• Common Misconceptions about Tyranids
• Tyranids and the 4th Edition Rules
  • Comments on the 4.0 FAQ
  • Comments on the New Vehicle Rules (from Black Gobbo 21)
• Codex-Specific Information
  • Tyranid Hive Special Rules
    • Instinctive Behavior - what happens
    • Hive Mind Powers
  • Army List
    • Tyrant Guard - you cannot take them without at least one Hive Tyrant in your list.
    • Biovores & Spore Mines - more than you ever wanted to think about
    • Zoanthropes
  • Creating Your Own Hive Fleet
    • Mutant Creatures
      • Spore Mines Are Not Ranged Bio-weapon Symbiotes
• Clarifications Relevant to the Main Rule Book

Common Misconceptions

• Hive Nodes are not Synapse Creatures.
• Hive Nodes confer Ld 10 to the whole brood, as opposed to simply being a Ld 10 leader so every model in the brood gets Ld 10 if a Hive Node present.
• Bio-Acid mines have to roll for direction when they detonate.
• Bio-Acid mines point at the nearest enemy model when a HIT is rolled for detonation direction; point it at the center of the model.
• Biovores have to roll for Instinctive Behavior when out of Synapse, as do Zoanthrope without the Synapse Hive Mind Power

Tyranids and the 4th Edition Rules

The 4th edition rules are out and there are some consequences for the Tyranids. Follow this link to the Chapter Approved site for the 4.0 FAQs so you can download the latest PDF.

Comments on the 4.0 FAQ for Codex Tyranids

• Shoot the Big Ones has not gone away. What is different now is that other armies may start to...enjoy a similar lack of screening from their units. Also, Synapse creatures and other creatures within Synapse range automatically pass "Target Priority rolls".
• "Tyranid Monstrous Creatures follow the rules for Monstrous Creatures in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook as well as those stated in the Codex: Tyranids..." Hmm, currently, the TAR conflicts with the Codex rules for TMCs and 4.0 is supposed to incorporate TAR. Here's hoping that is not a conflict when 4.0 comes out.
• Instinctive Behavior results of "Attack!" that do not result in contact with the enemy leave the brood in a state of fallback, so they can still be charged and removed from play if they are charged by an enemy and fail a Leadership test.
• The much needed clarification that close combat symbiotes work whenever a model is eligible to make close combat attacks has been made. They can.
• Lash Whips work whenever the model is eligible to make close combat attacks. I am not sure how that woks, since they are defined as affecting models in base contact. I suppose that means that any eligible close combat target is affected, which increase the utility of Lash Whips somewhat.
• As of 2004.08.29, the FAQ's wording on "clarification" of Tyranid Monstrous Creature (TMC) Rending Claws (RC) vs. Armor is unfortunate. Against vehicles, the AP roll is what matters, not the to hit roll. This may be indicative of a new overall mechanic for RC (none was given in the FAQ), but is that is true, then I wonder what happens with an automatic hit (e.g. stationary vehicles), do you roll to hit anyway to determine Rending? Does it automatically rend? Time will tell.
• Leaping now confers attacks to models out to 4" from the models in base contact with the enemy. While that seems like a cool thing, I rarely had a problem fitting my gaunts into the 2" range. I hope the cost goes down or there is another improvement to Leaping in the 4.0 Codex Tyranids. Why don't I think it's impressive? Let's consider the worst case scenario, crowding around the smallest possible unit, a single model on a 1" base. It turns out that you can get 36 models around that and still fit within 2" from engaged models, see image below:
  
  

Comments on the New Vehicle Rules (from Black Gobbo 21)

