With the announcement of the new Codex: Tyranids and its accompanying Combat Patrol, everyone is preparing for the return of the Hive Mind. To get you inspired for all these skittering new releases, we’re sharing this jaw-dropping Tyranids army by Dave Weston (and Tyranids have a LOT of jaw to drop).
Dave: I’ve been addicted to fantasy miniatures since 1985 – although, like many, I started with Space Marines when Space Hulk first appeared.* At the time, I painted a lot but finished very little, and I quickly decided Genestealers weren’t for me, what with their extra arms and all. I drifted away from the hobby in 1997, returning in 2009 when my eldest son showed an interest… and naturally gravitated to the Tyranids. Oh, the horror!
I was amazed to discover that the new paints and shades made painting them pretty easy, and we set about adorning his Tyranids in blue (his favourite colour) and bone. I added the red planet base because I’d seen a display with something similar at a long-ago Golden Demon, and it had been burned into my mind since then.
I’ve now fallen in love with painting Tyranids – they’re so forgiving because they’re wholly unnatural. Nothing has to be perfect, because nothing in nature is perfect. You’re free to make mistakes, which makes them great for beginners. Even just basecoats and a shade can achieve decent results.**
In the 13 years that I've been painting my Hive Fleet – a splinter of Hive Fleet Gorgon that escaped the T’au Empire – my painting has improved a bit. So I've recently been updating my Tyranid Warriors and two Advanced Space Crusade*** Warriors that I kitbashed into Tyranid Primes. It’s amazing how well those models hold up with a few more recent parts added.
I also have some original Space Hulk Genestealers alongside the current models. I play around with their colour scheme to help differentiate between broods, which can be very handy in the heat of battle.
As my Hive Fleet grew, I eventually had enough models to join in Armies on Parade, something I could never have imagined when I first rejoined the hobby. I’ve added new elements to my Parade each year, to showcase my efforts over the preceding 12 months.
I also reconnected with my gaming buddies from high school, and we made pilgrimages to Warhammer World for Throne of Skulls and Grand Tournaments. I was lucky enough to get my army on the live stream!
So, despite my initial revulsion at the xenos, they’ve brought me great joy in all aspects of the hobby – and camaraderie with my fellow hobbyists.
Thanks, Dave! Start your own Tyranid army before the new codex comes out and grab this fearsome art print – once the Hive Mind sees it on your walls, it’s bound to eat you last.
* Explore Space Hulk yourself with the Black Library tie-in novel.
** See how simple it is to paint Tyranids with our step-by-step painting guide.
*** An old Warhammer board game that saw Space Marines Scouts fighting Tyranids in the fleshy interior of a bio-ship.