The Tyranids are the most ruthless faction inWarhammer 40,000, and that’s saying something. A galaxy-spanning Hive Mind directs a swarm of creatures that numbers in the trillions, and their only purpose is to devour everything in their path. From unending hordes of Termagants to towering Tervigons, the approach of the Tyranids is cause for fear even among the most stalwart of the galaxy’s peoples.
Related:Warhammer 40k: The Tyranids, Explained
If you want to build, paint, and play an army that’s completely unique from anything else in Warhammer, you can’t do much better than the Tyranids. Get your collection started with these essential kits!
All official Warhammer model kits are unpainted and require assembly, so your models may end up looking different from the ones shown below.
Termagant Brood
Termagants are by far the most numerous of all the Tyranid variants, and most armies field several squads of them. Unlike more focused armies, it’s not uncommon to see a Tyranid force with as many Termagants as can legally be fit onto the roster - they may not be strong, but only the Orks and theAstra Militarumcome close in terms ofraw numbers!
Each kit contains enough parts to buildtwelve Termagantswith a variety of head and mutation options. It also includes a singleRipper Swarm- since you’re likely to collect several of these kits as you build your army, those Rippers can be grouped together to form an extra unit on the field!
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Hive Tyrant
Most Warhammer armies start out with a modestly powerful hero to lead them, saving both in-game points and real-world money as the collection gets started. The Tyranids, on the other hand, bring their heaviest hitters to every match. The Hive Tyrant is the dominant organism in a Tyranid Swarm, and an apex predator to boot!
A Hive Tyrant is one of themost customizable models in the game, both in terms of constructing the figure and choosing its loadout. The kit even includes both a winged and ground-based variant, so you may make your swarm’s leader exactly the way you want it!
Each model kit contains enough parts to buildone Hive Tyrant, with or without wings. The non-winged version can also be assembled as the Swarmlord, the most infamously deadly specimen of this form of Tyranid in all the galaxy.
Genestealer Brood
Genestealers are among the most iconic creatures in the 40k universe, and have been lethal threats to even the mightySpace Marinessince the game’s earliest days. Each Genestealer can makeseveral close-combat attacks in a turn, and their razor-sharp claws can rip through armor, so a unit charged by these multi-limbed menaces won’t be on the table for much longer.
Each model kit contains enough parts to buildeight Genestealers, with a variety of optional parts to represent mutations and enhancements.
Related:The Best T’au Empire Model Kits For Warhammer 40k
Gargoyle Brood
If covering the entire surface of the battlefield with swarms of Termagants wasn’t enough, you can fill the skies as well with Gargoyles! These winged creatures can be used one of two ways. One is to deploy them at the start of the game andrush forward to engage the enemy early, buying the rest of your swarm time to advance. The other is to hold them in reserve and have themswoop out of the skywhere they’re least expected.
Each model kit contains enough parts to buildten Gargoyles, along with transparent plastic bases to simulate flight. We recommend building and painting the figures first, before attaching them to the bases.
Tervigon / Tyrannofex
Tyranids are just as infamous for their giant monsters as for their unending hordes of smaller creatures. Whether you’re looking to support your swarm or want to build a big, stompy “Nidzilla” army, a Tervigon or Tyrannofex makes a great starting point.
The Tyrannofex (right) is essentially awalking artillery platform. Like most units in the game that fill such a role, it can be equipped with several weapon choices - in this case, a massive fleshborer or a rupture cannon.
The Tervigon, on the other hand, is a staple in swarm builds, as it canspawn even more units of Termagantsover the course of the game. You may not win every game with a Tervigon on the table -dice are fickle things, after all- but you’ll probably never lose by having your entire army destroyed!
Each model kit contains enough parts to buildeither a single Tyrannofex or a single Tervigon, with all the associated optional parts for each.
Carnifex Brood
The original giant Tyranid monster, the Carnifex has been a key part of the faction for decades now. Back in the day, they had to be fielded one at a time, but the modern Carnifex can be deployed as a brood. If one implacable killing machine is good, then more is better!
Similar in power to the Hive Tyrant, each Carnifex can be assembled and fielded witha wide range of mutations, weapons, and enhancements, making them a flexible force. However you build them, rest assured that a Carnifex Brood can handle almost anything your opponent throws at them!
Each model kit contains enough parts to buildtwo Carnifex figures, one of which can optionally be assembled as the supposedly-unkillable Old One-Eye. Carnifex Broods can be assembled and deployed as a number of different subspecies, the parts for all of which are in the kit. We recommend consultingCodex: Tyranidsto decide on a build before you glue anything together.