• Venom Strangler? AP "-" cannot cause penetrating hits in 4.0, and the BS has AP "-". So, the Barbed Strangler will, like the Venom Cannon, only causes Glancing Hits against vehicles.
• Invulnerable Dreadnoughts! If you are tired of having to worry about bringing anti-vehicle weaponry, well it just got worse. Apparently, Dreadnoughts were not amazing enough. First, an AV of 12 or higher makes the model count as 10 models for the purpose of outnumbering (this becomes important soon, wait for it). In 4.0, vehicles of the Walker class (e.g. Dreadnoughts) always use their front Armor Value in close combat. There is some rule for them suffering an automatic Glancing Hit if they lose the combat and are outnumbered 2:1 (or more), but that seems somewhat moot when typical swarm models can't hurt AV 12. Combine that with the fact that the Dreadnought will count as 10 models, and get right back to the highly enjoyable scenario of watching a Dreadnought futilely wrestle a unit of gaunts for the entire game. Although they have made grenades useful against Walkers...but Tyranids don't have grenades. Perhaps it's time to start adding some Rending Claw Weapons Beasts to the gaunt hordes...of course, you would still need to roll high even if Rending kicked in. The morale of the story, try to get a monster on that Dread, preferably accompanied by a swarm; that duo should make short work of him.
• "5" is "Immobilized": For those with the vehicle damage charts burned into their minds, "4" and "5" have swapped places. "4" is now weapon destroyed and "5" is now "Immobilized". Given the deleterious effects on skimmers and the general sense that higher rolls are more dramatic, it makes sense.
• Slow Skimmers just drop: Immobilization no longer automatically destroys a Skimmer if it moved 6" or less.
• No more "lost" vehicle damage! In third edition, "Weapon destroyed" and "Immobilized" had no effects after all weapons were destroyed or the vehicle was immobilized, respectively. Now, excess weapon destroyed results will cause immobilization and excess immobilization results cause weapon destroyed. Note: once a vehicle is immobilized and has no weapons of S4 or higher, a result of weapon destroyed or immobilized will destroy it.
• More obedient food: When a vehicle takes a penetrating hit, all of the occupants must bail out and make a Pinning test. When a vehicle is destroyed, the surviving occupants that bail out are "Entangled" (basically, it's just like Pinning, but it affects everyone, there is no test to avoid it).
• No more Leaping-esque Assaults by Space Marines: A unit inside a vehicle can only assault in three cases - 1) from a Land Raider, 2) from an open-topped vehicle, 3) or if the vehicle has not moved. Which is to say that unless you are riding in a Land Raider or open-topped vehicle, you cannot assault from a vehicle that has moved that turn. What you *can* do is move, disembark, shoot, then wait for the next turn to assault. Sounds pretty reasonable and it does speak well to the fluff of a Land Raider.

Codex-Specific Information

Instinctive Behavior - what happens

Based upon what the online Chapter Approved FAQs say...

1. If IB roll is failed, roll on the table in the Codex and follow the instructions. If you fall back from close combat, the enemy has the normal assault options available as though you had fallen back normally.
2. The unit suffers IB until they have a chance to regroup with a Ld test at the start of the next movement phase. This means that the roll for IB in the next turn is skipped for the unit in question.
3. Regroup - If the unit regroups, it acts normally, if not, it continues to apply the same IB result rolled previously. if the unit is not eligible to regroup (e.g. below half strength), it will be stuck in its IB state until/if it reaches Synapse.

Hive Mind Powers

Tyrant Guard

Biovores & Spore Mines

Zoanthropes

• Choose exactly 1 psychic power (in addition to the requisite Warp Field), no more, no less.

Mutant Creatures - Spore Mines Are Not Ranged Bio-weapon Symbiotes

Some folks wonder if they can take a Weapons-beast mutation to get more spore mines. You can't. There are two choices - close combat bio-weapon or ranged bio-weapon; these are listed and defined on pp. 8-9 of the Codex. Spore Mines are not among those listed because the special ability to store and launch spore mines is an ability of a Biovore, not a standard ranged bio-weapon symbiote. Besides, being able to rain down that many templates would be silly and determining the proper cost would be difficult. Just buy Biovores and be content with that. :)

Tyranid-related Clarifications Relevant to the Main Rule Book

Characteristics (of armies)

How do the mighty swarms compare with their food? I recommend buying the codex so that you can help your friend remember the correct rules. :-) Honestly, though, it feels wrong when someone surprises you with a game mechanic, especially if it costs you the game; it's just no very sporting. Unfortunately there are plenty of folks like that in gaming.

