Spore Mine
Spore Mines, or "floaters" (species name: Boletus minoris[Needs Citation]), are used by Tyranids as living, floating mines which explode if any non-Tyranid lifeform gets too close.[1]
Overview
Spore mines are floating, gaseous sacs packed tight with toxic Tyranid spores. Essentially mindless, they nevertheless possess acute sensory and propulsion organs and can quickly hone in on enemy movement. Once close they detonate with force comparable to a Krak Grenade, spraying their virulent payload over a wide area. Even when destroyed spore mines still serve the Hive Mind's goals, as the released spore infect all non-Tyranid organisms, turning them towards further Tyrannoforming of the planet.[5]
Spore mines are grown and launched by Biovores and Harpies. They grow deep inside a Biovore's body and are then launched via a powerful muscle spasm through the Biovore's dorsal aperture and hurled across the battlefield. An internal gas bladder in the spore mines inflates allowing them to drift down towards the ground, where they do not detonate upon impact but when they sense the proximity of a non-Tyranid lifeform. They have been known to drift for days, weeks or even years until an unwary foe comes too near. Alternatively, spore mines are also seeded onto worlds from orbit.[1]
Spore mines possess a rudimentary intelligence and are full of poisons, toxins, viruses and chemicals and are covered in sensitive feelers which seek out heat and vibrations. They are also able to sense nearby fire and will explode in the hope of killing the enemy firing. All of the spore mines in a cluster are linked, and when one explodes, they all do even if there are no enemies nearby. If the mine is killed it will also explode.[Needs Citation]
Spore mines come in one of three forms:
- Poison — Full of poisons and toxins, the mine can overcome any physiology. The poisons include highly reactive inorganic poisons, haemotoxins, aflotoxins, neurotoxins and phage cells.[3]
- Frag — It has an iron hard shell which shatters when the mine explodes and sends shards of the shell in all directions, which can scythe down light infantry but can also cause lethal infections and sepsis.[3]
- Bio-Acid — The acids are thick and viscous, allowing them to cling to their victim to maximise the effectiveness of the acids. They have been known to dissolve everything up to, and including, ceramite plate.[3]
Spore Mines used in void combat ares asteroid-sized and explode with the power of a thermonuclear explosion, sending out shockwaves that can rock a spaceship. After the explosion, fragments of the Spore Mine, containing acids, algae and virus particles, are used to puncture the targeted vessel's hull.[6]
Images
Spore Mines (2023)
Spore Mines (2014)
Spore Mines (2001)
Spore Mines (1995)
Space Fleet Spore Mines[4]
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition), pg. 48
- 2: Shield of Baal: Leviathan - The Aeros Skytide
- 3: Codex: Tyranids (3rd Edition), pg. 16
- 4: Space Fleet - Tyranid Fleet Index
- 5: Wrath & Glory: Space Marine 2 - Purge the Swarm, pg. 23
- 6: Salvation (Short Story) — Into the Maelstrom (Anthology)
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