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Genestealer

2018-09-25T18:26:07Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Non-human Hybrids */

[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right]]
{{Topquote|Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!|One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers}}

{{Topquote|Praise be! The star children deliver us!|White Dwarf October 2016}}

{{Topquote|IT BEING MY FIRST DAY!|Actual genestealer hybrid who just screwed up the projector, showed a 4 armed mutant emperor in a catacomb to terrified imperial citizens who are now running in every direction
- Inquisition War series}}

'''Genestealers''' are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, and reliant on other species for reproduction. Basically Xenomorphs... IN SPAAA-wait a minute...

== Rogue Trader ==

In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous at close range, as each of their six strong limbs ended in sharp claws, and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.

== Space Hulk ==
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years later, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a hive-mind, represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.

== Later Editions ==
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. [[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.

Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient humanoids, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. The seed greatly alters the host's body on both physical and psychological levels over the course of a few hours, causing them to forget all about the infection and become subservient to the Purestrain's brood. The host is also driven to have children, even if they didn't want any before becoming infected; their partner does not have to be likewise infected, but it doesn't hurt. After a pregnant host (or whoever they impregnated) gives birth, their viciously malformed offspring creates a hive mind connection between itself, its parents, and the Genestealers (though this raises the question of how anyone else in the room during the birth, such as midwives, would react.) This connection and the mutations brought on by the Genestealer's seed proceed to subliminally twist the minds of both parents so that they unconditionally love their child and revere the Genestealers either as gods or as creatures sent by gods (the exact interpretation varies, you understand), usually fleeing into darkened tunnels, catacombs or sewers to avoid discovery.

They find the brood of Genestealers responsible and come together with kindred spirits (that is, other Genestealer hybrids and their infected parents) to form a community/family dedicated to the Genestealers in both body and soul. As the family grows, they will continue to isolate themselves, eventually forming a Genestealer Cult. What follows is an ongoing process of hybrids breeding with captured and infected humans, with their human parents kept around both as breeding stock and for nursing and child-rearing. The second generation hybrids aren't as ugly as their parents, appearing more "normal"-looking but still obviously alien. However, that becomes a moot point once the third and fourth generation roll around, the fourth actually being virtually indistinguishable from actual full-members of their parent species. The uglier members and Purestrain Genestealers typically lurk in the shadows far away from civilisation, while the intelligent and "human" members infiltrate and spy in almost every sector of society. Their psychic network lets them communicate with one another, even though some of the less-human hybrids (and the Purestrains) are incapable of speech, and when the brood mind becomes powerful enough, it will act as a beacon to [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. These fleets travel at various different speeds according to various different authors although generally always slower than Imperial warp drives, which means it is impractical for them to travel blindly, so they home in on the signal created by a large Genestealer Cult. When their arrival is imminent, they will directly contact the Cult, which will then engage in a full rebellion, sabotaging their planet's defenses in preparation for the fleet. The fleet will consume the Cult along with everything else on the planet; how the Genestealers and their hybrid servants feel about this has been massively retconned in the new Codex. ''(But actually, the piece of history present in the Index have both options; some cultists will desperately fight back, while some others will accept their destiny with utter joy).''

In older editions, they were just fine with it. In fact, it may even have been their end goal. According to the backstory for [[Hive Fleet Kraken]], a planet called Larnarno was infiltrated by a Cult calling themselves the Celebrants of Nihilism. When the Tyranids showed up to consume the planet, 75% of the population calmly marched towards and aboard their bio-ships, where they gladly accepted being brought to the digestion pits. The 7th edition codex has pulled a 180 on this stance. Nowadays, a Cult generally has no idea what is about to happen to them, fully believing that when the Tyranids show up they'll all become one big happy space family. And for a bit, [[troll|the Hive Mind actually leads them on and doesn't target the cult]]. For a brief moment, the cultists get to live their dream of fighting alongside their star gods, but as soon as the planet's defenses are basically done for though, ''everyone'' is on the menu. When the cult realizes this, they panic, their faith completely destroyed. Even worse, the Hive Mind overrides the independence of the Patriarch and Purestrains, and the cultists that try to run home end up [[grimdark|getting eaten by the very father they worshiped and the children they raised]]. For this reason, Genestealer Cults are basically space gerbils, getting nommed in their nest by their parents.

Why would GW do this? Perhaps because they ''hate'' the idea that anyone who is not of the Imperium or Chaos factions be allowed to have a happy ending. Just look and weep at how they killed off the Tau's spiritual leader in Warzone Damocles, or how they decided to let the Deathwatch unwittingly botch [[Eldrad|Eldrad's]] plan to save the Eldar from Slaanesh. Or maybe they think that gratuitous drama and pathos are the only ways to maintain the Grimdark. Note they also didn't allow the Tyranids and Genestealer Cult armies to be actual Battle Brothers with each other despite allowing every single Imperial army to be Battle Brothers. It's like they attempted to make the already grimdark Xenomorphs even more grimdark by crossing it over with ''[[H.P. Lovecraft|The Shadow over Innsmouth]]''.

Way back in the days of Rogue Trader, Genestealer Cults also used to be able to be devoted to Chaos. That disappeared from the tabletop along with the old incarnation of the army, but in the fluff, this can apparently still happen, in the right rare circumstances. The new codex mentions a truly hilarious case of turnabout when a Cult's ship is sucked into a Warp storm and dumped on the edges of Nurgle's Garden, where the Genestealers and their minions get taught a thing or two about ''real'' corruption and parasitism by the Chaos God who wrote the book on it. Nurgle does eventually let the Cult go, because he's a nice guy, ''after'' he's thoroughly had his way with them of course, and they come back into realspace as basically a Plaguestealer Cult. What might've happened if the Cult had fallen into Slaanesh's domain, officially, we'll never know, because family-friendly GW doesn't have the balls to go there. Unofficially, [[Hivestrain Azure|we can make a pretty good guess]].

=== Genestealer Variants ===
The [[Broodlord]] is an Alpha Genestealer, being connected to the Hive Mind as well as being a psyker (though he cannot use Warp Lance), thus allowing him to gain control over his burgeoning army of bastard children. The Broodlord's coming is often a time of great joy and celebration for the cult, as his coming is said to be a herald of the impending Hive Fleet invasion.

After the Purestrain infects a host, a Genestealer Cult will end up with members with various levels of Genestealer ancestry. In general, Genestealer Hybrids will breed with their non-Genestealer parent species, and their descendants will resemble that species, until the fourth hybrid generation, whose children will be Purestrain Genestealers capable of "founding" new Genestealer Cults.

The first Genestealer to infect a host (or hosts) grows larger and more intelligent with each mind added to the cult/family/whatever, eventually far surpassing its kin in strength, size and cunning, even becoming a powerful psyker. This Genestealer is known as the Patriarch, and like the Broodlord he is much beloved by the other members of the cult.

The [[Rogue Trader]]-era Genestealers also get a special mention, in the form of "Ymgarl Genestealers," a strain that supposedly comes from a population of Genestealers that got isolated on the moons of Ymgarl. They have tentacled, lamprey-like mouths and the ability to partially transform themselves depending on the circumstances, at the cost of being genetically unstable and only being able to feed on blood. In fact, they're so unstable that the Hive Mind deliberately abandoned them for fear that they would contaminate the Tyranid gene pool. Because of this, they compulsively seek to reach planets that have recently been visited by the Tyranids in a futile attempt to be reabsorbed into the Hive Fleets. If they weren't horrible monstrosities, their predicament would almost be pathetic. However, at some point between 5th and 6th Edition, the Ymgarl Genestealers lucked out and got absorbed into a Hive Fleet by some very desperate/caring Norn Queen. The result of this is that 6E Tyranids now have a Bio-Artefact (If you feel unclean about the name, that's natural) called the ''Ymgarl Factor'' that gives any Tyranid unit the same unstable properties rule, but now lack the assaulting from Outflanking.

=== Non-human Hybrids ===
As a final note, [[Warhammer 40,000]] fiction is very [[human]]-centric, and so most Genestealer infestations depicted have occurred among human populations, but the [[Ciaphas Cain]] novels have suggested that [[Tau]] and [[Orks]] are also susceptible to Genestealer infection. The novel ''Death of Integrity'' also confirms that Genestealers will attack and assimilate other xenos, though this plot point lasts about one paragraph. What, exactly, a Tau Genestealer Hybrid would look like is the subject of much speculation. There is old canon art of Ork Genestealer hybrids, but given the vast amount of retcons since then its canon status is questionable..

It should be noted that Orks reproduce asexually by way of fungal spores they secrete both at a perpetual slow trickle from their skin while alive and en masse while a decaying corpse (and also that "ork" is but one of many many different orkoid organisms that a given spore might develop into depending on environmental conditions, so one has to wonder how the genstealer mutations might interact with a spore that grew into, say, a mushroom), so it's pretty hard to envision an Orkified Genestealer actually working, or lasting beyond the first generation or two, since they have no ways of mixing genes to produce purestrains in time (Orks might just spawn all the hybrid generations in a single sporing in no particular order, and those subsequent generations might do the same.). Even if they could, the Orks have an inherent ability to determine if one of their own isn't proppa Orky and will inevitably krump the gits (Actually, old fluff says that greenstealers tend to like orks more than tyranids, as in the tyranid hive mind, master of all genetics, is INCAPABLE of breeding out the orkiness, this leads to greenstealer cults actually fighting back or corrupting the tyranids who've come to nom them.) that or be envious of the guy with built in Choppas and still krump em to get a Dok to glue them on his own hands. Most Ork-Genestealer hybrids typically descend from Feral Orks as a result.

Purestrain genestealers descended from Ork hybrids tend to have denser musculature (and most likely greater physical strength), which suggests that while not as prevalent as human hybrids, they're not exactly rare either. One incident on the fringe of the Octarius system had a massive, purple, six-limbed Gargant attacking a Guard regiment. When it was melta'd open, purestrain genestealers emerged to eat the guardsmen.

Tau, similarly, have certain complications to the procedure -- not counting the fact their Kroot allies can taste if a person is infected or not simply by tasting some of their blood, or the fact tau-tech is probably advanced enough to scan for this threat once they know about it. <s>Firstly, tau are implied to have much lower sex drives than humans. </s> Nope, Tau like it just as much as humans, it's just tempered by [[Grimdark|their authoritarian ideology]] when it comes to actually having kids. Tau explicitly practice caste-restricted bureaucratically arranged breeding processes; Tau don't have kids until their higher ups decide they should, and they don't even get to pick their own partners. Two tau get paired up by the decision of a committee, spend a couple of days off work and having sex, then separate and go their separate ways. This means the genestealer taint is seriously difficult to spread amongst the race. The caste-based structure of tau society also poses problems to any potential Tauified Genestealers, and that's without presuming the caste-system is now so inherent that different castes can't even physically breed with each other anymore. According to the new Genestealer Cults Codex, not only can Tau-Genestealer hybrids happen, but they were deliberately created by a team of Earth Caste researchers who wanted to see what would happen. The infection got out of control and actually ended in violence; it's even implied that they may have produced a hybrid Ethereal.

While it probably is possible for Genestealers to infect the [[Eldar]], it's unlikely that they'd really get anywhere with any of the four varieties due to their highly advanced medical technology (all four, yes even the Exodites), universal emphatic abilities, very regimented lifestyles (Craftworld), slow breeding rate and the fact that irregular psychic activity amongst them gets located and dealt with very quickly (all four, heck mind bulletry is pretty much the only thing the [[Dark Eldar]] ban). Even when they are infected, the taint spreads much more slowly, which gives its host society much more time to catch on to the hybrids' schemes.

As of Ghost Warrior, we have Genestealer Eldar on a lost [[craftworld]] named [[Yvraine#Craftworld_Zaisuthra|Zaisuthra]]. Needless to say, the other [[Ynnari]] who contacted them are ''pissed.'' It should be noted however, that this breed only survived because these Eldar openly embraced their pants-thieving overlords (in their misguided attempt to avoid getting consumed by Slaanesh), not due to infiltration and deception. So theoretically, its still impossible for the Eldar to be infiltrated by a gene-cult, unless they willingly accept it.

As for the [[Necrons]], they're goddamn undead robots. If you even consider this possibility you're fucking ''retarded.''

Finally, and perhaps most troubling, is the mention that Tyranids have been targeting [[Hrud]] warrens. Hrud lack the defenses of the above races and are naturally predisposed towards infesting a planet and migrating en mass to a new one. The genestealer hybrids, likewise, gain enhanced stealth and reaction speed (such as those 5++ saves the 'stealers now enjoy.)

== Dawn of War 2 ==
[[Image:Jeanstealers.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An Assault Terminator trying to protect his jeans from Jeanstealers]]
Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. Eats whatever they face. They are acting as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids '''in tier 2.''' Lets make some count: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by '''75%''', and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically muderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.

Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought alone! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.

== On the Tabletop ==

===Tyranids===
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]In battle, both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and on the tabletop. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has ''nothing'' on these guys. In the fluff, their claws are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons, slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through a rice paper wall. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.

Genestealers have a squad leader upgrade, which the 5th edition changed from an HQ to a troop choice, called the [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth edition turned broodlord into rape machine in challenges, as he able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.

Also take note that genestealers do NOT like [[Hellhound]]s. They bring the smell of burning chitin into [[rape|genestealer's breakfast]]. Avoid them at all costs. A Banewolf squadron will just make them shit out their guts under AP 3 fleshbane templates.

Thanks to 7th edition allowing "Come the Apocalypse" alliance this can be done once more! However, this is pretty much moot now that genestealers come with their own codex; aside from some extra vehicle choices, genestealer cults already come with their own human troops and tanks.

In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems, they can charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take Acid Maws for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.

===Genestealer Cults===
[[File:Inquisitor-hybrid.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Uh? What do you mean inquisitors don't have [[StarCraft|an additional set of wing-claws]]?]]
Cults get a super-genestealer called a Patriarch, the progenitor of the cult, as the main HQ choice. There's also the Magus, acting as the cult's psyker, and the Primus, their version of a general/champion. You also get regular genestealers, though even then they're much better than Tyranid genestealers as they're hardier and stealthier. The troops themselves are roughly similar to Chaos Cultists, Neophyte hybrids being armed with guns and improvised equipment, with Acolyte hybrids fighting better in close combat. The Cult can also steal guardsmen vehicles, namely the [[Leman Russ Battle Tank]], [[Chimera]], and [[Sentinel]], as well as their version of a Technical called the [[Goliath Truck]]. You can also just straight up steal Guardsmen and field them as Neophyte Hybrids. All cult members specialize in ambushing opponents, and get major bonuses from their leaders, but much like the [[Tau]] they fall into disarray should their HQ be killed. However, this is alleviated by the fact that HQ automatically pass "Look Out Sir!", meaning so long as you have enough meatshields you can keep them alive (hilariously enough, this can even be used in challenges for some serious trolling). And since cult leaders can summon in large numbers of reinforcements, you could be in for some real foot-slogging.

Genestealer Cults are able to ally with Tyranids (though, as mentioned before, they're not Battle Brothers as the Tyranids view their cultists as dessert rather than the main course). Curiously, they can also ally with Guardsmen, as a way to represent the fact that they will infiltrate Guardsman/PDF forces prior to the invasion, so if you feel so inclined, you can augment your forces with ''even more'' Guardsman vehicles.

== Genestealer Army list ==
For those of you who wish to field these in their entirety rather than through a Tyranid army, well then you are in luck. The Fly Lords of Terra have come up with a list that can be used in Apocalypse games. But since this army has an underdog feel to it, you could get away with using it in standard games as well. Not only that but the file provides the reader with a conversion ideas section: http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2016/02/40k-genestealer-cult-deathwatch-rule-coming.html

https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Deathwatch/40k-rules-deathwatch-en.pdf

== Unofficial codices ==

*Fly Lords of Terra Genestealer Apoc codex [http://www.box.com/shared/lyyxvnpk48]
*So not only do genestealer cults have a codex now, but this man, Chris Showers, actually made an army of them! You'll have to Google Search them yourself, though, since the GamesWorkshop website *cough* [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?community=true&catId=&categoryId=300005&aId=11600017] *cough* is slowly deleting anything that isn't the webstore.

==The Plague Returns ==
Guess who's back, bitches!
http://www.spikeybits.com/2016/02/breaking-new-genestealer-cult-rules-pictures.html

Deathwatch: Overkill started us out with rules and models for cultists, in this case various hybrids wielding mining equipment and a general leadership structure of a Genestealer patriarch, with hybrid preachers and enforcers. Then GW announced that they were doing a full codex, and if early impressions and rumors are anything to go by, it's gonna be ''fun''. Genestealer Cults are gonna be getting their own psychic discipline with 7 powers, 8 formations, wargear options, their own vehicle (a limo no less!), ''and'', it's looking like they'll have access to Imperial Guard vehicles too. Genestealers and hybrids catching a ride in Chimeras, or advancing alongside Leman Russes? ''Oh hell yes''.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_orks.jpg| ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
File:1230051355300.gif|sisters of genestealers?
File:Warhammer 40k the tyranid outcast by randize-d4jl7lq.jpg|
</gallery>

==See Also==
*[[Warhammer 40,000/Tactics/Genestealer Cults(8E)]] - a general overview of the new army
*[[Genestealer Cult Creation Tables]] - why not generate your own Cult?
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer, likely part of a cult tainted by Slaanesh.
*[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Deathwatch/40k-rules-deathwatch-en.pdf Genestealer Cult Rules] 40k Rules for the new Genestealer Cult from Deathwatch: Overkill
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{{Template:Genestealer-Cult}}
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[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Tyranid]]

Genestealer

2018-09-25T18:23:42Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Non-human Hybrids */

[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right]]
{{Topquote|Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!|One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers}}

{{Topquote|Praise be! The star children deliver us!|White Dwarf October 2016}}

{{Topquote|IT BEING MY FIRST DAY!|Actual genestealer hybrid who just screwed up the projector, showed a 4 armed mutant emperor in a catacomb to terrified imperial citizens who are now running in every direction
- Inquisition War series}}

'''Genestealers''' are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, and reliant on other species for reproduction. Basically Xenomorphs... IN SPAAA-wait a minute...

== Rogue Trader ==

In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous at close range, as each of their six strong limbs ended in sharp claws, and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.

== Space Hulk ==
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years later, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a hive-mind, represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.

== Later Editions ==
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. [[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.

Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient humanoids, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. The seed greatly alters the host's body on both physical and psychological levels over the course of a few hours, causing them to forget all about the infection and become subservient to the Purestrain's brood. The host is also driven to have children, even if they didn't want any before becoming infected; their partner does not have to be likewise infected, but it doesn't hurt. After a pregnant host (or whoever they impregnated) gives birth, their viciously malformed offspring creates a hive mind connection between itself, its parents, and the Genestealers (though this raises the question of how anyone else in the room during the birth, such as midwives, would react.) This connection and the mutations brought on by the Genestealer's seed proceed to subliminally twist the minds of both parents so that they unconditionally love their child and revere the Genestealers either as gods or as creatures sent by gods (the exact interpretation varies, you understand), usually fleeing into darkened tunnels, catacombs or sewers to avoid discovery.

They find the brood of Genestealers responsible and come together with kindred spirits (that is, other Genestealer hybrids and their infected parents) to form a community/family dedicated to the Genestealers in both body and soul. As the family grows, they will continue to isolate themselves, eventually forming a Genestealer Cult. What follows is an ongoing process of hybrids breeding with captured and infected humans, with their human parents kept around both as breeding stock and for nursing and child-rearing. The second generation hybrids aren't as ugly as their parents, appearing more "normal"-looking but still obviously alien. However, that becomes a moot point once the third and fourth generation roll around, the fourth actually being virtually indistinguishable from actual full-members of their parent species. The uglier members and Purestrain Genestealers typically lurk in the shadows far away from civilisation, while the intelligent and "human" members infiltrate and spy in almost every sector of society. Their psychic network lets them communicate with one another, even though some of the less-human hybrids (and the Purestrains) are incapable of speech, and when the brood mind becomes powerful enough, it will act as a beacon to [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. These fleets travel at various different speeds according to various different authors although generally always slower than Imperial warp drives, which means it is impractical for them to travel blindly, so they home in on the signal created by a large Genestealer Cult. When their arrival is imminent, they will directly contact the Cult, which will then engage in a full rebellion, sabotaging their planet's defenses in preparation for the fleet. The fleet will consume the Cult along with everything else on the planet; how the Genestealers and their hybrid servants feel about this has been massively retconned in the new Codex. ''(But actually, the piece of history present in the Index have both options; some cultists will desperately fight back, while some others will accept their destiny with utter joy).''

In older editions, they were just fine with it. In fact, it may even have been their end goal. According to the backstory for [[Hive Fleet Kraken]], a planet called Larnarno was infiltrated by a Cult calling themselves the Celebrants of Nihilism. When the Tyranids showed up to consume the planet, 75% of the population calmly marched towards and aboard their bio-ships, where they gladly accepted being brought to the digestion pits. The 7th edition codex has pulled a 180 on this stance. Nowadays, a Cult generally has no idea what is about to happen to them, fully believing that when the Tyranids show up they'll all become one big happy space family. And for a bit, [[troll|the Hive Mind actually leads them on and doesn't target the cult]]. For a brief moment, the cultists get to live their dream of fighting alongside their star gods, but as soon as the planet's defenses are basically done for though, ''everyone'' is on the menu. When the cult realizes this, they panic, their faith completely destroyed. Even worse, the Hive Mind overrides the independence of the Patriarch and Purestrains, and the cultists that try to run home end up [[grimdark|getting eaten by the very father they worshiped and the children they raised]]. For this reason, Genestealer Cults are basically space gerbils, getting nommed in their nest by their parents.

Why would GW do this? Perhaps because they ''hate'' the idea that anyone who is not of the Imperium or Chaos factions be allowed to have a happy ending. Just look and weep at how they killed off the Tau's spiritual leader in Warzone Damocles, or how they decided to let the Deathwatch unwittingly botch [[Eldrad|Eldrad's]] plan to save the Eldar from Slaanesh. Or maybe they think that gratuitous drama and pathos are the only ways to maintain the Grimdark. Note they also didn't allow the Tyranids and Genestealer Cult armies to be actual Battle Brothers with each other despite allowing every single Imperial army to be Battle Brothers. It's like they attempted to make the already grimdark Xenomorphs even more grimdark by crossing it over with ''[[H.P. Lovecraft|The Shadow over Innsmouth]]''.

Way back in the days of Rogue Trader, Genestealer Cults also used to be able to be devoted to Chaos. That disappeared from the tabletop along with the old incarnation of the army, but in the fluff, this can apparently still happen, in the right rare circumstances. The new codex mentions a truly hilarious case of turnabout when a Cult's ship is sucked into a Warp storm and dumped on the edges of Nurgle's Garden, where the Genestealers and their minions get taught a thing or two about ''real'' corruption and parasitism by the Chaos God who wrote the book on it. Nurgle does eventually let the Cult go, because he's a nice guy, ''after'' he's thoroughly had his way with them of course, and they come back into realspace as basically a Plaguestealer Cult. What might've happened if the Cult had fallen into Slaanesh's domain, officially, we'll never know, because family-friendly GW doesn't have the balls to go there. Unofficially, [[Hivestrain Azure|we can make a pretty good guess]].

=== Genestealer Variants ===
The [[Broodlord]] is an Alpha Genestealer, being connected to the Hive Mind as well as being a psyker (though he cannot use Warp Lance), thus allowing him to gain control over his burgeoning army of bastard children. The Broodlord's coming is often a time of great joy and celebration for the cult, as his coming is said to be a herald of the impending Hive Fleet invasion.

After the Purestrain infects a host, a Genestealer Cult will end up with members with various levels of Genestealer ancestry. In general, Genestealer Hybrids will breed with their non-Genestealer parent species, and their descendants will resemble that species, until the fourth hybrid generation, whose children will be Purestrain Genestealers capable of "founding" new Genestealer Cults.

The first Genestealer to infect a host (or hosts) grows larger and more intelligent with each mind added to the cult/family/whatever, eventually far surpassing its kin in strength, size and cunning, even becoming a powerful psyker. This Genestealer is known as the Patriarch, and like the Broodlord he is much beloved by the other members of the cult.

The [[Rogue Trader]]-era Genestealers also get a special mention, in the form of "Ymgarl Genestealers," a strain that supposedly comes from a population of Genestealers that got isolated on the moons of Ymgarl. They have tentacled, lamprey-like mouths and the ability to partially transform themselves depending on the circumstances, at the cost of being genetically unstable and only being able to feed on blood. In fact, they're so unstable that the Hive Mind deliberately abandoned them for fear that they would contaminate the Tyranid gene pool. Because of this, they compulsively seek to reach planets that have recently been visited by the Tyranids in a futile attempt to be reabsorbed into the Hive Fleets. If they weren't horrible monstrosities, their predicament would almost be pathetic. However, at some point between 5th and 6th Edition, the Ymgarl Genestealers lucked out and got absorbed into a Hive Fleet by some very desperate/caring Norn Queen. The result of this is that 6E Tyranids now have a Bio-Artefact (If you feel unclean about the name, that's natural) called the ''Ymgarl Factor'' that gives any Tyranid unit the same unstable properties rule, but now lack the assaulting from Outflanking.

=== Non-human Hybrids ===
As a final note, [[Warhammer 40,000]] fiction is very [[human]]-centric, and so most Genestealer infestations depicted have occurred among human populations, but the [[Ciaphas Cain]] novels have suggested that [[Tau]] and [[Orks]] are also susceptible to Genestealer infection. The novel ''Death of Integrity'' also confirms that Genestealers will attack and assimilate other xenos, though this plot point lasts about one paragraph. What, exactly, a Tau Genestealer Hybrid would look like is the subject of much speculation. There is old canon art of Ork Genestealer hybrids, but given the vast amount of retcons since then its canon status is questionable..

It should be noted that Orks reproduce asexually by way of fungal spores they secrete from their skin (and also that "ork" is but one of many many different orkoid organisms that a given spore might develop into depending on environmental conditions, so one has to wonder how the genstealer mutations might interact with a spore that grew into, say, a mushroom), so it's pretty hard to envision an Orkified Genestealer actually working, or lasting beyond the first generation or two, since they have no ways of mixing genes to produce purestrains in time (Orks might just spawn all the hybrid generations in a single sporing in no particular order, and those subsequent generations might do the same.). Even if they could, the Orks have an inherent ability to determine if one of their own isn't proppa Orky and will inevitably krump the gits (Actually, old fluff says that greenstealers tend to like orks more than tyranids, as in the tyranid hive mind, master of all genetics, is INCAPABLE of breeding out the orkiness, this leads to greenstealer cults actually fighting back or corrupting the tyranids who've come to nom them.) that or be envious of the guy with built in Choppas and still krump em to get a Dok to glue them on his own hands. Most Ork-Genestealer hybrids typically descend from Feral Orks as a result.

Purestrain genestealers descended from Ork hybrids tend to have denser musculature (and most likely greater physical strength), which suggests that while not as prevalent as human hybrids, they're not exactly rare either. One incident on the fringe of the Octarius system had a massive, purple, six-limbed Gargant attacking a Guard regiment. When it was melta'd open, purestrain genestealers emerged to eat the guardsmen.

Tau, similarly, have certain complications to the procedure -- not counting the fact their Kroot allies can taste if a person is infected or not simply by tasting some of their blood, or the fact tau-tech is probably advanced enough to scan for this threat once they know about it. <s>Firstly, tau are implied to have much lower sex drives than humans. </s> Nope, Tau like it just as much as humans, it's just tempered by [[Grimdark|their authoritarian ideology]] when it comes to actually having kids. Tau explicitly practice caste-restricted bureaucratically arranged breeding processes; Tau don't have kids until their higher ups decide they should, and they don't even get to pick their own partners. Two tau get paired up by the decision of a committee, spend a couple of days off work and having sex, then separate and go their separate ways. This means the genestealer taint is seriously difficult to spread amongst the race. The caste-based structure of tau society also poses problems to any potential Tauified Genestealers, and that's without presuming the caste-system is now so inherent that different castes can't even physically breed with each other anymore. According to the new Genestealer Cults Codex, not only can Tau-Genestealer hybrids happen, but they were deliberately created by a team of Earth Caste researchers who wanted to see what would happen. The infection got out of control and actually ended in violence; it's even implied that they may have produced a hybrid Ethereal.

