Gargoyle
Gargoyles are a species of winged Tyranid derived from Termagants. They are often the first wave of a Tyranid swarm in battle with the purpose of sowing terror and confusion to keep the enemy off-guard whilst larger Tyranid creatures arrive.[1]
Overview
Gargoyles have many traits similar to the Termagant, including a smaller size with a compact but lithe body encased in a light exoskeleton, but also have less physical prowess than most Tyranid organisms. Compared to a Termagant their lower legs have atrophied to little more than stumps because of their wings. They generally carry Fleshborers and can even spit a skin-burning venom. Instinctively when using this venom they go for their prey's eyes, blinding their foe in order to cause confusion. In lieu of these projectile weapons, Gargoyles can even snatch prey up into the air and drop them to the ground below.[9] Through a quirk of their physical structure, they are capable of squeezing through gaps seemingly far too small for them, often getting into enemy buildings and defenses thought safe and secured.[1]
Gargoyles are often the first wave of organisms seen in a Tyranid invasion. They are agents of dismay whose prime purpose is to sow terror and confusion amongst the enemy, keeping them disordered while the main body of the assault arrives. They are sent in waves by the thousands at the enemy, heedless of their own losses and preferring to fight at range to maximize their role as skirmishers.[9] Under the direction of the Hive Mind, Gargoyles will even throw themselves into vents, exhausts and exposed gears, fouling machinery and weapons with their bodies.[2] Running from Gargoyles is one of the worst decisions one can make, as they specialize in chasing down and picking off isolated prey.[9]
Basic Info
| Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record[5] | |||
| Designation | Gargoyle | ||
| Common Title | Hellbat | ||
| Species Name | Gauntii avius | ||
| Average Height | 1.1m | ||
| Average Weight | 0.2 tonnes | ||
| First encountered | Tyran | ||
| Role | Aerial attack | ||
| Threat evaluation | Medium | ||
Images
Models
Trivia
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- In their first fully-fledged appearance in Codex: Tyranids (2nd Edition), Gargoyles were instead equipped with Flamespurts in their mouths that convert their bile into a volatile liquid phosphorus compound that ignites on contact with air.[6]
- In their subsequent appearance in Codex: Tyranids (3rd Edition), Gargoyles came with their now standard Fleshborers[7a] but had Bio-Plasma spit in place of what is now Blinding Venom.[7b]
See also
Sources
- 1: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition), pg. 42
- 2: Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos, pg. 36
- 3: Shield of Baal: Leviathan - The Aeros Skytide
- 4: Tyranid Collector's Guide, pg. 24
- 5: Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project, pg. 103
- 6: Codex: Tyranids (2nd Edition), pg. 39
- 7: Codex: Tyranids (3rd Edition)
- 8:Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond Warhammer 40,000 - Gargoyle Flock,Tyranid Gargoyle
- 9: Codex: Tyranids (8th Edition), pg.46
