Faces of the Great Devourer

[hiveminded55]

I believe the plan is to use the hive guard as the screen? They're bigger and can actually provide the 25% minimum obscured. Where as termagaunts don't meet the minimum 25%.

[N.I.B.]

I'm not liking Hive Crones assuming the FAQ remains unchanged. This is a test of an old-school style list, onion formation. I like Dakkafexes but Hive Guards are better against pod spam which I expect to see a lot.

[N.I.B.]

So, I thought I might as well gather my nid/cult army lists here, for my own convenience if nothing else.

Previous list;

Tyranid CAD
Dakka Flyrant
Dakka Flyrant
Mucolid
Mucolid

Cult Insurrection Detachment

First Curse (Command)
Patriarch lvl 2, 2 Familiars - Warlord
20 Genestealers

Lords of the Cult (Command)
Magus lvl 2, The Crouchling

Brood Cycle (Core)
Acolyte Ironward
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
10 Neophyte Hybrids
10 Neophyte Hybrids
5 Hybrid Metamorphs
4 Aberrants
20 Purestrain Genestealers

Subterranean uprising (Auxiliary)
Primus
5 Metamorphs
10 Acolyte Hybrids
10 Acolyte Hybrids

2000
116 models


Battle reports thetyranidhive.proboards.com/thread/51683/second-genestealer-cult-game?page=5


Next to test;

Kult

Tyranid CAD
Dakka Flyrant

Zoanthrope
Zoanthrope
Zoanthrope

Mucolid
Mucolid

Cult Insurrection Detachment

First Curse (Command)
Patriarch lvl 2, 2 Familiars – Warlord
20 Genestealers

Lords of the Cult (Command)
Magus lvl 2, The Crouchling

Brood Cycle (Core)
Acolyte Ironward
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
10 Neophyte Hybrids
10 Neophyte Hybrids
5 Hybrid Metamorphs
20 Purestrain Genestealers
4 Aberrants

Subterranean uprising (Auxiliary)
Primus
10 Metamorphs, 5 Claws, 5 Whips, Cult Icon
10 Acolyte Hybrids, 1 hand flamer, Cult Icon
10 Acolyte Hybrids

12 warp charges
124 models
2000 points


Less Flyrants, more Cult. I will test going heavy in the psychic phase, but very dependant on rolling good spells for my 2 Cult psykers.
Undecided on Aberrants, they are so squishy and have an even bigger shoot-me sign with an Iconward attached, which I plan to do in my next game. They scream 'overcosted!' but the models are cool and I have them. Not sure if they have a role in the army though.

I would also like more neophyte numbers for my Magus sponge but the points don't allow it as long as I want my second big, fat unit of Purestrains.
Will test some upgrades on my SubTer units.

If I remove Aberrants, I could give hand flamers to all Acolytes in the SubTer formation. Or sumthin.

[kazetanade]

I kinda feel the second genestealer unit is overkill, but yea people wanna use their dusty GS models so go for it.

If you remove the abberants, consider another Metamorph 10 man for the 120 points? Metamorphs are really good performers for raw damage.

[N.I.B.]

For sure, another 10 Metamorphs would be much better than upgrades.

[N.I.B.]

Pure cult 1750

Cult Insurrection Detachment

First Curse (Command)
Patriarch lvl 2, 2 Familiars (Warlord)
20 Genestealers

Lords of the Cult (Command)
Magus lvl 2, The Crouchling

Brood Cycle (Core)
Acolyte Ironward
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
18 Neophyte Hybrids (inc 2 Grenade Launchers and 1 Mining Laser)
18 Neophyte Hybrids (inc 2 Grenade Launchers and 1 Mining Laser)
5 Hybrid Metamorphs
20 Purestrain Genestealers
4 Aberrants

Subterranean uprising (Auxiliary)
Primus
10 Metamorphs, 5 Claws, 5 Whips, Cult Icon
10 Acolyte Hybrids, 1 hand flamer, Cult Icon
10 Acolyte Hybrids



Faced a soft Eldar Wraith-themed army. Got the '6' warlord trait and first turn. By the 5th turn he gave up, he only had two empty Waveserpents left. I should've been able to put the nail in the coffin earlier but instead of spreading out my First Curse I focused on the Wraithknight (and of course killed it easily which left my Genestealers to be shot at).

First Curse turn 1 assault - 100 S5 rending WS6 I6 attacks with Hatred, plus Patriarch...


Next test will be 1500pts, pure cult


Kult 1500

Cult Insurrection Detachment

First Curse (Command)
Patriarch lvl 2, 2 Familiars (Warlord)
20 Genestealers

Lords of the Cult (Command)
Magus lvl 2, The Crouchling

Brood Cycle (Core)
Acolyte Ironward
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
20 Neophyte Hybrids
20 Neophyte Hybrids
5 Hybrid Metamorphs
20 Purestrain Genestealers

Subterranean uprising (Auxiliary)
Primus
10 Metamorphs, 5 Claws, 5 Whips, Cult Icon
10 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
10 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon

[N.I.B.]