• Space Marines - They will have vehicles and far too many guys with Sv 3+ or better. Because all but the heroes of a Marine army will have Initiative 4, I5 can be very much worth the investment. You absolutely have to be aware of Sweeping Advance rules and the special marine rule And They Shall Know No Fear; otherwise you could have a fatal surprise.
  • Blood Angels - In 3rd edition, these guys are generally considered broken. One of their key advantages is a +1 to S and +1 to I on the round they charge. Depriving them of the opportunity to charge is your best bet. Note that they have the absurd ability to travel 18" in a Rhino with overcharged engines and still disembark.
• Dark Eldar - They have a freakishly high level of mobility. They hit fast and hard, but they are very fragile. Their vehicles are open-topped and lightly armored. Monsters with Venom Cannons and Biovores with Poison Spore Mines (auto Glancing hit on open-topped vehicles) are good ideas.
• Eldar - The Eldar have the reputation of being the cheesiest army. They have a ridiculous amount of firepower, so getting into Assault fast is advisable. With a Crystal Targeting Matrix, they can hide a vehicle behind cover and pop-up to shoot, so a Biovore with Bio-Acid and/or Poison might be useful. Provided they actually field Troops on the ground, with the prevalence of 4+ and 5+ Saves, Poison mines can be excellent. However, be prepared to pop vehicles left and right. Wave Serpents and Falcons are very effective, combining the best abilities of all vehicle types. Monsters with Venom Cannons will be useful, especially a Hive Tyrant with Enhanced Senses and Toxin Sacs (that gives him three shots at S 8 with BS 4, trumping the force field on a Wave Serpent that reduces the S of the attack to 8). Also, remember that Wave Serpent force fields do not protect to the rear of the vehicle and make sure that your opponent deploys his troops from the rear, as he is supposed to; this may encourage him to face the rear of the Wave Serpent towards you and offer greater opportunities for your Carnifex's Venom Cannon. :-)
• Chaos Marines - Basically the same deal as Marines, although you can run these guys down when they Fallback.
• Imperial Guard -
• Orks - I found that I 5 was especially effective with these guys, because even with the power of the Waaugh! I was able to cut them down before they could attack. A large unit of S4 I5 Leapers can really do some damage. Biovores with Poison Spore Mines are also useful as they have a lot of poor Saves and open-topped vehicles.
• Sisters of Battle -

Units

Tyranid armies are generally not vehicle-based. There were vehicles made by Armorcast until they lost their license in October of 1998.

Movement Phase

Don't forget the fast and deadly rule from the Codex Tyranids for moving through difficult or impassable terrain. Pay special attention to the fact that TMCs can re-roll, and broods with 8 or more models take a wound if they roll two 6's.

The Shooting Phase

Gargoyles and Gaunts get a bonus 1d6 movement if they do not shoot and, no, they don't have to take all of it.

Screening - With the Codex release came the "Shoot the Big Ones!" rule that allows your opponent to target any Tyranids unit regardless of intervening Tyranids units. The only limits on targeting a specific unit or Monstrous creature is to have Tyrant Guards escorting the Monstrous creature. This applies to any Monstrous Creature, including a Carnifex.

Weapons

Remember that the strength of a weapon used by a Tyranid is based upon the individual model's strength.

Important note: Biovores are no longer Guess weapons. Put the mine wherever you want within the 48" and roll scatter. That's it! Of course, a 2d6 scatter is nothing to sneeze at.

All Tyranid weapons are Assault except for the Biovores, which are Heavy 1.

Assault

Contributing attacks - you do not get special weapons such as Rending Claws with this. That's why many folks call it "throwing rocks".

Attacks & Leaping - Don't forget that instead of one contributing attack, Leaping units get their full set of Close Combat attacks and this includes special attacks, such as Rending.

Attacks & Bio-Plasma Attack - Don't forget that this attack is in addition to the other Close Combat attacks, is performed at double the unit's Initiative, has a 4+ chance to hit regardless of skills (or if the target is a skimmer), and has S = (unit S) + 1.

Targeting Hive Node Mutants - A Hive Node can not be singled out from its brood anymore than any other model. So it is as protected as a Heavy Weapon model is within a unit.

