1850 Batrep vs Crimson Fists

This was my second game on Thursday.  For this one, I challenged Ben.  I've only played Ben 3 times, all of which were during a 40k lock-in, and all 3 were losses for me.  I needed revenge!

Ben brought a marine list with pedro.  We decided to run the NOVA format and rolled up:
Victory Points (250+ difference to win)
Table Quarters for the first tie-breaker
Objectives for the second tie-breaker
We also rolled dawn of war for deployment.  I win the roll, and give first turn to Ben.  I opt to hold everything off so I don't get shot off the board by his searchlights and shooting.

2k Batrep vs Eldar

Man, I'm piling in the games this week!  The local 40k league season ends soon and I need many more games to fill up my quota.  This morning, I challenged Joe who brought his Eldar.  Joe also happens to have the best record in the league right now at 10-1-1.  However, I have not played him yet, muahahaha!

We rolled up Annihilation via Pitched Battle.

2k Batrep vs Sisters of Battle + Guard

So with my work closed this week until after the New Year, I threw out some challenges to get some more league matches under my belt and bring out the best of the best.  Jay was gracious enough to accept my challenge.  I told him I was working over some NOVA concepts so he brought a hard-hitting mechanized SoB list.

We rolled up some scoring scenarios from the NOVA packed and ended up with this mission:
Primary objective was table quarter control via total victory points.
First tie-breaker was victory points.
Second tie-breaker was objectives (1 in the center and 1 in each table quarter)
Deployment was Dawn of War.

List of the Week: 2k Shooty

I'm beginning to feel my lists are becoming unbalanced towards assault again.  It creeps up on me until I'm looking at some other blogs and realize I'd be unprepared to handle a list that sports 12 armored vehicles.  I guess it's mostly because I rarely play anyone who brings more than 6 vehicles.  Anyways, I built this list with a core from my last list and some assaulty units swapped out for more shooting.

Hive Tyrant + armored shell, old adversary, regeneration, heavy venom cannon
Tyrant Guard + lash whips
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Venomthropes x2
Termagants x10
Termagants x10
Tervigon + toxin sacs, adrenal glands, catalyst, onslaught
Tervigon + toxin sacs, adrenal glands, catalyst
Genestealers x20 + toxin sacs
Carnifex + heavy venom cannon
Carnifex + heavy venom cannon

2k Batrep vs Raven Guard

I had a chance to take my most recent 2k list for a spin against Gabe's codex marines with Shrike tonight.

My list:
Tyrant +heavy venom cannon, old adversary, armored shell, regen
Tyrant Guard x3 + whips
Parasite of Mortrex
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Venomthropes x2
Tervigon + ts, ag, cat
Tervigon + ts, ag, cat
Termagants x10 + devourers
Termagants x10 + devourers
Genestealers x20 + ts
Gargoyles x15 +ts,ag

Gabe's List:
Shrike
Chaplain + terminator armor
Assault Terminators x5, 4x LC, 1x TH/SS (with chaplain)
Land Raider Redeemer + xtra armor, multimelta
Ironclad Dread + drop pod
Assault Marines x10 + 2 claws, 2 flamers (with Shrike)
Tac Marines x10 + fist, flamer, missile launcher
Tac Marines x10 + plasma cannon
Scouts x10 + fist (pistols/ccw's)
Scouts x10 + combi-melta, 8 sniper rifles, heavy bolter, camo cloaks

List of the Week: 2k Hybrid

This is a hybrid list I'll be testing for the next two weeks.  I'm pretty excited about it, hopefully you see why:

Tyrant +heavy venom cannon, old adversary, armored shell, regen  (280)
Tyrant Guard x3 + whips (195)
PoM (160)

Hive Guard x2 (100)
Hive Guard x2 (100)
Venomthropes x2 (110)

Tervigon + ts, ag, cat,  (195)
Tervigon + ts, ag, cat,  (195)
Termagants x10 + devourers (100)
Termagants x10 + devourers (100)
Genestealers x20 + ts (340)

Gargoyles x15 +ts,ag (120)

Millennium Invitational Game 2

Well, this tournament is for the best of the best so there won't be any easy pairings here.  For my second game, I drew Jay.  For those of you who don't know him, Jay is the wizard of OZ behind the curtain of DaBoyz GT.  He also took 1st at our local Ardboyz qualifier as well as 1st at the semifinals.  He also plays nids and his list was:

Tervigon - ts, ag, catalyst
Tervigon - ts, ag, catalyst, claws
Hive Guard x3
Hive Guard x3
Venomthropes x2
Genestealers x20
Genestealers x15
Termagants x10
Gargoyles x15 - ag
Shrikes x3 - swords, ts
Trygon

Millennium Invitational Game 1

Saturday 12/11 was the Millennium invitational; the culmination of a year's worth of store tournaments where the top finishers earned invites.  This was a comp (player scored) + painting + battlepoints tourney with 12 players.

