Tyranids (Warhammer 40,000)

Tyranids are the alien swarm faction of Warhammer 40,000: a devouring horde of living creatures that overwhelms opponents with numbers, speed and monstrous bio-weapons. They suit collectors who like big, organic sculpts, painters who want a forgiving army to finish, and players who enjoy putting many models on the table. A sensible start is a core of gaunts, a leader, and the Codex: Tyranids.

What are the Tyranids in Warhammer 40,000?

The Tyranids are extragalactic predators that arrive in vast hive fleets to consume every living world they find. They are not an empire in the usual sense. They are a single, hungry organism directed by the Hive Mind, and every creature is a specialised tool grown for one purpose.

That idea shapes the whole range. Small, cheap creatures are fodder, larger beasts are shock troops, and towering monstrous creatures anchor the army. If you are new to the wider game, our Warhammer 40,000 guide explains how armies, factions and the tabletop game fit together.

How do Tyranids play?

Tyranids are generally a swarm army. You field many bodies, push forward fast, and rely on volume and aggression rather than a few elite units. Most of the army is built for close combat, with a good supply of shooting and support creatures behind the front line.

Two ideas come up again and again:

• Synapse. Many Tyranid creatures work best when kept near larger, more intelligent creatures that channel the Hive Mind. Think about where your leaders stand.
• Infiltration and ambush. Genestealers and Lictors reach the enemy by unusual routes and strike from where they are not expected.

If you prefer a different style, the Ultramarines guide covers a disciplined, versatile army, while the World Eaters guide covers another aggressive close-combat force.

Where should I start a Tyranid army?

Begin with a troop core, one or two leaders, and the book. That gives you a playable force and a clear sense of how the army feels to build and paint.

1. The rulebook: Codex: Tyranids for the army's rules, lore and background.
2. A core of gaunts: Termagants for ranged fodder, or Hormagaunts for fast close-combat swarms.
3. An elite unit: Genestealers, among the most recognisable Tyranid models.
4. A leader: the Tyranid Prime with Lash Whip or the Tyranid Broodlord.

From there, add one large monster to give the army a centrepiece. If you are new to the hobby overall, our complete Warhammer buying guide helps you decide between games and factions.

Which Tyranid kits are worth knowing?

Troops and swarm units

• Termagants are the classic ranged gaunts and a natural first box.
• Hormagaunts are fast, leaping melee gaunts.
• Neurogaunts are gaunts tied closely to the Hive Mind's control over the swarm, useful for filling out a horde.
• Genestealers are quick, lethal infiltrators and a favourite with painters.
• Gargoyle Brood adds winged creatures that fly over obstacles.

Ambushers and infiltrators

• The Lictor is a stealthy hunter that scouts ahead of the main swarm.
• Deathleaper is a named Lictor with a fearsome reputation as an assassin.
• The Neurolictor is a variant hunter that disrupts enemy minds.
• Von Ryan's Leapers is a characterful, agile addition for players who like unusual units.

Leaders and characters

• Tyranid Warriors are elite bodyguards and synapse creatures that lead the lesser broods.
• Tyranid Prime with Lash Whip is a leader model that pairs well with a Warrior squad.
• Tyranid Broodlord is a Genestealer leader.
• The Swarmlord is the iconic named commander of the swarm.
• Parasite of Mortrex is a distinctive named character for collectors who enjoy the more eccentric corners of the range.

Support and monstrous creatures

• Hive Guard are living gun platforms that give the army dependable ranged support.
• The Biovore is a bio-artillery creature that lobs spores over the battlefield.
• Venomthropes are support creatures that surround the swarm in toxic spores.
• The Tyrannofex / Tervigon kit lets you build one of two large monsters, including the brood-mother that spawns more gaunts.
• The Norn Emissary is a large monstrous centrepiece in the Hive Mind's service.

How do I paint Tyranids?

Tyranids are one of the friendlier armies to paint at scale. A limited palette repeated across the whole swarm looks cohesive even when the models are only lightly detailed, and the organic shapes reward simple shading and highlights. Pick a hive fleet colour scheme, choose a contrasting colour for bone, claws and teeth, and apply it consistently to every kit.

If you are new to painting, start with our guide to how to start painting Warhammer miniatures. For help choosing what to buy, the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide explains the paint types and how they work together.

Batch painting works well here. Assemble and prime a whole box of gaunts, then paint every skin tone, then every claw, rather than finishing one model at a time.

What book do I need for Tyranids?

The Codex: Tyranids is the main army book. It covers the faction's background, its units and the ways to build and organise a Tyranid force. Read it before you buy beyond your first few boxes, so every kit you add has a role in the army. You will also need the core rules for the game, which are covered in our Warhammer 40,000 guide.

Tyranids FAQ

Are Tyranids good for beginners?

Yes, for many people. The models are dynamic, the painting approach is repeatable, and the first core boxes are easy to understand. The main challenge is the size of the swarm, which means more assembly and painting than some other armies.

What is the best first Tyranid box?

Genestealers or Termagants are the usual answers. Genestealers give you a standout unit with real character, while Termagants give you the backbone of a swarm and teach you the army's rhythm.

Do I need a lot of models to play Tyranids?

The faction leans towards larger model counts, so you will probably end up with more miniatures than a small elite army. You can still start small with a leader and a couple of troop boxes and grow from there.

Which Tyranid models are the most characterful?

The named characters stand out: The Swarmlord and Deathleaper are two of the best known, while Lictors and Genestealers are strong picks for painters who like menacing poses.

What armies are similar to Tyranids?

If you like the aggressive, overwhelming feel, the World Eaters are a close match. If you prefer a very different feel, such as precision shooting and mobility, the T'au Empire guide is a good contrast.

Does Universe TCG ship Tyranids abroad?

We ship worldwide from Spain, and you can also visit our shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia. Universe TCG is an independent hobby store and is not an official Games Workshop partner.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer 40,000
• Ultramarines (Warhammer 40,000)
• World Eaters (Warhammer 40,000)
• Adepta Sororitas (Warhammer 40,000)
• Thousand Sons (Warhammer 40,000)
• T'au Empire (Warhammer 40,000)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures