The new Codex: Tyranids is up for pre-order this weekend, together with the massive Combat Patrol. The hive fleets have digested their last epic cheat meal,* and now they’re ready for more – this new codex represents an evolution on all fronts, from voracious beetle-firing guns to the countless nasty tricks hidden up the Parasite of Mortrex’s sleeve. Er, ovipositor.
Now it’s time to shine a light on Adaptive Physiologies – unique gene-tailored enhancements for the Hive Mind’s biggest bioforms.
Taking a single Tyranid monstrosity at face value is like judging an iceberg by its tip. Beneath all that sinew and chitin lies the gene-woven work of the Norn Queens, and they’re always eager to field test fresh mutations. The new codex includes eight such upgrades (with associated points costs) for you to apply to MONSTER models of your choice – excluding CHARACTERS, or TITANIC beasts like the Hierophant.**
A Carnifex crashing into your front lines is already a recipe for carnage, but if their biology is wired with Whipcoil Reflexes, your day’s about to get even worse.*** Lashing out at shocking speeds, the juiced-up monstrosity can deal D3 mortal wounds to any enemies that wisely try to Fall Back out of stomping range.
SYNAPSE creatures have always ruled the roost in the hive fleets, and new Synaptic Imperatives make them even more valuable. Rustle up some real brain food for a Synaptic Enhancement,and you can turn a tough-as-nails boss creature into another vector for the Hive Mind’s will.
You already want your Toxicrene in the thick of battle, where its odious spore clouds can melt away melee opposition. This makes it perfect for keeping your swarming masses safe from Morale tests with the Synapse ability, penalising enemy psykers with the Shadow in the Warp, and spreading the good word of your current Synaptic Imperative.
What if you want to keep your best bioforms in top shape? Hardened Biology layers your favourite MONSTER with ablative chitin, keeping it safe from massed small arms fire.
The Tyrannofex is tough to kill, but horrifying upgrades to its rupture cannon and fleshborer hive will make it a priority target for any enemy within reach. That bonus to saving throws means you can shrug off AP-1 weapons like pulse rifles and Ork choppas on a 2+, keeping you shooting for longer.
There are a plethora of other possibilities hidden in the squirming wrinkles of the Hive Mind’s unknowable gestalt brain, and you’ll be able to experiment to your heart's content when Codex: Tyranids bursts onto the battlefield.
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* Breeding new biomorphs is a great way to work off a 100 billion calorie feast.
** Only one per model, and only one of each per army – life is all about variety!
*** Imagine trying to explain to a hapless Militarum trooper that yes, it can get worse.