Week to 30 September 2025 (LGT and Challenger's Cup)

Highlights from the Hive Mind (TLDR)

• Tyranids are generally continuing to struggle with a 44% win rate, and just 3 event wins (but with a fairly-rounded 0.99 over-rep)
• Subterranean Assault remains our most played detachment, accounting for  48% of the player base.
• LGT was the biggest event of all time, with 1,085 players. 35 Hive Fleets descended on the UK capital, but sadly we failed to make the top 50. Our best performers were:
• Lee Page (Invasion Fleet, 4-1, 54/1085)
• Josh Ellmore (Subterranean Assault, 4-1, 148/1085)
• Other notable performances over the weekend were:
• Challenger Cup - Ryan Verbeck (Synaptic Nexus, 6-0, 2/528)
• Challenger Cup - Erik Lathouras (Invasion Fleet, 6-0, 16/528)
• Challenger Cup - Brian McAtee (Invasion Fleet, 5-1-0), 36/528)
• Challenger Cup - Sam Pope (Subterranean Assault, 5-1-0, 45/528)
• VI GT Madrid - Chejuan (Invasion Fleet, 5-0, 2/120)
• VI GT Madrid - Alvaro MB (Subterranean Assault, 5-0, 4/120)
• Obsec Presents: 10th Annual WATC - Brett Marshall (Subterranean Assault, 4-1-0, 9/120)
• South African Nationals - Orion Adams (Subterranean Assault, 4-1, 1/65)
• Grand Fanatic IV - Kalle Abrahamsson (Invasion Fleet, 5-0, 3/96)

Predatory Pulse

The predatory pulse of the Tyranids is somewhat tempered at the moment, with the Hive Mind clearly still evolving to the new meta. Results since the last Balanced Dataslate and MFM on 12th September, currently have our faction at a 44% win rate, with a 0.99 over-rep, and just three event wins.



90 Hive Fleets have seen competitive play, with a total of 440 battles. The Hive Mind is clearly focused on trying to overwhelm our enemies from below, as Subterranean Assault is our most played detachment (accounting for 48% of the player base). Our burrowing antics also continue to cause the most problems for our opponents, responsible for two out of three of our event wins and carrying a 1.56 over-rep.



It's also nice to see the stealth and speed contributing to the Hive Mind’s master plans, with an event win and a 3.23 over-rep for the Vanguard Onslaught detachment.

Our headline stats for the week, and cumulative since the last MFM are as follows:

 

Hive Fleet Hostilities 

This week the Hive Mind spread its tendrils across the globe, deploying Hive Fleets in London (UK), Salt Lake City (USA), Madrid (Spain), Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Slovenia, and Texas (USA). From swarms of gaunts flooding the field to towering monsters bringing overwhelming firepower, Tyranids adapted to every environment. Some broods struck podium glory, while others fought valiantly and carved out noteworthy performances against the galaxy’s strongest factions.

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London Grand Tournament — UK (1,085 players)

The London GT stood as the greatest Warhammer 40k battlefield of all time, with over 1,085 players drawn to the UK capital. For Tyranids, this was a test of endurance against the galaxy’s strongest factions. A total of 35 Hive Fleets were deployed in London, but the Hive Mind’s synaptic signals were faint here compared to elsewhere, with no broods managing to make the top 50. However, two synaptic nodes stood out with 4-1 results, and placing in the Top 150… certainly no mean feat at an event like LGT.

Noteworthy Performers

Lee Page (Invasion Fleet, 54/1085)

Sunday, Monday damage 3 Tuesday, Wednesday damage 3 Thursday Friday damage 3 Saturday, what a day, damage 3 for all of you! (2000pts)

Neuropathic Readings

At the largest event of the year, Vanguard Tactics’ Lee Page carried the Tyranid torch, blasting through early rounds with his Invasion Fleet “Damage 3” list and finishing as the Hive Mind’s top performer at the LGT. His monster gunline mirrored the Hive Mind’s brute-force firepower, blasting prey apart with 3 Exocrines, 2 Maleceptors and a unit of Zoanthropes and a Neurotyrant anchored into the synaptic web.

