New 40k player thinking about playing Tyranids

Hi guys, I've been a fan of watching 40k for a while now and have decided I want to play the game. I can tell you first off that the army I pick has to be aesthetically pleasing to me for me to enjoy playing the game. The 2 armies I'm having to choose between right now are Tyranids and Chaos Daemons (both of which have the "nasty" creatures I enjoy.) I know everyone has their opinion and since I'm a new player I might not understand the angle in which someone favors one over the other so an explanation will be appreciated. It is to my understanding that both Tyranids and Chaos Daemons require alot of strategy to be efficient, I like this idea but don't wanna jump in over my head. I have been back and forth to Jak's for a while now watching people play and realize it's time for me to "man up". Any thoughts, tips and hints are welcome. Thanks for your time.

How you ever played a table top strategy game? Do you like to be aggressive or reactive? What are you looking for in an army?

Answer these questions?
Do you like to out shoot your opponent, out maneuver your opponent, out last your opponent, or smash your opponent up close?

Would you like a small elite army or a big swarm army or something in the middle?

Would you like an army that's solid in everything but not great in anything or an army that specializes in one aspect of the game?

Does it matter to you if you're the "good guys" or the "bad guys"?

How important are psychic powers to you?

Do you want a lot of vehicles in your army? Some? None?

How important is having big monsters in your army?

Do you want to play something that's different from the crowd?

Does it matter how competitive your codex is?

I've never played a table top strategy game and I'd say that I'm an aggressive gamer. I would like whatever I play to be competitive with friends. A well rounded army would most suit me because I wouldn't want my whole army falling to cannon fodder before I can smash someones face in and wouldn't wanna just sit back and shoot. Guy/bad doesn't matter to me just so happens that the "nasty guys" appeal more to me in their looks.

The Dr.'s advice is well put and on point ......... please consider it well as you make your decision ...

However, as the thread was set up around the question of playing Nids or not ... let me offer my experience ..

I have played many armies through many codex revisions and I think this last Nid codex put the race at the top of the competitive/fun range.... While you are building your army, focus on fun as getting to a top level army with GW can be as we all know EXPENSIVE. With Nids you need bucket loads of Gaunts..... I would start with them. But you know the best way to know if you like an army win or loose is to play it. SMGs Escalation league is the best way to learn the rule - you know get the mechanics down. I think they are up to 750 points so that is not too bad from a $$ standpoint. I'd pick up two squads of Gaunts ( put Devourers on the) and PAINT THEM and then start playing. As a fill in to round out the points pick up a Swarm Lord and two Tyrant Guards and close with the enemy at all costs... You would be in for about $150.

Get the mechanics down and set a goal of playing Nids in the May 10th MobiCon practice event at maCnarB's. Right now I plan on attending (and winning with Nids ) Get the mechanics down and WE will have some fun.... I'll loan you a 2000 point Nid army and you can give it a spin around the block ..... You will need Gaunts but I will fill in all the extras you will need for 2000 points.....

After that you will know whether or not you will want to finish out your Nid army. I think you will. Nids were the 3rd army I built and have been adding stuff ever since the first codex was issued. If you decide to finish out your army the universe will be a better place..... If not I'll take you Gaunts off your hands and you can buy and try some other race........

So how about that deal ........................

Welcome to the Future .............."There is only WAR."

Mr. Dan ...................................

Thanks for all the advice both of you. I might have to take you up on that offer of using your army to get to know them. Under the advice of a couple close friends I have purchased some Tau as they were a top choice for me as well as the other 2 but I never thought to ask about them. I will be building this army up first then expanding to Nids or Chaos Demons after I get used to playing the game. I only have about 800pts or so right now but I plan on buying more Tau SOON. If any of you know someone telling Tau models, send em my way. Once again thanks for the advice. I plan on going to Jaks this Sunday to have a couple skirmishes with friends and others. I think I wanna try the "Farsight Bomb" list and try to perfect it because I think it sounds kinda fun lol