Strongest Tyranids Detachments 'Tier List' - Best and Worst in Game?

Let's talk through the perhaps surprisingly well balanced Tyranids detachments and how they're getting on in game right now!
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0:00 Intro
0:28 Codex Tyranids Detachments
1:44 Lower Tier
2:24 Crusher Stampede
4:49 Assimilation Swarm
7:09 Higher Tier
7:54 Unending Swarm
11:09 Invasion Fleet
13:19 Synaptic Nexus
15:36 Vanguard Onslaught
18:58 Tournament High Placings by Play Rate
20:01 Outro

[@fruitzpunch7721]

Due to most of the Tyranid range being unavailable/overpriced (even more than usual) since the new stuff came out I will just continue to play Invasion Fleet I guess.

[@stickyfingas3245]

It’s like they’ve flat out gave up on producing some units. Can’t remember the last time the trygon was available for purchase

[@effindave6909]

Not counting the price of the printer I've printed close to 8k points of nids for about 200 bucks since the start of 10th edition. Yes it's expensive to get started but if you're serious about the hobby a 3d printer will pay for itself many times over very quickly.

[@GobrinSansOtherAccount]

Agrees in Admech on over priced.

[@nimric3348]

​@@effindave6909resin printing is so fast to and detailed honestly cheap too. Buy a 200$ printer and print a 2000 point army for 50$ Love games workshop games but I'm not buying any of their overpriced plastic. I'll buy books and data cards every day but unless your loaded you can't have a meaniful collection. A 2000 point army of real figures is like 700$.

[@AshenHawk96]

*THIS!* Such a damn pain trying to find any older minis that aren't twice the MSRP and/or require stripping paint or replacing missing parts. I want some Carnifexes, a Haruspex, and a Maleceptor. Instead I gotta settle for Leviathan stuff and the Norns.

[@Tortle-Man]

What I hate about this codex is how rules support is doled out. Instead of giving general army rules to ALL units and then stratagems and enhancements to specific ones per detachment, they made key words to give the buffs to only some units: this is stupid. They got it right with space marines where the army rule applies to ALL units even if the detachment focuses on one type. So they know better

[@mamneo2]

Incroyable.

[@revenant7734]

That’s for balance. Imagine if all Vanguard Onslaught strats could be used for any unit, rather than only Vanguard Invader units. It would be ridiculously OP.

[@viktorgabriel2554]

they tend to do this to Tyranids for some reason

[@viktorgabriel2554]

@@revenant7734 immagine if Space Marine Detatchments nerfed their commander so they could no longer lead units imagine if they only effected 4 units in the entire codex that have no synergy at all imagine if they gave you rules that only work if your enemy messes up this is not a fun way to play an army being punished for enjoying Tyranids this is the second edition we are getting shat on in a row last time all they had to do was fix our points but instead we just had half our rules removed from the codex less then 3 months after release there are many things that just dont work in our codex we want fixed yet we never will

[@gozolve]

Why did they not give every unit a detachment key word? So many can't use any strats

[@ConquererCraig]

If you know what your doing, Assimilation Swarm is NOT weak. It plays very different. It's not about damage output, it;s about stealing points and outlasting your opponent. Currently about 17-3 with it. Most of the games at RTTs (competitive Ones). Taking it to a GT next weekend. Hopefully I can show it's true strength.

[@jpick8245]

Please could you share your list, Im thinking of getting 3x3 pirovores (I only have 2 currently)

[@ConquererCraig]

@@jpick8245 look for me at Maelstrom Gaming Studios. I cover it there a lot. And yes I do you 3x3 Pyrovores

[@iant193]

I totally agree. Everyone and their dog love evaluating things based on the best strats (so for example, reading the Goonhammer review of nids codex, vanguard sounds like the most broken thing ever (not criticising that review, they wouldn’t have had play testing time), and players evaluate lists n the same way). Assimilation effects these weird units but actually buffs everything and in practise is really tough to beat. Dominate midboard, resurrecting zoanthropes and tyrant guard for counter punch

[@iant193]

I do think vanguard is good btw. My point is people just look for the most broken single rules and combos, and that’s not actually how the game is won. Those things can be played around (unless you just don’t explain them properly to your opponent then gotcha them, which is a whole different issue

[@viktorgabriel2554]

and i am 8 in 1 as Crushed stampede in the end its a dice game it just dose not feel right that you cant use the ability or stratagems if you opponent focuses all your harvesters its the restrictions that people dont like about it especially when the SM detachments let you play what ever you want no matter what units you bring

[@Captain0Newman]

The lack of availability for tyranids is really crazy. Theyre failing to monetize all the new enthusiasm for the faction after Leviathan... Imagine having a ton of new nid players... but they cannot buy the biggest coolest monsters? And xmas is around the corner... such idiocy

[@TheWonkster]

Set it up to email you when they come back, I've picked up several models, almost everyone I know is getting me good units for Christmas. No Haruspex though, which is sad.

