2000 ITC - Tyranids Leviathan Fleet

[xj85]

Hi all,

First of all I am new to this forum, so Hi! I am playing Tyranids for about 2 years now and really enjoying it. I never really liked the Genestealer Sling tactic as for me it is an "all-in" tactic and when it fails it is most of the time, game over. So I have been experimenting with different play styles. For example with the list below which I have had quite some succes with.

Main power of this list is board control as the Warriors are very difficult to get rid off. Also the Swarmlord catapult ability on the combat warriors, Hive Tyrant, or itself has proven to be very strong. Alternative strategy is to deepstrike the combat warriors via the Tyrannocite. Last point is that it has a has a lot of durability as the 6+++ on Warriors with the ignore AP-1 / -2 makes sure they can take quite some damage, especially combined with the -1 damage strategem and -1 to hit of the Malanthrope.

I am however still looking for some tips on how to improve it further. For example: should I exchange the HVC / MRC on the flying tyrant with 2x Scything Talons instead as I will be catapulting him with the Swarmlord so he cant shoot anyway? Tell me what you think!

Thanks in advance!


Battalion 1
Hive Fleet: Leviathan

Swarmlord: Catalyst and Onslaught Powers: 250

Tyranid Prime: DS, BS: 77

9 Warriors: 6x DS, 3x VC, 9x BS, Enhanced Resistance: 246
9 Warriors: 6x DS, 3x VC, 9x BS, Enhanced Resistance: 246
8 Warriors: 8x BS, 8x ST, Adrenal Glands: 168

6 Hive Guard: Impaler Cannons: 258

Tyrannocite: 5x Venom Cannon: 110

Battalion 2:
Hive Fleet: Leviathan


Malanthrope
Hive Tyrant: HVC, MRC, Relic: Venomthorn Parasite, The Horror and Onslaught powers: 161
Hive Tyrant: HVC, MRC, Adrenal Glands, Relic: Resonance Barb, Psychic Scream and Catalyst Powers: 213

3 Rippers: 33
20 Termagaunts: 80
10 Termagaunts: 40

Total: 2000

[khyz0r]

I agree the Warriors are very durable with an adaptation, 6+++, and ability to reduce damage by 1 due to stratagem. Getting -1 to hit (and even -1 strength from ranged attacks with Maleceptor) are icing on the cake. However, without a Tyranid Prime nearby, that is alot of points to spend on 3 units that will not perform to the best of their ability. So I'd say you need at least 2 Primes, so 1 can run forward with the combat warriors. Maybe he can drop in from the pod, and charge with the adrenal gland relic near the combat warriors which were slung forward with Swarmlord, then use the strategem to give them also 3d6 to charge same unit as a synapse model. I'd also run them with Boneswords, and BS+Whip so even when they die you maximise their hits in combat. Even though the talons are free, 2pts is a small price to pay to ensure they get to swing. It also means if you charge a tyrant and warriors in, you have less cause for concern from a combat interruption.

Also I feel if competitive is what you are going for, you are wasting points on the Tyrannocyte as Leviathon. With a BS5 and no options for rerolls as Leviathon you really should just go with the base deathspitter model if you really want the option to deep strike the combat warriors. Lastly speaking of being competitive and efficient, the Hive Guard, and shooting warriors could be so much more effective as Kronos, with Symbiostorm helping their shooting output. Maybe 1 Tyrant, Malanthrope could be HQ's, and the rippers with 2 warrior blobs as the second battalion.

[xj85]

Thanks for the reply and good advice! Very good point on the BS & LW for the combat warriors and I agree on the addition of an additional Prime.

I understand your point on making the shooting warriors Kronos. The only issue I see with that is that they will lose the 6+++. Maybe I am weighting this too heavy but D3 weapons is lethal for warriors and being able to mitigate this 50% of the time with the 6+++ is too valuable for me. Maybe it is a good idea to create a Kronos patrol.

I will use some of the points of the Tyrannocite for this. I yet have to use him but I agree it is too inefficient with BS 5+

Have you used Warrior heavy lists before and if so, what worked well and did not work well for you?

[khyz0r]

I've used both Leviathon and Kronos Warriors. Both are good, obviously there is no point being Kronos if you are not shooting warriors though. Remember you have the strat to reduce damage by 1, so if you are running multiple warrior units they are simply going to target the other unit without the buff. So if you have 2 units and 1 in each fleet, you can use the stratagem on the Kronos unit, and rely on the 6+++ to reduce damage on the 2nd unit. Or cast catalyst and make it even easier to mess with their target priority.

If you are going to stick with that many warriors though, im sure u can fill 2 battalions without using a patrol. Swarmlord, Tyrant and Prime lead Leviathon, with 1x warrior and 2 ripper units. Tyrant, Malenthrope and Prime lead the Kronos, with 2 units of warriors, hive guard, and a termagaunt unit. If you still have the points left. Remember the charging warriors will always be out of range of the Malenthrope so you dont need him as Leviathon. If you have points, maybe get another psyker to hang back with Symbiostorm.