While it probably is possible for Genestealers to infect the [[Eldar]], it's unlikely that they'd really get anywhere with any of the four varieties due to their highly advanced medical technology (all four, yes even the Exodites), universal emphatic abilities, very regimented lifestyles (Craftworld), slow breeding rate and the fact that irregular psychic activity amongst them gets located and dealt with very quickly (all four, heck mind bulletry is pretty much the only thing the [[Dark Eldar]] ban). Even when they are infected, the taint spreads much more slowly, which gives its host society much more time to catch on to the hybrids' schemes.

As of Ghost Warrior, we have Genestealer Eldar on a lost [[craftworld]] named [[Yvraine#Craftworld_Zaisuthra|Zaisuthra]]. Needless to say, the other [[Ynnari]] who contacted them are ''pissed.'' It should be noted however, that this breed only survived because these Eldar openly embraced their pants-thieving overlords (in their misguided attempt to avoid getting consumed by Slaanesh), not due to infiltration and deception. So theoretically, its still impossible for the Eldar to be infiltrated by a gene-cult, unless they willingly accept it.

As for the [[Necrons]], they're goddamn undead robots. If you even consider this possibility you're fucking ''retarded.''

Finally, and perhaps most troubling, is the mention that Tyranids have been targeting [[Hrud]] warrens. Hrud lack the defenses of the above races and are naturally predisposed towards infesting a planet and migrating en mass to a new one. The genestealer hybrids, likewise, gain enhanced stealth and reaction speed (such as those 5++ saves the 'stealers now enjoy.)

== Dawn of War 2 ==
[[Image:Jeanstealers.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An Assault Terminator trying to protect his jeans from Jeanstealers]]
Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. Eats whatever they face. They are acting as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids '''in tier 2.''' Lets make some count: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by '''75%''', and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically muderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.

Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought alone! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.

== On the Tabletop ==

===Tyranids===
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]In battle, both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and on the tabletop. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has ''nothing'' on these guys. In the fluff, their claws are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons, slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through a rice paper wall. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.

Genestealers have a squad leader upgrade, which the 5th edition changed from an HQ to a troop choice, called the [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth edition turned broodlord into rape machine in challenges, as he able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.

Also take note that genestealers do NOT like [[Hellhound]]s. They bring the smell of burning chitin into [[rape|genestealer's breakfast]]. Avoid them at all costs. A Banewolf squadron will just make them shit out their guts under AP 3 fleshbane templates.

Thanks to 7th edition allowing "Come the Apocalypse" alliance this can be done once more! However, this is pretty much moot now that genestealers come with their own codex; aside from some extra vehicle choices, genestealer cults already come with their own human troops and tanks.

In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems, they can charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take Acid Maws for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.

===Genestealer Cults===
[[File:Inquisitor-hybrid.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Uh? What do you mean inquisitors don't have [[StarCraft|an additional set of wing-claws]]?]]
Cults get a super-genestealer called a Patriarch, the progenitor of the cult, as the main HQ choice. There's also the Magus, acting as the cult's psyker, and the Primus, their version of a general/champion. You also get regular genestealers, though even then they're much better than Tyranid genestealers as they're hardier and stealthier. The troops themselves are roughly similar to Chaos Cultists, Neophyte hybrids being armed with guns and improvised equipment, with Acolyte hybrids fighting better in close combat. The Cult can also steal guardsmen vehicles, namely the [[Leman Russ Battle Tank]], [[Chimera]], and [[Sentinel]], as well as their version of a Technical called the [[Goliath Truck]]. You can also just straight up steal Guardsmen and field them as Neophyte Hybrids. All cult members specialize in ambushing opponents, and get major bonuses from their leaders, but much like the [[Tau]] they fall into disarray should their HQ be killed. However, this is alleviated by the fact that HQ automatically pass "Look Out Sir!", meaning so long as you have enough meatshields you can keep them alive (hilariously enough, this can even be used in challenges for some serious trolling). And since cult leaders can summon in large numbers of reinforcements, you could be in for some real foot-slogging.

Genestealer Cults are able to ally with Tyranids (though, as mentioned before, they're not Battle Brothers as the Tyranids view their cultists as dessert rather than the main course). Curiously, they can also ally with Guardsmen, as a way to represent the fact that they will infiltrate Guardsman/PDF forces prior to the invasion, so if you feel so inclined, you can augment your forces with ''even more'' Guardsman vehicles.

== Genestealer Army list ==
For those of you who wish to field these in their entirety rather than through a Tyranid army, well then you are in luck. The Fly Lords of Terra have come up with a list that can be used in Apocalypse games. But since this army has an underdog feel to it, you could get away with using it in standard games as well. Not only that but the file provides the reader with a conversion ideas section: http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2016/02/40k-genestealer-cult-deathwatch-rule-coming.html

https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Deathwatch/40k-rules-deathwatch-en.pdf

== Unofficial codices ==

*Fly Lords of Terra Genestealer Apoc codex [http://www.box.com/shared/lyyxvnpk48]
*So not only do genestealer cults have a codex now, but this man, Chris Showers, actually made an army of them! You'll have to Google Search them yourself, though, since the GamesWorkshop website *cough* [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?community=true&catId=&categoryId=300005&aId=11600017] *cough* is slowly deleting anything that isn't the webstore.

==The Plague Returns ==
Guess who's back, bitches!
http://www.spikeybits.com/2016/02/breaking-new-genestealer-cult-rules-pictures.html

Deathwatch: Overkill started us out with rules and models for cultists, in this case various hybrids wielding mining equipment and a general leadership structure of a Genestealer patriarch, with hybrid preachers and enforcers. Then GW announced that they were doing a full codex, and if early impressions and rumors are anything to go by, it's gonna be ''fun''. Genestealer Cults are gonna be getting their own psychic discipline with 7 powers, 8 formations, wargear options, their own vehicle (a limo no less!), ''and'', it's looking like they'll have access to Imperial Guard vehicles too. Genestealers and hybrids catching a ride in Chimeras, or advancing alongside Leman Russes? ''Oh hell yes''.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_orks.jpg| ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
File:1230051355300.gif|sisters of genestealers?
File:Warhammer 40k the tyranid outcast by randize-d4jl7lq.jpg|
</gallery>

==See Also==
*[[Warhammer 40,000/Tactics/Genestealer Cults(8E)]] - a general overview of the new army
*[[Genestealer Cult Creation Tables]] - why not generate your own Cult?
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer, likely part of a cult tainted by Slaanesh.
*[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Deathwatch/40k-rules-deathwatch-en.pdf Genestealer Cult Rules] 40k Rules for the new Genestealer Cult from Deathwatch: Overkill
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[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Tyranid]]

Genestealer

2018-09-25T18:23:17Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Non-human Hybrids */

[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right]]
{{Topquote|Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!|One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers}}

{{Topquote|Praise be! The star children deliver us!|White Dwarf October 2016}}

{{Topquote|IT BEING MY FIRST DAY!|Actual genestealer hybrid who just screwed up the projector, showed a 4 armed mutant emperor in a catacomb to terrified imperial citizens who are now running in every direction
- Inquisition War series}}

'''Genestealers''' are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, and reliant on other species for reproduction. Basically Xenomorphs... IN SPAAA-wait a minute...

== Rogue Trader ==

In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous at close range, as each of their six strong limbs ended in sharp claws, and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.

== Space Hulk ==
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years later, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a hive-mind, represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.

== Later Editions ==
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. [[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.

Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient humanoids, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. The seed greatly alters the host's body on both physical and psychological levels over the course of a few hours, causing them to forget all about the infection and become subservient to the Purestrain's brood. The host is also driven to have children, even if they didn't want any before becoming infected; their partner does not have to be likewise infected, but it doesn't hurt. After a pregnant host (or whoever they impregnated) gives birth, their viciously malformed offspring creates a hive mind connection between itself, its parents, and the Genestealers (though this raises the question of how anyone else in the room during the birth, such as midwives, would react.) This connection and the mutations brought on by the Genestealer's seed proceed to subliminally twist the minds of both parents so that they unconditionally love their child and revere the Genestealers either as gods or as creatures sent by gods (the exact interpretation varies, you understand), usually fleeing into darkened tunnels, catacombs or sewers to avoid discovery.

They find the brood of Genestealers responsible and come together with kindred spirits (that is, other Genestealer hybrids and their infected parents) to form a community/family dedicated to the Genestealers in both body and soul. As the family grows, they will continue to isolate themselves, eventually forming a Genestealer Cult. What follows is an ongoing process of hybrids breeding with captured and infected humans, with their human parents kept around both as breeding stock and for nursing and child-rearing. The second generation hybrids aren't as ugly as their parents, appearing more "normal"-looking but still obviously alien. However, that becomes a moot point once the third and fourth generation roll around, the fourth actually being virtually indistinguishable from actual full-members of their parent species. The uglier members and Purestrain Genestealers typically lurk in the shadows far away from civilisation, while the intelligent and "human" members infiltrate and spy in almost every sector of society. Their psychic network lets them communicate with one another, even though some of the less-human hybrids (and the Purestrains) are incapable of speech, and when the brood mind becomes powerful enough, it will act as a beacon to [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. These fleets travel at various different speeds according to various different authors although generally always slower than Imperial warp drives, which means it is impractical for them to travel blindly, so they home in on the signal created by a large Genestealer Cult. When their arrival is imminent, they will directly contact the Cult, which will then engage in a full rebellion, sabotaging their planet's defenses in preparation for the fleet. The fleet will consume the Cult along with everything else on the planet; how the Genestealers and their hybrid servants feel about this has been massively retconned in the new Codex. ''(But actually, the piece of history present in the Index have both options; some cultists will desperately fight back, while some others will accept their destiny with utter joy).''

In older editions, they were just fine with it. In fact, it may even have been their end goal. According to the backstory for [[Hive Fleet Kraken]], a planet called Larnarno was infiltrated by a Cult calling themselves the Celebrants of Nihilism. When the Tyranids showed up to consume the planet, 75% of the population calmly marched towards and aboard their bio-ships, where they gladly accepted being brought to the digestion pits. The 7th edition codex has pulled a 180 on this stance. Nowadays, a Cult generally has no idea what is about to happen to them, fully believing that when the Tyranids show up they'll all become one big happy space family. And for a bit, [[troll|the Hive Mind actually leads them on and doesn't target the cult]]. For a brief moment, the cultists get to live their dream of fighting alongside their star gods, but as soon as the planet's defenses are basically done for though, ''everyone'' is on the menu. When the cult realizes this, they panic, their faith completely destroyed. Even worse, the Hive Mind overrides the independence of the Patriarch and Purestrains, and the cultists that try to run home end up [[grimdark|getting eaten by the very father they worshiped and the children they raised]]. For this reason, Genestealer Cults are basically space gerbils, getting nommed in their nest by their parents.

Why would GW do this? Perhaps because they ''hate'' the idea that anyone who is not of the Imperium or Chaos factions be allowed to have a happy ending. Just look and weep at how they killed off the Tau's spiritual leader in Warzone Damocles, or how they decided to let the Deathwatch unwittingly botch [[Eldrad|Eldrad's]] plan to save the Eldar from Slaanesh. Or maybe they think that gratuitous drama and pathos are the only ways to maintain the Grimdark. Note they also didn't allow the Tyranids and Genestealer Cult armies to be actual Battle Brothers with each other despite allowing every single Imperial army to be Battle Brothers. It's like they attempted to make the already grimdark Xenomorphs even more grimdark by crossing it over with ''[[H.P. Lovecraft|The Shadow over Innsmouth]]''.

Way back in the days of Rogue Trader, Genestealer Cults also used to be able to be devoted to Chaos. That disappeared from the tabletop along with the old incarnation of the army, but in the fluff, this can apparently still happen, in the right rare circumstances. The new codex mentions a truly hilarious case of turnabout when a Cult's ship is sucked into a Warp storm and dumped on the edges of Nurgle's Garden, where the Genestealers and their minions get taught a thing or two about ''real'' corruption and parasitism by the Chaos God who wrote the book on it. Nurgle does eventually let the Cult go, because he's a nice guy, ''after'' he's thoroughly had his way with them of course, and they come back into realspace as basically a Plaguestealer Cult. What might've happened if the Cult had fallen into Slaanesh's domain, officially, we'll never know, because family-friendly GW doesn't have the balls to go there. Unofficially, [[Hivestrain Azure|we can make a pretty good guess]].

=== Genestealer Variants ===
The [[Broodlord]] is an Alpha Genestealer, being connected to the Hive Mind as well as being a psyker (though he cannot use Warp Lance), thus allowing him to gain control over his burgeoning army of bastard children. The Broodlord's coming is often a time of great joy and celebration for the cult, as his coming is said to be a herald of the impending Hive Fleet invasion.

After the Purestrain infects a host, a Genestealer Cult will end up with members with various levels of Genestealer ancestry. In general, Genestealer Hybrids will breed with their non-Genestealer parent species, and their descendants will resemble that species, until the fourth hybrid generation, whose children will be Purestrain Genestealers capable of "founding" new Genestealer Cults.

The first Genestealer to infect a host (or hosts) grows larger and more intelligent with each mind added to the cult/family/whatever, eventually far surpassing its kin in strength, size and cunning, even becoming a powerful psyker. This Genestealer is known as the Patriarch, and like the Broodlord he is much beloved by the other members of the cult.

The [[Rogue Trader]]-era Genestealers also get a special mention, in the form of "Ymgarl Genestealers," a strain that supposedly comes from a population of Genestealers that got isolated on the moons of Ymgarl. They have tentacled, lamprey-like mouths and the ability to partially transform themselves depending on the circumstances, at the cost of being genetically unstable and only being able to feed on blood. In fact, they're so unstable that the Hive Mind deliberately abandoned them for fear that they would contaminate the Tyranid gene pool. Because of this, they compulsively seek to reach planets that have recently been visited by the Tyranids in a futile attempt to be reabsorbed into the Hive Fleets. If they weren't horrible monstrosities, their predicament would almost be pathetic. However, at some point between 5th and 6th Edition, the Ymgarl Genestealers lucked out and got absorbed into a Hive Fleet by some very desperate/caring Norn Queen. The result of this is that 6E Tyranids now have a Bio-Artefact (If you feel unclean about the name, that's natural) called the ''Ymgarl Factor'' that gives any Tyranid unit the same unstable properties rule, but now lack the assaulting from Outflanking.

=== Non-human Hybrids ===
As a final note, [[Warhammer 40,000]] fiction is very [[human]]-centric, and so most Genestealer infestations depicted have occurred among human populations, but the [[Ciaphas Cain]] novels have suggested that [[Tau]] and [[Orks]] are also susceptible to Genestealer infection. The novel ''Death of Integrity'' also confirms that Genestealers will attack and assimilate other xenos, though this plot point lasts about one paragraph. What, exactly, a Tau Genestealer Hybrid would look like is the subject of much speculation. There is old canon art of Ork Genestealer hybrids, but given the vast amount of retcons since then its canon status is questionable..

It should be noted that Orks reproduce asexually by way of fungal spores they secrete from their skin (and also that "ork" is but one of many many different orkoid organisms that a given spore might develop into depending on conditions, so one has to wonder how the genstealer mutations might interact with a spore that grew into, say, a mushroom), so it's pretty hard to envision an Orkified Genestealer actually working, or lasting beyond the first generation or two, since they have no ways of mixing genes to produce purestrains in time (Orks might just spawn all the hybrid generations in a single sporing in no particular order, and those subsequent generations might do the same.). Even if they could, the Orks have an inherent ability to determine if one of their own isn't proppa Orky and will inevitably krump the gits (Actually, old fluff says that greenstealers tend to like orks more than tyranids, as in the tyranid hive mind, master of all genetics, is INCAPABLE of breeding out the orkiness, this leads to greenstealer cults actually fighting back or corrupting the tyranids who've come to nom them.) that or be envious of the guy with built in Choppas and still krump em to get a Dok to glue them on his own hands. Most Ork-Genestealer hybrids typically descend from Feral Orks as a result.

Purestrain genestealers descended from Ork hybrids tend to have denser musculature (and most likely greater physical strength), which suggests that while not as prevalent as human hybrids, they're not exactly rare either. One incident on the fringe of the Octarius system had a massive, purple, six-limbed Gargant attacking a Guard regiment. When it was melta'd open, purestrain genestealers emerged to eat the guardsmen.

Tau, similarly, have certain complications to the procedure -- not counting the fact their Kroot allies can taste if a person is infected or not simply by tasting some of their blood, or the fact tau-tech is probably advanced enough to scan for this threat once they know about it. <s>Firstly, tau are implied to have much lower sex drives than humans. </s> Nope, Tau like it just as much as humans, it's just tempered by [[Grimdark|their authoritarian ideology]] when it comes to actually having kids. Tau explicitly practice caste-restricted bureaucratically arranged breeding processes; Tau don't have kids until their higher ups decide they should, and they don't even get to pick their own partners. Two tau get paired up by the decision of a committee, spend a couple of days off work and having sex, then separate and go their separate ways. This means the genestealer taint is seriously difficult to spread amongst the race. The caste-based structure of tau society also poses problems to any potential Tauified Genestealers, and that's without presuming the caste-system is now so inherent that different castes can't even physically breed with each other anymore. According to the new Genestealer Cults Codex, not only can Tau-Genestealer hybrids happen, but they were deliberately created by a team of Earth Caste researchers who wanted to see what would happen. The infection got out of control and actually ended in violence; it's even implied that they may have produced a hybrid Ethereal.

While it probably is possible for Genestealers to infect the [[Eldar]], it's unlikely that they'd really get anywhere with any of the four varieties due to their highly advanced medical technology (all four, yes even the Exodites), universal emphatic abilities, very regimented lifestyles (Craftworld), slow breeding rate and the fact that irregular psychic activity amongst them gets located and dealt with very quickly (all four, heck mind bulletry is pretty much the only thing the [[Dark Eldar]] ban). Even when they are infected, the taint spreads much more slowly, which gives its host society much more time to catch on to the hybrids' schemes.

As of Ghost Warrior, we have Genestealer Eldar on a lost [[craftworld]] named [[Yvraine#Craftworld_Zaisuthra|Zaisuthra]]. Needless to say, the other [[Ynnari]] who contacted them are ''pissed.'' It should be noted however, that this breed only survived because these Eldar openly embraced their pants-thieving overlords (in their misguided attempt to avoid getting consumed by Slaanesh), not due to infiltration and deception. So theoretically, its still impossible for the Eldar to be infiltrated by a gene-cult, unless they willingly accept it.

As for the [[Necrons]], they're goddamn undead robots. If you even consider this possibility you're fucking ''retarded.''

Finally, and perhaps most troubling, is the mention that Tyranids have been targeting [[Hrud]] warrens. Hrud lack the defenses of the above races and are naturally predisposed towards infesting a planet and migrating en mass to a new one. The genestealer hybrids, likewise, gain enhanced stealth and reaction speed (such as those 5++ saves the 'stealers now enjoy.)

== Dawn of War 2 ==
[[Image:Jeanstealers.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An Assault Terminator trying to protect his jeans from Jeanstealers]]
Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. Eats whatever they face. They are acting as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids '''in tier 2.''' Lets make some count: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by '''75%''', and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically muderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.

Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought alone! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.

== On the Tabletop ==

===Tyranids===
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]In battle, both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and on the tabletop. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has ''nothing'' on these guys. In the fluff, their claws are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons, slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through a rice paper wall. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.

Genestealers have a squad leader upgrade, which the 5th edition changed from an HQ to a troop choice, called the [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth edition turned broodlord into rape machine in challenges, as he able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.

Also take note that genestealers do NOT like [[Hellhound]]s. They bring the smell of burning chitin into [[rape|genestealer's breakfast]]. Avoid them at all costs. A Banewolf squadron will just make them shit out their guts under AP 3 fleshbane templates.

Thanks to 7th edition allowing "Come the Apocalypse" alliance this can be done once more! However, this is pretty much moot now that genestealers come with their own codex; aside from some extra vehicle choices, genestealer cults already come with their own human troops and tanks.

In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems, they can charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take Acid Maws for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.

===Genestealer Cults===
[[File:Inquisitor-hybrid.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Uh? What do you mean inquisitors don't have [[StarCraft|an additional set of wing-claws]]?]]
Cults get a super-genestealer called a Patriarch, the progenitor of the cult, as the main HQ choice. There's also the Magus, acting as the cult's psyker, and the Primus, their version of a general/champion. You also get regular genestealers, though even then they're much better than Tyranid genestealers as they're hardier and stealthier. The troops themselves are roughly similar to Chaos Cultists, Neophyte hybrids being armed with guns and improvised equipment, with Acolyte hybrids fighting better in close combat. The Cult can also steal guardsmen vehicles, namely the [[Leman Russ Battle Tank]], [[Chimera]], and [[Sentinel]], as well as their version of a Technical called the [[Goliath Truck]]. You can also just straight up steal Guardsmen and field them as Neophyte Hybrids. All cult members specialize in ambushing opponents, and get major bonuses from their leaders, but much like the [[Tau]] they fall into disarray should their HQ be killed. However, this is alleviated by the fact that HQ automatically pass "Look Out Sir!", meaning so long as you have enough meatshields you can keep them alive (hilariously enough, this can even be used in challenges for some serious trolling). And since cult leaders can summon in large numbers of reinforcements, you could be in for some real foot-slogging.

Genestealer Cults are able to ally with Tyranids (though, as mentioned before, they're not Battle Brothers as the Tyranids view their cultists as dessert rather than the main course). Curiously, they can also ally with Guardsmen, as a way to represent the fact that they will infiltrate Guardsman/PDF forces prior to the invasion, so if you feel so inclined, you can augment your forces with ''even more'' Guardsman vehicles.

== Genestealer Army list ==
For those of you who wish to field these in their entirety rather than through a Tyranid army, well then you are in luck. The Fly Lords of Terra have come up with a list that can be used in Apocalypse games. But since this army has an underdog feel to it, you could get away with using it in standard games as well. Not only that but the file provides the reader with a conversion ideas section: http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2016/02/40k-genestealer-cult-deathwatch-rule-coming.html

https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Deathwatch/40k-rules-deathwatch-en.pdf

== Unofficial codices ==

*Fly Lords of Terra Genestealer Apoc codex [http://www.box.com/shared/lyyxvnpk48]
*So not only do genestealer cults have a codex now, but this man, Chris Showers, actually made an army of them! You'll have to Google Search them yourself, though, since the GamesWorkshop website *cough* [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?community=true&catId=&categoryId=300005&aId=11600017] *cough* is slowly deleting anything that isn't the webstore.

==The Plague Returns ==
Guess who's back, bitches!
http://www.spikeybits.com/2016/02/breaking-new-genestealer-cult-rules-pictures.html

Deathwatch: Overkill started us out with rules and models for cultists, in this case various hybrids wielding mining equipment and a general leadership structure of a Genestealer patriarch, with hybrid preachers and enforcers. Then GW announced that they were doing a full codex, and if early impressions and rumors are anything to go by, it's gonna be ''fun''. Genestealer Cults are gonna be getting their own psychic discipline with 7 powers, 8 formations, wargear options, their own vehicle (a limo no less!), ''and'', it's looking like they'll have access to Imperial Guard vehicles too. Genestealers and hybrids catching a ride in Chimeras, or advancing alongside Leman Russes? ''Oh hell yes''.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_orks.jpg| ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
File:1230051355300.gif|sisters of genestealers?
File:Warhammer 40k the tyranid outcast by randize-d4jl7lq.jpg|
</gallery>

==See Also==
*[[Warhammer 40,000/Tactics/Genestealer Cults(8E)]] - a general overview of the new army
*[[Genestealer Cult Creation Tables]] - why not generate your own Cult?
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer, likely part of a cult tainted by Slaanesh.
*[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Deathwatch/40k-rules-deathwatch-en.pdf Genestealer Cult Rules] 40k Rules for the new Genestealer Cult from Deathwatch: Overkill
{{Template:Tyranids-Creatures}}
{{Template:Genestealer-Cult}}
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[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Tyranid]]

Genestealer

2018-09-25T18:23:05Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Non-human Hybrids */

[[Image:GenestealerBroodlord.jpg|thumb|right]]
{{Topquote|Iä! Iä! Tyrannicus fhtagn!|One of many unholy Genestealer Cult prayers}}

{{Topquote|Praise be! The star children deliver us!|White Dwarf October 2016}}

{{Topquote|IT BEING MY FIRST DAY!|Actual genestealer hybrid who just screwed up the projector, showed a 4 armed mutant emperor in a catacomb to terrified imperial citizens who are now running in every direction
- Inquisition War series}}

'''Genestealers''' are [[xenos|alien]] creatures in the [[Warhammer 40,000]] universe. They have undergone many [[fluff]] revisions since their inception, but they have always been lethal in melee (so deadly that [[Space Marine]] [[power armor]] is like tissue paper to them), preternaturally fast, pseudo-insectoid in form, and reliant on other species for reproduction. Basically Xenomorphs... IN SPAAA-wait a minute...

== Rogue Trader ==

In [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]] (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), Genestealers were simply one of many creatures encountered in space, spreading from the moon of Ymgarl. They could be extremely dangerous at close range, as each of their six strong limbs ended in sharp claws, and they had a gruesome lifecycle reminiscent of the Xenomorphs, but otherwise had little to distinguish themselves. Most notably, they were not connected with the [[Tyranids]] at all. Indeed, the core rulebook noted that Genestealers with [[human]] ancestry could be intelligent, and even friendly! Their natural form had an almost leech-like head, and they were specifically described as "vampirish." They also ignored armour saves until 4th ed. That was annoying.

== Space Hulk ==
When the [[Space Hulk]] board game was released a few years later, Genestealers received a significant bump in their threat level. The game made it clear that the Genestealers were a much more virulent and widespread menace than their initial description, and their head was changed to have a much toothier mouth. In keeping with GW's ripping off the Xenomorphs, Genestealers would use stealth to approach the Marine player's [[Terminators]] as "blips" of some unknown number of Genestealers, and then come out of hiding once they had a good ambush prepared. They achieved a super-human level of coordination via a hive-mind, represented by the Genestealer player having unlimited time to move his pieces.

== Later Editions ==
In later editions of [[Warhammer 40,000]], the Genestealers were revealed to be (or [[retcon]]ned into, depending on your point of view) vanguard organisms for the [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. They are capable of thinking for themselves and operating without the Hive Mind's leadership, a rare trait among Tyranids, although they are not synapse creatures. [[Space Hulk]]-era Genestealers were re-designated "Purestrain Genestealers," created by the Hive Fleets themselves.

Genestealers are sent to infest Space Hulks and spread among the stars. Their long tongues contain a barbed ovipositor; when they encounter sentient humanoids, they [[Rape|use this ovipositor to inject a "seed" into the host's body]], combining the host species' genome with the greater Tyranid genome (hence the name Gene-stealer.) This is a method called the "Genestealer's Kiss," which is either a face-biting parody of a kiss or an injection under the ribcage. The seed greatly alters the host's body on both physical and psychological levels over the course of a few hours, causing them to forget all about the infection and become subservient to the Purestrain's brood. The host is also driven to have children, even if they didn't want any before becoming infected; their partner does not have to be likewise infected, but it doesn't hurt. After a pregnant host (or whoever they impregnated) gives birth, their viciously malformed offspring creates a hive mind connection between itself, its parents, and the Genestealers (though this raises the question of how anyone else in the room during the birth, such as midwives, would react.) This connection and the mutations brought on by the Genestealer's seed proceed to subliminally twist the minds of both parents so that they unconditionally love their child and revere the Genestealers either as gods or as creatures sent by gods (the exact interpretation varies, you understand), usually fleeing into darkened tunnels, catacombs or sewers to avoid discovery.

