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Genestealer

173 bytes removed, 21:08, 22 June 2011
tidied page layout, added some sources
{{Cite}}
{{Ambiguous|subject=the Tyranid species|disambiguation=Genestealer}}
{{TyranidsPortal}}
[[File:T5EGenestealers.jpg|right|300px|thumb|'''Genestealers''' brought to light.<sup>1</sup>]]
A '''Genestealer''' is a species of [[Tyranid]] used as the ultimate shock trooper. Their purpose is to advance ahead of a [[Hive Fleet]] and pinpoint potential planets for the Tyranids to devour. They are amongst the most deadly creatures in the [[Galaxy]], combining high cunning, lightning-fast reactions and movement, with large, extremely sharp claws that can rip through the toughest armour in seconds.<sup>1</sup>
 
 
==History==
Genestealers were the first Tyranid species to be encountered by the [[Imperium]]. But before humanity had knowledge of the Tyranids, the Imperium believed Genestealers were a species indigenous to the moons of [[Ymgarl]] which spread to other planets by infiltrating passing cargo ships and derelict [[Space Hulk]]s. When the [[Battle of Macragge]] took place, [[Technomagi]] spent years classifying the left-behind bodies of Hive Fleet [[Behemoth]]. During encounters with Behemoth, Genestealers were observed to be used as shock troops, and further investigation confirmed that all Genestealers were infact Tyranids.<sup>1: p.15</sup> Infiltrating Genestealers have infact been working their way into the galaxy for thousands of years prior to the invasion of the Hive Fleets proper.<sup>3</sup>
 
