Figmentum: Splinter Fleet Arugula

A relatively unknown offshoot of the kraken hive fleet, encounters with splinter fleet arugula have offered the Imperium a new look at the radical evolutionary capacity of the tyranid race.

Unlike any other known tyranid fleet, the arugula appears to consist entirely of vegan lifeforms. Colloquially called hippie 'nids, broods from the arugula fleet digest nothing but organic, vegetative matter.

These hippie 'nids literally eschew any form of animal based protein matter, having evolved highly specific digestive enzymes that appear only capable of breaking down the indigenous flora on a planet chosen for invasion.

Many a guardsmen have been left utterly bereft of clothing after being overrun by a swarm of arugula tyranids. The magos biologis suspect that this is ultimately part of an insidious psychological campaign designed to weaken the resolve of humanity at the thought of facing future invasions in the buff.

Likewise, new tyranid lifeforms have become apparent within the arugula fleet. Of specific note are the scabiegaunts which have rapidly become the bane of imperial camps across the sector. Although completely lacking in conventional weaponry, these scabiegaunts wreak havoc by sleeping in any unoccupied guard barracks they may come across. Unbeknownst to guardsmen who subsequently sleep in the same bedding, the scabiegaunts leave behind microscopic parasites that burrow under human skin and cause terrible itching and redness.

The argula fleet has also introduced an new type of orbital warfare in the form of patchouli spores. Similar in nature to currently documented spore mines, patchouli spores are launched from an orbiting hive ship and targeted at the most densely populated areas on a planet. These patchouli spores are a direct assault on the olfactory senses and appear to have evolved specifically to drive the majority of a human population away from cities into more suburban areas. The magos biologis suspect that the patchouli spores are meant to separate and herd the planet's human population but to what end is unknown at this time.

A side note on patchouli spores: it appears that certain elements of human society are actually drawn to patchouli spores and will migrate to them in great numbers or festivals. This seems to be an explicit tactic on the part of the argula fleet, perhaps to draw likeminded humans to be voluntarily digested in the great enzyme pools aboard other hive fleets. Generally speaking, the Imperium encourages this behavior amongst humans drawn to these spores.

Commutatus: Tyranid Gargoyle Conversion

Given the facts that a) tyranid gargoyles only come in metal and b) you need to field a fair number of them to be of any worth to your army, the prospect of adding gargoyles to a list is an expensive one. However, a quick conversion is to print out insect wings (I used dragonfly wings) on transparency sheets, cut out, and glue to standard termagants.

In order to give the appearance of flight, mount your new gargoyles on flying bases. The converted termagant pictured here has also had a rear leg cut off then re-positioned to look like he is launching from the ground.

Exemplum: Tyranid Assault Brood

As part of the 40k 5th edition release, Games Workshop is offering an awesome deal on a tyranid force called the Tyranid Assault Brood. For $180 USD you get the equivalent of two tyranid battleforces (already a good deal, with the contents of each $90 battleforce retailing for $145), plus you get an additional carnifex. Basically, you are paying for two tyranid battleforces and getting a free carnifex!

For an even better deal, order through The Warstore and get 20% off. Get a brood while you can as this looks to be a 5e splash release and won't be available for too long.