Warhammer 40k Tyranid Tactics

In Tyranid Tactics I will be studying tactics of the Tyranids in the Warhammer 40000 universe. These pages are written with the expectation that you own a copy of rules book, a copy of the Tyranid Codex, and have read them. Having played a few games will help too.

The Tyranid Codex gives the Tyranid army huge amounts of flexibility. You can design your force to suit the style of play that you enjoy most. The cost of this flexibility is the need to spend time and adapt your models to reflect the special abilities that model has.

Changes from 2005 to 2010 Tyranid Codex

For those that know the previous codex will find that close combat monstrous creatures have gone up in points to account for the "Run!" rule that allows then to dash across the gaming table at double speed (OK 1.5 times speed)! Shooting weapons have been discounted accordingly.
Following the lead started with other Codices (Codex's) the points costs for models now includes all the basic requirements that the model needs to play. An example of this is the Hive Tyrant. The Hive Tyrant entry now includes close combat weapons, Toxin Sac, Adrenal Gland and psychic power upgrades included in the basic price.

The following chapters examines each of the force organization options available.

• Tyranid HQ Tactics
  
  In this section we willlook at the Tyranid HQ choices and the Tyranid HQ tactics
• Tyranid Elite Tactics
  
  In this section we will look at the Tyranid Elite choices and their tactics.
• Tyranid Troop Tactics
  
  This this section we will look at the Broods of the Tyranid troop choices and the Tyranid brood tactics
• Tyranid Fast Attack Tactics
  
  In this section we will look at the Tyranid army fast attack options and their tactics.
• Tyranid Heavy Support Tactics
  
  In this section we will look at the Tyranid Heavy Support options, and their tactics.
• Genestealer Cults
  
  The Tyranid army is a 'spin off' of the origanal army called 'Genestealer Clults' that was part of the Space Hulk rules. The Genestealer cult is no longer an 'official' army, but as it is still a favorate of mine, what I have is here!
• Tyranid Gallery
  
  Gallery of Warhammer 40k Tyranid Pics

General Tyranid Tactics

Ok, now we will have a look at some simple tactics for Tyranids.

Tyranids as an Assault Army

The Tyranid army is probably the most assault specialised army in the game.  Assault armies are devastating close up, but generally to not have much in the way of ranged weapons. This means that you will have to run the enemy's guns until you get in to close combat.

There are several ways to do this. One is that you have so many troops that your opponent just cannot shoot them all, another is that you use sneaky tactics like infiltration and deep strike, to start closer.

Always try to use the cover available to minimise your casualties.

Tyranids as a Deep stike Army

The Tyranids have more deep strike capabilities than most armies. This comes in several forms, but the effect is the same. Deep Strike comes in the form of Deep striking from winged creatures, or tunnelling from tunnelling creatures, and then other creatures can drop in by mytric spore!

> Also see Sneaky Tactics.

The Tyranid Hive Mind

One of the core Tyranid features / characteristics, is the 'Hive Mind'. Basically the HQ creatures are needed to keep order in the ranks, or the smaller creatures start following their own instinctive actions.

The problem with instinctive behavior is that it is predictable. Your opponent will know what your forces will do and use this to their advantage.