Hive Fleet composition

• 2 x Broodlords
• 1 x Hive Tyrant (Heavy Venom Cannon, Bonesword & Lash Whip)
• 1 x Neurotyrant
• 2 x 10 Hormagaunts
• 1 x Biovore
• 3 x Exocrines
• 2 x 10 Genestealers
• 2 x Lictors
• 2 x Maleceptors
• 1 x 6 Zoanthropes

Synapse Report

R1: vs Orks — 97–51 (W)

R2: vs Thousand Sons — 91–59 (W) 

R3: vs Chaos Daemons — 100–70 (W)

R4: vs Adeptus Custodes — 56–65 (L)

R5: vs Chaos Knights — 93–56 (W)

Josh Ellmore (Subterranean Assault, 148/1085)

They yearn for the mines (2000pts)

Neuropathic Readings

Josh similarly deserves recognition as one of the only Tyranid commanders to make headway at this enormous event. His Subterranean Assault list blended Raveners, Hive Guard, and Zoanthrope firepower to grind out 4 victories. Despite a round one loss to Aeldari (which I was slightly surprised to see given the detachment’s ability to play Eldar at their own game and out-manoeuvre them), Josh encapsulated the resilient and adaptive nature of the Hive to bounce-back and win the remainder of his games.

Hive Fleet composition

• 2 x 5 Hyperadapted Raveners
• 1 x Neurotyrant
• 1 x Swarmlord (Warlord)
• 1 x 10 Hormagaunts
• 1 x Biovore
• 1 x 6 Hive Guard (Shockcannons)
• 1 x Lictor
• 2 x Maleceptors
• 2 x 5 Raveners
• 1 x Tyrannofex (Rupture Cannon)
• 1 x 6 Zoanthropes

Synapse Report

R1: vs Aeldari — 52–94 (L)

R2: vs Adeptus Astartes — 99–59 (W)

R3: vs Chaos Knights — 82–71 (W)

R4: vs World Eaters — 65–62 (W)

R5: vs Necrons — 87–73 (W)

 

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Challenger Cup — Salt Lake City, USA (528 players)

Across the Atlantic, the Hive Mind burrowed deep into the heart of a 528-player supermajor. Here, Subterranean Assault detachments rose to prominence, forcing opponents to fight a war on every front as the swarm erupted from the shadows. But Invasion Fleet commanders also made their presence felt, pushing gaunts, monsters, and synapse creatures to the limit. However, one disruptive node really stood out… Ryan Verbeck, you have the Hive Mind’s attention!

Podium Placer

Ryan Verbeck (Synaptic Nexus, 2/528)

From the Dark Tunnels They Come (2000pts)

Neuropathic Readings

Now, this is an interesting one... Everything about this screams Subterranean Assault. From the unit compositions, to the foreshadowing title of the list itself. However, this was noted as a Synaptic Nexus list in BCP, and the enhancements taken on the Hive Tyrant and Neurotyrant point in the same direction. My instincts sense neural interference, and this looks like it wants to be played as a Subterranean Assault list, but if this was indeed Synaptic Nexus, then perhaps Ryan’s Hive Fleet is experimenting with an ingenious evolution of the Hive Mind.

Regardless, Ryan’s tunnelling brood put immense pressure on his oppoents, forcing constant reactive play. With Raveners striking from below and twin Norn Emissaries locking down the mid-board, his list mirrored the Hive Mind’s perfect strategy: strike everywhere, overwhelm, and never let the prey recover. Ryan’s brood went 5-0, securing 2^nd place at this huge event.

Hive Fleet composition

• 1 x Hive Tyrant (Synaptic Control)
• 2 x 5 Hyperadapted Raveners
• 1 x Neurotyrant (Power of the Hive Mind)
• 1 x 10 Hormagaunts
• 1 x Biovore
• 1 x Lictor
• 1 x Neurolictor
• 2 x Norn Emissaries
• 3 x 5 Raveners
• 1 x 6 Zoanthropes

Synapse Report

R1: vs Adeptus Astartes — 20–0 (W)

R2: vs Aeldari — 17–3 (W)

R3: vs Adeptus Astartes — 20–0 (W)

R4: vs Emperor’s Children — 20–0 (W)

R5: vs Genestealer Cult — 17–3 (W)

R6: vs Emperor’s Children — 20–0 (W)

Noteworthy Performers

Erik Lathouras (Invasion Fleet, 16/528)

Team Australia (1995pts)

Neuropathic Readings

It’s great to see a true swarm deployed by the Hive Mind once in a while. In this case, Erik’s gaunt carpet surged across the battlefield, drowning objectives in chitin while Maleceptors and synaptic lynchpins held down objectives.

