Zoanthrope
Zoanthropes are 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.[4]
Contents
Overview
Originally believed to be a mutant strain of Tyranid Warrior[1] due to the close physical resemblance, more recent encounters with the Zoanthrope strain have reported a different physical structure apparently engineered by the harvesting of lifeforms present in the path of the Hive Fleets. Various evidence points to these later incarnations of Zoanthropes being improved by Eldar DNA.[2] Zoanthropes have atrophied bodies and limbs supporting bloated heads so heavy they should snap their own necks under their weight - but, energised by psychic forces, they appear to overcome their mortal limitations and levitate, drifting over the battlefield.[4]
Despite their seeming frailty, Zoanthropes are lethal opponents. Zoanthropes possess batteries of psychic power they can use to both defend themselves by projecting a constant psychic barrier or launch assaults that are powerful enough to destroy enemy battle tanks, boil through adamantium plates, or even fell mighty Titans.[4] However, Zoanthropes are predisposed to sedentary behavior, a stance adopted to conserve their psychic power, when not in the presence of the Hive Mind.[3] They also care little for happenings beyond their immediate reach and prioritise their own survival above all else.[4]
Despite their power, however, Zoanthropes sometimes seem to be victims of their own massive energy reserves and there have been numerous afteraction reports of Zoanthropes “burning out” in battle. Their craniums have been observed to burst and bleed out, sending them crashing limply to the ground. Psykers who have witnessed these events liken it to the perils of the warp which normal psykers can suffer when psychic energy overloads their minds.[5]
Neurothrope
Neurothropes are further evolved versions of the standard Zoanthrope. These alpha beasts have the ability to leech the very life force from their foes to power their attacks. There are some who believe the Neurothrope strain to be the progeny of the Doom of Malan'tai, which is a truly horrifying concept for all sentient races.[7]
Neurothropes can also use their parasitic power to heal nearby Zoanthropes, which helps to safeguard against the overload of psychic energy that commonly overwhelms these creatures. A combined host of these psychic bioforms is a formidable threat indeed.[8]
Basic Info
| Ordo Xenos Departmento Analyticus Record[9] | |||
| Designation | Zoanthrope | ||
| Common Title | Brain | ||
| Species Name | Tyranicus animus-aborrens | ||
| Average Height | 3.5m | ||
| Average Weight | 0.5 tonnes | ||
| First encountered | Moloch | ||
| Role | Psychic assault | ||
| Threat evaluation | High | ||
Other Species of Zoanthrope
Images
Zoanthrope miniature (2nd Edition)
Zoanthrope miniature (3rd Edition)
Zoanthrope miniature (4th Edition)
Zoanthrope Miniature (7th Edition)
See also
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 192 (UK): p. 23
- 2: http://uk.games-workshop.com/tyranids/miniature-gallery/12/
- 3: Codex: Tyranids (2nd Edition), pg. 22
- 4: Codex: Tyranids (5th Edition), p. 44
- 5: Deathwatch: Mark of the Xenos, p. 53
- 6: Warhammer 40,000 CCG
- 7: White Dwarf 42 (2014) - Zoanthrope Brood
- 8: Codex: Tyranids (8th Edition) - pg.52
- 9: Imperial Armour Volume Four - The Anphelion Project, pg. 102
| Tyranid Planetary Forces | |
|---|---|
| Commanders | Norn-Queen • Hive Tyrant • Neurotyrant • Broodlord • Neurothrope • Tervigon • Tyranid Prime • Trygon Prime • Malanthrope |
| Elites | Biovore • Tyrant Guard (Hive Guard) • Lictor • Leaper • Pyrovore • Venomthrope • Zoanthrope |
| Troops | Tyranid Warrior (Shrike) • Ravener • Genestealer • Gaunt (Termagant • Hormagaunt • Barbgaunt • Neurogaunt) • Ripper (Sky-Slasher) |
| Monstruous Creatures | Carnifex (Thornback • Stone Crusher • Screamer-Killer) • Cerebore • Dactylis • Dimachaeron • Exocrine • Haruspex • Hierodule • Maleceptor • Malefactor • Mawloc • Psychophage • Sporocyst • Toxicrene • Trygon • Tyrannofex |
| Bio-Titans | Dominatrix • Hierophant • Viciator • Nautiloid • Vermis |
| Flying Creatures | Gargoyle • Harpy • Harridan • Hive Crone • Tyrannocyte |
| Spores | Meiotic Spore • Mycetic Spore • Spore Mine • Mucolid Spore |
| Unique Tyranids | Swarmlord • Death Leaper • Doom of Malan'tai • Old One Eye • Parasite of Mortrex • Red Terror |