[@effindave6909]

I've had very good luck with Vanguard Onslaught. I was doing the triple broodlord thing before it was cool. There's a solid chance to get 30 genestealers into your opponents front line turn one. Can really put em on the back foot. If you don't get first turn you just redeploy them.

[@goforitpainting]

Cool and useful as always. Now I'm painting the Leviathan box set and I really interested in the first match. 🦎

[@mamneo2]

Today I'll play my first match too! I have the Ultimate Starter Set. Have a fun game 👌

[@strigoi_guhlqueen8355]

Good luck ☺️

[@JoeHero40k]

I'd like to hear more faction breakdowns. This was good

[@zacharypurdue4584]

I've started having luck with Assimilation Swarm when I use the harvesters to essentially act as printers for my Zoanthropes and Tyrant Guard. Between getting several of those back per turn and inflicting damage I am pretty confident I will keep bringing this detachment (I do not have enough Vanguard to run that type of list)

[@TheFunLee]

No matter Crusher Stampede is bad or not They are still cool to play

[@andrewpollard9684]

no matter how nerfed the nids tank shock is its STILL FUN

[@40krooles]

You're better off running the same models just with synaptic nexus tho

[@dracomundos]

I've been having great fun with it in the crusade I've been playing. Sure it's lost a couple of games I could have optimized a bit better, but it's just fun to play!

[@theStamax]

@@40krooles Or Invasion Fleet really. Crusher Stampede isn't even good for the units it's supposed to be good for :/

[@Viewer41]

One thing I don't like about Synaptic Nexus is its detachment ability. In Nexus, you tend to take Malaceptors, Zoanthropes, Hive Tyrants and maybe Norn Emissarys. All of which have a 4+ invulnerable anyway. Then, the Zoanthropes give out 6+ invulnerable, meaning units in range of them are only going from 6+ to 5+. Then, the other two abilities are combat bases. Tyranids suck at combat overall, with very little to take down tanks or monsters. Meaning you need to use heavy shooting for that. Shooting units which don't need combat buffs.

[@thecasualwargamer5195]

In my experience, the problem with Crusher Stampede is that no one takes chaff (like Gaunts) to soak fire or harass enemy infantry and then they wonder why all their monsters are being shot off the table.

[@TheRealDeadRock]

To be fair, it doesn't say a lot for the detachment if it can't work without the one unit type it wasn't made for

[@killzorrkillsall1953]

love watching player use gaunts which do absolutely fucking nothing except get shot off the table

[@Gajaczek93]

I think the issue is that your detatchment rule is dependant on your opponent shooting your units to activate. It's like playing with no detatchment rule and if they shoot at chaff, you guessed it, you still play without detatchment rule.

[@return4887]

yeah this og comment is a nothing statement hes nothing no talent @@Gajaczek93

[@theStamax]

It's not just that. Yes that's part of it, but Crusher Stampede also just doesn't do enough for the units you wanna bring. The detachment rule for example isn't working for stuff like Carnifexes with Old One Eye (the carnifexes can never be below half strength). You can play an entire monster mash list in Invasion Fleet or Synaptic Nexus and just do better (as well as get better value out of the chaff you are suggesting).

[@wintertcw8579]

I really like playing the assimilation swarm which I find quite fun to play and sometimes it really can shine

[@SillyLegz]

Ran Crusher Stampede the other day and hoo boy was it fun. Viable, meta? Hell no, but certainly fun

[@MrAchilleez]

Planning on playing Unending Swarm because it’s fun to drown my enemies in bugs 🐛

[@timostegemann9738]

I played my xenomorph tyranids against custodes with this and it looked like that one scene in AvP. So cool

[@IceColdEmber]

"meh" "cool" "fire" 😎 fun seeing your lingo get updated. Makes me feel like a cool kid watching this video ❤

[@maxxieboy271]

I recently got ahold of the nids leviathan half, and an onslaught swarm box. Where should i go from here, especially given how dry nid stock is in australia? I found a list for a 1k point army for the onslaught box, so a broodlord might be a good get, but theres so many options!

