Warhammer 40K: Our 5 Favorite Tyranid Battles
The Tyranids have spread their tendrils all over the galaxy. Here are our 5 favorite Tyranid battles!
When it comes to unknowable threats the Tyranids should be at the top of the Imperium’s list. Why? They came from the void between the stars are are a vast organism designed for one thing: Devouring the Galaxy. That said, the inhabitants of the Grimdark galaxy aren’t giving up without a serious fight. Neither side has a perfect win rate here which is why these are a few of our favorite Tyranid Battles.
Battle for Macragge
This battle is really the one that set the tone for the rest of these encounters. The Battle of Macragge pitted the Ultramarines against Hive Fleet Behemoth. And while it did end the first Tyrannic War with an Imperial victory the price was paid with the death of the entire 1st company of Ultramarines. This battle proved the Tyranids could be beaten — but the repreve would be short lived.
Octarius War
It all started with a certain Inquisitor trying to redirect a Hive Fleet into a growing Ork infestation. The plan was to have these two problems take care of each other. Only, it didn’t quite work out the way he thought it would.
This war’s background was featured in the 4th edition Ork Codex and the 5th Edition Tyranid codex. It describes this conflict as a war all the way down to the microscopic level with Ork spores fighting to survive vs Tyranid phage cells. The battle was fought in the Octarius sector where the Tyranids invaded via a Genestealer infestation from a Space Hulk.
The fight spread from Orrok, to Ghorala, to finally Octarius. It was brutal. The Orks getting stronger as they love a good scrap and the Tyranids adapting and feeding on more and more biomass. In the end, the zone is likely to fall to the Tyranids. But even if a planet is the area falls the battle will rage on!
Anphelion Project
“The Anphelion Project was a classified operation based out of Beta Anphelion IV conducted by the Inquisition‘s Ordo Xenos to investigate the Tyranid threat. Collecting samples from various captured and deceased Tyranids, the Inquisition hoped to find some weakness in the creatures that could potentially save humanity from the Tyranid menace. However in 850.M41 all contact from the research facility of Beta Anphelion ceased, leading to an investigative team of Red Scorpions, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Imperial Guards led by Inquisitor Solomon Lok to arrive on the planet.”
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If you’re not familiar with this particular site it’s a shame. Basically it’s the story of a research facility that was looking into ways to combat the Tyranids and things got weird. A rescue team is sent in and a battle ensues. We won’t spoil it here but there are some twists and it’s one of our favorites from the lore!
Valedor
“Valedor was a Cardinal World of the Imperium and a Maiden World the Eldar, named Duriel. It was overwhelmed by the Tyranids of the Hive Fleet Leviathan in 997.M41. The local populations, and the battle barge of the Iron Lords Chapter were destroyed and only small contingent of the Order of the Sacred Rose escaped.
Later (in 999.M41) Eldar forces from Biel-Tan and Iyanden destroyed the planet to prevent it from being absorbed by Leviathan. The planets destruction released the Crystal Tome of Cegorach, which was recovered by the Harlequins.”
Valedor has a pretty rich history compared to these other conflicts. That’s because it’s got a novel about it and was featured in an Apocalypse War Zone Supplement. Spoilers – the planet is ultimately destroyed. Yes, there were some Imperial assets on the planet at one point but the conflict that led to its destruction mostly revolves around the Aeldari and the Tyranids. That’s the war we’re looking at specifically. We’ve got Prince Yriel leading a desperate fight to prevent two hive fleets (Leviathan and Kraken) from linking up and combining their genetic material. It’s a classic and has Aeldari and Drukhari coming together to halt this threat.
Devastation of Baal
If a certain event hadn’t happened when it did and a specific Daemon didn’t have beef with the Blood Angels, then this might have been the end of the Blood Angels — along with many successor chapters, too! This battle was documented in the Devastation of Baal novel so if you want to read all the details check it out. Kicking off with an advance from Hive Fleet Leviathan and ending with a “Daemon” ex machina wrap-up this story is one heck of a roller coaster.
Bonus: 4th Tyrannic War – Leviathan’s Return
The 4th Tyrannic War is just beginning and it’s taken the Imperium by surprise. It began in M42, when the largest invasion of Leviathan yet when it attacked the Western Reaches of Segmentum Pacificus. The assault began with the coordinated attack from above and below the galactic plain by two new tendrils dubbed Nautilonand Promethor respectively. The two tendrils are moving in parallel towards Segmentum Solar, and with the Imperium distracted by the Indomitus Crusade few forces initially stood against it. The Imperial defense is led by Lord Commander Solar Leontus, with assistance from Adeptus Custodes Captain General Trajann Valoris.
What are your favorite battles involving the Tyranids? Let us know in the comments!