My list was designed with #1 comp and #2 painting in mind.  I'm thinking I'll be the newest player there with only 9 months under my belt and only one partially painted army.  Some of these guys have several massive, fully painted armies including multiple forgeworld centerpieces.  My list incorporated some of my "fluffy" painted models with a couple competitive units for punch.

Tyranid Prime - whip/sword, toxins, scytals
Hive Guard x3
Lictors x2
Ymgarls x7
Termagants x15 + devourers
Tervigon - toxins, adrenals, catalyst, stinger salvo
Hormagaunts x17
Genestealers x20 + broodlord
Spore Mines x3
Biovore
Tyrannofex - rupture cannon, shreddershard beetles, stinger salvo
Carnifex - tl devourers x2

First game was to be d3+2 objectives and dawn of war deployment.

Email: 2500pt List

From Guillermo:

Hello!  Love your blog!!!  It's hard to find someone dedicated to Nids and your take on them very refreshing!  With that said how would you build a 2500 point list for yourself?  I'm interested because not many nid players use genestealers or yealers for that matter.  Would you keep them?  What would your list be?  Thanks for any insight!

Thanks for the compliments Guillermo!  I've been pondering this also as Ardboyz is one of my favorite tournaments.  Last year I placed 3rd out of 16 at our LGS and qualified for the semifinals.  When I called to reserve a spot at the semifinal store, the owner told me he was full so I didn't go.  After the semi's, I spoke to Jay who took first locally and he told me only 5 of 16 showed up to the semi's.  Needless to say I was very upset that I didn't go, let alone the fact that I would have had a 50% chance to make the finals.

List of the Week: 1850 Comp

With the Millennium Invitational less than a week away, I really need to nail down my comp list.  There will be some painting scores as well so one of the limiting factors is my selection of painted models.  If any of my local readers want a game before Saturday 12/11, let me know and I'll throw it down for a test run.

Email: Advice and Tactics

From Josiah:

"Hello hyv3mynd! I found your blog when you mentioned it in the Tyranid
Hive forums. I have to say I have read almost every single Batrep +
blog post on there. I really enjoy reading the stuff you post. Not
only is it informative but you constantly look at things through a
competitive level which I am greatly interested in taking 'Nids to. I
would like to ask for some assistance with them if you would be so
kind to help a new player.

2000pt Competitive Match VS Dark Eldar

I've been working with my friend Tim on our Adepticon style team lists for a local team tourney in January.  We're bringing Dark Eldar and Tyranids.  We threw out a challenge for last night but nobody was available, so we decided to practice against each other instead.  We each used our 1000pt portions of the team event as a foundation and filled the lists up to 2000pts to fit the current competitive brackets.

Dark Eldar 2000pts
Haemi + liquifier (attached to wyches #1)
Haemi + liquifier, crucible of malediction (attached to wyches #2)
Haemi + hex rifle
5 Incubi + klaivex, bloodstone, raider + flicker fields, splinter racks
4 Trueborn + 4 blasters, venom
7 Wyches + shardnet, hekatrix + agonizer, raider + flicker fields
7 Wyches + shardnet, hekatrix + agonizer, raider + flicker fields
10 Warriors + splinter cannon, raider + flicker fields, splinter racks
10 Warriors + splinter cannon, raider + flicker fields, splinter racks
20 Warriors + 2 dark lances
6 Reavers + 2 heat lances, cluster caltrops
Ravagers + 3 dark lances, flicker fields
Razorwing Fighter + splinter cannon, flicker fields, monoscythe missiles (proxied with a ravager and a big yellow post-it)

Tyranids 2000pts
Parasite of Mortrex
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Ymgarl Genestealers x7
Genestealers x15 + broodlord
Genestealers x15 + broodlord
Termagants x10 + devourers
Termagants x10 + devourers
Tervigon + toxins, adrenals, catalyst, stinger salvo
Tervigon + toxins, adrenals, catalyst, stinger salvo
14 Gargoyles + toxins, adrenals
Tyrannofex + rupture cannon, desiccator larvae, stinger salvo

Email Part #1: Hobby

From Andreas Dranidis:

Hello mate, I posted at your site but I have a request now. Could you please show a conversion of a Tervigon and a how-to use him in battles?
Thank you very much. I am planning on buying 2-3 carnifex kits and make them tervigons because I think they will be better than T-Fexs, what do u think?

