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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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A '''Hive Guard''' is a [[Tyranid]] species that defends the consumption structures of the [[Hive Mind]], such as [[Spore Chimney]]s and [[Capillary Tower]]s set up during the later stages of a Tyranid planet invasion that have few built-in self-defenses.
=== Overview ===
A Hive Guard is essentially a gun-beast, providing a durable, stable, and movable firing platform for the massive [[Impaler Cannon]] bonded to its forelimbs.{{Fn|1}}
Hive Guards are exclusively territorial and have limited mental capacity, content to stay perfectly motionless and defend a structure. Though under the [[Hive Mind]]'s influence, they can be driven away from their charges to the front lines, for example when a heavily mechanised foe needs to be dealt with. They have incredibly short incubation cycles and can be maintained as end-stage larvae almost indefinitely, meaning biomass does not have to be wasted on maintaining idle Hive Guard defenders but they instead can be quickly spawned when the Hive Mind's rear is under attack.{{Fn|1}}
===Images===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Hive Guard 5th ed.jpg|Hive Guard (5th Edition)
</gallery>
===Related Articles===
*[[Species of Tyranid]]
===Sources===
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)]], pg. 47
*{{Endn|2}}: [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat440160a&prodId=prod2340094a Games Workshop]