|
|
| (36 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | {{IntWik|Destination=Schwarmflotte}}<br clear="all"> | + | {{TyranidsPortal}} |
| − | {{NidPortal}}
| + | [[Image:HiveFleetsMap.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Hive Fleet incursions on the [[Galaxy]] ]] |
| − | Tyranid "Hive Fleets", massive living space vessels, transport the Tyranids from location to location. Not only do the "Hive Fleets" take a significant role in the background and fiction of the Warhammer 40,000 universe<sup>1</sup>, but have been given their own models for use in the "Specialist Game" Battlefleet Gothic<sup>2</sup>. This page details the status and aspects of the Tyranids' Hive Fleets. For information concerning the history of invasions, see the Tyranids page. For more information concerning how the Tyranids and their ships devour worlds and then reproduce, see the Tyranid Genetics page.
| + | '''Hive Fleets''' are massive locust-like [[Tyranid]] swarms, comprising billions of creatures including the actual [[bio-ships]], living spacecraft used to cross interstellar space and the voids between [[galaxy|galaxies]]. Each creature of the Hive Fleet is an inseparable part of the [[Hive Mind]]. |
| | | | |
| − | ==Background== | + | == Overview == |
| | + | An entire Hive Fleet is directed by the single coordinating will which is its [[Hive Mind]], formed from untold billions of individual consciousnesses, each of which is a living creature in the fleet. Mankind still searches vainly for the higher beings they suppose control the Hive Fleets, and though such mighty creatures exist, they no more control the Hive Mind than single brain cells control a man's body. It is the sum of the Hive Mind which motivates it, not its constituent parts. |
| | | | |
| − | [[Tyranids]] cross the [[galaxy|galaxies]] and massive voids in between in vaste '''Hive Fleets''' of millions of sentient ships.
| + | Three major Hive Fleets have invaded the galaxy, each coming into conflict with the [[Imperium]]. Of the three major Hive Fleet invasions, two entered the galaxy through the [[Eastern Fringe]], but one is moving up from below the galactic plane. The Hive Fleets encountered thus far are just a splinter of the main Tyranid invasion force that is traveling through the void between galaxies.{{Fn|1}} |
| − | Of the 3 major Hive Fleet invasions, two come from the Eastern fringe, but one is moving up from below the galactic plane. The ships contain everything required to sustain the fleet; some ships being purely for crushing resistance, the larger ships contain birthing pools to create the huge land armies of the Tyranids and even more ships when the need arises.<sup>3</sup> | |
| | | | |
| − | This nutrients are replenished by scouring every planet conquered of every shred of biological matter, including all the Tyranids it seeded to the planet. Because the Tyranid forces are re-cycled in this way the "design" of the Tyranid warriors can be altered by genetic engineering, allowing the Tyranid forces to rapidly adapt to overcome any enemy. Further, the Tyranids absorb the DNA of defeated enemies, allowing for further genetic diversity.