Erik brought just shy of 150 models, and went undefeated across the 6 rounds, with the enemy clearly unable to cope with the unending swarm…

I suspect Erik’s back may feel similarly over-whelmed after this event!

Hive Fleet composition

• 1 x Deathleaper
• 1 x Neurotyrant (Warlord)
• 1 x Tervigon
• 1 x Winged Hive Tyrant (Perfectly Adapted)
• 1 x 20 Hormagaunts
• 3 x 10 Hormagaunts
• 4 x 20 Termagants (Spinefists & Stranglewebs)
• 1 x Biovore
• 1 x Lictor
• 2 x Maleceptors
• 2 x Neurolictors
• 1 x 3 Venomthropes

Synapse Report

R1: vs Death Guard — 20–0 (W)

R2: vs Adeptus Mechanicus — 17–3 (W)

R3: vs World Eaters — 16–4 (W)

R4: vs Orks — 18–2 (W)

R5: vs World Eaters — 15–5 (W)

R6: vs Death Guard — 16–4 (W)

Brian McAtee (Invasion Fleet, 36/528)

Squatters Rights (2000pts)

Neuropathic Readings

Brian battled to a strong undefeated run with one draw, finishing just outside the top brackets but nonetheless showcasing the raw power of the Hive Mind with triple Norn Emissaries. His brood forced opponents to weather a storm of claws and bio-cannons, embodying the relentless crushing pressure of the Invasion Fleet.

Hive Fleet composition

• 2 x Broodlords
• 1 x Deathleaper
• 1 x Hive Tyrant (Warlord, Adaptive Biology)
• 1 x Neurotyrant
• 1 x 10 Gargoyles
• 1 x Biovore
• 2 x 10 Genestealers
• 1 x Maleceptor
• 1 x Neurolictor
• 3 x Norn Emissaries

Synapse Report

R1: vs Drukhari — 13–7 (W)

R2: vs Death Guard — 18–2 (W)

R3: vs Blood Angels — 10–10 (D)

R4: vs Death Guard — 17–3 (W)

R5: vs Aeldari — 20–0 (W)

R6: vs Chaos Daemons — 14–6 (W)

Samuel Pope (Subterranean Assault, 45/528)

Snakefarm (2000pts)

Neuropathic Readings

Undefeated in battle points, tyranid veteran Sam Pope’s Subterranean Assault list fought a grinding campaign, pulling tight wins against heavy armour (including a hard-fought 11-9 win against Dustin Hammond’s Imperial Knights in Round 4) and grinding out a final-round draw against an Ork Horde. His brood echoed the Hive Mind’s patience and perseverance: striking with precision, holding ground, and weathering every storm.

Hive Fleet composition

• 1 x Swarmlord (Warlord)
• 1 x Neurotyrant (Tremor Senses)
• 1 x 5 Hyperadapted Raveners
• 1 x 10 Gargoyles
• 1 x Biovore
• 2 x Neurolictors
• 2 x 5 Raveners
• 1 x 6 Zoanthropes
• 1 x Haruspex
• 2 x Screamer-Killers
• 1 x Psychophage
• 1 x Norn Emissary

Synapse Report

R1: vs Chaos Daemons — 20–0 (W)

R2: vs Grey Knights — 13–7 (W)

R3: vs Chaos Knights — 14–6 (W)

R4: vs Imperial Knights — 11–9 (W)

R5: vs Astra Militarum — 11–9 (W)

R6: vs Orks — 10–10 (D)

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VI GT Madrid — Freak Wars, Spain (120 players, teams)

In Madrid, the Hive Fleets clashed at one of Spain’s biggest events. With monsters, Raveners, and Gargoyles flooding the field, Tyranids showed the diversity of their broods while battling through a brutal gauntlet of opponents. The Hive Mind was strong at this 120 player team event, securing 2^nd and 4^th in the player placings.

Podium Placer

Chejuan (Invasion Fleet, 2/120)

El líctor está de baja por depresión (2000pts)

Neuropathic Readings

A monster-heavy Invasion Fleet list that towered over the mid-board, with triple Exocrine and Tyrannofexes perfectly adapted for shredding armour in the continuing Knight-heavy meta. Chejuan’s list was the embodiment of the Hive Mind’s heavy-handed brutality.

