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" It could be the Alpha Legion's doing? If it walks like a 'nid, squarks like a 'nid, and fights like a 'nid it's probably an Alpha Legion marine. "

hahaha agreed.

They're returning home. They were created by the Emperor and stolen by one (or perhaps two) of the primarchs who fled the galaxy. Somehow the Tyranids are now coming back. Upon reaching Terra, they will be consumed by the Emperor, and he will be restored to his former glory. The Tyranids themselves must consume the lifeforce of many planets along the way in order to supply the immense amount of energy required for such an event. But, unknowingly, the Imperium keeps getting in the way and preventing his resurrection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Y73sPHKxw

Five thousand years to the neighboring galaxy and then five thousand back is some damn fast flying.

They heard it had a delicious chewy center.

AegisGrimm wrote:I'm doubtful that there's been enough time since the Tyranids first came into being(of even since the Big Bang) for them to conquer 12 galaxies in a row before this one, considering travel time between them. I'm guessing they spread and hit more than one galaxy at a time, and the Milky Way is one of several under attack at the moment. If 12 is actually canon now, they probably did so by consuming two or three at a time, maybe even more.

Agreed. although added to my earlier post about Biomass consumption, the size of the Tyranid race as a whole must be astronomical

We are one giant buffet with a giant neon feed me sign.

Nom

nomsheep wrote:We are one giant buffet with a giant neon feed me sign.

Nom

A giant buffet? Hmmmm... Yes, yes you are... now I would be quite grateful if your seasoned yourselves before I arrived... as I cannot stand tasteless meat... *puts on bib*

I only use eau' De neckbeard sorry

I personally hate the idea of always a bigger fish or that the are so immense their victory is if its when.

I like the idea that they are limited and fighting for survival.

Nom

I just don't see the Nids fighting for survival... they are the ultimate predator.

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:I just don't see the Nids fighting for survival... they are the ultimate predator.

So are the aliens still not many of those.

Nom

nomsheep wrote:

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:I just don't see the Nids fighting for survival... they are the ultimate predator.

So are the aliens still not many of those.

Nom

Not many that we know of...

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:

AegisGrimm wrote:I'm doubtful that there's been enough time since the Tyranids first came into being(of even since the Big Bang) for them to conquer 12 galaxies in a row before this one, considering travel time between them. I'm guessing they spread and hit more than one galaxy at a time, and the Milky Way is one of several under attack at the moment. If 12 is actually canon now, they probably did so by consuming two or three at a time, maybe even more.

Agreed. although added to my earlier post about Biomass consumption, the size of the Tyranid race as a whole must be astronomical

That is assuming that they haven't burned a lot of it up in travel. I would take a lot a fat to survive hibernation long enough for an intergalactic voyage. Perhaps they arrive in relatively few number and need to multiply when they arrive before they become a true threat (like a viral infection). There are hints in the fluff that the nids have been floating around the eastern fringe for awhile before anyone noticed.

Zookie wrote:That is assuming that they haven't burned a lot of it up in travel. I would take a lot a fat to survive hibernation long enough for an intergalactic voyage. Perhaps they arrive in relatively few number and need to multiply when they arrive before they become a true threat (like a viral infection). There are hints in the fluff that the nids have been floating around the eastern fringe for awhile before anyone noticed.

By definition of hibernation, they burn less energy due to the ship/fleet being less active. It is an efficient way of travelling, and upon sensing a threat or planet to consume, they awaken and bring internal functions back to life. kinda like a computer/TV on standby

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:

Zookie wrote:That is assuming that they haven't burned a lot of it up in travel. I would take a lot a fat to survive hibernation long enough for an intergalactic voyage. Perhaps they arrive in relatively few number and need to multiply when they arrive before they become a true threat (like a viral infection). There are hints in the fluff that the nids have been floating around the eastern fringe for awhile before anyone noticed.

By definition of hibernation, they burn less energy due to the ship/fleet being less active. It is an efficient way of travelling, and upon sensing a threat or planet to consume, they awaken and bring internal functions back to life. kinda like a computer/TV on standby

Yes but it's not infinite is it. A Bear has to come out of hibernation and eat or else it will die of starvation. The 'nids aren't the ultimate predator, they are a race not a singular organism (although the Hive mind could be argued as such). The hive mind is referred to in the singular, but does that mean there is one Hive mind? I actually think there are several conflicting Hive Minds, all fighting for their swarm, just like Bees and Wasps etc.