| + | The bio-ships contain everything required to sustain the fleet; some ships being purely for crushing resistance, the larger ships contain birthing pools to create the huge land armies of the Tyranids and even more ships when the need arises. The nutrients used as food and raw material are replenished by scouring conquered planets of every cell of biological matter, including all the Tyranids it seeded onto the planet. Because the Tyranid forces are recycled in this way, the "design" of the Tyranid warriors can be altered by genetic engineering, allowing the Tyranid forces to rapidly adapt to overcome any enemy. Further, the Tyranids absorb the DNA of defeated enemies, allowing for further genetic diversity.{{Fn|2a}} It is believed the [[Genestealer]] and [[Broodlord]] are derived from [[Human]] DNA, the [[Zoanthrope]] from [[Eldar]] and the [[Biovore]] from [[Ork]] DNA.{{Fn|2b}} |
| | | | |
| − | By the nature of the hive fleets, fierce resistance on a planet will only make the fleet stronger in the end; for this reason only a few tactics have been found to work. The first is to draw the Tyranids into a large ground battle, forceing the fleet to deploy as large a ground force as possible. Once this is achieved, evacuate the planet as much as possible and perform [[Exterminatus]]. This means that the Hive Fleet will have lost all of the bio-material in the ground forces and by the nature of Exterminatus will not be able to recover any from the planet. This tactic is very successful, but at the cost of destroying a habitable planet every time, it is not a tactic that can be counted upon<sup>4</sup>. It has been projected that there may not even be enough habitable planets in the galaxy to stop the tyranid threat, especially if more Tyranid fleets arrive from outside the galaxy. | + | By the adaptive nature of the Hive Fleets, fierce resistance on a planet will only make the fleet stronger in the end; for this reason only a few tactics have been found to work. The first is to draw the Tyranids into a large ground battle, forcing the fleet to deploy as large a ground force as possible. Once this is achieved, the planet is evacuated, following with [[Exterminatus]] as the Tyranids strip the life of the planet. This tactic is effective as Hive Fleets are dependent on the impetus gained from absorbing each conquered planet; the Hive Fleet will also have lost the biological "energy" expended to conquer it, including all of the bio-material of the ground forces and by the nature of Exterminatus will not be able to recover any from the planet. This tactic is extreme and also damaging to the Imperium, as it destroys a valuable and habitable planet every time. It has been projected that there may not even be enough habitable planets in the galaxy to stop the Tyranid threat, especially if more Tyranid fleets arrive from outside the galaxy. |
| | | | |
| − | This process usually occurs by:<br>
| + | ===Splinter Fleets=== |
| − | 1) Insinuating [[Genestealer]]s in the population. This step isn't always neccesarily present, but [[Genestealer Cult]]s are frequent enough to warrant mention.<br>
| + | One of the most insidious aspects of the Tyranids is the difficulty in eradicating a Hive Fleet. Should a fleet become decisively defeated, some portion of its strength will invariably escape and slowly build up its strength by quietly consuming more biomass. It may take years or even centuries, but these '''Splinter Fleets'''' will rise again to pose a threat. Moreover, such Splinter Fleets will have learned the lesson of their primogenitors defeat and have adapted accordingly.{{Fn|3}} |
| − | 2) [[Mycetic Spores]] are launched from the Hive Ships, and [[Lictor]]s and other Tyranids, such as the Genestealers, begin the attack.<br>
| |
| − | 3) The Hive Fleet moves into close orbit, haveing defeated local resistance in space. <br>
| |
| − | 4) The Tyranid Forces land in full, and begin the attack.<br>
| |
| − | 5) The slain bodies of the planet are thrown together into [[Digestion pools]], where [[Capillary tower]]s are lowered from the Hive Ships to gather nutrients.<br>
| |
| − | 6) All forms of life are extinguished, all nutrients are gathered, and the Hive Fleet leaves the empty husk of the world for another.<br>
| |
| | | | |
| − | ==Bio-Ships==
| + | While [[Hive Fleet Leviathan]] is currently the largest and most ascendent known Tyranid Hive Fleet, Splinter Fleets of [[Hive Fleet Behemoth|Behemoth]] and [[Hive Fleet Kraken|Kraken]] continue to plague the [[galaxy]].{{Fn|3}} |
| − | Each ship is named after the first hive fleet that the ship appeared in. The names "Tyranids," the designations of hive fleets, and other names of individual Tyranid creatures are named by scholars of the Imperium and not by the Tyranids themselves. The problem with labeling these ships comes from the fact that the ships are constantly changing. Thus, catagories for the Tyranid fleets are based on size and purpose, not necessarily individual designs.<sup>3</sup>
| |
| | | | |
| − | Unlike other fleets, the Tyranids do not use shielding or weapons in the traditional sense. In their place are "spores," different globs of acids and other chemicals that surround the Tyranid vessels for defense and are launched at any nearby enemies.
