Xenobiologis: The Evolution of the Tyranids (Warhammer 40K Lore)

Being a discussion upon the evolutionary capabilities of the organisms of the Great Devourer, the tyranids.
Featuring the vocal talents of Ki McKenzie as Inquisitor Kryptman!
Kimckenzie.com
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Thanks to the amazing Myles Eves for the new Patreon credits! Check out his work at myleseve.com/
Music: Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas by the Tudor Consort
This video is a non-profit fan-made lore discussion. Games Workshop, Forge World, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer, Space Marine etc are all trademarks of Games Workshop Ltd. Games Workshop does not endorse or support fan-made "lore" videos. All views and opinions expressed in this video belong to Oculus Imperia and in no way reflect the views or opinions of Games Workshop Ltd or it's employees.
All works used in this video belong to their respective authors and corporations. Oculus Imperia holds no claim or propriety interest, either wholly or in part, in any of the work displayed here, with the exception of the audio commentary recorded for this video.

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

Imagine if you will trying to cook the prawns, but them just developing heat resistance and eating all the garnish.

[@Neoentrophy]

Then the cooking utensils, the cooker, the house and you

[@Bornst3ll3r]

@@Neoentrophy emperor preserve us

[@Venneroth]

Normal person: Where's my shotgun? Scientist: I wonder what else I can make it evolve into?

[@LU-nc6oy]

Basically ya. Good analogy.

[@robertmurray7279]

@@Venneroth three years of dating a biologist and genetics researcher...can confirm that would be her reaction

[@MDLi0n]

As a Tyranid first generation player who started Warhammer 40k with the Tyranids as my first army I'm offended by the 25 minutes run time and have marked you for consumption

[@BLOODKINGbro]

First gen? Weren't they just Zoats?

[@thespacemarine247]

@@BLOODKINGbro I think Zoats where diplomats. I think stealers existed too.

[@notinspectorgadget]

Are all tyranid players vore fetishists?

[@joshuadarrow]

“IT’S AN UGLY PLANET, A _BUG_ PLANET.”

[@jeanpaulantoine1206]

Mobile Infantry: We get slaughtered on a daily basis!!! Imperial Guard: Buddy you have no idea .

[@Kaanfight]

@@jeanpaulantoine1206 “Get in line, pal”

[@jbark678]

@@Kaanfight "Join the bloody queue."

[@phreakazoith2237]

With Arachnids invading you are left with a bug planet. Hostile but life is possible. Not great but still better than most imperial worlds I guess. When Tyranids nom nom your world it is just a lifeless piece of rock afterwards.

[@bengoodwin2988]

I'm doing MY part.

[@SC_3]

The Occulus mentioned Squats!!! "A Complete History of the Squat", confirmed :O!!

[@marcinsikocinski4661]

Who else catches themselves whispering: "Ave Imperator. Gloria in excelsis Terra"?

[@SacredGumby]

I hope you are directing teams to purged all those who who read your comment and don't answer, or answer correctly.

[@ninim1028]

I also think of myself as part of the High Oriter's choir

[@abefroman1721]

🥱

[@jasonrosser95]

Oh, all of the time. For the glory of The Emperor

[@puritylabs6885]

Damn you how did you know?! I smell heresy!

[@corenalbrich7223]

I could make some in lore comment, but in all seriousness; My day gets measurably better when you upload. I may not get around to watching it right away, but I have yet to be disappointed when I finally find time. So... Thank you for that.

[@markmikolay9019]

This will be fun to listen to while I enjoy my afternoon biomass

[@unintentionallydramatic]

A new record! Praise him upon holy terra and pray that he might give us Strenght to fight against the great devourer.

[@jet40007]

An Oculus video makes even a truly terrible day better. Thanks bro!

[@rickconnolly5006]

That it does. Hope your day gets better mate.

[@johnlavery3433]

We all have bad days mate, it gets better, I can personally attest to that

[@kuehnjakob]

And here I thought I would never hear Ki McKenzie as Kryptman again… Nice work!

[@reina4969]

It IS him? From TTS,!

[@kuehnjakob]

​@@reina4969 If you want to hear more of Kryptman you can go look up Behemoth by Eliphas. Dude is also part of the Alfa Legion and has a comparable animation style to Alfabusa. Kryptman is voiced by Comradecrimson in the first two episodes, but Ki is doing really good in imitating (and also improving) the way he did the voice, so it's barely noticable.

