Difference between revisions of "Hive Tyrant"

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[[Image:HiveTyrant.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Hive Tyrant{{Fn|7}}]]
'''Hive Tyrants''' are monstrous [[Tyranid]] creatures created to be commanders of the Tyranid swarm. They embody the [[Hive Mind]] completely and act as the primary [[Synapse]] conduit through which it enforces its will over lesser Tyranid creatures. Hive Tyrants are extremely powerful, large and strong monsters three times the height of a man that can tear through [[plasteel]] or [[ferrocrete]] as if they were glass. They excel in both close combat and ranged fighting, and in fact every part of their body is perfectly designed to maim and kill. They are highly mutable, with individual Hive Tyrants displaying a wide range of physical characteristics, [[biomorph]]s, and [[bio-weapon]]s.<sup>1a</sup>
+
'''Hive Tyrants''' are monstrous [[Tyranid]] creatures created to be commanders of the Tyranid swarm. They embody the [[Hive Mind]] completely and act as the primary [[Synapse]] conduit through which it enforces its will over lesser Tyranid creatures. Hive Tyrants are extremely powerful, large and strong monsters three times the height of a man that can tear through [[plasteel]] or [[ferrocrete]] as if they were glass. They excel in both close combat and ranged fighting, and in fact every part of their body is perfectly designed to maim and kill. They are highly mutable, with individual Hive Tyrants displaying a wide range of physical characteristics, [[biomorph]]s, and [[bio-weapon]]s.{{Fn|1a}}
 
 
[[Image:T5EHiveTyrant.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A '''Hive Tyrant''' battling [[Orks]]<sup>1a</sup>]]
 
 
 
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
[[Image:Hive Tyrant.jpg|thumb|right|A '''Hive Tyrant''' engaging [[Blood Ravens]] [[Space Marines]]<sup>7</sup>]]
+
[[Image:NornEmissaryArt.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Hive Tyrant{{Fn|15}}]]
Unlike most other Tyranid creatures, Hive Tyrants are completely self-aware, incredibly intelligent, and can learn from their mistakes. Some possess an instinctive cunning that borders on tactical genius. Though in the end they are still ultimately slaved to the Hive Mind, their relationship with it is closer than that of any other Tyranid creature. This makes them terrifyingly psychic and able to manifest deadly psychic powers in battle, including being able to invigorate the Tyranid swarm, destroy the foe's morale, or shred the enemy's minds.<sup>1a</sup> Hive Tyrants are equipped with a range of [[Biomorph]]s, but most common are the [[Bonesword]], [[Lash Whip]], [[Heavy Venom Cannon]], and [[Stranglethorn Cannon]].<sup>1a</sup>
+
Unlike most other Tyranid creatures, Hive Tyrants are completely self-aware, incredibly intelligent, and can learn from their mistakes. Some possess an instinctive cunning that borders on tactical genius. Though in the end they are still ultimately slaved to the Hive Mind, their relationship with it is closer than that of any other Tyranid creature. This makes them terrifyingly psychic and able to manifest deadly psychic powers in battle, including being able to invigorate the Tyranid swarm, destroy the foe's morale, or shred the enemy's minds. Hive Tyrants are equipped with a range of [[Biomorph]]s, but most common are the [[Bonesword]], [[Lash Whip]], [[Heavy Venom Cannon]], and [[Stranglethorn Cannon]].{{Fn|1a}} They tower over even a [[Space Marine Dreadnought]]s and are protected by chitinious plating that makes them immune to all but the heaviest fire.{{Fn|14}}
  
 +
Hive Tyrants are essentially immortal, as their experiences, character and knowledge are stored within the collective consciousness of the Hive Mind. Should one be slain in battle, a replacement body can be grown and imbued with the same experiences as its predecessor.{{Fn|1a}} Like the greater Tyranid species, Hive Tyrants are highly adaptable and will rapidly change tactics and even its own biology should it be required. This includes being adapted with a pair of leathery wings when facing aerial foes, or mounting heavy bio-weaponry to deal with foes at range.{{Fn|14}}
  