They find the brood of Genestealers responsible and come together with kindred spirits (that is, other Genestealer hybrids and their infected parents) to form a community/family dedicated to the Genestealers in both body and soul. As the family grows, they will continue to isolate themselves, eventually forming a Genestealer Cult. What follows is an ongoing process of hybrids breeding with captured and infected humans, with their human parents kept around both as breeding stock and for nursing and child-rearing. The second generation hybrids aren't as ugly as their parents, appearing more "normal"-looking but still obviously alien. However, that becomes a moot point once the third and fourth generation roll around, the fourth actually being virtually indistinguishable from actual full-members of their parent species. The uglier members and Purestrain Genestealers typically lurk in the shadows far away from civilisation, while the intelligent and "human" members infiltrate and spy in almost every sector of society. Their psychic network lets them communicate with one another, even though some of the less-human hybrids (and the Purestrains) are incapable of speech, and when the brood mind becomes powerful enough, it will act as a beacon to [[Tyranid]] Hive Fleets. These fleets travel at various different speeds according to various different authors although generally always slower than Imperial warp drives, which means it is impractical for them to travel blindly, so they home in on the signal created by a large Genestealer Cult. When their arrival is imminent, they will directly contact the Cult, which will then engage in a full rebellion, sabotaging their planet's defenses in preparation for the fleet. The fleet will consume the Cult along with everything else on the planet; how the Genestealers and their hybrid servants feel about this has been massively retconned in the new Codex. ''(But actually, the piece of history present in the Index have both options; some cultists will desperately fight back, while some others will accept their destiny with utter joy).''

In older editions, they were just fine with it. In fact, it may even have been their end goal. According to the backstory for [[Hive Fleet Kraken]], a planet called Larnarno was infiltrated by a Cult calling themselves the Celebrants of Nihilism. When the Tyranids showed up to consume the planet, 75% of the population calmly marched towards and aboard their bio-ships, where they gladly accepted being brought to the digestion pits. The 7th edition codex has pulled a 180 on this stance. Nowadays, a Cult generally has no idea what is about to happen to them, fully believing that when the Tyranids show up they'll all become one big happy space family. And for a bit, [[troll|the Hive Mind actually leads them on and doesn't target the cult]]. For a brief moment, the cultists get to live their dream of fighting alongside their star gods, but as soon as the planet's defenses are basically done for though, ''everyone'' is on the menu. When the cult realizes this, they panic, their faith completely destroyed. Even worse, the Hive Mind overrides the independence of the Patriarch and Purestrains, and the cultists that try to run home end up [[grimdark|getting eaten by the very father they worshiped and the children they raised]]. For this reason, Genestealer Cults are basically space gerbils, getting nommed in their nest by their parents.

Why would GW do this? Perhaps because they ''hate'' the idea that anyone who is not of the Imperium or Chaos factions be allowed to have a happy ending. Just look and weep at how they killed off the Tau's spiritual leader in Warzone Damocles, or how they decided to let the Deathwatch unwittingly botch [[Eldrad|Eldrad's]] plan to save the Eldar from Slaanesh. Or maybe they think that gratuitous drama and pathos are the only ways to maintain the Grimdark. Note they also didn't allow the Tyranids and Genestealer Cult armies to be actual Battle Brothers with each other despite allowing every single Imperial army to be Battle Brothers. It's like they attempted to make the already grimdark Xenomorphs even more grimdark by crossing it over with ''[[H.P. Lovecraft|The Shadow over Innsmouth]]''.

Way back in the days of Rogue Trader, Genestealer Cults also used to be able to be devoted to Chaos. That disappeared from the tabletop along with the old incarnation of the army, but in the fluff, this can apparently still happen, in the right rare circumstances. The new codex mentions a truly hilarious case of turnabout when a Cult's ship is sucked into a Warp storm and dumped on the edges of Nurgle's Garden, where the Genestealers and their minions get taught a thing or two about ''real'' corruption and parasitism by the Chaos God who wrote the book on it. Nurgle does eventually let the Cult go, because he's a nice guy, ''after'' he's thoroughly had his way with them of course, and they come back into realspace as basically a Plaguestealer Cult. What might've happened if the Cult had fallen into Slaanesh's domain, officially, we'll never know, because family-friendly GW doesn't have the balls to go there. Unofficially, [[Hivestrain Azure|we can make a pretty good guess]].

=== Genestealer Variants ===
The [[Broodlord]] is an Alpha Genestealer, being connected to the Hive Mind as well as being a psyker (though he cannot use Warp Lance), thus allowing him to gain control over his burgeoning army of bastard children. The Broodlord's coming is often a time of great joy and celebration for the cult, as his coming is said to be a herald of the impending Hive Fleet invasion.

After the Purestrain infects a host, a Genestealer Cult will end up with members with various levels of Genestealer ancestry. In general, Genestealer Hybrids will breed with their non-Genestealer parent species, and their descendants will resemble that species, until the fourth hybrid generation, whose children will be Purestrain Genestealers capable of "founding" new Genestealer Cults.

The first Genestealer to infect a host (or hosts) grows larger and more intelligent with each mind added to the cult/family/whatever, eventually far surpassing its kin in strength, size and cunning, even becoming a powerful psyker. This Genestealer is known as the Patriarch, and like the Broodlord he is much beloved by the other members of the cult.

The [[Rogue Trader]]-era Genestealers also get a special mention, in the form of "Ymgarl Genestealers," a strain that supposedly comes from a population of Genestealers that got isolated on the moons of Ymgarl. They have tentacled, lamprey-like mouths and the ability to partially transform themselves depending on the circumstances, at the cost of being genetically unstable and only being able to feed on blood. In fact, they're so unstable that the Hive Mind deliberately abandoned them for fear that they would contaminate the Tyranid gene pool. Because of this, they compulsively seek to reach planets that have recently been visited by the Tyranids in a futile attempt to be reabsorbed into the Hive Fleets. If they weren't horrible monstrosities, their predicament would almost be pathetic. However, at some point between 5th and 6th Edition, the Ymgarl Genestealers lucked out and got absorbed into a Hive Fleet by some very desperate/caring Norn Queen. The result of this is that 6E Tyranids now have a Bio-Artefact (If you feel unclean about the name, that's natural) called the ''Ymgarl Factor'' that gives any Tyranid unit the same unstable properties rule, but now lack the assaulting from Outflanking.

=== Non-human Hybrids ===
As a final note, [[Warhammer 40,000]] fiction is very [[human]]-centric, and so most Genestealer infestations depicted have occurred among human populations, but the [[Ciaphas Cain]] novels have suggested that [[Tau]] and [[Orks]] are also susceptible to Genestealer infection. The novel ''Death of Integrity'' also confirms that Genestealers will attack and assimilate other xenos, though this plot point lasts about one paragraph. What, exactly, a Tau Genestealer Hybrid would look like is the subject of much speculation. There is old canon art of Ork Genestealer hybrids, but given the vast amount of retcons since then its canon status is questionable..

It should be noted that Orks reproduce asexually by way of fungal spores they secrete from their skin (nad also that "ork" is but one of many many different orkoid organisms that a given spore might develop into depending on conditions, so one has to wonder how the genstealer mutations might interact with a spore that grew into, say, a mushroom), so it's pretty hard to envision an Orkified Genestealer actually working, or lasting beyond the first generation or two, since they have no ways of mixing genes to produce purestrains in time (Orks might just spawn all the hybrid generations in a single sporing in no particular order, and those subsequent generations might do the same.). Even if they could, the Orks have an inherent ability to determine if one of their own isn't proppa Orky and will inevitably krump the gits (Actually, old fluff says that greenstealers tend to like orks more than tyranids, as in the tyranid hive mind, master of all genetics, is INCAPABLE of breeding out the orkiness, this leads to greenstealer cults actually fighting back or corrupting the tyranids who've come to nom them.) that or be envious of the guy with built in Choppas and still krump em to get a Dok to glue them on his own hands. Most Ork-Genestealer hybrids typically descend from Feral Orks as a result.

Purestrain genestealers descended from Ork hybrids tend to have denser musculature (and most likely greater physical strength), which suggests that while not as prevalent as human hybrids, they're not exactly rare either. One incident on the fringe of the Octarius system had a massive, purple, six-limbed Gargant attacking a Guard regiment. When it was melta'd open, purestrain genestealers emerged to eat the guardsmen.

Tau, similarly, have certain complications to the procedure -- not counting the fact their Kroot allies can taste if a person is infected or not simply by tasting some of their blood, or the fact tau-tech is probably advanced enough to scan for this threat once they know about it. <s>Firstly, tau are implied to have much lower sex drives than humans. </s> Nope, Tau like it just as much as humans, it's just tempered by [[Grimdark|their authoritarian ideology]] when it comes to actually having kids. Tau explicitly practice caste-restricted bureaucratically arranged breeding processes; Tau don't have kids until their higher ups decide they should, and they don't even get to pick their own partners. Two tau get paired up by the decision of a committee, spend a couple of days off work and having sex, then separate and go their separate ways. This means the genestealer taint is seriously difficult to spread amongst the race. The caste-based structure of tau society also poses problems to any potential Tauified Genestealers, and that's without presuming the caste-system is now so inherent that different castes can't even physically breed with each other anymore. According to the new Genestealer Cults Codex, not only can Tau-Genestealer hybrids happen, but they were deliberately created by a team of Earth Caste researchers who wanted to see what would happen. The infection got out of control and actually ended in violence; it's even implied that they may have produced a hybrid Ethereal.

While it probably is possible for Genestealers to infect the [[Eldar]], it's unlikely that they'd really get anywhere with any of the four varieties due to their highly advanced medical technology (all four, yes even the Exodites), universal emphatic abilities, very regimented lifestyles (Craftworld), slow breeding rate and the fact that irregular psychic activity amongst them gets located and dealt with very quickly (all four, heck mind bulletry is pretty much the only thing the [[Dark Eldar]] ban). Even when they are infected, the taint spreads much more slowly, which gives its host society much more time to catch on to the hybrids' schemes.

As of Ghost Warrior, we have Genestealer Eldar on a lost [[craftworld]] named [[Yvraine#Craftworld_Zaisuthra|Zaisuthra]]. Needless to say, the other [[Ynnari]] who contacted them are ''pissed.'' It should be noted however, that this breed only survived because these Eldar openly embraced their pants-thieving overlords (in their misguided attempt to avoid getting consumed by Slaanesh), not due to infiltration and deception. So theoretically, its still impossible for the Eldar to be infiltrated by a gene-cult, unless they willingly accept it.

As for the [[Necrons]], they're goddamn undead robots. If you even consider this possibility you're fucking ''retarded.''

Finally, and perhaps most troubling, is the mention that Tyranids have been targeting [[Hrud]] warrens. Hrud lack the defenses of the above races and are naturally predisposed towards infesting a planet and migrating en mass to a new one. The genestealer hybrids, likewise, gain enhanced stealth and reaction speed (such as those 5++ saves the 'stealers now enjoy.)

== Dawn of War 2 ==
[[Image:Jeanstealers.jpg|250px|thumb|right|An Assault Terminator trying to protect his jeans from Jeanstealers]]
Genestealers are pretty lore accurate in Dawn of War 2. Eats whatever they face. They are acting as the ultimate melee troops for Tyranids '''in tier 2.''' Lets make some count: A regular Tactical Marine starts with 60 melee skill, a standard melee squad starts with 70. These motherfuckers are starting with 80 by default! And this even gets worse if they have any synapse support. If they are under Improved Synapse of the Hive Tyrant, their health increases by 25%. If they ever get into the melee synapse of Warrior Brood, their health increases by '''75%''', and melee skill by 10, and you can combine these 2 synapses together! Yeah, they can basically muderfuck anything in melee combat. And this gets even worse if they use their Adrenal Rush ability. Gains increased speed and damage, gains small amount of health in each hit they make, and decreases incoming ranged damage.

Everything aside, the most simple solution to deal with them is to get a walker out. Genestealers can't purchase their anti vehicle klaws until tier 3. That makes them balanced right? I hope so. But when they get them, they can solo a Dreadnought alone! Thankfully, they have light infantry armour, which means that they can be killed easily with most ranged weaponry and struggle against melee fighters that are able to survive long enough to get a few hits in themselves. AoE melee attacks are your friend against them.

== On the Tabletop ==

===Tyranids===
[[Image:Genestealers-in-the-grass.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Fist of the North Star|You're already dead]].]]In battle, both Ymgarl and Purestrain Genestealers are ridiculously deadly in melee, both in fluff and on the tabletop. On the tabletop, when a brood of Genestealers charges something, it's very unlikely to survive to the next turn unless it's a [[Land Raider]] due to their massive number of good strength attacks, rending, and high weapon skill that means they hit most things on 3s (seriously, these guys have higher weapons skill than a lot things made out to close-combat experts), not to mention that they are fast little fuckers. A Zerg rush has ''nothing'' on these guys. In the fluff, their claws are so damned sharp that they might as well be power weapons, slicing through armor and walls like a chainsaw going through a rice paper wall. Their hypnotic eye powers show up irregularly in the fluff, showing up in the Dark Disciples Novel but not Ciaphas Cain; Hero of the Imperium for example. The fact they are '''[[derp|faster than Eldar]]''' lets them laugh at any unit they charge/charging them, and they are usually deployed a-la Kroot Carnivores (parking them behind a windowless wall 12-18" from the enemy). Unlike Kroots though, they are not there to slow the enemy, they provide a hazardous area for the first turns and then, when the main force has reached their position, they jump out to help OMNOMMing.

Genestealers have a squad leader upgrade, which the 5th edition changed from an HQ to a troop choice, called the [[Broodlord]], which formerly had a major role due to the biomorphs it could use and psyker powers, but being reduced to a sergeant basically made it just add an extra punch, though it still had a better statline than any non Special-Character Space Marine HQs (except the CSM's daemon prince). Sixth edition turned broodlord into rape machine in challenges, as he able to bring down almost any independent character in the game without eternal warrior, while costing much, MUCH less.

Also take note that genestealers do NOT like [[Hellhound]]s. They bring the smell of burning chitin into [[rape|genestealer's breakfast]]. Avoid them at all costs. A Banewolf squadron will just make them shit out their guts under AP 3 fleshbane templates.

Thanks to 7th edition allowing "Come the Apocalypse" alliance this can be done once more! However, this is pretty much moot now that genestealers come with their own codex; aside from some extra vehicle choices, genestealer cults already come with their own human troops and tanks.

In 8th Edition, Genestealers are still great, but other armies have some melee options that are pretty on-par with them. A horde of Ork Boyz, for example, can pump out 30 more melee attacks in a turn, and cost 110 points less. Granted, they don't have the 5++ invuln, but they still will wreck a horde of Genestealers' shit if they get the first attack. On the other hand, the Genestealers are also very speedy and can rocket to the other side of the board with the right Stratagems, they can charge after advancing (or lose that ability in exchange for a better armor save that can go up to MEQ-tier if in cover or under the benefits of Jormungandr's Hive Fleet Attribute) and can take Acid Maws for a few extra MEQ-killing attacks. Oh, and they also get a Deep Strike similar to a Terminator's teleport homers. They're especially potent with Hive Fleet Kraken since they'll have better advances as well as the ability to charge after falling back, which not only saves them from running the risk of being trapped in melee with something too tough for them to deal with but also improves their already impressive maneuverability and ensures that they'll always get the first swing in.

===Genestealer Cults===
[[File:Inquisitor-hybrid.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Uh? What do you mean inquisitors don't have [[StarCraft|an additional set of wing-claws]]?]]
Cults get a super-genestealer called a Patriarch, the progenitor of the cult, as the main HQ choice. There's also the Magus, acting as the cult's psyker, and the Primus, their version of a general/champion. You also get regular genestealers, though even then they're much better than Tyranid genestealers as they're hardier and stealthier. The troops themselves are roughly similar to Chaos Cultists, Neophyte hybrids being armed with guns and improvised equipment, with Acolyte hybrids fighting better in close combat. The Cult can also steal guardsmen vehicles, namely the [[Leman Russ Battle Tank]], [[Chimera]], and [[Sentinel]], as well as their version of a Technical called the [[Goliath Truck]]. You can also just straight up steal Guardsmen and field them as Neophyte Hybrids. All cult members specialize in ambushing opponents, and get major bonuses from their leaders, but much like the [[Tau]] they fall into disarray should their HQ be killed. However, this is alleviated by the fact that HQ automatically pass "Look Out Sir!", meaning so long as you have enough meatshields you can keep them alive (hilariously enough, this can even be used in challenges for some serious trolling). And since cult leaders can summon in large numbers of reinforcements, you could be in for some real foot-slogging.

Genestealer Cults are able to ally with Tyranids (though, as mentioned before, they're not Battle Brothers as the Tyranids view their cultists as dessert rather than the main course). Curiously, they can also ally with Guardsmen, as a way to represent the fact that they will infiltrate Guardsman/PDF forces prior to the invasion, so if you feel so inclined, you can augment your forces with ''even more'' Guardsman vehicles.

== Genestealer Army list ==
For those of you who wish to field these in their entirety rather than through a Tyranid army, well then you are in luck. The Fly Lords of Terra have come up with a list that can be used in Apocalypse games. But since this army has an underdog feel to it, you could get away with using it in standard games as well. Not only that but the file provides the reader with a conversion ideas section: http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2016/02/40k-genestealer-cult-deathwatch-rule-coming.html

https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Deathwatch/40k-rules-deathwatch-en.pdf

== Unofficial codices ==

*Fly Lords of Terra Genestealer Apoc codex [http://www.box.com/shared/lyyxvnpk48]
*So not only do genestealer cults have a codex now, but this man, Chris Showers, actually made an army of them! You'll have to Google Search them yourself, though, since the GamesWorkshop website *cough* [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?community=true&catId=&categoryId=300005&aId=11600017] *cough* is slowly deleting anything that isn't the webstore.

==The Plague Returns ==
Guess who's back, bitches!
http://www.spikeybits.com/2016/02/breaking-new-genestealer-cult-rules-pictures.html

Deathwatch: Overkill started us out with rules and models for cultists, in this case various hybrids wielding mining equipment and a general leadership structure of a Genestealer patriarch, with hybrid preachers and enforcers. Then GW announced that they were doing a full codex, and if early impressions and rumors are anything to go by, it's gonna be ''fun''. Genestealer Cults are gonna be getting their own psychic discipline with 7 powers, 8 formations, wargear options, their own vehicle (a limo no less!), ''and'', it's looking like they'll have access to Imperial Guard vehicles too. Genestealers and hybrids catching a ride in Chimeras, or advancing alongside Leman Russes? ''Oh hell yes''.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Genestealer_orks.jpg| ORKY NIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
File:1230051355300.gif|sisters of genestealers?
File:Warhammer 40k the tyranid outcast by randize-d4jl7lq.jpg|
</gallery>

==See Also==
*[[Warhammer 40,000/Tactics/Genestealer Cults(8E)]] - a general overview of the new army
*[[Genestealer Cult Creation Tables]] - why not generate your own Cult?
*[[Jeanstealer]] - One of /tg/'s creations. A rather confused Tyranid genestealer that is only driven to steal denim trousers.
*[[Hivestrain Azure]]- A fapfic about a particularly unusual strain of genestealer, likely part of a cult tainted by Slaanesh.
*[https://www.games-workshop.com/resources/PDF/Deathwatch/40k-rules-deathwatch-en.pdf Genestealer Cult Rules] 40k Rules for the new Genestealer Cult from Deathwatch: Overkill
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{{Template:Genestealer-Cult}}
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[[Category:Warhammer 40,000]][[Category:Tyranid]]

Female Space Marines

2018-09-25T17:35:39Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* SSSSSIIIIIINNNNNNDDDDRRRRRRIIIII!! */

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{{topquote|The Adeptus Astartes can only contain males. No girls allowed. They are yucky.|[[If The Emperor Had a Text-To-Speech Device|The Emperor of Mankind]]}}
[[Image:beakiegal.jpg|thumb|right|Guaranteed to garner at least 100 replies. Also not enough pauldron.]]

There is no tactic more effective for [[RAGE|enraging]] a diehard [[Space Marines|SPESS MEHREENS]] fanboy than discussing/drawing their [[Rule 63]] companion, '''Female Space Marines'''. Not to be confused with [[Sisters of Battle]], the canonical equivalent to Space Marines and also armed with bolters and chainswords, but ''Space Marine'' Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes, you know, the hypermuscular ones with [[Pauldrons]]. According to [[Games Workshop]] [[canon]], the procedures that are used to create a Space Marine only work properly on male subjects, rendering female Marines impossible; however, masturbators on the internet have not allowed this to deter them. Sometimes it is pointed out that back in the [[Rogue Trader]] days, Games Workshop did briefly produce two power-armoured female models, but they were changed to "Female Adventurers in Power Armour" and were never meant to represent female Marines. Moreover, White Dwarf ''did'' in fact publish a Rogue Trader scenario back in the day featuring real, honest-to-[[Matt Ward|Ward]] female Imperial Space Marines, albeit with the caveat that such chapters were exceedingly rare. Considering this is from Games Workshop, who [[Squats|routinely violates their own canon in subsequent editions]], fanbase be damned, take this as you will.

It's worth noting, though, that Games Workshop hasn't deterred /tg/ (or indeed, the [[Black Library]] writers) from coming up with ways to potentially allow for them, even with Space Marines being exclusively male being one of the rare things they've kept consistent. This is because, as was brought up in [[Daemonette|previous]] [[Monstergirls|articles]], little gets between a man and his fapbait.

=The Canon Part=
While for a time GW's official stance was that it was impossible to create Female Space Marines, leading to spammed complaints about gender equality and claims  that male-only Space Marines are sexist. Therefore, a minor concession was made. According to new [[fluff]] the Emperor of Mankind ''did'' see fit to attempt the creation of female Space Marines, whether in the spirit of equality, for the sake of a larger recruiting pool, or [[/d/|because he had an incest fetish to indulge.]] Emphasis on ''tried''; since he had based his Sons off of himself, and then Space Marines off of the resulting genes, it was impossible to twist that base around to reliably make a female Space Marine. The Emperor tried again and again, but could not find a way to reliably create a Female Space Marine in a reasonable time frame and soon found that if Male Space Marines were one in a million, then Female Space Marines were one in a trillion. There were many semi-successful female Space Marines that showed promise, but nearly all of them died shortly after implantation due to organ rejection and various hormonal imbalances causing their biology to shit itself. Quickly realizing that this shit was a waste of time and resources better spent conquering the galaxy, he decreed that Space Marines would be male-only, '''NO GIRLS ALLOWED.'''

TL;DR GW got tired of angry letters so they said that Female Space Marines were possible but stupidly impractical (even by 40k standards) so that's why there aren't any Female Space Marines so stop the angry letters please.

This all could have been avoided if the complainants had simply asked for (and GW gave) more focus on the [[Sisters of Battle|''real'', pre-existing Female Space Marines]] complete with a unique, empowering flavor all their own. [[Fail|Naturally, this seemingly obvious solution was lost on all parties involved.]]

On the Black Library front, it was mentioned in one of the [[Horus Heresy]] books that [[Malcador the Sigillite]] had suggested making one or two of the Primarchs female, half-jokingly saying that it might help to defuse competition between them. The Emperor was not amused by this at all and insisted that it simply couldn't be done, thinking Malcador was joking. And really, who wants to try to argue with him about it?

==[[Sindri|SSSSSIIIIIINNNNNNDDDDRRRRRRIIIII!!]]==

Unexpected salvation - there are indeed (99.46% possible) Female Space Marines!...in The [[Eye Of Terror]]. Well, they're possible out of it too - see, due to the nature of [[Chaos]], mutations are often a fact of life. Some desired, some not. What if one hulked out, burning, warped Chaos Space Marine [[Moot|secretly wishes he was the cute little girl who got flowers? Who smiled with joy? Who was so sweet?]]

What if his gods are listening? If the nature of Chaos is what it is to any extent, there is a chance his deity will bestow him with what he has always wanted. Though of course, he could just as easily get an extra tentacle arm, or get mutated into [[Chaos Spawn|that which must never be named]] - such is the nature of Chaos. [[Slaanesh]] especially grants this as a matter of routine, and its a safe bet to make that quite a lot of the [[Emperor's Children]] men are actually now women. or just as likely [[Dickgirl|dickgirls.]] Or reverse-dickgirls ("clitboys?"). Such is the will of Slaanesh.

This was ''confirmed'' in one of the earlier Chapter Approved articles - one that re-introduced mounted [[Daemonette|Daemonettes]] - in which a Governor-Militant fighting a Slaanesh warband mused that there were (apparently female) creatures that [[Heresy|were once Space Marines, but no longer]]. Considering Chaos can cause [[Chaos Spawn|that which must never be named]], is anyone surprised by this?

==[[Honsou]], You Sick Fuck==

We know that you among the fans, despite all our attempts to dissuade you, want cute FEMALE SPHESS MAHREENS! And there is good news - technically, there ARE Female Space Marines IN OFFICIAL LORE. The catch? Yes there is a catch. And this one is the worst.

Your new waifu is a bloated, twisted, undying, insane, mutated pregnant mother-slave only alive because she's in the Eye of Terror.

You see, [[Honsou]] of the [[Iron Warriors]], in an effort to squeeze new MAHREENS into the ranks without having to pay that other sick fuck [[Fabius Bile]] for clones and because he was too lazy to do it the normal way, created a system of hideousness and sadness that pushes [[grimdark]] to a whole new level. He invented the [[Daemonculaba]], a system whereby a woman is chained and fed stuff which will morph her and her womb into something that was never meant to be. A boy is then (yes, a child), jammed, shoved or cut INTO the vagina and stays there for a while. When his time is ready, he, now XBAWKS HUEG and STRONG, will have to [[rip and tear|rip, tear]], or otherwise push his way out of his adoptive mother's womb/vagina. When he emerges, he will either be a skinless mutant abomination, or will emerge as a fully functional (albeit skinless) Chaos Space Marine in a fraction of the time, with all his growth stages and bionics and gene-seed already taken care of. How? [[Meme|It's fucking science]].

This goes back to our Female Space Marine - you see, while she was being morphed and changed, [[Dark Mechanicus]] Biologis hereteks worked on her body, implanting gene-seed and making her physically a Female Space Marine, even if the form is rather off. Thus, her womb can turn children as well into Space Marines by having her womb 'grow' the required organs and stages directly into their bodies in a fraction of the time - days and weeks instead of years. Thankfully for the entire universe, this horror was [[Uriel Ventris|destroyed]] before Honsou realized he could stick girls in there as well, and get double the recruits, and stumble upon the secret to true Female Space Marines.

==A Slightly More Reasonable Answer==

The problem really is one of terminology. Women can wear power armour, certainly; the Sororitas practically make it formal wear. Women can, through steroids, incessant bodybuilding, a high protein diet, and a little genetic modding to bring it all together, be as buff and rocking as a Space Marine. Pointlessly expensive and inefficient compared to grabbing a guy and shoving a growth hormone in him. But what really makes a Space Marine a Space Marine is all of the [[Geneseed|extra genetically-engineered organs and DNA and whatnot]] cloned from the Primarchs and implanted in the right way, which is impossible for women for reasons the Emperor himself ran afoul of. The closest thing to an exception in the fluff is any experiment involving [[Fabius Bile]] (the crazy old fuck basically cloned himself but then decided to make the clone female and have a [[Warhammer High|'daughter']] just for the [[lulz]]. And the best/worst part, he still made a better job out of parenthood than Big.E.), unless the topic is [[Daemonculaba|Honsou of the Iron Warriors]] (not reincarnation) inside a bloated woman's uterus, and it should be noted that the said woman is effectively lobotomized (and even there, the potential Chaos Space Marine candidate must be male since even that sick thing requires gene-seed to 'work'). And even if he did make you a female space marine for reals, she still wouldn't be a space marine, just a weird, mutilated, chaos infused thing that approximates a space marine but [[Ultramarines|can never truly be one.]]