| + | <gallery mode="packed" heights="150"> |
| | + | File:Kadaku Orbit.jpg|Day 4 of [[Leviathan]] splinter fleet's invasion of [[Kadaku]] in the [[Recidious System]].{{Fn|5}} |
| | + | File:Hive fleet (The Tithes ep 2).jpg|Oncoming Tyranid fleet heading towards [[Ystrad]].{{Fn|4}} |
| | + | </gallery> |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Hiveship.gif|thumb|200px|right|Leviathan Hiveship]]<!-- | + | ==See also== |
| − | FAIR USE of Hiveship.gif: see image description page for rationale -->
| + | *[[List of Hive Fleets]] |
| − | ===Leviathan hive ship===
| + | *[[Forgotten Hive Fleet]] |
| | + | *[[Behemoth]] |
| | + | *[[Kraken]] |
| | + | *[[Leviathan]] |
| | + | *[[Bio-ships]] |
| | | | |
| − | A Leviathan class hive ship is the largest of known Tyranid ships. They are found at the center of a hive fleet and exists as the main producer of Tyranids, each capable of holding thousands and thousands of invaders. They are also the ship that draws up the resources of a planet after a successful invasion and "devours" the material to form new creatures and ships.<sup>4</sup>
| + | ==Sources== |
| | + | {{cite}} |
| | + | *{{Endn|1}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 5th Edition Rulebook]], pg. 215 |
| | + | *2: [[Codex: Tyranids (3rd Edition)]] |
| | + | **{{Endn|2a}}: ''Creating Your own Hive Fleet'', pg. 36 |
| | + | **{{Endn|2b}}: ''Species 457 Structure & Analysis'', pg. 37 |
| | + | *{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Tyranids (10th Edition)]], pg. 12-14 |
| | + | *{{Endn|4}}: [[The Tithes (Animated Series)]]: Episode 2: Harvest |
| | + | *{{Endn|5}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2]] - Prologue cutscene |
| | | | |
| − | Leviathan class ships are capable of having five major weapons, one on its prow, three on its sides, and one on its "thorax." They also slow and have problems meeting enemies. They are a "synapse" creature and operate as the mind of the fleet. <sup>2</sup>
| |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Razorfiend.gif|thumb|200px|right|Razorfiend]]<!-- | + | ===Uncited=== |
| − | FAIR USE of Razorfiend.gif: see image description page for rationale -->
| + | *[[Codex: Tyranids (4th Edition)]] |
| − | ===Razorfiend Cruiser===
| + | *[[White Dwarf 145]] (1992), Tyranid army list |
| | | | |
| − | A Razorfiend class cruiser is smaller but faster than the hive ships. They are found within fleets and on their own. They are used as giant, living torpedos, able to attack without concern for the safety of the individual ships.
| + | [[Category:Hive Fleets| ]] |
| − | | + | [[Category:Tyranids]] |
| − | Razorfiend class ships are capable of having four major weapons, one on its prow, two on its sides, and one on its "thorax." They are aggressive ships that will leave the main body of a hive fleet to directly attack or pursue nearby enemies, even smashing into enemies and attack it in a "melee" manner. <sup>2</sup>
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===Kraken===
| |
| − | | |
| − | A Kraken is a giant creature that operates independently from the main hive fleet. They do not seek out planets like other ships nor do they carry troops. However, they do venture wherever they can, devouring ships in their path.
