How to use the Tyrant guard?

[Tea Rex]

I'm looking for some general tips on how to use the TG. Each time I field it everyone seems to just destroy it in seconds, it's damage seems sub par at best and I can't decide if it's worth it at all.

Can someone explain to me why I see so many pros building them?

[Dark Riku]

Sup par damage? How often don't you see TG's battling dreads? :p

Keep it near a synapse creature or near a capillary tower and he'll be just awesome. If a situation isn't going your way just walk away with still synapse nearby or preferably charge out. He can always go into shield wall and suddenly become vehicle armor (luls). Charging and going into shield wall can be done fairly short right after another. Just make sure he isn't balls deep in enemy territory if you go into shield wall. You wanna go into shield wall at base or near a zoan to almost instantly regain all HP. He's so good because he offers you that walker pushing power (with a charge!) for a way cheaper price.

[Tea Rex]

What synapse should I be wanting to use with him then?

Zoan before TG? Warriors? HT?

[Nurland]

How exactly is TG melee damage sub par?

Basic/melee synapse is probably the most useful for TG. Except for when he is in shield wall.

[Sub_Zero]

In the standart mode this beast has super heavy infantry armor. Be careful against melee units with power_melee type of damage and against ranged units with plasma, inferno and some other types of damage. Of course anti-vehicle units will be effective as well due to the Tyrant guard size (shots won't miss). However in the shield-wall mode this beast has vehicle armor. And it will take a while for an opponent to kill your tyranid guard with above mentioned damage types. Your opponent will need anti-vehicle units. So if you are going into the shield mode (no friendly support) and your opponent has anti-vehicle units nearby then you are doomed. I wrote it just in case you had not known it.

[hiveminion]

Zoanthrope is a great babysitter for a TG because it can snare vehicles that would kite away from it. HT works really well with it because it can disrupt nasty power melee units and the tyrant is tough so can stick around with the TG. A TG left without synapse can still be supported with towers.

I like them because they're tough but cheap so losing them isn't a disaster. They work really well in pairs. Still better in triplets.

I wouldn't use them vs GK though. If their abilities are shut down they're pretty easy to kill with the right tools (which GK have a lot of).

[Toilailee]

All synapse creatures and capillary towers give TG speed and without it hes pretty damn slow and useless. Melee/ranged synapse doesnt' effect him.

In army vs army engagements in t2 you want to have him half a step ahead of the rest of your army to sponge some damage. _Do not_ charge in unless you are sure you will be able to walk out, save the charge for "retreat".

[Asmon]

TG must be used with rippers (several squads at best) to be truly awesome.

[Tea Rex]

So many different tips! Keep 'em coming?

While I have some pro;s here, best nid commander for 2's/3v3?

I find the RA is just lolbroken in 3's

[Forestradio]

be careful of abilities and weapons that drain the TG energy.

Prevents him from charging away and/or going into shieldwall.

Examples are power axes, merciless witchblade, etc

His damage is better than you think. Very dangerous to most T1 melee squads (sluggas, heretics, etc) even if they are upgraded

[Dark Riku]

His damage is better than you think.

Let's put it in some perspective. TG DPS=95, melee dread DPS=100.
And I'm not actually sure if synapse affect his damage.

[Torpid]

It really isn't meant to and nor should it but I've heard that it does...