I like Tyranids but....

[Punktaku]

If I was to make a Bob fleet, I’d use no upgrades at all. No special characters. Just run of the mill models. Maybe a beige as the predominant color.

If you want to do a fast food themed one, I was thinking using store colors, but Wendy’s, Burger King, and McDonalds all use red and gold.

 

[Punktaku]

The idea of a fast-talking Tyranid shilling extra biomass to other hive fleets really cracks me up, for some reason.

 

[Biggle_Bear]

Well the main thing about Hive fleet Bob is that 'I hate that guy'. Obviously he is either the kind of jerk who suggests divvying up the solar systems, then breaks the rule by taking nibbles from other hives' territory. But anyone come near his then puts on the biggest hissy fit. Or he is kind of an embarrassment to the family.

Maybe the hive fleet has a derpy face on the front, or is misformed like Finding Nemo.

But I do like the idea of a mercenary hive fleet that sells biomass and is a gross organic red with familiar golden arches

 

[Zugg Zugg]

Well the main thing about Hive fleet Bob is that 'I hate that guy'. Obviously he is either the kind of jerk who suggests divvying up the solar systems, then breaks the rule by taking nibbles from other hives' territory. But anyone come near his then puts on the biggest hissy fit. Or he is kind of an embarrassment to the family.

Maybe the hive fleet has a derpy face on the front, or is misformed like Finding Nemo.

But I do like the idea of a mercenary hive fleet that sells biomass and is a gross organic red with familiar golden arches

Right, good jumping off point. What would make a hive fleet say "I hate that guy" about another hive fleet. In other words what would a Tyranid think a jerk is?

 

[Heart of Storm]

So, the counter too "Tyranids are dumb, why don't they just settle down and farm" is that the universe is enormous. Mind bogglingly huge. Tyranids are speculated to not have originated from this galaxy, so they're not even constrained by the vast amount of empty space between galaxies.

As such they have a near infinite number of potential worlds to consume. Farming, and working the land is something those who are constrained by the amount of resources they can access, Tyranids have no such constraint.

 

[trollmeat]

Scorched earth - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Biggle_Bear]

So, the counter too "Tyranids are dumb, why don't they just settle down and farm" is that the universe is enormous. Mind bogglingly huge. Tyranids are speculated to not have originated from this galaxy, so they're not even constrained by the vast amount of empty space between galaxies.

As such they have a near infinite number of potential worlds to consume. Farming, and working the land is something those who are constrained by the amount of resources they can access, Tyranids have no such constraint.

That, and any species that are left behind are of no benefit, but could be a future threat.

 

[Zugg Zugg]

So, the counter too "Tyranids are dumb, why don't they just settle down and farm" is that the universe is enormous. Mind bogglingly huge. Tyranids are speculated to not have originated from this galaxy, so they're not even constrained by the vast amount of empty space between galaxies.

As such they have a near infinite number of potential worlds to consume. Farming, and working the land is something those who are constrained by the amount of resources they can access, Tyranids have no such constraint.

So what you are saying is they are the Lovecraftian part of 40k.

 

[Biggle_Bear]

Right, good jumping off point. What would make a hive fleet say "I hate that guy" about another hive fleet. In other words what would a Tyranid think a jerk is?

I was watching a nature documentary ages ago. A lioness was attacked by 3 other lionesses from another pride. Her injuries were so bad that she was unable to hunt for herself. So her solution, which proved successful, was to follow the same lionesses about and scavenge from their kills.

How about a scavenger hive fleet? They follow another fleet and either sweep up the remains or even dart into the battle to steal food whilst it's cousin is too busy fighting, and offers no help.

Orrrr, it has a digestive deficiency and eats other tyranids because it is easier to digest. Perhaps when other tyranids are present it has no interest in fighting or consuming other species. Resulting in them sort of fighting along side other races.

 

[Zugg Zugg]

I was watching a nature documentary ages ago. A lioness was attacked by 3 other lionesses from another pride. Her injuries were so bad that she was unable to hunt for herself. So her solution, which proved successful, was to follow the same lionesses about and scavenge from their kills.

How about a scavenger hive fleet? They follow another fleet and either sweep up the remains or even dart into the battle to steal food whilst it's cousin is too busy fighting, and offers no help.

Orrrr, it has a digestive deficiency and eats other tyranids because it is easier to digest. Perhaps when other tyranids are present it has no interest in fighting or consuming other species. Resulting in them sort of fighting along side other races.

I could see that, but it probably means the only thing that hive fleet fights is other hive fleets

 

[Punktaku]

So what you are saying is they are the Lovecraftian part of 40k.

That’s a good idea. Instead of massed tyranids giving birth to The Great Devourer in the same way the Fall of the Eldar gave birth to Slaanesh, the Great Devourer is an Old One who created the Tyranids.

The rise of the Ruinous Powers in our galaxy caught its attention, like the buzzing of a mosquito. The (relatively) recent birth of Slaanesh made it glance our way, and then humanity went and turned on the Astronomicon, disturbing the peaceful darkness.

 

[Zugg Zugg]

That’s a good idea. Instead of massed tyranids giving birth to The Great Devourer in the same way the Fall of the Eldar gave birth to Slaanesh, the Great Devourer is an Old One who created the Tyranids.

The rise of the Ruinous Powers in our galaxy caught its attention, like the buzzing of a mosquito. The (relatively) recent birth of Slaanesh made it glance our way, and then humanity went and turned on the Astronomicon, disturbing the peaceful darkness.

Hmmmm, in 40k the old ones are written as the good guys. It would be a nice twist if the old ones were unspeakable nightmares that the necrotyr were willing to give up their flesh in order to defeat

 

[trollmeat]

There will be a new tyranid codex coming out, and there is speculation on more being revealed about their origins, design and destiny.

Some think that they could very well be revealed to be a creation of the old ones to purge the universe, or some new kind of god, but I am hoping that they keep it mysterious.

ps: the corpse emperor on his golden throne is the 7th chaos god, after Malal and Juice.

 

[Punktaku]

Maybe the Old Ones include the Slaan and were ok beings, but the Olde Ones are another story?

I thought that codex was out already? Someone on Instagram was posing with pics of themselves with their copy. I think it was katieplays40k or something similar. I guess maybe GW sent them an advance copy?

 

[Biggle_Bear]

I could see that, but it probably means the only thing that hive fleet fights is other hive fleets

Not really. I believe that if it doesn't hurt make it on the table it doesn't count. (Not to be mistaken for WYSIWYG)

So for the scavenger hive, I would focus on fast units and retreating scenarios. Make terrain based upon battles with Tyranids. Perhaps starting with objective markers. Gigantic carcasses as LoS blockers and corpse patches as difficult ground.

The cannibal hive would require a bit more game hacking but one could make a regular tyranid army and a couple of extra units painted differently to give to your opponent. Or make a back story like a rogue trader working along side them, being carried by the tyrant or with horrible mutant hybrids mixed in among the smaller creatures.