Xenobiologis: Tyranids - Origins & History (Warhammer 40k & Horus Heresy Lore)

Being a record of the extragalactic hive swarms of the Great Devourer, and discussions upon history of Imperial contact with these foul tyranids.
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Thanks to the amazing Myles Eves for the new intro and Patreon credits! Check out his work at myleseve.com/
Music: Officium Defunctorum 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.

[@Oscar_Lasco]

I love how the smugness and self-assurance of the narrator's voice slowly fades to give way to anguish and terror and then try to make a shy come-back at the end. Also it's good to see people adding some personality to these lore videos and not just reading from wiki and codex.

[@Sykohsis]

"and not just reading from wiki and codex." This is exactly what OneMindSyndicate does. They're so fucking overrated while this channel is so VASTLY underrated. It's a shame really.

[@Modelstl063]

Sykohsis || god I hate them for that. Some videos are 80% the same because they just read from the wiki

[@bladestormviking]

@@Modelstl063 regurgitation gets old fast, almost as fast as the "grand extrapolators" who micro-analyze EVERYTHING and go on long winded rants about "the definition of meaning" if you will.

[@butHomeisNowhere___]

@@Sykohsis to be fair, they link the wiki in the description of the video. Some people like having that stuff read to them. I like them and I like this channel as well. But they evoke different feelings and require me to be in a certain mood to listen to each of them.

[@darthgorthaur258]

@Commander Shepard wait wait wait... Shepard your russian....geez don't let the mercans find that out, can't see that going down well lol..

[@alexisjosephquejas3600]

"let them come... let them taste imperial bolt, let them perish under imperial steel, let them test the resolve of human faith... for they will see that it cannot, and will not, be found wanting" goddamn if that didnt send shivers up my spine. DAMN good writing!

[@ArchArturo]

Random Iron Hands Techmarine: “see, if you had no flesh, you would not be so weak”.

[@bladestormviking]

"you raff now, but you no raff rater" --unknown White Scars Astartes

[@thewayfarer8849]

"MY HEAD IS FULL OF INTERNECINE CONFLICT....AND CHICKEN"- Hive Mind circa M41

[@rendurai]

Came here looking for this

[@bladestormviking]

"least i got chicken" -- Hive Fleet Leeroy, M41

[@michaellapalme1198]

Ending was perfect, as always. You are leading the way for 40k multimedia.

[@adriancuerva3180]

GW need to hire this man to read the audiobooks!

[@briharrisWarhmmer40kfan]

Oculus you are WITHOUT A DOUBT the best 40k narrator on youtube!!! Incredible flawless production/artwork/voice acting/scene setting ETC ETC ETC I just cant heap enough praise upon you my friend! Your love for this setting is awe inspiring ❤ May the God Emperor watch over you and remember above all THE EMPEROR PROTECTS!!!

[@OculusImperia]

[@emperordave1184]

It's a fact.

[@theeternalchronicler3072]

It be perfect if he called the Eldar, the Eldar instead of their "new" name.

[@zebmaxwell7979]

I completely Agree! Love the charactor-narration style.

[@frankrebind4483]

Hi Occulus, normally too late to your vids to say this... the atmosphere and narration you bring to the subjects in your videos is second to none, and I honestly hope you keep creating these genuine works of brilliance. I can't really express how much better these videos are than the immoral (amoral?) Videos of the other 40K channels, that basically amount to plagarism. Keep up the amazing work! Edit: Nice new intro! Did you make it yourself?

[@mauricefrank8582]

Instablaster.

[@gholamdapantaloonsniffer8218]

I mean can you really call it immoral to read the same lore we are given without adding little things here and there?

[@akuinator6350]

Emperor: Behold the superhuman wonders of my genetic engineering! Hive Mind: You are like little Termagant. Watch this. *Crimes against nature intensifies*

[@randomcenturion7264]

It's terrifying that the thousands of years worth of genetic research and discovery The Emperor has achieved is so insignificant to the Hive Mind. It's like boasting about being able to make a finger painting to something that produces works of art (or nightmares, in this case) on an industrial scale.

