Homebrew Tyranid Species Details

The Tyranids are an extragalactic composite species of hideous Xenos that is actually a space-faring ecosystem comprised of innumerable different bioforms which are all variations on the same genetic theme. The Tyranid race is ultimately dedicated solely to its own survival, propagation and evolutionary advancement.  The Tyranids collectively form a monstrous superorganism that travels across the universe in their great Hive Fleets of biomechanical Hive Ships, systematically consuming all other biomatter to enable its own rapid evolution and reproduction. All Tyranid organisms are synaptic (psychically-reactive), and each Tyranid creature within a Hive Fleet shares and contributes to a communal Hive Mind, which allows the trillions of beings comprising the Tyranid Hive Fleets to communicate and organise instantaneously on a staggering scale.ace

The mentality of the Tyranid approach to warfare can be described with the phrase "quantity has a quality all its own". From the "lowly" Ripper, to the deadly Hive Tyrant and beyond, the signature of the Tyranid species is that they overwhelm their foes with sheer numbers, reproducing massive numbers of highly virulent organisms in record time from the biochemical soup that they derive from the biospheres of the worlds that they consume. The components of a Tyranid Hive Fleet travel almost exclusively in large groups known as swarms that possess specialized biomechanical creatures for destroying and consuming a wide variety of prey life forms. Tyranids have evolved sophisticated methods for facilitating genetic transfer across species boundaries. As a result, a significant goal of any Tyranid invasion is acquisition of useful new biological traits from other lifeforms. These are used by the Hive Mind to enhance the Tyranids' effectiveness in consuming new worlds to gain more of the necessary organic raw materials for further reproduction. All Tyranids are reproduced by a single, highly intelligent female bioform known as a Norn Queen. A Hive Fleet's Norn-Queens are the most important Tyranids within the fleet, for if they are injured or killed the Tyranids cannot reproduce their numbers from the captured bio-mass. As a result, Norn-Queens can be found only at the heart of the largest and most-well defended Tyranid Hive Ships

Tyranid Traits

The Tyranid race is bread for battle and their various racial traits demonstrate their excellence and ferocity in combat

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity Score is increased by 1, your Strength by 1 and your Charisma by 1

Age

Tyranids have the potential to live upwards of 200 years and reach maturity at age 10 

Alignment

Chaotic Neutral

Size

Tyranids walk on all four limbs

They start a 4 feet tall growing half a foot each level until 10ft 

Speed

They rapidly grow in size as they evolve: 

Level 1-5 25ft, Level 6-13 30ft, level 14+ 35ft walking speed

Born to kill

Proficiency in athletics and acrobatics

Feed

If a Tyranid delivers the last blow to an enemy, gain temporary HP equal their level

Frenzy

Once Tyranids get a taste for blood in combat the increase in speed to eliminate their next foe. Each time you deliver the last blow to an enemy gain +1 initiative until combat finishes