Returning to 40k want to try Tyranids

[hellkat]

As the title says. But was wondering where to start what to buy and what to stay away from? 

Is the starting box worth it?

[alx51]

Nice choice

For me the most cost efficient way to start would be :

Magnetize a HT with all options (swarmlord/wings/guns...)

Buy 2 kits of warriors and magnetize them, use bluestuff+milliput to have more bodys

Make some cheap ripper bases

Buy a lictor or convert one from warrior parts

And buy hive guard from gw or alternative range(or convert from warrior kit, look on the internet for inspiration)

Start playing with that and see where you want to go after (gaunts/stealers, big beasts...) !

[infornography]

The starting box isn't bad. The Trygon won't get much play currently, but the Broodlord and Genestealers likely will. Hopefully Trygon and a lot of our other big beasties that are not Forgeworld or named Exocrine will get better in our next codex. Plus it is a fun kit to build.

Right now though our troops, particularly Termagants with Devourers, Genestealers, and Warriors, are good choices.
Hive Guard have been a top tier choice for us since 5th edition really. Pretty safe bet there.
Tyrants are pretty consistently valuable. Usually with Wings, but also as Swarmlord.
Exocrine is a good shooter.
Lictors are useful for scoring and very little else. But they are super good for scoring points without spending too much. Their models are terrible though so the usual advice is to kitbash them with Venomthrope heads, Warrior bodies/legs, and some spare Monstrous scything talons.
Broodlords and Neurothropes are good HQs. Tyranid Prime is taken sometimes if you are otherwise taking a LOT of well equipped warriors.
Dimachaeron is widely considered one of our best units but is only available from Forgeworld. You can kitbash a reasonable facsimile out of a Tyrannofex kit if you hate working with resin and/or want to save a little money.

I think that covers most of the current good options. Keep in mind though that we are still operating off of an older codex and haven't gotten a 9th edition update yet beyond a supplement that recently dropped. Everything could change drastically in a few months, or we might not get a codex until 10th edition. Nobody knows.

[garg]

My advice is to look on eBay or Facebook to find people selling armies. This is especially good for termagants which sell for €1/model on eBay in Germany.

The start collecting box is okay but not that relevant. Trygon/Mawlock are not really great at the moment. Genestealers are good but not really beginner friendly because they are very all or nothing. A Broodlord is good but you could possibly pick up a patriarch (genestealer cult equivalent) on eBay when people sell those from the new box, or buy the new box, keep the broodlord and sell the rest.