Worth noting, however, that given that Bile's experimented on damn-near everything (including the entire civilian populations of several planets) at some point or another for his attempts to duplicate the methods for creating new Space Marines, there's ample evidence to suggest that [[/d/|he's tried it at least once]], ''going as far as saying Big.E. was an idiot for making gene-seed only compatible with men and thus cutting off half the potential supply of warriors''. Fucking [[Slaanesh]].

Another possible reason is that all of the Primarchs are men, with male genes, thus meaning that, [[Samus|unless there's secretly a girl Primarch out there somewhere,]] female Space Marines cannot be made in the traditional sense. Space Marine blood alone can eat through many durable materials due to the mess of chemicals in them. Any attempt to breed Space Marines the traditional way would be almost guaranteed to fail in a tragic fashion.

Of note is the fact that despite the names and histories of the two missing Primarchs being utterly obliterated from Imperial records, they are still unambiguously referred to as sons of the Emperor.

==Dark Imperium and FemMarines==
[[Image:YouHaven'tMadeFemaleSpaceMarinesHaveYou.jpg|thumb|right|The Emperor's reaction to [[Primaris Marines]]]]
In the Dark Imperium novel, its revealed that the [[God-Emperor|Emperor]] never cared for the [[Space Marines]], and saw them as little more than tools to secure his [[Imperium of Man|empire]]. [[Ultramar|He never intended for them to rule over it]], as it was planned to be an empire [[High Lords of Terra|ruled by humans for humans]]. Given this revelation, its possible that the Emperor ''could've'' made female space marines, but chose not to because he wanted a reliable way to keep their population in check. Keep in mind that [[Belisarius Cawl|very few people outside of the Emperor himself]] were actually involved in the [[Primarch]] Project, so if he chose to lie about the gender thing, very few could call him out on it (and that's assuming any of them would want to). Also note that although he was adamant that FemMarines were impossible, no one actually tried to prove him wrong, they mostly just took him at his word. It is also simply far quicker and more efficient to implant recruits. Plus the changes needed to create a female Space Marine, given the large physical abilities differences between men and women, would be extreme, with an immense fatality rate, and expensive. You could make ten male and female Space Marines or thirty male Space Marines in half the time. The right choice is obvious. Besides, after the changes to put the women on par with the men Marines, the only real difference left would be genetalia, so the extra expense and risk would be pointless in the end. Sure, the fem Marines would only need to outclass the enemies of the Crusade so full body alteration wouldn’t be necessary. But, the male Marines frequently suffered heavy, sometimes dramatic casualties. Leas durable, less strong female Marines added would mostly increase the body count. Not to mention the incredible risk of enemies getting DNA of both Marine types and making their own in their labs. Besides, Emps had Chaos to consider.

Although Space Marines have their sex drive curbed or removed, we know that [[Space Wolves]] can still sleep around (especially true for [[Lukas the Trickster]]), to say nothing of the [[Emperor's Children]], who are explicitly described going on a [[RAPE|rape rampage]] during the [[Siege of Terra]], which likely means that the reproductive suppression isn't 100% effective or irreversible, though the latter example does carry a load of salt big enough to fill a Blackstone Fortress in that they worship Slaanesh. It should also be considered that although Space Marines have a reduced or eliminated sex drive, it's never been suggested that they're sterile, meaning that [[Fall of the Eldar|accidents could still happen]]. Space Marine sex drive also seems to be born more out of culture than anything actually biological, most marines consider themselves too busy to get sexually or romantically attached to other people and are "married to the job". However the Space Wolves, having a rowdy and raunchy chapter culture where picking up chicks is a sign of manly strength and a source of tales to laugh about at the mess hall don't see any problem with their brothers spending their free time having "fun" with the local women.

Given all this, it's possible that the Emperor didn't want to take any chances and potentially have his living weapons start reproducing and becoming self-sufficient, replacing the humans they were designed to protect. Keeping Space Marines mono-gendered and reliant on [[geneseed]] would ensure that he maintained tight control over his tools and how many there were at any given time. Of course, this is all speculation, so take it with a grain of salt.

==On The To-Do List?==
There is a paragraph in "Ashes of Prospero" were Arjac Rockfist identifies him self as a "Son as Russ", and a woman with a spear asks "Only sons?" Arjac thinks on it, and realizes that the spirit of Fenris, and of the Space Wolves, is in all the people of Fenris, men, women and children. Then he considers that Guilliman had made an even more deadly and powerful version of a Space Marine, so it was possible. At the end he pointedly does not reject the possibility of women space marines, ending with a "Perhaps."

Whether or not this is a case of fandom baiting/trolling, lampshade hanging, or just leaving space for '[[Your Dudes|Your Dude(tte)'s]]' is debatable, the fact that this happened among the [[Viking]]-themed Space Wolves is interesting given the Valkyrie and Shield Maiden connotations that go along with that theme. Additionally the wolves took a beating from the Thousand Sons, so increasing the recruiting pool would be a boon to the beleaguered Wolves. If female marines were going to be suddenly created, it happening to the Space Wolves would not be thematically out of the question the way it would be for other more monk like space marine chapters. This being said, Fenrisian Shield Maidens were mentioned as having fought in Wrath of Magnus, so it's also possible that the Space Wolves will stop being a Marines-exclusive force and start incorporating the native warriors of Fenris, though that would be a blatant case of legion building that would draw the attention of the already inclined to look disagreeable on them Inquisition.

=What Would A Female Space Marine Look Like If They Could Exist?=
[[File:Silver Skull.jpg|right|thumb|Tina likes long walks on the beach and slaying the Emperor's foes.]]
Obviously, in the land of Rule 63 they are amazingly hot [[Rape|(and would totally do]] [[Mary Sue| you)]], but in dark and gritty fluff-land where they would be optimised for combat rather than jacking off, they would probably have very few notable female features left following surgery and genetic fuckery. Marines are made from pre-adolescent kids who still have very little in terms of sexual dimorphism, and the process of transforming includes total rewriting of the hormonal system (which is responsible for developing secondary sexual characteristics).

Hypothetical femarine wouldn't have narrow shoulders, wide hips, (big) breasts, delicate face structures (though the blood angels often manage it), feminine voices or even traditional feminine character traits like higher capacity for empathy and increased aversion against danger as those two psychological traits are pretty easily conditioned in or out of people if you can control their social contacts. And unless you're one of the nice chapters like the Salamanders, Lamenters, or Celestial Lions; empathy is almost certainly going to be trained out of most recruits to make them better able to deal with the kind of guilt that killing other people inflicts on humans. If you don't think that's a big concern, note that this is the kind of guilt that notably caused [[Avitus]] to fall to [[heresy]] when the truth about his chapter master made it his old excuses of it being justified as the chapter being in the right invalid and found himself unable to live with his actions. An entire Chapter of Marines in service to the inquisition who purged civilians who knew too much was also driven insane by the guilt because they simply cared too much for other people. Too much humanity can and will drive space marines to madness over the course of their duties.

In essence neophyte does not mature into man or woman - it matures into '''marine'''. A female Space Marine would only differ from male Space Marine by having different genitalia, so no "Samus is a girl" moments would really occur if a female Space Marine had her helmet knocked off and shocked her comrades by revealing some beautiful feminine hair and facial features. Then again, space marines themselves break several biological laws just by existing so we could be wrong. Either way, Female Space Marines are not going to be conventionally attractive. Being recreated exclusively for war tends to do that. They would be bigger than an ordinary human, of course, but they would still be proportioned like a normal human. Or like some bikini model if the Emperor decided he wanted to make hot White Scar bikers or something.

It is worth noting that official art from GW shows that unarmoured space marines look pretty normal if tall and swole discounting all the plug holes in them; like Captain America if he were a head or two taller rather than blob like roid freaks. Which does make sense, as the hulking bodybuilder physique is actually not very good in a fight compared to the more lithe MMA fighter build or the kind of fat looking powerlifter bod and in the military, endurance and leg power matters far more than how big your gains are. It's also worth noting that the sons of Sanguinius in particular are generally handsome in an androgynous, angelic way and that most of the primarchs aren't half bad looking. The Alpha Legion and the Fallen are also able to pass off as normal if tall and buff humans without their power armour. Also worth noting is that many, many marines are somehow able to have long, flowing hair or beards (or both) and still fit helmets onto their heads without issue with what can only be explained by space marine helmets doubling as pocket dimensions.

As Space Marines are surgically altered with organic implants and not traditionally genetically modified, progenoid glands would still play a vital role in gene-seed replication and any child a female space marine would have would at most just be guaranteed to be at least somewhat compatible with the chapter's gene seed. All the extra organs that go into a space marine are lab grown things stuck into them that they're genetically compatible with no more inherently part of the body than a prosthetic arm, and it's very unlikely that they would develop on their own in a space marine's child. Knowing Lukas the Trickster's "hey babe, I'm a space marine, wanna see the inside of my land raider?" antics though, it's probable that unless trained to suppress it, they'll still have a sex drive.

And, assuming that Sister Generica can be considered attractive in any form, she's also wearing a ton or two of ceramite power armor, so you wouldn't tell until she speaks or removes her helmet. And even if she does, you'd have to be a very lucky man to catch her eye during her limited free time, and she'd need to be from a chapter where fraternising with normal humans is acceptable.

Finally, God Emperor help you if you suggest they wear boob plate.

=RAGE=

RAGE is generated by this tactic in two distinct ways; either the neckbeards assume that the creator of the work in question is unaware of the Space Marine fluff, and rage about his or her ignorance; failing that, it becomes clear that they are well aware of the fluff regarding these matters and willingly chose to disregard it, sending the poor neckbeards into fits of spastic rage that anyone would dare deliberately defile the sacrosanct canon of Games Workshop's masterpiece.

[[Troll|Still, the aforementioned creator will just ignore him.]]

Hey, you really want to troll some of Those Guys? Build a force with female Imperial Guard conversions and say they're Imperial Navy armswomen; you know, female space marines?

=Writefaggery=

===A New Arrival===

* From the livelog of Inquisitor Perstringos, archive #32AA9-99
* Redacted copy dispatched to Magos Tzeel'Etil of Mars under code of practice 73-Greyfax-Cawl

The lifespan of an Inquisitorial liaison to the Angry Marines is a famously short one.

Take offence to their unorthodox methods, and you're likely to get your head exploded like an overripe melon. Partake too enthusiastically in their furious idiom and you're likely to get your head exploded like an overripe melon. Stand too near one when they're feeling a little more umbrage than usual and you're likely to... and so on.

I have lasted in the role for nearly seven Angermar months and so consider myself quite the survivor. Alas, my run of good luck may soon be at an end. The Angry Marines are not generally characterised by a cheerful acceptance of change...

especially changes imposed from without...

very particularly especially changes to their unit composition mandated by none other than the Ultramarines, whose very Codex Astartes (oh Guilliman Restored, forgive me!) I have been impelled to use as an item of intimate personal hygiene in the Angry Marines' commode.

And yet today the first company of Primaris Marrnes will be arriving on McRage to join their new battle brothers. The "Guillimarines", as I've heard them called around the barracks here from the day I arrived. The Ultra-Ultrasmurfs. The Fuck-knuckles. The Bitch-clone-fucking-sellout Poser Marines.

Such a momentous occasion will naturally require an Inquisitorial observer on site.

I am going to fucking die.

Which is why I am taking care to record this surreptitious livelog, tapped by my tongue against my molar-transcriptor as I take my place in the Rite of Welcome. My life is nothing, praise the Emperor. Direct observational feedback on the reception of our Imperium's newest super-Astartes into the Chapter deemed least likely to accept them will be invaluable to several parties.

They are docking now with our Battle Barge, the FUCKYOUNAMEITYOURSELF. Their vessel, officially the Undaunted but renamed in our local records "THE OFFICIOUS CUNT-BASKET", is busy initiating standard pre-docking handshake protocol, but I expect that...

yep, there it is. The Angry Marines have taken the simple expedient of ramming the FUCKYOU directly into the Undaunted's docking bay. It was a fair hit. Air is already cycling across both ships with only superficial loss to the void, it won't take long to clear the wreckage, and so the joining Rite is soon to begin.

A mere ten paces in front of me, well within explode-my-head-with-a-backslap range, stands Chapter Master Temperus Maximum himself. An AdMech representative, Magos Errant Gjarran 3FF stands some ways to my left. I am sure I sense fear in the writhing of its mechadendrites.

Two long lines of Angry Marines, each four long files of seven hundred ranks, stretch out behind us in a widening wedge, as though to flaunt the Codex Astartes prohibition on companies larger than a thousand. Aside from their numbers and their angry yellow banners, the most striking sight to one accustomed to other Astartes chapters is the conspicuous lack of bolt pistols in favour of a second chainsword or the heaviest of heavy weapons.

I also note that customary Space Marine practice is to greet newcomers with weapons RAISED, not brandished threateningly -- and thus also pointed directly at my back.

On either side of these lines there mills a mob of chapter serfs, aspirants, servitors and ordinary ship's crew. Banners burn with the emblematic angry face and raised yellow middle finger.

I now hear the stomp of boots but haven't caught sight of the 100 who will be the first in history to join the Angry Marines from outside their chapter. Having already written off my own life, I find myself idly wondering if anyone has warned them of what they will encounter. We went through sixteen liaisons in as many weeks before we started to get the hang of their red lines. How many of these "Primadonna Marines" will survive the year?

Ah, there they are. They march in a column five across, twenty files deep. I see the first file now...

I had heard that these new marines were taller but the effect is staggering. Every Space Marine inspires terrified awe with their size, their power, and above all their devotion to the Emperor. These new Primaris radiate the same majesty... perhaps it is as they humbly claim, that they are no better than their other battle brothers, but they are certainly... newer.

As my eyes take in the holy might of the Emperor's newest instruments, my trained Inquisitor's eye perceives what at first was a vague impression. The specifications of these marines' armor, while taller and sleeker than earlier models, are in fact even sleeker than the schematics of the Mark X Tacticus Armour I have memorised as a matter of course.

How strange. Thinner in the waist. Wider at the hips. Bulkier at the chest... at the bust!

Subtle as the difference is, certainly not detracting from their power and terror, their armour is unquestionably FEMALE.

How?

Before anyone speaks the center Primaris of their first file--surely their Lieutenant--is removing his helmet... HER helmet. By the Emperor! As strong and intimidating and, well, grizzled a face as any Space Marine's, and yet entirely feminine. Long luxurious red hair is cascading down her shoulders... by the Emperor, to live to see these days!

No word yet from the Angry Marines. I fear the worst. I'm enabling my audio pickup; it may well outlive me.

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: WELL FUCK ME IT'S THE MUTE MARINES! HELLO THE FUCK TO YOU TOO, ASSHOLE!

[Assault Sergeant Dickface, interrupting]: OH NO NO FUCKING NO. NUH-UH. FUCK OFF. CHADMARINES ARE BAD ENOUGH BUT A STACY? GIRLYMAN AIN'T GONNA SHOEHORN SOME BOLTER BITCHES INTO OUR YEEEAAAARGH!!!

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: WHOOPS DID I JUST "SHOEHORN" MY FOOT UP YOUR ASS? YOU CAN EAT YOUR OWN SHIT OFF MY BOOT LATER, SERGEANT. DO I LOOK TO LIKE I'M ARMED WITH SOME PUSSIFIED BOLTER?

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: WELL FUCKING ARSECHUNKS IF THIS ISN'T A CUNTY TURN OF EVENTS. I'VE SAID FOR MONTHS YOU NU-SMURFS HAVE NO BALLS AND WHADDYA KNOW.

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: YEAH YOU CAN KISS MY TURGID OVARIES LATER FUCKLICK. LIEUTENANT PEDICABA REPORTING! BY THE EMPEROR'S SWEATY ASSCRACK WE HAVE ARRIVED THROUGH THE WARP INTACT, ONLY ONE LITTLE FUCKSLEAZE DAEMON INCURSION NEEDED ITS SHIT PUSHED IN. ONE HUNDRED NEW ANGRY MARINES ARE YOURS TO COMMAND, MY LORD CHAPTER MASTER!

(Oh Emperor protect us, they're all removing their helmets. Blonde hair, black hair, more redheads... if it weren't for their size you'd know they weren't Sisters of Battle by their color. And their language!)

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: HEY COGBITCH, YOU SURE THOSE FAGNUTS FROM MARS SENT THE RIGHT DELiVERY?

[Magos Gjarran]: All is in order, lord Chapter Master. These are indeed the Primaris Marines assigned by my masters to your most holy Chapter, uncorrupted by the Warp and in perfect genetic order. The Machine God smiles upon your union.

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: AND YOUR ARCH-ANUS FAGMASTERS DIDN'T SEE FIT TO MENTION THEY COME WITH A CUNT APIECE?

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: YOU WANT "A PIECE" OF CUNT JUST FUCK YOUR OWN WHORE MOUTH, MY LORD.

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium, interrupting]: No!! Stop!! Please!! I can't bear it!

(Has this serf lost his mind! What is he doing?)

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium]: My lords, this cannot be! Kill me if you will, but we cannot have fucking WOMEN ruining EVERYTHING! It's all a trick by... by SLAANESH JUSTICE WARRIORS to force the evil of HEResy upon us. A trick! The holy gene-seed can't work on females! Blah!

(The Primaris nearest the serf has just spat on him. Looks like she got him right in the crotch.)

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium]: You stupid bitch! I'll fucking end you! I'll take a flamer to all the vapid whores in the Progenium! I'll...

[a distinct sizzling noise is audible]

[Interceptor Miserabila]: GUESS MY BETCHER'S GLAND WORKS AFTER ALL, HUH ASS-BADGER?

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium]: My DICK! Oh FUCK, OH EMPEROR! MY BALLS! MY BALLS ARE MELTING AWAY! AHHH!

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: "BETCHER" WEREN'T USING THOSE ANYWAY, PANSY-ASS QUEEFSNIFF.

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium]: [voice dissolves into screams and groans]

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: HEH HEH, YOU'RE ALL RIGHT. MAYBE YOU REDRAGE WHORES WON'T EMBARRASS THE REAL SOLDIERS TOO MUCH AFTER ALL. TELL YOU WHAT, LET'S WIPE OUT THE ASSCHEESE HERETICS PLANETSIDE AND I'LL LET YOU FIX ME A SANDWICH.

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: SAY THAT TO MY HAIRY PUSS, MY LORD CHAPTER MASTER PISS-BREATH. NOW ARE YOU GONNA FIND US SOME HERESY TO MURDER OR ARE YOU GOING TO STAND THERE ALL DAY LIKE YOU'RE SCARED OF A LADY?

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: WE MAKE PLANETFALL IN TWENTY MINUTES. WELCOME TO THE ANGRY MARINES... BATTLE BROTHER.

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: YEAH, SLURP SHIT SISTER.

Audio pick-up disabled. I think that was the ceremony. The Angry Marines, Primaris and all, are exchanging soldierly embraces and head-butts and marching back to the barge, chanting as one, "ALWAYS ANGRY! ALL THE TIME! ALWAYS ANGRY! ALL THE TIME!"

I'm racing down the corridor with Magos Giarran as fast as my legs will take me. You just know they're going to perform an "expedited undocking" with fucking frag grenades. Again. Planetfall in seventeen minutes. If I'm somehow not rendered into inquisitor-flavoured jello... well, I'm already praising the Emperor's unlimited munificence that I'm alive at all.

Word must get back to Mars. If the Primera mix so well even with the Angry Marines, they'll be a valuable reinforcement to all our companies. In our darkest hour, the Imperium's new hopes redouble.

+++
Thought for the Day: The Emperor has fury enough for us all.
+++

=See Also=

*[[Golden Aquilas]]: /tg/ homebrew chapter, designed to cause as much RAEG and accusations of derp as possible.
*[[Space Marines]]: Rule 63 equivalent of female Space... wait.
*[[Sisters of Battle]]: The warrior nuns of the Imperium that wear power armor, often fight with bolters and chainswords, and are in a sense the "real female space marines" of Warhammer 40,000.
*[[Stormcast Eternals]], GW's [[Warhammer Fantasy|Fantasy]] Space Marines in [[Age of Sigmar]], which can be any species and gender thanks to their magical origins. At least one Stormcast group was announced to be comprised of men and women and SURPRISE WARHAMMER SHADESPIRE WAS ANNOUNCED AND FEATURES A FEMALE STORMCAST MINIATURE. And the Sacrosanct Chamber added a bunch more.
*[[Samus]]: How about a female Primarch?
*[[Daughters of Terra]] A not-quite Space Marines Female Space Marines chapter.

=Gallery=
<center><gallery>
Image:Sisters of anger2.png|And if you think this is bad, once a month they all gain Frenzy.
Image:1227373581722.gif|Lol. Why u mad tho?
Image:Nidsrape.jpg|Brother-sister Igpay Atinlay boldly distracts the Tyranid foe.
File:Love is a Battlefield by blazbaros.png|An almost perfect example of a female space marine, complete with the typical bulky space marine form.
Image:spessbitch.jpg|Not in fact [[Horo]].
File:Female_warhammer_40k_imperium_model_--_100D0212.jpg|She'd be even scarier if she took off that mask
File:Female_space_marine_warhammer_40k_model_--_Female_Warrior_Gabs.jpg|DYKE OUTTA FUCKING NOWHERE!
File:Female_space_marine_warhammer_40k_model_--_Female_Warrior_Jayne.jpg|Your eyes should start bleeding right about now.
File:Female_space_marine_warhammer_40k_--_Ingunna_Daughter_of_Russ_by_Greymark.jpg|PMS BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!
File:1k heresy.jpg|<s>Not</s> [[Just as planned]]. Now you know why Tzeentch doesn't invite Slaanesh to his birthday parties anymore.
File:Primarchs as teen girls.png| The Emperor made the Primarchs to be the greatest human warriors of all time, but [[Warhammer_High|even they were not immune]] to [[Rule 63]].
File:Femprah_by_Mr-Culexus.jpg|She was not amused by this development.
File:Saber ultra marine.jpg|Don't piss off Mama Smurf. Your genitals will not survive.
File:Chaos saber.jpg|Somehow still less of a failure than the real Abaddon. (Of course! Her arms haven't fallen off!)
File:Belldandy_blood_raveness_for_propertyoflamb_by_elvishprincess25-d9z451u.jpg|Belldandy of the Blood Ravens... Bloody Bell?
File:Propoflambcomm_urd_space_wolf_by_elvishprincess25-db1s3ab.jpg|Urd of the Space Wolves.
File:Skuld_amg_as_wh_iron_hand_by_elvishprincess25-daeba5v.jpg|Skuld of the Iron Hands.
File:The Little Sisters of Purification 1.png| Canon or not, the ideas's been around for a while.
File:The Little Sisters of Purification 2.png| Featuring Jokaero. Yes, there is a scenario.
File:Adepta Mechania Warpsmith (Pre Heresy) 01.png|Because metal tentacle rape That's Why.
File:Ariel Ventris 01.png
</gallery></center>

[[Category:Imperial]][[Category:Space Marines]][[Category:RAGE]]

Hivestrain Azure

2018-09-25T12:17:48Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB:

{{Story}}
{{/d/}}
{{Promotions}}
TL;DR: genestealer fapmatirial that would make /d/ blush

Lance Corporal Alicia Kell groaned softly as she slowly came to. Her head was spinning non-stop, and a creeping sense of queasiness knotted the inside of her stomach. Her transport ship had put to port on Keylos V, a trading hub on the edge of Segmentum Trinaris - a stopover en route to their next deployment, still eight light years out in another system. The Commander had been kind enough to declare a general period of R&R for the whole division for the next two days, and the past twenty-four hours had been a blur of rich and delicious solid, non-gruel, non-cubed foodstuffs and bootleg gin scored in back alleys of Keylos V's major port, Astratum.

The last thing she remembered was getting dragged to some dance hall hosted in the shell of an abandoned manufactorum, where she had met some local boy named... Greg? Griswold? It had started with a G, but he had had the most interesting blue eyes and the strangest, most masculine aura about him. She dimly remembered flirting up a storm while downing enough wine and brandy to tank a grox. The errant memory of booze sent her stomach flipping again and she shook her head about, cracking open an eye to try and figure out where she had finally flopped.
The air was musky, and sweetly scented by incense candles. By the looks of it she was in someone's fancy boudoir - laid out on a plush four poster bed with gauzy linen curtains, and real wood framing. She sucked in a deep breath and groaned, trying to sit up, only to find herself interrupted by silken bonds strapping her wrists and ankles to the beds. By the Emperor, how drunk had she gotten last night?

She hoped at least, that this was G-something's bed she had wound up in.

Unable to move, she took stock. Strangely, she was only partially nude - her guard issued jumper, undershirt and trousers had been stripped off, and were neatly laid out on a chair she could see across the room, but her under things - an unfortunately rather unsexy standard issue guard briefs and an athletic support bra - were still on, the elastic in them digging uncomfortably into her skin and making her aware she felt strangely hot and sensitive. Probably from the hangover.

"Hello?" she called out hoarsely, "Is anyone there? I'm ah... stuck here, and I can't remember-"
The sound of movement, a doorway opening, cut her off, drawing her attention to the shadows beyond the incense candles which lit the room. A figure approached the bed, large and masculine in shape, before stooping down and brushing the curtains aside.

"Well hello, sleepy head," G-Something said with a smile, his deep blue eyes mesmerizing in the candlelight, "I see you're finally awake." Unlike Alicia he was fully clothed - well clothed in fact, dressed in formal robes and raiments like he was some sort of priest going to a church function. This started to set off the 'oh shit' alarms in Alicia's head, but she kept her cool, smiling back weakly. "Uhm, hey, Greg right? It's great to see you, could you uhm, untie me please I'm getting a little uncomfortable."

The man smiled and shook his head. "It's Gabriel, actually, but as drunk as you were last night I'm not surprised you don't remember. How are you feeling?" Alicia frowned, noting how he has pointedly avoided her request, and tentatively tensed at her bonds, stretching them slightly to see if they had any give. Her 'Oh Shit' alarm was now at full klaxon, and she wondered just what she had gotten herself into.

"Oh, I'm fine," she lied, "Just a little stiff you know...feeling a little sick, like I could stand to use the bathroom? I don't want to, ah, get your nice bed all dirty," she said, shifting slightly, trying to find a better position of leverage for her legs. 'Gabriel' chuckled and leaned over her prone form, staring into her eyes. Despite herself, she felt a strange thrill run through her body, a trill of excitement, coupled with a faint sense of ease and wellbeing. He reached out with his hand, cool against her skin, and brushed some of her hair aside with gentle affection.
"No Alicia," he said, still smiling that kind, confident smile, "You're not feeling that sick, I don't think. We were very careful with your dose. And the anti-intoxicants I slipped into your drink at the party should have taken affect hours ago."

Aware in the back of her mind that his words were quite alarming and she was probably in some deep and bizarre shit, and despite the strange lulling sense of well-being that seemed to emanate from Gabe's eyes, she willed her body to struggle violently, thrashing against her bonds trying to get loose. "L-look Gabe," she said, forcing anger and confidence into her voice she wasn't feeling, "I don't know what we did while I was drunk, but I don't fancy this creepy bondage shit. Untie me, right now," she commanded, pointedly looking away from him and glaring at the ceiling of the bed, just past his head.

Gabriel ignored her struggles and demands, watching her with that strange smile of his, seemingly confident in her inability to fight him or get free. After she stopped straining for a moment, he laid a finger across her lips gently, and leaned down close to her face. "Shhhh," he whispered, his lips nearly brushing hers, "This is a great moment for all of us, Alicia. But you especially. You're the perfect girl," he smiled and said appreciatively.

His hand brushed her cheek, and the fight seemed to drop out of her as she slumped back into the bed confused. His hand traveled downward, caressing her neck with light fingertips, causing her to shiver. Further down it ran, to her chest, fingertips running between her breasts before cupping one of her firm, ripe mammaries, straining against the confines of her athletic bra. She was no Itraxian pleasure girl, and a guardswoman's life didn't leave much room for softness, but they were still large and firm and capped with readily apparent nipples, rapidly hardening beneath the cloth of her brassiere. Alicia's breath quickened, confused by the excitement coursing through her and how it was overriding her instinctual sense of wrongness about the entire situation. She squirmed, uncertain if she was trying to get his hand to rub against her chest more, or get away from his groping fingers which began to rub circles around her hardening nipples.

