Hi folks

The topic title says it all really.

I've been inspired by E&C to collect some 'Nids, and I've won a few lots on eBay, but despite having had a good look through both Chroma's Tyranid lists and E&Cs, I'm not quite sure how many bases I'd need of each type to be able to make an army? Obviously different style lists would need different amounts of models - but I'm just looking for a rough idea.

So far I've managed to scrape together:

13 warrior bases
12 termagant bases
5 genestealer bases
3 lictor bases
6 hormagaunt bases
16 gargoyle bases

From what I can see I probably need  a few more Genestealers for both lists and some more Lictors for E&Cs list to even get minimum formations. I've seen comments saying raveners are pretty awesome, but apart from that I'm in the dark a bit. Please bear in mind I'm only looking at what plastics I need, as I can get everything else pretty much from EvilCast  

I'm seriously considering spreading the models over more bases, which I feel bad doing, but I hope noone would hold it against me if I had 4 models to a base rather than 5.  I'd make sure thee was enough terrain to not make them look lonely of course!

SUB QUESTION: is basing 'Nids on round bases tactically a bad choice? I like it aesthetically but does it make them hard to play with?

Thanks for any hints you can give me!


-Moronguhl

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Great Scott!

So, going by the v.9.x series, that gives you:


Four Assault Synapse groups, with one base to spare as an upgrade - aprox 450 points


Four Gaunt clusters (mixed as you like) with some spares - 300 points

Four Gargoyle clusters - 400 points

One minimum size Lictor swarm - 150 points

You need one more base for minimum sized formation.

So, about 1300 points.  With the eight clusters of Common Broods, you could field 4 Uncommon clusters, to get your points up.

Looks like a good start!



I base my Bugs on hexagon bases and it has never been a problem, so circles should be fine.

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"EPIC: Total War" Lead Developer

Now living in Boston... any EPIC players want to meet up?

The limit on (the 9.2.1) Tyranid list is the common clusters (Termagants, Hormagaunts, Gargoyles and Raveners), once you hit 10+ common clusters you can make up to a 3000pt army by using the full 1/3 maximum from the Independent section (It has all the special toys anyway) and Uncommon clusters. As the Independents and Uncommons are all metal or used in limited numbers (For plastics like Genestealers and Lictors) they're easier to get hold of.

Hey folks

Been ebaying away again (I'm banning myself for a few months now I think! A Christmas tree train and crap ton of tyranids is quite enough for one paycheque!), and I reckon I've go enough for both the ERC list and the Leviathan sublist.

I  now have:

13 warrior bases (3 per base)
12 termagant bases
10 genestealer bases
8 lictor bases (1 per base)
11 hormagaunt bases
16 gargoyle bases

Plenty to be getting on with, especially as I have a whole dark angels army to paint as well!

So would anyone think it was cheap to mount four on a base? I'd feel a bit bad, but they are hard (and expensive) to come by in the extreme!

Cheers all

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Great Scott!

Absolutely *NO* reason to feel bad at all!  The rules allow 3-7 infantry models to a base an any number in ther range is A-OK for use!  *ESPECIALLY* for hard to come by models!

Four models on a round base will look great!  I mount four to a hexagon for my army and no one has ever complained... or even really noticed!  *laugh*

Looking forward to seeing you paint scheme.

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"EPIC: Total War" Lead Developer

Now living in Boston... any EPIC players want to meet up?

Cheers Chroma! Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

There aren't any manufacturers of round bases with suitable Epic-base sized holes are there? Otherwise I guess I'll be cracking the drill bits out!

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Great Scott!

My nids are on round bases (see them in painting blog if need be) and they play just fine...
What are you thinking of using to stick them down/as basing material?

DON'T use wood filler!

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For 9.2.1 list:
You have more than enough warriors
You probably have enough Termagants
You will need 2 more genestealer bases to make 2 minimum squads
You have enough Lictors
You will want more Hormagaunts. Aim for about 20 bases of these
You have enough Gargoyles

E&Cs list : unsure. I will give that a playtest in the new year

Start collecting some models for Ravenors. You will want these also.

Hope this helps

Cheers...

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Frogbear is responsible for...
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I wouldn't.

We played it once and it needs some heavy work, which will not be occuring until the main Tyranid list is updated.

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Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

Fair enough.    

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Frogbear is responsible for...
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Sorry MoK, missed this the first time round.

I'm planning to rip off Apoc slightly by making some bases with two pence sized circles of plastikard in two layers.  The top layer will have drilled holes to insert the miniatures bases into, and then bottom layer will just be for durability.  I've used a similar method to make custom sized titan bases (without the holes for bases of course) and it's worked just fine.

What problems did you have with wood filler btw? I'm most likely planning on a desert style base, maybe with some clumps of static flock (had some in my modelling box for ages and never got round to it!) and small epic scaled 'boulders' to hide the fact I'll be using 4 or less models to a base.  I'm probably going with the same idea as you and having three converted gargoyles to a stand.

Of course I haven't decided on a colour scheme yet so the bases may change to match, but I may go for a classic scheme I used back in the day on 40k models - black/dark grey bodies and white/ultra-light grey carapaces with red details.  Looked quite cool, can't remember if that was one from a Codex or one I made up.  Should look nice against desert-y bases. Quite a successful force back in day but never finished painting it - it'd be nice to have a whole army in the old scheme!

Whilst I have my Dark Angels army assembled and unpainted as yet, I may whip up a few formations of 'Nids whilst I'm in the mood.  Got my first eBay care parcel through yesterday  and I'm excited damnit!

EDIT: Just looked at Ryan's bases and actually I'm going or a similar look, but on desert rather than grey/ash ground cover.

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Great Scott!

Ryan's tyranids do seem to come of their bases a lot I believe.