Hive Tyrants are essentially immortal, as their experiences, character and knowledge are stored within the collective consciousness of the Hive Mind. Should one be slain in battle, a replacement body can be grown and imbued with the same experiences as its predecessor.<sup>1a</sup>
+
Hive Tyrants appear to be either a more complex and highly evolved form of [[Tyranid Warrior]], or else they evolved from a completely different and higher genus. Some [[Imperial]] techno-magi believe that Hive Tyrants are the consort-minds of the [[Norn-Queen]] that forms the repository of the [[Hive Fleet]]'s own collective consciousness, which would mean they completely embody the Hive Mind, but their destruction would not diminish it in any way.{{Fn|5}}
 
 
Hive Tyrants appear to be either a more complex and highly evolved form of [[Tyranid Warrior]], or else they evolved from a completely different and higher genus. Some [[Imperial]] techno-magi believe that Hive Tyrants are the consort-minds of the [[Norn-Queen]] that forms the repository of the [[Hive Fleet]]'s own collective consciousness, which would mean they completely embody the Hive Mind, but their destruction would not diminish it in any way.<sup>5a</sup>
 
  
 
==Basic Info==
 
==Basic Info==
 
 
{|align=center border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
{|align=center border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 
|-
 
|-
|style=background:#4F4F4F colspan=4 align=center|'''Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record''' <sup>6</sup>
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|style=background:#4F4F4F colspan=4 align=center|'''Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record''' {{Fn|6b}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Designation
 
|Designation
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|-
 
|-
 
|Species Name
 
|Species Name
|''Tyranicus praefactor''
+
|''Tyranicus praefacto'',{{Fn|2a}} ''Tyranicus praefactor''{{Fn|6b}}
 
|Secondary Weaponry  
 
|Secondary Weaponry  
 
|Fangs and claws
 
|Fangs and claws
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Average Height
 
|Average Height
|6.1m
+
|2.9 m{{Fn|Conflicting sources}}
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|Average Weight
 
|Average Weight
|6 tonnes/Winged Strains 4.9 tonnes
+
|6.1 tonnes
 
|Tertiary Weaponry
 
|Tertiary Weaponry
 
|None
 
|None
 
|-
 
|-
 
|First encountered
 
|First encountered
|[[Tyran]]
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|Tyran
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
  
 
==Hive Tyrant Variants==
 
==Hive Tyrant Variants==
 
[[Image:Swarmtyrant.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Swarm Tyrant Artwork]]
 
[[Image:Swarmtyrant.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Swarm Tyrant Artwork]]
*'''Acid Tyrants''' have highly acidic blood and employ a large variety of toxic bio-morphs<sup>2a</sup>
+
*'''Acid Tyrants''' have highly acidic blood and employ a large variety of toxic bio-morphs.{{Fn|2a}}  
*The [[Swarmlord]] is a unique Hive Tyrant created to out-think the enemy when standard Tyranid strategies fail{{Cite This}}.
+
*'''Swarm Tyrants''' are capable of giving birth to clutches of [[Ripper]]s in a similar manner to [[Tervigon]]s and wield large [[Fleshborer]]s.{{Fn|3b}}
*'''Swarm Tyrants''' are capable of giving birth to clutches of [[Ripper]]s in a similar manner to [[Tervigon]]s and wield large [[Fleshborer]]s.<sup>3a</sup>
+
*'''Winged Hive Tyrants''' have wings{{Fn|6a}}
 +
*The [[Swarmlord]] is a unique Hive Tyrant created to out-think the enemy when standard Tyranid strategies fail.{{Fn|1b}}
  
==Older Background==
+
==Notable Hive Tyrants==
In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], the term "Hive-tyrant" applied to the ruler and primogenitor of the whole Hive Fleet - they were described as immensely psychic, huge, bloated with eggs and virtually immobile. The destruction of this Hive-tyrant would disperse the fleet<sup>4</sup>.
+
*The [[Dagon Overlord]]
 +
*The [[Hive Lord (Dawn of War II)|Hive Lord]]
 +
*The [[King in Green]]
 +
*The [[Nephilim King]]
 +
*The [[Swarmlord]]
  
