Species of Tyranid

Tyranids Portal

A list of all known Tyranid species and sub-species.

Bio-Ships

Bio-Titans
Images	Name	Description
	Hive Ship	A Battleship-size Bio-Ship
	Devourer Cruiser	a Battlecruiser-class Bio-ship
	Razorfiend Cruiser	Cruiser-size Bio-Ship
	Dark Prowler	Cruiser-size Bio-Ship
	Void Fiend	Cruiser-size Bio-Ship
	Void Prowler	Light Cruiser-size Bio-Ships
	Kraken	Frigate-size Bio-Ships
	Vanguard Drone Ship	Destroyer-size Bio-Ship
	Escort Drone
	Ether-Swimming Brood	Attack craft-size Bio-Ship
	Boarding Worm	Transport Organism
	Tyrannocyte	Transport Organism
	Mycetic Spore	Transport Organism
	Narvhal
	Rebirth Vessel
	Mindslayer

Bio-Titans

Bio-Titans
Images	Name	Description
	Dominatrix	Huge monsters symbiotically fused with smaller (Warrior-sized) entities that act as a psychic link to the Norn-Queen aboard her ship.[16b]
	Hierophant	8a}
	Nautiloid	Gigantic Tyranids carrying shells resembling that of a snail's; its mid and rear limbs are fused into a pseudopod and lashwhip combination.[15]
	Viragon	A huge tunneling Tyranid that resembles a huge Trygon.[15]
	Vermis-class Bio-Titan	[10]
	Viciator	A large bio-titan akin to Hierophants.[15]

Warmachine Size Creatures

Warmachine Size Creatures
Images	Name	Description
	Cerebore	A massive Tyranid transporter organism.[15]
	Dactylis	Long-range firepower specialist organism.[22]
	Exocrine	Bred as a long-range tank hunter[22]
	Harridan	Large winged creature. It carries Gargoyles into battle.[8b]
	Haruspex	A genus of assault spawn intended to rush at the enemy lines.[22]
	Hierodule	The equivalent of a small Imperial Titan.[8c]
	Malefactor	One of the general variety of assault creatures. It can carry other broods into battle under its carapace.[22]
	Sporocyst	Atmospheric terraforming organism.

Monstrous Creatures

Monstrous Creatures
Images	Name	Description
	Carnifex	Carnifexes are hulking, powerful Tyranid creatures used as living battering rams. [16o]
	*Thornback	Carnifex gun-battery variant
	*Stone-Crusher	Carnifex variant to counter tanks and fortifications
	*Screamer-Killer	Carnifex variant designed around close combat
	* Old One Eye [a]	A unique Carnifex with the ability to regenerate itself from mortal wounds. [16z]
	Dimachaeron	Large hunter-killer predator
	Harpy	A Harpy is a large winged species of Tyranid comparable to a winged Trygon.[16l]
	Hive Crone	A large flying creature evolved for air-to-air combat
	Hive Tyrant	Monstrous Tyranid creatures created to be commanders of the Tyranid swarm, they embody the Hive Mind completely and act as the primary Synapse conduit through which it enforces its will over lesser Tyranid creatures.[16c]
	Laius Horror	[29]
	Magma Corer	[9b]
	Malanthrope	A rarely-seen form of psychic Tyranid. [4]
	Maleceptor	A highly psychic organism
	Mawloc	A huge worm-like Tyranid creature that acts as an outrider to the Tyranid swarm.[13][16t]
	Neurotyrant	Large psychic Tyranid which acts as a node for the Shadow in the Warp
	Psychophage	Psyker-consuming organism
	Tervigon	A massive Tyranid that serves as a living incubator capable of spawning Termagants.[16u]
	Toxicrene	Mobile toxic spore-producing organism
	Trygon	Huge Tyranid creatures, similar to giant Raveners. [16s]
	Tyrannofex	A Tyrannofex is a monstrous battle-fortress species of Tyranid. [16v]
	Norn Emissary
	Norn Assimilator