Morale

Don't forget to use Instinctive Behavior rules for Tyranid units that are outside of the range of a Synapse Creature and are not Synapse Creatures (Hive Tyrant, Warrior, some Zoanthropes), Independent (Lictor), Monstrous (Hive Tyrant, Carnifex, Red Terror, Old One Eye), or have Brood Telepathy (Genestealer).

Clarification - Under synapse control, Morale checks and Pinning checks are automatically successful. The unit, including Synapse creatures, never has to fall back (I cannot stress that statement enough!) even if there is normally no save. If a unit outside of Synapse fell back into Synapse, it would still move the amount rolled. It cannot benefit from the automatic regroup success until it would normally have a chance to roll.

Characters

Monsters joining units - There is no reason to bother with this in the one exception of Monstrous creatures joining a unit of Tyrant Guards to overcome the "Shoot the Big Ones" limitation and avoid being individually targeted by the enemy. Some folks join TMCs to gaunts to "slingshot" them into assault, but that spoils the movement of the "slingshot" unit and makes the opponent a little leery that you might be using "cheesy" tactics.

Note that TMCs with Tyrant Guard are not Independent Characters with a retinue. Rather, the broods are distinct and separate regardless. As such, TMCs can leave or join Tyrant Guard at any time. They can also continue to target a different unit than their guard just as if they had joined any other brood.

Vehicles

Tyranid armies are generally not vehicle-based. There were vehicles made by Armorcast until they lost their license in October of 1998.

Jump Pack Troops

Gargoyles are similar, but there is a special difference. Gargoyles move like jump pack troops, but they are removed as casualties automatically if they enter difficult or impassable terrain, there is no roll; for multi-wound creatures, it simply inflicts one automatic wound. If they don't shoot, they can squeeze out another d6" of movement during the shooting phase. Finally they have Deep Strike capability. According to the GW Roolzboyz they are in fact like Jump Pack Troops still in that they are basically used to make wing-assisted hops, so when the rules say they cannot enter difficult terrain without taking an automatic wound, they mean ending movement there, in effect landing. So you can still fly over it, just don't land in it.

Deep Striking With More than 10 Gargoyles is Now Feasible

It used to be that Gargoyles were really not able to use their Deep Strike because the rules required all models to fit under the Ordnance template. The latest online FAQ for Rulebook clarifications expands on this and finally allows more reasonable brood sizes (recall the range is 8-32) to deep strike:

"2. When placing Deep Striking or Summoned models on the large ordnance template it is permissible to overlap bases by the minimum needed to fit the unit onto the template. Players must make every effort to fit models onto the template however congested they become. Sometimes however it may even be necessary (as a last resort) to place models beyond the edge of the template if the unit is particularly large. Under no circumstances should a player use this facility to get within shooting or charge range of a unit that would not otherwise be in reach and so they may only shoot or assault (if summoned, deep striking troops cannot assault) enemy units that can be reached by measuring from the edge of the template."

Winged Tyranids Rules Clarifications

• Winged Tyranids basically make wing assisted hops. They fly for short distances and can fly over difficult terrain in this fashion. It is landing in difficult terrain that causes the automatic wound (which results in a casualty for single wound models like Gargoyles).
• Trees/Jungle - Their ability to ignore trees/jungles is uncertain from the Q&A thus far. It appears to that they cannot.
• Forced into Difficult Terrain - Here are some confirmed examples that cause this problem:
  • Fall Back moves
  • Deep Strike Scatter
  • Callidus Assassin "Word in Your Ear"
• Impassible Terrain - Generally cannot ignore it, but you can agree with your opponent to exceptions, such as passing "impassable" bunker walls to attack units on a rooftop.

Why Take Winged Tyranids?

I have not heavily explored this yet, but here's one obvious note:

Synapse Creatures Make the Best Use of Wings!

It's true. They can fly ahead and keep the Synapse strong as your Leaping Gaunts take off like a shot after food, or follow your Gargoyles as they zoom ahead on their own wings.

Cavalry

There are no Tyranid Cavalry. Tyranids with the Leaper mutation have cavalry-like movement, but are not officially cavalry. For example, in Cityfight, true Cavalry have limitations about entering buildings..

Bikes

There are no Tyranid bikes. Remember with the Red Terror that the +1 Toughness for Bike troops will not affect the Toughness value for Swallow Whole.