Swarmlord

Tyranids Portal

Swarmlord artwork

The Swarmlord is a legendary Tyranid creature created by the Hive Mind with the purpose of out-thinking the enemy and developing new strategies when standard Tyranid strategies of physical and biological adaption fail. It has destroyed empires and driven civilisations to extinction, and now it is the foremost Tyranid threat to the Galaxy and the Imperium. The title Swarmlord is its designation given by the Imperium, but it has been known by many other names including the Tyrantlord of the Hive Mind, the Herald of Great Devourer, and the Destroyer of the Kha'la Empire.^{1: p.56}

It is the pinnacle of the evolution of the Hive Tyrant bioform, a truly unique monster. The Swarmlord is essentially immortal, like a Hive Tyrant, as once killed it is reborn by the Hive Mind with the exact same experiences, character and knowledge, in essence becoming stronger than its predecessor every time because of its new experience. But unlike a Hive Tyrant, the reincarnation of the Swarmlord appears to be a stress induced response that is triggered only when conventional strategies of the Hive Mind fail and greater resourcefulness and tactics are needed. To this end, the Swarmlord possess more autonomy from the Hive Mind than any other Tyranid creature, and its connection with the Hive Mind is so strong it can emerge amongst any Hive Fleet, transcending any physical limitations separating the different Fleets. The Swarmlord has aeons of battle experience and bloodshed to draw upon. Infact, it is as old as the Tyranid race itself.^{1: p.56}

As weapons the Swarmlord wields four bone sabres, crackling with disruptive power, that are capable of slicing through adamantium and force fields as if they were nothing. Each sabre has a crystalline growth, not indigenous to the galaxy, at its core that partially protrudes through the blade's serrated surface. The Swarmlord can parry with these sabres at such speed that its foes find it all but impossible to inflict a hit on the creature.^{1: p.56}

Notable Battles

• 745.M41 - Tyran and Thandros - The Swarmlord lead the final assaults against Tyran and Thandros during the Imperium's first contact with the Tyranids.^{1: p.13}
• 745.M41 - Battle of Macragge, Battle of Cold Steel Ridge - The Ultramarines and the Auxilia defending Macragge had become accustomed to the near mindless swarm of Hive Fleet Behemoth, until the Swarmlord directed the Tyranids to defeat every one of Marneus Calgar's tactics. Galger himself was almost killed by the superior tactics and strength of the Swarmlord, but managed to escape alive with the help of his Honour Guard while the Swarmlord killed Commander of the Guard Aloysius.^{1: p.13-14}
• 745.M41 - Battle of Macragge, Battle of the Polar Fortresses - The Swarmlord lead the attack on the Polar Fortresses of Macragge defended by Captain Invictus of the Ultramarine's 1st Company. In the end, the entire 1st Company was killed and official Imperial reports listed the Swarmlord as slain.^{1: p.14-15}
• 997.M41 - Invasion of the Holdur Sector - The Swarmlord returns to attack the Imperium, leading the swiftest and greatest planetary invasions of Hive Fleet Leviathan. In the space of four months the Swarmlord oversaw the absorption of two dozen worlds including Talon, Chapter planet of the Storm Falcons, and Endragiga, a major shipyard of the region. Latest Imperial reports indicate the Swarmlord is assaulting the Orks of Octarius.^{1: p.29}
• Scouring of the Megyre System.^{1: p.56}
• Destruction of the Brynarr race.^{1: p.56}
• Consumption of Waaagh! Gorgluk.^{1: p.56}

Sources

• ¹: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)