New to the game, here's my list.

[sirmagpie]

Hello all!
I was just recently convinced into starting up 40k. In my friendgroup I am however not the only new player, there are a bunch of us that decided to pick up the game, and we also decided that we each will start up with a 500 point army.

I decided upon the Tyranids as I thought their models were the most appealing ones.

Now I have a question for you, the reader of this:
Are these 500 point armies valid/good choices for a new player?

List 1
__________________________
Mawlock
-Toxin sacs

Tyranid Prime
Lash whip and Bonesword

Tyranid warrior x3

Tyranid warrior x3

Pyrovore

____________________________
Total 500



List 2
______________________

Tyranid Prime
-Deathspitter

Tyranid warrior x3

Tyranid warrior x3
-Scything Talons

Biovore x3

Hive Guard x2
____________________________
Total 500




Mind you I have picked them mostly because the models appealed to me.
I was thinking about doing something with a Tervigon or two, but decided against it as the smaller gaunt creatures doesn't appeal to me, and would probably be something I wouldn't enjoy painting or assembling.
I will go with one of the lists to start with.

Any thoughts will be highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Sir Magpie.


Edit:
Upon request I took away the point cost of models and upgrades.

[bigpig]

ditch toxin sacs on mawloc and go with a hive guard instead of pryrovore and you have a decent starting point. You really need to get to like Termagaunts if you are going to play nids. We are all about the swarm and they are a good unit in this new rules system. Warriors are solid but you may find them dying fast due to str 8 weapons.

[wisdomseyes1]

500 points the most money effective lists begin with a battle force and a box of warriors, the battle force will give you a core army and the extra box of warriors will give you warriors and a model to make into a tyranid prime.

You need the rulebook and a codex if you are going to play. Someone in your group likely already has one, and if you wait you can get one in September/ October for 10 dollars from eBay. As it is now, the rulebooks are just SO expensive that my game group decided to split one amongst the 6 of us.

Don't get a pyrovore unless you want it for the models appeal. The unit itself is just plain bad.

I don't have much time to get into too much detail, but I am sure plenty of others will give you more detailed responses. Welcome to the hive ^_^

Ps: points totals are fine. When making lists dont put the points of individual upgrades

Mawloc x points
-toxin sacs y points
= z points

^ no

Mawlock
-toxin sacs
= z points

^ good

It's a copyright thing

[sturm]

Welcome to the Hive!

Your second list will probably have more success, but as I was in your shoes less than 6 months ago, i can tell you that the best way to learn is to experiment things, even if people tell you that the list sucks. Try it for yourself and see what you like. Tyranids have many viable builds so you can find your playstyle.

500 points is a good level to start at. Not too many things to think of, not too much money to put towards an army and games that don't last forever. Don't be afraid to proxy models if it is fine with the people you are playin with. It'll help setting your list of things to buy. I actually started with fantasy chaos models in the first few games to see what i liked. Just try to avoid the "chaos sorcerer as a hive tyrant". You're gonna look silly when you'll get the real model. I should know...

[coredump]

Good day Sir, and welcome to The Hive.

I really don't like Mawloc at 500pts. Not really a fan at 1500, but at least then the 'hit or miss' aspect can be mitigated because it is 10% of your army instead of 30%. I do like the Tervifex, but if you are avoiding gaunts, you are still better off with the Trygon. Or a Hive Tyrant.

Pyrovore is a cool model, but a lousy unit. If you like the model, suggest using it as a Biovore or two.


I am liking warriors in 6th... but I don't know if they will end up being worthwhile or not. OTOH, I don't think they will have as many issues in smaller games, so you should be fine. Plus, they are a safe buy, since you can convert them to be lots of other things too.

[squash]

I'll level with you. Warriors are great with one massive catch, strength 8 or higher weapons will one hit kill them, and missile launchers fire strength 8 shots that ignore your armor, and are probably the most plentiful heavy weapon in the game. If you think you'll be up against missile launchers, they're kryptonite to warriors. If you think there wont be many launchers, then go nuts with them.

[sirmagpie]

Thank all for the replies, it has been most helpful.
After about a week of pondering I went ahead and got my little units. Ironically, I didn't go with any of the above lists.
I was convinced into two things:
One, the Tervigon and Gaunts are too good to pass up, and two, Hive Guards are great.

My current list of units look like this:


Tyranid Prime

Tervigon

Termagaunts x10

Gargoyles x10

Hive guard x3



The idea with this is to have a well rounded, 500pts, army that I could field against basically any other army of the same point value. Without being too beastly or underpowered.
Since I don't know what my friends will field against me, I thought it the best approach.

I realize that the unequipped prime is a pretty weak choice, but I needed an HQ, and I felt some extra synapse was well needed.


So what do you think of my choices? I am very open to critique, and advice as to what to invest in next. (My friends and I will move on to 750pts by the end of September or early October).

Thank you.
PS. Sorry if this is sort of a thread ressurect, I thought it better to continue this one rather than to make a new one.

[Jabberwocky]

Looks fine for 500, as you expand you can add upgrades and a few more gargs, meaning you won't have to buy much more for 750.

[Lanesend]

Hi Sir Magpie,

The list does look fine for 500 pts. But I would consider this to drop one Hive Guard, to buy some upgrades for the Warrior Prime and the Tervigon.

The prime will be able to kill a lot if you give him either twin Boneswords or Bonesword and Lashwhip, so he negates armor in close combat.

The Tervigon is very nice with all the possible psychic upgrades she can buy from the rulebook, but at this pointlevel and also because your group is just starting, don't bother the first few games. What you can do for her is buying the "catalyst" power to keep your units alive. And maybe buy Toxic sacs and/or Adrenalin Glands. Apart from the Tervigon, all Termagants within 6 inch also benefit from these upgrades.

Of course you would have to give up one Hive Guard, which has one of the best anti-transport guns in the game.

On what to buy next. It's hard to say. Get a few games under your belt and let us know how it went. Probably you'll find out for yourself what units you like, or what you army is lacking by then.

Have fun!

[fragile]

Your latest list is pretty solid. Couple things to think about. Tervigon can be your HQ if you want the spend the points on the Prime elsewhere. You have built a "shooty" list as you have no CC specialists in there. Not sure how that will play out in 500 point games, but watch out for things like Assault Terminator squads etc.. Gargolyes are a very effective screening force, use them to distract the opponent.

[fragile]

Jul 28, 2012 2:46:21 GMT wisdomseyes1 said:

Mawloc x points
-toxin sacs y points
= z points

^ no

Mawlock
-toxin sacs
= z points

^ good

It's a copyright thing

??

[wisdomseyes1]

@ fragile: we aren't supposed to put points costs of individual upgrades or models.

Termagants (x points each)
- devourers (x points each)

The list was edited and no longer does that. It just says the units and their upgrades now, but the numbers were removed.