The Codex: Tyranids is finally available and we have the review you need to make sure your are getting the most out of this codex!
The Codex: Tyranids is 128 pages full of great lore and even better Stratagems, Warlord Traits, psychic powers, and bio-artifacts. The 7 Hive Fleets represented in this codex are all strong in their own right and have multiple options and combos that will suit anyone’s play style. Our very own Rob Baer has given us a review and a short tips and tactics break down of Codex: Tyranids so that you can know what you are going to find inside.
For our complete review, be sure to scroll down and press play on the full video below.
Codex: Tyranids is the eighth codex of the ten that were confirmed for this year. The layout is amazing and there is alot of new art and paint schemes for several lesser known hives. Sadly, there were no new models per se that were released with this codex. There were several new datasheets, including two new ways to field a Carnifex: a Thornback or Screamer-killers. What Nid players will find inside this codex are nice, competitive and playable rules that are quite fluffy. This codex will give players the options they have been wanting to take their Tyranid armies to the next level.
Amongst the many tips and tactics that Rob covers in his review are the new Screamer-killer and Thornback variants of the Carnifex. Screamerkillers come with 2 pairs of monstrous scything talons and bio-plasmic scream. That clocks them in at 118 points. They have the Living Battering Ram and Monstrous Brood rules. Their bio-plasmic scream is 18″ range, Assault D6, Strength 7, -4AP, 1 Damage. They are also Terrifying and enemies must add +1 to morale tests if they are within 8″. They have 5 attacks. Thornbacks come with 2 pairs of monstrous scything talons and 2 devourers with brain-leech worms that can be switched out. It also has the Thorned Battering Ram rule that is the same as Living Battering Ram except that when the hit infantry units, they D3 mortal wounds. Chitin Thorns ability – at the end of the Fight phase, roll a D6 for each enemy unit within 1″. On a 6+, they suffer mortal wounds. Vicious Hunter ability – enemy infantry units never gain a bonus to saving throws from cover against attacks made by a Thornback.
Be sure to check out the full review video below for more tips and tactics, of you can checkout our coverage from all week long.
Codex: Tyranids: $40
The Tyranids are unlike any other race to be encountered by Humanity. They are the ultimate predators; to them all living things, from the lowliest insect to the most advanced civilisation, are mere prey. Only now are the inhabitants of the galaxy realising the scale of the threat – unless the Tyranids can be stopped, it will mean nothing less than the extinction of all.
Codex: Tyranids contains a wealth of background and rules – the definitive book for Tyranids collectors. Within this 128-page hardback, you’ll find:
Background
– The Destroyer of Worlds: the origins of the Tyranids, from the first recorded appearance of their Hive Fleets to their seemingly-unstoppable advance throughout the galaxy, along with details of the manner in which their Hive Minds operate;
– Invasion Swarms: a step-by-step guide to a Tyranid invasion, from the vanguard organisms who seed initial terror through to the swarms of feeder organisms that ultimately strip entire worlds bare;
– Detailed background of the following Hive Fleets: Behemoth, Kraken and Leviathan, with dramatic recounting of famous battles and colour schemes for each;
– Tendrils of the Great Devourer: Information and colour schemes for a further 6 Hive Fleets – Jormungandr, Hydra, Gorgon, Kronos, Tiamet, and Ouroboris;
– A galactic map showing the currently-known major Tyranid incursions;
– Background and details on each character and unit available to a Tyranid army;
– A showcase of beautifully painted Citadel miniatures, with example armies featuring everything from individual images of models to battle scenes on terrain.Rules
Everything you need to get a Tyranid army primed for games of Warhammer 40,000 is in here:
– 39 datasheets containing rules for every Tyranid unit and miniature;
– Army abilities reflecting the Tyranids’ methods of war on the tabletop;
– Weapons of the Hive Fleets: wargear both ranged and close-combat for use by Tyranid Swarms;
– Points values for all miniatures, weapons and wargear for use in Matched Play games;
– The Shadow in the Warp: rules for Battle-forged armies, including:
– Hive Fleet Adaptations for the following 7 Hive Fleets: Behemoth, Kraken, Leviathan, Gorgon, Jormungandr, Hydra and Kronos;
– 6 unique Warlord Traits available for any Tyranid commander;
– 7 Warlord Traits specific to the above-named Hive Fleets;
– 28 unique Stratagems;
– Bio-artefacts of the Tyranids: a selection of 12 rare weapons, spawned by the Hive Mind to ensure the galaxy’s doom;
– Hive Mind Discipline: 6 psychic powers available to any Tyranids model with the Psyker keyword;
– 6 unique Tactical Objectives.
Datacards: Tyranids: $15
Designed to make it easier to keep track of Tactical Objectives, psychic powers and Stratagems in games of Warhammer 40,000, this set of 74 cards – each featuring artwork on the reverse – is an indispensable tool in the arsenal of any Tyranids gamer. Included:
– 7 psychic power cards – 6 from the Hive Mind discipline found in Codex: Tyranids, along with Smite;
– 28 Stratagems available to any Battle-forged Tyranids army as found in Codex: Tyranids including 6 which are Hive Fleet-specific, along with 3 Stratagems – Command Re-roll, Counter-Offensive and Insane Bravery – from the Warhammer 40,000 rules, available to any army;
– 36 Tactical Objectives, including the 6 specific Objectives from Codex: Tyranids.
The Codex: Tyranids is available now. Be sure to press play on our quick and dirty unboxing and review video below for the full review.
For more on this codex and all things Warhammer 40k, visit Games Workshop!
About the Author: Juan Lopez