The ultimate predator doesn't fight to eat it simply fights to dominate, I think the NECRONS are the ultimate Predator. Look at Humans, we are the Ultimate Predators on Earth, how many of us run around savaging animals and consuming them? Looking out the window I don't see many people doing this, we have evolved to a higher level.

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:

Ignatius wrote:

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Remember kids, no idea is original

Everything you have ever thought of has been thought by someone else already at some point.

Your preaching to the converted my friend, I'm an Artist. Thats something we artists learn on day one

Really? I thought the first thing we learned was where the local soup kitchen was... or maybe that was just a special lesson for me... feth my art teacher

mwnciboo wrote:

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:

Zookie wrote:That is assuming that they haven't burned a lot of it up in travel. I would take a lot a fat to survive hibernation long enough for an intergalactic voyage. Perhaps they arrive in relatively few number and need to multiply when they arrive before they become a true threat (like a viral infection). There are hints in the fluff that the nids have been floating around the eastern fringe for awhile before anyone noticed.

By definition of hibernation, they burn less energy due to the ship/fleet being less active. It is an efficient way of travelling, and upon sensing a threat or planet to consume, they awaken and bring internal functions back to life. kinda like a computer/TV on standby

Yes but it's not infinite is it. A Bear has to come out of hibernation and eat or else it will die of starvation. The 'nids aren't the ultimate predator, they are a race not a singular organism (although the Hive mind could be argued as such). The hive mind is referred to in the singular, but does that mean there is one Hive mind? I actually think there are several conflicting Hive Minds, all fighting for their swarm, just like Bees and Wasps etc.

The ultimate predator doesn't fight to eat it simply fights to dominate, I think the NECRONS are the ultimate Predator. Look at Humans, we are the Ultimate Predators on Earth, how many of us run around savaging animals and consuming them? Looking out the window I don't see many people doing this, we have evolved to a higher level.

It may not be infinite, but it sustains them between galaxies, which is a long way to go self propelled without warp travel. and its not like the fleets turn up wasting away...

Also, the hive mind is a singular, and never referred to as a plural. It is the collective mind to the Tyranid body. Much like the human brain keeping in check the organs of the body, as thats all the Tyranid race is, a body of organisms following the will of the brain.

I also don't see how Necrons are the ultimate predator... They sit in their tomb worlds plotting to regain flesh bodies... they also don't actively make war, as they know it will deplete their numbers, a risk they cannot take.

thakabalpuphorsefishguy wrote:

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:

Ignatius wrote:

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:Remember kids, no idea is original

Everything you have ever thought of has been thought by someone else already at some point.

Your preaching to the converted my friend, I'm an Artist. Thats something we artists learn on day one

Really? I thought the first thing we learned was where the local soup kitchen was... or maybe that was just a special lesson for me... feth my art teacher

lmao poor sod

just because something is referred to in the singular doesn't mean it is but one. It could be several, but because they don't work together they are not a group "Hive Minds" but rather "The Hive Mind".

I haven't come across any fluff where tyranids from different hive fleets were introduced to each other. It would be interesting to see what they would do to each other, work together like kindred powered by one mind, or murder each other like to separate swarms.

mwnciboo wrote:just because something is referred to in the singular doesn't mean it is but one. It could be several, but because they don't work together they are not a group "Hive Minds" but rather "The Hive Mind".

I haven't come across any fluff where tyranids from different hive fleets were introduced to each other. It would be interesting to see what they would do to each other, work together like kindred powered by one mind, or murder each other.

Various editions have referred to remains of previous fleets being reintegrated into the collective, to absorb and gain genetic data previously not gained by the trailing tendrils of the fleets.

So is this mere consumption of biomass? Or evidence of a singular entity? Or like the Space marines Omophagea?

Not sure if that is evidence of a singular entity or just 'nids consuming anything including their own. Interesting stuff though.

mwnciboo wrote:just because something is referred to in the singular doesn't mean it is but one. It could be several, but because they don't work together they are not a group "Hive Minds" but rather "The Hive Mind".

I haven't come across any fluff where tyranids from different hive fleets were introduced to each other. It would be interesting to see what they would do to each other, work together like kindred powered by one mind, or murder each other.

It's even quite possible that "the Hive Mind" isnt even represented by a single being or group of beings, like the brain bugs in Starship troopers.
It's possible that the Hive mind is the collective will of the entire Tyranid race's individuals From the lowliest Rippers/Gaunts to the mightiest Bio Titans and the most cunning Synapse creatures. And that all of the tyranid race (or each Hive fleet) could be considered a single creature rather than a race.

EX: Synapse creatures = Brain/Nervous System
Rippers = digestive System
Combat creatures = limbs of the Body and immune system.
Hive Ships = the Heart, and vital organs.