This description fits the Norn-Queen of more recent publications. It was during the [[Warhammer 40,000 2nd Edition Rulebook|second edition]] of the game that the position of the Tyranid Hive Tyrant in the Tyranid hierarchy changed to its current position; not the highest embodiment of the hive-mind, but the largest version commonly encountered in battle{{Cite This}}.
+
==Images==
 +
<center><gallery mode=packed heights=200>
 +
HiveTyrantIA.jpg|Winged '''Hive Tyrant'''{{Fn|6a}}
 +
HiveTyrantGibbons.jpg|'''Hive Tyrant''' by [[Mark Gibbons]]{{Fn|8}}
 +
HiveTyrantArt.jpg|Hive Tyrant{{Fn|9}}
 +
40k-148-winged-hive-tyrant.jpg|Winged Hive Tyrant{{Fn|11}}
 +
</gallery></center>
  
==Images==
+
===Miniatures===
<center>
+
<center><gallery mode=packed heights=180>
<gallery>
+
HiveTyrant2012.jpg|'''Hive Tyrant''' miniature (5th Edition)
Image:Tyranid Hive Tyrant 4th Edition 1.jpg|4th Edition Hive Tyrant from Hive Fleet Leviathan
+
Tyranid Hive Tyrant 4th Edition 1.jpg|Hive Tyrant miniature (4th Edition){{Fn|2b}}
Image:Tyranid Hive Tyrant 4th Edition 2.JPG|4th Edition Hive Tyrant from Hive Fleet Behemoth
+
Tyranid Hive Tyrant 3rd Edition.jpg|Hive Tyrant miniature (3rd Edition){{Fn|3a}}
Image:TyranidHiveTyrant04 873x627.jpg|Winged 4th Edition Hive Tyrant
+
HiveTyrant2nd.jpg|Hive Tyrant miniature (2nd Edition){{Fn|10}}
</gallery>
+
Tyranid Hive Tyrant Forgeworld 2.jpg|Resin Hive Tyrant by [[Forge World (Company)|Forge World]]{{Fn|12}}
</center>
+
Tyranid Hive Tyrant Forgeworld 1.jpg|Resin Winged Hive Tyrant by Forge World{{Fn|13}}
 +
</gallery></center>
 +
 
 +
==Trivia==
 +
{{Trivia}}
 +
*In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], the term "Hive-tyrant" applied to the ruler and primogenitor of the whole Hive Fleet - they were described as immensely psychic, huge, bloated with eggs and virtually immobile. The destruction of this Hive-tyrant would disperse the fleet.{{Fn|4}} This description fits the Norn-Queen of more recent publications. It was during the [[Warhammer 40,000 2nd Edition Rulebook|second edition]] of the game that the position of the Tyranid Hive Tyrant in the Tyranid hierarchy changed to its current position; not the highest embodiment of the hive-mind, but the largest version commonly encountered in battle.{{Fn|10}}
  
<center>
+
===Conflicting sources===
<gallery>
+
*{{Endn|Conflicting sources}}: This exact height for a Hive Tyrant is not consistent, and art depicting a Hive Tyrant standing next to an [[Imperial Guard|Guardsman]] on the same page the 2.9 Meter height is given shows the creature standing at least triple the guardsman's height,{{Fn|6b}} and given other similar scaling images in the same book show a relatively consistent roughly 1.5 meter tall Guardsman, 2.9 meters is possibly a typo, putting the height of the Hive Tyrant a mere 0.5 meters above the height of a [[Shrike]].{{Fn|6c}} Later sources reconcile this by emphasizing that the Hive Tyrant's appearance and biology is variable depending on the situation.{{Fn|14}}
Image:Tyranid Hive Tyrant 2nd Edition 1.jpg|2nd Edition Hive Tyrant with Barbed Strangler
 
Image:Tyranid Hive Tyrant 2nd Edition 2.jpg|2nd Edition Hive Tyrant with Venom Cannon
 
Image:Tyranid Hive Tyrant 3rd Edition.jpg|3rd Edition Hive Tyrant from Hive Fleet Kraken
 
Image:Tyranid Hive Tyrant Forgeworld 1.jpg|Winged Hive Tyrant from Forge World
 
Image:Tyranid Hive Tyrant Forgeworld 2.jpg|Hive Tyrant with Scything Talons from Forge World
 
</gallery>
 
</center>
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
*[[Species of Tyranid]]
 
*[[Species of Tyranid]]
*[[Swarmlord]]
 
