Where to start? - Tyranids

[Predator X]

Good Evening All,

 

I ask forgiveness in advance as I'm sure you get these posts all the time!

 

I'm returning to 40K after what is probably a ten, maybe fifteen year break. I've tried to pick-up the hobby a couple of times over those years and I've even dabbled in a few other systems, albeit only briefly.

 

The whole eighth edition hype, major rule changes and Games Workshops attitude change has got me really interested in picking this up again!

 

I figured I'd go right out my comfort zone and pick an army that wouldn't necessarily be my first choice; Tyranids.

 

So where do I start with these guys?

 

I've got a scheme I'm going to be working on using a very limited palette and basic airbrushing techniques - to ease me into the painting aspect.

 

Obviously I'm going to purchase the rulebook + index but what about models?

 

What would you suggest as starting army? I was thinking somewhere around the 500 points region as a starting point for a force and expand from there in 500 point increments...

[Cryptix]

If you can manage to get the Tyranid Swarm box, DO IT. Its going off of sale soon, and two will give you all the bodies you'll ever need.  

After that, get a box of Carnifexen, the Start Collecting, and kit bash a malanthrope. Those are your essentials, but after that its your choice - pretty much everything is useable these days, if you build around it. What kind of army do you want? Gunline, melee, combined arms? Swarm, nidzilla, medium bug (the 3 wounders like Warriors and Hive Guard) brigade?

[Predator X]

Unfortunately I think the Tyranid Swarm box has sold out in most of the online wargame shops here in the UK, so chances of getting my hands on that are pretty slim.

 

I'm definitely more inclined to a balanced, combined arms, take all comers kind of list. I'm not interested in being ultra competitive but I'd like a crack at winning, but my primary love has always been "forging the narrative".

Edited August 30, 2017 by Predator X

[dwez]

Some good advice so far. It;s also worth looking on ebay for Genestealers. Ranging from first edition Space Hulk [if you're not fussy, and why should you be the sculpts are still pretty decent] to the new Deathwatch Overkill Purestrains they can be relatively cheap but are now really [really] good and will bulk out your army in short order.

 

Secondly, unless you were already aware there is a gaming clube called Red Steel Preston, they have a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/RedSteelPreston/

 

and one for arranging games: https://www.facebook.com/groups/233117116871487/?fref=nf

 

in case you need some local support in getting back into the hobby.

Good luck.

[Predator X]

Some good advice so far. It;s also worth looking on ebay for Genestealers. Ranging from first edition Space Hulk [if you're not fussy, and why should you be the sculpts are still pretty decent] to the new Deathwatch Overkill Purestrains they can be relatively cheap but are now really [really] good and will bulk out your army in short order.

 

Secondly, unless you were already aware there is a gaming clube called Red Steel Preston, they have a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/RedSteelPreston/

 

and one for arranging games: https://www.facebook.com/groups/233117116871487/?fref=nf

 

in case you need some local support in getting back into the hobby.

 

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice - I'm definitely looking to add some Genestealers and a Broodlord to my collection because they look awesome!

 

I am aware of Red Steel - I haven't been yet but it's on my to-do list, I've only moved to Preston in the last month or so, still settling in!

 

I see you're from Ormskirk - do you frequent any clubs nearby?

[dwez]

Thanks for the advice - I'm definitely looking to add some Genestealers and a Broodlord to my collection because they look awesome!

 

I am aware of Red Steel - I haven't been yet but it's on my to-do list, I've only moved to Preston in the last month or so, still settling in!

 

I see you're from Ormskirk - do you frequent any clubs nearby?

 

 

I used to go to the Merseyside Mammoths, back when they were called the Lost Boys Gaming Club. Now they're based in Southport at Wargames but its a bit of a challenge for me to get there and get a decent game in before they shut. ;) It really shouldn't be as it's only 10 miles away but...

 

I've never actually been to Red Steel, but I think I've met a few of the guys at various tournaments, I'm sure they'll be able to ease you into the hobby again. It really does help at first, it's what i did with the Lost Boys and you'll either stick with them long term or outgrow them by making friends who you can game with at your own convenience, or even do both.

 

Broodlords are cool, you can pick up the old metal sculpt, or the new plastic ones are awesome but you pay through the nose. The Brood Coven set for Genestealer Cult may be the most economic option as you get the Primus and Magus as well as the Patriarch, which you can play as a Tyranid Broodlord. Alternatively look at the Deathwatch Overkill box. More Genestealer Cult, but I think most Tyranid players eventually gravitate to both factions, I know I am :)

[Predator X]

Yeah I'm definitely going to visit Red Steel, I joined the group on facebook and I have had an offer of an introduction game by one of the members so will probably try and get in there sooner rather than later.

 

You never know - perhaps when I've finally got some 'Nids we can setup a game between ourselves as we aren't that far from one another!?

 

The new plastics are expensive, but they do look great and plastic is just so much easier to work with - I don't miss metal!

Edited August 30, 2017 by Predator X

[dwez]

Yeah I'm definitely going to visit Red Steel, I joined the group on facebook and I have had an offer of an introduction game by one of the members so will probably try and get in there sooner rather than later.