Medium Size Creatures

Medium Size Creatures
Images	Name	Description
	Biovore	Tyranid creatures bred to launch Spore Mines towards the enemy, they are the equivalent of the artillery of other species - includes some variations like Triovore and Protovore[15][16q]
	Broodlord	A Tyranid leader organism, regarded as the epitome of the Genestealer breed. [12a]
	Hive Guard	Tyranid species that defends the consumption buildings of the Hive Mind.[16p]
	Lictor	Creatures that act as specialist scouts and vanguards, roving ahead of the Tyranid swarm to seek out and locate potential prey.[16j]
	Neurolictor	Psychic variant of Lictor
	Death Leaper [a]	A unique Lictor created as the ultimate weapon of terror[16bb]
	Mist Reaper	A unique form of Lictor, that is responsible for many disappearances on the planet Xian.[19a]
	Von Ryan's Leapers	Pack-hunting ambush organism[30]
	Mieotic Spore	Large sacs full of bio-acid and toxins, and contain smaller Spore Mines within them.[4]
	Mucolid Spore	Air defense organism
	Parasite of Mortrex	A bat-winged Tyranid creature that has a barbed tail tipped with a hollow tube, like a snake's fang, capable of implanting its still-living victims with Ripper parasites.[16cc]
	Pyrovore	A species of Tyranid that pre-digests biomass to provide minerals and fuel for the Tyranid Hive Fleet. It can launch a searing fireball from its dorsal flamespurt bio-weapon grown into its own flesh.[13][16r]
	Ravener	A Tyranid species adapted for fast assaults, surprise raids and swift pursuits. [16f]
	* Red Terror [a]	A particularly deadly Tyranid Ravener, covered in a carapace the colour of blood, armed with sets of great scythe blades and a maw so wide it can swallow a man whole.[14]
	Tyranid Warrior	The synaptic foot troops of the Hive Fleets. Warriors are among the most important Tyranids in battle, as not only are they powerful and deadly creatures, they are synapse creatures, directing lesser creatures and forming the focal points of the Hive Mind. [16e]
	* Tyranid Prime	A highly evolved Tyranid Warrior considered to be the apex of the Tyranid Warrior strain[16e]
	* Tyranid Shrike	A member of the Warrior genus, possessing wings and capable of flight, serving as mobile Synapse Creatures and shock assault troops. [16e]
	Tyrant Guard	A species of Tyranid spawned for the sole purpose of defending a Hive Tyrant from harm.[4][16d]
	Venomthrope	[16n]
	Zoanthrope	A species of Tyranid created solely to harness the potential psychic power of the Hive Mind, in effect a type of psychic artillery used in Tyranid planetary invasions and a synapse creature used to relay the commands of the Hive Mind to lesser creatures. Named subspecies include Horror Zoanthrope, Zoanthrope Screamer, Catalyst Zoanthrope, Biothrope[13][15][16m]
	Neurothrope	Evolved version of the Zoanthrope able to leech the life force from its victims
	Doom of Malan'tai [a]	A uniquely adapted Tyranid Zoanthrope that has the ability to feed not upon flesh and blood but upon the psychic energy and souls of its victims. [16aa]

