tactical advice

[stev]

So, y'know that bit in aliens where everyone is in a med lab or something and they have set up the automatic guns which are supposed to stop the alien swar kapproaching....and the ammo counters keep getting lower...then the scanners show aliens at the other side of the door...then this side...but no one can see them...then one of the marines stick his head up thru the room and theres millions of aliens up there...well that scene inspired me to collect tyranids and is kinda how i want my army to work....big intimidating swarm that keeps coming then all of a sudden they there are nids popping up beside you (from underground or other sneaky deployment, not the roof obv). Ive been collecting the for about a yr or two and have played mostly unsuccessfully...i thought id post up what i have here and see what advice i can get from more experienced players. i usually play against dark angels\necrons\chaos marines. im not really fussed on making a mega competitive list, id rather it be characterful and good fun...but at the same time i want at least to put up a decent fight. i reckon i have a out 3k points and would rather not buy new stuff atm but dont mind changing weapons etc on whats there....so thia is it so far (as far as i remember off the top of my head...may be a ripper or gaunt out here or there)..

2 primes (with bone swords/deathspitters/as/ts
3 wariors (as above)
4 warriors (talons/spitters/venom cannon)

I usually put a prime with each warrior unit

lictor
8 ymgarls
8 stealers (rending/talons/ts)
Venomthrope
about 12 rippers
trevigon (ag/ts/talons)
15 devilgaunts
10 termigaunts (and about 15 to spawn)
14 hormagaunts (ag/ts)
2x 12 hormagaunts (ts)
4 raveners (devourers /rending)
Mycetic spore
trygon prime (ag/ts)
Screamerkiller carnifex

So how should i use all these best? And what would be a good 1000 and 2000 pt list.

Thanks so much for all yr help!

[Illithid]

That's what got me into Nids also! If you want that feel, go Hormagaunts and Genestealers.

I would run a massive x30 brood of Hormagaunts with either AG or TS up the middle of the board, slightly to the right side. I would also run my Raveners to the flank of this to hopefully get that 5+ cover save. I would then support this with the Trygon Prime.

Up the other centre to the left, I would have the 6 Ripper Bases and then 15 Termagunts leading the way in front of the Tervigon. The Prime would lead up the dead centre with the 4-5 Warriors (getting cover from both Termagants / Hormagaunts if you can picture my set up).

Finally, I would infiltrate the stealers and have the Ymgarls dormant somewhere.

Unfortunately, you will struggle with vehicles (you do not have much to choose from for ranged Anti-tank). This would be my point of attack to remain fluffy and slightly challenging. I would suggest you get some Hive Guard or Zoanthropes in the future - if not, get a 2nd Trygon.

[tylertt]

The only big thing I would say you need to add to your fleet is models to pop some vehicles. Without them your list will always have a large disadvantage unfortunately.

But you have given me a nice craving to watch Aliens again soon....

[stev]

Thanks guys

Yeah i was kinda relying on the trygon and carnifex to take out tanks, or the stealers if they can get round the back. is zoanthropes and hive guard a better anti tank than a tyranofex??

Also, everyone seems to suggest big broods of like 30 g(a)unts...i was working under the assumption that two or three smaller broods with the same total number was better as then my opponent has to choose which brood to fire at...like so 10 marines are being charged by a brood of 30...marines fire 20 bolter shots so potentially could take out that many gaunts leaving 10. if i had three squads of 10 then the marines have to choose one brood to fire at so they might totally wipe it out but ill still have two full broods of 10 each which both can charge so i twice as many of my guys make it into assault?? Does that make sense or am i missing something?

[commandersasha]

More small units are better if you're only planning to use them as screens, but if you are aiming to use them as mass assault units, they can get depleted to easily: they will fail 25% loss tests(if out of Synapse) much more often.
1 small squad charging will also probably block a second squad charging, denying them their assault, whereas one large blob moves as one.

[GuardDog78]

Zoeys are by far the most reliable ranged anti-tank...while hive guard are best for light armor and things like jet bikes that get jink. Unfortunately...t-fex loses out in this edition...again... About the only thing he is good for is anti-infantry...and even then...the points are often times better spent elsewhere . I hope the next codex gives him some love..and lictors...and pyrovores...and stealers...

[stev]

I know ...i really love the idea and fluff for the lictor and the model is cool too but hes a bit hit and miss. he generally gets shot the turn he arrives or everyone moves away and doesnt bother him. if something like a trygon appears at the same time or theres a more imediate threat he might get a charge in and he can at if not wipe out a small devestaor squad at least tie them up for a turn or two. i guess even if the shoot at him theyre not ahooting he rest of my army...

Is there a better way to use him?

[GuardDog78]

Lictors and Deathleaper are a great concept...if they could charge when they appear, they'd probably see a lot more table time. As you pointed out...they generally get shot up pretty badly. T4 and a 5+ save don't help with overwatch...and once in hand combat, god help them if they don't eliminate most of the unit...they're pretty fragile...and not really worth the points. If they were T5...then maybe...