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I'm in the processing of painting up some kids to add to my GSC and/or be their own army when i get enough finished. I realize the best nid units are flyrants and dakkafexes with biovores and hive guard all sitting in a ball in the very back corner with a malenthrope. But i'm really not all about what seems to be the 'competitive' norm for most armies of sitting in a clump in the very back corner of the map shooting back and forth across a table with no terrain. *cough*user more terrain *cough* I've never played nids before so was hoping to get some advice on what combinations work for close combat tyranids, i realize it's not going to be ideal so only looking for 'not awful.'

I currently have 2xGSC acolytes each with primus, and abominate with aberrants all to cult ambush in and tie up the enemy. in addition to a min neophyte squad for CP.
For the tyranid half of the army i was thinking something along the lines of,

swarm-lord
broodlord
20x genestealers
2x CC carnifex

I'm less looking for lists though, and more looking for some experienced players to let me know what units and combination of units they've had success with running in a melee nid army.

Genestealers are great. You'll have to toss up whether you put them in the tyranid or GSC detachment though. Hive fleet genestealers are currently cheaper and a bit more powerful, with stuff like free acid maw upgrades, some decent hive fleet detachment bonuses (amazing with Kraken), and are easy to fit in a detachment due to being troops.
GSC purestrain genestealers trade that for cult ambush, which isn't the most reliable method of deployment, but can be very powerful with some lucky rolls.


Broodlords are a bit meh. They're not completely terrible, just overpriced. Compare their point cost and abilities to that of a walking hive tyrant.
Boosting nearby genestealers hit rolls by 1 is decent, but not a buff genestealers desperately need. They generally do fine by themselves.


Old One Eye + a bunch of carnifexes can be fun. Not super competitive, but fun.
Unlike genestealers, who don't really need it, the boost to carnifex hit rolls provided by OOE is actually really good. Combined with the other +1 to hit they get from charging, you can have carnifexes hitting on a 2+, or a 3+ if you give them crushing claws.
Carnifexes also deal a mortal wound half the time when they charge, and you can throw on tusks for an extra attack on the charge too. Put them in a Kraken detachment to allow them to fall back from combat and charge again, to make the most of all these charge bonuses.


Swarmlord is ok, but really expensive. You're basically getting a walking hive tyrant for twice the price, with the added ability to move a nearby unit a second time. It's a powerful ability, but expensive. Best used if you have a couple of units of genestealers in your army I think. Their advance + charge ability lets them make the most out of the extra movement.

First off, nearly all the big tyranid CC monsters are point traps. Too expensive for what they bring. Tyrannocytes aren’t worth their point cost. Rippers are your best anti-vehicle melee, not out of any ability to do damage, but because they deepstrike naturally and will tie up backline tanks all day long. Until GW FAQs them into oblivion, monstrous rending claws will always be the superior weapon choice for Tyrants. Finally, don’t depend on pure melee. Tyranids are a Swiss Army knife, don’t just use the blade, there’s scissors and screwdrivers and a little toothpick in there too.