Hive Fleet composition

• 1 x Hive Tyrant (Adaptive Biology)
• 1 x 5 Hyperadapted Raveners
• 3 x 10 Gargoyles
• 1 x Biovore
• 2 x Exocrines
• 2 x Haruspex
• 1 x Maleceptor
• 1 x Neurolictor
• 1 x 5 Raveners
• 2 x Tyrannofex (Rupture Cannons)

Synapse Report

R1: vs Necrons — 20–0 (W)

R2: vs Adeptus Astartes — 17-3 (W)

R3: vs Death Guard — 20–0 (W)

R4: vs Astra Militarum — 14-6 (W)

R5: vs Adeptus Custodes — 20-0 (W)

Noteworthy Performers

Álvaro Mb (Subterranean Assault, 4/120)

aiei (1995pts)

 Neuropathic Readings

Álvaro’s Raveners and disruption pieces struck from every angle, collapsing enemy battle plans with constant pressure. Opponents would have been kept busy trying to keep some brutal melee threats (in the form of a Swarmlord, a Trygon Prime, and even Old One Eye and a full Carnifex Brood) away from the back line, and it looks like the list served Álvaro well, with a solid 4-1 record to secure 4^th place.

 Hive Fleet composition

• 1 x Neurotyrant (Tremor Senses)
• 1 x Old One Eye
• 1 x Swarmlord
• 1 x Trygon Prime
• 1 x Biovore
• 2 x Carnifexes
• 1 x Haruspex
• 2 x Lictors
• 1 x Maleceptor
• 1 x Neurolictor
• 3 x 5 Raveners
• 1 x 6 Zoanthropes

 Synapse Report

R1: vs World Eaters — 11-9 (W)

R2: vs Imperial Knights — 18–2 (W)

R3: vs Death Guard— 19-1 (W)

R4: vs Dark Angels — 14-6 (W)

R5: vs Necrons — 11-9 (W)

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Obsec Presents: 10th Annual WATC — Australia (150 players)

Far from Europe and the US, the Hive Mind extended its tendrils into Australia. At WATC, Tyranids proved once more that even on distant battlefields, Subterranean Assault remains a deadly and competitive weapon.

Noteworthy Performer

Brett Marshall (Subterranean Assault, 9/120)

WA Way Away Team (2000pts)

Neuropathic Readings

Brett’s layered Subterranean Assault list blended early objective pressure with brutal monster counterattacks. A late draw kept him from the podium, but his performance reinforced the detachment’s strength: unpredictable deep strike threats combined with overwhelming board presence, and secured him 9^th place overall in the player placings at the 120 player teams event

Hive Fleet composition

• 1 x Neurotyrant
• 1 x Swarmlord
• 1 x Trygon Prime
• 1 x 10 Gargoyles
• 1 x 10 Hormagaunts
• 1 x Biovore
• 2 x 5 Genestealers
• 1 x 10 Neurogaunts
• 2 x Neurolictors
• 1 x Norn Emissary
• 2 x 5 Raveners
• 2 x Screamer-Killers
• 1 x 6 Zoanthropes

Synapse Report

R1: vs Death Giard — 19-1 (W)

R2: vs Dark Angels — 20-0 (W)

R3: vs Imperial Knights — 10-10 (D)

R4: vs T’au — 20-0 (W)

R5: vs Aeldari — 20-0 (W)

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South African Nationals — Johannesburg, South Africa (65 players)

In Johannesburg, the Hive Mind claimed a national title. Orion Adams rose above 65 contenders to plant the claws of Subterranean Assault firmly into the top spot.

Podium Placer

Orion Adams (Subterranean Assault, 1/65)

[Unnamed] (2000pts)

Neuropathic Readings

Orion’s list showcased balance and lethality, pairing tunnelling threats like the Trygon Prime with heavy artillery from Exocrines and a Tyrannofex. With synaptic support from Zoanthropes and a Norn Emissary anchoring the board, this brood adapted seamlessly to every foe, crushing opposition en route to a national championship.

Hive Fleet composition

• 1 x Neurotyrant
• 1 x Trygon Prime (Warlord)
• 1 x 10 Gargoyles
• 1 x Biovore
• 1 x 11 Neurogaunts
• 1 x Neurolictor
• 2 x 5 Raveners
• 1 x 6 Zoanthropes
• 2 x Exocrines
• 1 x Haruspex
• 1 x Maleceptor
• 1 x Norn Emissary
• 1 x Tyrannofex (Rupture Cannon)

Synapse Report

R1: vs Space Wolves — 66-63 (W)

R2: vs Tyranids — 63-50 (W)

R3: vs Adeptus Custodes — 88-45 (W)

R4: vs Astra Militarum — 74-72 (W)

R5: vs Votann — 74-94 (L)

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Grand Fanatic IV — Uppsala, Sweden (96 players)

Finally, in the frozen north, the Hive Mind unleashed its “Big Bugs Band.” At Uppsala’s Grand Fanatic, towering monsters dominated the table, reminding all that Tyranids are just as deadly when they bring overwhelming firepower as when they strike from below.