[@Dewoy1]

Is it possible GW changes anything for Crusher Stampede to make their detachement rule a bit better? Its really a shame! Maybe a little refrasing would boost it here and there.

[@DMDuncan37]

Thank you I hope there will be adjustments in terms of detachments because for a first codex, the winrate is very average with the codex. Because the win rate before the codex was above average. In the end the detachments don't bring much, other than different but poorly balanced gameplay.

[@parzaius9]

Crusher Stampede's awful rules isn't even the biggest weakness of the 'all monsters' list. Every tyranid monster that costs more than 125 pts needs to drop by 20-60 pts each. They're all hilariously awful, both internally and compared against literally every other factions' tanks, monsters, dreadnaughts, and even just characters.

[@BigMan-cp4pi]

was thinking of tyranids for a second army, but i don't have any interest in horde, so I wanted crusher stampede to get some monsters. Maybe for casual games it doesnt matter?

[@Sippy8782]

Monster mash lists are fine for casual games in my experience. Competitively, you’ll get hard-stomped by some lists, and stomp some others in turn- not much middle ground.

[@theStamax]

Oh yeah, monster mash looks fun as hell. Although from everything I've researched, don't bother with Crusher Stampede. It's not even the best detachment for pure monster mash. You can of course try it a few times, but if you wanna have better success just play monster mash with synaptic nexus or invasion fleet. Both just better for pure monsters (as well as other units if you wanna bring something else sometimes).

[@BigMan-cp4pi]

@@Sippy8782 thanks

[@BigMan-cp4pi]

@@theStamax thanks

[@nicholasbritton8840]

I've been doing pretty well in casual with assimilation

[@jackfrozr6773]

Mind sharing your list? I am currently building a 1k assimilation army.

[@nicholasbritton8840]

@@jackfrozr6773 2k crusade (2015 points) Tyranids Strike Force (2000 points) Assimilation Swarm CHARACTERS Broodlord (90 points) • 1x Broodlord claws and talons Hive Tyrant (260 points) • Warlord • 1x Heavy venom cannon 1x Monstrous bonesword and lash whip • Enhancement: Parasitic Biomorphology Neurotyrant (115 points) • 1x Neurotyrant claws and lashes 1x Psychic scream • Enhancement: Biophagic Flow (Aura) Parasite of Mortrex (95 points) • 1x Barbed ovipositor 1x Clawed limbs • Enhancement: Instinctive Defence BATTLELINE Hormagaunts (65 points) • 10x Hormagaunt • 10x Hormagaunt talons OTHER DATASHEETS Barbgaunts (60 points) • 5x Barbgaunt • 5x Barblauncher 5x Chitinous claws and teeth Biovores (75 points) • 1x Chitin-barbed limbs 1x Spore Mine launcher Genestealers (170 points) • 10x Genestealer • 10x Genestealers claws and talons Haruspex (125 points) • 1x Grasping tongue 1x Ravenous maw 1x Shovelling claws Haruspex (125 points) • 1x Grasping tongue 1x Ravenous maw 1x Shovelling claws Lictor (60 points) • 1x Lictor claws and talons Neurogaunts (45 points) • 1x Neurogaunt Nodebeast • 1x Chitinous claws and teeth • 10x Neurogaunt • 10x Chitinous claws and teeth Neurogaunts (45 points) • 1x Neurogaunt Nodebeast • 1x Chitinous claws and teeth • 10x Neurogaunt • 10x Chitinous claws and teeth Neurolictor (65 points) • 1x Piercing claws and talons Psychophage (125 points) • 1x Psychoclastic torrent 1x Talons and betentacled maw Psychophage (125 points) • 1x Psychoclastic torrent 1x Talons and betentacled maw Psychophage (125 points) • 1x Psychoclastic torrent 1x Talons and betentacled maw Pyrovores (90 points) • 3x Pyrovore • 3x Chitin-barbed limbs 3x Flamespurt Ripper Swarms (20 points) • 1x Chitinous claws and teeth Ripper Swarms (20 points) • 1x Chitinous claws and teeth Ripper Swarms (20 points) • 1x Chitinous claws and teeth Tyrant Guard (95 points) • 3x Tyrant Guard • 3x Scything talons and rending claws Im still adding and cutting as I paint more, working towards switching out some of the units

[@jackfrozr6773]