Downward his hand continued, tracing over her firm, washboard stomach, made hard and firm by the athletic rigors of warfare, but kept somehow soft and smooth by whatever strong femininity had endowed her being. He stroked her side, seeming to marvel at how her hips curved outward from her narrow waist, to adequate hips and a firm and toned bottom. He paused briefly to squeeze it, feeling again the curious mixture of strength and softness that seemed to play out all over her body, smirking at her confused and excited squeak before seeking out and running his hand down her sculpted and muscular legs.

"Yes," he finally said, smiling as he admired her like some sort of prize, "Absolutely perfect. You'll be a wonderful addition to the family." Climbing off of her, he slid off the bed, parting the curtains behind him.

"F-Family?" Stammered Alicia, aroused and confused, the strange sense of well-being that had numbed her fading as Gabriel drew away, permitting the gnawing fear in her stomach to once again check her thoughts. She tensed futilely at her bonds, which seemed inexhaustibly strong despite their silky softness, and she abruptly found herself wondering what they were made of. They seemed to be some sort of textile of milky white thread, not wholly woven, but somehow extruded, organic in appearance. Like a spiders web. The thought sent a chill down her spine.

"Yes," replied Gabriel, stepping back from the bed with a smile and beckoning to someone outside the door, "A large, wondrous family, full of love and companionship. And they want you to join, Alicia, to carry us with you into the stars."

Alicia heard the clicking of chitin claws on the hard-wood floors, and a sensation of absolute bone chilling terror shot through her as muddy memories of briefings long past suddenly clicked into awareness of her current situation. As it entered the room, she screamed - in denial, in horror, in loathing, and though she would not admit it buried deep beneath all that, in a strange sense of excitement.

"Help!" She shrieked, "Help, somebody, help!" For through the door prowled the most foul Xenos she had ever laid eyes on - an insectoid horror with azure, chitin plates covering a sinewy body with too many arms, each hooked in wicked claws. From its mouth, filled with rows of razor sharp teeth slavered a long and thin tongue, a tentacle like appendage that flicked to and fro obscenely, tasting at the air.

"Help!" She continued to scream, "Oh gods, Emperor someone save me! It's a Xenos! Someone, please!" she shrieked as the beast turned to look at her, and Gabriel began to hum a hymn quietly to himself, lighting another incense candle. It prowled across the floor towards her, sinuous and predatory, its muscular grace belied by the smoothness of its movements. Even in her terrified state, Alicia found herself admiring the creature, awed by the sheer danger and restrained power it exuded.

The closer it drew, the quieter her screams became. A strange sense of well-being once again washed over her, and she found it more and more difficult to muster up the strength to scream. How much better was it to stare at its eyes - its curious, piercing blue eyes, like Gabriel's but shining all the brighter. It stopped at the foot of the bed and flicked its tongue, bobbing its head back and forth curiously.

Alicia whimpered.

Prowling forward, the creature climbed atop the bed, its weight causing the frame to creak beneath them. Settling atop her with its weight rested on its haunches at either side of her, the [[Genestealer]] leaned in close as Gabriel had, to look to her eye to eye. She began to hear a song, haunting and beautiful, and so calming. A sense of euphoria and serenity washed over her, and her lips parted in a small gasp.

The Genestealer canted its head and licked her, its appendage sliding up the nape of her neck and across her cheek. It tickled, and left a strange tingling sensation in its wake, and Alicia squirmed beneath it, confused by its gentility and her own unnatural feelings, growing within her.

Abruptly, the creature leaned back, and with a lightning swipe of its claws, claws which could shred plasteel bulkheads and crumple power armor, her athletic bra was shredded, exposing her pert breasts and hardened nipples. Slivers of heat ran across her chest where its claws must have grazed her, no more than a micrometer close, or else she knew it would have cut her flesh like butter.

She cried out in shock, in fear, in excitement. The Genestealer dipped its head and lashed its tongue back and forth, flicking the aural tentacle across her nipples, sending shocks of pleasure through her body. Whatever the appendage was coated with felt amazing on her skin, and she felt her nipples become puffy and sensitive, even as she found herself growing moist between her thighs unbidden.

Nuzzling her stomach with its bulbous head almost affectionately, the creature shuffled its way further downward, before becoming head level with her crotch. Even through the psychically induced passivity, and the chemically induced arousal that was warming her entire body, she felt fear and trepidation trill through her. She sobbed with a mixture of horror and arousal as its jaws set against the crotch of her underwear, its teeth gently grazing the flesh below the fabric, causing goose bumps to raise on her flesh as its tongue rubbed against her slit through the linen.

Abruptly it pulled back, just a few inches, before gripping her underwear with its lethal claws and shredding it off like wrapping paper. She felt the cool chitin of its body sliding against her skin, and her most intimate of areas. She felt herself becoming aroused beyond belief.

Leaning forward once more, the creature's mouth pressed to her groin, its long prehensile tongue flicking teasingly against her bare flesh. She gasped, a shock of pleasure washing over her as aphrodisiacs soaked through her skin and into her bloodstream, filling her with a sense of painful arousal and desire. She moaned, half in despair and half with want, and the creature responded by finally, blessedly, plunging its tongue inside of her.

Alicia arched her back off the bed and shrieked, unbelievable sensations washing over her, radiating out from her ground. The long, thin tongue swelled slightly inside her, swishing to and fro, rubbing against her walls and finding her most intimate spots. She saw spots as the creatures incredible lingual dexterity pleased her in ways no lovers mouth ever had before, and its tip reached all the way inside of her to tickle the exterior of her cervix.

She came in a few moments, moaning gutturally and with wanton abandon. All of her fear and revulsion washed away on a tide of coital bliss, and she arched her hips towards the creature's mouth on trembling legs, sobbed praise spilling out of her lips as she mindlessly thanked the creature over and over.

She sank back onto the mattress drained. The creature drew its tongue out of her, causing sympathetic twitches to run through her body, and she trembled with the aftershocks of another smaller orgasm. She lay there gasping, flushed, looking all for a wanton harlot, finely fucked and only desiring more. Gabriel looked across the room and chuckled.

"Good Alicia, very good," he said in a soothing voice, his words comforting to her on some deep, primal level. "You've begun the first step to joining our family. The great-father has blessed you to carry his young. When you go forth from us, you will breed, and when you do, a wonderful child of prophecy will be born, a new scion of the family." Gabriel beamed at her, immensely pleased.

"Now, he will anoint you with the holy seed," Gabriel continued as the Genestealer reared up, once more climbing atop of her on the bed, "fortifying your weak mortal form to better carry the lineage, and to hide his touch from the prying eyes of our enemies who would look within your blood." Alicia was only dimly aware of the prophet's words as he spoke, her eyes gazing upon the Genestealer with glazed wonder. Upon its underbelly, where its hind legs intersected, there was a sack of flesh - which began pulsing and growing.

Alicia watched in awe as the sack swelled, then spread apart, making way for a long and ridged phallus like appendage, hard as bone, yet somehow supple and soft like flesh. Alicia moaned in wanton desire as the Genestealer peered at her, making clicking sounds in the back of its throat. It was the most magnificent cock she had ever gazed upon, and it wasn't even attached to a human. Unbidden, she spread her legs.

Ignoring her gesture for the moment, the Genestealer clambered forward, dragging its searing hot member across her body. She felt it slide between her breasts, and for a brief moment wished her hands were free so she could cup it there and stroke its magnificence with her cleavage. It moved its hips back and forth briefly, rubbing the oily member across her chest before prowling forward and placing its tip against her mouth.

Understanding what was desired of her, she parted her lips and suckled on the tip, feeling its heat with the tip of her tongue. The beast surged forward, sinking more and more of its prodigious length into her mouth as she suckled wantonly, rubbing every inch with her moist lips and tongue. Its impressive girth began to cause her to choke even as she struggled to take more of it within her, and tears sprang unbidden to her eyes. But then, wondrously, its length began to excrete a sweet-tasting oil, and as she suckled she felt her jaw numb and her throat relax. Eyelids drooping, she suckled contentedly on its length as it began to thrust in and out of her throat, trilling softly at her while psychic voices sang soothingly to her in her mind. One of its pairs of arms slipped under her head and upper back, tilting her upwards and supporting her as it steadily thrust away. Her pussy longed to be touched, but she couldn't imagine ever giving up this taste - its hot, masculine girth filling her mouth, and the sweet but musky flavor that washed over her tongue as she lapped at the underside of the Genestealer's cock with loving attention.

She found herself wishing her hands were free, and returned efforts back to the creature that humped steadily at her face, bobbing her head in time with its thrusts and suckling upon it as hard as she could as she swirled her tongue over what was accessible to her. The creature trilled once more, louder, and suddenly erupted, spilling its strange tasting seed over her tongue before surging forward and burying itself into her throat, ejaculating its essence inside of her and making certain not a drop was spilled. The voices soothed her, and told her what a good girl she was, and her eyes rolled upwards in pleasure, feeling a euphoria not unlike an orgasm from the simple act of submission.

The Genestealer pulled its protrusion from her mouth, still throbbing and hard despite having just ejaculated whatever strange substance it had seeded her with, as the voices once more told her how nice it was to submit and obey. It skittered backwards across the bed, its cock bobbing in the air. Alicia parted her thighs invitingly, biting her lower lip in hope. She felt a thrill of joy run through her as its hips dipped down and lined itself up with her cunt. "Please," she whispered, every thought pushed out of her head but that of the heat inside of her, "please fuck me."

It wasn't clear if the creature understood her words, but it certainly understood her submission, and it surged forward, burying its length to the hilt inside her pussy. Alicia gasped, overwhelmed by the sensation of thing filling her, spasming within her bonds. It began to hammer away, claws gripping the side of the bed for leverage as it thrust in and out of her, its strange insectile crotch mashing against her hips over and over. She began to cry out, not in fear but in delight, vocalizing her pleasure as the bizarre xenos cock stretched her to the point it ached, each moment begging for more. Another of its pair of arms reached out to the organic bonds that still held her wrists and ankles and shredded them, freeing her limbs. She threw her legs around its awkward frame in joy and marveled at the feel of its smooth chitinous plates beneath her hands as she gave herself to her inhuman 'lover', as she now thought of it, worshiping its body as it filled her. The Genestealer plowed on, tongue slavering back and forth, giving no outward indication of pleasure, but making soothing trilling noises at her as it thrust deep within her velvety folds.

Abruptly it surged forward, its length swelling as it began to pump fluid into her. Warmth washed into her and she knew on some level that this substance was different, somehow, than the one she had swallowed. The sensation filled her with elation, and she orgasmed twice as it pumped steadily into her - cresting once as the fluid first hit her womb, and then again as it ground against her to finish its final spurts. Then, the alien withdrew, its phallic protuberance finally shrinking and withdrawing into its pouch as it clambered off of her and dispassionately left the room without a second look. Alicia shuddered and fingered her abused slit, delightfully sore from its stretching, and stroked her stomach with a placid and beatific smile on her face.

"Welcome to the family, Sister," Gabriel chimed in softly from across the room, his expression much pleased. "Great things will come from you."

-

by Annonymouse

Raw unedited Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/aFBAbc0N

[[Category:Stories/Warhammer 40,000]]
[[Category:Heresy]]
[[Category:Warhammer_40,000]]

Tyranid Bio-Weapons

2018-09-25T08:47:54Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Drool Cannon */

In the [[Grimdark|relentless cheerfulness]] of the [[40k|far future]], the weapons used by the [[Tyranids]] are, just like their armies, home-grown. Instead of using metal, the Tyranids use the growth of symbiotic organs, inseparable from their hosts and are counted together as a single bio-organism. Some of them fire a "dumb" projectile like a spike, whereas other use seeds or even acids and living creatures, because just plain ''bullets'' are for pussies. The downside to this is that these '''Tyranid bio-weapons''' are incapable of the explosive firepower that [[Template:40k-Imperial-Weapons|Imperial]], [[Eldar]] and [[Tau]] guns have. They all trade this disadvantage in for being Assault weapons, meaning they can be fired on the move. Also, the explosive firepower is instead exchanged for more... interesting and strategic effects. Another note is that due to their appearance, Tyranid weapons are some of the most badass and phallic looking in the entirety of 40k.

Many of these weapons can be used by creatures of different sizes, but for the sake of simplicity the weapons have been ordered by the smallest creature that can use them. Small creatures are the equivalent of [[Termagaunt|Gaunts]], Medium are those comparable to [[Tyranid Warrior]]s and [[Biovore]]s, and Large are those akin to [[Hive Tyrant|Tyrants]] and [[Carnifex|Carnifexes]]. Then there are two other categories: the Inbuilt weapons, often part of the upper bodies of the largest organisms, and the Melee weapons for the more [[Choppa|choppy]] inclined creatures.

==Small==
Small weapons are used by Termagants, the working class of any Tyranid army, and [[Gargoyle]]s.

===Devourer===
[[File:Dev6.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Devourer]]
The '''Devourer''' is simply a lump of flesh that launches a shower of worms onto a target that immediately start to [[Grimdark|burrow into the target, crawl up to its brain and devour it alive]]. Like all Tyranid weapons, the Devourer uses a bio-electric jolt (GeeDubs way of simply saying it fires via the nervous system) to promptly tell the lazy fuckers sleeping inside to get to work.

A much larger version called the Brainleech Devourer is mounted only on larger Tyranid organisms and uses specialize Brainleech worms that are far more aggressive and voracious.

This weapon has a nice range and acceptable firepower for a weapon of its size, albeit it doubles your Termagaunts in cost (while tripling their number of ranged attacks per round, a very economical way to increase dakka as long as you protect your Gaunts somehow. As of 6th edition, you can have mixed weapon options now so throw up a wall of spinegants or something). If you take this weapon in large broods, you will be aiming at your enemy's biggest units to just drown the suckers in dozens of shots.

===Fleshborer===
[[File:FB6.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Fleshborer]]
The '''Fleshborer''' is one of the most iconic Tyranid weapons, a simple design that fires a borer beetle that eats its way through anything it comes across during its flight. Like the Devourer and most Nid firearms, the Fleshborer can only be fired by its respective host, [[Heresy|unless some mad scientist from the Imperium decides its a good idea to attach some electrodes to the weapon like Frankenstein.]] Because the borer beetle is a ''particularly'' lazy fucker, more electro-shocks is required to jolt their asses into action.

[[Derp|For some....reason.]] Some Mago Xenobiologi speculate that the Fleshborer itself (The gun that is) [[Wat|is related to the borer beetle or is an evolutionary niche for the borer beetle.]] They state that the gun <u>IS</u> the mother that lays the eggs which means that [[What|each mature beetle somehow metamorphose into a gun.]] [[Herp|We usually know the GW is pretty bad at simple biology, but this is beyond ridiculous and ludicrous.]] Why the Hive Mind thought it was a good idea to make a creature mature into a immobile and helpless creature unless picked up specifically by a Tyranid is a [[Fail]] of epic proportions. It could be that mature female beetles simply merge themselves with regular tyranid organisms, similar to male anglerfish, just the opposite sex.

Being the basic weapon for Termagaunts, it has the same stats as an ordinary Bolt Pistol. It will still prove to be more than enough to kill anything with toughness of 7 or less and AV10, as long as you have a lot of them. Tyranids being what they are, you will almost always have a lot of them. Range 12, strength 4, AP 5, and it is an assault 1 weapon.

===Spike Rifle===
[[File:Spike-Rifles-5-1024x768.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Spike Rifle]]
The '''Spike Rifle''' is a weapon exclusive to Termagaunts. It is, simply put, a harpoon launcher. That's about it.

More specifically its mechanics are like....exactly the same as a regular harpoon launcher just that the string and trigger are alive and swell. It is essentially a bony tube lined with cord muscles that is compressed like a coil. Once the Nid relaxes the muscles, the stored energy pushes the row of harpoon-like spikes into the adjacent target. The barbs are fucking sharp though; able to tear at a victim's arteries and cause them to bleed to death. To make it even more killy the barbs and the gun itself is laced with acidic veins and toxin sacs to make any scratch almost always fatal. Whilst it can puncture Jimmy's [[Flak Armor]], don't think it would do quite swell with [[Power Armor]].

Statwise it's less imposing than it's description: range 18", S3, AP-, Assault 1. Only use these if you do not want to pump a huge amount of points into Devourers but you do not want half your brood to not be able to fire when the Devilgaunts do. Otherwise avoid them...because they suck.

===Spinefists===
[[File:Spinefist6.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Spinefist]]
A lighter weapon, the '''Spinefists''' are used in pairs. They are the more [[Dakka]] version of the Bio-Weapons and are used more akin to a Uzi with shittier penetration and more poison.

They shower the target with a hail of poisoned spikes, the sheer amount of darts fired ensure that the target is hit. A tube runs from the air sac powering the weapon, through the user's arm to its lungs. This means that larger creatures get more mileage out of what is essentially the same weapon, proving that even something as simple as a blowgun can be [[Warp|horribly perverted]] by the grim darkness of the far future.

As of 8E, they act like pistols, which means Raveners (and Rippers, which get the similar Spinemaw) can shoot, get stuck in, and still fire off a few shots without having to disengage first.

===Strangleweb===
[[File:Strangleweb.PNG|200px|right|thumb|Strangleweb]]
With this weapon, your Tyranids too can learn [[Meme|how to shot web]]. Essentially a Tyrannid [[Webber]].

The effects of the '''Strangleweb''' can be described best as a non-cutting variation of the Death Spinner used by the Warp Spiders: instead of slicing through their opponents, it constricts them, and maybe crushes them to death.

That's a pretty big maybe: wounding even basic Guardsmen at 5+ and rolling against Strength instead of Toughness to wound means that this weapon would be best if used against the likes of the [[Death Guard]]... if shooting them wasn't a stupid idea for a Tyranid player in the first place ''AND'' if you could take more than 1 of them per 10 Gaunts.

{{clear}}

==Medium==
Medium weapons are used by Warriors and organisms based on the -[[Biovore|Vore]] and -[[Tyrant_Guard|Guard]] body archetypes.

===Barbed Strangler===
[[File:BarbedStrangler6.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Barbed Strangler]]
Remember that 70's cult classic Zardoz? [[James_Bond|Sean Connery]] dressed in [[Slaanesh|red gimp getup]] and killing dudes like he's [[Khârn]], at the behest of a giant floating head that claims that "The gun is good, the penis is evil." because the penis shoots seeds that create life? Well, the '''Barbed Strangler''' chooses to be both. The gun is very basic, [[Brundlepenis|a muscled tube that stores its seeds in a sack at the base, and shoots them with a powerful spasm along with a fair helping of a corrosive oil.]]

The seed upon impact has its nigh-unbreakable shell melted by the oil and sends tendrils to [[rip and tear]] through anything that gets in its way. Using the large blast template, you can cause a lot of damage to a [[Tarpit|blob]] in a single shot. It also pins but that comes into play very little given that most armies are either largely fearless, ignore pinning anyway, or have LD values good enough to reliably ignore it anyway. With 8e, it traded off the blast template and Pinning for Assault D6 and a bonus to hit when targeting large units, which is a fair trade given the lackluster BS of the average Tyranid.

===Deathspitter===
[[File:51-10I 81635.1399044187.500.750.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Deathspitter]]
The traditional weapon of the Warrior, the '''Deathspitter''' works by stripping a large maggot off of it's shell and hurling it at the enemy. Its [[Rip and tear|huge guts]] are highly corrosive and can splatter several enemies at once. The adaptive evolution of the [[Hive Fleet Hydra]]'s slimer maggots make their Deathspitters even more lethal; the maggots could burrow through the target's flesh and then [[FATAL| repeatedly fragment and regenerat themselves]]. [[Slaugth|The victims literally burst out with the ever increasing mass of wriggling grubs.]]

Serving as a decent weapon against [[MEQ]]s, the weapon relies on its rate of fire to deal damage.

===Flamespurt Cannon===
''See main article here: [[Flamer#Tyranid Flamespurt Cannon|Tyranid Flamespurt Cannon]]''

===Impaler Cannon===
[[File:ImpalerCannon.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Impaler Cannon]]
The '''Impaler Cannon''' is your answer to anything up to AV 12.

This beautiful gun fires a bony spine, steered by a shard-beast at the base of the spine, [[Rip and tear|whose innards are ripped from its body when the spike is fired]]. The spines are launched with enough force to rip through man and machine alike.

Though its range is limited you do not have to actually see your target to be able to shoot it, without a significant downside. Oh, and it has a higher rate of fire than the Imperium-equivalent, the Missile Launcher. What's not to like? This is your go-to weapon for dealing with [[METAL BAWKSES]].

===Shock Cannon===
[[File:Niddex2014e.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Shock Cannon]]
Sometimes shortened to Shockcannon.

Used by Hive Guard, the '''Shock Cannon''' shoots out a claw over a considerable distance which latches on to its target and delivers a powerful bio-electric shock, disabling or even destroying a vehicle. Ostensibly, a big fucking meat taser.

On tabletop the Shock Cannon is the Hive Guard's primary anti-vehicle weapon. It's decent enough at S7 AP-1 d3 Damage, but if it rolls 4+ on Wound against a vehicle, it issues a Mortal Wound that coincidentally makes its low AP completely irrelevant. Roll a 6+, and that becomes d3 Mortal Wounds. Thanks to the change from small templates to D3 shots, this is now actually plenty scary against vehicles of any size.

===Spore Mine Launcher===
[[File:Spore_Mine_Launcher.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Spore Mine Launcher]]
The more explosive (and useful) Dakka to the Flamespurt's fiery Dakka.

Created as a result of fights against the Imperial Guard, the Biovore displays this by being the Tyranids' closest thing to an artillery piece and having a massive scrotum befitting a Guardsman's huge brazen balls. Armed with the '''Spore Mine Launcher''', it can lob Spore Mines a considerable range; living bombs that blanket victims in acid, poisonous gas, and shrapnel-sized chitin spines.

Though not as deadly as [[Basilisk|most other artillery weapons]], the Spore Mines are unique in the way that if they don't land too close to the enemy, you can deploy them onto the battlefield as living mines, serving as an obstacle for your enemy that must be either moved around or shot. Generally more useful in larger point games or [[Apocalypse]].

===Venom Cannon===
[[File:VC6.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Venom Cannon]]
Seen as the primary anti-tank weapon, the '''Venom Cannon''' launches a hail of corrosive crystals by way of a biological railgun. Though not as effective as you'd wish, the Venom Cannon can cause quite some hurt on [[Eldar|Aspect Warriors]] and the like.

It is ineffective against heavy tanks but okay against transports and open-topped vehicles, though its primary targets should always be medium infantry. Because you know, a single shot S6 AP4 small blast weapon with only 36 inches of range that you can only have one of per (heinously expensive and surprisingly fragile) warrior brood is clearly the bestest anti-vehicle gun ever. See Dawn of War II for how they should work and cry bitterly. You're best off giving this gun a pass.

Slightly buffed in 8th along with the blast weapon changes. It is now Assault d3 with S8 and AP-2. Bit better at least.

==Large==
Here the most powerful and biggest weapons the Tyranids have are described, used by the biggest and baddest of nasties.

===Acid Spray===
[[File:Acid_Spray.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Acid Spray]]
Yo dawg, I heard you like [[Hellhound]]s so I put a [[Flamer|discharge of digestive fluids]] that works just like a Hellhound's weapon on your Tyranid MC and upped its cost by 100+ points. That's pretty much the gist of the '''Acid Spray'''. The problem is that you have a lot of weapons with stats like that, so using an expensive MC (though well armored) that attracts fire like there's no tomorrow is a bad idea.

In terms of fluff, the Acid Spray is a Tyranid Biomorph found on larger creatures such as the [[Tyrannofex]]. This bioweapon stores huge amounts of highly acidic digestive fluids, then sprays it over a wide area. The acid melts through body armor with shocking ease and reduces its victims to shapeless goo.

===Bio-plasmic Cannon===

''See main article here: [[Plasma#Bio-Plasmic Cannon|Bio-Plasmic Cannon]]''

===Brainleech Devourer===
[[File:Brainleech_Devourer.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Brainleech Devourer]]
Get a regular Devourer and then force feed it growth horomones. You get the Brainleech variety.

The biggest of Tyranids have devourers loaded with '''Brainleech Worms''' instead, a species larger and even more aggressive and hungry than the regular devourer worms. These are used for when the [[Hive Mind]] ''really'' got sick of all these blobs and want to shower them in hungry insects.

Range: 18", S6, AP-, Assault 6. If you're not using two sets of Twin-Linked Brainleech Devourers on your Flying Hive Tyrant and any Carnifexes you're fielding, you're [[fail|doing it wrong]].

In 8th edition. It is a bigger devourer with +2 Strength and double the shots for the MONSTERS in the Tyranid force. Comes as a pair so it puts out 12 shots. Two sets of these gives 24 shots, pretty good overall, made even better with the Pathogenic Slime strategem.

===Drool Cannon===
[[File:DroolCannon.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Drool Cannon]]
The weapon with [[Derp|the funny name.]]

The Drool Cannon is a type of Tyranid Biomorph found on the [[Hive Crone]]. Protruding from the Crone's mouth, the Drool Cannon vomits a wave of digestive juices upon its foes. The acidic bile originates from sacs carried on the Crone's underbelly. Because of the way the Drool Cannon interferes with the Hive Crone's mouth, it is unknown why the Hive Mind thought it is still viable to waste resource on its sharp teeth (maybe it's retractable?).

So yeah, the Nids have literal super spit, like the [[Space Marines]], but they actually use it repeatedly rather than for [[Plot Armor|plot reasons.]] Although knowing how fast some factions fly their planes, it must be one heck of a spit for it to hit anything at all.

For crunch, it is the [[Hive Crone]]'s answer to the [[Heldrake]] Baleflamer, except lacking Torrent and a good AP value and pretty much anything good, including its icky name. Template S6 AP4.

===Fleshborer Hive===
[[File:Fleshborer_Hive.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Fleshborer Hive]]
Think the [[Leman_Russ_Battle_Tank|Leman Russ Punisher]], but replace the Punisher gun with a '''Fleshborer Hive'''. That's about it. Because sometimes you have just run out of Troops choices (how one runs out of termagants is another question), and you just need 20 Termagants worth of Fleshborer fire on a tough platform.

Consisting of a large colony of the same breed of borer beetles found in the simple fleshborer, the fanged creatures stored in the bloated sacs of the hive lay thousands of eggs that hatch and mature at a fast rate within the chambers of the brood nest.

Needless to say, this is shit. Also,the fluff states that it must periodically discharge beetles or it makes the [[Wat|Tyrannofex explode.]] [[FAIL|The Hive Mind proves its genius yet again.]] In 8th, the stats are still sucky, but it can fire twice if the Tyrannofex doesn't move. 40 shots a turn for a respectable amount of biological dakka.

In 8th edition it has recieved a much needed buff. [[Dakka|It's a Heavy 20 Fleshborer at S5.]] Because of the short range it's not as impressive as the Rupture Cannon, but the ability to bring a portable Fire Warrior squad's worth of firepower with you is nothing to scoff at, especially if it gets to shoot twice while standing still. The Scorch Bugs Stratagem makes it absolutely terrifying.

Also if you have trypophobia (fear of holes), this ''may'' not be the best weapon to use on tabletop. Chances of projectile vomiting. Too high.

[[Tl;dr]], its a weapon that you can fire from you fucking forearm. Bioshock indeed.

===Heavy Venom Cannon===
[[File:Heavy_VC.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Heavy Venom Cannon]]
The '''Heavy Venom Cannon''' is just that: a bigger version of the Venom Cannon able to deal with bigger vehicles, and it would be a lot more reliable if it wasn't using a Blast template. Can be used against tanks up to [[Land Raider]]s, but lack the firepower to deal reliably with them and lacks the armor penetration to deal with [[MEQ]]s on a consistent basis.

