1500 Pt 6E, haven't played Nids since early 5th

[maine]

Though I've been playing for years, and started my Tyranids when the 3E codex came out, I set them aside in early 5th and haven't touched them since.

We're starting an Escalation league at work, and I figure what better time to bring them back from retirement, rebase the whole lot on some of Secret Weapon's Infested bases, and finally get them painted.

Here is my tentative target 1500 pt list:

Flyrant - LW+BS/ST, Acid Blood, Wings, Leech Essence, Paroxysm

Doom of Malan'tai (using my Malanthrope)
Zoanthrope
Zoanthrope

Tervigon - ST, Cluster Spines, Acid Blood, Toxin Sacs, Catalyst
Tervigon - ST, Cluster Spines, Acid Blood, Toxin Sacs, Catalyst
10x Devilgaunt
10x Devilgaunt
10x Hormagaunt - Toxin Sacs
10x Hormagaunt - Toxin Sacs

10x Gargoyles - Toxin Sacs

Dakkafex - TL Devourer

Total: 1485.

I have will need to buy the Tyrant (I have the older 3E metal and winged FW ones, I'll use those one of those as a Prime later on), Tervigons, gargoyles, and some more Devilgaunts and Termagants - I have 12 Devilgaunts and 32 Termagants so far. Plenty of Hormagaunts (40).

In my collection I also have: 3E Carnifex as Screamer Killer, Carnifex (plastic unassembled), Trygon (plastic unassembled), Forgeworld Trygon, Lictor, Zoanthrope (all of them 3rd edition, which are kind of... cute?), 9 warriors (7 Deathspitter+ST, 1x Venomcannon+ST, 1x Barbed Strangler+ST), 9 FW Ripper swarms, Scything Hierodule, Heirophant

...

Regarding the list above, my concerns are:

- Gargoyles are meant to support the Flyrant, but can they do the job? Better used as a frontal screening unit, or just get rid of them?

- Doom of Malan'tai mainly because I want to put my Malanthrope to use; although I've had an aversion to named characters since 2nd Edition.

- 2 Tervigons will generate at least 2 more Termagant units; 85% chance they generate at least 3 units, and a 65% chance they get at least 4 units. I'm not really sold on the unit, probably because they are a recent addition, but they do fit my perspective of the theme of Tyranids.

- Termagant and Hormagaunt broods are minimal, and I'm uncomfortable with that. Points need to come from somewhere, though... but where? My preferred size is 14-16, and 14 in all 4 units requires 144 more points.

- Carnifex would need to stay close to the Tervigons. He seems so lonely in the list, though.

My 2000 point list would be to add another Carnifex, a Prime to lead them, maybe another Zoanthrope, then bump up the sizes of the Gargoyles and Gaunts.

...

While all feedback is welcome, please keep in mind my mindset with this: I'm not looking for a super competitive list, just something that can do reasonably well in a casual group, is fun to play, and captures the spirit of Tyranids (which to me is "swarm of sharp teeth and claws about to bite your face off"... I miss Rippers being worthwhile, I would love a reason to put those 9 FW ripper swarms on the table)

Edit:

Another list I am considering, which utilizes more items in my collection:

HQ:
Flyrant - LW+BS/ST, Acid Blood, Wings, Leech Essence, Paroxysm
Prime - Deathspitter, Regeneration

Elite:
Doom of Malan'tai (using my Malanthrope)
Zoanthrope
Zoanthrope

Troop:
Tervigon - ST, Cluster Spines, Acid Blood, Toxin Sacs, Catalyst
12x Devilgaunt
12x Hormagaunt - Toxin Sacs
12x Hormagaunt - Toxin Sacs

2x Dakkafex - Dual TL Devourer, Regeneration
(will be joined by the Prime)

Total: 1497

[theoneeyedmonster]

Take a look at my list, im trying to figure out a 1500 pt list as well for the same thing, maybe we can work together!

Gargoyles seem a good idea, i think you can put the flyrant in them and give him a look out sir argh save, which is ok as GG are only 6 pts per model.

Personally i eschewed Hormogaunts lately (despite having 100 of them), as the games iv played iv tried to use cover but get shot to pieces.. . randomised charges and overwatch have damaged their ability to withstand fire, 5th ed of course, we used to be able to move, run 3d6 pick highest (usually a 5-6) and then assault 6" so they were awesome!

Iv discovered that Tervigons arent to bad a psykers, and if your going to stomp them into combat, giving them crushing claws helps a lot! Plus i always stick regen on big things, as they are bullet magnets, and the amount of times its given them that extra surviving turn or two.. its just worth every point i think.

Doom is a cheap nasty unit, and sticking him in a spore and whacking him amongst IG units is evil, i include him in pretty much every game now. you cant not..

Thats all i can think so far

:-)

[sturm]

Im on my way to work so this post will be fairly short, might add more tonight when i get back.
Rippers!! They got better wih the new edition, as they are cheap and will work well in charge support to eat up all that overwatch fire. If you want the hormagants to be able to do some damage after the charge, you really want them to be as many as they can, and overwatch hurts that. Its worst depending on which army you face, but i find that rippers are a good way to balance that (plus they look awesome)

[wisdomseyes1]

You can not place gargoyles with a tyrant because tyrants are not independent characters. For similar reasons you can not look out sir the tyrant into the gargoyles.

Carnifexen have feed, so synapse isn't really an issue for them, failing the test is a good thing.

You and I have the same issue with hormagaunts. Fleet meant max 18" assault range and hormagaunts were the most consistent. Now they are just as likely to make the charge as a trygon or a genestealer. They still get better run rolls, though, and IB feed is an extra attack (fearless is still an issue) so they didn't get totally boned, they are just far less special.

Thats all I got for now

[theoneeyedmonster]

Yes your right of course, they aren't an IC.. Still strange that they didn't change that in the FAQ..gw tyranid hate train lol

Trying to find a use for horms now is harder as yes, they were a fairly long range unit, that could bog things down a turn until my stealers arrived to support them, that's gone out the window of course now, so trying to find ways to adapt...

I gave my tyrant biomancy, and landed the leech essence one, and endurance, and the new feel no pain rules are great for bullet magnet fexs and tervs as we get no invulnerable saves.