@@nicholasbritton8840 Thank you for the list. Just wondering how impactful the Pyrovores are in your list? They are just out of my budget for me at the moment. This is a list I made the other day. ++ Army Roster (Xenos - Tyranids) [1,000pts] ++ + Configuration + Battle Size: 1. Incursion (1000 Point limit) Detachment: Assimilation Swarm Show/Hide Options: Legends are visible, Unaligned Forces are visible, Unaligned Fortifications are visible + Character + Hive Tyrant [235pts]: Monstrous Bonesword and Lash Whip, Heavy venom cannon Neurotyrant [105pts] + Infantry + Barbgaunts [60pts] . 5x Barbgaunt: 5x Biocannon, 5x Xenos Claws and Teeth Neurogaunts [45pts]: Neurogant Nodebeast . 10x Neurogaunt: 10x Xenos Claws and Teeth Von Ryan's Leapers [75pts] . 3x Von Ryan's Leaper: 3x Leaper's Talons + Swarm + Ripper Swarms [20pts]: Ripper Swarm Ripper Swarms [20pts]: Ripper Swarm Ripper Swarms [20pts]: Ripper Swarm + Monster + Psychophage [125pts] Psychophage [125pts] Screamer-killer [170pts] ++ Total: [1,000pts] ++

[@nicholasbritton8840]

@@jackfrozr6773 pyrovores are great, I'd run more if I could but £:pts ratio is so expensive. Really good for overwatch as unit of 3. Only downside is bad movement.

[@jackfrozr6773]

@@nicholasbritton8840 I wish they had added 1 or 2 inside the battleforce box, just couldn't justify myself to buy it at the current retail price.

[@Eisenhowitzer]

I’m still a noob but to help assimilation swarm what if they add harvester to hormagaunts

[@Luehr.Tiedemann]

I have a question about the Tyrant Guard an the Guardian Organism ability. Does only the character get the feel no pain or the the tyrant guards too? A friend of mine plays it like that.

[@gozolve]

It does pretty much nothing, only the tyrant gets the fnp. So it only really protects you from precision

[@user-qd8ws1wr9x]

Do the Onslaught Swarm box

[@Tharosthegreat]

The vanguard is soooo much fun to play!!

[@viktorgabriel2554]

they need to give Tervigon its hiding rule back for unending swarm and for the love of god let us pray they fix the enhancements. make Carnifaxes cost 85 to 95 points and make them battle line in Crusher and change the wording to equal and lower and you have fixed Crusher really well. Assimilation just has the issue if you dont have all the units for it its unplayable you cant use any of its ability unless you have the units for it so give a few more things harvester and you fix this thing like Neurogaunts that would be huge for them. i also hope they fix our missing weapons and abilities on Datacards give us our leaders back that where turned in to sargents Tyranid Prime is the worst sargent in the game as he gets nothing yet has to be brought in the unit if you want to have a unit of warriors lictor missing its invul large all but 1 leader creature not having a psychic weapon when the rules in the codex are designed for more of them having them

[@edwintung3192]

Hi guys, do you have a cool list for unending swarm in 1k

[@Akimbo411]

Crusher Stampede was just written wrong. More evidence that GW doesn’t test out their rules before throwing them out into the wild

[@RSMVreviewer]

Its a shame how weak Crusher Stampede is, in a lot of cases simply running a Nidzilla list as Invasion Fleet is better.

[@gozolve]

Needs a new book lol

[@RevanR]

Crusher Stampede is bad now?! Wow how the mighty have fallen

[@SWIFTO_SCYTHE]

Please ask your opponent to hurt but not kill your monsters. Your opponent can choose to buff your monster if they are dumb.

[@Kiljoyvahn]

This is what happens when the piece of shit that HATES Tyranids gets to fucking work on our codex AGAIN, such bullshit.

[@effindave6909]

I'm not sure that they are bad per say. They're just very much a skew list. Either you opponent has the weapon strength or ant-monster weapons to deal with them or they don't. If they do you're screwed. If they don't they're screwed.

[@superkamigoru]

​@effindave6909 but I can still play monster mash in the other detachments too

[@effindave6909]

@@superkamigoru very true.

[@Damnedlegion40k]

Add a comment...

[@CataclysmDM]

Yeah, crusher stampede seems... weak, to say the least. Poorly thought out, poorly written.

[@StarkMaximum]

It really feels like GW _forgot_ how their own rules work when they wrote it.

[@derekbrothers4674]

You stopped lol