It is slightly better on Carnifexes than it's littler brother is on Warriors primarily because you can actually field the things in bulk...sort of. It's still not particularly good; but it's passable on a bio-blast brood if you don't want more dakkafexes for some insane reason. In 8th, it is largely the same as the regular Venom Cannon with one more strength (S9) and 3 damage per shot making it excellent elire infantry killers and decent anti tank

===Rupture Cannon===
[[File:Rupture_Cannon.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Rupture Cannon]]
Think of it as a Tyranid Vanquisher Cannon.

If you want to stop a tank dead in its tracks, the '''Rupture Cannon'''(a fluff-wise bigger barbed strangler) is your friend. Firing two projectiles in a short succession, a tick that covers the enemy in a gooey substance, and a seed that upon impact with the goo dissolves at such speed which triggers a chemical implosion powerful enough to turn a [[Baneblade]] inside out.

That's what the fluff says, anyway - while it boasts a commanding s10, it strikes at AP 4, so MEQs don't even notice it.

In 8th however, it got horrifyingly good. It's now a 3 SHOT LASCANNON with an extra point of S, and the Tyrannofex can fire ''twice'' when it stays still. MEQs will definitely notice it now, but it's much better against vehicles; up to 6 S10 AP-3 D6 damage shots per shooting phase will ensure that even Knights and Land Raiders will feel the hurt.

===Stranglethorn Cannon===
[[File:Stranglethorn_Cannon.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Stranglethorn Cannon]]
An upscaled version of the Barbed Strangler (thus it fires much larger, stronger, and more aggressive seed-pods), the '''Stranglethorn Cannon''' has enough power to deal with even the toughest of foes, and serves as a borderline artillery weapon. The growing pod's mass of barbed tentacles can grasp onto the armor plating of vehicles and rip them to pieces.

It has the same AP as it's smaller brother, and the same blast size and pinning rule, but now it has S6 which means it can now pile on hurt better and harass light vehicles.

In 8th edition it is a bigger Barbed Strangler with +2 Strength for the MONSTERs in the Tyranid force. Keeps the above +1 to hit rule and also inflicts 1 more damage. Kills light Infantry more efficiently than the HVC. Combine with Enhanced Senses and laugh at the look on your opponent's face as a Carnifex hits on a 2+ (Only if units of 10 or more). Unfortunately still only hits on a 3+ on a carnifex with enhanced senses.

===Tentaclids===
[[File:Tentaclid2.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Tentaclid]]
Flying under the wings of Hive Crones, the '''Tentaclids''' are living seeker missiles who can chase after flying targets such as enemy aircraft and disable them with a powerful bio-electric pulse.

In terms of crunch they are the Crone's big surprise. These Babies only have S5 to their name and a re-roll to hit flying units, but if they wound a vehicle on a 4+ it deals a Mortal Wound with a 6+ dealing d3 Mortal Wounds.

Unlike before, these can actually be used again and again which kind of contradicts the fluff since Hive Crones only carry four of these things...unless of course a Tentaclid is spawned from the Hive Fleet itself and homes and attaches to the nearest Hive Crone.

===Bio-Cannon===
[[File:Biocannon.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Bio-Cannon]]
The biggest motherfucking gun alive (Both figuratively and literally). The Bio-Cannon is a Tyranid Biomorph. Equipped on titan-sized creatures such as the [[Hierophant]] and [[Harridan]], the Bio-Cannon works like a giant Deathspitter; that is that it spews forth a hail of highly venomous and corrosive maggot organisms.

But these maggots are ECKS BAWKS HUEG to make it a threat to superheavies. These organisms like their smaller cousins, explode on impact, splattering a rain of bio-acid and poison that can melt through nearly any material in a matter of seconds. Of course how this affects esoteric shit like [[Void shield|Void Shields]] is unknown (Maybe it eats through Void Shields?).

On crunch, the Bio-Cannons comes in two since the Hierophant naturally twin-links these; they are S10 (which can double for the price of taking D3 mortal wounds, like tau units overcharging), AP-2, 2D6 damage (doubled against buildings and other TITANIC units). Its a shame it is the only Titan-grade Tyranid weapon though.

==Inbuilt==
Certain weapons used by the Tyranids are part of the creatures themselves, instead of being addition to the arms/back.

===Bio-Electric Pulse===
[[File:Bio-Electric_Pulse.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Bio-Electric Pulse]]
Built into the Trygon, a electrical charge is build up by the creature as it moves, allowing a powerful and [[Dakka|large]] discharge. The Trygon Prime increases the range of this blast, and doubles its rate of fire.

It is also great for tunneling which is a plus for the Trygon. They use their bio-static charge to assist with tunneling, as their tunnels have been found coated with a fused, glass-like silicate layer on the inside. This effect stabilizes the tunnel walls and prevents them from collapsing behind a burrowing Trygon. Which is stupid when given the weight and size of the Trygon. Unless it is smooth like a [[Adeptus Custodes|lubed bannana]], then there is no way such glass would withstand such violent digging. Furthermore, large vehicles and some animals could burrow efficiently without needing to turn their surroundings to glass. So this ability is quite redundant unless the Nids want to transport smaller grubs along its merry adventure.

If you don't know, the Bio-Electric Pulse <u>IS</u> the Trygon's carapace armor.

===Bio-Plasma===

''See main article here: [[Plasma#Bio-Plasma|Bio-Plasma]]''

===Cluster Spines===
[[File:Cluster_Spines.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Cluster Spines]]
Just imagine a porcupine that shoot out its spines or a [[Lizardmen]]'s Razordon.

The largest Tyranids have banks of spines build into their carapaces that they can fire when under stress. Consisting of rows of quills embedded into the carapaces of the equipped creature like a giant Porcupine. These spines are dense and hollow like a Frag Grenade and explode upon impact like one, dealing significant damage to anything in the area of impact over considerable distances. Of course, it is unknown whether these are single shot or multi-use.

Fired into densely packed groups of enemies, these spines can saturate large areas with needle-sized slivers, making them a potent anti-infantry weapon. Although given on where the Tyranid would like to grow its spines, [[Fail|it can also end up hitting nothing but air.]]

Its more anti-armor version is the Stinger Salvo.

===Flesh Hooks===
[[File:FleshHooks.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Flesh Hooks]]
Flesh Hooks are sharp barbs attached to long, sinewy tentacles, which are kept coiled close to the Lictor's rib cage, until they are fired by a powerful muscle spasm. They are the Tyranid's answer to Scorpion's sting from Mortal Kombat. So don't be too surprise if Nid players shout "Get Over Here!" every once in a while.

Until 5th Edition edition came out, nearly any species of Gaunt, Warrior and more could use these. They are long bony spines with barbed hooks on the end that serve as both harpoons and possible grapnel for climbing. The Lictor can use these hooks either to scale sheer obstacles, or to snag luckless prey and drag it into the Lictor's waiting claws. Now they're Lictor and Warrior/Shrike only (Carnifexes have access to Spine Banks, which are similar), count as Frag Grenades, and can be fired for a surprisingly deadly shot.

===Grasping Tongue===
[[File:Grasping_Tongue.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Grasping Tongue]]
The ultimate OM NOM NOM NOM NOM.

The Grasping Tongue is less of a tongue and more of a mound of tentacle claws attached to a giant mouth. This is a weapon you can see in every [[/d/|tentacle hentai]] ever and not be surprised at all. Seriously what was GW smoking?

Though technically part of an [[Haruspex]]'s body, it can use its long tongue to snag an enemy, pluck it out of its unit and devour it whole.

For 8th edition crunch, everyone's favorite [[Rape|tentacle rape]] got a pretty good buff; it's rather fierce at S6 AP-3 and d3 damage, it gains further use since it can be used within close range and regains a wound if it kills something, so it can add to survivability.

===Ripper Tentacles===
[[File:Ripper_Tentacle.jpg|110px|right|thumb|Ripper Tentacles]]
No. They are in no way related to the small, petite living stomachs called the [[Ripper|Rippers]].

However, they do bare resemblance to other tentacle-themed enemies in science fiction (Que hentai tentacle rape jokes). Possibly why this and the Mycetic Spore was canned cause they ain't copyrightable enough for GW.

Used by Mycetic Spores, the tentacles themselves consist of thick ropes of muscles and tendon. Drawn to movement, any moving foe within reach of the Tentacles will be thoroughly smashed like dough on a kitchen board.

On tabletop, these are long-ranged tentacles able to do significant damage to medium-sized blobs thanks to their high rate of fire (strange choice of words when the weapon in question is akin to beating someone over the head with a tentacle).

Of course with the fact that the [[Mycetic Spore]] has all but been <s>squatted</s> replaced by the far more modern and up-to-date [[Sporocyst]] the canon is all but up in the air with these Tentacles.

===Spore Mine Cysts===
[[File:Spore_Mine_Cysts.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Spore Mine Cysts]]
Build into the underside of a Harpy, you can have it drop a Spore Mine onto something it flew over once per game as if it was making a bombing run. The same rules for the Spore Mines as stated above count here as well. Some players have gone their way to make the Harpies ''carry'' the Spore Mines. Of course, most modern equivalent of the Spore Cyst are the two stubby looking anuses behind a Harpy. So yes, the Tyranids can actually shit explosive submunitions on their enemies.

Unfortunately it is a pretty outdated weapon, dating back to 4th edition.

In 4th Edition, Spore Cysts are found on larger Tyranids and are excretion pits for the creation of Spore Mines. The symbiotic relationship between creature and spore cyst is such that they cannot be separated once formed.

===Stinger Salvo===
[[File:Stinger_Salvo.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Stinger Salvo]]
Think of it as a giant Spinefist.

Works comparable to the Cluster Spines, except this is more of a barrage of large solid spikes akin to the spinefists rather than a densely hollow spines. Powerful muscular contractions spray the spikes out to skewer enemy infantry and pierce the toughest of armor.

Think of this as the anti-armor variant of the Cluster Spine's anti-infantry. Although they can both harm either infantry or armored divisions when peppered sufficiently with spines/spikes. Just like the Cluster Spine, the Stinger Salvo is a weapon who practicality is only viable given on where the Tyranid would like to put it, turning into a living, breathing spike bomb into a fairly useless weapon that rains spikes cause the dumb idiot placed its Stinger Salvo a tad bit too high.

===Thorax Swarm===
[[File:Thorax_Swarm.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Thorax Swarm]]
Certain Tyranids can issue forth swarms of bugs living in their thoraxes to devour anything in short range. These creatures erupt from openings in their host's chest to drown the enemy in a deadly cloud that chews out eyes and crawls down throats. These swarms come in three flavors:

*'''Electroshock Grubs:''' These grubs are insects who electrocute anything they grab onto for a damaging attack, anything caught in between this energy is reduced to a charred ruin.
*'''Desiccator Larvae:''' These are grubs who drain the target's body of all of its moisture within seconds, leaving only a dry husk. This means that once fully bloated, they would be one huge grub seeing how the Human body is like what, 75% water.

*'''Shreddershard Beetles:''' Instinctively crawl into any nook and crevice on their victims such as those between armor joints. They are bugs who Rend their way through their targets, exploding in shards of needles.

==Melee==
Every Tyranid organism has at least rows of sharp teeth and deadly claws, but some go an extra mile.

===Acid Maw===
To aid them in the digestion of a world's biomass, Pyrovores drool a highly corrosive acid that can dissolve pretty much anything. The downside is that they need to focus all their energy on making a successful bite attack, diminishing their potential damage output.

===Blinding Venom===
Unique to Gargoyles, they can spit acid in the eyes of their enemies to blind them and allow for an easy devouring of the target. The poison is quite weak (6+ what the hell?) <s>and it's best to just go with the regular poison attacks granted by Toxin Sacks.</s> but it has the blind special rule so it means for every attack the unit being attacked has to pass an initiative test now a unit of gargoyles has a minimum size of 10 models so...
As of 8th edition, if the Gargoyles put an unsaved wound onto an enemy unit, the blinding venom makes them suffer -1 to hit for the rest of the phase.

===Bonesword===
Psychic swords that feed off the life force of their target, they can inflict Instant Death and tear through Space Marines with ease.

====Bonesabre====
Badass Boneswords used by the [[Swarmlord]], it can use these weapons in a barrage of blades to ward off incoming melee attacks. 4++ in CC only. Also INSTANT DEATH ON ANY SUCCESSFULY CUT. Not just on sixes. Swarmy may have a place still.

===Crushing Claws===
Used only by [[Carnifex]]es, [[Tervigon]]s and [[Tyrant Guard]], this massive pair of crab-like claws grants S+1, AP2, Armourbane and Unwieldy. Not very interesting for the Tervigon because its role is really nothing more than sitting on an objective, shitting out as many Gaunts as it can. Carnifexes on the other hand have pretty much lost their utility as linebreakers, you're better off running them as a dakkafex and letting Trygons do the heavy lifting. They are not very interesting on Hive Guard either, given their prohibitive cost and they make them swing very slow: it is best to use the Rending Claws and have them do the job.

===Lash Whip===
A classic and the source of many a [[rule 34]], they allow its user to strike much faster than they normally could, getting a blow in before the enemy can. The weapon suffers from not being effective against armored enemies, though. Provided you're not a venomthrope this is paired with a bone-sword with AP 3 which makes this combo death-incarnate for MEQ

===Rending Claws===
The iconic claws of Genestealers and the origin of the Rending rule, these claws are both incredibly sharp and hard, allowing you to pick apart even a [[Terminator]] with ease.

===Scything Talons===
The long, bladed weapons you see on Tyranids of all sizes, they allow a fast barrage of blows onto a target. They can pierce very light armor as found on [[Ork]]s and the like, but tougher armor will likely stop the blows. Overall, the basic Tyranid melee weapon. In 5th Edition they were a lot better because they gave rerolls to failed To Hit rolls (only the ones with one pair, but all of them if you have two pairs), at the slight loss of not being able to penetrate even the lightest of armors.

===Tail Biomorphs===
Certain large Tyranids do not leave their tails unarmed: they can be armed with a variety of deadly augmentations: maces capable of punching holes in tanks, pincers that can injure the largest monsters, scythes who can cear through armor like it's nothing or stingers containing highly lethal toxins.
{{40k-Tyranid-Weapons}}
{{Template:Tyranids-Creatures}}

Female Space Marines

2018-09-25T06:36:26Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* SSSSSIIIIIINNNNNNDDDDRRRRRRIIIII!! */

{{Promotions}}
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{{topquote|The Adeptus Astartes can only contain males. No girls allowed. They are yucky.|[[If The Emperor Had a Text-To-Speech Device|The Emperor of Mankind]]}}
[[Image:beakiegal.jpg|thumb|right|Guaranteed to garner at least 100 replies. Also not enough pauldron.]]

There is no tactic more effective for [[RAGE|enraging]] a diehard [[Space Marines|SPESS MEHREENS]] fanboy than discussing/drawing their [[Rule 63]] companion, '''Female Space Marines'''. Not to be confused with [[Sisters of Battle]], the canonical equivalent to Space Marines and also armed with bolters and chainswords, but ''Space Marine'' Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes, you know, the hypermuscular ones with [[Pauldrons]]. According to [[Games Workshop]] [[canon]], the procedures that are used to create a Space Marine only work properly on male subjects, rendering female Marines impossible; however, masturbators on the internet have not allowed this to deter them. Sometimes it is pointed out that back in the [[Rogue Trader]] days, Games Workshop did briefly produce two power-armoured female models, but they were changed to "Female Adventurers in Power Armour" and were never meant to represent female Marines. Moreover, White Dwarf ''did'' in fact publish a Rogue Trader scenario back in the day featuring real, honest-to-[[Matt Ward|Ward]] female Imperial Space Marines, albeit with the caveat that such chapters were exceedingly rare. Considering this is from Games Workshop, who [[Squats|routinely violates their own canon in subsequent editions]], fanbase be damned, take this as you will.

It's worth noting, though, that Games Workshop hasn't deterred /tg/ (or indeed, the [[Black Library]] writers) from coming up with ways to potentially allow for them, even with Space Marines being exclusively male being one of the rare things they've kept consistent. This is because, as was brought up in [[Daemonette|previous]] [[Monstergirls|articles]], little gets between a man and his fapbait.

=The Canon Part=
While for a time GW's official stance was that it was impossible to create Female Space Marines, leading to spammed complaints about gender equality and claims  that male-only Space Marines are sexist. Therefore, a minor concession was made. According to new [[fluff]] the Emperor of Mankind ''did'' see fit to attempt the creation of female Space Marines, whether in the spirit of equality, for the sake of a larger recruiting pool, or [[/d/|because he had an incest fetish to indulge.]] Emphasis on ''tried''; since he had based his Sons off of himself, and then Space Marines off of the resulting genes, it was impossible to twist that base around to reliably make a female Space Marine. The Emperor tried again and again, but could not find a way to reliably create a Female Space Marine in a reasonable time frame and soon found that if Male Space Marines were one in a million, then Female Space Marines were one in a trillion. There were many semi-successful female Space Marines that showed promise, but nearly all of them died shortly after implantation due to organ rejection and various hormonal imbalances causing their biology to shit itself. Quickly realizing that this shit was a waste of time and resources better spent conquering the galaxy, he decreed that Space Marines would be male-only, '''NO GIRLS ALLOWED.'''

TL;DR GW got tired of angry letters so they said that Female Space Marines were possible but stupidly impractical (even by 40k standards) so that's why there aren't any Female Space Marines so stop the angry letters please.

This all could have been avoided if the complainants had simply asked for (and GW gave) more focus on the [[Sisters of Battle|''real'', pre-existing Female Space Marines]] complete with a unique, empowering flavor all their own. [[Fail|Naturally, this seemingly obvious solution was lost on all parties involved.]]

On the Black Library front, it was mentioned in one of the [[Horus Heresy]] books that [[Malcador the Sigillite]] had suggested making one or two of the Primarchs female, half-jokingly saying that it might help to defuse competition between them. The Emperor was not amused by this at all and insisted that it simply couldn't be done, thinking Malcador was joking. And really, who wants to try to argue with him about it?

==[[Sindri|SSSSSIIIIIINNNNNNDDDDRRRRRRIIIII!!]]==

Unexpected salvation - there are indeed (99.46% possible) Female Space Marines!...in The [[Eye Of Terror]]. Well, they're possible out of it too - see, due to the nature of [[Chaos]], mutations are often a fact of life. Some desired, some not. What if one hulked out, burning, warped Chaos Space Marine [[Moot|secretly wishes he was the cute little girl who got flowers? Who smiled with joy? Who was so sweet?]]

What if his gods are listening? If the nature of Chaos is what it is to any extent, there is a chance his deity will bestow him with what he has always wanted. Though of course, he could just as easily get an extra tentacle arm, or get mutated into [[Chaos Spawn|that which must never be named]] - such is the nature of Chaos. [[Slaanesh]] especially grants this as a matter of routine, and its a safe bet to make that quite a lot of the [[Emperor's Children]] men are actually now women, or just as likely [[Dickgirl|futas.]] Such is the will of Slaanesh.

This was ''confirmed'' in one of the earlier Chapter Approved articles - one that re-introduced mounted [[Daemonette|Daemonettes]] - in which a Governor-Militant fighting a Slaanesh warband mused that there were (apparently female) creatures that [[Heresy|were once Space Marines, but no longer]]. Considering Chaos can cause [[Chaos Spawn|that which must never be named]], is anyone surprised by this?

==[[Honsou]], You Sick Fuck==

We know that you among the fans, despite all our attempts to dissuade you, want cute FEMALE SPHESS MAHREENS! And there is good news - technically, there ARE Female Space Marines IN OFFICIAL LORE. The catch? Yes there is a catch. And this one is the worst.

Your new waifu is a bloated, twisted, undying, insane, mutated pregnant mother-slave only alive because she's in the Eye of Terror.

You see, [[Honsou]] of the [[Iron Warriors]], in an effort to squeeze new MAHREENS into the ranks without having to pay that other sick fuck [[Fabius Bile]] for clones and because he was too lazy to do it the normal way, created a system of hideousness and sadness that pushes [[grimdark]] to a whole new level. He invented the [[Daemonculaba]], a system whereby a woman is chained and fed stuff which will morph her and her womb into something that was never meant to be. A boy is then (yes, a child), jammed, shoved or cut INTO the vagina and stays there for a while. When his time is ready, he, now XBAWKS HUEG and STRONG, will have to [[rip and tear|rip, tear]], or otherwise push his way out of his adoptive mother's womb/vagina. When he emerges, he will either be a skinless mutant abomination, or will emerge as a fully functional (albeit skinless) Chaos Space Marine in a fraction of the time, with all his growth stages and bionics and gene-seed already taken care of. How? [[Meme|It's fucking science]].

This goes back to our Female Space Marine - you see, while she was being morphed and changed, [[Dark Mechanicus]] Biologis hereteks worked on her body, implanting gene-seed and making her physically a Female Space Marine, even if the form is rather off. Thus, her womb can turn children as well into Space Marines by having her womb 'grow' the required organs and stages directly into their bodies in a fraction of the time - days and weeks instead of years. Thankfully for the entire universe, this horror was [[Uriel Ventris|destroyed]] before Honsou realized he could stick girls in there as well, and get double the recruits, and stumble upon the secret to true Female Space Marines.

==A Slightly More Reasonable Answer==

The problem really is one of terminology. Women can wear power armour, certainly; the Sororitas practically make it formal wear. Women can, through steroids, incessant bodybuilding, a high protein diet, and a little genetic modding to bring it all together, be as buff and rocking as a Space Marine. Pointlessly expensive and inefficient compared to grabbing a guy and shoving a growth hormone in him. But what really makes a Space Marine a Space Marine is all of the [[Geneseed|extra genetically-engineered organs and DNA and whatnot]] cloned from the Primarchs and implanted in the right way, which is impossible for women for reasons the Emperor himself ran afoul of. The closest thing to an exception in the fluff is any experiment involving [[Fabius Bile]] (the crazy old fuck basically cloned himself but then decided to make the clone female and have a [[Warhammer High|'daughter']] just for the [[lulz]]. And the best/worst part, he still made a better job out of parenthood than Big.E.), unless the topic is [[Daemonculaba|Honsou of the Iron Warriors]] (not reincarnation) inside a bloated woman's uterus, and it should be noted that the said woman is effectively lobotomized (and even there, the potential Chaos Space Marine candidate must be male since even that sick thing requires gene-seed to 'work'). And even if he did make you a female space marine for reals, she still wouldn't be a space marine, just a weird, mutilated, chaos infused thing that approximates a space marine but [[Ultramarines|can never truly be one.]]

Worth noting, however, that given that Bile's experimented on damn-near everything (including the entire civilian populations of several planets) at some point or another for his attempts to duplicate the methods for creating new Space Marines, there's ample evidence to suggest that [[/d/|he's tried it at least once]], ''going as far as saying Big.E. was an idiot for making gene-seed only compatible with men and thus cutting off half the potential supply of warriors''. Fucking [[Slaanesh]].

Another possible reason is that all of the Primarchs are men, with male genes, thus meaning that, [[Samus|unless there's secretly a girl Primarch out there somewhere,]] female Space Marines cannot be made in the traditional sense. Space Marine blood alone can eat through many durable materials due to the mess of chemicals in them. Any attempt to breed Space Marines the traditional way would be almost guaranteed to fail in a tragic fashion.

Of note is the fact that despite the names and histories of the two missing Primarchs being utterly obliterated from Imperial records, they are still unambiguously referred to as sons of the Emperor.

==Dark Imperium and FemMarines==
[[Image:YouHaven'tMadeFemaleSpaceMarinesHaveYou.jpg|thumb|right|The Emperor's reaction to [[Primaris Marines]]]]
In the Dark Imperium novel, its revealed that the [[God-Emperor|Emperor]] never cared for the [[Space Marines]], and saw them as little more than tools to secure his [[Imperium of Man|empire]]. [[Ultramar|He never intended for them to rule over it]], as it was planned to be an empire [[High Lords of Terra|ruled by humans for humans]]. Given this revelation, its possible that the Emperor ''could've'' made female space marines, but chose not to because he wanted a reliable way to keep their population in check. Keep in mind that [[Belisarius Cawl|very few people outside of the Emperor himself]] were actually involved in the [[Primarch]] Project, so if he chose to lie about the gender thing, very few could call him out on it (and that's assuming any of them would want to). Also note that although he was adamant that FemMarines were impossible, no one actually tried to prove him wrong, they mostly just took him at his word. It is also simply far quicker and more efficient to implant recruits. Plus the changes needed to create a female Space Marine, given the large physical abilities differences between men and women, would be extreme, with an immense fatality rate, and expensive. You could make ten male and female Space Marines or thirty male Space Marines in half the time. The right choice is obvious. Besides, after the changes to put the women on par with the men Marines, the only real difference left would be genetalia, so the extra expense and risk would be pointless in the end. Sure, the fem Marines would only need to outclass the enemies of the Crusade so full body alteration wouldn’t be necessary. But, the male Marines frequently suffered heavy, sometimes dramatic casualties. Leas durable, less strong female Marines added would mostly increase the body count. Not to mention the incredible risk of enemies getting DNA of both Marine types and making their own in their labs. Besides, Emps had Chaos to consider.

Although Space Marines have their sex drive curbed or removed, we know that [[Space Wolves]] can still sleep around (especially true for [[Lukas the Trickster]]), to say nothing of the [[Emperor's Children]], who are explicitly described going on a [[RAPE|rape rampage]] during the [[Siege of Terra]], which likely means that the reproductive suppression isn't 100% effective or irreversible, though the latter example does carry a load of salt big enough to fill a Blackstone Fortress in that they worship Slaanesh. It should also be considered that although Space Marines have a reduced or eliminated sex drive, it's never been suggested that they're sterile, meaning that [[Fall of the Eldar|accidents could still happen]]. Space Marine sex drive also seems to be born more out of culture than anything actually biological, most marines consider themselves too busy to get sexually or romantically attached to other people and are "married to the job". However the Space Wolves, having a rowdy and raunchy chapter culture where picking up chicks is a sign of manly strength and a source of tales to laugh about at the mess hall don't see any problem with their brothers spending their free time having "fun" with the local women.

Given all this, it's possible that the Emperor didn't want to take any chances and potentially have his living weapons start reproducing and becoming self-sufficient, replacing the humans they were designed to protect. Keeping Space Marines mono-gendered and reliant on [[geneseed]] would ensure that he maintained tight control over his tools and how many there were at any given time. Of course, this is all speculation, so take it with a grain of salt.

==On The To-Do List?==
There is a paragraph in "Ashes of Prospero" were Arjac Rockfist identifies him self as a "Son as Russ", and a woman with a spear asks "Only sons?" Arjac thinks on it, and realizes that the spirit of Fenris, and of the Space Wolves, is in all the people of Fenris, men, women and children. Then he considers that Guilliman had made an even more deadly and powerful version of a Space Marine, so it was possible. At the end he pointedly does not reject the possibility of women space marines, ending with a "Perhaps."

Whether or not this is a case of fandom baiting/trolling, lampshade hanging, or just leaving space for '[[Your Dudes|Your Dude(tte)'s]]' is debatable, the fact that this happened among the [[Viking]]-themed Space Wolves is interesting given the Valkyrie and Shield Maiden connotations that go along with that theme. Additionally the wolves took a beating from the Thousand Sons, so increasing the recruiting pool would be a boon to the beleaguered Wolves. If female marines were going to be suddenly created, it happening to the Space Wolves would not be thematically out of the question the way it would be for other more monk like space marine chapters. This being said, Fenrisian Shield Maidens were mentioned as having fought in Wrath of Magnus, so it's also possible that the Space Wolves will stop being a Marines-exclusive force and start incorporating the native warriors of Fenris, though that would be a blatant case of legion building that would draw the attention of the already inclined to look disagreeable on them Inquisition.

