Adeptus Mechanicus Data Files
Crossfile: Magos Biologis Data
Files
Low
Gravity Encounters with Tyranids
From a request by: Brigadier General Berdan, 15th Lavarikian
Rifles
Regarding:
Performance of Tyranids in lunar conditions.
General
Berdan,
You
have touched on a rarely considered aspect of tyranid adaptations. I
will attempt to address each of your concerns.
*How do Tyranids survive the low pressure, micro-particle bombardment
and temperature extremes without EVA suits.
Tyranids
are capable of operating within extremely low pressure environs [<.1 atm] for extended periods of time primarily due to structural
integrity of the coetaneous tissues. [Genestealers are often encountered
within hulks which contain nearly no atmosphere] Extraneous musculature’s
allow for the closing of all orifices including the gill cases and
body temperature is maintained by a secondary vascular system which
contains “tyr-gel” a substance with extreme insulation ability. However
the limits of these adaptations vary based on hive fleet and organism. The “Beast
of Dunfinnin” a lictor variant is known to have survived unprotected
in hard vacuum on the hull of a derelict spacecraft for several weeks
while being bombarded by solar winds. This is thought
to be the upper level of “terrestrial tyranids” ability. Radiation
shielding within the tyranid biome is accomplished by the heavy carapace,
high thermal capacitance and the genetic redundancy within the cells. The
thermal operation range of the tyranids is typically -60 C to 105 C
with little change in performance, gradual degradation of abilities
is expected beyond these ranges. Micro-particle bombardment survival
is dependent upon duration, velocity and size. Tyranids are significantly
more durable than humans and are on par with marines for their ability
to deal with localized trauma. Thus only the redundant systems within
the creature would save it from death in the case of a vital area impact.
*Do
Tyranids adapt well to low gravity? Is this adaptation instantaneous?
Tyranids
are within the low gravity environments far more than within the
gravity
wells of planets. Thus they should experience bone loss
and muscle atrophy due to prolonged weightlessness. This, however,
is not the case. Likewise one would expect tyranid forces used to the
weightlessness of space to suffer greatly from the strains of gravity
on planets, again this has not been observed. The reason behind this
is simple. The terrestrial forces of the tyranids are kept in stasis
almost continuously while the fleet is hunting. During this time the
tyranidic forces operating within the bioships are those specially
bred to perform these duties. Records from initial encounters seem
to bear this out when bioships have been boarded there are rarely any
recognizable terrestrial tyranids cognizant unless assaults have already
begun. Hormogaunts, warriors and genestealers have all been encountered
within the confines of bioships and often utilize the weightless environment
to enhance movement and attack vectors.
*Do the Tyranids suffer any problems with their ranged weapons in
this theatre of combat?
No
appreciable decrease in accuracy has been noted in the few low gravity
battles
chronicled, given the scope of tyranidic
theaters of
operation it seems they are able to judge the affects of various atmospheres
and gravity levels upon the ordnance they employ. [Something our techmarines
constantly have to optimize and adjust to attain peak performance.] The
somatric nature of the propulsion system commonly employed is unlikely
to suffer from lesser gravity. Ranges of many kinetic weapons are enhanced
proportionately with the gravity gradient. [Your commanders should
study the Gravity Gradient calibrations for all kinetic weaponry in
your arsenal and assume proportional variance within the tyranid weapons.]
It
should be noted that the maneuvering ability of many tyranids will
be compromised by low gravity and open spaces. Causing them to move
in predictable arcs when leaping. [Also the disruption caused by ordnance
will be enhanced, often tossing the creatures high into the “air” to
float gently down. This affords troops ample opportunity to fire on
them. Minefields thus are valuable assets in defense of a compound
such as yours.]
Magos
Biologis Salk
Draco Legion Biomedical Research station:
New Hallefuss,
[Grand Artificer Keplar, Talos
Forge World Command and Control Center]
< End
transcript>
Addendum
General Bergan,
In
zero -Low Gravity environments the tyranid artillery should
suffer a remarkable increase in drift. This will vary depending
on the climatic actions present on your sphere of operation and the
extent of reduced gravity. Besieged Fortifications on the doomed
planet of Flaix Mon unitized a unique tactic devised by Techmarine
Hulkiar [KIA, Posthumously awarded Draconian Crest]. They placed
target arrays on air rams and mounted them within the compound walls. These
air rams [Gt.453A class speeder thrusters] would track any spore
mine which cleared the perimeter defenses. This was over 95% effective
in preventing spore mine impacts within the compound. Heavier
and faster kinetic ordnance could not be reliably affected.
Individual
tyranids, especially Hormogaunts, were also repelled using
this method until they ceased their characteristic
leaping movement.
Plans
are available here <ERROR data transfer
inoperable>
Grand Artificer Keplar
Talos Forge world Command & Control Center
Game Rules
Spore mines drift 3d6 and roll twice for direction
with the one closest to the direction the Air rams are facing used
to determine drift.
Hormogaunts within the air rams affect (two flamer templates
side by side) may not use the additional movement afforded by their Bounding
leap rule.
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