I've been meaning to start a new tyranid army. I have some models already, but between becoming a better painter since I got them and tiring of the paint scheme, I've decided to start over from scratch.
Before I make my first purchase, I would like your help in creating a 500 point list for casual games. I will mostly be facing Guards, Space Marines and Sisters. By casual I mean that I won't be taking the army to any tournaments. I still want the list to be good and capable.
These are my thoughts so far.
Try 1:
HQ:
Tyranid Prime [ Pair of Boneswords ] 90 pts
Elites:
Venomthrope X pts
Troops:
4 x Tyranid Warriors [ 4 x Rending Claws | 1 x Venom Cannon ] 155 pts
10 x Hormagaunts 60 pts
10 x Termagants [ 10 x Adrenal Glands ] 60 pts
Fast Attack:
10 x Gargoyles [ 10 x Adrenal Glands | 10 x Toxin Sacs ] 80 pts
Total : 500 pts (36 models)
Thoughts: Lots of models which is a plus in my book, but it is not cohesive. The gargoyles will either be held back or risk going out of synapse range. Neither of those options are very good. I guess one could trail them and keep one or two in synapse (and venomthrope cover?) and make it work that way but it still doesn't feel quite right. I can also see this list struggling with
Try 2:
HQ:
Tyranid Prime [ Pair of Boneswords ] 90 pts
Elites:
Venomthrope x pts
2 x Hive Guard 100 pts
Troops:
4 x Tyranid Warriors [ 1 x Venom Cannon ] 135 pts
10 x Hormagaunts 60 pts
10 x Termagants [ 10 x Adrenal Glands ] 60 pts
Total: 500 pts (28 models)
Thoughts: This one has fewer models but is more cohesive. It also adds two can openers which can be very valuable against Guards. One might also consider dropping the adrenal glands on the termagants for two more bodies.
Try 3:
HQ:
Tyranid Prime [ Pair of Boneswords ] 90 pts
Elites:
Venomthrope X pts
Troops:
3 x Tyranid Warriors [ 1 x Venom Cannon ] 105 pts
10 x Hormagaunts 60 pts
10 x Termagants [ 10 x Adrenal Glands ] 60 pts
5 x Genestealer + 1 Broodlord 130 pts
Total: 500 pts (30 models)
Thoughts: I don't really know what to say about this one, it's mostly there to widen my horizon. It'll drop the can openers and a warrior for some mean close combat elements.
General thoughts: All of the lists contain a Venomthrope for the cover save. Is it worth you think? I know many people will say to use a Tervigon as an HQ and I consider it. I just think I'd like to wait with that for a while. It's a rather extensive conversion and I'm not sure I want to start out with that. Feel free to suggest lists with it though, if you're convincing enough I might change my mind.
Thanks in advance.
Before I make my first purchase, I would like your help in creating a 500 point list for casual games. I will mostly be facing Guards, Space Marines and Sisters. By casual I mean that I won't be taking the army to any tournaments. I still want the list to be good and capable.
These are my thoughts so far.
Try 1:
HQ:
Tyranid Prime [ Pair of Boneswords ] 90 pts
Elites:
Venomthrope X pts
Troops:
4 x Tyranid Warriors [ 4 x Rending Claws | 1 x Venom Cannon ] 155 pts
10 x Hormagaunts 60 pts
10 x Termagants [ 10 x Adrenal Glands ] 60 pts
Fast Attack:
10 x Gargoyles [ 10 x Adrenal Glands | 10 x Toxin Sacs ] 80 pts
Total : 500 pts (36 models)
Thoughts: Lots of models which is a plus in my book, but it is not cohesive. The gargoyles will either be held back or risk going out of synapse range. Neither of those options are very good. I guess one could trail them and keep one or two in synapse (and venomthrope cover?) and make it work that way but it still doesn't feel quite right. I can also see this list struggling with
Try 2:
HQ:
Tyranid Prime [ Pair of Boneswords ] 90 pts
Elites:
Venomthrope x pts
2 x Hive Guard 100 pts
Troops:
4 x Tyranid Warriors [ 1 x Venom Cannon ] 135 pts
10 x Hormagaunts 60 pts
10 x Termagants [ 10 x Adrenal Glands ] 60 pts
Total: 500 pts (28 models)
Thoughts: This one has fewer models but is more cohesive. It also adds two can openers which can be very valuable against Guards. One might also consider dropping the adrenal glands on the termagants for two more bodies.
Try 3:
HQ:
Tyranid Prime [ Pair of Boneswords ] 90 pts
Elites:
Venomthrope X pts
Troops:
3 x Tyranid Warriors [ 1 x Venom Cannon ] 105 pts
10 x Hormagaunts 60 pts
10 x Termagants [ 10 x Adrenal Glands ] 60 pts
5 x Genestealer + 1 Broodlord 130 pts
Total: 500 pts (30 models)
Thoughts: I don't really know what to say about this one, it's mostly there to widen my horizon. It'll drop the can openers and a warrior for some mean close combat elements.
General thoughts: All of the lists contain a Venomthrope for the cover save. Is it worth you think? I know many people will say to use a Tervigon as an HQ and I consider it. I just think I'd like to wait with that for a while. It's a rather extensive conversion and I'm not sure I want to start out with that. Feel free to suggest lists with it though, if you're convincing enough I might change my mind.
Thanks in advance.