Seems I was a bit off above, can't afford a Primus at 1500

Cult Insurrection Detachment

First Curse (Command)
Patriarch lvl 2, 2 Familiars – Warlord
20 Genestealers

Lords of the Cult (Command)
Magus lvl 2, The Crouchling

Brood Cycle (Core)
Acolyte Ironward
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
5 Acolyte Hybrids
20 Neophyte Hybrids
20 Neophyte Hybrids
5 Hybrid Metamorphs
20 Purestrain Genestealers

Subterranean uprising (Auxiliary)
10 Metamorphs (5 Claws, 5 Whips), Cult Icon
10 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
10 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon

1500pts


I faced Eldar, a Wraith-themed list with 2x6 Wraith Guards in Waveserpents, 3x3 Scatbikes, lvl 3 Jetseer warlord, lvl 2 Farseer, a Wraithlord and a Wraithknight.

He got the first turn and Master of Ambush, so we took turns to deploy our infiltrators. We used the ETC FAQ so I rolled for all Cult Ambus units before setting them up on the table. I got dat 6 on three units, whereof one was the First Curse, I set it up in the middle of his deployment zones and my other 6’s Acolytes on the flanks.

I rolled warlord on Strategic table and got a ’5’ which was pointless as he didn’t reserve anything (not likely at -2 to reserves). Dawn of War.

I failed to seize. He lit up my First Curse and killed a bunch in spite of my 2+ cover save (I forgot that Waveserpent shields ignore cover) and charged the survivors with the Wraithknight. I did 4 unsaved wounds before it attacked, after 3 stomps I had my Warlord and a single Genestealer left. My two survivors managed to kill the Wraithknight in my turn (Iron Arm Patriarch… ), but they were killed by shooting (if Patriarchs had had Stealth it would have survived).

I summoned 5 Acolytes with Rock Saws and in turn 5 they got that 6 and charged a Waveserpent. A bit anti-climactic when they rended it to scraps before the saws could swing.

I failed a bunch of short charges through difficult terrain, lack of Fleet and Move Through Cover can hurt. But in the end I overwhelmed the Eldar and had complete control of the board, just too many units and rending attacks for an elite army to deal with. When called time in turn 5 he only had a few Wraithguards left, locked in combat with Acolytes.

[Zod42]

I like all of the boots on the ground, but I would have thought that the Primus (in Sub. Up.)as a force multiplier would be worth leaving 5 Genestealers and a Neophyte at home.

When going second, have you had any success in deploying out of LOS to use RTTS to allow another cult ambush in Turn 2 instead? I understand that you likely have threat saturation, and that has a value all its own.

Thanks for the post.

[N.I.B.]

With only 15 Genestealers I would be much less confident to bait with the unit in many situations. In this game, they would've been wiped out and the game would be completely different with the Wraithknight alive into turn 2. If I can grab a 2+ cover save and roll a 6, I'm perfectly fine with deploying the First Curse very aggressively.
If I roll very few 6's and go second, I would probably just deploy out of harms way and RttS.

The Primus is a unit of 8 Acolytes that aren't rolling on the CA table. I rather have that extra unit, at least in smaller games. I find that I usually don't need to be more killy in combat than I already am, and the Primus unit is vulnerable when used aggressively.

[N.I.B.]

I'm trying to find a GC build that suits my style of play, that I can bring to tournaments. I won't be able to finish games in time with cheap infantry. I need to invest some points into more points expensive units, like Flyrants and Genestealers. Maybe something like this:


Tyranid CAD
Hive Tyrant – Wings, 2 TL Devourers
Hive Tyrant – Wings, 2 TL Devourers

Zoanthrope

Mucolid
Mucolid

Dakkafex

The First Curse
Patriarch lvl 2, 2 Familiars (warlord)
20 Purestrain Genestealers

Subterranean uprising
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
6 Metamorphs

Subterranean uprising
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
6 Metamorphs

Subterranean uprising
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
9 Acolyte Hybrids, Cult Icon
6 Metamorphs

1995

It has a modicum of shooting, a decent psychic phase and lots of ground presence. Not too many Cult units to manage, and no special weapons to keep track of. Plus it adhers to local restrictions of max 3 of anything that isn't a troop. The SubUps averages on four assault results turn 1 and it should be a 33% chance for a First Curse turn 1 assault, assuming Cult warlord traits. It has lots of staying power and maelstrom scoring potential. Will test.

[No One]

Not sure on the 6 man metas. You'd also be better off (modelling permitting) to take as many of the 9 man with banner as possible as metas with talons - slightly cheaper, and doesn't rely on the single model.