Smaller Size Tyranid Creatures

Smaller Size Tyranid Creatures
Images	Name	Description
	Cortex Leech	Resembling Rippers, they leap onto the face of their victims and insert long feelers into their ears, nose and eyes. These feelers are capable of manipulating the new host's brain forcing them to become a dribbling puppet under the sway of the Hive Mind.[15]
	Gaunt	The genus for a number of the smaller Tyranid species, including Termagants, Spinegaunts, Hormagaunts, Neurogaunts, Barbgaunts,, Deathgaunts, Hellgaunts, Nightgaunts, Terrorgaunts, Slashgaunts, Razorgants, Crucigants, Exegants, Malgants, Mortegaunts, Rendergants, Protogaunts, Pyrogaunts, Lashgaunts, Genogants, Toxigaunts and Gargoyles.
	* Hormagaunt	A subspecies of Gaunt armed with razor-sharp Scything Talons. They move on powerful hind legs in a series of exceptionally fast, bounding leaps that appears as a skittering, insect-like gait.[16g]
	* Termagant	Fast, agile and cunning creatures of the Gaunt genus. While not very strong individually, Termagants will often overwhelm much more elite foes with superior numbers.[16h]
	* Neurogaunt	Gaunt strain which support Tyranid node beasts during invasions.
	* Barbgaunt	Gaunt strain which acts as a fire support beast.
	* Gargoyle	A winged Gaunt species.[16k]
	Genestealer	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 can infect other species with their genetic material.[16i]
	* Ymgarl Genestealer	A mutated form of Genestealers originally thought to be native to the moons of planet Ymgarl, notable in that they are among the first contacts Mankind has ever had with the Tyranid race.[16dd]
	Rippers	A small species of Tyranid that serves as the primary means of devouring bio-mass from a planet. They are the most numerous of Tyranid creatures, and in great swarms they can pull down and consume creatures many times their own size. [16x]
	* Sky-slasher	Winged Rippers[16x]
	Spore Mine	Living, floating mines that explode if any non-Tyranid lifeform gets too close.[16q]
	Neuroloid	Floating psychic organisms that accompany Neurotyrants

Biomorph Creatures

Biomorph Creatures
Images	Name	Description
	Bonesword	Melee weapon
	Lash Whip	Melee weapon
	Fleshborer	Projectile Weapon
	Spinefist	Projectile Weapon
	Barbed Strangler	Projectile Weapon
	Barblauncher	Projectile weapon
	Deathspitter	Projectile Weapon
	Devourer	Projectile Weapon
	Impaler Cannon	Projectile Weapon
	Strangleweb	Projectile Weapon
	Shockcannon	Energy weapon
	Spike Rifle	Projectile weapon
	Stranglethorn Cannon	Projectile weapon
	Tentaclid	Living munitions
	Venom Cannon	Projectile weapon
	Neurocyte	Parasitic organisms which cling to the backs of Neurogaunts
	Spore Mine Launcher	Large projectile weapon
	Heavy Venom Cannon	Large Projectile weapon
	Spore Cyst	Produces Spore Mines
	Flamespurt	Large Flamer weapon
	Acid Spray	Large acidic weapon
	Rupture Cannon	Large projectile weapon
	Bio-Plasmic Cannon	Large energy weapon
	Bio-cannon	Superheavy projectile weapon
	Pyro-Acid Battery	Superheavy Fleet weapon
	Bio-Torpedo	Superheavy Fleet weapon
Teleporter Worm		Teleportation creature

Tiny Creatures

Tiny Tyranid Creatures
Name	Description
Desiccator Larvae	moisture absorbing lifeform
Electroshock Grubs	elecricity-producing organism
Fleshborer beetle	Insatiable beetle-like organisms living within and fired from Fleshborers.[16ee]
Flesh-worm	Worm-like organism with shiny black heads fired from Devourers.[4][16ee]
Pathogenesis	Mutating virus-like organism[26]
Resonance Barb	Hive Mind stimuli[26]
Scataphagoid	Small beetle-like organism responsible for cleaning the respiratory tracks of Hive Ships[1a]
Shreddershard Beetle	fragmenting explosive organism
Venomthorn Parasite	Weapons-upgrading organism[26]

