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Hierodule

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Tyranid Scythed Hierodule[1a]

The Hierodule is a large Tyranid Bio-construct, around the size of an Imperial Super Heavy Tank.

Overview

Like many Tyranid creatures the Hierodule seems to be a mutable breed, able to be created in different forms depending on the needs of the Hive Fleet. There have been two different forms of Hierodule observed by Imperial forces so far, namely the "Scythed" and the "Barbed" variants.[1a]

Scythed Hierodule

Tyranid Scythed Hierodule

History

The Scythed Hierodule was first encountered on the Imperial planet Hamman's World. In the assimilation of Hamman's World, the Scythed Hierodule was in the Vanguard of the Tyranid forces beside masses of Gaunts. They were especially effective against prepared defenses, such as bunkers.[1a]

The Scythed Hierodule has only been encountered in a single tendril of Hive Fleet Kraken and there infrequently but their appearance surely will grow with time. Xenos Biologists have tried to capture a live sample, but have, so far, failed because every Xenos Hunter team, sent on the quest, have failed to return.[Needs Citation] The finding of a non-alive sample is also a problem because every one of the extracted Hierodules was almost totally destroyed by the heavy weapons fire.[1a]

Observations

The Scythed Hierodule is armed with four huge razor sharp claws, each capable of slicing through a battle tank, and heavily protected by chitin plates, in places up to 30 cm thick.[Needs Citation] A Hierodule is far larger than a Carnifex. As well as its claws, the Hierodule also bears a symbiote creature which appears to live in its back, growing out between the armour plates. This toxic creature helps defend its host from attack, squirting a jet of potent mutagenic acid against any enemy that gets too close.[1a]

Basic Info

Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record
Designation Scythed Hierodule Main Weaponry 4x scything claws
Common Title Scythed slaughterer[Needs Citation]
Species Name Sica Hierodule Domitor[Needs Citation] Secondary Weaponry Acid spray
Average Height Disputed. 4.9m[2] to 5.8m[1a]
Length Snout to tail: 15m[1a]
Shoulder Width 3.4m[1a]
Scythe Length 4.2m[1a]
Average Speed 7 kph[1a]
Estimated Maximum Speed 22 kph[1a]
Average Weight Disputed. 6 tonnes[1a] to 14 tonnes[2] Tertiary Weaponry Multiple claws and fangs
Estimated Armour 4-80mm[1a]
First encountered Hamman's World
Role Heavy assault
Threat evaluation Extreme

Barbed Hierodule

Tyranid Barbed Hierodule

History

After losing Harmman's World to Hive Fleet Kraken, the Imperial forces reinforced the Moran System. The assault, by Hive Fleet Kraken, was soon manifested. While the Imperium had learned from its losses, the Tyranid had evolved. The Hierodule had evolved into the Barbed Hierodule with a powerful ranged attack. It was quite a shock to the Imperial forces when it appeared on Maxima Moran.[1a]

Observations

The Barbed Hierodule replaces two of the Scythed Hierodule's claws with a pair of massive Barbed Strangler bio-cannons. Unlike the Scythed variant, it has no symbiote acid spray but instead has thicker armour plates.[1b]

Basic Info

Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record
Designation Barbed Hierodule Main Weaponry 2x bio-cannon
Common Title Barbed slaughterer[Needs Citation]
Specied Name Uncus Hierodule Domitor[Needs Citation] Secondary Weaponry Two Scything forelimb claws
Average Height Disputed. 4.9m[2] to 5.8m[1b]
Length Snout to tail: 15m[1b]
Shoulder Width 3.4m[1b]
Scythe Length 3.6m[1b]
Average Speed 7 kph[1b]
Estimated Maximum Speed 22 kph[1b]
Average Weight Disputed. 6 tonnes[1b] to 17 tonnes[2] Tertiary Weaponry Multiple claws and fangs
First encountered Moran Prime
Role Heavy assault/support
Threat evaluation Very high


Epic Scale

The original epic scale Hierodule model produced in the mid 1990s depicted the creature to be larger than its more modern Forge World counterpart. In this incarnation it was only slightly smaller than the Hierophant, therefore closer in size to a Titan compared to the current creature which is closer in size to a Super Heavy Tank.[3]

An Epic Scale Tyranid Hierodule

See also


Sources


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