 

You never know - perhaps when I've finally got some 'Nids we can setup a game between ourselves as we aren't that far from one another!?

 

The new plastics are expensive, but they do look great and plastic is just so much easier to work with - I don't miss metal!

 

 

Yeah, sure. I agree the plastics are so much cooler. I stopped for around 15 years and when I returned to the hobby I still had this hangover about plastic. Then I painted my first metal models and they were chipped in the very first game! So plastic is the business, my Dad said back in the 80's/90's that the injection moulding capability could produce much finer detail than GW was giving us - they finally got their a$$ in gear.

 

As you're starting out ebay is definitely your friend. It is dead easy to strip models, with either Dettol or any Acetone FREE nail varnish remover [do not use the product with Acetone in, it'll melt the plastic]. Keep an eye out for Termagants and Hormagaunts as quite often you can get bulk lots of 30 or so which are cheaper second hand.

[Predator X]

So I was thinking about a 500pt list to start with my Tyranids and came up with the below...

 

 

++ Patrol Detachment (Tyranids) [30 PL, 498pts] ++

 

+ Uncategorised +

 

Discipline: Hive Mind

 

Power: Smite

 

+ HQ +

 

Broodlord [8 PL, 162pts]: Power: Onslaught

 

+ Troops +

 

Genestealers [8 PL, 96pts]

. 8x Genestealer: 8x Rending Claws

 

Hormagaunts [9 PL, 135pts]: 27x Hormagaunt

 

+ Heavy Support +

 

Stone Crusher Carnifex Brood [5 PL, 105pts]

. Stone Crusher Carnifex: 2x Wrecker Claws, Thresher Scythe

 

++ Total: [30 PL, 498pts] ++

 

Created with BattleScribe

 

Idea being that Hormagaunts are upfront as a living screen with Broodlord, Genestealers and 'Fex behind. Roll up the board as fast as possible 'gaunts and genestealer aim to deal with any infantry and the 'fex piles into any armour that may be present.

 

I'm interested in people's thoughts on this, I'm looking to make a nicely balanced list that will expand out in 500pt increments.

[Xenith]

I'm always wary of a character taking up such a large chunk of your points, especially in an army where everything is expendable - maybe consider the cheaper malanthrope and make up the point difference with more stealers?

[orionburn]

I'm always wary of a character taking up such a large chunk of your points, especially in an army where everything is expendable - maybe consider the cheaper malanthrope and make up the point difference with more stealers?

Going to agree here. The broody is awesome but that's a big chunk of points for a 500 pt list. Malanthropes are really important this edition. Anything that can do a -1 to hit helps out tremendously. 

 

While I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Carnies you have to play them carefully. That 3+ save looks good on paper but with the lack of an invuln save and so many high AP modifying weapons (along with multi-damage shots) they drop quick. While the little guys (Gaunts & Gants) aren't the most exciting things in the world you need them. Stealers are great at murdering things. 

[dwez]

Both good points regarding the Malanthrope, it's a great choice for a HQ and much cheaper in points [but much more expensive in £s]. However, in fairness to the Broodlord he is being screened by 27 Hormagaunts and Genestealers so he won't be able to be targetted if they're nearer. Personally if you're choosing a Broodlord as a HQ then you're better off taking advantage of his rules and going with more Genestealers. A brood gets +1 attacks beyond 10 in a unit so preferably 15-20 so you can take a few casualties and hopefully still make it into combat with the bonus. The Broodlord then adds +1 to their hits, so you can be hitting on 2's with rending claws, or if you use Scything Talons hitting on 2's and rerolling 1's!

 

Our HQs are all relatively expensive, especially when looking at a 500pt list, after the Malanthrope our cheapest option is the Tyranid Prime which has it's place but I've not used one in years. I think investing in a Broodlord at this level because ultimately it'll still fit in a 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 list is still valid, so will a Malanthope if you have the £s [but they can be kitbashed from a Carnifex and Hive Tyrant flying tail...]

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

I too was considering taking the plunge with the swarm. I have a friend that would be interested in getting into 40k if he could play 'Nids. 

 

I was wondering what the best all around build was. NIdzilla, zerg swarm, or a balance of both? I prefer balance for my other armies. 

 

I really like the Idea of putting a horde of scuttling gaunts with a tervigon and some larger creatures for support. I'd really like them to be competitive with my guard army. Which includes Tanks, infantry(no conscripts as of yet) and flyers. I sometimes include knights or a SM detachment. 

 

What sort of force would do well against this?

[Aothaine]

I would suggest saving the genestealer approach for higher point games. You really need blobs of them to be effective.

 

I would go with a mix of termigaunts and hormagaunts with a warrior as your HQ for 500 points. If you can squeeze in a Tervigon that would be pretty solid imho.

 

Tervigon Brood Progenitor Box is what I would shoot for personally.

 

 

@Ulric - I would have your friend and yourself watch some bat reps. Table Top Tactics has some really cool Tyranid bat reps using different lists with a wide range of the Tyranid model range. If you guys are not going full on competitive I really suggest TTT as they try and keep all lists fluffy.

Edited September 27, 2017 by Aothaine