[@mellowfellow14]

The true name of the Hivemind is ''Buttstuff Kaiju''

[@LexYeen]

It's true, but you shouldn't just say it like that.

[@BLOODKINGbro]

@@LexYeen You're right. How dare that fellow impune the honor of Swarmlord Supreyes Buttseckz!

[@piotrd.4850]

@@LexYeen Too late - it is already coming to avenge insult in some 40k years.

[@ridethetiger9092]

Speaking of “Buttstuff Kaiju”, how does one do buttstuff with a Kaiju considering the manifest differences in size, weight, & the physiognomy of sexual organs between Man & Monster? Or maybe Buttstufff Kaiju is when Godzilla, after dropping a steaming pile of shit, picks up a Man & uses him as a giant corn cob to wipe his butt just like good ole boys down on the farm back in the olden days.

[@arnantphongsatha7906]

@@ridethetiger9092 with a strong enough will, a man can accomplish anything.

[@stephenflint3640]

Kryptman literally said in vibrant Imperial purple prose "Gentlemen, we are fucked and doomed to utter failure. The only victory we can take, is we have lived another second, another heartbeat longer. We are not at war, but under siege and or there is no future where humanity is the ultimate victor.

[@ryanedgerton1982]

"Either way, we're probably all -- in Eldar terms -- *boned.*"

[@alecmeador4773]

I wake up early every morning to an hour to hour and a half long drive. And there’s nothing better that listening to your records on the way. I’ve ran out of your lore videos to watch at this point, so I love a new video a lot. Keep up the great work

[@redking5788]

Where are you driving to? Is that the range of your solar electric car?

[@OnyxBadger]

My day instantly got better upon scrolling to find this. A new record from this most esteemed historator. Thank you, Oculus.

[@larsstrohmeier2320]

I can only second the other fine people around when they say your content brightens our days! One of these days i'll hopefully finish the small killteam of models depicting an Explorator-Killteam lead by none other than our favourite Historator - thank you for all you do!

[@churlish7851]

Jesus get off his nutz

[@larsstrohmeier2320]

@@churlish7851 not anytime soon! Good day ;D

[@NicholasKratzer]

I literally gasped in excitement when I saw this video posted. Not only do I love anything you release, I'm so excited to see the Oculus' thoughts on the bug boys.

[@davidthomas2870]

Much like orcs, I always thought of the tyranids as almost an invasive, extractive ecosystem much the same way the orcs are, which I think may be a useful way to wrap one's around them. It's like a whole galaxy is trying to eat you

[@xenored13]

The best term to describe the Tyranids is from the Dark age of Technology. "Adaptive weapon system" in this case a biological one. It is believe by some that the Tyranids were designed.

[@garretth8224]

We don't need more designed races tbh, there is already the Eldar and orks.

[@bjornancraite2266]

Imagine if the tyranids were the old ones’ “clean it and start over” weapon.

[@xenored13]

I see a lot of parallels between the Tyranids and the Faro Plague from Horizon zero dawn. A weapon system that went rogue.

[@bjornancraite2266]

@@xenored13 That is a very apt comparison.

[@notinspectorgadget]

​@@garretth8224I'm with you.

[@ratedjentertainment]

Tyranid Evolution. Small Nom nom nom Big.

[@uglyweirdo1389]

I can smell the recaff wafting off that inquisitior

[@GalileoAV]

If ever there was an Imperial organization dependant on cocaine and recaff, it'd be the Inquisition.

[@krimzonstriker7534]

Really hope we get more deep dives like these on the Necron, Eldar and Tau but in regards to their technology. Would love a deep dive into those force assessments, combat doctrines, weaponry etc.

[@kerbal666]

Good to hear ComradeCrimson lending his voice to Kryptman again

[@kieran2221]

Oh, 'tis a beautiful day when the Occulus opens their records to share another horror of the Grim Darkness. Wonderful stuff as always.

[@AreEia]

So, been wondering. I know that the Imperium fears, that if they tried to use bioweapons on the Tyranids, that they could likely adapt to it and even incorporate it for their own use. But considering they really seem to struggle with inorganic matter, and that there is no genetic code they could exploit, could not nanite swarms possibly be the best weapon against them? The Imperium clearly lacks the technical capabilities and knowledge of how to make it, but what about the Jokaero for example, maybe they could manage it, or Cawl?

[@Fyrebrand18]

I just hear “Octarius War Part 2 Necron-Nid Boogaloo”.

