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I've had this question rattling around for a while and I haven't really seen anyone address it. If the technology existed in the Imperium, which I assume it did at one point, and if the Tech-priests actually remembered how to use it, wouldn't it be possible to terraform a planet that the Tyranids consumed?

I remember seeing somewhere that the consume everything, even the atmosphere, but I assume that if Asteroids can be made into bases then couldn't a barren planet be at least brought back into some sort of habitable form or at least used as some kind of base?

Theoretically it is possible yes. Could it be a waste of resources to do so though, most definitely, you'd also arguably be helping the tyrannies by doing this.

Also, if the tyranid splinter fleet hasn't been totally obliterated, you won't be able too as the proposed planet would theoretically now be behind enemy lines.

You would have to import a planet's worth of resources from nearby planets, with minimal gain for several centuries, at least. It would be far less wasteful to just colonize a nearby planet.

Terraforming is sifi at best.

In my understanding one of the hardest things would be to sustain an atmosphere on planets that can't sustain one themselves.

Possible, but only if there is some serious gain to come from it. (Ie, there is a lot of minerals around in system and every planet is dead)

The Scorpion wrote:
I've had this question rattling around for a while and I haven't really seen anyone address it. If the technology existed in the Imperium, which I assume it did at one point, and if the Tech-priests actually remembered how to use it, wouldn't it be possible to terraform a planet that the Tyranids consumed?

I remember seeing somewhere that the consume everything, even the atmosphere, but I assume that if Asteroids can be made into bases then couldn't a barren planet be at least brought back into some sort of habitable form or at least used as some kind of base?

It did, Mars was terraformed in 100.M3. It was the very first planet humanity ever terraformed.

But then they killed the environment and lost the technology of course.

 n0t_u wrote:

The Scorpion wrote:
I've had this question rattling around for a while and I haven't really seen anyone address it. If the technology existed in the Imperium, which I assume it did at one point, and if the Tech-priests actually remembered how to use it, wouldn't it be possible to terraform a planet that the Tyranids consumed?

I remember seeing somewhere that the consume everything, even the atmosphere, but I assume that if Asteroids can be made into bases then couldn't a barren planet be at least brought back into some sort of habitable form or at least used as some kind of base?

It did, Mars was terraformed in 100.M3. It was the very first planet humanity ever terraformed.

But then they killed the environment and lost the technology of course.

IIRC wasn't even Mars one of the VERY FEW planets terraformed by mankind ?

I'm pretty sure that the IoM does still have terraforming technology but it doesn't always work so I think it works as more of a "make this bad planet better" rather than make somewhere completely uninhabitable good to live in.

Eldar have Maiden worlds : http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Maiden_Worlds
The empire has Dead worlds: http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Dead_Worlds


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This world is terra formed by the empire
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Percipre

 n0t_u wrote:

The Scorpion wrote:
I've had this question rattling around for a while and I haven't really seen anyone address it. If the technology existed in the Imperium, which I assume it did at one point, and if the Tech-priests actually remembered how to use it, wouldn't it be possible to terraform a planet that the Tyranids consumed?

I remember seeing somewhere that the consume everything, even the atmosphere, but I assume that if Asteroids can be made into bases then couldn't a barren planet be at least brought back into some sort of habitable form or at least used as some kind of base?

It did, Mars was terraformed in 100.M3. It was the very first planet humanity ever terraformed.

But then they killed the environment and lost the technology of course.

They never lost it. AdMech is still terraforming planets when needed.

The Imperium/Ad Mech do still have the technology to terraform planets.

The issue with Tyranids is they take literally everything. Atmosphere, oceans, and all surface material down to bedrock. Terraforming still needs the planet to have some atmosphere and useful compounds to sustain life.

Theoretically, you could terraform a planet the nids ate, but it wouldn't be worth the effort as you'd need to bring an entire planet's worth of materials with you. Its only practical if the planet in question has certain qualities.

 Grey Templar wrote:
The Imperium/Ad Mech do still have the technology to terraform planets.

The issue with Tyranids is they take literally everything. Atmosphere, oceans, and all surface material down to bedrock. Terraforming still needs the planet to have some atmosphere and useful compounds to sustain life.

Theoretically, you could terraform a planet the nids ate, but it wouldn't be worth the effort as you'd need to bring an entire planet's worth of materials with you. Its only practical if the planet in question has certain qualities.

Bingo.

Could be done but why would you? It would have to be a seriously good reason

You need a atmos to be able terraform. You cant terraform a rock.
Turn it into a base. Yeah sure, if you can get there.

Smash comets into the rock to bring in volatiles and heat. Keep smashing comets into the rock until you're happy with the consistency. Go read Red Mars to check if you've followed the recipe correctly.