Karnac wrote:

mwnciboo wrote:just because something is referred to in the singular doesn't mean it is but one. It could be several, but because they don't work together they are not a group "Hive Minds" but rather "The Hive Mind".

I haven't come across any fluff where tyranids from different hive fleets were introduced to each other. It would be interesting to see what they would do to each other, work together like kindred powered by one mind, or murder each other.

It's even quite possible that "the Hive Mind" isnt even represented by a single being or group of beings, like the brain bugs in Starship troopers.
It's possible that the Hive mind is the collective will of the entire Tyranid race's individuals From the lowliest Rippers/Gaunts to the mightiest Bio Titans and the most cunning Synapse creatures. And that all of the tyranid race (or each Hive fleet) could be considered a single creature rather than a race.

EX: Synapse creatures = Brain/Nervous System
Rippers = digestive System
Combat creatures = limbs of the Body and immune system.
Hive Ships = the Heart, and vital organs.

Exactly... the Tyranid race are like the Borg

AnUnearthlyChilde wrote:

Karnac wrote:

mwnciboo wrote:just because something is referred to in the singular doesn't mean it is but one. It could be several, but because they don't work together they are not a group "Hive Minds" but rather "The Hive Mind".

I haven't come across any fluff where tyranids from different hive fleets were introduced to each other. It would be interesting to see what they would do to each other, work together like kindred powered by one mind, or murder each other.

It's even quite possible that "the Hive Mind" isnt even represented by a single being or group of beings, like the brain bugs in Starship troopers.
It's possible that the Hive mind is the collective will of the entire Tyranid race's individuals From the lowliest Rippers/Gaunts to the mightiest Bio Titans and the most cunning Synapse creatures. And that all of the tyranid race (or each Hive fleet) could be considered a single creature rather than a race.

EX: Synapse creatures = Brain/Nervous System
Rippers = digestive System
Combat creatures = limbs of the Body and immune system.
Hive Ships = the Heart, and vital organs.

Exactly... the Tyranid race are like the Borg

Before they added Queens!

Lols yes EXACTLY!!!

Karnac wrote:It's even quite possible that "the Hive Mind" isnt even represented by a single being or group of beings, like the brain bugs in Starship troopers.
It's possible that the Hive mind is the collective will of the entire Tyranid race's individuals From the lowliest Rippers/Gaunts to the mightiest Bio Titans and the most cunning Synapse creatures. And that all of the tyranid race (or each Hive fleet) could be considered a single creature rather than a race.

Considering that's how the hive mind has always been described, I'd say you're probably correct.

It's a collective concousness. It's not a creature sitting somewhere in a ship or on a faraway planet, the Tyranids are not the Zerg. The Hive Mind is the collective minds of the Tyranid race.

DrimGark wrote:Actually, while the Astronomicon serves to keep them moving, the initial spark in the powder keg occured millenia before the Emperor's internment in the Golden Throne of Terra.

It is explained by the vast, vast distances involved in interstellar travel. For the Tyranids to be attacking when and where they are, they must have been drawn towards the galaxy by a signal that first had time to reach them, and then given that, for them to travel to us.

^ this is the best idea put up IMHO. Come for the giant explosion of phenomenal cosmic power. Stay for the snacks. This message approved by the Milky Way Tourism Board.

You know it is likely somewhere in the black, there are vast bioships that had "stored" bio-mass for the trip. There is a likelyhood that a portion of all consumed bio-mass is stored for a later date.

Highly unlikely, actually, unless there's been an observed "UPS Bug" ferrying biomass from planet to invading Hive Fleet to back out in the dark... the Tyranids don't have teleporter technology or, really, any technology at all, to move biomass from Point A to B except by physical means. That is to say, someone's gotta carry it, whether that's a capillary tower, a swarm of Rippers or just masses of Warriors diving head-first into a digestion pool.

they came so GW could sell tyranid models

The Borg?

Psienesis wrote:Highly unlikely, actually, unless there's been an observed "UPS Bug" ferrying biomass from planet to invading Hive Fleet to back out in the dark... the Tyranids don't have teleporter technology or, really, any technology at all, to move biomass from Point A to B except by physical means. That is to say, someone's gotta carry it, whether that's a capillary tower, a swarm of Rippers or just masses of Warriors diving head-first into a digestion pool.

I was more thinking along the main "fleet" the ones we have seen are more likly something like a scout or pathfinders for the main hives. If most of the "race" is in transit, then you would need alot of bio-mass. They could have stored it up or simply been eating the lesser ones in transit.