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Carnifex

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Targetdrone.gif This article is about the the Tyranid species; for the Apothecary tool, see Carnifex (Tool).
A monstrous Carnifex tears into a Rhino.

Carnifexes are hulking, powerful Tyranid creatures used as living battering rams. They are often armed with the most powerful Tyranid Bio-weapons, and are used in shock assaults, spaceship boarding actions, massed battles, and for battering through fortified positions and tank formations.1

Overview

Carnifexes excel at thunderous charges, where their immense bulk is used to crush or smash through any opponent or obstacle. They are not as swift as other Tyranid creatures but their brute force more than makes up for this. A Carnifex's stampede takes time to build force as their incredible alien musculature strains to propel it forward. As it builds momentum and reaches top speed, the ground shakes with each stride of the monster and foes are scattered or trampled before it, only fortress walls or Super Heavy Tanks have any chance of surviving the ferocious impact. The best way to survive a Carnifex's charge is to be elsewhere.1

Carnifexes are not very intelligent and in fact have little self-awareness. They will revert to unthinking rampages of destruction if not constantly supervised and guided by the Hive Mind.1

The Imperium's first recorded encounters with the Carnifex was in the battles against Hive Fleet Behemoth that lead up to the Battle for Macragge. As the Imperium tried to stop the Tyranids in space, Carnifexes were at the head of every boarding action. The strain of Carnifexes encountered became known as "Screamer Killers" because of their terrible ululating shriek that accompanied their ability to discharge balls of Bio-plasma, generated within their bodies and vomited forth as blinding balls of energy.1 The Carnifex genus actually comprises many species displaying a wide variety of symbiotic weaponry such as the Heavy Venom Cannon, Stranglethorn Cannon, and Deathspitters.2

Old One Eye is a unique Carnifex with the ability to regenerate itself from mortal wounds.

Basic Info

Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record 3
Designation Carnifex
Common Title Screamer-Killer
Species Name Carnifex voracio, Carnifex vorantii, Carnifex ululare, Carnifex arbylis, Carnifex bilius
Average Height 5.5m at highest point
Average Weight 8-9 tonnes
First encountered Tyran
Role Heavy assault
Threat evaluation Very high

Images

4th Edition

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