Tyranids

Tyranids are an extragalactic species invading in the Milky Way with the purpose of consuming biomass and evolving. Unlike the species native to the galaxy, Tyranids are ruled by a gestalt consciousness known as the Hive Mind which directs the race.

Mechanics
In Cadia Station, Tyranids start out as larvae which evolve into Horamgaunts, which can then evolve into other species if they are whitelisted or upgrade themselves further regardless.

Tyranid Abilities
All Tyranids have their own abilities which perform different purposes. However, they share the following universal abilties *with their biomass cost marked in brackets):

Spread the Nest (5)
Plant a harvest node that will spread weeds. These weeds are needed for most species to heal and regenerate biomass. They also double the progress increase of larvae.

Produce Biomass Pool (300)
This ability creates a biomass pool which is used to:
 * Produce Rippers (80): These NPCs are effective swarmers explained in their own page. They can be created by any species aside from Hormagaunts.
 * Evolve (Variable cost): Evolve into another Tyranid species.
 * Produce Larva (1000): Create a larva which might be filled with a mind or be taken over later.
 * Produce Parasite (500): Create a parasite that will infect a human, Tau, Eldar or Ork. After some time, the infected being will burst into rippers and a new parasite that serves as a larva.

Secrete Resin (15)
Create a resin structure. Tyranids can create:
 * Resin Door: A door made of biomass. Cannot be destroyed by Tyranids.
 * Resin Wall: Wall made of biomass. 200 health.
 * Resin Membrane: A translucent wall of biomass. 120 health
 * Resin Nest: A nest of biomass used for restraining captives. 100 health.

Rally Rippers (75)
An ability that will make all rippers within 100 distance come to the caller. The rippers will not break through windows or open doors when doing this.

Other Mechanics Info
Most Tyranids will do 25 damage and 15 extra when on weeds.

Tyranid Species
The Tyranid hive fleets contain many species. Present on Archangel IV are the following (with their evolution cost in brackets):
 * Hormagaunts (free)
 * Warriors (500)
 * Genestealers (1000)
 * Lictors (2500)
 * Raveners (2500)
 * Venomthropes (2500)
 * Zoanthropes (2500)
 * Larvae
 * Rippers
 * Parasites