1500, first list, go easy

[tyrannical]

Ok, so I am thinking about starting tyranids and want a balanced list that will participate in all phases of the game. I also want the models that I like the look of.

This list attempts to combine shooting, CC and psyker contribution as well as being mobile and hopefully fun to use.

Here goes:

HQ

Hive tyrant, TL brainleech x2, grubs, adrenal glands, wings
Hive tyrant, TL brainleech x2, grubs, wings
    
Troops

15 x termagants with devourers
Tervigon, crushing claws, stinger with 30 x termagants with devourers


Fast Attack

10 x gargoyles
Hive Crone


Heavy Support


3 x biovores
Carnifex, bioplasma, TL brainleech x 2
Exocrine, bioplasmic cannon


All that comes to exactly 1500pts. Now I know I probably think that stuff that seems really good in theory probably will turn out to be rubbish in reality but I would appreciate any feedback. I suspect people are going to say that I overspent on the devourers on the termagant but I am hoping the tervigon will produce some normal termagants for me to use as fodder. I will be probably facing necrons.


Thanks guys.

[Cherubi]

At least leave a third of your Gants without devourers in the front row. Those will die anyway before they have the chance to take their shoots.
The Hive Tyrant will not be able to attack the turn he left flying mode, so most likely he will never be in CC in the first place -> Drop the glands
The carnifex will only be able to shoot 2 weapons a turn, and with his bad BS better stay with the TLLeech with the higher range.

With the points saved you can add the Venomthrope you need to provide some cover.And maybe even a pack of DS Rippers to score some objectives.

[tyrannical]

The Tyrant can still assault if he is in gliding mode. He is still pretty good in combat. Do I not want to assault with him at some stage? I personally am not particularly enamoured by swarms. I will be churning out troop choices from the tervigon.

I do like the cover save you mention...thanks for your comments. They have certainly given me something to think about.

[Kwodd]

What Cherub said.

[Cherubi]

Oct 30, 2014 17:13:22 GMT tyrannical said:

The Tyrant can still assault if he is in gliding mode. He is still pretty good in combat. Do I not want to assault with him at some stage? I personally am not particularly enamoured by swarms. I will be churning out troop choices from the tervigon.

I do like the cover save you mention...thanks for your comments. They have certainly given me something to think about.

The Tyrant indeed is great in combat, even without additional equipment, but to go to CC in 7th you need to be in gliding mode the turn before he is allowed to attack, giving your oponent a full turn he's able to hit on you with normal dices. Most times when my own Tyrant touched the ground my enemy scored "Slay the warlord" with 1-4 Victory Points.

Since you are jump infantry you are able to reroll your charge distance anyway and the +1S brings you up to S7. Still not enough to InstaKill any T4 models or to do damage to a Landraider.
You will be able to wound T5 Modesl (Those damn Bikers) on a 2+ instead 3+, But taking Toxin Sacks (5 points cheaper) and you'll reroll pretty much all your wound rolls instead.

(If you plan to run into Dominator Barks/Leman Russ with thei back hiding to the Table Edge, I understand your wish to have a CC Tyrant I have to admit)

In last edition those swarm sucked pretty hard, but now with as scoring units those are sweet. Maybe give them a try in a Maelstrom mission and shock them on a objective, they realy have some use nowadays.

[tyrannical]

Having taken on the advice given, here is my updated list.

HQ

Hive tyrant, TL brainleech x2, grubs, wings
Hive tyrant, TL brainleech x2, grubs, wings

Troops

10 gants with devourers, 5 with flesh
16 Gants with devourers, 4 with flesh
3 ripper swarms deep strikes

Malanthrope

10 x gargoyles
Hive Crone

3 x biovores
Carnifex, TL brainleech x 2
Exocrine, bio

I did contemplate ditching the exocrine for a second carnifex but I just don't have any other AP2 in the army. I almost ditched the carnifex for another exocrine but I love the TL leeches too much!

Anyway thoughts as ever appreciated.

[Cherubi]

Maybe poison for the Gargoyls to have a chance with Riptides and other monsterous.
Looks very good in my opinion.

[gigasnail]

You have the biovores and exo already, move something around to free up 90 points for 3 warriors and you have a living artillery node.

[tyrannical]

Its a great point giga, but I am not sure where I can find those 90pts. I would love to squeeze in a tervigon as well. I know people dont like them, but I want to try them out. An extra warp charge, and raising fodder has to be helpful...

[jimmyp]

Well 10 gargoyles is not that useful you need 15-20 to be decent. Also drop the devourers on termagants just use fleshborers, basically just use them as interviening models or back objective holders. If you got rid of the gargoyles, devs on terms that might be enough.
I just use rippers at the moment in troops myself they work better got deep strike and synapse is not a drama for a turn.

[tyrannical]

You mean to say that you dont need the large units of core? Is it better to not have anything other than rippers?

[jimmyp]

well i find having a large troop unit helps for Intervening Model rule
If a target is partially obscured from the firer by models from a third unit
(models not from the firer’s unit, or from the target unit), it receives a 5+ cover save
in the same way as if it was behind terrain.
i put a unit of ten to fifteen termagants/or rippers in front of my carnifexes etc and put malanthrope behind so getting 3+ save in open...happy days

plus side of rippers are swarms and if out of synapse and fail and go to IB they will only loose a wound or so...
Also once you have shoot up there scoring units near a objective with flyrant devs, deep strike your rippers in hopefully and hide them on the objective they are hard to see...

[gigasnail]

rippers aren't beasts, they're swarms. they move 6", but ignore movement penalties from terrain.

beasts move 12" and ignore movement penalties from terrain.

[jimmyp]

better to spend points on Heavy, HQ and fast attack then loads of troops. troops are good for scoring objectives or screening.

my 1500 list im using last couple of weeks is...

flyrant TLDBLW and electro grubs "flying apache gunship"
flyrant TLDBLW and electro grubs "flying apache gunship"

Malanthrope "Use with carnifexes for shrouded etc"

20 termagants "screen for carnifexes"
3 rippers deep strike "objectives"
3 rippers deep strike "objectives"
3 warriors rending claws and barbed strangler "hold the line objectives and back synapse"

2 carnifex TLDBLW adrenal glands "anti everything and charging my mates two landraiders"
2 mawlocs "i love these guys i know they are 50/50 but someone i play using invisibility and like to hide at the back shooting"

won 3 out 5 games against blood angels

[jimmyp]

Nov 2, 2014 18:43:17 GMT gigasnail said:

rippers aren't beasts, they're swarms. they move 6", but ignore movement penalties from terrain.

beasts move 12" and ignore movement penalties from terrain.

sorry i wrote beasts lol meant swarms...