Andreas:

My pleasure mate.  I'll see what I can do.  I'm not really hardcore with my conversions and my tactics are still evolving, but I'll share what I can.

Hobby: Tyrannofex Conversion

I've had tons of positive comments on my Tfex so I thought I would share how easy it was so others can make them.

Here's a couple pictures for reference.  It's still not painted yet, I'm getting into 40 genestealers so he's a ways off to being finished.

1850pt League Game (competitive)

One of the friends I made at the GT was in town for the holiday weekend and we met up for an 1850pt game.  I told him I brought a fluffy list (same one I used in the last two batreps) and a competitive list.  He told me to use the 'arder one because he was bringing two special characters.

My list:
tyranid prime + whip/sword, scything talons
tyranid prime + boneswords, toxin sacs
hive guard x2
hive guard x2
zoanthropes x2
genestealers x16 + broodlord
genestealers x16
termagants x10 + devourers
termagants x10 + devourers
tervigon + toxin sacs, adrenal glands, catalyst
tervigon + toxin sacs, adrenal glands, catalyst
tyrannofex + rupture cannon

His list:
the sanguinor
astorath
3x sanguinary priests + power weapons, jump packs
furioso dread + blood talons
furioso librarian dread + wings, might
10x assault marines + power weapon, melta
10x assault marines + power weapon, melta
10x assault marines + power fist, melta

1850pt League Game (comp)

I had the chance to play Smitty for one of my league games this week!  Smitty is a tough opponent and our games always end up very close.  In fact, I believe we've played to draws in 3 of our 4 matches several of which were killpoint games.

Smitty's Eldar
Farseer + both runes
Avatar
10 wraith guard, warlock w/ conceal
10 dire avengers w/ defend
10 guardians, warlock w/ conceal, shuriken cannon
10 storm guardians, warlock w/ destructor, 2 flamers, wave serpent w/ scatter laser
7 pathfinders
3 jet bikes w/ 1 cannon
Wraithlord w/ scatter laser, sword
Viper w/ scatter laser
2 war walkers w/ scatter lasers

My Nids
Tyranid Prime - lw/bs, scytals, ts
3x hive guard
3x zoanthropes
Tervigon - cat, ts, ag, cs
10x termagants
20x genestealers
3x raveners - rc's
20x gargoyles - ts, ag
Harpy - tlhvc, cs
Tyrannofex - rc
Carnifex - tl dev's

Team Tourney Concepts

So Millennium is running a team tourney in January to act as a test run for the local adepticon teams.  2 person format instead of 4 man teams, similar force org.  My buddy Timbo is going to bring DE as my partner, most likely with a shooty list that I can complement with an assaulty build.

Here are some of my 1,000pt concepts.  Feedback is encouraged.

1850pt League Game (comp)

Millennium Games, one of our many local stores fired up a 40k league in the wake of DaBoyz GT.  It's a pretty cool system.  Play up to 2 games a week at the store (your choice of pts and format) and register your results for points.  Mid January, players can bid their points in a loot auction.

I met up with Kevin tonight for an 1850pt comp game to start off my league play.  Kevin's necrons:

Lord w/ orb, phase shifter
Destroyer Lord
11x warriors
11x warriors
10x warriors
3x wraiths
10x scarabs
4x destroyers
2x heavy destroyers
Monolith

My Nids:
Tyranid Prime - lw/bs, scytals, ts
3x hive guard
3x zoanthropes
Tervigon - cat, ts, ag, cs
10x termagants
20x genestealers
3x raveners - rc's
Harpy - tlhvc, cs
Tyrannofex - rc
Carnifex - tl dev's

GT Batrep #5

Here's my GT list - 1850pts Splinter Fleet Colossus
Tyranid Prime - LW/BS, Scytals
Tyranid Prime - BS/BS, Rending
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Ymgarl Genestealers x7
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Trygon - AG
Trygon - AG
Carnifex Brood (2) - Twin Linked Devourers x4

Batrep Disclaimer:  This was my first GT, and first attempt to batrep tournament games.  I screwed around with the flash so picture quality will vary.  Also, the more difficult the games became, the less I focused on taking pictures so please excuse the lack of photos later on.  Enjoy!