[@daedric1387]

Imagine yourself being less then a speck of dust on the surface of your world, and that world being but a grain of sand in the universe it inhabits, now imagine that universe in the grasp of a creature eyeing it like a fine jewel or fresh piece of fruit. That is the existential horror of the Tyranids.

[@UGNAvalon]

Phenomenal way to end!! “Let them come. Let them taste Imperial bolt. For they shall not be found wanting.” Absolutely PERFECT delivery of the Imperial mindset toward this threat (& others) Throughout this Entire video!!

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

In the grim darkness of the far future roaches crush you.

[@skylanewman347]

I am new to this whole thing. I literally just started binging these videos because I'm interested in the story. So far everything has been pretty rad and I'm enjoying it... and then at 21:53 he says "Scylla" right... My irl name is Skyla. Not gonna lie I'm pretty excited to be hungry space bees.

[@speestechsupport1341]

The ending moved me to no end. You have one incredible power of speech craft my friend

[@sanguiniusonvacation1803]

" maybe they just want Börger?"

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

They prefer planets, but they will take Börger as well.

[@Joawlisdoingfine]

Sanguinius on vacation Loyalist. Böerger!

[@ripwolfe]

Brilliantly executed tonality. Your voice alone created fantastic imagery of what one might imagine an Imperial scholar to sound and look like.

[@michaelhowell2326]

When I watch your videos I feel like I'm hearing combat briefing about the Nids. You sir, have a gift. You make 40k universe come to life.

[@MuffinkingPM]

Your choice of words is just so elegant. It all just flows together so nicely, and fits the setting perfectly. There is such emotion and awe inspiring grandeur behind each of your sentences. You truly bring forth the best of 40k.

[@TK199999]

According to the Cawl novel, the Tyranids only consumed entire solar systems when they first arrived into the galaxy. So great was their hunger and need for bio-mass/energy after the long journey through intergalactic void. But after that Cawl stated that the Hive Fleets tend to graze on worlds rather than consume them down to heat of their planetary core like when they first arrived. Suggesting they are efficient enough with their bio-mass usage, that Tyranids assaults seem more about collecting new DNA rather than bio-mass for the swarms.

[@willrogers3793]

To those who quail in fear of these xenos abominations, I say: Take heart! Have we not stood defiant against the literally endless hordes of the archenemy for *ten thousand years?* Have we not withstood the depredations of the brutish greenskin tides for even longer still? This galaxy has ever been a place brimming with those who would destroy us utterly, yet WE ARE STILL HERE. While it would be foolish to dismiss the perils that face our Imperium, it would be even greater folly to give in to the one truly unforgivable sin of despair. We are Humanity! We are the chosen people of our beloved and immortal God-Emperor, the sons and daughters of most sacred Terra! We are the greatest species that this galaxy has ever, nay, *will ever* see! And when we strive as one towards a common goal, the universe itself trembles in fear! So I say to you, do not despair! For we are Mankind, and Mankind’s one and only destiny is to claim dominion over all, in the name of our mighty race and our beloved Emperor! Ave Imperator! Gloria in Excelsis Terra!

[@BluJean6692]

Tiniest of notes: the music you choose adds so much flavor. Don't be afraid to bump up its volume in the sound mix! You speak very audibly and clearly so I don't think it'll interfere and I often find myself turning up the volume straining to hear the awesome chorales.

[@OculusImperia]

Duly noted!

[@Nyctophora]

Your in-universe perspective and characterful narration are second to none.

[@OculusImperia]

[@jstarzenski]

Honored scribe, you do his glorious majesty a great service with your dutiful work. Humbled are we whom, through your efforts alone, are granted the wisdom to enact his holy writ. Long may you serve. Ave Imperator

[@N-4-USRPR]

I just started following Warhammer 40k heavily and this video explaining the Tyranids helped me choose them as my faction. They are ruthless and primordial beasts that are ever evolving as a constant threat. Now that is amazing

[@haydennelson3271]

The new Intro looks great, and so was your dedication of a data tome to the xenos that first introduced me to the hobby. Ave Archivus, and ave Imperator!