[@piotrd.4850]

Jokaero are more 'ad hoc' problem solvers than strategists.... I think.

[@FishySpiderGuy]

I saw that Oculus had uploaded, and I was excited. I saw it was Xenobiologis: Tyranids and I was *really* excited! Love the content Oculus!

[@TheGCRust]

My favorite Lore channel discussing my favorite "race" of the setting? Thank you for this, a pleasant treat after an exceptionally wearying day.

[@VallornDeathblade]

Ah excellent, another record from our favorite historator

[@RayanBacha95]

I have just finished my memoir and I get the notification that the Oculus has published a lecture. Truly a blessed day. Thank you very much for your awesome work, it's always a good day when I can listen to your videos.

[@warsmithgalvinc4151]

Just in time for Lunch. May the Emperor bless you Oculus

[@rickconnolly5006]

Haha lunch. Haha tyranids. Haha I see what you did there... XD

[@14DEADSOUL]

Lovely to hear Ki's rendition of Kryptman again. This was an excellent video Occulus, 10/10.

[@rycolligan]

Know then that I shall be enjoying this record immensely

[@stpatrick8492]

Would love to see him do a video on the Tyranid characters. Just the mention of the Swarmlord got me excited.

[@leokeatonn]

Nothing makes me happier than seeing a new video from our glorious chronicler

[@ericasandberg7286]

Blessed be the voice of the Oculus Imperia

[@skert.01]

Great, as always. Really liked the extra recorded log at the end!

[@thomashawkins6154]

Im picking my buddy up from the airport today after being away all summer. He actually bought me my first miniatures. This will be perfect to listen to on the drive home. Bless you for blessing me with this video.

[@YaFoSho]

What the fuck man, I’ve listened to every one of your videos based on your incredible voice acting and writing and yet here I am, with this one coming out one day ago and it’s the best work you’ve ever done. You’re a legend man keep it up, people are going to be listening to this for a long time

[@nicholasgraveline7384]

I LOVE your lore videos so darned much. Looking forward to more VRAKS!!!

[@migrivp2672]

Well vraks is a old Canadian french tv station from the 2000 that specializes it self in teen and young adults tv show

[@hellohumansthade7280]

Oculus....as always another fitting dispersal of much appreciated information. We in the Tempestus greedily consume your recordings as we continue to fight these blasphemous filth invading our Holy Galactic home. Please continue your discources. Ave Imperator. Gloria in Excelsius Terra!

[@EdMcStinko]

Really interesting species in that they are designed by an unfathomable intellect not just to fight, but to look as terrifying as possible.

[@Sesshyru]

What was Guiliman's first reactions to the Niddos and Necrons?

[@legionofthedamned157]

Fek

[@eichler721]

Honestly the Rangdan where more terrifying then the Tyranids. However the Necrons if they unleashed their full power are hands down the most dangerous and the one the Imperium doesn't have any real awnswr too.

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

There isn't much yet: all I remember for the 'Nids is a sidenote where they kind of weirded him out, but the Great Rift, and subsequent attacks by Chaos (including personal fights with TWO traitor primarchs, mind,) has kept him far too occupied to concern himself with anything else.

[@piotrd.4850]

@@eichler721 Yes and no. Rangdan were - arguably - more sophisticated and alien threat but still LOCAL. However the Tyranids share some of their characteristics in terms of corruptive ability, but also have adaptability and WEIGHT OF NUMBERS behind.

[@piotrd.4850]

@@bubbasbigblast8563 even Roboute needs some time to digest and adjust....

[@54032Zepol]

Great video man! Keep up the great work 👍!!

[@AP-kg9dz]

After 8 days I'm coming to the end of my first video to latest released video crusade. It's been fantastic and I feel like I know so much more about a universe I love.

[@catfish552]

Praise be the Oculus, bringer of knowledge!

[@therope340]

Love the xenobiologis series. It's my favorite of yours. Can't wait for the Drukhari/Dark Eldar entry.

[@brutusaurelius2114]

I am a simple man. New Oculus Imperia video means it is a good day and an automatic like!

[@Realmrheath]

Sigh guess I have a new video to listen to while I sleep.

[@nyx7694]

You are the best purely Watsonian LoreHammer youtuber on the site. Among the hybrids, Remleiz, and amon the Purely Doylist, Snipe and Wib.

