2 Part Tactica: 20 Genestealers and the "Passive Assault"

As you've probably noticed, all my recent lists have large units of genestealers.  This is outside the norm of what we're seeing on forums and in the blogosphere, so here a breakdown of how I make it work.

***Disclaimer:  I set this photo shoot up as a sample scenario, it's not from a batrep.  In reality, there will be a lot more factors and a lot more movement, so take it with a grain of salt and apply it where you can in real games.  Also, this was laid out on a 25% terrain coverage table with several types and levels of terrain.  I assure you all models are in 2" coherency for all moves.  The genestealers are a tad outside 18" to start.***

Here's a sample pitched battle deployment against CSM:

Note that when using this 20 genestealer unit (usually with toxin sacs) I almost always infiltrate them.  The unit is too expensive and vital to my playstyle to risk not coming in until late game.  I know some people get sqeamish about taking first turn casualties.  We'll look at this closer from the chaos standpoint.

2k List: The Invasion...

Shadows passed over the hive city, much larger and deeper shadows than those cast by the thick chemical pollutants belched forth from the inner forges.  This time, the immense quivvering hive ships of fleet Colossus blotted out the murky daylight.

Rain fell from the skies over the hive city, but the saturation took the form of a floating sea of living spores.  As they settled and began to float, the spores exploded, shredding the curious onlookers and spreading chaos through the masses.

Shelter from this storm was not to be found.  The dark and sheltered places of the hive city already housed other beings.  Crouching man-beasts with four clawed arms and bulbous heads emerged from the shadows, their soulless eyes glittering in the failing light.

Thunder rocked the streets, not from the storm but tremendous explosions sending spires and towers toppling.  Gargantuan things of nightmares, ambling batteries of living artillery, sent entire sections of the city back to the soil from where it was born.

A flood washed over the hive city.  A living wave of skittering beasts shoulder to shoulder swarmed through every street and alley.  There was no place to weather this storm.  There is no Ark to safely carry life from this flood.

Practice makes perfect...

I had another attempt to test the current list iteration tonight against my buddy Gerry's BA test list.  It was his first game with BA.  His list:

Mephiston
Librarian + shield, lance
Sanguinary Priest + power wep.
10 Scouts + camo cloaks, sniper rifles
10 Assault Marines + power fist, 2x meltas
5 Assault Marines + power fist, melta, rhino
5 Assault Marines + power wep., melta, razorback
5 Assault Marines + power wep., melta, razorback
3x Baal Predators
3x Predators + twin linked lascannon

2k Batrep vs Sisters

I've been itching to test the latest list so I threw out a challenge and my buddy Eric accepted.  I've never played him before, but I've seen his armies at tournaments and he brings the pain.  He also went 3-0 two weeks ago at the local team tournament. 

My list:
Tervigon (HQ) ts, ag, cat, cs
Hive Guard x3
Hive Guard x3
Doom of Malanti + mycetic spore
20 Genestealers + ts
20 Termagants
Tervigon + ts, ag, cat, cs
Raveners x3 + rending
Raveners x3 + rending
Tyrannofex + rc, dl, cs
Tyrannofex + rc, dl, cs

Eric's list:
Cannoness + eviscerator, artificier armor, book, jump pack, cloak
Cannoness + eviscerator, artificier armor, book
Celestian retinue + 2 meltas, immolator, extra armor
Celestians + 2 meltas, immolator, extra armor
Celestians + 2 meltas, immolator, extra armor
Seraphim unit
Sisters x10 + 2 meltas, book, rhino
Sisters x10 + hvy flamer, flamer, combi-flamer, book, rhino
Sisters x10 + hvy flamer, flamer, combi-flamer, book, rhino
Sisters x10 + hvy flamer, flamer, combi-flamer, book, rhino
Exorcist
Exorcist

We rolled a NOVA style mission with primary victory for killpoints, then objectives, table quarters, and victory points.  We rolled for first turn 2, 2 then 2, 2 then 2,5 I lose rolling three 2's in a row lol.  Deployment was pitched battle. 

2k list: The Secret Weapon

Ok here's the one I've been mulling over.  It's a close variant to the last 3.

Tervigon (HQ) ts, ag, cat, cs
Hive Guard x3
Hive Guard x3
Doom of Malanti + mycetic spore
20 Genestealers + ts
20 Termagants
Tervigon + ts, ag, cat, cs
Raveners x3 + rending
Raveners x3 + rending
Tyrannofex + rc, dl, cs
Tyrannofex + rc, dl, cs

Let's discuss...

Hard at work...

I've been working on my second tyrannofex conversion, assembling more raveners, and painting genestealers.  I'm pretty happy with the recent lists and I need to stick with one and get it painted.  It was made very clear at the annual player meeting that you won't win a tournament without a fully painted army, so that needs to be my priority over games for now.  Maybe not priority, but more 50/50 instead of getting games every free second I have.