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
*<sup>1</sup>: [[Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)]]
+
*1: [[Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)]]:
**a: p. 34
+
**{{Endn|1a}}: {{Cite Marker End}}
*<sup>2</sup>: [[Codex: Tyranids (4th Edition)]]
+
**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 56
**a: p. 35
+
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (4th Edition)]]
*<sup>3</sup>: [[Codex: Tyranids (3rd Edition)]]
+
**{{Endn|2a}}: pg. 35
**a: p. 40
+
**{{Endn|2b}}: pg. 50
*<sup>4</sup>: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], p.200
+
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (3rd Edition)]]
*<sup>5</sup>: [[Codex Imperialis]]
+
**{{Endn|3a}}: pg. 18
**a: {{Cite This}}
+
**{{Endn|3b}}: pg. 40
*<sup>6</sup>: [[Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project]]
+
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], pg. 200
*<sup>75</sup>: [[Dawn of War II]]
+
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex Imperialis (Background Book)]], {{Cite Marker End}}
 +
*6: [[Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project]]:
 +
**{{Endn|6a}}: pg. 41
 +
**{{Endn|6b}}: pg. 77
 +
**{{Endn|6c}}: pg. 79
 +
*{{Endn|7}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20220307213156/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2022/03/07/the-new-tyranid-codex-is-coming-so-get-your-first-look-at-its-awesome-cover-art/ Warhammer Community (07/03/2022)] (saved archive)
 +
*{{Endn|8}}: [[White Dwarf 210 (UK)]], pg. 75
 +
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (6th Edition)]] (E-Book) - ''Forces of the Hive Mind''
 +
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (2nd Edition)]], pg. 34
 +
*{{Endn|11}}:[[Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Warhammer 40,000]]  - ''Winged Hive Tyrant'' - for details see [[Hive Tyrant/Sources]]
 +
*{{Endn|12}}: [http://web.archive.org/web/20100312043106/http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/hivetyrant.htm] ''(saved archived page, last accessed 24 June 2015)''
 +
*{{Endn|13}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20110925061148/http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Tyranids/WINGED-HIVE-TYRANT.html Forge World webstore : WINGED HIVE TYRANT (product code : IA-TYR-T-003)] ''(saved archive)''
 +
*{{Endn|14}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (8th Edition)]], pg. 62
 +
*{{Endn|15}}: [[Leviathan (Box)]] Rulebook, pg. 231
 +
{{Tyranid5E}}
  
 
[[Category:Troops (Tyranids)]]
 
[[Category:Troops (Tyranids)]]
 +
[[Category:Flying Tyranids]]
 
[[de:Schwarmtyrant]]
 
[[de:Schwarmtyrant]]
 
[[fr:Prince Tyranide]]
 
[[fr:Prince Tyranide]]
 
 
{{Tyranid5E}}
 

Latest revision as of 02:00, 10 March 2026

Hive Tyrant[7]

Hive Tyrants are monstrous Tyranid creatures created to be commanders of the Tyranid swarm. They embody the Hive Mind completely and act as the primary Synapse conduit through which it enforces its will over lesser Tyranid creatures. Hive Tyrants are extremely powerful, large and strong monsters three times the height of a man that can tear through plasteel or ferrocrete as if they were glass. They excel in both close combat and ranged fighting, and in fact every part of their body is perfectly designed to maim and kill. They are highly mutable, with individual Hive Tyrants displaying a wide range of physical characteristics, biomorphs, and bio-weapons.[1a]

Overview

Hive Tyrant[15]

Unlike most other Tyranid creatures, Hive Tyrants are completely self-aware, incredibly intelligent, and can learn from their mistakes. Some possess an instinctive cunning that borders on tactical genius. Though in the end they are still ultimately slaved to the Hive Mind, their relationship with it is closer than that of any other Tyranid creature. This makes them terrifyingly psychic and able to manifest deadly psychic powers in battle, including being able to invigorate the Tyranid swarm, destroy the foe's morale, or shred the enemy's minds. Hive Tyrants are equipped with a range of Biomorphs, but most common are the Bonesword, Lash Whip, Heavy Venom Cannon, and Stranglethorn Cannon.[1a] They tower over even a Space Marine Dreadnoughts and are protected by chitinious plating that makes them immune to all but the heaviest fire.[14]