Tyranid Flora and Bio-Structures

Tyranid Flora and Bio-Structures
Name	Description
Barbed Thermotropic Vine	They spawn from the vast clouds of spores that Tyranids plant during the beginning stages of a planetary harvesting. [9a][9b]
Broodhive	Broodhives are a large network of Tyranid plants that tunnel underneath the surface.[9a]
Brood Nest	Brood Nests provide Tyranid invasion forces with instant reinforcements. Hidden safely underground, Tyranid creatures are nurtured inside the brood nests.[8d]
Capillary Tower	Tyranid plants that reach the upper atmosphere (and beyond). They link up with hive ships in low orbit, and then pump the biomass upwards to the waiting biovessels.[9a][9b]
Magma Vent	Tyranid plants that burrow deep into the planetary crust releasing the gases trapped in this planetary layer.[9a][9b]
Mycetic Spore	Large, living shells used to transport Tyranid creatures from Tyranid Hive Ships to a planet's surface. They could be considered the Tyranid equivalent of an Imperial Drop Pod.[9b][16w]
Reclamation Pool	One of the final stages of 'Tyraniforming' a planet, used to convert consumed bio-mass into a form utilisable by the Hive Fleets.[9a][9b]
Spore Chimney	Pump out alien spores which not only pollute the atmosphere but also quickly alter the native fauna.[9a][9b]
Vitrified Plant	[9a]

Genestealer Cult Forces

These creatures are linked to Genestealer Cult infestations.^[1b]

Genestealer Cult Forces
Images	Name	Description
	Genestealer Patriarch	A Genestealer Patriarch is the founder and leader of a Genestealer Cult.
	Genestealer Magus	Highly Psychic Genestealer Hybrids, they act as figureheads for the Cult.
	Genestealer Primus	War leader
	Acolyte Hybrid	First and second generation Genestealer offspring
	Hybrid Neophyte	Third and Fourth generation Genestealer offspring
	Hybrid Metamorph	Late generation Genestealer offspring used for war
	Kelermorph
	Biophagus	Biological warfare specialist
	Clamavus	Communications specialist
	Nexos	Strategic specialist
	Reductus Saboteur	Explosives specialist
	Genestealer Sanctus	Assassination specialist
	Locus	Bodyguards
	Genestealer Familiar	Psychic constructs of a Genestealer Magus
	Genestealer Abominant	Hulking Mutants
	Genestealer Aberrant	Hulking mutants

Theorized Tyranid Species

These are creatures that the Magos Biologis believe exist, but for which there is no physical evidence.

• Norn-Queens are believed to be the mysterious female counterparts to the Hive Tyrants. They lead the Tyranid swarms and direct the evolutionary paths to take. They invariably stay aboard their Hive Ships.

Tyranid Descendants

These are species that the Magos Biologis believe may be species that evolved from Tyranid that were left behind from failed Tyranid invasions.

Forgotten Fleets

• Ramblin' Snapper^[24]
• Kromlok Dangler ^[24]
• Arenea Stalker ^[24]
• Debilithrax ^[24]
• Colossus (Zoat) ^[24]
• Leaping Thornsnake ^[24]
• Dakkarian Brain Slug ^[24]
• Gorzal Swamp Lurker ^[24]
• Brood Crawler ^[24]
• Horror of Icthiam ^[24]
• Shelled Slasher ^[24]

Possible Tyranid Descendants

• Catachan Devil^[12b]
• Kraken^[23]
• Grobula ^[25]

Previous Edition Tyranid Forces

These are species associated with the Tyranids only in earlier editions of WH40K. In game terms they are no longer part of Tyranid armies.

