All the reasons to play Tyranids in Warhammer 40k

Key findings

• Tyranids are a straightforward but powerful faction in
  40,000
  whose goal is to devour all the biomass in the galaxy.
• Tyranids are a great choice for new painters with their simple colour schemes and large model areas.
• Tyranids are a versatile and fun army, offering a mix of ranged and melee models for different strategies.

Warhammer40k is the largest tabletop war game in the world and is only getting bigger. With the high-profile release of Space Marines 2 and the increasing hype surrounding an Amazon TV deal, more people than ever are discovering the hobby. Warhammer40k is not just a board game, however; for many people, collecting, painting and even rebuilding the models can be just as important and entertaining as playing.

Choosing a first faction to collect can be daunting, as many great models are spread across numerous armies. One of the most iconic factions in 40,000 is that Tyranids. These giant space bugs are simple and to the point. They are essentially giant monsters with a single goal: to consume all the biomass in the galaxy. In the 10th edition of Warhammer40kThe Tyranids take centre stage, with fantastic new models and lore to match. For new hobbyists: There has never been a better time to raise a Tyranid army.

7 The tradition

Devouring the galaxy

While many factions in the Warhammer40k The sets have complex, often tragic backstories, but the Tyranids' only desire is food. Known as the Great Devourers, the Tyranids are a collective hive mind that consumes all the biomatter on a planet. This immaterial drive guides the Tyranids with a savage intelligence and is even present in the Warp.

They are one of the biggest threats in the Warhammer40k Universe, with tentacles invading the galaxy from every direction. Each Hive Fleet contains billions of Tyranid bioforms, and this could be just the beginning. There could be trillions of Tyranids waiting to invade the galaxy, meaning a never-ending apocalypse for every planet. Yet even among the Tyranids, each Hive Fleet has distinctive characteristics and goals. Rumor has it that Hive Fleet Tiamet builds strange structures, while Hive Fleet Leviathan is known for attacking key locations such as the planet Baal. Enemies of every faction in the area – Chaos, Ork, Human, or Tau – the Tyranids are an unstoppable force that continues to grow.

6 painting

Simple and entertaining

The Tyranids are one of the best factions in Warhammer40k for new painters. With simple colour schemes and large model areas, they offer new hobbyists the opportunity to learn and practice painting techniques that will help them improve quickly. As with many factions in the setting, there is no one-size-fits-all way to pay for a Tyranid army. Each hive fleet has a distinctive colour scheme, giving players the opportunity to be creative and use the established colour schemes or invent their own.

In the 1st issue of Warhammer40kthe Tyranids were depicted as large red monsters, while in the latest edition this has been changed to white and purple. Tyranids are fun and easy to paint and work very well with contrasting colours. While painting Tyranids can become a little tedious for some as many models can end up looking the same, a fully painted Tyranid army is a wonderful sight and looks great on both the tabletop and on the display shelf.

5 Gameplay

Diverse and entertaining

As one of the largest factions Warhammer40k 10th Edition, the Tyranids have received many new and updated models and are one of the first Codex releases of the current edition. On the tabletop, the Tyranids have a nice selection of ranged and melee models that are good against many different armies. However, they are primarily a melee army where strength in numbers is the best form of attack.

Although the Tyranids were not the strongest army in this edition of the game, they remain a threatening force. The rules and statistics of Warhammer40k are constantly changing; each update can radically change the pecking order of the factions. For new players, the Tyranids are an easy-to-play army that is great for learning the sometimes complex rules of Warhammer40k, and it is unlikely that it will ever slip too far down the list of the most powerful armies.

4 Model range

A horde of monsters

With the beginning Warhammer40k With 10th Edition and the rise of Hive Fleet Leviathan, the Tyranid model range has been significantly updated. For new and returning hobbyists, there has never been a better time to start collecting Tyranids. Their model range features everything from the smaller Hormagaunts and Termagants to larger models such as the Norn Emissary, Neurotyrant, Deathleaper and Screamer Killer.

The larger models make an excellent central element of an army and can be deadly on the table. The Tyranid model range is large and varied and includes some of the best sculpted models in modern Warhammer40k.

More than just a model series

As one of the most iconic enemies of the Warhammer40k Setting, the Tyranids are also in other Warhammer Media. Several books have been published about the Tyranids. The Devastation of Baal by Guy Haley shows the invasion of the Blood Angels' home system by the Hive Fleet Leviathan and the desperate defence of the Astartes against the overwhelming force.

Deathworlders by Victoria Hayward follows a group of Catachan jungle fighters on a last desperate mission on a dying world. The book describes the slow process by which the Tyranids consume all the biomass, destabilizing the planet in the process. In video games, Tyranid players have been treated to their best representation yet: Space Marines 2, where Lieutenant Titus defeats thousands of Tyranids on his mission of redemption.

A strong meme collection

As with every faction in Warhammer40kTyranids enjoy a strong online community. Various sites such as Facebook and Reddit allow new Tyranid players to discuss their favorite big bugs with like-minded hobbyists. Whether it's game tips, painting tips, or just fun discussions about the hobby, joining a community is a great way to find new, like-minded friends.

Players often share their latest paint jobs or conversions on these pages, which can be great inspiration for those new to the hobby. In addition, the community is a great way to keep up to date with any rumors or news surrounding the Tyranid faction or Warhammer as a whole.

1 Big hungry beetles

An iconic army to collect

From all Warhammer40k Of the factions, the Tyranids are the easiest to understand. There are no stories of betrayal, honor, or loyalty, no former empires, and no complex characters. These are voracious monsters from outside the galaxy whose only goal is devouring, and their fans love them for it.

If big, hungry monster bugs sound appealing, then this is the faction you should choose. The Tyranids may be simple creatures, but they can be some of the most entertaining. They offer simple but detailed models that are a lot of fun to paint, they have a wonderful range of miniatures that can be used against any army, and they have a fun online community. Tyranids are an icon of Warhammer40k, and one of the best factions to collect.