Another thing - not sure about taking Cult traits on the FC. Lack of rerolls, and with many being flat useless (e.g. ld one). Edit: 1 and 5 are literally useless. 4 is basically useless, and 2 is usually not going to be very helpful. So that basically leaves grenades (pretty good, though would suck if you got flesh hooks on FC) and the 6.

[N.I.B.]

The extra models for the compulsory Metamorphs was simply that I had 35 points left and I think extra models is the best use for them. I'd leave Metamorphs out if I could. Warlord traits are either Cult or ye olde Strategic.

[No One]

Agreed on extra models being best - just think that they might be better off beefing up another squad, or taking another squad entirely.

[N.I.B.]

Resurrecting this beast for 8th edition, so I have a place to access my ideas both home and at work.
We play mostly a mix of Maelstrom and Eternal War in our matches, weighted towards Maelstrom and progressive scoring.


B-team

This is a list made of models I like and stuff I wanted to test. Mostly monsters. It's very casual and not something I'd bring to a tournament, but I've been having fun in friendly games.

Latest version that I'm looking to test:

Tyranid Battallion
Flyrant - Adrenal Glands, MRCs, 2 Deathspitters
Old One Eye

3 Ripper Swarm
3 Ripper Swarm
3 Warriors (2xScyTals)

Haruspex
2 Pyrovores (podded)

Harpy, STC
Harpy, STC
5 Raveners - Deathspitters, 2x ScyTals

3 Biovores
Toxicrene
Trygon Prime, adrenal glands

Tyrannocyte, Barbed stranglers

2000 pts
6 CP

The thought is to overload a flank and go from there. Harpies will get Synapse for a crucial turn when the Trygon pops up, so they don't need to target the neareast enemy (which has been an issue). Same goes for Raveners. Lots of anti-infantry in the list, not so much anti-armour. Lots of stinkers in there, but I'm aware, not really looking for advice.


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Kult Vanguard


Tyranid Battallion
Broodlord
Tyranid Prime (Boneswords, ScyTals)

25 Hormagaunts
20 Termagants (10 Devilgants)
20 Termagants (10 Devilgants)
20 Termagants (10 Devilgants)

3 Venomthropes

4 Skyslashers
4 Skyslashers
3 Skyslashers

Mawloc
Mawloc

Cult Vanguard
Patriarch

15 Purestrain Genestealers
15 Purestrain Genestealers
15 Purestrain Genestealers

2000pts
7 CP
149 models

So, this is a horde attempt. No obvious targets except the red herrings (Mawlocs). Should be pretty strong in Maelstrom.

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Broods

Tyranid Battallion
Broodlord
Broodlord

13 Genestealers
13 Genestealers
13 Genestealers

3 Hive Guard
3 Hive Guard
3 Hive Guard

Mawloc
Mawloc
Mawloc

Cult Supreme Command
Patriarch (Mind Control)
Patriarch (Mind Control)
Patriarch (Mass Hypnosis)

1989pts
7 CP

I don't know about this one. Lack the numbers to do much else than play hide and seek.

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Stealer Rush

Tyranid Battallion
Broodlord
Broodlord

20 Genestealers
20 Genestealers
20 Genestealers

3 Hive Guard

Tyranid Spearhead
Tyranid Prime, toxin sacs, rending claws, scything talons

1 Biovore
Exocrine
Exocrine
Mawloc
Mawloc

1996
7 CP

Nothing fancy here, Genestealers surge forward while Mawlocs cause havoc and Exocrines, Hive Guards and Biovore pick things off from a distance.

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Going into lists with Forgeworld (Malanthropes) - not allowed in our big local tournament, but I can play them between.


Sea of Blades

Tyranid Battallion
Broodlord
Malanthrope

30 Hormagaunts
30 Devilgants
23 Termagants

Tyranid Battallion
Broodlord
Malanthrope

20 Genestealers (ScyTals)
20 Genestealers (ScyTals)
30 Hormagaunts, adrenal glands

Trygon, adrenal glands
Tyrannocyte, barbed stranglers

1997pts
9 CP
159 models

Pretty nasty horde, can't wait to try it out. Devilgants go with pod, in many situations they have to shoot at the closest target, but ok. That withering fire will take down even vehicles eventually. Adrenal Hormies go with adrenal Trygon and hopefully don't block it.

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Guns

Tyranid Battallion
Tervigon
Tervigon

10 Hormagaunts
20 Termagants (10 Devourers)
20 Termagants (10 Devourers)
20 Termagants

4 Hive Guards
4 Hive Guards

Tyranid Spearhead
Malanthrope
Malanthrope

3 Biovores
Exocrine
Exocrine

1998pts
7 CP


One Malanthrope to protect the big guns, the other one between the Tervigons. The idea is to dominate the center and win on Maelstrom.

[burd]

No swarmlord for garuntee first turn combat?