• Grabber-Slashers^[11] are destructive warrior assassins that appear to share certain biological traits with Orks. They are very muscular and aggressive creatures, capable of propelling themselves by their tails alone. Uniquely, they contain a type of algae within their blood that allows them to synthesize the genetic material of their victims and use this to mutate their form.
• Zoat ^{[Needs Citation]}
• Hunter Slayer (renamed Termagants) ^{[Needs Citation]}
• Squig Swarm (became Ripper swarms) ^{[Needs Citation]}
• Shroud-Spinner^[11]
• Mind-Slaver^[11] - exists in current canon as Cortex Leech
• Mind Slave - non-Tyranid creatures controlled by the Hive Mind through the Mind-Slaver. ^{[Needs Citation]}
• Hive Lord - described in the 1st edition WH40k Rulebook as the acting agents of the Hive Fleet's ultimate ruler, they were analogous to the current Hive Tyrants. ^{[Needs Citation]}

Related Articles

• Biomorph
• Forgotten Hive Fleet
• Unknown Genus

Sources

• 1: Codex: Tyranids (2nd Edition):
  • 1a: pg. 15
  • 1b: pg. 27
• 2: Tyranid Evolution (accessed 2007.06.14)
• 3: Tyranid Special Characters (accessed 2007.06.14)
• 4: Forge World Tyranid Range (accessed 2007.06.14)
• 5: Tyranid Miniatures Gallery (accessed 2007.06.14)
• 6: Battlefleet Gothic Rulebook^{[Needs Citation]}
• 7: Battlefleet Gothic Fleet Downloads (accessed 2007.06.14)
• 8: Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project
  • 8a: pg. 81
  • 8b: pgs. 86-87
  • 8c: pgs. 82-85
  • 8d: pgs. 98-99
• 9: White Dwarf 254 (US)
  • 9a: Hostile Terrain by Pete Haines
  • 9b: Tyranid Planetary Assimilation Analysis by Sherman Bishop
• 10: Soul Drinker (Novel) - The Soul Drinkers Omnibus, Chapter Nine
• 11: Advanced Space Crusade (Board Game)
• 12: Codex: Tyranids (4th Edition)
  • 12a: pg. 36
  • 12b: pg. 24
  • 12c: pg. 40
• 13: Games-Workshop Website
• 14: Dawn of War 2
• 15: Warhammer 40,000 CCG
• 16: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition)
  • 16a: pg. 19
  • 16b: pg. 21
  • 16c: pg. 34
  • 16d: pg. 35
  • 16e: pg. 36
  • 16f: pg. 37
  • 16g: pg. 38
  • 16h: pg. 39
  • 16i: pg. 40
  • 16j: pg. 41
  • 16k: pg. 42
  • 16l: pg. 43
  • 16m: pg. 44
  • 16n: pg. 45
  • 16o: pg. 46
  • 16p: pg. 47
  • 16q: pg. 48
  • 16r: pg. 49
  • 16s: pg. 50
  • 16t: pg. 51
  • 16u: pg. 52
  • 16v: pg. 53
  • 16w: pg. 54
  • 16x: pg. 55
  • 16y: pg. 56
  • 16z: pg. 57
  • 16aa: pg. 58
  • 16bb: pg. 59
  • 16cc: pg. 60
  • 16dd: pg. 61
  • 16ee: pg. 81
• 17: Apocalypse, pg. 147
• 18: White Dwarf 291 (US) - Chapter Approved: Creature Feature
• 19: Deathwatch: The Achilus Assault
  • 19a: pg. 55
  • 19b: pg. 49
• 20: White Dwarf 146 (UK), pgs. 10-25
• 21: Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos, pgs. 33-35
• 22: Chapter Approved 2001, pg. 103
• 23: Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition), pg. 63
• 24: Forgotten Fleets article on the official Games Workshop homepage.
• 25: GW site - Eye of Terror Scenario: Titanic Manifestations of the Warp
• 26: Psychic Awakening: Blood of Baal, pg. 71
• 27: Battlefleet Gothic Armada 2
• 28: The Devastation of Baal (Novel), Chapter 16
• 29: Games Workshop website THE LAIUS HORROR: Introducing the beast (saved archive, dated 02/01/2008, last accessed 24/04/22)
• 30: Warhammer Community: The Hive Mind Finds Clandestine New Ways To Eat Its Enemies with the Von Ryan’s Leaper (Posted on 10/04/2023) (Last accessed on 10/04/2023)