That's really up to you. I have seen army lists with only Gaunts and Genestealers that number in the hundreds of models. Gaunts shoot a ton and tie up CC and Genestealers finish everything off.

A base Genestealer army has been created also. Basically a Broodlord and a ton of Genestealers. No synapse worries and everything has rending. With EC this averages to about 20 points per model. This is definitely a swarm army but definitely not the maximum number of models.

The definition of a "swarm" army defines the tactics of the army, not really the number of models. A swarm army is a CC-based army that relies on large groups of models to overwhelm the enemy. A Genestealer army is a swarm army that would have 1/3 the number of models as a Gaunt swarm army. But both are most definitely swarms.

 

A easy way to get a 'swarm' is if you devises a list that will outnumber most armies 2:1, this will easily look like a swarm and you should easily have enough points left to get 'gribbly'.

 

When playing against marines, I would outnumber your opponent at leats 3 to 1, maybe even 4.

 

That's really up to you. I have seen army lists with only Gaunts and Genestealers that number in the hundreds of models. Gaunts shoot a ton and tie up CC and Genestealers finish everything off.

A base Genestealer army has been created also. Basically a Broodlord and a ton of Genestealers. No synapse worries and everything has rending. With EC this averages to about 20 points per model. This is definitely a swarm army but definitely not the maximum number of models.

The definition of a "swarm" army defines the tactics of the army, not really the number of models. A swarm army is a CC-based army that relies on large groups of models to overwhelm the enemy. A Genestealer army is a swarm army that would have 1/3 the number of models as a Gaunt swarm army. But both are most definitely swarms.

One of my friends uses an all Genestealer army. It is very effective, concedering he has about 40 Genestealers, a broodlord, and a Carnifex in about a 1000 point army. Sorry for getting off topic.

 

swarms

well my 1500 normally consists of a bit over 100 models and i still use a HT and a BRoodlord and is normally quite effective and i have plenty of synapse for coverage.

I wouldnt really call this a swarm army though cause my idea of a swarm army the one im building now is goin to be over 100 haumagaunts and roughly 50-80 gaunts and about 30 genestealers

i reckon swarm army's should be about 150 to 200 models or over that

 

You would think 3:1 or 4:1 would be easy with 5 pt. gaunts, but when I design lists I find it way too high to shoot. In a 1500 point list I usually end up with 85-95 models, whereas if I am designing a list for marines or something of that sort it is usually around 50-60... so the bugs are not even outnumbering by 2:1. The problem is probably that marines and the like are flexible - a basic guy can be a basic trooper, heavy weapon trooper, or close combat specialist at a fairly low cost. The bugs are forced to take expensive models for any role but the first one.

 

With swarm armies, you either go all out, or not at all.

Meaning, as posts earlier said, if you are going to swarm, swarm big. Forget most of the upgrades (meaning like 5 point spineguants to the bone).

You can field 120 of those 5 pt gaunts for only 600 points.

The main goal of the swarm is tie things up in cc, clog moving lanes, and force the opponent to stay on the defensive. And there's the psycological impact from seeing 120 gaunts on the table. Once they lock things up in cc, you can use stronger cc things to finish people off.

Although you may be tempted to take hormogaunts instead I'd stay away. My analysis reveals that they really aren't worth it for the most part.

Why? They have the same stats as a regular gaunt, except they have a better WS (4 as opposed to 3), are beasts, and have 1 more attack in cc.

But it dies just as easily as a regular gaunt, can't shoot, gets no armor save from regular bolters (even with the 5+ armor upgrade), and costs 10 pts as opposed to 5.

Yes, once you get them into cc the hormo's are superior. Problem is getting them there. And once they do get into cc, if you are going against marines, you won't be doing a much damage because of fewer numbers and their saves.

 

120 Gaunts would be real trouble for any army. But I think there is a time and place for every Gaunt genus. Forgoing Hormagaunts for simple gaunts is removing an important unit IMO. I think you're underestimating the benefits of beasts. Sure Hormagaunts can't shoot but a 12" assault and 3" leap along with much better CC stats means a much better CC unit. Just like Genestealers you have to shield them until they're needed. This is the case with any specialized unit in any army. Make your opponent think, "hmmm, should I shoot the 20 Hormagaunts or the 120 Gaunts?". Now that's a swarm.

BTW, I never really thought of fielding 120 Gaunts (mainly because it would cost $$$). 240 spinefist shots with re-rolls to hit will cause a lot of damage to any army. Kind of like killing with a million papercuts.

 

You could get 192 sything gaunts with 80 points left over for a hive tyrant. I'd be afraid of 192 gaunts not to mention fall asleep in your movment phase. Hell you and your opponent could make a small starship troops thing.

 

you can't ever take too many gargoyles. sure, their stats aren't all that impressive, but they truly enhance a swarm army. Relatively cheap, and they can use their wings to quickly join a battle.

your weakened squad of hormies finaly reaches the enemy lines, and he thinks "oh yeah whatever" suddenly 8 garoyles come flying in to help. You'll win that combat, and then the next turn your other gaunts arrive.

 

Hmm... I don't like gargoyles too much... I would much rather have raveners, deep striking ones.

Dood, don't forget the spinegaunts! I played a small game last weekend, in which I used only 17 spine gaunts. My opponent ignored them, thinking it wasn't worth the time to kill 85 points of guants, right? Well, that 85 points of gaunts mauled his entire right flank, killing 10 flashgitz, some bikers, and some grots dead on the field. Always, always, make sure you have synapse though. Also, i like to make my broods big, because you can spread them out, have more area to cover, and since the synapse only has to be in range of one model, you get more flexability out of your synapse. Just make sure you have enough synapse, that won't get killed. Tyrants are cool, but are big targets, as are broodlords. I would go with warriors, and one tyrant, but you could do warriors and a broodlord as well...
BTW, you don't need 120 spine gaunts... you can get by with 64, and still swarm. 2 broods of 32 gaunts is a perfect meat shield.

 

I average 90-100 wounds in a 1500 pt game and people call it "swarmy" when they see it.

 

AT last returning to the glorious swarm!

lol yes sorry bout dat,

like ppl have said before if your gonna swarm make a good job of it- i had 160 spineguants in a 1500 pt army, along with a fex. warriors, and some stealers, i think my total model count was around 180-( not sure cant find my list anymore )