Word Bearers vs Tyranids, 29.10.2025

A short 1000 points tutorial-ish game using simplified mission rules. I dusted off the Word Bearers against the Leviathan-box spawned Tyranid Invasion Fleet. I took my time explaining the rules and also answer the questions of friendly spectators, so less pictures than usual. But here's how it went down.

The Tyranids had first turn and advanced cautiously behind cover. I zoomed up my Rhinos behind cover towards the objectives and braced. Cultists and Legionaries hiding from the venom cannon behind the top left ruin.

Gants assaulted the Rubricae rhino but blocked off the heavier monsters from engaging. On my turn, I had the Rubric marines disembark, flame the Screamer Killer for a couple of wounds, then charge and kill the Termagants. I firmly held the objective.

On the other flank, Termagants also assaulted the Khorne Rhino. I had the Chosen disembark and assault the Leapers that had infiltrated on the objective, with the Cultists and Legionaries taking care of the assaulting Gants. Raptors deep strike in my own zone with nothing specific to do.

Somewhere during round 2 or 3 I lost count of my own points, but it was pretty clear I was in the lead. The monsters assaulted my Rubricae, but I managed to block the Hive Tyrant from attacking and survived the Screamer Killer with 3 marines. They got back into their Rhino and drove away.

On the other flank, the Neurotyrant and Psychophage did a number on the Chosen with their D2 torrent weapons, but they were less successful in the assault phase, and I cleaned house.

Barbgaunts one shot the Cultists squad, which was about what I expected.

Then I advanced the Chosen forward and killed the Gants and Rippers guarding the back field objective, holding 4 and solidifying my victory. With the Barbgaunts holding the far left objective, the monsters ran forth to assault whatever I had left, with both doing great work. The Screamer Killer flipped a Rhino in one go, and the Tyrant killed 8 out of 9 Legionaries, taking no damage in return. 

But that wasn't enough to take the objectives, and the cowardly Raptors jumped out of cover to plasma the Screamer Killer to death, then fly on the center objective and steal it back from the Tyrant.

Word Bearers won by an unspecified amount of points.

Overall the game was fun, although drawn out due to all the explanations. We talked about the importance of screening, placing heavy hitters where they can actually reach the enemy, stratagems and other points.