[@redleader4512]

Any chance we could get a video on the dark mechanicum? Or some of the weird lore from the RPGs, like the Yuvath or the Rak Gol

[@tigeriussvarne177]

Ave Imperator. Gloria in excelsis Terra!

[@JP.109]

Keep them coming oculus great listening

[@SCP-49668]

Ahh Oculus! What a gift to give me for my birthday weekend! Thank you so much for this!

[@Ozcogger]

Yes another!! Gonna sit down with my friend later and watch this through. Ty for the work! Keep it going!!!

[@davebowman9000]

Masterful way to close the video! Excellent delivery as usual!

[@davidcross7824]

Thanks for doing a report on my sweet chompie boys. love what you're doing

[@ericmanschot2221]

Good to see you still going! Ave Imperator!

[@fuzzylogic3017]

Excellent video with an exceptional ending. Thank you.

[@abefroman1721]

Salutations from Belfast Northern Ireland 🇬🇧

[@olliesloane151]

I'm from there too 🇮🇪

[@abefroman1721]

@@olliesloane151. Wrong flag.

[@olliesloane151]

@@abefroman1721 We use this one in my area lol.

[@abefroman1721]

@@olliesloane151. Pity

[@Darkuwa]

So the magos biologis are like the only actual scientists left in the mechanicum

[@gero3973]

Thank you Oculus, you made my day at the lab a better one. Cheers from 🇨🇦

[@kronanthekonqueror2979]

Love this 👍

[@Grz349]

If you do another episode on the tyranids I have some questions: 1) do the tyranids use the warp in any way? Whether like Humans or Orks 2) Do you think the Eldari in the Webway would be able to escape the attention of the Tyrandids 3) The interactions between the Tyranids and the Necrons 4) Similarity/ difference between the nature of the Chaos gods and Daemons vs the Tyranids EDIT- I forgot to say thanks for the episode, it was incredible as always.

[@piotrd.4850]

I always wonder why Shadow in The Warp doesn't mess in some way with WAAAGH energy and vice versa. One would assume that it should produce sorts of weird effect. 1. Not that we know off; they influence it to be sure. 2. Yes-no. Drukhari kindapped some tyranids so if Hive Mind conceptualizes Warp and Webway... 3. Avoidance.

[@trajanfidelis1532]

who wind in a fight; the alien species from "The Thing" vs. a splinter fleet of the Tyranids?

[@spiritvdc5109]

Honestly, everything the Tyranids can do as a race, the Thing can do within itself nigh-instantaneously. It would eat a Tyranid hive fleet before its bio-defenses knew it was infected.

[@Axelcat11]

Amazing as usual

[@Azaghal1988]

Always great to see a new Oculus Video! You're doing a great job!

[@Thedagda801]

Thank you for your work ! The Emperor protects!

[@Makkovar]

Praise Oculus, may he ever walk in the Eperor's Grace!

[@wedontwantwar71]

Made my tenticles tingle

[@ilyana1126]

This was EXCELLENT!!!

[@Mk12dexxa6]

Time to consume this video

[@Duppyman695]

Not an Android called David! Theory: created by the Old Ones as an undefeatable organism to bring revenge to the galaxy..???

[@micha5112]

Greetings from Poland. i watched (several times) and liked every single one vid on your chanel. I'm in 40k from 2-nd edition and your work is in my eyes on the highest lvl. Ps: You, Luetin09 and newly found The Amber King, btw. check his work he's very asmr :]. But especially You are with me when i'm going to sleep. Ave Imperator. Gloria, in excelsis Terra.

[@piotrd.4850]

Templin has nice 40k content and Baldermort (but he's on hiatus, taking prolonged break).

[@TheRaxxinator]

Man you are good

[@user-hw2tg5bt1d]

By comparing tyranids to astartes, the imperium of man has decided to launch an Exterminatus on earth to prevent further spread of heresy

[@snakething87]

Cawl hurry up with the reinventing of Phosphex. We’re gonna need a lot of it once the rest of the bugs get here.

[@Knights_Oath]

Great video as usual, I do miss hearing the old Twitter handle.

[@inquisitorgarza312]

Foul Xenos whose speed in their adaption makes almost impossible to combat against, and their is no singular way or weapon to pushback against these void borne beasts of our Galaxy. I have witnessed the Tyranids adapt to hundreds of thousands of different combat scenes with different opponents, and every time they adapt in a rapid pace which them bewildered. Though the answer to their rapid adaptation is quite simple, and all lies within the Hive Mind itself. The Hive Mind is able to give a command to the Tyranids Swarms in how to best defeat an enemy, and give them the proper adaptation in the correct combat solution.