[@Serpentaxuk]

The great mind brings unity, peace and the illumination of singular purpose, give up your petty wars, your short meaningless lives and become one. - Genestealer Magus

[@ShaDO118k]

The ending filled me with such resolve brother. Makes me want to charch onto the teeth of hive mind itself. Good work as always buddy! ❤️ Much love

[@SawedOffLaser]

Your narration is spine tingling. Seriously, your videos are incredible, keep up the amazing work.

[@jackstrayfeald1007]

Just came back from a real crap day at work and sees a new Oculus Imperia video. That put a smile on my face.

[@scrimPinion]

That was inspired. Your best work, in my opinion. Seriously, I feel you've outdone yourself. Thank you.

[@justsomedude7583]

Sweet new intro my dude, reminds me of that one opening shot from Fire Warrior. Id really love some info on all those bizarre Xenos in that kind of montage artwork at the beginning. We've got Lizardmen Old Ones in 40k?!?!?

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

We have some kind of Old Ones in 40k. Whether they are the same as WHFB ones, or bear a passing resemblance(the way eldar are to elves) is open for debate.

[@missZoey5387]

11:42 I love that bit. Its so utter disgust and horror and it fits a true believer in His Imperium

[@speestechsupport1341]

Dear Scribe, I shall pose my selfish suggestion once more for it would elate me to no end, if it were to be so...If I, a lowly Magos, could influence an individual of great position and renown such as yourself, I would direct thyne attention to the mysterious and mystifying Legio Cybernetica and the war automata they shepherd into battle as the topic of a future file. The recounting of the fall from grace that befell the Legio and the summary of the various tech arcana and patterns of battle automata of the Great Crusade and the 41st millennium accredited to the aforementioned order would be most welcome. Ave Imperator, Gloria in excelsis Terra Magos 4619-Bondrewd of Manufactorum Cinis Corvus, Stygies VIII

[@AP-kg9dz]

First to latest crusade day 4 begins here. I told myself I'd finally allow myself to buy the oculous Hoodie when I finish every episode. Let the crusade continue. On a side note. Listening from episode one to where I'm at back to back really shows how much you improved and how quickly. You went from "I could listen to this guy" to by far my favorite 40k channel in very few episodes. Thabk you for all your work man, one of the few things I get to enjoy.

[@Stringbean219]

Love your style of 40k lore. Its seriously good my dude. Much love

[@spartansmsu93noob54]

I'm currently playing my first play through of Warhammer 40k battle sector and I visited this channel for more lore. I was not disappointed. "The swarm has no right to live!"

[@cedkira]

You are definitely the go to professor on warhammer. I congratulate you on so effectively inhabiting your chosen character.

[@tyberportoghese6674]

Such an iconic intro

[@guardianaerdan8588]

Wow mon-keigh, that was perfect, very immersive.

[@ericfiedler5506]

This is the first channel i have ever hit the bell icon for. Always excited for my drive to work when the oculus posts a new entry. Keep up the amazing work.

[@paperbag2410]

13:59 idk if that was sarcasm but regardless i got a chuckle out of that

[@wiggles2868]

Wonderfully presented and executed lore video. Bravo

[@mirokortemaa9060]

Loved new into. Awesome video as alvays.

[@MaceLupo]

I watched all of Luetin09 s 40k videos and think he is the best. But after a closer look to your work I have to say you seem to be the next best. Great work, I will add you to my 40k lore favorite list together with Luetin09 and GrimDark narrator.

[@metalaxl]

Stellar writing and reading. Could listen to this all day.

[@r.w3440]

These are my favourite lore video's of 40k. I cannot wait until the Death Watch! Comes eventually! Hopefully after the Xenobiologis series is finished!

[@jayr8271]

This is probably your best acted video to date. Very convincing.

