Yesterday, we unveiled the new Tyranid codex, as well as the Combat Patrol that’s coming out alongside it. But just who are these extra-galactic (and extra-hungry) space bugs, and why do they love eating Space Marines so much?
When the Tyranids first entered our galaxy, Hive Fleet Behemoth read the good restaurant guides and headed straight for the five hundred worlds of Ultramar. Though the Ultramarines may have won the Battle of Macragge, it was too late – the Tyranids had their first taste of Space Marines… and of Marneus Calgar in particular, who was nibbled badly enough to need medical evacuation.
Once the tendrils of Hive Fleet Kraken emerged, there was only one thing they wanted for dinner. After an Aeldari aperitif on the Craftworld Iyanden, they devoured almost the entire Scythes of the Emperor Chapter – aided by an uprising of Genestealer Cults on their home world of Sotha. Even when Chaplain Cassius slew a Swarmlord,* it barely slowed these sneaky bugs down.
With the arrival of Hive Fleet Leviathan, the Third Tyrannic War had begun – but after this inexorable swarm ran afoul of Uriel Ventris and the warriors of Ultramar, the Hive Mind clearly decided that while the blue ones were tasty, they might be more trouble than they’re worth. It was time to see what flavour the red ones were.**
Between Hive Fleet Leviathan and the Blood Angels home world of Baal lay the Cryptus System. The sons of Sanguinius called this the Shield of Baal, a strategic area of space to keep threats away from their home – but for the Tyranids, these lethally radioactive worlds were little more than a bowl of fries ordered for the table.
The Blood Angels knew that if the Tyranids gorged themselves on the biomass of the Cryptus System, they wouldn’t need a post-dinner nap – it would only fuel them up for the main course. Dante, the Chapter Master of the Blood Angels, Mephiston, their Chief Librarian, and Gabriel Seth, Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers, were among the legendary warriors who rallied to throw them back.
Despite allying with a force of Necrons under Anrakyr the Traveller, the Blood Angels and Flesh Tearers could do little but delay the coming of Leviathan. Dante put the call out in the successor Chapters’ group chat – he needed all the help he could get to defend Baal.
On one side were nearly 30,000 Space Marines. On the other, an uncountable horde of Tyranids. Trygons tore open old tunnels beneath the Blood Angels’ fortress-monastery, while untold thousands of Termagants and Hormagaunts packed strategically-dug moats so Tyrannofexes and Exocrines could cross.*** Nothing was going to keep the Tyranids from their supper.
The Angels Excelsis Chapter fell to the last man in Baal’s defence, the excommunicated Knights of Blood returned to lend a hand, and a whopping five Chapter Masters gave their lives to fight the Tyranid bio-horrors. Even with the Sanguinor getting involved, it looked like it could be the end for the Blood Angels – only a miracle could save them.
What they actually got was Ka’Bandha.
As the Cicatrix Maledictum tore the galaxy in two, the Greater Daemon of Khorne emerged into realspace, declaring that only he could eradicate the Blood Angels. Trapped between a bloodthirsty daemonic horde and an all-devouring xenos swarm, the Blood Angels seemed to have gone out of the frying pan and into the fire (which is just how a Haruspex likes its Space Marines to be cooked).
Enter Roboute Guilliman – the ideal nemesis for a Bloodthirster who loves fighting Primarchs and an alien species that took a bite out of Macragge. Accompanied by the forces of the Indomitus Crusade, the Lord Commander cleared Baal of Tyranids… for now.
Baal might be safe (relatively speaking – it’s still a radioactive wasteland), but that’s not the end of Hive Fleet Leviathan. This relentless tide still has tendrils creeping through the galaxy devouring everything in its path.**** Will you join in with the devastation that it’s causing, or will you fight back against its seemingly numberless swarms?
Get ready for the new Tyranid codex by grabbing this Hive Mind notebook, which is perfect for jotting down your favourite Space Marines recipes. Sign up for our newsletter, so you don’t miss any of the latest Tyranid updates.
* Read about this incredible fight in Space Marine Legends: Cassius.
** We do not recommend trying to find out how Macragge Blue and Mephiston Red taste for yourself.
*** The epic conflict is covered in The Devastation of Baal.
**** See what else they’ve been up to in The Great Devourer: The Leviathan Omnibus.