Game #5 versus Rick James from Boston - Mech Guard

DaBoyz GT Batrep #4

Here's my GT list - 1850pts Splinter Fleet Colossus
Tyranid Prime - LW/BS, Scytals
Tyranid Prime - BS/BS, Rending
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Ymgarl Genestealers x7
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Trygon - AG
Trygon - AG
Carnifex Brood (2) - Twin Linked Devourers x4

Batrep Disclaimer:  This was my first GT, and first attempt to batrep tournament games.  I screwed around with the flash so picture quality will vary.  Also, the more difficult the games became, the less I focused on taking pictures so please excuse the lack of photos later on.  Enjoy!

Game #4 versus Kelsay from Virginia - Raven Guard

List of the Week: Competitive

So I learned a lot at DaBoyz GT, my first GT.  I prefer competitive settings for tournaments and was glad to face some really hard lists.  My ultimate personal goal is to take a title at a competitive event such as NOVA or a GT running a similar format.  As such, I've been list bashing to bring in things I learned and new comcepts.

Here's my current brainstorm:

List of the Week: Comp

So I got my competitive fix last weekend at DaBoyz GT.  I know, it was a "comp" event, but I brought a non-comp list (31/120 comp score) and was paired against 4 non-comp lists (drop wolves, vulkan marines, shrike marines 2x raiders/2x ass terms, mech guard 7 chimeras 3 fliers).

Also, in the ultimate move of coolness, Travis the owner of Millennium Games split next year's tourney schedule between comp and non-comp.  This is a huge step as every single local tournament a year for us in Rochester is comp except Ard Boyz.  Now, comp players and competitive players have equal outlets for their favored lists.  For the record, I enjoy both but prefer competitive if I'm paying to play.

So next month is the Millennium Invitational where the top performers in the monthly tournament come together to crown the king.  This will be a comp tournament also.  Here's the list I'm considering testing this week.  As Millennium also hosts a 40k league, I'll be using the same list and hope to post more reports to support the theory hammer.

DaBoyz GT Batrep #3

Here's my GT list - 1850pts Splinter Fleet Colossus
Tyranid Prime - LW/BS, Scytals
Tyranid Prime - BS/BS, Rending
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Ymgarl Genestealers x7
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Trygon - AG
Trygon - AG
Carnifex Brood (2) - Twin Linked Devourers x4

Batrep Disclaimer:  This was my first GT, and first attempt to batrep tournament games.  I screwed around with the flash so picture quality will vary.  Also, the more difficult the games became, the less I focused on taking pictures so please excuse the lack of photos later on.  Enjoy!

Game #2 versus John W. from the ETC team - Space Wolves

DaBoyz GT Batrep #2

Here's my GT list - 1850pts Splinter Fleet Colossus
Tyranid Prime - LW/BS, Scytals
Tyranid Prime - BS/BS, Rending
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Ymgarl Genestealers x7
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Trygon - AG
Trygon - AG
Carnifex Brood (2) - Twin Linked Devourers x4

Batrep Disclaimer:  This was my first GT, and first attempt to batrep tournament games.  I screwed around with the flash so picture quality will vary.  Also, the more difficult the games became, the less I focused on taking pictures so please excuse the lack of photos later on.  Enjoy!

Game #2 versus Dan from Buffalo - Daemons of Chaos

DaBoyz GT Batrep #1

Here's my GT list - 1850pts Splinter Fleet Colossus
Tyranid Prime - LW/BS, Scytals
Tyranid Prime - BS/BS, Rending
Hive Guard x2
Hive Guard x2
Ymgarl Genestealers x7
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Termagants x10
Tervigon - Catalyst, TS, AG, SS
Trygon - AG
Trygon - AG
Carnifex Brood (2) - Twin Linked Devourers x4

Batrep Disclaimer:  This was my first GT, and first attempt to batrep tournament games.  I screwed around with the flash so picture quality will vary.  Also, the more difficult the games became, the less I focused on taking pictures so please excuse the lack of photos later on.  Enjoy!

Game #1 versus Paul S. from Boston - Vulkan's Salamanders.