Swarmlord is a great choice

[tonyrid]

In larger point games (over 1250) I like running a Swarmlord with three guards.  He is able to run up into combat with ease.  Also with coming with 4 psycic powers I like to roll 3 on biomancy and the last on either telepathy or taking one of the Tyranid powers.  The entire unit costs 460 points which is often the points of other HQ choises I run into in larger games.    In even larger point (2000+) games I will run him and a flyrant. 

[coredump]

Glad it is working for you.
But you have to take either all Codex powers, or all BRB powers, you can't split them up.


You also may want to try Slord/TGuard/Prime.

With those three models, majority WS means they get hit on 5+ by marines, and that they all have the same T as the Iron Armed SLord. Not bad.

[tonyrid]

Even if I can not take the tyranid power I have had luck with my biomancy rolls and have gotten Iron arm almost everytime. I also have have luck with getting invisibility and that helps out alot having a 4+ cover save even in open fields.

[Hive Bahamut]

Swarmlord +IA +End/Inv = win

Is there anything in the game that can take him down mono a mono with those buffs? Skarbrand has Fleshbane, more attacks and is way faster, but he isn't Eternal. Rerolling Inv is scary.

Abaddon hits same time and has same save. He is Eternal but would require luck even with his reroll to wound.

Draigo makes him I1 first round, but is no longer max Strength against psykers/Daemons. His Shield is about equal to Swarmys Inv with rerolls needed. Eternal.

Avatar gets chewed apart, Mephiston crumbles with no Inv. and even Archons with Shadow field are going to have a heck of a time hurting him.

Ghazghul on his Waagh might do it with a 2++ Eternal and max S, but that is only if he charges.

Did I miss some?

[tonyrid]

If you give the guards lash whips that should bring anyone of the characters you named down to I1 and then the Swarmlord can attack first or at least simo with Draigo. The guard will not be effective with lash whips if a challenge is issued.

[Anggul]

Yup, Swarmlord is good.

I would only take a couple of Tyrant Guard though, three seems too much.

I would generally save him for 1750+ myself, but that's just for more swarmyness.

[halos]

The advantage of the Swarmlord, well one of them anyway, is her 4 psychic power rolls.
Obviously that means you get to roll up 4 powers, always nice, but more specifically it means you are gauranteed at least two of the good Biomancy powers. Only Haemorrage and Leech Life are 'duds' on the Swarmlord, so even if you roll those two you're still going to get two of the remaining four excellent abilities.

If you can get IA and Endurance you're quids in. A brood of two Guard, the Swarmlord and a Prime with FnP, ITWND and regen on the Prime becomes surprisingly resilient. Plus as soon as you lose a single Guard (by putting one out in front) you gain even better toughness thanks to Iron Arm kicking in.

[infornography]

I actually like life leech for it's ranged AP2 terminator killiness and the chance to get a wound back.

One thing that makes swarmy sweat in melee, Mind Shackle Scarabs. But those things are kinda broken anyway.

[innocent]

Jun 28, 2013 20:11:15 GMT Hive Bahamut said:

Swarmlord +IA +End/Inv = win

Is there anything in the game that can take him down mono a mono with those buffs?

[...]

Did I miss some?

Mindstrike missiles.

Most infuriating thing since Psykotrope grenades... and Mindshackle Scarabs.

[Hive Bahamut]

Oh wow I can't believe I forgot about those. Haven't played against yet but the StormRaven is coming.. I have heard terrible things, and understand that all it takes it a hit for perils right? Sad.. Oh we don't quite have enough fromage in this codex, can our flier be ridiculous too?

Poor Hierophants..

[halos]

Jun 28, 2013 23:42:34 GMT infornography said:

I actually like life leech for it's ranged AP2 terminator killiness and the chance to get a wound back.

Oh I agree, Leech Life is a fine power. But given the choice between it and Iron Arm or Enfeeble I know where my preference lies.

[Kwodd]

It just comes down to 5 out of 6 biomancy power being useful, obviously some are better but even warp speed and life leech have a good use.