Budget 500pt List for a First Timer

[august]

Hi there!

I've compiled this 500pt list out of pieces from the two Tyranid halves of the leviathan box I bought.

My goal is to have a decent 500pt list to bring to a shop to learn the ropes. If you notice any improvements I could make out of the models included in the Leviathan box, let me know so I can update the list for my first few games. This is definitely not optimal - I think that Carnifex seems a lot better and cheaper than Screamer Killer for instance - but I want to work with what I have before I buy any separate models or find the bits to turn Screamer Killer into a Carnifex.

Let me know what ya'll think!

HQ: Neurotyrant (105pts)

11x Neurogants (45pts)
10x Termagants (60pts)
1x Screamer Killer (180pts)
10x Barbgaunts (100pts)

[yoritomo]

For a 500 point learn to play list you should do fine. You’re going to struggle to kill infantry once the barbed gaunts are gone and struggle to kill heavy armored targets once the screamer killer goes down. Though in a 500 point game they should have a little bit of staying power.

I’d like to see that screamer killer become a regular carnifex and use those extra points on more gaunts. Spamming gaunts on objectives wins games.

You may also want to consider breaking your 10 barbed gaunts into two units of 5. That your choice though.

[august]

Jun 30, 2023 20:44:03 GMT yoritomo said:

For a 500 point learn to play list you should do fine. You’re going to struggle to kill infantry once the barbed gaunts are gone and struggle to kill heavy armored targets once the screamer killer goes down. Though in a 500 point game they should have a little bit of staying power.

I’d like to see that screamer killer become a regular carnifex and use those extra points on more gaunts. Spamming gaunts on objectives wins games.

You may also want to consider breaking your 10 barbed gaunts into two units of 5. That your choice though.

When you say gaunts do you mean termagants?

I definitely see that Screamer Killer is overcosted compared to Carnifex. Seems kinda wild to my untrained eye, but maybe they plan to further buff Screamer somehow later.

Any tips on where to get Carnifex bits? Was looking on eBay to buy a Heavy Venom Cannon and Crusher Claws to magnetize onto this Screamer, but it seemed like it would be $25+ to do that, and for two little bits that seemed excessive.

[yoritomo]

Ideally you’d want termagants. I’ve done the math in my head and I think you’ll be 5 points short if you take termagants. You’ll probably have to settle for more neurogaunts (or barbedgaunts if you can find 5 more).

I wouldn’t worry about finding carnifex weapons. You’ve got 4 scything talons from being a screamer killer. All you really need is a cannon of some kind and some claws. The cannon can be found in the tyrant kit (he has his choice of two). Several tyranid kits have monstrous claws (the tyrannofex and exocrine kits come to mind). As you play you’ll get these extra bits with your purchases.

If you need them now then ask another tyranid player. They should have some in their bits box. I’m sure you can find someone in Austin.

[piersonsmuppet]

I think this would work best for 500pts using just models from two halves of the Levi box:

Neurotyrant
11x Neurogant
Psychophage
Psychopahge
5x Barbgaunt
5x Barbgaunt

Great firepower vs Infantry heavy lists (best at 500pts) and enough bodies to out mission vehicle/monster heavy lists (pretty bad at 500pts).

[yoritomo]

I disagree on there being enough bodies, but then again I am the gut who’s crazy enough to flood the board with gaunts.

At this point I think the thing to do is pick a list and start playing games. Heck, play both lists. See which one you like better.

The harsh truth is that both of these lists will probably fold against a competition list. And that’s okay. You’re learning to play the game. All your gaunts could fart lightning and you’d still probably have a tough time getting the W.

Focus on learning the game. Focus on what your models are doing. Figure out which units you enjoy playing and use them in the next list you build.

[piersonsmuppet]

Psychopahges just look really good for small games; their self 5+++, 6+++ aura, and rule to gain +1 to hit and wound rolls looks like strong force multipliers in small games. Maybe a blend of both ideas is best?

1x Neurotyrant
11x Neurogants
10x Termagants
1x Psychophage
5x Barbgaunts
5x Barbgaunts

that leaves 65 pts to add more Tgants, or more Ngants and Perfectly Adapted.

[yoritomo]

I think the more important thing is just to go out and play. We aren’t talking about fine tuning a tournament here. This is a new player who is still learning the game. The worst thing we can do is create analysis paralysis by constantly tweaking lists.