| |
| − | | |
| − | A Kraken is a massive creature with one weapon. They are also very fast and able to turn easily. They are also able to resist and regenerate damage. Three species of Kraken have been have been recorded: the Ramsmitter (has a beaked prowl), the Deathburner (releases acid at enemies), and the Smeltfeaster.<sup>2</sup>
| |
| − | | |
| − | [[Image:Tyranid prowler.gif|thumb|200px|right|Prowler Vanguard Drone]]<!-- | |
| − | FAIR USE of Tyranid prowler.gif: see image description page for rationale -->
| |
| − | ===Prowler Vanguard Drone===
| |
| − | | |
| − | A Prowler class vanguard drone is similar to the Kraken, as they operate far away from the fleets. However, the Vanguard seeks out new worlds for the hive fleet to devour and carries organizism, like Genestealers or Lictors, to infest the world with their cargo. Along with the Tyranid invaders, the Prowler releases spores and other catalysts onto the planet, which dramatically alters the environment in preparation for the oncoming invasion/harvest of the planets resources.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Prowler ships are a smaller ship with only one weapon. They are as fast as Kraken and are able to turn easily. They are attack ships are able to lead the other ships of the hive fleet towards potential targets. They are rarely found with the main hive fleet, and when they are, they are only loading more cargo to begin further infestations.<sup>2</sup>
| |
| − | | |
| − | [[Image:Tyranid stalker.gif|thumb|200px|right|Stalker Escort Drone]]<!-- | |
| − | FAIR USE of Tyranid stalker.gif: see image description page for rationale -->
| |
| − | ===Stalker Escort Drone===
| |
| − | | |
| − | A Stalker class escort drone is similar to the Prowler drone but has extra armour and stays close to the Hive Fleet. They operate as escort ships and as a line of defense. They rarely are found outside of the main hivefleet
| |
| − | | |
| − | Escourts have only one weapon. They are slow, bulky ships that have problems turning, but always stay nearby the hive ships. They are defense ships and will "instinctively" return to the fleet if ever stranded.<sup>2</sup>
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Famous Hive Fleets==
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===Hive Fleet Behemoth===
| |
| − | For more information, see: [[Behemoth]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | Hive Fleet Behemoth invaded in a giant swarm of close to 1000 ships, and reached as far into Imperial Space as Macragge, the homeworld of the Ultramarines, before it was destroyed.<sup>3</sup>.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The Tyranids attacked Macragge directly. The true power of the Hive fleet was shown as even though a warp vortex removed the hive fleets Synapse control, there was still a titanic struggle and great losses - including the heroic last stand of the Ultramarines veteran First Company, but eventually, the Ultramarines prevailed. The Tyranids threatening Macragge were slain and driven back. Reinforcements before the hive fleet's second wave. The allies parted company and renewed their efforts to prevent the Tyranids regrouping.
| |
| | | | |
| − | The final action against Hive Fleet Behemoth occurred in orbit of the gas giant planet of Circe. At the height of the battle the flagship Dominus Astra charged straight into the heart of the Hive Fleet and triggered its warp drives, destroying it utterly.<sup>3</sup>
| + | [[de:Schwarmflotte]] |
| − | | + | [[fr:Flotte-Ruche]] |
| − | ===Hive Fleet Kraken===
| |
| − | For more information, see: [[Kraken]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | Hive fleet Kraken was a large number of sub-fleets, which were eventually halted at the Battle of Iyanden and the Battle of Ichar IV. Surviving vessels spread out throughout the galaxy, forming the Splinter Fleets.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Hive Fleet Kraken's arrival was heralded by genestealer rebellions and insurrections on the Eastern Fringe. With these rebellions, the Tyranids split themselves into smaller swarms and devoured whole systems before any response could be made. Although this made each individual assault weaker and made some warp travel and communication possible, Kraken was attacking across a far vaster front than Behemoth. A vast portion of Kraken's strength attacked the Eldar Craftworld of Iyanden. Although eventually defeated, the Invasion killed four-fifths of the Craftworld's population.<sup>3</sup>
| |
| − | | |
| − | As the fleet faced more severe resistance, smaller sub-fleets combined to overcome it, narrowing the range of the Tyranid advance as it pushed further into the Imperium. After the Battle of Iyanden and the Ultramarines successful destruction of the Ichar IV rebellion, the Imperium's psykers were able to predict where the remainder of Kraken's strength was moving . Troops were rushed to Ichar IV ahead of the Tyranids, where Marneus Calgar, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, led the Imperium to victory.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Yet this was not the end of Kraken, for after the battle, the surviving vessels divided into a series of 'splinter fleets'. Although tiny by comparison, these continue to threaten isolated and poorly defended worlds, and increase their numbers with every consumed world.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===Hive Fleet Leviathan===
| |
| − | For more information, see: [[Hive Fleet Leviathan]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | Hive fleet Leviathan was made of a C shape approaching from below the galactic plane, spreading the phenomenon known as the Shadow in the Warp. <sup>4</sup>.
