Tyranids

The Tyranids, or The Great Devourer are an extragalactic race intent on the consumption of all biomass in the galaxy so as to reproduce and evolve. Unlike the native species of the galaxy, the Tyranids possess a gestalt consciousness known as the Hive mind which links all Tyranids (although exerts more influence on its synapse creatures).

Lore
The first major Tyranid Hive Fleet, Hive Fleet Behemoth, arrived in the Milky Way in the 41st Millennium although there has been a minor presence through Hive Fleet Tiamet since the 35th Millennium. Throughout the latter half of the 41st Millennium, there has been a constant Tyranid presence (albeit one that waxes and wanes) as the remnants of Hive Fleet Behemoth and Hive Fleet Kraken continued to plague the galaxy before Hive Fleet Leviathan's arrival. Even after the devastating defeat at Baal at the inadvertently cooperative forces of Chaos and the Imperium, Hive Fleet Leviathan is a considerable threat pushing into Segmentum Solar and Holy Terra.

Mechanics
In Cadia Station, Tyranids start out as larvae which evolve into Horamgaunts, which can then evolve into other species or upgrade themselves further. It is not known if non-Whitelisted Tyranids are meant to be able to evolve past Hormagaunt but they currently can.

Tyranid Abilities
All Tyranids have their own abilities which perform different purposes. However, they share the following universal abilties *with their biomass cost marked in brackets):

Spread the Nest (5)
Plant a harvest node that will spread weeds. These weeds are needed for most species to heal and regenerate biomass. They also double the progress increase of larvae.

Produce Biomass Pool (300)
This ability creates a biomass pool which is used to:
 * Produce Rippers (80): These NPCs are effective swarmers explained in their own page. They can be created by any species aside from Hormagaunts.
 * Evolve (Variable cost): Evolve into another Tyranid species.
 * Produce Larva (1000): Create a larva which might be filled with a mind or be taken over later.
 * Produce Parasite (500): Create a parasite that will infect a human, Tau, Eldar or Ork. After some time, the infected being will burst into rippers and a new parasite that serves as a larva.

Secrete Resin (15)
Create a resin structure. Tyranids can create:
 * Resin Door: A door made of biomass. Cannot be destroyed by Tyranids.
 * Resin Wall: Wall made of biomass. 200 health.
 * Resin Membrane: A translucent wall of biomass. 120 health
 * Resin Nest: A nest of biomass used for restraining captives. 100 health.

Rally Rippers (75)
An ability that will make all rippers within 100 distance come to the caller. The rippers will not break through windows or open doors when doing this.

Default Tyranid Damage
Most Tyranids will do 25 damage and 15 extra when on weeds.

Tyranid Species
The Tyranid hive fleets contain many species. Present on Archangel IV are the following (with their evolution cost in brackets):
 * Hormagaunts (free)
 * Warriors (500)
 * Genestealers (1000)
 * Lictors (2500)
 * Raveners (2500)
 * Venomthropes (2500)
 * Zoanthropes (2500)
 * Larvae
 * Rippers
 * Parasites