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What’s in the Tyranids Combat Patrol?
The current Tyranids Combat Patrol is Combat Patrol: Tyranid Assault Brood, announced by Games Workshop in July 2025 and released later that year. It’s a vanguard force rather than a horde: a pack of Genestealers, armoured Tyrant Guard and living artillery, led by a horrible flying bioform. Here’s what you get:
- 1x Parasite of Mortrex: your leader, a winged bioform that swoops down and plants larval Rippers in its victims. It’s fast, hard to pin down and very good at picking fights with infantry.
- 10x Genestealers: fast, deadly melee predators and the main damage dealers in the box.
- 3x Tyrant Guard: heavily armoured living shields with brutal close-combat weapons. They can also be built as Hive Guard.
- 1x Biovore: living artillery that lobs Spore Mines across the battlefield. It can also be built as a flame-spewing Pyrovore.
- 3x Spore Mines: floating bio-bombs that come with the Biovore.
That’s 18 models, counting the Spore Mines. For Combat Patrol games, build the Tyrant Guard and the Biovore, as those are the versions the Combat Patrol datasheets use.
Previous box
The earlier Tyranids Combat Patrol, the Vardenghast Swarm, is a very different force. It has a Winged Tyranid Prime, 20 Termagants in two units of ten, 5 Barbgaunts, 3 Von Ryan’s Leapers and a Psychophage: 30 models in all. If you own it, you’re not left out. At the time of writing, the Vardenghast Swarm is one of the forces supported in the Warhammer 40,000 app’s Combat Patrol section, with its own rules and mission.
Which Rules Does It Use?
Tyranids don’t have an 11th Edition codex yet. Warhammer 40,000’s 11th Edition launched in June 2026, and so far only Orks, Space Marines and Adeptus Custodes have new books. Games Workshop has said no more codexes are coming until 2027, so Tyranids use their existing codex rules with the 11th Edition core rules on top. Our codex release order tracker shows the current schedule, and our 11th Edition rules changes guide covers what’s different in the core game.
When it launched, the Assault Brood’s Combat Patrol rules were a free download from Warhammer Community. They include its datasheets, a choice of two Enhancements for the Parasite, three Stratagems and two secondary objectives. In July 2026 Games Workshop moved Combat Patrol into the Warhammer 40,000 app, where each force gets its rules and a bespoke mission for free. The app launched with only two forces and has been adding older boxes since. At the time of writing, the app’s Tyranid force is the Vardenghast Swarm, and Games Workshop says support for other existing boxes is on the way. So check the app first, and use the Warhammer Community download if the Assault Brood isn’t there yet. Our Combat Patrol rules guide explains how the format works.
What Each Unit Does
Parasite of Mortrex
The Parasite is a flying character that can arrive by Deep Strike, and it’s hard to target until it gets close. Its barbed ovipositor is deadly against infantry. Its “It Itches!” ability forces an enemy unit it’s fighting to take a Battle-shock test, which can stop that unit holding objectives. It’s also a Synapse creature, so it keeps nearby Tyranids steady. Its default Enhancement in the launch rules gives it a 4+ invulnerable save and makes it harder to hit in melee.
Genestealers
Ten Genestealers are your hammer. They’re fast, they have Scouts, so they can move before the first turn, and they hit very hard in melee, especially near objectives. You can split them into two squads of five before the battle if you want to threaten two places at once.
Tyrant Guard
The Tyrant Guard are your toughest units by a long way. They aren’t fast, but they’re very hard to kill, and each one carries a different set of nasty melee weapons. Use them to take and hold the central objective.
Biovore and Spore Mines
The Biovore is your long-range support. Its Spore Mine launcher has a long range and can hit targets your other units can’t reach. Keep it back, out of harm’s way, and use it to soften up whatever your Genestealers are about to charge.
How to Play the Tyranids Combat Patrol
The Assault Brood is about speed and pressure. The Genestealers and Parasite strike early, the Tyrant Guard hold the middle, and the Biovore picks away from behind.
Deployment
Use the Genestealers’ Scouts move to push them forward into cover, ready to strike. Deploy the Tyrant Guard centrally, aiming for the middle objective. Hide the Biovore somewhere safe at the back. If you’re keeping the Parasite in reserve to Deep Strike, decide where you want it to land before the game starts.
Turn 1
Move the Genestealers towards an objective or a weak enemy unit, using terrain to stay out of sight. Advance the Tyrant Guard towards the middle. Fire the Biovore at the best target in range. Don’t overcommit the Genestealers if they can’t reach anything yet: they’re deadly but not tough.
Turn 2
Strike. Charge the Genestealers into an enemy unit on an objective. Bring the Parasite in and hit a unit of infantry, ideally one that’s already been damaged. The Tyrant Guard should now be on or near the central objective.
Turns 3 to 5
Combat Patrol games last five battle rounds. Keep the pressure on and keep scoring. In the launch rules, the default secondary objective, Devour, scores points every time you destroy an enemy unit in the Fight phase, so every successful charge counts twice. Use the Tyrant Guard to hold ground and the Parasite to clean up weakened units.
Key Tactical Tips
- Genestealers win games but die quickly to shooting. Move them cover to cover.
- Use the Parasite to Battle-shock enemy units on objectives.
- Keep the Tyrant Guard on the most important objective. They’re the hardest thing in the box to shift.