| |
| − | | |
| − | The fleet appeared as a pair of closing jaws, cutting off huge stretches of space from warp travel and astropathy. Leviathan carved through the Imperium, devouring worlds until a galactic cordon was established by the Imperium, and each world within its confines to be evacuated and subjected to exterminatus. The decision condemned billions of Imperial citizens to extermination, which resulted in the slowing of the hive fleet.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Using a brood of captured Genestealers, they sent them into the Ork Octavius system. The Genestealers impregnated so many orks that the entirety of Leviathan altered course for the system, to rendez-vous with their displaced kin. Kryptman allowed himself a glimmer of hope: his plan seemed to have paid off. The Octavian Orks and Tyranids of Leviathan are still thoroughly involved with destroying each other<sup>4</sup>.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ===Others===
| |
| − | | |
| − | While these are not traditional Hive Fleets, they are the first incarnations of invasion before the hive fleet was established in its format above.<sup>4</sup>.
| |
| − | | |
| − | * Tiamat: Tiamat was named after a planet discovered in the 35th Millenium that was an unusual death world. It was determined by Xenologists working for the Adeptus Mechanicus that all life had a common genetic source. The explorers who were sent down onto the planet were trapped when their ship became contaminated and they were later overcome by the creatures inhabiting the planet. The planet was later lost after the Hive Fleet Kraken<sup>4</sup>.
| |
| − | | |
| − | * Ouroboros: Cardinal Miriamulus the Elder, of the planet Thracian Primaris, recorded a Chaos-like invasion. Upon further examination of equipment used during the battle and trophies collected, it was determined that it was, indeed, a Tyranid invasion<sup>4</sup>.
| |
| − | | |
| − | * Colossus: In the 38th Millenium, a group of Zoats came into contact with the Imperium. Although they claimed to be escaping from slavery, their murderous actions caused them to be deemed Xenos Horribilis and for them to be exterminated<sup>4</sup>.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Also, in the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook on the Tyranid page, there is also a colour scheme for a Hive Fleet known as Harbinger, which bears generally black carapace and chitin, and purple flesh. Another of the less known Hive Fleets is Apophis, which has black carapace, red flesh, yellow lines on the carapace, green blood, eyes and tongues. Included online are many other possibilities for players<sup>5</sup>.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Gaming==
| |
| − | | |
| − | The Battlefleet Gothic game treats the Tyranids as natural space creatures, able to manage space where other races may fail. They also treat the Tyranids as vicious predators that a crew of an enemy ship would rather annhilate/die trying than to ever be captured by them. The following are aspects of the Tyranids that are unique to the game.<sup>2</sup>
| |
| − | | |
| − | Defense
| |
| − | | |
| − | Tyranid ships surround themselves with "spores" that absorb enemy attacks and other problems in the same way as traditional shields would.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Offense
| |
| − | | |
| − | The Tyranid ships are capable of using many weapons:
| |
| − | | |
| − | * Bio-plasma: A slow-moving, short ranged attack that is capable of ignoring enemy shields
| |
| − | * Feeder Tentacles: Large tenticles attacked to ships that bash enemies, wrap around their ships, and even pierce their hulls
| |
| − | * Massive Claws: Like Feeder Tentacles, massive claws can rip through armour but used to lock onto enemies for boarding
| |
| − | * Pyro-acidic Batteries: These launch the "spores" used for offense.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Refitting
| |
| − | | |
| − | Unlike other fleets, the Tyranids "refit" thier ships via evolution; they devour their enemies, break them down into usable structures and compounds, and then create new ships that are able to adapt to the present situation.<sup>2</sup>
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==References==
| |
| − | | |
| − | *<sup>1</sup>[[Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook]]
| |
| − | *<sup>2</sup>[http://www.specialist-games.com/battlefleetgothic/rulebook.asp Gothic Fleet Downloads/Rulebook]
| |
| − | *<sup>3</sup>[[Codex: Tyranids (2nd Edition)]]
| |
| − | *<sup>4</sup>[[Codex: Tyranids (4th Edition)]]
| |
| − | *<sup>5</sup>[http://uk.games-workshop.com/tyranids/forgotten-fleets/1/ Forgotten Fleets at GW] Retrieved on 2006-05-07.
