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Hi guys, I have lurked for a while but finally came back to the hobby a couple of months back after about a 15 year break. I am looking for some advice on three armies, and to avoid breaking any rules I'll make three separate threads.

The first is Tyranids. I currently have 500 points all finished, and about another 500 on the way to being complete. I'd like to pick people's brains about some options for 1000 point games, and ways to expand to 1500.

A couple of notes: This is not for tournament whatsoever. I own 3 armies and have made a gaming table at home. I will be playing exclusively at home with friends. However, I don't just want to avoid trash-tier armies, I also want to build armies that are to some degree versatile and fun to play (and paint!)

Secondly, I don't mind playing units that are suboptimal, provided they aren't absolute garbage-tier.

Finally, I want to maximise my £££ as much as possible. I have no intention of spending £30+ on "man with sword". I like my kits to have a substantial amount to them!

Ok so, here's my current list for 1000 points of Tyranids. I am aware that the new codex is coming imminently so take this with a pinch of salt:

HQ:
Winged Hive Tyrant (melee build of some kind)
Tyranid Prime

Troops:
Hormagaunts x20
Termagants x12
Warriors x5

Elites:
Hive Guard x3

Heavy Support:
Tyrannofex (this is magnetised so can be fielded as a Tervigon, but due to my lack of Termagants I assume Tyrannofex is a better fit)

That comes out as around about 1000 points. I also own a Swarmlord and 8 Genestealers. I am tempted by the upcoming Combat Patrol box as it appears to be extremely good value, but it would essentially just give me more of the same models that I already own. I would definitely like a Neurothrope and some Zoanthropes, but I would need to buy two boxes in order to have legal units. Apart from that, I have no idea. Send some ideas my way, and thanks for any help!

If you want to future proof your nid list then I'd focus on warriors, exocrines, zoanthropes and carnifexes. All are looking strong in the new dex. The new combat patrol is good value for money but the models in it aren't that great, you really don't need 36 gants any more, a unit of 15 ish will likely surface due to their point cost increase. You have enough already I'd say.
Be aware that hive tyrants of any kind are going to be limited to 1 per detachment in the new dex so don't get too many of them. Drop the hive guard, they are going to heavy support and got needed to high heaven in the new dex. Tyrant guard however are looking promising for a walkrant/swarmy build.
Take this advice with a pinch of salt as it is based on the leaked changes but i hope it helps a bit.

Thanks for the reply. I definitely want at least a couple of Carnifexes at some point, probably melee ones. I will also almost certainly pick up an Exocrine too.

Do you think, given the models I already own, that 5 Warriors (or 6 if I use the Prime as a Warrior) is enough for a 1000-1500 point game? I magnetised all of them which took a pretty long time, and I don't really want to pick up any more unless I find a crazy good deal on eBay or something.

What you have is probably good for now. If you want melee carnifexes the screamer killer looks like an absolute blender if the leaks are correct. Good luck with your swarm!