I think the next step here is for august to which units and play style he likes. Then we can use that information to move him up to a 1,000 point list and recommend future purchases (spoiler alert: it’s going to be zoanthropes).

[august]

Jul 2, 2023 14:17:56 GMT yoritomo said:

I think the more important thing is just to go out and play. We aren’t talking about fine tuning a tournament here. This is a new player who is still learning the game. The worst thing we can do is create analysis paralysis by constantly tweaking lists.

I think the next step here is for august to which units and play style he likes. Then we can use that information to move him up to a 1,000 point list and recommend future purchases (spoiler alert: it’s going to be zoanthropes).

Yeah, I think I’m mentally ready to start playing. I visited a couple of my local game stores for the first time this week - one official GW store and one very large general Fantasy hobby store. They seem like great places to play 40k and have lots of scheduled meet ups and even some classes at the GW store. I also found a Tyranid discord server that’s super active that I’ve learned some in.

I’m going to focus on building and painting up a 500pt list with Barbgaunts, Psychophage, Neurotyrant, Neurogaunts, and Termies this coming week. I’ll check in with the forum as I go, and after my first time playing.

Really appreciate all y’all taking time to respond. I can’t wait to start playing Tyranids.

[bawnslippy]

Ahead of your first game I'll give you a head up: your little guys will die very fast and it's disheartening to see them removed by the handful. Don't worry, that's what they are there for. Use the endless swarm strat to keep bringing them back. Last game I played I managed to keep them contesting a point for 4 rounds vs a space muhreen squad just by regenerating the horde

[august]

Jul 9, 2023 12:36:40 GMT bawnslippy said:

Ahead of your first game I'll give you a head up: your little guys will die very fast and it's disheartening to see them removed by the handful. Don't worry, that's what they are there for. Use the endless swarm strat to keep bringing them back. Last game I played I managed to keep them contesting a point for 4 rounds vs a space muhreen squad just by regenerating the horde

Very good to know, because I am a bit apprehensive of my first match.

I was also able to score:

2x Carnifex (one with the OOE bits)
2x Heavy Venom Cannon bits (to convert Screamer Killers from Leviathan to Carnifex)
1x box of Zoanthropes
1x box of Winged Hive Tyrant
5x Barbgaunts
20x Termagants
1x Screamer Killer

For like $200 from people I met locally here in Austin. Gonna be changing up my list with some of these models, and working up a 1k and 2K list with them, too, as I continue to build and paint everything from Leviathan.

Feeling very energized to start playing Tyranids. I even attended and spectated a Siege of Oghram game the other day at a local store. It was really cool to see people play, because up until then I had mostly just seen YouTube videos of battle reports.

[dkng]

500 points = 1 Tervigon + 50 Termagants.
With the stratagem you’ll be regenerating 3d3+9 each turn and the little ones will have Lethal Hits.
As Tervigon has her ups and downs here’s a great guide how to magnetize the model so you can use it as either the Tervigon or Tyranofex.
youtu.be/bFflA3Sgbik

[august]

Jul 10, 2023 3:53:32 GMT dkng said:

500 points = 1 Tervigon + 50 Termagants.
With the stratagem you’ll be regenerating 3d3+9 each turn and the little ones will have Lethal Hits.
As Tervigon has her ups and downs here’s a great guide how to magnetize the model so you can use it as either the Tervigon or Tyranofex.
youtu.be/bFflA3Sgbik

Idk why people say Tervigon isn’t strong, that sounds awesome.

[dkng]

Jul 10, 2023 19:27:54 GMT august said:

Jul 10, 2023 3:53:32 GMT dkng said:

500 points = 1 Tervigon + 50 Termagants.
With the stratagem you’ll be regenerating 3d3+9 each turn and the little ones will have Lethal Hits.
As Tervigon has her ups and downs here’s a great guide how to magnetize the model so you can use it as either the Tervigon or Tyranofex.
youtu.be/bFflA3Sgbik

Idk why people say Tervigon isn’t strong, that sounds awesome.

In a 500 pts game it is very strong. In a 2000 pts game, well… No invul, no decent shooting, no „spells”, no attaching to units, mediocre melee, high cost. The only saving grace might be the fnp enhancement but… nah. Unless you want to go heavy into Termagants (which can be viable), the Tervigon isn’t worth the points.