| |
| − | * [[Codex: Tyranids (3rd Edition)]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | [[Category:Hive Fleets]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Tyranids]]
| |
Hive Fleet incursions on the
GalaxyHive Fleets are massive locust-like Tyranid swarms, comprising billions of creatures including the actual bio-ships, living spacecraft used to cross interstellar space and the voids between galaxies. Each creature of the Hive Fleet is an inseparable part of the Hive Mind.
Overview
An entire Hive Fleet is directed by the single coordinating will which is its Hive Mind, formed from untold billions of individual consciousnesses, each of which is a living creature in the fleet. Mankind still searches vainly for the higher beings they suppose control the Hive Fleets, and though such mighty creatures exist, they no more control the Hive Mind than single brain cells control a man's body. It is the sum of the Hive Mind which motivates it, not its constituent parts.
Three major Hive Fleets have invaded the galaxy, each coming into conflict with the Imperium. Of the three major Hive Fleet invasions, two entered the galaxy through the Eastern Fringe, but one is moving up from below the galactic plane. The Hive Fleets encountered thus far are just a splinter of the main Tyranid invasion force that is traveling through the void between galaxies.[1]
The bio-ships contain everything required to sustain the fleet; some ships being purely for crushing resistance, the larger ships contain birthing pools to create the huge land armies of the Tyranids and even more ships when the need arises. The nutrients used as food and raw material are replenished by scouring conquered planets of every cell of biological matter, including all the Tyranids it seeded onto the planet. Because the Tyranid forces are recycled in this way, the "design" of the Tyranid warriors can be altered by genetic engineering, allowing the Tyranid forces to rapidly adapt to overcome any enemy. Further, the Tyranids absorb the DNA of defeated enemies, allowing for further genetic diversity.[2a] It is believed the Genestealer and Broodlord are derived from Human DNA, the Zoanthrope from Eldar and the Biovore from Ork DNA.[2b]
By the adaptive nature of the Hive Fleets, fierce resistance on a planet will only make the fleet stronger in the end; for this reason only a few tactics have been found to work. The first is to draw the Tyranids into a large ground battle, forcing the fleet to deploy as large a ground force as possible. Once this is achieved, the planet is evacuated, following with Exterminatus as the Tyranids strip the life of the planet. This tactic is effective as Hive Fleets are dependent on the impetus gained from absorbing each conquered planet; the Hive Fleet will also have lost the biological "energy" expended to conquer it, including all of the bio-material of the ground forces and by the nature of Exterminatus will not be able to recover any from the planet. This tactic is extreme and also damaging to the Imperium, as it destroys a valuable and habitable planet every time. It has been projected that there may not even be enough habitable planets in the galaxy to stop the Tyranid threat, especially if more Tyranid fleets arrive from outside the galaxy.
Splinter Fleets
One of the most insidious aspects of the Tyranids is the difficulty in eradicating a Hive Fleet. Should a fleet become decisively defeated, some portion of its strength will invariably escape and slowly build up its strength by quietly consuming more biomass. It may take years or even centuries, but these Splinter Fleets' will rise again to pose a threat. Moreover, such Splinter Fleets will have learned the lesson of their primogenitors defeat and have adapted accordingly.[3]
While Hive Fleet Leviathan is currently the largest and most ascendent known Tyranid Hive Fleet, Splinter Fleets of Behemoth and Kraken continue to plague the galaxy.[3]
Oncoming Tyranid fleet heading towards Ystrad.[4]
See also
Sources
 |
This article needs work on its citations.
For help on citation see the citation guidelines.
You can help Lexicanum by fixing it.
|
Uncited
.jpg)