Podium Placer

Kalle Abrahamsson (Invasion Fleet, 3/96)

inte horde (1995pts)

Neuropathic Readings

Kalle’s “Big Bugs Band” drowned opponents under psychic storms and bio-plasma. With Exocrines shredding lines, Maleceptors locking down psychic dominance, and a Norn Emissary ruling the centre, this brood played like the Hive Mind’s orchestra — every monstrous note in perfect harmony. Kalle exemplified the Hive Mind’s dominance, with a 5-0 record, picking up 3^rd place in the player placings in this 96 player teams event. There was clearly some disruption in the warp too, which resulted in a clash between two tyranid hive fleets. Kalle’s brood clearly had the favour of the Hive Mind though, with a 20-0 victory.

Hive Fleet composition

• 1 x Broodlord
• 1 x Hive Tyrant (Adaptive Biology)
• 1 x 10 Gargoyles
• 1 x Biovore
• 3 x Exocrines
• 1 x 10 Genestealers
• 2 x Lictors
• 3 x Maleceptors
• 1 x Neurolictor
• 1 x Norn Emissary
• 1 x Pyrovore

Synapse Report

R1: vs Adeptus Sororitas — 18-2 (W)

R2: vs Adeptus Mechanicus — 20–0 (W)

R3: vs Thousand Sons — 17-3 (W)

R4: vs Tyranids — 20-0 (W)

R5: vs Chaos Knights — 18-2 (W)

 

Musings on the Meta

Early signals are showing the Meta has evolved significantly since the last Slate and MFM (and the arrival of the Imperial Knights codex). The dominance of Chaos Knights, Imperial Knights and Death Guard thankfully seems to be receding (with win rates of 48%, 45% and 49%)  - which is good for Tyranids, as there wasn’t much biomass of interest to be claimed there.

Instead, we’ve seen Adeptus Mechanicus and Adeptus Sororitas rise to the top, with each boasting a 59% win rate, and brutal over-reps of 2.79 and 2.53 respectively. Sadly this mirrors the experience of the Hive Mind, with our broods averaging a 20% win rate against the Sisters of Battle (and an average negative score differential of 28 points) and a 16.7% win rate against AdMech (with an average negative score differential of 21 points).

Aeldari continue to perform strongly, and remain at the top of the Meta, with our faction posting a 47.1% win rate and an average score differential of 7 points. It makes a lot of sense to me that we perform well into Eldar comparatively, with the movement flexibility of Subterranean Assault and Vanguard Onslaught being more than capable of beating the elves at their own game.

Orks are also a faction that the Hive Mind is keeping tabs on. With the resurgence of the Prophet of the Waaagh, Ghazghkull Thraka, the xenos have leaped to a 54% win rate (and a 2.31 over-rep). Generally, our Hive Fleets fare pretty well into orks,but our currently win rates have dipped to about 40% (with closely fought battles and an average score differential of just 7 points).

 

Closing Thoughts of the Hive Mind

This week showed the full spectrum of Tyranid competitive play. At the London GT, the Hive Mind was checked, though Lee Page and Josh Ellmore both performed strongly for the faction with strong 4–1 records at the largest Warhammer 40k event of all time. 

Meanwhile, Hive Fleets surged elsewhere: Ryan Verbeck’s 2nd place at the Challenger Cup, Chejuan and Álvaro Mb’s success in Madrid and Kalle Abrahamsson’s podium placing in Sweden.

Alongside them, Brian McAtee, Erik Lathouras, Samuel Pope and Brett Marshall all delivered noteworthy performances — further proof of the Hive Mind’s resilience.

Whilst the faction may be struggling to deliver reliable results in the current meta, across continents, detachments from Subterranean Assault to Invasion Fleet continue to find success, demonstrating dominance can be found in the hands of a skilled pilot.

The Hive Mind adapts.
The Hive Mind evolves.
And above all — the Hive Mind devours.

Adapt to the Meta | Evolve your Gameplay | Devour the Competition