Hive Tyrants are essentially immortal, as their experiences, character and knowledge are stored within the collective consciousness of the Hive Mind. Should one be slain in battle, a replacement body can be grown and imbued with the same experiences as its predecessor.[1a] Like the greater Tyranid species, Hive Tyrants are highly adaptable and will rapidly change tactics and even its own biology should it be required. This includes being adapted with a pair of leathery wings when facing aerial foes, or mounting heavy bio-weaponry to deal with foes at range.[14]

Hive Tyrants appear to be either a more complex and highly evolved form of Tyranid Warrior, or else they evolved from a completely different and higher genus. Some Imperial techno-magi believe that Hive Tyrants are the consort-minds of the Norn-Queen that forms the repository of the Hive Fleet's own collective consciousness, which would mean they completely embody the Hive Mind, but their destruction would not diminish it in any way.[5]

Basic Info

Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record [6b]
Designation Hive Tyrant Main Weaponry 4x scything claws
Common Title Overfiend
Species Name Tyranicus praefacto,[2a] Tyranicus praefactor[6b] Secondary Weaponry Fangs and claws
Average Height 2.9 m[Conflicting sources]
Average Weight 6.1 tonnes Tertiary Weaponry None
First encountered Tyran
Role Battlefield command
Threat evaluation Very high

Hive Tyrant Variants

Swarm Tyrant Artwork
  • Acid Tyrants have highly acidic blood and employ a large variety of toxic bio-morphs.[2a]
  • Swarm Tyrants are capable of giving birth to clutches of Rippers in a similar manner to Tervigons and wield large Fleshborers.[3b]
  • Winged Hive Tyrants have wings[6a]
  • The Swarmlord is a unique Hive Tyrant created to out-think the enemy when standard Tyranid strategies fail.[1b]

Notable Hive Tyrants

Images

Miniatures

Trivia

  • In Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, the term "Hive-tyrant" applied to the ruler and primogenitor of the whole Hive Fleet - they were described as immensely psychic, huge, bloated with eggs and virtually immobile. The destruction of this Hive-tyrant would disperse the fleet.[4] This description fits the Norn-Queen of more recent publications. It was during the second edition of the game that the position of the Tyranid Hive Tyrant in the Tyranid hierarchy changed to its current position; not the highest embodiment of the hive-mind, but the largest version commonly encountered in battle.[10]

Conflicting sources

  • Conflicting sources: This exact height for a Hive Tyrant is not consistent, and art depicting a Hive Tyrant standing next to an Guardsman on the same page the 2.9 Meter height is given shows the creature standing at least triple the guardsman's height,[6b] and given other similar scaling images in the same book show a relatively consistent roughly 1.5 meter tall Guardsman, 2.9 meters is possibly a typo, putting the height of the Hive Tyrant a mere 0.5 meters above the height of a Shrike.[6c] Later sources reconcile this by emphasizing that the Hive Tyrant's appearance and biology is variable depending on the situation.[14]

See also

Sources


Tyranid Planetary Forces
Commanders Norn-QueenHive TyrantNeurotyrant (Neuroloid) • BroodlordNeurothropeTervigonTyranid PrimeTrygon PrimeRavener PrimeMalanthrope
Elites BiovoreTyrant Guard (Hive Guard) • Lictor (Lictor AlphaNeurolictorDeathleaper) • LeaperPyrovoreVenomthropeZoanthrope
Troops Tyranid Warrior (Shrike) • Ravener (AlphaFelltalonTremorscytheWreckerVenomspitter) • Genestealer (Ymgarl) • Gaunt (TermagantHormagauntBarbgauntNeurogaunt) • Ripper (Sky-Slasher)
Monstruous Creatures Carnifex (ThornbackStone CrusherScreamer-Killer) • DimachaeronExocrineHaruspexMaleceptorPsychophageSporocystToxicreneTyrannofex
Gargantuan Creatures CereboreDactylisHieroduleMalefactorMawlocNorn EmissaryNorn AssimilatorTrygon
Bio-Titans DominatrixHierophantViciatorNautiloidVermisEater Beast
Flying Creatures GargoyleHarpyHarridanHive CroneTyrannocyte
Spores Meiotic SporeMycetic SporeSpore MineMucolid Spore
Unique Tyranids SwarmlordDeathleaperDoom of Malan'taiOld One EyeParasite of MortrexRed Terror