On a plus note, I've been trying more exaggerated washes and highlights and I like the result.  I feel my previous layering of washes and highlights were too subtle and often missed.  If I stick with the current list formula, I have about 12 genestealers, 6 raveners, and 2 tyrannofexes to paint still and some conversion work to do.  I made one last tweak to my list, but I'm keeping it a secret for now until I test it because it might just be too evil.  I'm hoping the final change and take this list from competitive to being able to table players in a competitive environment.  I think it has that potential if I practice my moves and execution of some list synergies.

There are a couple more things I didn't get done for DaBoyz GT that I want to go back and do also.  I picked up some flying bases and want to make custom psychic power markers with.  I also want to finish my custom objectives of bones and flesh biomass.  I've also been trying to figue out some magnetized wound markers for monstrous creatures and drool/blood/poison ooze with water effects.  I hope to have more conversion, painting, and hobby posts in the near future.

I will return to a more hardcore play schedule after we get back from the honeymoon in March.

List of the Week: NOVA Final?

Tervigon (HQ) + ts, ag, cat, onslaught, cluster spines
Hive Guard x3
Hive Guard x3
Ymgarls x7
Termagants x17
Tervigon + ts, ag, cat, cluster spines
Genestealers x15 + broodlord, scytals
Genestealers x15 + broodlord, scytals
Tyrannofex + rupture cannon, desiccator larvae, cluster spines
Tyrannofex + rupture cannon, desiccator larvae, cluster spines

Saturday 1/8 Team Tourney

Tim and I are bringing some xeno love to the local team tournament tomorrow.  I'm not sure if I'll batrep or even take pictures yet, I'll have to see how the games flow.  I haven't played more than 3 team games, and what always strikes me is how much slower the games are.  It's probably my inexperience with so few chances to practice as a team.  Either way, I'm not going to compromise the game results by creating more delays via taking lengthy notes or too many pictures.  If the games are moving at a good pace, I'll try and get some batreps done.

Anyways, here's our lists and some theory hammer.

My Half:
Parasite of Mortrex
Ymgarl Genestealers x7
Genestealers x15 + broodlord, scytals
Genestealers x15 + broodlord, scytals
Gargoyles x20 + toxins, adrenals

2k Batrep vs Dark Eldar

So Tim and I are preparing for the team tournament this weekend, but neither of us has had much practice time.  We both had Wednesday night free and met for a match to help clear away the cobwebs.

We rolled up 2 objectives and dawn of war and decided on vp's for a tie-breaker.  I won the roll and decided to try something different.  I usually like to go second and reserve everything in DoW, but I decided for a full reversal and took first turn.  Three of my last four games have been DoW deployment and I'm starting to get sick of it.  This probably clouded my judgement to take first turn.  A note on my capture and control playstyle:  I always play to win from turn 1.  If this game ends in a draw, it's because we fought to a bloody draw.  99% of the time with this mission, I split my force in two and go for both objectives.  I know it's not the best practice for tournaments to avoid losses, but a castled up draw on this mission can be very frustrating.

List of the Week: 2k One Step Closer...

So I've purchased and assembled 2 more hive guard and plans are in progress for a second Tyrannofex.  Until then, I have this list to playtest.  I realize it's not optimized, but I have models for everything so I can post batreps for it without proxies.

Tervigon (HQ) + toxins, adrenals, catalyst, cluster spines
Hive Guard x3
Hive Guard x3
Zoanthropes x3
Termagants x12
Tervigon + toxins, adrenals, catalyst, cluster spines
Genestealers x10 + toxins
Genestealers x10 + toxins
Genestealers x10
Genestealers x10
Tyrannofex + rupture cannon, cluster spines, shreddershard beetles
Carnifex + heavy venom cannon

Email: 2k List

From Steve M~

First of all, love the blog and it's purpose.  I'm glad I stumbled upon it. 
Attached is my first attempt at tyranids since 2nd edition.  Nids were one of my first armies in 40k and have missed them thoroughly.  I loved the new codex and units when they came out but had already committed to Imperial Guard when they hit the stores.  The army is just about complete.  Just need to paint some extra termagaunts for the Tervigon. 
A little about the list.
1.  Swarmlord starts with the tyrant guard.
2.  Dakka Tyrant outflanks.
3.  Doom and 2 dakka fexes pod in.
4.  Tervigons give themselves Feel no pain.
So far, I have played 6 games. 
Beat Tau.  Lost to Blood Angels twice.  Beat Raven Guard twice.  Tied Space Wolves. 
Not bad.  The mech angels are a lot to deal with when he has 9 tanks moving 12" a turn and you need 6's to hit.  The player is one of the best I know and plays nids on a regular basis.  Our games have been close but 12 tanks, Mephiston, and 12 missile launchers is a lot for a nid army. 
What do you think of the list? 

Swarmlord
2 Tyrant Guard
Hive Trant +hive commander, devourers
Doom of Malantai + Spore
Hive Guard x3
Hive Guard x3
Termagants x10
Termagants x10
Tervigon + toxin sacs, scything talons, catalyst
Tervigon + toxin sacs, scything talons, catalyst
Carnifex + devourers + spore
Carnifex + devourers + spore