Hive Tyrants through the Ages

My first Tyrant.

As the brand new all plastic, tons of options Hive Tyrant was just released I thought I would do a brief history of the models.

1995. 2nd edition. I had and an assortment of  Tyranid warriors from Advanced Space Crusade, 50+ Genestealers from Space Hulk, a pair of heavy metal Screamer-Killers, and ten metal Termaguants. I was using the black and white Tyranid army list pamphlet that came with the second edition box set. Then the Codex that changed it all for me was set upon the world:

The Hive Tyrant was impressive, I bought two. I built and painted one in record time, the other languished in its box, and then was somehow lost. My Tyranid army of the time had a horrific red/blue color scheme except for the Genestealers, which had the dark blue/purple paint job from Space Hulk.

A battle in 1998 versus the future Mrs. Blackheart

A short six years and one edition later:

I really did like it's Queen-from-"Aliens" inspired look, although the body seemed too short for such a huge head. I managed to sell off all my old figs except for the Genestealers and my beloved Hive tyrant, and bought heavy into the new line of 'Nids. Hive Fleet Dagon sported a brand new paint job. A bit less tutti-fruiti, and more sci-fi horror.

Alas, the "Queen" Tyrant had a short run, for in 2005 came the biggest, meanest Tyrant yet.

To me, GW finally got the Hive Tyrant exactly right, and is still one of my favorite figs. They brought back the Bonesword and Lash Whip from the original, and the twin rows of "vents" along it's back. 

2009 and another new Codex, but no new Tyrant! I was not upset by this, but I did like the new HQ "characters" Swarmlord and Tyranid Prime. But no figs for them. Hmmmm.

In 2008 when we unpacked after we bought our house, I found a figure that had been lost in time and space.   

While no longer a contender to be Tyrant, it would make a fine Tyranid Prime...

Funny how things work out sometimes. 

In January of last year I felt the call of the Swarmlord. After a few failed tries to make Bonesabers out of various things, I found some metal ones on the interwebs. It turned into a hellish build. Trimming down the plastic arms to fit the metal swords and then pinning them to the plastic arms just right was quite the ordeal.

Then I worked on the head some, to better match the drawing in the Codex, and to be a bit different from the standard Tyrant head.

Some paint and ready to tear up the field.

Of course the Swarmlord is now in plastic. I may swap out the metal/plastic arms on my Swarmlord for the new plastic ones, I'll see once I get the new model. I am looking forward to adding a new Tyrant to the family photo, one with wings!

Big smiles!

Inquisitor Daphne and Company

I am so temped to make this the core of a Inquisitorial squad. But who is the Inquisitor? Fred? Velma? Or all they just Daphne's pawns?

Mystery Machine: Rhino or Chimera? I'm leaning towards Rhino. I can see a pair of storm bolters on top, and maybe a H/K missile mount towards the rear. Just thinking...

League: Battle Two

My lads get stuck in!

After a first round bye I was eager to see what my newly painted Orks could do. My army is a classic hammer&anvil force. Bikers, turkk boys, and the Warboss and nineteen of his closest friends in a Battlewagon provide the hammer, while lootas, a pair of Deff Dreds, and a 30 strong mob of shoota boys push the line forward. Sounds great in theory. Jeff's totally mobile Dark Eldar had a different opinion.

Like most battle plans it turned in to a big hand to hand mess in the center of the table. The Dark Eldar must have spent too much time at the party pits the night before because their dice rolling was terrible. The new paint job on the Lootas somehow drastically improved their aim. Raiders, Reavers, and a entire squad of warriors fell to the deffguns. In the end it was a massacre in favor of the Orks. 

And on the other table:

The Hive mind slammed into the Eldar lines like a living tidal wave. The scenario worked against Mrs. Blackheart, as a fair portion of her army showed up late to the party. Pete's army lost a bit of focus and failed to finish off the beleaguered Eldar.

Pete achieved a minor victory due the game coming to a halt on turn five, had it run more turn there may have not been any of the Craftworld's forces left on the table.

After two games:

Matt: 5 

Marcus: 5

Pete: 5

Jeff: 3

Gillian:2

Next battles will see the rampaging Orks versus the Eldar, and Tau firepower against the Tyranid horde. 

Battle One

 Our League launch day went well, only Battle One was played, but it was fun. Unfortunately I had "new camera" problems and only came up with one usable shot. I have since figured out what I did wrong.

Hive Fleet Tiamat squared off against the fell forces of the Dark Eldar. Pete's Tyranid swam is a classic throwback to the days the 'nids would just overwhelm their hapless foe. A game that went the distance, Jeff pulled out a minor victory for the Dark Eldar.

Matt's Tau took it to the Eldar. Gillian's Eldar could not slow down the Hammerheads or Broadside teams and her force was shot up before it could close. Massacre for Matt.

So at the end of One:

Matt     5
Jeff      3
Pete     2
Gillian 0
Marcus -

Mrs. Blackheart's Eldar are down but not out of this yet! Stay tuned as next time my Orks take the field vs. the very mobile Dark Eldar, and the Tyranids assault the Eldar.