[@cop154]

At first you were a filler Lore videos for other channels. But you have your own style and its really good as I said before you are on par with Arch. And I am enjoying your turn from Imperial stuff and doing more Zenos. Thanks for doing a vid on my Tyranids you are great mate. Shout put form NYC.

[@th3falleng0d69]

Plot twist. Some old ones survived in another galaxy and to start a fresh universal creation they unleashed their greatest weapon. The tyranids. A species who can change it's own form for combat against any foe, and it can block the warp, the realm turned hell by their previous creations.

[@declangallagher1448]

Self Hegemonizing Swarm

[@suidberd968]

Not so much as the representation of knowledge but the emotional representation of yourself as part of the universe. Very nice. I am very impressed with the unique style

[@davyfromthenavy4248]

Oculus: Only a single psyker has managed to attain this feat. Me: It was a Smurf wasn't it. Oculus: Tigurius, Chief Librarian of the Ultramarines. Me: yep, colour me surprised.

[@136iti]

Love you video as always! But I must say you unwillingness to be consumed will not save you from us for we will devour your world till only it’s barren husk remains! Lol couldn’t help myself I love the imperium but the tyranid’s will always be my favorite.

[@Nebula_Ultra]

I like your delivery. Very sermon esque

[@GreatGreenGoo]

god emperor I love these

[@BearWithAnUzi]

You are immensely under-appreciated! Hopefully more people notice how amazing your videos are!

[@OculusImperia]

You're too kind. Keep sharing the videos to get the word out! :D

[@gooselivers7553]

You are my favorite KZbinr of ANY GENRE. THANK YOU!!!

[@berzerkerfaithfulofkhorne6488]

Hello Oculus, love the narration of your videos. Think a word bearers video will pop up soon? Keep up the good work

[@georgesulea]

Masterfully done.

[@hughgedney3393]

A very extremely awesome video as always Oculus Imperia.

[@xavier84623]

i think in ancient history, proto tyranids who had not evolved to be quite as strong as they are now, attacked this galaxy, but the old ones easily pushed them back, or perhaps the ancient eldar or enslavers or krok or whatever, so they left some of their organisms around which adapted to survive on planets, but in general the ancient less evolved hive fleet was defeated. by 42k, the tyranids have eaten many of the galaxies in the local group, and evolved to a much more powerful form, and are attracted back to the milyway by the slanesh birth scream, or the astronomicon, or maybe the seen nyds signals.

[@specter86fl]

Fighting the nids is like a video game character trying to stop the player from pushing the reset button on the consol. These tendrils are just that, "tendrils" appendages of a larger whole. Humanity faces an old one and its perfect killing machines, perfected over millions of years, to do one thing, wile the galaxy clean of all life, starving the chaos gods, and returning the warp to the old ones so they can finally finish their war with the necrontyre.

[@phantomassassin1924]

Suffer not the xeno to live

[@Amadeo790]

Oculus Imperia is secretly the shard of the emperor 's soul that holds his shining charismatic speech.

[@melgimpsuit]

those last few lines were brilliant dude

[@OculusImperia]

Thanks! They were a lot of fun to write :)

[@steventcunliffe]

Great lore video!

[@palebloodoni3558]

By the void god's!

[@mbp1652]

Very nicely done Inquisitor

[@sirderik]

ah nice, found your horus herasy videos and thought based on the time that they where realised that you had like stop, neat I sub.

[@sirderik]

also fuck the Ultramarines....marry sue bullshit i tell ye.

[@tiredorchid5629]

OF COURSE the only psyker to contact the hivemind successfully was an ultrasmurf

[@mateuszmarkucik8013]

I know what I am going to do at evening. Bless you!

[@ghostcat5303]

Nice, defo my favourite 40k channel. A Black Legion vid would be nice and topical...

[@derrabbit7289]

I subscribe to the theory that the Great Old Ones are sitting out there pumping the Tyranids out to cleanse the universe and silence the warp

[@EdMcStinko]

This was extremely good

[@BigsZone]

So many targets!

