The Monster Swarm Rises!
My theme for my 1,500 point Tyranid army is monsters. For thirty years 've been painting hordes of small-sized Tyranid creatures, like Genestealers and 'Gaunts, and so this time around I thought I would make an army out of nothing that didn't come on a 40mm base or larger. Classic 'Nid Zilla!
I have finished assembling and undercoating my models for the army. Here they are...
Winged Hive Tyrant
Leading the monstrous swarm is my Winged Hive Tyrant. I wanted something that could fly, and therefore challenge other enemy fliers. Initially I outfitted him with a Heavy Venom Cannon, but after re-reading the 7th Edition rules I discovered that weapons with a blast template cannot target fliers. So, snap went the cannon, and instead I used some extra bits from my Tyrannofex to simulate a dual set of twin-linked Devourers with Brainleech Worms; very nasty stuff!
Tyrannofex
If I was going to make a Tyranid monster list, I just had to take a Tyrannofex. Basically a small Bio-Titan, the Tyrannofex is super hard to kill, and sports a powerful anti-tank weapon. As my friend Scott pointed out, this model is big enough for a marine to stand underneath it and shoot it in the balls!
Trygon Prime
Another huge-assed addition to my force is the Trygon Prime. Think giant, tunneling Synapse creature... and in this case include a massive Tyranid Artifact bio-cannon. I'm really, really looking forward to Deep Striking with this horror!
Carnifex
Remember when Carnifexes were the biggest thing in a Tyranid army? Yeah... that decade has long since passed. This is the beastie I whipped up for the Build and Battle event in last month's post. He seems a little scrawny now, compared to his big brothers.
Tyranid Warriors
It just wouldn't be an Andrew project if I didn't include some truly ancient models in the mix, so here I am pleased to introduce my selection of Tyranid Warriors from the 1990 classic Games Workshop game Advanced Space Crusade! I've spiced these old plastic models up by adding current-range weapons.
Ravenors
I have old and new models in my monstrous swarm, so I've rounded it out with some mid-range metal Ravenors. These sneaky guys lend Fast Attack support to my Trygon Prime, and they add a third decade of models to my collection.
Deathleaper
Lastly I have added a Lictor, in this case a metal version of the dreaded Deathleaper. He was a gift from Jay Griffiths, and Deathleaper's Canadian origins make him a must-have for any self-respecting Canadian 'Nid player.
I've played in two Call to Arms events since the Build and Battle. The first was a scrappy HQ fight. My Hive Tyrant wasn't available for the fight, so I substituted a Tyranid Prime. He fought well, but he was ultimately chopped to pieces... Twice! Here he is about to meet his doom at the hands of a Khorne Champion.
Going down fighting
The second event was a 300 point Kill Team tournament. I squared off against Ravenwing, Harelquins and even other Tyranids! My all-Genestealer force fought well, but I still lost two games and tied one. My high-point came when my 'stealers managed to kill the Harlequin's leader!
Eating some Space Marine Bikes
Murdering the Boss Murder Clown
The Swarm versus the Swarm
Now Stage 2 begins... Painting!
Have a Happy Holidays, and I'll see you all in the New Year!
-Andrew
