The Hierophant is a type of Bio-Titan - colossal organic war machines - used by the Tyranids. They are immense creatures, towering over any opponents and bristling with spines, tendrils and Tyranid symbiote weapons. A brood of Hierophants are likely to be at the forefront of a major Tyranid planetary assault—striding forward, drawing the enemy's heavy weapons fire away from the lesser Tyranid organisms, absorbing tremendous amounts of firepower before smashing into the enemy line with devastating force.
Like all Tyranid species, this Bio-Titan seems to be able to mutate rapidly, evolving new weapons and defences as required. The genetic process through which the Norn-Queen develops such unusually large biological constructs remains a mystery to the Imperium's Magos Biologis. Whilst it seems that a Hive Tyrant or Carnifex could easily be a further adaptation of the basic genome and body plan of a Tyranid Warrior, no other known Tyranid bioforms are a logical precursor for the Hierophant. Combating a Bio-Titan like the Hierophant is simply a matter of applying the heaviest firepower available; large ordnance weapons and heavy artillery have so far proved the only effective weapons for Imperial forces in destroying the hideous Tyranid Bio-Titans.
Biomorphs[]
- Twin Bio-Cannons - Bio-Cannons spew forth a hail of corrosive maggot-like organisms. These creatures are highly acidic and will explode on impact with the target, splattering gobbets of bio-acid and poison that melt through a tank's armour in minutes, leaving the unfortunate crewmembers a pile of goo. The Hierophant is armed with two of these.
- Blades & Claws - Many different Tyranid biomorph weapons made for close combat appear on Hierophants, including but not limited to Scything Talons, for tearing through infantry, and Crushing Claws, for crushing vehicles.
- Lash Whips - Living ropes of muscle and sinew which can entangle, bind and strangle as if with a will of their own. These are used to protect the Hierophant's vulnerable underbelly.
- Toxic Spores - Hierophants constantly exude a cloud of highly toxic poisonous spores. These are lethal to all non-Tyranid creatures, forming a drifting vapour about the Hierophant that chokes and burns the lungs of anyone without the proper protection that is brave enough to get close to the monstrous beast.