==Basic Info==
A '''Genestealer''' is a species of [[Tyranid]] used as the ultimate shock trooper. Their purpose is to advance ahead of a [[Hive Fleet]] and pinpoint potential planets for the Tyranids to devour. They are amongst the most deadly creatures in the [[Galaxy]], combining high cunning, lightning-fast reactions and movement, with large, extremely sharp claws that can rip through the toughest armour in seconds.<sup>1</sup>
{|align=center border=0 "1" cellpadding="45" cellspacing="0" style="clear:right;width:32%;border:solid #393939 1px; float:left; text-align:left; padding:0px; margin-left: 1em; font-size: 95%;"|style=background:#4F4F4F colspan=2 align=center|'''Ordo Xenos<br>Departmento Analyticus Record''' <sup>5</sup>
|-
|widthstyle=50%background:#4F4F4F colspan=4 align=center|'''Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record''' <sup>3</sup>|-|'''Imperial Designation'''
|Genestealer
|-
|'''Common NameTitle'''|align=left|Stealer, Leech, Sewerstalker, Scuttler, Clawfiend, Ghost <sup>2</sup>
|-
|'''Species Name'''
|align=left|''Corporaptor hominis'', ''Corporaptor ymgarli'' <sup>5</sup>, ''Vermis (Tyrannus) Furii'' <sup>4</sup>
|-
|'''Average Height'''
|-
|'''Average Weight'''
|align=left|0.3 tonnes
|-
|'''First encountered'''
|'''Threat evaluation'''
|High
|-
|}
[[Image:Genestealer.jpg|thumb|right|Two Genestealers]]
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==History==
Genestealers were the first Tyranid species to be encountered by the [[Imperium]]. But before humanity had knowledge of the Tyranids, the Imperium believed Genestealers were a species indigenous to the moons of [[Ymgarl]] which spread to other planets by infiltrating passing cargo ships and derelict [[Space Hulk]]s. When the [[Battle of Macragge]] took place, [[Technomagi]] spent years classifying the left-behind bodies of Hive Fleet [[Behemoth]]. During encounters with Behemoth, Genestealers were observed to be used as shock troops, and further investigation confirmed that all Genestealers were infact Tyranids.<sup>1: p.15</sup> Infiltrating Genestealers have infact been working their way into the galaxy for thousands of years prior to the invasion of the Hive Fleets proper.<sup>3</sup>
==Physiology==
[[FileImage:T5EGenestealersGenestealer.jpg|leftthumb|200px230px|thumbright|'''Two Genestealers''' brought to light.<sup>1</sup>]]
Genestealers are stronger and hardier than [[Human]]s, able to withstand even the most hostile environments unprotected, including hard vacuum, and are capable of living for centuries <sup>6</sup>. They are a highly intelligent species with a disproportionately large and adaptive brain that is housed in a bulbous head <sup>1</sup>. They combine extraordinary intelligence and subtlety of mind with remarkable strength and quickness of body.
Genestealers are bipedal, standing in a perpetual crouch, and have two sets of arms, one equipped with Human-like hands, one with powerful ripping claws.{{Cite This}} The dense musculature and distending hinge of their jaw allows the generation of incredible bite-pressure.<sup>4</sup>
Their olfactory organ is linked at its base to the rear of their palette, combining their scent and taste for possible use as a sophisticated air-analysis method. They also display respiratory gill systems along the dermis/valves between their fused exo-ribs. This system is then somehow linked to breathing holes on their limbs and cranium.<sup>4</sup>
===Reproduction===
[[Image:Ovipositor.jpg|thumb|150px100px|right|A Genestealer Ovipositor]]
Possibly the most terrifying aspect of Genestealers is their insidious method of reproduction. Genestealers reproduce completely separate from a Hive Fleet, unlike the majority of other Tyranid creatures. Through the use of a tube-like tongue called an [['''Ovipositor]]''', they insert a tiny embryonic organism containing their own genetic material into a host victim. Over time this organism alters the host's genetic code, and their consciousness is also completely suppressed by a localised version of the Hive Mind, known as the [['''Brood Mind]]''', becoming a virtual slave. Any offspring born by the host will be horrific [[Genestealer Hybrid]]s, which the host will be psychically mesmerised to care for, giving rise to the [[Genestealer Cult]]s that grow in secret within human and other societies. <sup>3, </sup><sup>4</sup>
==Brood Mind==
{{main|Brood Mind}}Genestealers have an interlinking telepathy similar to the greater Hive Mind which is generated by the entire Tyranid race. This Brood Mind is smaller and more localised than the Hive Mind and is used to exhert complete control over their host victims <sup>3</sup> and also for communication {{Cite This}}<sup>6</sup>. It also acts as a psychic beacon to draw a Hive Fleet towards the infestation in order to devour the planet.<sup>3</sup>
==Sub-Species==
[[File:T5EYmgarlGenestealers.jpg|right|130px|thumb|An example of a '''Ymgarl Genestealer'''<sup>1</sup>]]
===Broodlord===
A [[Broodlord]] is the Genestealer leader organism, the strongest and most dangerous Genestealer of the brood.<sup>1</sup>
===Ymgarl Genestealers===
[[File:T5EYmgarlGenestealers.jpg|right|200px|thumb|An example of a '''Ymgarl Genestealer'''<sup>1</sup>]]
A [[Ymgarl Genestealer]] is a unique Genestealer subspecies that can morph its own flesh within moments to react to incoming attacks or change its colour to remain unseen.<sup>1: p.61</sup>
==Infiltration==
[[Image:GenestealerHorde.jpg|thumb|leftright|269px240px|A group of Genestealers of several generations. The Magus is giving orders, but notice also the much larger Patriarch behind him.]]
Genestealers form the first wave of a Tyranid invasion, either infiltrating a suitable world hundreds of years before the actual invasion, or in the more short term, where they are deployed onto a planet by [[Mycetic Spore]]s from the hive fleet. In both cases they pave the way for the invasion by weakening the planet's defences.{{Cite This}}<sup>2p27</sup>
Once upon a new world, the Genestealers seek out all forms of life, attempting to home in on species of a highly organised nature. Genestealers at first concentrate on infecting host victims, who go on to breed Genestealer/host hybrids and begin a generational cycle of new hybrids increasingly like the host species. Over decades, the hybrids will spread through a society and a hidden cult is established within the host's society. All members of the Genestealer cult are psychically linked and controlled by the original Genestealer. The cult is totally devoted to gaining political power within the society, often cloaking itself in the guise of a legitimate religion, while infecting suitable hosts, prospering and multiplying, and hiding their true nature from the broader society.{{Cite This}}<sup>6</sup>
===Infiltration Cycle===
====Infection Generation- Contagii====
The host victims, or ''Contagii'', return to their own societies and begin to have an urgent need to find a mate and begin a family. This mate also becomes infected with Genestealer DNA.{{Cite This}} <sup>6</sup> Contagii still physically resemble other members of their species, though they may have a slight blue or muave pallor to their skin and can be psychically controlled by the Patriach to become mindless slaves, making them the perfect infiltrators.<sup>3</sup>
====1st Generation - Maelignaci====
As the contagii mate, the Genestealer genetic material passes onto their offspring, the ''Maelignaci''. The Maelignaci are animals, slow, clumsy and moronic. Within the cult they generally regarded as expendable shock troops.<sup>4</sup> They often possess three or even four arms, and are unable to use their host species technology or weaponry.{{Cite This}}<sup>6</sup>
====2nd Generation - Hybrid====
The Hybrid offspring of the Maelignaci are born unique with no two alike. However this generation can be selectively breed, using their parents like live-stock, and is often manipulated for traits such speed, strength or aggression.<sup>4</sup> They bear more resemblance to their host species than a Genestealer, but are still unable to use their host's technology.{{Cite This}}<sup>6</sup>
====3rd Generation - True Hybrid====
The next generation are True Hybrids and can be mistaken for a member of their host species, if they wear disguising clothes, or stay in dark areas, etc. Some of this generation are capable of using weapons of their host species.{{Cite This}}<sup>6</sup>
====4th Generation - Primacii====
The fourth generation, the ''Primacii'', are almost indistinguishable from their host species, only with slight physical deformities. Some still sport give-away signs such as being bald {{Cite This}}<sup>6</sup>. They are able to blend in to the host society and work to lure, kidnap, or do whatever it takes to provide more hosts.<sup>3</sup> Some rare individuals of this generation have psychic powers and become a [[Genestealer Magus]].{{Cite This}}<sup>6</sup>
====5th Generation - Purii====
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