admech/Skitarii plus a Knight with some fortifications (including a void shield generator, skyshield landing pad and aegis defense).

It is a part of an ongoing campaign we're doing in our local store. Fun game, but wondering how I could maximize the potential of what I currently have. Below is what I brought to the battle:

1 Flying Tyrant (LW/BS) with 20 Gargoyles (Skyswarm Formation)
6 Warriors (shooty - Devourers, Deathspitters and Venom Cannon)
6 Warriors (assault oriented)
1 Trygon Prime
3 Zoanthropes (one Neuro)
1 Venomthrope
30 Termagants (20 with Devourers)
20 Hormagaunts (Toxin Sacs)
2 Tyrannocytes (carrying Zoan & Hormagaunts)

Even though my Tyrant had 20 ablative wounds on her...... she got mowed down by the amount of fire-power the admech brought to bear. The void shield generator was brutal but worst still was how the mid-field was set up (it was essentially open-ground and perfect killing field).

I'm a pretty casual player that mainly focus on painting more than gaming, but obviously would like to have a game with my fully painted army where they don't get wasted as target practice.

All constructive comments much appreciated!

Thanks Dakka!

It sounds to my like you got hosed by the terrain setup. Next time you play, you should try to ensure that there's some nice big LOS-blocking terrain in the middle of the table, anything else is putting you at a severe disadvantage right from the start of the game.

Well, there's a lot that can be said here, but the quickest fix using the models you have (and adding as little as possible) would be:

Get another Flying Hive Tyrant. They really are the best thing in our codex, and you should run 2 in pretty much any game. You don't even have to feel bad about it, as most other armies have stinkier cheese...

I personally drop a unit of Zoanthropes in a Tyrannocyte as well, but you need to up your body count. The Zoan's have a lot of dice to roll before they get to do their damage, so if your going to go with this unit as an answer to a major threat (such as an Imperial Knight, Land Raider, etc) you really need 5 or 6 Zoans to do the job.

I personally am not a fan of Warriors...at all, but your mileage may vary. The Trygon Prime is also a bit overcosted for what it usually accomplishes, but I play with one every now and again myself. Try it out as a Mawloc every now and again. It's cheaper and can be devastating at times (can also totally whiff and get killed before it does anything).

So, if that's all you have, this list is illegal. Skytyrant is a Formation, which means you still need an HQ in a CAD.

Skytyrant is pretty much the worst option before you get into the 'what the feth were you thinking' category. Ablative wounds or not, you're painting a bullseye on the Flyrant. Apparently it works if you have threat saturation, but I have never gotten it to work and hate the Formation completely. Drop it and just CAD your Flyrant with the usual loadout. People use it because it works.

Trygon Prime is a ridiculous waste here. You have nothing that can really benefit from its abilities since your Zoas and Hormies are coming in pods. Call it a Mawloc and you'll get some use out of it there.

Warriors are not good. I use them regularly and I have found that if an enemy can kill three, they can kill nine just as easily. If they can't kill six, they can't even kill three. And using them in Assault is... Rough. Nice idea, but since any S8 (Powerfists) will instagib them, they have to pick their targets too carefully for a unit that costs that much. Shooty versions are just as hurt on point cost. Just too much effort to keep using them. If you MUST use these because you're proud of the paint job, Pod them in. Have them arrive AFTER you kill things that deal Str 8 shots.

You simply need more Flyrants and decide which way you want to run these. If you swing it, you'd be better off dropping the Gaunts and Warriors for Deep Strike Rippers, get a Carnifex or two, maybe even drop a Tyrannofex in the second Pod with Acid Spray. I personally prefer a Carnifex but I'm old fashioned.

Thanks for the suggestions thus far Dakka folks. I actually wanted to make a small correction: I also have 30 Termagants (20 with Devourers and 10 with Fleshborers).

It did not occur to me that the Skyswarm formation meant that I do not have an HQ for my CAD. Good reminder SharkoutofWata.... keep 'em coming.....

Have you tried the phodian annihilation swarm? They can get 2+ cover saves (rerollable I think?!) so massed shooting is less effective. A big enough group of genestealers can march across the board and engage whilst you bring your forces up behind.