Hey everyone,
So I’ve been wanting to do some more “Thoughts:” posts, coupled with something else productive to go with it. The big one this time is Games Workshop’s Spearhead supplement.
What’s that? Spearhead? Yeah, it was released last summer…you’ve never heard of it? I wonder why… Unfortunately, like most of GW’s supplemental expansions, it was kinda a flop. Before you rip me apart with that statement, though, I really like the ideas of Cityfight, Planetstrike, and Battle Missions. They add a different style to play the game, which is always good to change things up.
Games Workshop’s blog post for today (2/2/11) was about Spearhead, some cool model pictures, and how the rules are now available on the website. Yes, the rules have always been available on the website, but not all of them. When it was originally released, 1/2 the rules were on the site, 1/2 were in White Dwarf. I have the White Dwarf with the rules, and have since stopped buying them for the lack of good articles.
Anyways, my real question is why did Games Workshop release the rules like this? Or better yet, why didn’t they do this initially? I’m sure Games Workshop has seen dropping sales in their magazine, so are they just trying to sell more Tanks? My real question, though, is with the rumors of a Flyer Expansion in White Dwarf this summer, will you buy the White Dwarf with the rules, or just wait until Games Workshop releases the rules online?
Anyways, my real reasoning behind this post is I want to share my first planned Tyranid list. My plan is for the true crazy horde army. I’ll let the list do the talking:
HQ
- Tervigon with Scything Talons, Cluster Spines, Acid Blood, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, and Catalyst.
ELITES
- Venomthrope
- Venomthrope
TROOPS
- Tervigon with Scything Talons, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, and Onslaught.
- Tervigon with Scything Talons, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, and Onslaught.
- Termagant Brood (X20)
- Termagant Brood (X20)
- Hormagaunt Brood (X20)
FAST ATTACK
- Gargoyle Brood (X20)
- Gargoyle Brood (X20)
- Ravener Brood (X6)
HEAVY SUPPORT
- Tyrannofex with Rupture Cannon and Larvae Swarm.
- Tyrannofex with Rupture Cannon and Larvae Swarm.
TOTAL: 1995
This should be a run, crazy list. Lots of Gants and Gargoyles running around causing trouble backed by the Tervigon (providing FC, poison, and counter-attack) and Venomthropes, while the Tyrannofex detonate large tanks. The Raveners are there to sow confusion on an objective or aim for things like Command Squads. I can see problems with almost no high AP weaponry and a lack of Power Weapons and things. Blast Template armies are also going to give me a bad day. I don’t know, its kinda an excuse to crank out Tervigon!
I’d love some thoughts on the list! How do you think it’ll fare? Does it look fun to run, or should I go the standard Tyranid Prime and Doom of Malan’tai?
Granesh
You are definitely short on anti-tank; two Tyrannofexes are just not going to be enough, and your little mans are not going to be able to do the job for you (which is one of their disadvantages compared to running MCs, I have found.) However, TFexes being expensive, you might want to try something else in their place- Harpies are good at shaking vehicles and are fairly accurate. Obviously Hive Guard are awesome and can provide cover to your Tyrannofexes; Zoanthropes are unfortunately short-ranged, but are able to handle all sizes of armor and bring extra Synapse to the table.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you need to put another Venomthrope in each brood; unlike an offensive list (with Trygons, Fexes, etc) that just intends to use the 'Thropes to provide cover in the early turns as it closes in, you want to be bunkering up for as long as possible, so having the extra bodies makes you more able to do so.
The Hormagaunts don't synergize well with the rest of the list. They're an offensive element in a defensive army and don't benefit from the Tervigons' abilities- I would just replace them with twenty more Termagants. (If you could cram in another Tervigon that would be hilarious, but there are decisions that have to be made.)
The Raveners likewise feel out of place, and for similar reasons. I think they're more workable, but not really necessary.
Getting rid of Acid Blood and Scything Talons on your Tervigons will go a ways towards netting some extra points for other toys; I also think this list has no real need for Onslaught unless you switch over to Zoanthropes or Hive Guard, as Tyrannofexes have plenty of range on their guns already and virtually none of your elements are Fleet and thus don't benefit as much from it.
You have some really good points there Abusepuppy. I must not have a good grasp on the Nids right now, as I was intending this to be a more assaulty, in your face army. I'll throw some Mawlocs/Trygon in the next list.
ReplyDeleteI'm liking Onslaught on my 2 Troops Tervigon, as the Gants are supposed to rush forward, shoot, and cause mayhem.
I'll retouch this list, and come back with a new one tomorrow.
Granesh
Yeah theres a deffinate lack of Synapse here. I'd drop a Tervigon or the Raveners and grab some tooled up Shrikes to look after your Gargoyles.
ReplyDeletePersonally i'd probably drop both Tyrannofex and go for some Trygons insted. Yeah i know, everyone goes for that (including me) but theres a dam good reason for that! S6, deep striking, fleet, monsterous creatures with a shooting attack and re-rolls on all CC attacks to hit? YES PLEASE! And all for 200pts base. That fits your 'in your face' army profile quite nicely!!