- Keep the Biovore alive. It’s your only long-range damage.
Is the Tyranids Combat Patrol Good Value?
We haven’t listed prices here because they change and vary by country, so check the Games Workshop website or your local store. As with most Combat Patrols, the box works out cheaper than buying the kits separately. Genestealers are a staple of many Tyranid armies, and the Tyrant Guard/Hive Guard and Biovore/Pyrovore build options mean you can choose what suits your bigger army.
Strengths:
- Fast, aggressive force with a clear game plan
- Genestealers are among the best melee infantry in the faction
- Tyrant Guard are very tough objective holders
- Flexible kits that work in any Tyranid army
Weaknesses:
- Not a horde. If you want a big swarm, you’ll need more models
- Little shooting beyond the Biovore
- Genestealers are fragile if they’re caught in the open
Painting the Tyranids Combat Patrol
Tyranids give you huge creative freedom. They’re alien bioforms, so almost any colour scheme works.
Recommended Colour Scheme (Hive Fleet Leviathan)
- Skin: Rakarth Flesh base, washed with Seraphim Sepia, highlighted with Pallid Wych Flesh.
- Carapace: Naggaroth Night base, layered with Xereus Purple, highlighted with Genestealer Purple.
- Claws and teeth: Abaddon Black, drybrushed with Mechanicus Standard Grey and Dawnstone.
- Tongues and fleshy bits: Screamer Pink washed with Carroburg Crimson.
- Eyes and vents: Flash Gitz Yellow with a white dot.
Painting Tips
- Batch paint the Genestealers. Ten models go quickly assembly-line style.
- Contrast paints work brilliantly on Tyranid skin over a white or light grey primer.
- Drybrush carapace highlights for quick, effective results.
- The Parasite of Mortrex has big wings. Paint them before gluing them on if you can.
Our how to paint Tyranids guide has a full walkthrough, and our Tyranid colour schemes guide covers other hive fleets. For more painting guides and army tips, visit our Tyranids army hub.
Expanding Beyond the Combat Patrol
Our Tyranids 1000 point army list guide shows how to grow your collection into a full 1,000-point army.
Path to 1,000 Points
- A Hive Tyrant: the classic Tyranid leader, and a natural partner for your Tyrant Guard. See our Hive Tyrant guide and Winged Hive Tyrant guide.
- Termagants or Hormagaunts: cheap swarm units to screen and grab objectives.
- Carnifexes: iconic, versatile monsters. Our Carnifex guide covers their builds.
- A Broodlord: leads your Genestealers and makes them even deadlier.
Path to 2,000 Points
- A Tyrannofex or Exocrine for heavy ranged firepower
- Zoanthropes for psychic support
- A Norn Emissary or Norn Assimilator as a centrepiece
- More Genestealers for a second fast strike unit
Our Tyranid monsters ranked list will help you choose your big bugs.
Where to Buy the Box
On Amazon US, Combat Patrol boxes are sold by third-party sellers, so check the listing before you buy. It should show the current box: the Assault Brood with a Parasite of Mortrex, Genestealers, Tyrant Guard, a Biovore and Spore Mines (18 models).
Price details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.As an Amazon Associate, Warhammer Guild earns from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tyranids Combat Patrol good for beginners?
Yes. The game plan is simple: strike fast with the Genestealers and hold the middle with the Tyrant Guard. It’s an aggressive army, so you’ll learn the charge and fight phases quickly. Tyranids are also forgiving to paint, as any colour scheme works.
What’s the difference between the old and new Tyranids Combat Patrol?
The older Vardenghast Swarm is a horde: a Winged Tyranid Prime, 20 Termagants, Barbgaunts, Von Ryan’s Leapers and a Psychophage. The 2025 Tyranid Assault Brood is smaller and more elite: the Parasite of Mortrex, Genestealers, Tyrant Guard and a Biovore. Both make a good start to a Tyranid army.
Do Tyranids have an 11th Edition codex?
Not yet. They use their existing codex rules with the 11th Edition core rules. Games Workshop has said no more codexes are coming until 2027.
What paints do I need for the Tyranids Combat Patrol?
For Hive Fleet Leviathan: Rakarth Flesh, Seraphim Sepia, Pallid Wych Flesh, Naggaroth Night, Xereus Purple, Genestealer Purple, Abaddon Black and Screamer Pink. Alternatively, two Contrast paints, one for skin and one for carapace, over a white primer will paint the whole box quickly.
What should I buy after the Tyranids Combat Patrol?
A Hive Tyrant is a great first addition. It works well with the Tyrant Guard you already own. After that, add a cheap swarm unit like Termagants to screen your Genestealers and hold objectives.
How long does a Combat Patrol game take?
Around an hour, sometimes a little longer while you’re learning. Combat Patrol forces are small and games last five battle rounds, so you can often fit two games into an evening. That makes the Assault Brood a quick way to learn the core rules before you move up to 1,000 points.
Do I need glue to build the Tyranids Combat Patrol?
Yes. The Genestealers, Tyrant Guard, Biovore and Parasite of Mortrex are multipart plastic kits, so you’ll need plastic glue, plus clippers to cut the parts from the frame and a hobby knife to clean mould lines. Plastic glue bonds the parts strongly, and super glue is handy for any small or awkward joints.