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{{TyranidsPortal}}
[[Image:HiveTyrantArt.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Hive Tyrant]]
'''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|11a}}
==Overview==
[[Image:Hive Tyrant.jpg|thumb|right|A '''Hive Tyrant''' engaging [[Blood Ravens]] [[Space Marines]]{{Fn|7}}]]
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.{{Fn|1}} 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|11a}}
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|11a}}
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}}
[[Image:Swarmtyrant.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Swarm Tyrant Artwork]]
*'''Acid Tyrants''' have highly acidic blood and employ a large variety of toxic bio-morphs{{Fn|2}}
*The [[Swarmlord]] is a unique Hive Tyrant created to out-think the enemy when standard Tyranid strategies fail{{Cite ThisFn|1b}}.
*'''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|3}}
Image:Tyranid Hive Tyrant 4th Edition 2.JPG|4th Edition Hive Tyrant from Hive Fleet Behemoth
Image:TyranidHiveTyrant04 873x627.jpg|Winged 4th Edition Hive Tyrant
Image:T5EHiveTyrant.jpg|A '''Hive Tyrant''' battling [[Orks]]{{Fn|11a}}
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==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)]], **{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 34**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 56
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (4th Edition)]], pg. 35
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (3rd Edition)]], pg. 40
