Tyranid Army Essentials: Best Units for Warhammer 40k Beginners

Image of the Warhammer 40K Tyranids Deathleaper box, featuring the detailed artwork of the Deathleaper model.

If you're new to the Warhammer 40K universe, diving into the world of Tyranids can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Tyranids are an aggressive alien race known for their overwhelming numbers, deadly tactics, and sheer ferocity in battle. 

As a beginner, building a Warhammer 40k Tyranids army can seem daunting, especially with so many unit choices to consider. In this blog, we’ll break down the best Tyranid units that are perfect for beginners, offering insight into their strengths, how they fit into your army, and why they are essential for a successful Tyranid force. 

Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your army, this guide will help you make informed decisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Focus on building a balanced Tyranid army with a mix of cheap and powerful units.
  • Use Termagants and Hormagaunts for numbers and mobility, while Tyranid Warriors provide support.
  • The Hive Tyrant is your leader and key to keeping the army coordinated.
  • Genestealers are powerful but need to be used carefully for maximum effect.

Overview:

When it comes to Warhammer 40k tyranids, its exciting faction for beginners, offering a unique combination of swarm tactics, deadly creatures, and powerful psychic abilities. For new players, focusing on units like Termagants, Hormagaunts, Tyranid Warriors, the Hive Tyrant, and Genestealers will provide a balanced and effective starting point for building a successful Tyranid army.

What Makes Tyranids Stand Out?

Tyranids are a truly unique faction in Warhammer 40k, driven by an insatiable hunger to consume and evolve. Their army is composed of a range of bio-engineered creatures, each designed for a specific purpose on the battlefield. These creatures operate in highly coordinated swarms, using overwhelming numbers and synergy to outmaneuver and overwhelm their enemies.

What makes them stand out is their adaptability and their ability to deploy large numbers of troops. Each Tyranid unit, whether it's a lowly Gaunt or a terrifying Hive Tyrant, serves a critical role. As a new player, understanding the basic units will help you build a balanced and effective army from the start.

Now, let’s dive into some of the best Tyranid units that are perfect for beginners, highlighting their roles, advantages, and how they fit into a larger strategy.

1. Termagants – The Backbone of Your Tyranid Army

Every Tyranid army needs a solid foundation, and Termagants are the perfect starting point. These small, insect-like creatures are among the most affordable units in your army, but they are essential to a swarm-based strategy.

Key Features:

  • Cheap and numerous: Termagants can be fielded in large squads, often providing essential screen or objective-holding duties. They are perfect for overwhelming your opponent through sheer numbers.
  • Fleet of Claw: This ability allows Termagants to move faster, closing the gap between them and the enemy quickly. This makes them useful in taking objectives or harassing weaker units.
  • Various Weapon Options: While their standard fleshborer is weak, they can be upgraded with special weapons to enhance their role depending on the situation.

While Termagants aren't the most powerful on their own, when used in conjunction with other Tyranid units, they can cause significant disruption. As a beginner, having a solid base of Termagants allows you to focus on other, more specialized Tyranid units.

2. Hormagaunts – Fast, Agile, and Deadly in Close Combat

Hormagaunts are another staple in any Tyranid army. They are fast, agile, and deadly when they close in on the enemy. Perfect for beginners, these creatures allow you to create a dynamic and mobile force.

Key Features:

  • Speed: Hormagaunts have a high movement speed, allowing you to quickly advance towards objectives and engage enemy units in melee.
  • Close Combat Experts: With high Weapon Skill and Strength, Hormagaunts are lethal in close combat. They can tear through infantry units and pose a significant threat to lightly armoured targets.
  • Fleet of Claw: Just like Termagants, Hormagaunts benefit from Fleet of Claw, making them faster and more efficient at getting into close combat.

Hormagaunts provide the perfect complement to your Termagants. While the latter hold objectives, Hormagaunts can break enemy lines and engage key units in close combat, adding flexibility to your strategy.

3. Tyranid Warriors – Flexible and Versatile Units

Tyranid Warriors are one of the most versatile units in your army. These medium-sized creatures act as your army's backbone, supporting other units with their ranged firepower, leadership, and combat prowess. They are often the unit players use to fill gaps and provide extra support in key areas.

Key Features:

  • Versatile Weapon Options: Tyranid Warriors come with a wide range of weapon options, including the heavy venom cannon, deathspitter, and rending claws. This versatility allows them to fill many roles on the battlefield, from anti-armor to anti-infantry.
  • Synapse Creatures: They also serve as Synapse Creatures, which are critical for keeping the lesser Tyranid units in check. Their leadership helps prevent your army from falling into a state of "Instinctive Behavior" and losing coordination.
  • Mobility and Durability: Tyranid Warriors have decent toughness and wounds, making them durable enough to survive a few hits. Their movement allows them to keep up with your other units and act as a reliable support force.

For beginners, Tyranid Warriors are great because they give you flexibility. You can use them for a wide range of purposes, from holding the line to supporting other units with heavy firepower or psychic powers.

4. Hive Tyrant – The Tyranid Leader

No Tyranid army would be complete without a Hive Tyrant. This towering creature is a powerhouse on the battlefield, capable of leading your swarm while providing excellent fire support and combat abilities. While it is one of the more expensive units, it’s well worth the investment for the sheer power it brings to the table.

Key Features:

  • Commanding Presence: As a Synapse Creature, the Hive Tyrant keeps your army coordinated, preventing your lower-tier units from falling into chaos.
  • Strong Offensive Capabilities: Whether armed with a pair of monstrous boneswords or a heavy venom cannon, the Hive Tyrant is capable of laying waste to enemies in both close combat and at range.
  • Psychic Powers: The Hive Tyrant can access powerful psychic abilities that enhance its units or cripple enemies. This makes it a highly flexible and dangerous unit on the battlefield.

For beginners, the Hive Tyrant is essential as it brings synergy to the army. Its leadership abilities and psychic powers can turn the tide of battle in your favour, making it a must-have in your Tyranid army.

Conclusion: Building Your Tyranid Army

Tyranid armies rely heavily on synergy. The best way to start as a beginner is by focusing on core units that can complement each other. Termagants provide a solid foundation, while Hormagaunts can close the distance and engage enemies. Tyranid Warriors offer flexibility and support, while the Hive Tyrant and Genestealers add leadership, psychic power, and devastating close combat abilities.

Remember, Warhammer 40k is a game of strategy and tactics, so understanding how your units work together is key to success. Whether you're a newcomer or an experienced player, mastering these essential Tyranid units will give you a strong and competitive foundation for your army.

Ready to build your Tyranid army? Visit Card Brawlers today to get your hands on all the Warhammer 40k Tyranids you need to dominate the battlefield. Reach us at Second Floor, 7105 Saint-Denis St, Unit 202, Montreal, Quebec H2S 2S5, or call us at (514) 495-7758 for expert advice and top-quality products!

FAQs:

Q. What is the best starting unit for Tyranids in Warhammer 40K? 

A. The best starting unit is typically the Termagant, as they are cheap, numerous, and help create a solid foundation for your army.

Q. Do I need a Hive Tyrant in my army?

A. While not essential for every strategy, the Hive Tyrant is a powerful unit that offers leadership, psychic powers, and offensive capabilities. It’s a great addition for any Tyranid army.

Q. How do I use Genestealers effectively?

A. Genestealers excel at infiltrating enemy lines and engaging in close combat. Use them to disrupt enemy plans and target weaker units or key objectives.

Leave A Comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published