=What Would A Female Space Marine Look Like If They Could Exist?=
[[File:Silver Skull.jpg|right|thumb|Tina likes long walks on the beach and slaying the Emperor's foes.]]
Obviously, in the land of Rule 63 they are amazingly hot [[Rape|(and would totally do]] [[Mary Sue| you)]], but in dark and gritty fluff-land where they would be optimised for combat rather than jacking off, they would probably have very few notable female features left following surgery and genetic fuckery. Marines are made from pre-adolescent kids who still have very little in terms of sexual dimorphism, and the process of transforming includes total rewriting of the hormonal system (which is responsible for developing secondary sexual characteristics).

Hypothetical femarine wouldn't have narrow shoulders, wide hips, (big) breasts, delicate face structures (though the blood angels often manage it), feminine voices or even traditional feminine character traits like higher capacity for empathy and increased aversion against danger as those two psychological traits are pretty easily conditioned in or out of people if you can control their social contacts. And unless you're one of the nice chapters like the Salamanders, Lamenters, or Celestial Lions; empathy is almost certainly going to be trained out of most recruits to make them better able to deal with the kind of guilt that killing other people inflicts on humans. If you don't think that's a big concern, note that this is the kind of guilt that notably caused [[Avitus]] to fall to [[heresy]] when the truth about his chapter master made it his old excuses of it being justified as the chapter being in the right invalid and found himself unable to live with his actions. An entire Chapter of Marines in service to the inquisition who purged civilians who knew too much was also driven insane by the guilt because they simply cared too much for other people. Too much humanity can and will drive space marines to madness over the course of their duties.

In essence neophyte does not mature into man or woman - it matures into '''marine'''. A female Space Marine would only differ from male Space Marine by having different genitalia, so no "Samus is a girl" moments would really occur if a female Space Marine had her helmet knocked off and shocked her comrades by revealing some beautiful feminine hair and facial features. Then again, space marines themselves break several biological laws just by existing so we could be wrong. Either way, Female Space Marines are not going to be conventionally attractive. Being recreated exclusively for war tends to do that. They would be bigger than an ordinary human, of course, but they would still be proportioned like a normal human. Or like some bikini model if the Emperor decided he wanted to make hot White Scar bikers or something.

It is worth noting that official art from GW shows that unarmoured space marines look pretty normal if tall and swole discounting all the plug holes in them; like Captain America if he were a head or two taller rather than blob like roid freaks. Which does make sense, as the hulking bodybuilder physique is actually not very good in a fight compared to the more lithe MMA fighter build or the kind of fat looking powerlifter bod and in the military, endurance and leg power matters far more than how big your gains are. It's also worth noting that the sons of Sanguinius in particular are generally handsome in an androgynous, angelic way and that most of the primarchs aren't half bad looking. The Alpha Legion and the Fallen are also able to pass off as normal if tall and buff humans without their power armour. Also worth noting is that many, many marines are somehow able to have long, flowing hair or beards (or both) and still fit helmets onto their heads without issue with what can only be explained by space marine helmets doubling as pocket dimensions.

As Space Marines are surgically altered with organic implants and not traditionally genetically modified, progenoid glands would still play a vital role in gene-seed replication and any child a female space marine would have would at most just be guaranteed to be at least somewhat compatible with the chapter's gene seed. All the extra organs that go into a space marine are lab grown things stuck into them that they're genetically compatible with no more inherently part of the body than a prosthetic arm, and it's very unlikely that they would develop on their own in a space marine's child. Knowing Lukas the Trickster's "hey babe, I'm a space marine, wanna see the inside of my land raider?" antics though, it's probable that unless trained to suppress it, they'll still have a sex drive.

And, assuming that Sister Generica can be considered attractive in any form, she's also wearing a ton or two of ceramite power armor, so you wouldn't tell until she speaks or removes her helmet. And even if she does, you'd have to be a very lucky man to catch her eye during her limited free time, and she'd need to be from a chapter where fraternising with normal humans is acceptable.

Finally, God Emperor help you if you suggest they wear boob plate.

=RAGE=

RAGE is generated by this tactic in two distinct ways; either the neckbeards assume that the creator of the work in question is unaware of the Space Marine fluff, and rage about his or her ignorance; failing that, it becomes clear that they are well aware of the fluff regarding these matters and willingly chose to disregard it, sending the poor neckbeards into fits of spastic rage that anyone would dare deliberately defile the sacrosanct canon of Games Workshop's masterpiece.

[[Troll|Still, the aforementioned creator will just ignore him.]]

Hey, you really want to troll some of Those Guys? Build a force with female Imperial Guard conversions and say they're Imperial Navy armswomen; you know, female space marines?

=Writefaggery=

===A New Arrival===

* From the livelog of Inquisitor Perstringos, archive #32AA9-99
* Redacted copy dispatched to Magos Tzeel'Etil of Mars under code of practice 73-Greyfax-Cawl

The lifespan of an Inquisitorial liaison to the Angry Marines is a famously short one.

Take offence to their unorthodox methods, and you're likely to get your head exploded like an overripe melon. Partake too enthusiastically in their furious idiom and you're likely to get your head exploded like an overripe melon. Stand too near one when they're feeling a little more umbrage than usual and you're likely to... and so on.

I have lasted in the role for nearly seven Angermar months and so consider myself quite the survivor. Alas, my run of good luck may soon be at an end. The Angry Marines are not generally characterised by a cheerful acceptance of change...

especially changes imposed from without...

very particularly especially changes to their unit composition mandated by none other than the Ultramarines, whose very Codex Astartes (oh Guilliman Restored, forgive me!) I have been impelled to use as an item of intimate personal hygiene in the Angry Marines' commode.

And yet today the first company of Primaris Marrnes will be arriving on McRage to join their new battle brothers. The "Guillimarines", as I've heard them called around the barracks here from the day I arrived. The Ultra-Ultrasmurfs. The Fuck-knuckles. The Bitch-clone-fucking-sellout Poser Marines.

Such a momentous occasion will naturally require an Inquisitorial observer on site.

I am going to fucking die.

Which is why I am taking care to record this surreptitious livelog, tapped by my tongue against my molar-transcriptor as I take my place in the Rite of Welcome. My life is nothing, praise the Emperor. Direct observational feedback on the reception of our Imperium's newest super-Astartes into the Chapter deemed least likely to accept them will be invaluable to several parties.

They are docking now with our Battle Barge, the FUCKYOUNAMEITYOURSELF. Their vessel, officially the Undaunted but renamed in our local records "THE OFFICIOUS CUNT-BASKET", is busy initiating standard pre-docking handshake protocol, but I expect that...

yep, there it is. The Angry Marines have taken the simple expedient of ramming the FUCKYOU directly into the Undaunted's docking bay. It was a fair hit. Air is already cycling across both ships with only superficial loss to the void, it won't take long to clear the wreckage, and so the joining Rite is soon to begin.

A mere ten paces in front of me, well within explode-my-head-with-a-backslap range, stands Chapter Master Temperus Maximum himself. An AdMech representative, Magos Errant Gjarran 3FF stands some ways to my left. I am sure I sense fear in the writhing of its mechadendrites.

Two long lines of Angry Marines, each four long files of seven hundred ranks, stretch out behind us in a widening wedge, as though to flaunt the Codex Astartes prohibition on companies larger than a thousand. Aside from their numbers and their angry yellow banners, the most striking sight to one accustomed to other Astartes chapters is the conspicuous lack of bolt pistols in favour of a second chainsword or the heaviest of heavy weapons.

I also note that customary Space Marine practice is to greet newcomers with weapons RAISED, not brandished threateningly -- and thus also pointed directly at my back.

On either side of these lines there mills a mob of chapter serfs, aspirants, servitors and ordinary ship's crew. Banners burn with the emblematic angry face and raised yellow middle finger.

I now hear the stomp of boots but haven't caught sight of the 100 who will be the first in history to join the Angry Marines from outside their chapter. Having already written off my own life, I find myself idly wondering if anyone has warned them of what they will encounter. We went through sixteen liaisons in as many weeks before we started to get the hang of their red lines. How many of these "Primadonna Marines" will survive the year?

Ah, there they are. They march in a column five across, twenty files deep. I see the first file now...

I had heard that these new marines were taller but the effect is staggering. Every Space Marine inspires terrified awe with their size, their power, and above all their devotion to the Emperor. These new Primaris radiate the same majesty... perhaps it is as they humbly claim, that they are no better than their other battle brothers, but they are certainly... newer.

As my eyes take in the holy might of the Emperor's newest instruments, my trained Inquisitor's eye perceives what at first was a vague impression. The specifications of these marines' armor, while taller and sleeker than earlier models, are in fact even sleeker than the schematics of the Mark X Tacticus Armour I have memorised as a matter of course.

How strange. Thinner in the waist. Wider at the hips. Bulkier at the chest... at the bust!

Subtle as the difference is, certainly not detracting from their power and terror, their armour is unquestionably FEMALE.

How?

Before anyone speaks the center Primaris of their first file--surely their Lieutenant--is removing his helmet... HER helmet. By the Emperor! As strong and intimidating and, well, grizzled a face as any Space Marine's, and yet entirely feminine. Long luxurious red hair is cascading down her shoulders... by the Emperor, to live to see these days!

No word yet from the Angry Marines. I fear the worst. I'm enabling my audio pickup; it may well outlive me.

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: WELL FUCK ME IT'S THE MUTE MARINES! HELLO THE FUCK TO YOU TOO, ASSHOLE!

[Assault Sergeant Dickface, interrupting]: OH NO NO FUCKING NO. NUH-UH. FUCK OFF. CHADMARINES ARE BAD ENOUGH BUT A STACY? GIRLYMAN AIN'T GONNA SHOEHORN SOME BOLTER BITCHES INTO OUR YEEEAAAARGH!!!

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: WHOOPS DID I JUST "SHOEHORN" MY FOOT UP YOUR ASS? YOU CAN EAT YOUR OWN SHIT OFF MY BOOT LATER, SERGEANT. DO I LOOK TO LIKE I'M ARMED WITH SOME PUSSIFIED BOLTER?

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: WELL FUCKING ARSECHUNKS IF THIS ISN'T A CUNTY TURN OF EVENTS. I'VE SAID FOR MONTHS YOU NU-SMURFS HAVE NO BALLS AND WHADDYA KNOW.

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: YEAH YOU CAN KISS MY TURGID OVARIES LATER FUCKLICK. LIEUTENANT PEDICABA REPORTING! BY THE EMPEROR'S SWEATY ASSCRACK WE HAVE ARRIVED THROUGH THE WARP INTACT, ONLY ONE LITTLE FUCKSLEAZE DAEMON INCURSION NEEDED ITS SHIT PUSHED IN. ONE HUNDRED NEW ANGRY MARINES ARE YOURS TO COMMAND, MY LORD CHAPTER MASTER!

(Oh Emperor protect us, they're all removing their helmets. Blonde hair, black hair, more redheads... if it weren't for their size you'd know they weren't Sisters of Battle by their color. And their language!)

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: HEY COGBITCH, YOU SURE THOSE FAGNUTS FROM MARS SENT THE RIGHT DELiVERY?

[Magos Gjarran]: All is in order, lord Chapter Master. These are indeed the Primaris Marines assigned by my masters to your most holy Chapter, uncorrupted by the Warp and in perfect genetic order. The Machine God smiles upon your union.

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: AND YOUR ARCH-ANUS FAGMASTERS DIDN'T SEE FIT TO MENTION THEY COME WITH A CUNT APIECE?

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: YOU WANT "A PIECE" OF CUNT JUST FUCK YOUR OWN WHORE MOUTH, MY LORD.

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium, interrupting]: No!! Stop!! Please!! I can't bear it!

(Has this serf lost his mind! What is he doing?)

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium]: My lords, this cannot be! Kill me if you will, but we cannot have fucking WOMEN ruining EVERYTHING! It's all a trick by... by SLAANESH JUSTICE WARRIORS to force the evil of HEResy upon us. A trick! The holy gene-seed can't work on females! Blah!

(The Primaris nearest the serf has just spat on him. Looks like she got him right in the crotch.)

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium]: You stupid bitch! I'll fucking end you! I'll take a flamer to all the vapid whores in the Progenium! I'll...

[a distinct sizzling noise is audible]

[Interceptor Miserabila]: GUESS MY BETCHER'S GLAND WORKS AFTER ALL, HUH ASS-BADGER?

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium]: My DICK! Oh FUCK, OH EMPEROR! MY BALLS! MY BALLS ARE MELTING AWAY! AHHH!

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: "BETCHER" WEREN'T USING THOSE ANYWAY, PANSY-ASS QUEEFSNIFF.

[Chapter Serf Urguet Incelium]: [voice dissolves into screams and groans]

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: HEH HEH, YOU'RE ALL RIGHT. MAYBE YOU REDRAGE WHORES WON'T EMBARRASS THE REAL SOLDIERS TOO MUCH AFTER ALL. TELL YOU WHAT, LET'S WIPE OUT THE ASSCHEESE HERETICS PLANETSIDE AND I'LL LET YOU FIX ME A SANDWICH.

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: SAY THAT TO MY HAIRY PUSS, MY LORD CHAPTER MASTER PISS-BREATH. NOW ARE YOU GONNA FIND US SOME HERESY TO MURDER OR ARE YOU GOING TO STAND THERE ALL DAY LIKE YOU'RE SCARED OF A LADY?

[Chapter Master Tempestum]: WE MAKE PLANETFALL IN TWENTY MINUTES. WELCOME TO THE ANGRY MARINES... BATTLE BROTHER.

[Lieutenant Pedicaba]: YEAH, SLURP SHIT SISTER.

Audio pick-up disabled. I think that was the ceremony. The Angry Marines, Primaris and all, are exchanging soldierly embraces and head-butts and marching back to the barge, chanting as one, "ALWAYS ANGRY! ALL THE TIME! ALWAYS ANGRY! ALL THE TIME!"

I'm racing down the corridor with Magos Giarran as fast as my legs will take me. You just know they're going to perform an "expedited undocking" with fucking frag grenades. Again. Planetfall in seventeen minutes. If I'm somehow not rendered into inquisitor-flavoured jello... well, I'm already praising the Emperor's unlimited munificence that I'm alive at all.

Word must get back to Mars. If the Primera mix so well even with the Angry Marines, they'll be a valuable reinforcement to all our companies. In our darkest hour, the Imperium's new hopes redouble.

+++
Thought for the Day: The Emperor has fury enough for us all.
+++

=See Also=

*[[Golden Aquilas]]: /tg/ homebrew chapter, designed to cause as much RAEG and accusations of derp as possible.
*[[Space Marines]]: Rule 63 equivalent of female Space... wait.
*[[Sisters of Battle]]: The warrior nuns of the Imperium that wear power armor, often fight with bolters and chainswords, and are in a sense the "real female space marines" of Warhammer 40,000.
*[[Stormcast Eternals]], GW's [[Warhammer Fantasy|Fantasy]] Space Marines in [[Age of Sigmar]], which can be any species and gender thanks to their magical origins. At least one Stormcast group was announced to be comprised of men and women and SURPRISE WARHAMMER SHADESPIRE WAS ANNOUNCED AND FEATURES A FEMALE STORMCAST MINIATURE. And the Sacrosanct Chamber added a bunch more.
*[[Samus]]: How about a female Primarch?
*[[Daughters of Terra]] A not-quite Space Marines Female Space Marines chapter.

=Gallery=
<center><gallery>
Image:Sisters of anger2.png|And if you think this is bad, once a month they all gain Frenzy.
Image:1227373581722.gif|Lol. Why u mad tho?
Image:Nidsrape.jpg|Brother-sister Igpay Atinlay boldly distracts the Tyranid foe.
File:Love is a Battlefield by blazbaros.png|An almost perfect example of a female space marine, complete with the typical bulky space marine form.
Image:spessbitch.jpg|Not in fact [[Horo]].
File:Female_warhammer_40k_imperium_model_--_100D0212.jpg|She'd be even scarier if she took off that mask
File:Female_space_marine_warhammer_40k_model_--_Female_Warrior_Gabs.jpg|DYKE OUTTA FUCKING NOWHERE!
File:Female_space_marine_warhammer_40k_model_--_Female_Warrior_Jayne.jpg|Your eyes should start bleeding right about now.
File:Female_space_marine_warhammer_40k_--_Ingunna_Daughter_of_Russ_by_Greymark.jpg|PMS BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!
File:1k heresy.jpg|<s>Not</s> [[Just as planned]]. Now you know why Tzeentch doesn't invite Slaanesh to his birthday parties anymore.
File:Primarchs as teen girls.png| The Emperor made the Primarchs to be the greatest human warriors of all time, but [[Warhammer_High|even they were not immune]] to [[Rule 63]].
File:Femprah_by_Mr-Culexus.jpg|She was not amused by this development.
File:Saber ultra marine.jpg|Don't piss off Mama Smurf. Your genitals will not survive.
File:Chaos saber.jpg|Somehow still less of a failure than the real Abaddon. (Of course! Her arms haven't fallen off!)
File:Belldandy_blood_raveness_for_propertyoflamb_by_elvishprincess25-d9z451u.jpg|Belldandy of the Blood Ravens... Bloody Bell?
File:Propoflambcomm_urd_space_wolf_by_elvishprincess25-db1s3ab.jpg|Urd of the Space Wolves.
File:Skuld_amg_as_wh_iron_hand_by_elvishprincess25-daeba5v.jpg|Skuld of the Iron Hands.
File:The Little Sisters of Purification 1.png| Canon or not, the ideas's been around for a while.
File:The Little Sisters of Purification 2.png| Featuring Jokaero. Yes, there is a scenario.
File:Adepta Mechania Warpsmith (Pre Heresy) 01.png|Because metal tentacle rape That's Why.
File:Ariel Ventris 01.png
</gallery></center>

[[Category:Imperial]][[Category:Space Marines]][[Category:RAGE]]

Tiefling

2018-09-24T22:23:02Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB:

{{Monstergirls}}

[[File:Tiefling.jpg|300px|thumb|right|How Tieflings looked like prior to 4e.]]
'''Tieflings''' are a corruption-based race of [[Planetouched]] from [[Dungeons & Dragons]], with a lineage stretching all the way back to 2e's [[Planescape]] setting, where they were one of the three initially released races for the setting, alongside the [[githzerai]] and the [[bariaur]]. In contrast to their mostly-forgotten kinsfolk, they have had a huge impact on D&D and been quite decently supported ever since, becoming core races in the 4th and 5th editions. It has to be said, this may be due to their fluff being rather supportive of mary sue-players.

One of the recurring themes of Tieflings is that others find them inherently unsettling. They tend to have [[Charisma]] bonuses, representing either their superior ability to intimidate others or the fact that [[monstergirl|everybody wants to bang the horned chicks]], depending on who you ask. Hell, the two are not mutually exclusive

Tieflings are one of a handful of races considered "legitimate [[monstergirls]]" in D&D. Since their whole identity establishes them as looking strange and exotic, yet still very recognizable human, it's totally kosher to use "sexy demon chick" artwork for a female tiefling character. Plus, they're actually balanced for play, so you can have them running around with very little hassle - especially in the [[Nentir Vale]] setting, where the story of [[Bael Turath]] means that there's supposed to be whole villages full of them.

(It may be useful to point out that, contrary to any impressions you may have been given by the above, there are just as many male tieflings as female ones)

==2e==
Tieflings are mortals whose lineage is tainted by the blood or essence of a fiend - demon, devil, daemon, whatever - at some remote point in their ancestry. Not an ''actual'' fiend's kid, mind, (those are either [[Alu-Fiend]]s or [[Cambion]]s, depending on the gender), but one of their descendants. Basically, if a humanoid half-fiend has a kid, it'll probably be a tiefling, and after that the fiendish blood can also skip a few generations. Sometimes, it naturally occurs due to fiendish pacts, either in the pact-ee or their descendants.

In general, tieflings are presumed to be either unable to figure out what sort of fiend was their ancestor, or just inherently prone to fiendish mutation. As a result, their physical displays of fiendhood and their ability modifiers have often had sizeable - we're talking D100 tables, here - random tables to roll on, depending on edition and sourcebook.

Naturally, this lineage begged for grid-filling in the form of the [[aasimar]] (celestials) and [[genasi]] (elementals), though 3.5 would go another step by adding in "[[planetouched]]" races to reflect the outsiders of the Morally Neutral planes too.

Though officially all tieflings can spring from all manner of humanoid races, most writeups tend to either focus on the human tieflings or make it so that the twisting influence of their fiendish blood defines them "more" than their parents being non-fiends. That said, 3.5 [[Forgotten Realms]] did do up the [[Tanarukk]] ([[orc]]-descended tieflings), the Mur-zhagul ([[troll]]-demon tieflings), and the [[Fey'ri]] ([[elf]]/[[succubus]] tieflings).

===The Legendary Tiefling Tables===
The 2e tiefling first appeared in the "Player's Companion" component to the Planescape Campaign Setting boxed set. There, it was handled fairly simply; +1s to Int and Cha, -1s to Str and Wis, Infravision 60 feet, halving damage from Cold, +2 bonus to saving throws versus Fire, Electricity and Poison, and the ability to cast Darkness (15ft radius) once per day. Then "The Planeswalker's Handbook" introduced the legendary Tiefling customization tables, where you sacrifice the spell-like ability, cold resistance and saving throws bonus to make 5 rolls on a D100 Tiefling Abilities table and 1d4 rolls on a D100 Tiefling Appearance table. Gaze in awe at the potential combinations of traits your munchkin special snowflake could have possessed!
[[File:Tiefling table.gif|300px|thumb|right|Now in image form.]]
====Tiefling Abilities====
* 01-03: Blur 1/day
* 04-06: Charm Person 1/day
* 07-09: Chill Touch 1/day
* 10-12: Comprehend Languages 1/day
* 13-15: Darkness (15ft radius) 1/day
* 16-18: Detect Good/Evil 2/day
* 19-21: Detect Magic 3/day
* 22-24: ESP 1/day
* 25-27: Invisibility 2/week
* 28-30: Know Alignment 1/day
* 31-33: Mirror Image 1/day
* 34-36: Misdirection 1/day
* 37-39: Pyrotechnics 3/week
* 40-42: Suggestion 1/week
* 43-45: Summon Swarm 1/week
* 46-48: Vampiric Touch 1/week
* 49-51: Whispering Wind 1/day
* 52-55: Half damage from Fire
* 56-59: Half damage from Cold
* 60-63: Half damage from Electricity
* 64-67: Half damage from Acid
* 68-75: Infravision to 120 feet
* 76-79: +2 Saving Throw vs. Fire
* 80-83: +2 Saving Throw vs. Electricity
* 84-87: +2 Saving Throw vs. Poison
* 88-91: +2 Saving Throw vs. Cold
* 92-95: +2 Saving Throw vs. Acid
* 96: +2 Saving Throw vs. Petrification, Polymorph & Paralysis
* 97: +2 Saving Throw vs. Rod/Staff/Wand
* 98: +2 Saving Throw vs. Spell
* 99: Roll twice, rerolling results above 95
* 00: Roll three times, rerolling results above 95

====Tiefling Appearance====
* 01-04: Small horns on forehead
* 05-06: Small horns on temples
* 07: Single horn on forehead
* 08-09: Long, thin face
* 10: Fangs
* 11: All teeth are pointed
* 12: Forked tongue
* 13–14: Pointed ears
* 15: Fanlike ears
* 16: Extremely long nose
* 17: Very small (almost unnoticeable) nose
* 18: Extremely long eyelashes
* 19-21: Red eyes
* 22-23: Black eyes (no whites)
* 24: Feline eyes
* 25-26: Extremely deep-set eyes
* 27-28: Green hair
* 29-30: Blue hair
* 31: Multicolored hair
* 32-33: Six fingers (including thumb)
* 34-35: Three fingers (including thumb)
* 36-37: Black fingernails
* 38-39: Red fingernails
* 40-41: Fingers one inch longer than normal
* 42: Arms six inches longer than normal
* 43: Legs six inches longer than normal
* 44-46: Horselike legs
* 47-49: Goatlike legs
* 50-52: Goatlike hooves
* 53-55: Long, thin tail
* 56-57: Horselike tail
* 58-59: Lizardlike tail
* 60-62: Spiny ridge on back
* 63-65: Spiny ridges all over body
* 66-68: Hairless body
* 69-71: Body covered in short fur or long hair
* 72-73: Body covered in striped markings
* 74-75: Extremely greasy skin
* 76-80: Scaly skin
* 81-83: Leathery skin
* 84: Small feathers rather than hair on 10-100% of body
* 85: Green-tinted skin
* 86: Blue–tinted skin
* 87: Red-tinted skin
* 88-89: Special side effect – roll on the Tiefling Special Side Effects table
* 90-94: Roll twice, rerolling rolls above 89
* 95-00: Roll three times, rerolling rolls above 89

====Tiefling Special Side Effects====
* 01-10: Ashy odor surrounds body
* 11-15: Sulfurous surrounds body
* 16-20: Rotting odor surrounds body
* 21-25: Skin exudes ashy grit
* 26-30: Body casts no shadow
* 31-33: Body has no reflection in mirror
* 34-40: Susceptible to spells such as Spirit Wrack and Cacofiend
* 41-45: Tanar’ri react toward tiefling as though the tiefling were a baatezu
* 46-50: Baatezu react toward tiefling as though the tiefling were a tanar’ri
* 51-60: Presence causes unease in animals
* 61-65: Presence causes unease in NPCs, reactions at -4
* 66-70: Prolonged touch withers normal plants
* 71-75: Fingers treated as claws (1d4/1d3 damage)
* 76-80: Touch inflicts 1 point of Fire damage due to high body heat
* 81-85: Touch inflicts 1 point of Cold damage due to cold body temperature
* 86-90: Odd skin composition results in base AC of 1d6+3
* 91: Cannot reproduce
* 92: Holy water inflicts 1d6 damage
* 93: Exposure to direct sunlight inflicts 1 point of damage per round
* 94: Cannot enter “holy” areas
* 95: Harmed only by magical or silver weapons
* 96-00: Intuitively speaks the language of one fiendish race

==3e==
The [[Planescape]] setting may have bit the big one when 3rd edition rolled around, but tieflings themselves survived. With a PC writeup in the very first Monster Manual, they then went on to be repeated in the PLanar Handbook, Races of Faerun, and Races of Destiny.

Whilst tieflings in 3e retained their Intelligence bonus (now boosted to +2), their ability to see up to 60 feet in the dark, and their ability to cast Darkness once per day, they had changed a lot. Medium sized Native Outsiders, they lost their former resistance to elemental damages, and went from having penalties in Strength and Wisdom to suffering a -2 penalty to Charisma. They also gained a +2 racial bonus to Bluff and Hide checks, a +2 Dexterity increase, a [[Favored Class]] of [[Rogue]], and a [[Level Adjustment]] of +1.

Flavor-wise, tieflings remained the mongrel offspring of mortals and denizens of the [[Lower Planes]]. But change was coming...

==4e==
[[File:Tiefling Bard.png|300px|thumb|right|What tieflings look like in 4e. Not everybody liked this change.]]
When 4th edition rolled around, [[Wizards of the Coast]] had a little discussion about races. The first thing they agreed upon was that [[gnome]]s were, frankly, kind of lame, and that whilst the [[half-orc]] had a certain appeal to edgelords, it generally wasn't very popular. Both of these races needed a lot more time to rework them if they were to actually be ''good'', rather than simply being included because "muh sacred cows!" So, for one replacement, they created the [[Dragonborn]]. For the other, they decided to give promotions to one of the most favored and loved "edgy" races of all D&D; the tiefling.

But, updating it to a corebook posed a certain challenge. Namely, in a non-[[Sigil]] setting, would there ''really'' be enough demon-fuckers running around to make tieflings especially common? The [[succubus]] and [[marilith]] are hot, but they're not ''that'' easy to bang!

WoTC's decision, then, was to recreate the tiefling origin a little. In the [[Nentir Vale]] history, tieflings are the descendants of [[Bael Turath]], an empire of humans who forged diabolic pacts with [[Asmodeus]] and his [[Arch-Devil]] underlings for the power to defeat Arkhosia, empire of the Dragonborn. This empire-wide pledge, combined with several generations of widespread [[warlock]] pacts and diabolic interbreeding (this ''was'' the edition where they made succubi into devils), resulted in the entire population being replaced by tieflings, although this wasn't enough to prevent them fighting to mutual destruction with Arkhosia, scattering the tieflings across the world.