[@hamanu666]

@Lucas De Araújo Marques it’s not about combating the physical but the psychic. Tyrannies revert to animals when the hive tyrant is killed or the norn queen is compromised.

[@eichler721]

@Lucas De Araújo Marques honestly the Necrons have wrecked the Tyranids repeatedly and the Nids have had no awnser. However the Imperium has a few weapons not unleashed on the Nids yet, the Sisters of Silence, Custodes, Psy Titans, and DAOT weapons and bio weapons in the vaults under the Palace. The best counter to the Necrons is the Custodes so it makes it had to determine where to use them best with so many threats.

[@irondarknessdarkness8900]

thanks for more vids

[@LocalHeretic-ck1kd]

Space bugs of death are truly scary.

[@michaelhowell2326]

Is the chanting music used the same as that used in the film "Kingdom of Heaven"?

[@alanhoff89]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[@StarboyXL9]

If the Imperium could destroy the entire galaxy at once, they just might starve the Tyranids enough to cause them issues.

[@ImpudentInfidel]

"Okay, first we build a network of artificial halo-shaped worlds..."

[@amalsamsudeen7765]

May the fire of the Emperor protect you from the blight of the mutant, the whispers of the alien and the corruption of the heretic. Ave Imperator.

[@antimuppet]

Heck Yeah! Kryptmann!

[@markrtoffeeman]

I have only one thing to say Scribe. In The Emperor's name: Purge the foul Xeno! Purge them. Then Purge them Thrice. With bolter and plasma fire. Purge them. Let them feel the wrath of The Emperor's will. And we are all his instruments. Purge them.

[@halfhuff976]

My theory is the Trinidads where created to destroy the chaos gods then when all life was bio form the chaos God would die out then they'd go into reverse and repopulate the planets with the life forms they still had the temp plates for ,so they are actually saviours

[@ikitclaw3299]

It really takes an Irish man to make the English language sound beautiful

[@AniGaAG]

"Humanity's _duly deserved_ stars" Ha.

[@gregfisher4147]

The quality of this vox log is incredible! Which pict-recorder are you using?

[@servit0r]

One question: Does the concept of music bands exist in WH40k? Are there travelling bands, possibly known throughout several systems, that play music for entertainment?

[@qiushuang239]

Do roaming bands of Slaneshi noise marines count?

[@ChoonMa]

I have 30 minutes until I start work... LET'S GO

[@alexvaraderey]

I don't know if my speakers are n the way out, but this seems to be on half-volume.

[@Abhothra]

Trekkies, Whovians etc etc "Wait that was one line in season 2 episode one regarding that, it has been retconned already let it go" 40K fans "Hold my boltgun"

[@Bigpandazomg]

Woo! TYRANIDS!!

[@matthewmcneany]

Change is the most glorious act of worship for the Lord of Change and the Master of Deception. Can such creatures be anything but an expression of HIs Divine nature?

[@vlweb3d]

VILE UNCLEAN XENOS EXTERMINATUS in thy Emperor's name

[@blallocompany]

does anybody know the source of the hive ship picture at 14:32 ? it's the coolest hive ship i ever seen

[@Khalith]

“ Tyranids are creatures from our darkest nightmares. But remember this: they can bleed, and they can die.” -Inquisitor Lord Kryptman

[@phreakazoith2237]

they bleed, they die, they return another day in a more advanced form that bleeds less and dies harder

[@tfan2222]

@@phreakazoith2237 Debatable, considering the same round of bolter is still one they haven’t adapted to.

[@phreakazoith2237]

@@tfan2222 they spawn more bioforms than defenders got bolter rounds. Warriors of Ultramar gives a vivid report of the battle almost lost once they make planetfall no matter how valiant you fight back

[@Oooze3424]

ya'know, this has reminded me of how the imperium actually has really good genetic and biological knowledge. do you think biological transhumanism ever took off in some backwater detachment of Mechanicus?

[@spiritvdc5109]

I mean they have the Magi Biologis

[@Oooze3424]

@@spiritvdc5109 well those aren't biological transhumanists, they're just transhuman cyborgs who are also biologists. they still use mechanical upgrades rather than grafted limbs.

[@eeebee6166]

They're basically the xenomorph from Aliens, but turned up to the 40k scale.