tyranid origin

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**-Loki-**

Jimsolo wrote:Loki, you said they have devoured several galaxies already. Is that an assumption, or did you have some source to support you?

Personally, I like the theory that the Old Ones created the Tyranids, although I do think it's a bit of a stretch.

It's in the Tyranid fluff section of the 5th edition rulebook. So, considering simple travel time to just get to this galaxy, they'd already be older than the Old Ones, so can't have been created by them.

**English Assassin**

Lexx wrote:They came from outwith the galaxy. Their exact origin is left purposefully vague so as to spark debate. I like the idea of them just being a vanguard race for a much bigger threat.

Bang on. Also nice use of 'outwith'.

Older fluff (the Rogue Trader army lists in White Dwarf circa 145) suggested they came from - at least most recently - Andromeda. I recall it also being speculated in more recent canon that the astronomicon might have drawn them to our galaxy, like huge dinosaur-moths to a vast psychic candle.

**-Loki-**

The 5th edition codex outright states the fact that they're being drawn to the astronomican, on the page that shows the galactic map and the damage Leviathan has done.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Since I'm home and have my rulebook, I'll give people the reference. Page 166, BRB.

Behind the Hive Fleets lie the barren husks of a dozen galaxies already consumed.

Take into account sublight travel time between a dozen galaxies, plus time taken to consume them, and there's simply no way they could be a race from the Old Ones. Simple time is against the theory.

**pinoypower**

im sorry if this offends anyone but what are the old ones?
i don't know much about anything outsider of the tyranids.

**Lukus83**

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Main_Page

Go crazy. Some of the fluff is outdated, but a lot of it still stands.

**-Loki-**

The main problem with things like Lexicanium is, well, it's a wiki. It's got a lot of information and sources, but the information is always expanded into the contributors interpretation. So don't take it as 10% accurate.

**Totally not a bot**

Jimsolo wrote:Loki, you said they have devoured several galaxies already. Is that an assumption, or did you have some source to support you?

Personally, I like the theory that the Old Ones created the Tyranids, although I do think it's a bit of a stretch.

I kind of thought that their origin was unimportant. From a literary standpoint, the Tyranids represent the forces of life unchecked. They are fecund creation run amok, and like life itself, their origin should remain forever shrouded in mystery. I think what lends credence to the theory that they were meant to oppose the Necrons is that they are diametrically opposed to one another symbolically, since the Necrons represent death.

And then Tyranids should represent life??? I'm not so sure about that.

Sure, Necrons represent death... but the one who even kills your pet cat, and the rats in the sewers are Tyranids.
Nothing alive is left behind.

Where i see Necrons more as something in the Direction of eternal life.

Tyranids don't have much to do with necrons IMO. Tyranids avoid them of some reason and that's about it. And Necrons don't just attack Tyranids. And Untill the fluff made by ward on mushrooms, there had never been an encounter between those two races.

Edit: I agree with Loki a 100%. It just wouldn't make any sense if it was the old ones who have created the Tyranids.

**killykavekommando**

Whoever is right.....You all LOST THE GAME

Anyway, Im pretty sure in 2nd or 3rd ed, the fluff was that the nids were a human-made bioweapon gone wrong.

**pinoypower**

killykavekommando some of the first responses said that it is impossible.

**Knox**

But even the Gods, I mean games-workshop backstory writers don't know and probably aren't too concerned with this, just meaning it isn't very high on their list to actually create a definitive origin of the Nids.

**King Pariah**

Tyranids don't have much to do with necrons IMO. Tyranids avoid them of some reason and that's about it. And Necrons don't just attack Tyranids. And Untill the fluff made by ward on mushrooms, there had never been an encounter between those two races.

I thought there was some fluff that Nids were closing on a Tau controlled planet when from behind a moon(?) a couple Necron ships popped up and blew that small tendril to hell. And then promptly landed on said planet to receive a hero's welcome to which they gauss the Tau on the planet to kingdom come.

**UselessSage**

Isn't one of the titles awarded to the bugs "Penance of the Elder Gods".

I recall some fluff that the birth pangs of Slaanesh alerted the 'Nids to the Milky Way and they started ambling over. Once they arrived the Astro'Ohm'Nom'Nomicon is like a big bright "Eat at Joe's" sign.

**Ironsight**

I recall one theory that floated around for a while that the great threat the Tyranids might have been fleeing from was a second wave of Enslavers.

Though its equally as likely that if the Tyranids are running from anything, it's their own hunger.

**-Loki-**

The problem I have with the running theory is they don't act like a predator fleeing a bigger predator.

They are slowly, methodically obliterating the galaxy, and have done it a dozen times already. While it could be argued they are building up strength, if there was a bigger predator behind them, they'd be doing it a more forced manner.

Sending in fleets to probe defences, vanguards to assess enemy dispositions, slowly eating away at the easy prey to bleed the harder to crack planets of resources before hitting them. That's cold, patient intelligence, in no hurry at all.