Question

[mcclelland46]

Just a quick question. And just to start sorry if I come off as a tool.

I haven't played w40k since I joined the Navy which was 4 years ago and it seems like there are a ton of new pieces for this army.
Part of my old army is the Hive Tyrant, Lictor, Carnifex and many others that seem to have updated.

In short, can I play my older army pieces still? It doesn't seem like the genies or the gaunts have changed but I can't really tell.

I just ordered the new codex but...is there an explanation on what to do and what not to do with older pieces? I just want to avoid forking out a ton of money.

Help?

btw, I did run a search and just couldn't find anything like this. Sorry if I missed it.

[Architech]

There's nothing specific to answer this question. Lictors, tyrants, carnifexes and most other models are still in existence from the previous dex. They added many new toys...and made a lot of the stuff from the old dex usable.

In general consensus carnifexes are worse, but other things are very good to 'make up for it' as big creatures.

So yes you may use old models...but you might find that certain biomorphs are slightly different. I think though most old models can transition well...as long as you use rules in the new dex

But you'll happily note that this is a MUCH better codex with a near 100% usable unit listing (pyrovore gets some bad press). Unless you loved carnifexes way too much, or were hoping for lictors to be good...you'll be happy

[scythes]

You might have to change a few arms and such, but you can use old models with the new dex. It gives your army a bit of flavor having models not everyone else has. I made my swarmlord out of an older tyrant but I also have a winged tyrant and walking tyrant made from the new ones.

Welcome back to the hive mind.

[mcclelland46]

sweet, I really appreciate the responses.
Once I get the codex I'll have a better idea of what I'll need to do. I was more worried about the hive tyrant then anything. pretty pricey piece. Although I do want to get a new one eventually to make a winged piece like you said.

I just got worried when I saw all the new models. Atleast gw didn't change the space marines. Although I guess i'll need the new codex for that too. But my biggest worry is the nids. I can't wait to start playing again.

Thanks a bunch guys.

[Architech]

just to put it in perspective...back in 4th ed nids...I made an awesome flying tyrant with 4 scything talons. The rules for talons are different than they were...and perhaps I would take a mildly different set up...but it's still a good build

[mcclelland46]

I know mine had a set of scything talons and one of the bio weapons. I just can't remember. I built most of my pieces around 2004 so it was one of those at that time. Looking at GW website in the "bits" section they don't look different. I think its the venom cannon.
I'm headed back to my hometown to pick everything up next weekend so I can't wait to look into all of them with the new codex in hand.

[scythes]

I made a pretty nice dual talon flying tyrant as well, little different with talons on the ends of the wings cuz the wings were in the top arm socket. He's one of my favorite conversions, I never seem to magnetize, so if I want different builds I just buy more, why I have three tyrants now.

[tyraniduser287]

of course alot of people look into geting older units to make their tyranid army mor diverse from the rest i have a few older units in my army as well

[mcclelland46]

what about the previous generation of genestealers? I'm not about to spend 30 bucks for just EIGHT genestealers, when I have 50 of the previous ones.
They pretty much look exactly the same in concept but just different detail here and there.
Is there not a rule somewhere in 40k about using previous gen models? I would hate to show up to a game and some dude decline a battle because of my models being 10 years old lol.

[Shining Finger]

The old Genestealers are the bald standard Genestealers without any upgrades. Yes you can use them. It's just that the new ones come with optional scything talons and biomorph heads. Stuff you don't really need...

[mcclelland46]

The old Genestealers are the bald standard Genestealers without any upgrades. Yes you can use them. It's just that the new ones come with optional scything talons and biomorph heads. Stuff you don't really need...

awesome! I'll stick to 50 upgradeless Genestealers. Although a broodlord definitely seems like a pickup I might want to get. I just got the new codex today so my eyes have been opened big time. Kinda sad there is nothing in here about the Red Terror. Thanks for all the comments guys.

[Shining Finger]

We all miss the Red Terror

You can stick the adrenal glands from your gaunts kit on your stealers for extra strength.
And when you play against another nids army, you might find that your smaller Carnifex is easier to get into cover than the other guy's big new one. Just tell him that his carnifex also get better view for being bigger, so it's fair. Lololol

[mcclelland46]

We all miss the Red Terror

You can stick the adrenal glands from your gaunts kit on your stealers for extra strength.
And when you play against another nids army, you might find that your smaller Carnifex is easier to get into cover than the other guy's big new one. Just tell him that his carnifex also get better view for being bigger, so it's fair. Lololol

lol I like those ideas. I can't wait to play again. I picked up a death leaper (which sounds pretty neat, thoughts?) and a new Hive Tyrant with a set of wings to throw on him. Very excited to be back in the mix of 40k.

[Also building a Blood Angel army which I've wanted to do for years...finally have some money lol]

[Shining Finger]

I don't use death leaper because I got 3 old Lictors to annoy heavy support troops hiding at the back. Let us know how effective he is

A winged tyrant? Nice! Did you get it from forgeworld? It's probably the best tank hunter in the Tyranids list. Mine rarely survive turn 2 though. Hahaha...

[mcclelland46]

yeah I gotta see how the lictors will work in battle without being able to move or assualt after they show up. I guess atleast they will draw a lot of attention away from the main force but still, kinda sucks. And if they pop up in cover, hopefully they can survive to the next round to get a chance at assaulting.

[Architech]

If you thought lictors were: Great, good, meh, bad or abysmal in the previous codex....subtract one level from your previous opinion and that's the current version...basically

[Sybrite]

subtract one level from your previous opinion and that's the current version...basically

^that's still pretty optimistic in my opinion

[Beeva]

I find they can have their uses. They're pretty good at harrowing light armour or heavy support. Pop them up behind cover and they can usually do something. There are much better things in the codex though.

[Shining Finger]

I also got 6 old Raveners with rending claws. I rely on the Lictors' pheromone trail so they deepstrike accurately. They also can't do anything on the turn they show up =/

Maybe they should just deploy with the rest of the force...

[Sybrite]

as the fastest unit in the tyranid codex, raveners do well when just deployed with the rest of the army.
just be sure to start a few little guys in front of them for the coversaves before they move.
I've always like giving raveners a thorax gun which works pretty well when you deepstrike them in the midst of a heavy weapon team (previously it was just the devourer, but current codex all of the gun options seem viable) kinda pricey which is a shame since the brood size was changed from 1-6 to 3-9.