Tyranid Library: 6th Edition, part 1

I think we're finally at the point where there's enough netwisdom out there for Tyranids in 6th to start compiling a new Tyranid Library article.  This isn't all inclusive obviously - just a compilation of useful articles for the aspiring Tyranid general in 6th edition.  If you've seen other articles that you've found useful or insightful somewhere that you think other 'nid players would benefit from, by all means drop me an email or a comment below.  

Let's start with assault ranges - in case it isn't obvious, Tyranids are an assault army:  so here's a handy table that gauges the probability of failing charges, and most importantly:  how and when to re-roll.  Kudos to Plague Marine over on A Plague Spreads - pity he hasn't been consumed by the hivemind yet ;)

http://aplaguespreads.blogspot.com/2012/07/probability-of-failing-charges.html

Next up are the always excellent articles from Abusepuppy over on 3++ is the New Black.  Quite simply one of the best competitively-focused Tyranid authors out there, with tons to learn in each article, especially if you are a newer player to Tyranids.  He can assume a certain baseline level of knowledge though, so these are best read with the rulebook next to you if you are a newer player.

http://kirbysblog-ic.blogspot.com/2012/07/bugs-on-brain-tyranid-psychic-powers-in.html

http://kirbysblog-ic.blogspot.com/2012/07/tyranids-in-6e-part-2-head-and-body.html

http://kirbysblog-ic.blogspot.com/2012/08/tyranids-in-6e-part-3-best-of-best-of.html

http://kirbysblog-ic.blogspot.com/2012/08/tyranids-in-6th-part-4-cut-to-quick.html

http://kirbysblog-ic.blogspot.com/2012/07/tyranids-in-6th-part-1-something.html

Another Tyranid author to pay attention to is Fritz, from Fritz40k.  Fritz is an innovator, and experiments more than most; crucially he doesn't take netwisdom on any unit for granted.  The fact he's experimenting with Mawlocs here is just one great example; and IMO, a Tyranid 'rush' list built around mawlocs, ymgarl, and dual flyrants, maybe a doom is definitely a workable list in 6th - mawlocs still aren't great, but they're just the thing for those pesky clumped infantry and their aegis walls: 

http://www.fritz40k.com/2012/10/winning-40k-6th-edition-tyranid-build.html

Mike Brandt, over on Whiskey & 40k, has a soft spot for Tyranids and has been beating up on the NOVA crowd with a psychic choir list that he ultimately took to a 5-1 finish at Battle for Salvation.  It deserves mention here both as an example of a "prototypical" psychic choir list and some great play tips, but also because of the innovative Tyranid Psychic Power and Spawn Tracker.  This is a godsend, and an approach I will definitely be copying in every game/tournament going forward.  I'm a pretty big fan of his list too, as I've liked the Swarmlord+Parasite of Mortrex combo for a long time.

http://whiskey40k.blogspot.com/2012/10/bfs-quick-battle-recap.html

Gritts over on Anvil of War has a nifty article covering missions; terse and to the point, but a good read:

http://anvilofwar.blogspot.com/2012/08/tyranids-in-6th-part-3-of-7.html

No library article seems complete without a shoutout to hyvemynd over on Synaps3, and the reason for inclusion here is this list reflects the 6th edition need for bigger units to survive overwatch, and protecting your warlord:  http://synaps3.blogspot.com/2012/07/1850pts-food-for-thought-and-noming.html

As far as batreps go, jifel1 over on Knighthammer has been posting his latest list thoughts and batreps, piloting his nids to a very respectable finish at Beakycon.  Definitely worth reading as he faces some rough lists, and does a good job of capturing his thoughts and approaches:

http://knighthammer40k.blogspot.com/2012/10/beakycon-game-1-igcd.html

http://knighthammer40k.blogspot.com/2012/10/beakycon-game-2-scythewing.html

http://knighthammer40k.blogspot.com/2012/10/beakycon-game-3-green-tide.html

http://knighthammer40k.blogspot.com/2012/10/disclaimer-on-batreps-i-played-6-games.html

http://knighthammer40k.blogspot.com/2012/10/beaky-con-game-5-igspace-wolves.html

http://knighthammer40k.blogspot.com/2012/10/beakycon-game-6-vs-necrons.html

Slowly getting back in the hobby groove...  

Anti-Procrastination: Building a Light Box

"If you want to make an apple pie, you must first invent the universe" - Carl Sagan

The mindset behind that quote above seems to be a path I take far too often:  I set up pre-conditions, invent needs, and find things that need to be done first before I can start something.  Sadly I even do this with my hobby.  I always want to have the right tool, the right brush, the right material before tackling a project.  Take for instance my desire to post pics of my mighty blue and orange horde.  My gribblies have needed multiple repairs after NOVA 2011 (yeah you read that correctly), plus I need to add static grass/flock to their bases, get the inks and varnish out to add depth, and matte seal them to kill some of the shine.  While my painted hordelings are definitely not what I'd claim on eBay as "pro-painted" (admittedly that's probably a low bar for some, but I like to think I have some sense of honor) - I've definitely considered the pictures I've taken so far to be pretty crappy, and would make my median paint job look far worse than it actually is.  If I'm going to be judged, I'd prefer to be judged fairly - and the ability to take good photographs that duly represent the level of painting have been a pre-requisite.  Until today.