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As such I have tried a number of tactics and they have all worked rather well for the most part. The major problem I have been having is that Hive Guard and Zoan's are never in range to kill anything heavy so I have basically given up on them for now.

The list below is what I have come up with from all the testing I have been doing.

This list relies on 3 things, synergy, speed and rending claws, everything a Tyranid army should have!!! No Tervigons and no Gaunts (Except the ones with wings)!

For those of you astute enough to see where I am going with this (and if you know the Nid psychic powers well enough) you should be able to see what I am doing. For everyone else... Read underneath the army list!

== HQ ==
1x Hive Tyrant - Scything Talons, Lash Whip And Bonesword, Wings, Psychic Scream + Biomancy Power, Hive Commander = 255 pts.
1x Parasite of Mortrex = 160 pts.

== Elites ==
1x Doom Of Malan'tai + Mycetic Spore = 130 pts

== Troops ==
1x Broodlord (Aura Of Despair + Biomancy Power or Psychic Screech) + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =124 pts.
1x Broodlord (Aura Of Despair + Biomancy Power or Psychic Screech) + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =124 pts.
1x Broodlord (Aura Of Despair + Biomancy Power or Psychic Screech) + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =124 pts.
3x Ripper Swarm - Spinefists, Tunnel Swarm = 57 pts.

== Fast Attack ==
5x Ravener Brood - Scything Talons, Rending Claws, Devourer = 200 pts.
5x Tyranid Shrike - Rending Claws, Scything Talons = 200 pts.
1x Harpy - Cluster Spines, Twin-Linked Stranglethorn Cannon = 160 pts.
21x Gargoyles = 126 pts.

== Heavy Support ==
1x Mawloc = 170 pts.
1x Mawloc = 170 pts.

== Total ==
2000 pts.


Key Points!

> Essentially I want the entire army in charge range in turn 2.
> I do not want reserve rolls to choke the army so the list contains just 2 reserves but have Hive Commander on the Hive Tyrant to give me 2+ reserve rolls (I have another list that uses Lictors instead of the Doom for HQ nuking with Rending from Flesh Hooks).
> Gargoyles are cannon fodder and overwatch candy.
> 3x Broodlords will be using Aura Of Despair (-1 to leadership to all units in 12", and yes, it stacks!).
> Tyrant will be using Psychic Scream which on units with -3 Leadership is going to be a pain.
> Spirit Leech on the Doom will also work off the -3 Leadership.
> All CC units have Rending claws to enable me to kill vehicles or 2+ armor save troops.
> The Harpy I am not sure about, it might be better using something else. In theory I could drop him and have 4 squads of Broodlords / Genestealers and still have another 36 points to play with (Devourers on the Hive Tyrant perhaps). Or I could take 7 Raveners and 7 Shrikes for the price of the Harpy.
> The Mawlocs will TFTD onto the units with the reduced Leadership as well to try and force them to flee!

Would love to hear peoples thoughts on this list. It looks like a fun list and because of the fast moving aspect of the force (and the fact basically all the troops are infiltrators) I can control the board from turn 1 without batting an eyelid.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Just reread the rules on Aura Of Despair and it appears to only affect during the assault phase.

Damnit!!!

Still I would imagine its still going to cause an enemy a lot of problems!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967379.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967379.page GMT
- Unfortunately, switching psychic powers doesn't quite work that way. It's all or nothing. If you want to roll for the book powers, you can't keep the codex powers. (i.e. no Aura of Despair + Biomancy power).
Also, just to point out, Broodlords have a BS of 0. They can't use any witchfire powers, including Psychic Shriek.

- I would definitely toss more Devourers in the list, especially on the Hive Tyrant. If you're attacking Leadership, that can force most units to break.
Maybe drop the Harpy and Ripper Swarms for a large unit of Termagants with Devourers in a Spore Pod? That would make better use of your Hive Commander. It would give you another scoring unit (remember Swarms can't score objectives). And it would take your list out of double FOC, which some people have problems with.

- Another interesting tactic, which you could consider...3 Zoanthropes in a Spore Pod with Psychic Shriek. In a match-up where you don't need Shriek (or it wouldn't be as useful), keep them as dedicated anti-tank with the codex powers.

- While it's extremely overcosted, the Deathleaper can also be a little nasty. With all the psykers running around, his Leadership attack can hurt. Also, he can combo with the Mawlocs for a pinpoint TFTD attack. (Bring him on anywhere you want and, if he survives, bring a Mawloc in anywhere around him on the following turn without scattering).]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967467.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967467.page GMT
I think dropping the Harpy, Parasite and the Rippers gives me much more points to do something else with.

I can actually get 2x Lictors and a Deathleeper + more Raveners and Shrikes and another units of Genestealers for similar points.

-4 to Leadership + the potencial -3 from the Deathleeper would ruin any commanders day.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Like this...

== HQ ==
1x Hive Tyrant - Scything Talons, Lash Whip And Bonesword, Wings, Psychic Scream = 230 pts.

== Elites ==
2x Lictor = 130 pts.
1x Deathleaper = 140 pts.

== Troops ==
1x Broodlord + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =124 pts.
1x Broodlord + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =124 pts.
1x Broodlord + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =124 pts.
1x Broodlord + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =124 pts.

== Fast Attack ==
7x Ravener - Rending Claws, Scything Talons = 245 pts.
7x Shrikes - Rending Claws, Scything Talons, 1x Barbed Strangler = 290 pts.
20x Gargoyle Brood = 120 pts.

== Heavy Support ==
1x Mawloc = 170 pts.
1x Mawloc = 170 pts.

== Total ==
1999 pts.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967533.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967533.page GMT
If I'm running a CC Flyrant I do Dual Scything Talons, Implant Attack, and Toxin Sacs. Reroll all misses and instant death more reliably than with the Bonesword. I realize that the Initiative debuff with the Whip is nice, and it does change your chargable targets slightly, but for me it works wonders.

This list can actually work with a Tervigon. I know, shoving a Tervigon in, boooo!!! But, roll on Telepathy with a 3 power Tervi and you're 75% likely to get Gate of Infinity. First turn gate up, spawn, second turn charge! Give that Tervi Claws and watch the carnage ensue. Best part? If you happen to roll Gate first, roll the rest on Biomancy! Additionally this gives you a mobile Troop choice (with the requisite Gaunts of course) that is more durable than those Broodlord bombs.

Lictors are not good enough. Run a unit of Ymgarls instead in the second list in place of them (dropping a Ravener and/or Shrike to up their numbers as well to 6-8).

I love the Parasite. I run it with the above mentioned Flyrant in a similar list. I usually package it with a large Ravener squad with Spinefists and Rending Claws and deep strike the whole squad in. Added to the deep striking Rippers with Spinefists equals a whole lot of dakka and fun.

Because lists like this require target saturation to survive and prosper I'd lean towards list 2 because of the more numerous larger units. That said, Shrikes for me have never worked out. Too many points and a massive target on their heads. Maybe with so many units in close proximity they'll work but I'm not sold. Also, at I4 they will likely die in CC against most stuff whilst killing stuff themselves as well. The best way to run them is with a BS/LW, which unfortunately makes them hella expensive.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967688.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967688.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967701.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5967701.page GMT
Still not decided on Psychic Powers, in reality though I think rolling off the Biomancy table might be better for the Hive Tyrant and the 2x Broodlords (although Aura Of Despair is still going to be very good on the Broodlords).

I decided that I needed a bit more protection for the Prime and the Hormagaunts so a Venomthrope should help in that respect, a 5+ cover save (which I would imagine would work with going to ground as well for a +1 or +2 in area terrain) is nothing to be sniffed at, especially when there is 22 3+ saves running towards you! The Hormagaunts should really be able to keep up with the rest of the army and provide more overwatch lambs to the slaughter. 43 overwatch damage soaking units is nothing to be sniffed at.

Almost every unit has rending, 3+ saves be damned!

The Lictors are a bit of a wildcard but I figure if I drop them in area terrain, shoot and then go to ground in the next turn they will survive long enough to repay their points cost. There is 17 attacks between them (without charging) including the Deathleaper with re-rolls and rending. If that doesn't wipe out a squad or two I am doing something wrong!

I would have liked to have the points for Old Adversary on the Hive Tyrant for preferred enemy but without losing some bullet dodgers I cant make it.

The wildcard in this army for me is the Genestealers and Broodlords. 252 points possibly could be spent on something better (more bullet dodgers or tar-pit units).

What do you guys think? I am going to give this list a try at the weekend but some final tweaks with suggestions from everyone here would be appreciated




== HQ ==
1x Hive Tyrant - Scything Talons, Lash Whip And Bonesword, Wings = 230 pts.
1x Tyranid Prime - Pair Of Boneswords, Scything Talons = 90 pts.

== Elites ==
1x Deathleaper = 140 pts.
3x Lictors = 195 pts.
1x Venomthrope = 55 pts.

== Troops ==
1x Broodlord + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =126 pts.
1x Broodlord + 4x Genestealer - Scything Talons =126 pts.
12x Hormagaunts = 72 pts.
12x Hormagaunts = 72 pts.

== Fast Attack ==
3x Tyranid Shrike - Rending Claws, Scything Talons = 120 pts.
3x Tyranid Shrike - Rending Claws, Scything Talons = 120 pts.
3x Raveners - Rending Claws, Scything Talons = 105 pts.
3x Raveners - Rending Claws, Scything Talons = 105 pts.
19x Gargoyles = 114 pts.
1x Harpy - Cluster Spines, Twin-Linked Stranglethorn Cannon = 160 pts.

== Heavy Support ==
1x Mawloc = 170 pts.

== Total ==
2000 pts.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5974518.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5974518.page GMT

Also, as a list critique you are quite low on durable synapse. The shrikes and the Prime are pretty easy to kill, and while the Stealers don't need it, they aren't Fearless. Additionally, at 2000 pts 4 very easy to kill Troop squads in an objective based game might be problematic.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5974613.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5974613.page GMT
Horms, Gargs, Ravs, Venomthrope and the Genestealers are not fearless either (as far as I know the Broodlord isnt either), they are immune to instinctive behaviour but I cannot see anything about them being fearless.

That gives me some room to play with. Plus I want the Horms out of Synapse anyway for Rage.

I just need to make sure that the Prime stays out of range of the horms and venom so they can go to ground, the genestealers should be able to as well as the lictors.

The Lictors and the Steelers will be taking one side of the board with the horms as backup while the rest attacks the other side so really it shouldnt be an issue. The Prime can tag along at the back of the army to provide what is basically a mobile rally point if needed.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5974768.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/547319/5974768.page GMT