[@seelenverkaufer4861]

Your videos are THE BEST.

[@SHDW-nf2ki]

That line about the reasons why xenos kill humans hottest anti-xenos burn since the ordo xenos

[@georgedisorder]

Any chance of linking the artwork sources? So many fantastic images in your videos.

[@crusadingtemplar]

That was the most powerful ending to any video ive yet watched....fantastic

[@pomazzzz]

Nice new intro!

[@anduq1092]

Congrats! Nice voice acting!

[@emperordave1184]

Magnificent post.

[@benb3316]

"Tyrannids...! The name itself is enough to strike fear. Even the Orkz - they are close enough for us to understand, different enough that we can hate them. But the Tyrannids... We call all non-human species Xenos but nothing so far encountered deserves the term Alien more than they...!" - from a WH40K comic about a Titan pilot...

[@arieltaylor3566]

Amazing!

[@Dylan-em4wi]

Chilling!

[@HighlanderFrag4Life]

I want more videos from you

[@faolan1686]

The possibility that the Miky Way is the last refuge of life in the universe is freakiest thing in 40k. The thought that the Nids might have devoured the universe and we are all that's left, that they are innumerable and will sworm over us like ants.

[@ericvaroli9895]

Cool intro

[@StylesV13]

My theory on the origins of the Tyranids. The Unknown Species that built Pharos also created the Tyranids as the ultimate doomsday weapon or maybe it would be more accurate to say revenge weapon. The epilogue "Pharos" it states that the Tyranids "processed the message" that the Pharos beacon sent out when it overloaded. The Pharos could send people instantly across vast distances in the galaxy. So the race that built the Pharos could have designed the Tyranids as a revenge weapon. If they couldn't control the galaxy no one could type scenario. Seeing the weapon they created they realized that it couldn't be safely contained in the Galaxy. So they used the Pharos to send it out beyond the galaxy. If the civilization fell they would activate their weapon by overloading the Pharos. For whatever reason the species created it forgot they created such a weapon or fell without activating it. So in all that time the Tyranids laid dormant drifting further from the galaxy until the Pharos was overloaded during the Horus Heresy. Maybe the species that created the Pharos used the Tyranids during their wars and saw that there would be a time when they wouldn't control it and sent it out into the deep void, only to be used as a revenge weapon or a doomsday weapon to keep their enemies from advancing. This would explain Tyranids possibly being on planets such as Fenris.

[@Czar_B]

Very good

[@Self-replicating_whatnot]

I would not use presence of genestealers onboard of spacehulks as any kind of dating method, because those same hulks tend to jump randomly and can be thrown into the past as easily as into the future.

[@SpadeRZA]

Not saying "Nay" is pure and utter heresy.

[@red8ball864]

This is up there with TTS.

[@commissarlugh1040]

Chilling

[@rycolligan]

I await the arrival of Hive Fleet "Butt Stuff Kaiju"

[@BluJean6692]

I preemptively "liked" this because I know it's going to be good and I've been praying for more "xenobiology." The Orkz and Eldar are cool but imho they're less interesting as aliens since they're basically fantasy races mapped directly onto sci fi, so you can imagine how glad I am you decided to branch out. A video on the T'au would be AMAZING, as well as maybe some missives/shorts on the more alien and mysterious (not to mention lacking official miniatures) aliens such as the Hrud or the Enslavers.

[@BluJean6692]

666th like!

[@KillerOrca]

He's going to mention that one book the frozen Nids isnt he. YES YES HE IS

[@tmontgomery9255]

Please do a vid or two on the howling griffons,would so enjoy listening to your take on them and making lore videos

[@jefreyvalencia4669]

Nice!!! Let them Come!!!

[@waseehasan1559]

What is the song in the background? Edit: nvm found it

[@jacobs4545]

What if the Dark angels were to somehow use the Tachulcha Engine to attract the tyranids to the galaxy at a far earlier date? Lets say.. DAOT humanity?