Over the next few posts, etc. I thought it would be nice to drop some alternative Tyranid lists that I have been running and playtesting at 1750-2000 points for you guys and gals to try out. Easily the #1 email request I have been getting recently. Let’s kick it off with my 3 X 3 X 3 list.
Personally I fancy myself a finesse player in that I prefer to use deception, guile, and tactics on the tabletop to win, but sometimes a more direct approach is needed, often dictated by the very army that you play- Tyranids being a perfect example.
So here is my 3 X 3 X 3 build @ 1750 simply and eloquently put:
3 Tervigons W/ Toxin & Catalyst 1HQ / 2 Troops
2 x 10 Termagaunts
3 x 3 Hive Guard
3 Trygons W/ Adrenal Glands
Each three element breaks down to its own independent army which is also nice in building the army slowly over time given the $ buy in.
Tactics?
Trygons in front, tervigons behind them, one group of guard mixed in, the other two to the right and left as wings. Gaunts fill in the gaps as needed. Everything starts moving and running forward as needed with the Tervigons throwing FNP on the Trygons, and the ‘Guard opening up cans so your big bugs have something to assault. On the surface hardly anything ground breaking right?
Yes, so let’s go under the hood of the army for a moment…
Sometimes based on the mission, etc. you have to start breaking up your army where optimally you want to run it as a compact core. Given that Tyranids need synapse and their specialized units (like Eldar) fold without proper support, going out on your own isn’t a good idea. As opposed to Space Marines, like a tactical squad, while not uber in shooting or assaulting can holds its own for a bit and operate independently. On a side note I think Tyranid Warriors were intended to act like this, but they fail given the amount of missile, melta, and las on the table- something obviously not found in GW’s play testing. Was immune to instant death via synapse that overpowered and game changing?
Back to the post…
Part of the 3 x 3 x 3 build outline is that it allows you to form up like Devastator when needed, grouped like a core, or break off into individual Constructicons as needed. We have this with three groups each consisting of a Tervigon, Trygon, and Hive Guard group. Terv throws FNP on the Try, HG support, and spawned Gaunts act as a shielding unit. Using the Gaunts are a much as artform in the list itself, which we can get into at another time.
I also have to add that that Hive Guard are what helps make the list work, but not for the reasons that you may think, three groups of three are needed and not the more popular 3 x 2 which does save much needed points while still throwing out a good amount of pointy S8 toothpicks.
I’ve posted before how a group of 3 venoms are much needed when running Trygon spam so you can at least get a 5+ cover save, when combined with FNP actually makes three Trygons a credible threat. Where the venoms protect with the 5+ the Hive Guard protect by making sure those missile shots go on them and not the Tyrgons. SM players tend to notice real quick when they get a taste of their own missile spam coming back at them, especially if you go with the Tervigon move, run, shoot power for a potential first turn mini-alpha strike with the Hive Guard. The Hive Guard in those numbers and shots will attract the focus of your opponent's shooting since they can directly threaten razorspam, which means no shots on the Trygons for a bit so you don't need the venoms.
So let’s talk buy in if you are interested in the list and tactics that power it.
$590 stock from the GW website with no discount for 3 Trygons, 3 Carnifexes (kitbash Tervigons), 9 Hive Guard, and 50 Gaunts. Second to this, your local hobby shop and other online vendors will get you 20%-40% off. Other options are to acquire the Gaunts second hand/used and substitute the old OOP Warriors for Hive Guard which are easy to find online and for trade. $20 per Hive Guard hurts!
But what about starting out with a Constructicon first?
HQ: Tervigon
Troops: 2 X 10 Termagaunts (+10 Extra For Spawning)
Elite: 1 X 3 Hive Guard
Heavy: 1 Trygon
$230 stock GW site, X% off from your local store or online, used models, etc. You can start playing in smaller point game(s) learning how the army works as you build up and collect the other parts to form up Devastator list.
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