Now, all in all, this wasn't a bad deal for them, but a rather large amount of [[skub]] erupted as a result of one key decision: their appearance. See, traditionally, tieflings were supposed to be super-variable in terms of their appearance. In practice, few people bothered going outside of the "horns, tail, hooves; use one or more as desired" paradigm for their artwork, especially in AD&D. So, WoTC decided to just go with it and give them a unified "diabolic" look, with curling horns, a long reptilian tail, crimson skin and glowing eyes. The players pissed off at this only got more pissed when the [[Forgotten Realms]]' large tiefling population was retconned into the same sort of appearance as a result of Asmodeus dicking around.

It didn't help matters at all that the "4e is [[World of Warcraft|WoW]]!" crowd seized upon this and a single cartoon featuring a female tiefling with a Russian accent to rant about how tieflings were now trying to rip off the [[draenei]].

Never mind that the [[draenei]] had basically been ripping off the [[diabolus|diaboli]] from [[Mystara]]. No, the "4e is WoW!" crowd couldn't be swayed by logic like that.

As for why this was such a big deal when everybody basically ignored the unofficial template of the artwork before and could still use the purely visual aspects of the 2e generator at their table, well, [[skub|/tg/ likes to argue about shit]]. That's the only reason.

Tieflings in 4th edition are a mystic race, with +2 to Charisma and Intelligence, +2 to Bluff & Stealth checks, Medium size, 6 squares of movement, low-light vision, the racial traits Bloodhunt (+1 to attack rolls vs. bloodied foes) and Fire Resistance (reduce fire damage taken by 5+1/2 character level), and the racial power of Infernal Wrath. This encounter attack allowed you to add damage equal to your Charisma modifier if you use it whilst attacking some asshole who hit you in the previous turn. You also get a +1 bonus when using this attack, to reduce the chance of wasting it.

The lessons WoTC had learned meant that when the PHB3 came out, they modded this basic formula; now a tiefling could trade the +2 Intelligence for +2 Constitution, and Infernal Wrath was altered so that, instead, you could burn a reaction once per encounter to scorch the asshole who just hit you for D6 per tier + Cha or Int mod fire damage.

4th edition also added the idea of "tiefling bloodlines", tieflings who could trace their powers by blood or pact to a specific arch-devil. This came in the form of a feat, plus some extra boosting feats, and a racial [[Paragon Path]] to amplify its powers.

[[Dragon Magazine]] #381 featured the Blood-Crowned Courtiers, tieflings who bore direct blood-ties to devils and so had the ability to call upon more conventional diabolic powers. Most notably, they traded Infernal Wrath for Diabolic Transformation, letting them turn into a rampaging fiend once a day for a whole encounter. In this hulked-out state, they had better fire resistance, could regenerate, doubled their Bloodhunt bonus, got +2 to damage rolls, and could target a single foe with the Black Wrath of Hell. This fancy-named title basically let you boost the damage of a successful hit (it triggers on a free action on a hit) for +1d10 per tier damage, and afflict the victim (if they survived) with a save-ends penalty to attack rolls equal to the '''higher''' of your Int modifier or your Cha modifier. These guys didn't fit the formula of the later Bloodlines articles, but were definitely the most flavorful.

[[Dragon Magazine]] #383 featured the Broken Mirror tieflings, who traced their power to Levistus and had the power to bestow ill-fortune, via their Mantle of Misfortune racial power. In crunch terms, this amounted to the ability to create a turn-long, 5-square aura as a minor action, where any enemies in the aura suffered a -2 penalty to attack rolls and you could slide them 1 square if they missed. Given 4e placed a lot of emphasis on interesting environments, there's a certain comedic potential in this. At least, if you're the kind of person who can laugh at an [[ogre]] slipping on the remnants of one of its past victims and falling headfirst into its own pit full of spikes.

[[Dragon Magazine]] #387 featured the Blightseer tieflings, who traced their power to Baalzebul and had the power to cause decay in whatever they chose to look at. This manifested as the Gaze of Ruin racial feat-power, which was a 1/encounter 10 square minor action ranged attack that could impose either Vulnerability (All) on a target, a penalty to damage rolls with its weapon, or a -2 penalty to AC, depending on what you chose to stare at.

Needless to say, although the [[Warlock]] came out in late 3.5, it is 4th edition that has really pushed the tiefling/[[warlock]] racial to class matchup. However, that array of stat bonuses also makes 4e tieflings surprisingly good [[Paladin]]s and [[Warlord]]s, to say nothing of [[Sorcerer]]s, [[Bard]]s, [[Wizard]]s, [[Ardent]]s and [[Battlemind]]s. Although not statistically a good matchup, the tiefling rogue is still a time-honored archetype, and there's even a tiefling-exclusive rogue paragon path called the Hellstalker, which gains the ability to blind others and turn itself invisible.

In fact, 4e even made some nods to the fact that Tieflings make great Warlocks and Paladins; Dragon #381 mentions the existence of the Crimson Legion, an organization of hybrid & multiclassed Paladin/Warlocks that used to serve [[Asmodeus]] during the days of [[Bael Turath]] - now they view him as a turncoat, so they swear pacts to devils who want to oust Asmodeus and also to the gods, serving as the "go-betweens" for these allies of convenience as they seek to topple the God of Sin from his throne in the burning depths of [[Baator]].

==5e==
Despite all the [[skub]] surrounding 4th edition, the tiefling as a corebook race turned out to be a popular concept, and so naturally they made the trip into the 5th edition PHB. Although still preserving the "general look" from 4e, the 5e tiefling is more explicitly variable in appearance, and even got a short list of alternate physical mutations in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide - small horns, fangs/sharp teeth, forked tongue, catlike eyes, six fingers on each hand, goat-like legs, cloven hooves, a forked tail, leathery or scaly skin, black/red/dark blue skin color, cast no shadow, cast no reflection, and exude a smell of brimstone.

One of the differences to 4th edition is that tieflings are explicitly expected to be rarer, which is why they've returned to a more nebulous fluff closer to the AD&D original than 4e's "scions of a fallen empire".

In their original writeup, tieflings had +2 Cha, +1 Int, Medium size, 30ft base speed, Darkvision, Hellish Resistance (resistant to Fire), and Infernal Legacy (spell-like abilities; Thaumaturgy at-will, Hellish Rebuke as a 2nd level spell 1/day at 3rd level, Darkness 1/day at 5th level). However, this slowly changed.

The aforementioned SCAG gave them 4 alternative racial traits. The Feral trait changes their ability score modifier to +2 Dex/+1 Int, whilst Devil's Tongue and Winged replace the Infernal Legacy trait and Hellfire mods it. Devil's Tongue changes the tiefling's spell-like abilities to Vicious Mockery, Charm Person, and Enthrall. Hellfire changes the tiefling's spell-like abilities by replacing Hellish Rebuke with Burning Hands. And Winged, obviously enough, strips the tiefling of its spell-like abilities in exchange for the ability to fly 30 feet per round.

Then came an [[Unearthed Arcana]] article called "That Old Black Magic". As part of its discussion of demonic powers, it rewrote the tiefling into a race/subrace system. The original tiefling became the Infernal subrace, and in alternative, there was the Abyssal tiefling.

Then the [[Unearthed Arcana]] for October 2017, "Fiendish Options", which presented an new way of further specializing Infernal-type tieflings by connecting them to a specific [[Archdevil]]. These were subsequently reprinted ''exactly'' as-were in Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes.

'''Tiefling Racial Core:'''
::Ability Score Increase: +2 Charisma
::Size: Medium
::Speed: 30 feet
::Vision: Darkvision
::Subraces: Choose between the Infernal Tiefling and Abyssal Tiefling subraces.
::Language: Common

'''Infernal Tiefling:'''
::Ability Score Increase: +1 Intelligence
::Hellish Resistance: You have [[Damage Reduction|Fire Resistance]], halving all damage you take from fire.
::Infernal Legacy: Can cast Thaumaturgy cantrip at will, Hellish Rebuke as a 2nd level spell 1/day at 3rd level, and Darkness 1/day, all using Charisma.
::Bonus Language: Infernal

'''Abyssal Tiefling:'''
::Ability Score Increase: +1 Constitution
::Abyssal Fortitude: Your hit point maximum increases by half your level, rounding up.
::Abyssal Arcana: You have access to an array of randomized spells; you can cast a cantrip at 1st level, a 1st level spell at 3rd level, and a 2nd level spell at 5th level. All non-cantrip spells can be cast once per long rest, and are cast with a 2nd level spell slot. Each time you take a long rest, you must roll a D6 and compare it to the Abyssal Arcana Spells table to determine what spell you will be able to cast after completing your long rest. This must be done even if you haven't cast your spells, and you cannot keep the same spell-like ability; if your result would give you the same spell as the one you are replacing, roll again until the result is different. Make a separate roll for each available spell-like ability; a 3d6 result of 5, 3, 4 would give you Spare the Dying, Magic Missile and Levitate as your spell-like abilities until you next take a long rest.

''Abyssal Arcana Spells:''
::Result of 1: Dancing Lights for Cantrip, Burning Hands for 1st Level Spell, Alter Self for 2nd Level Spell
::Result of 2: True Strike for Cantrip, Charm Person for 1st Level Spell, Darkness for 2nd Level Spell
::Result of 3: Light for Cantrip, Magic Missile for 1st Level Spell, Invisibility for 2nd Level Spell
::Result of 4: Message for Cantrip, Cure Wounds for 1st Level Spell, Levitate for 2nd Level Spell
::Result of 5: Spare the Dying for Cantrip, Tasha's Hideous Laughter for 1st Level Spell, Mirror Image for 2nd Level Spell
::Result of 6: Prestidigitation for Cantrip, Thunderwave for 1st Level Spell, Spider Climb for 2nd Level Spell

===Archdevil Tieflings===
In contrast to the standard system above, an archdevil tiefling works like this; you take the standard/Infernal tiefling (who also represents an [[Asmodeus]] tiefling in this system) and replace its +1 Intelligence and the Infernal Legacy trait with an ability score increase and a new set of spell-like abilities determined by the archdevil you are blood-tied to. What this ultimately means is that, unlike the poor Abyssal Tiefling, you still maintain your Fire Resistance trait. All of your spell-like abilities adhere to the mold set by Infernal Legacy; a cantrip you can cast at-will, and two 1/day spells gained at levels 3 and 5, all fueled by Charisma.
::'''Baalzebul''': +1 Intelligence, Legacy of Maladomini (Thaumaturgy, Ray of Sickness, Crown of Madness).
::'''Dispater''': +1 Dexterity, Legacy of Dis (Thaumaturgy, Disguise Self, Invisibility).
::'''Fierna''': +1 Wisdom, Legacy of Phlegethos (Friends, Charm Person, Suggestion).
::'''Glasya''': +1 Dexterity, Legacy of Malbolge (Minor Illusion, Disguise Self, Invisibility).
::'''Levistus''': +1 Constitution, Legacy of Stygia (Ray of Frost, Armor of Agathys, Darkness). Why these tieflings don't swap Fire Resistance for Cold Resistance is anybody's guess.
::'''Mammon''': +1 Intelligence, Legacy of Minauros (Mage Hand, Tenser's Floating Disk 1/short rest, Arcane Lock).
::'''Mephistopheles''': +1 Intelligence, Legacy of Cania (Mage Hand, Magic Missile, Web). Again, these tieflings could trade Fire Resistance for Cold Resistance.
::'''Zariel''': +1 Strength, Legacy of Avernus (Thaumaturgy, Searing Smite, Branding Smite).

The Archdevil Tieflings do raise all sorts of questions. As a descendant of one of the Lords of the Nine, you have some important ancestry. Except some of them seem a bit unlikely. Dispater is way too careful to sire children, and Baalzebul has some very high demands of his consorts (but, being an archduke of hell and all, he's bound to meet plenty of people who find said demands [[/d/|downright enjoyable]]). Levistus is currently inside of the planes' biggest ice cube this side of the [[Elemental Planes|Plane of Ice]], and being a descendant of Glasya doesn't automatically make you part of Asmodeus' bloodline, who is her father. Zariel raises another question: despite being imprisoned for untold years by Bel she does have her share of descendants. So either these bloodlines are extremely old... or being clamjammed because of her imprisonment means that the girl had some catching up to do. In any case, it's all kind of silly.

==Pathfinder==
Being D&D 3.75 in all but name, you can bet your ass that [[Pathfinder]] was quick to include tieflings in their list of various races. In fact, tieflings are one of only two non-core races usable in officially-sponsored play (the other being the [[aasimar]]), and are common in-setting around both the nation of Cheliax (whose demon-summoning ways creates lots of them and whose [[Nazi]]-esque human-supremacist social policy discriminates against them) and around the [[Eye of Terror|Worldwound]]. (You, uh... you ''don't'' want to know [[rape|what goes on around the Worldwound]]. The place is so Abyss-tainted that simply being around it is known to make tieflings as well. It's not a happy area.)

At a glance, Pathfinder Tieflings are all but identical to their 3e versions; same bonus to Dex and Int, same penalty to Charisma, Medium Native Outsider, Darkvision 60 feet, Darkness 1/day, +2 to Bluff and Stealth. But, tieflings in PF have two unique traits. Firstly, they've regained the Resistance 5 they have againce Cold, Electrical and Fire damage. Secondly, they count their Charisma as being two points higher for all [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)|sorcerer]] class abilities if they have the Abyssal or Infernal Bloodline.

Given that Pathfinder loves to explore the complicated side of D&D 3.5, it should be little surprise that, with their "Blood of Fiends" sourcebook, not only did they revive the idea of randomized tables of tiefling appearance traits and alternative powers, they also came up with the idea of "purebred" tieflings. These are tieflings whose fiendish ancestry isn't strong enough to make them half-fiends (and yes, PF does have specific "half-[[marilith]]" or "half-[[succubus]]" type half-fiend templates), but is still strong enough that you can recognize what kind of fiend they originated from. This widely divergent array of different ability score modifiers makes "purebred" tieflings popular with power-gamers.

'''Faultspawn''' are the offspring of [[Asura]]s, an ancestry manifested by a propensity towards reptilian features and androgyny (yes, full-fledged [[dickgirl]]s too). Like their ancestors, their senses of pity and mercy tend to be stunted - at ''best'' - and they are usually bitterly misotheistic, hating the gods and those who'd worship them. Even outside of religion, they are cruel and merciless to those who hold beliefs different to their own, and tend to be emotionally abusive. Faultspawn tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Dex and Wis, -2 Intelligence. They change their skill modifiers to Appraise and Knowledge (Local), and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Hideous Laughter. They can also take the race traits Arms Master (decrease attack roll penalty on non-proficient weapons to -2) and Prayer Breaker (divine spellcasters increase the DC of Concentration checks caused by wounds you inflict by +2).

'''Grimspawn''' are the offspring of [[Daemon (Pathfinder)|Daemons]], which physically afflicts them with [[Nurgle|perpetual symptoms of illness despite being perfectly healthy]] or with an incurable emaciated look, and mentally makes them prone to nihilism and sadism. Grimspawn tend to take a delight in entropy and ruin, enjoying the suffering of others and the collapse of everything. At best, they tend to be goths with a propensity for giggling at funerals and disaster zones. At worse, they tend to be Joker-style omnicidal maniacs. Grimspawn tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Dex and Int, -2 Wisdom. They change their skill modifiers to Disable Device and Sleight of Hand, and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Death Knell. They can also take the race traits of Death's Deputy (if your attack would reduce its target's HP to -1 or less, inflict +2 damage) and SouL Eater (when you inflict a coup de grace, gain temporary HP equal to half your character level, minimum 1, for 1 minute; these don't stack).

'''Foulspawn''' are the offspring of [[Demodand]]s; like Faultspawn, they absolutely hate religion, but they have a more anarchistic bent, which tends to manifest as a desire to break even the rules of good taste and morality as well as those of society. Foulspawn stand out anyway due to being physically divergent - obscenely fat or shockingly thin, ridiculously short or alarmingly tall - but their disgusting personal habits and awful personal hygine makes them amongst the grossest of tieflings. Foulspawn tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Con and Wis, -2 Intelligence. They change their skill modifiers to Intimidate and Knowledge (Religion), and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Bear's Endurance. They can also take the race traits God Scorn (+1 trait bonus on saves vs. divine spells) and Repulsive (+1 trait bonus on combat manuever checks made to overrun and reposition opponents).

'''Pitborn''' are the classic [[Demon]]-blooded tieflings, marked by "chaotic" flaws that throw off their inherent symmetry (anything from having one extra finger or a differently colored eye to a vestigial twin or having half the body covered in spikes or scales), fierce tempers, and a love for destruction. Naturally; this is the one to go with if you want a tiefling descended from a succubus (and the example artwork looks attractive enough for such a heritage). Pitborn tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Strength and Charisma, -2 Intelligence. They change their skill modifiers to Disable Device and Perception, and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Shatter. They can also take the race traits Deadly Rush (+2 trait bonus to critical hit confirmation rolls made as part of a harge) and Flair for Destruction (+1 trait bonus on weapon damage rolls against objects and constructs).

'''Hellspawn''' are the [[Devil]]ish counterparts to the Pitborn; with their tendency to fit the "iconic" tiefling mold (horns, tail, funny eyes), they're perhaps one of the most common tiefling breeds, especially given Cheliax. Mentally, Hellspawn are noted for a strangely contradictory blending of traits. They are extremely ambitious, and adept at finding out what people want and sensing lies, but at the same time, they're noted for being extremely conservative and conformative in nature. Hellspawn are ambitious, but also rigid, stubborn, and prone to being OCD-freaks obsessed with their plans and schedules; they don't do so well with spontaneity. As a result, they tend to settle for just finding a niche and then making themselves comfortable in it, rather than climbing for king-of-the-hill. Hellspawn tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Con and Wis, -2 Charisma. They change their skill modifiers to Diplomacy and Sense Motive, and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Pyrotechnics. They can also take the race traits Blood Stalker (+4 trait bonus to Survival Checks made to track or follow the trail of a creature you dealt damage to within the last week) and Unearth Secrets (+2 trait bonus on Sense Motive checks made to detect a subject's hidden vice, dark impulse or other unseemly craving).

'''Spitespawn''' are born from ancient unions between humans and [[Div]]s, and these corrupted [[genie]]-kids are notorious for making the ultimate false friends. See, the stereotypical Spitespawn, as its moniker suggests, ''can't feel pleasure or happiness''. The closest they get to a true sense of fulfillment is the smug satisfaction they get when spitefully making things worse for other people. Their mutations tend to focus on deformities of the skin, with everything from weird blotches to mobile bumps that suggest insects burrowing underneath the skin. Mutated tongues are also common. Spitespawn tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Dex and Cha, -2 Int. They change their skill modifiers to Diplomacy and Linguistics, and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Misdirection. They can also take the race traits Buried Anxiety (choose a sepcific object, color, sound or other relatively common phenomena; so long as that isn't within range of your senses, you gain +2 to saves vs. fear) and Shift the Blame (+1 on Bluff and Diplomacy checks made to convince a person that somebody else is at fault for your actions).

'''Shackleborn''' are descended from [[kyton]]s, which makes them instantly recognizable, as their inherited sadomasochistic urges means they are invariably covered in an obscene amount of brandings, piercings and tattoos - even before one notices the scar-streak patterns or bruise-purple & blue hue to their skin, or the metal bits growing out of their flesh. Shackleborn tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Con and Cha, -2 Wisdom. They change their skill modifiers to Escape Artist and Intimidate, and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to z. They can also take the race traits Chain Master (+2 on combat manuever checks made to trip with spiked chains and whips) and Pain Artist (+2 trait bonus on Intimidate checks made against helpless creatures).

'''Hungerseed''' are the children of [[oni]], giving them both powerful builds and powerful appetites. Bullies and hedonists, Hungerseed yearn to sate their every indulgence and grow broody if thwarted by others. Hungerseed tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Str and Wis, -2 Cha. They change their skill modifiers to Disguise and Intimidate, and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Alter Self. They can also take the race traits Big Boned (+1 on combat manuever checks made to over run, +1 on CMD against trips) and Superior Clutch (+1 to damage rolls made with weapons intended for creatures of a larger size).

'''Motherless''' are those rare tieflings who trace their lineage to the [[qlippoth]], making them hideously deformed even by the standards of other tieflings. They are called the Motherless because upon birth they violently [[rip and tear]] their way out, killing their mother. Motherless tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Str and Wis, -2 Intelligence. They change their skill modifiers to Escape Artist and Survival, and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Blur. They can also take the race traits Repel Sin (+2 to saves against spells and effects with the Evil descriptor) and Vile Kiss (+2 on dirty trick checks made to Sicken opponents).

'''Beastbrood''' are the get of [[rakshasa]]s upon human lovers, tieflings whose forms betray their bestial heritage. This can vary from subtle traits to a full-on melding of man and beast, but is always [[furry|weirdly alluring despite its manimal shape]]. Arrogant, haughty and hedonistic, the Beastbrood crave opulence and expect obedience, giving them the attitude of typical aristocrats unless forced to act otherwise. Beastbrood tieflings have ability score modifiers of +2 Dex and Cha, -2 Wisdom. They change their skill modifiers to Disguise and Sense Motive, and swap their spell-like ability from Darkness to Detect Thoughts. They can also take the race traits Bent Body (+2 to CMD against grapples) and Tough Skin (+1 to AC when opponents attempt to confirm critical hits with bludgeoning or slashing weapons).

===The Pathfinder Tiefling Mutations Table===
* 1 Arms: elbow spurs
* 2 Arms: oversized limb
* 3 Arms: stony forearms
* 4 Arms: tentacle-like
* 5 Arms: undersized limb
* 6 Build: emaciated
* 7 Build: hunchback
* 8 Build: obese
* 9 Build: unnaturally heavy
* 10 Build: unnaturally light
* 11 Digits: abnormally long
* 12 Digits: extra digits
* 13 Digits: extra joints
* 14 Digits: no nails
* 15 Digits: odd number
* 16 Ears: batlike
* 17 Ears: missing
* 18 Ears: piglike
* 19 Ears: pointed
* 20 Ears: other
* 21 Eyes: cyclopic
* 22 Eyes: goatlike
* 23 Eyes: glowing
* 24 Eyes: smoking
* 25 Eyes: other
* 26 Face: canine muzzle
* 27 Face: insectile mandibles
* 28 Face: missing nose
* 29 Face: underdeveloped features
* 30 Face: other
* 31 Hands: backward-bending fingers
* 32 Hands: extra thumbs
* 33 Hands: pincers
* 34 Hands: suckered
* 35 Hands: other
* 36 Head: animalistic
* 37 Head: animate hair
* 38 Head: bald
* 39 Head: malformed
* 40 Head: other
* 41 Horns: draconic
* 42 Horns: metallic
* 43 Horns: ramlike
* 44 Horns: vestigial
* 45 Horns: other
* 46 Legs: backward-bending
* 47 Legs: birdlike
* 48 Legs: cloven feet
* 49 Legs: froglike
* 50 Legs: other
* 51 Skin: feathered
* 52 Skin: loose
* 53 Skin: patterned
* 54 Skin: rotting
* 55 Skin: scaled
* 56 Skin: slimy
* 57 Skin: strangely colored
* 58 Skin: translucent
* 59 Skin: variable color
* 60 Skin: other
* 61 Tail: aquatic
* 62 Tail: fiendish
* 63 Tail: mammalian
* 64 Tail: reptilian
* 65 Tail: other
* 66 Teeth: blunt
* 67 Teeth: fanged
* 68 Teeth: metallic
* 69 Teeth: needle-like
* 70 Teeth: other
* 71 Other: androgynous
* 72 Other: antennae
* 73 Other: avian snood
* 74 Other: bleeding pores
* 75 Other: bony ridges
* 76 Other: emits strange noises
* 77 Other: exoskeleton
* 78 Other: external organ
* 79 Other: extraneous nipple
* 80 Other: eyestalks
* 81 Other: forked tongue
* 82 Other: fungal/leafy growths
* 83 Other: hermaphroditic
* 84 Other: incongruous footprints
* 85 Other: infernal glow
* 86 Other: infested
* 87 Other: inhuman voice
* 88 Other: missing joint
* 89 Other: no reflection
* 90 Other: no shadow
* 91 Other: profane birthmark
* 92 Other: smoking breath
* 93 Other: spinneret
* 94 Other: strange smell
* 95 Other: uncontrollable twitch
* 96 Other: unnatural temperature
* 97 Other: vestigial limb
* 98 Other: whistling umbilicus
* 99 Roll twice, ignore any result of 99 or higher.
* 100 Roll three times, ignore any result of 99 or higher.

{{D&D2e-Races}}
{{D&D4e-Races}}
{{D&D5e-Races}}
{{Pathfinder-Races}}

==Gallery==
;2e & 3e Tieflings
<center>
<gallery>
File:DiTerlizzi Tiefling 2.jpg
File:DiTerlizzi Tiefling 1.jpg|Factol Rhys of the [[Transcendent Order]]. The only Factol to survive the [[Faction War]] because she got a hunch that she should skip town for a while.
File:DiTerlizzi Tiefling (Kylie the Tout).jpg|Kylie the Tout, reputed to be the daughter of [[Shemeshka]] the Marauder
File:DiTerlizzi Tiefling (Sly Nye).jpg|Sly Nye, [[Xaositect]] defense lawyer
</gallery>
</center>

;PF Tieflings
<center>
<gallery>
File:PF Tiefling.jpg|Just because you have fiendish blood doesn't mean you can't worship the sun goddess.
File:PF Tiefling Lavender Lil.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

;4e Tieflings
<center>
<gallery>
File:Tiefling Bard.png
File:Tiefling Dread Imperator.jpg
File:4e Tiefling Nightmare Weaver.jpg
File:4e Tiefling Concept.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

[[Category:Planescape]]

Alu-Fiend

2018-09-24T22:09:18Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: the proper plural form

{{Monstergirls}}
[[File:Alu-fiend.gif|thumb|right|300px|The apple doesn't fall far from the [[succubus]] family tree.]]

The '''Alu-Fiend''' is a fiendish race introduced as part of the [[Planescape]] setting in [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]. Specifically, they are the half-fiend daughters of [[succubus|Succubi]] - yeah, if you stop and think about it, that does make absolutely no sense - which makes them the female counterpart to the [[cambion]] race and a likely direct progenitor for a [[tiefling]].

In practice, the alu-fiend is basically a wimpier version of its succubus progenitor, with similar spell-like abilities to charm people, read thoughts and teleport away from danger. They are characterised by hating themselves extensively, due to feeling like they have no place amongst either humanoids or fiends. Weirdly, though they aren't all evil, they are actually ''more'' evil than their cambion cousins; cambions can potentially be Chaotic Good, but alu-fiends can only be Chaotic Neutral or True Neutral in place of their traditional Chaotic Evil alignment.

Alu-fiends, also referred to as alu-demons, first appeared in the Monster Manual II. They were described in the Monstrous Compendium Outer Planes Appendix and the Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix. Because they really didn't have a niche for themselves beyond "watered down succubus", they vanished with the creation of the [[Half-Fiend]] template in 3rd edition.

The closest thing to a nod to their existence was the creation of a web enhancement that details a Half-Succubus "variant" of the standard half-fiend template, which can be found here: http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060630x&page=3

{{D&D-Outsiders}}

Incubus

2018-09-24T21:50:56Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Dungeons & Dragons/Pathfinder */ lulzier

[[File:5e Cubi.png|300px|thumb|right|At their core, [[Succubus]] and Incubus are different genders of the same demon.]]
:''This page details the male sex-[[demon]], the masculine counterpart to the [[Succubus]]. For the [[Dark Eldar]] unit from [[Warhammer 40,000]], see [[Incubi]].''

An '''Incubus''' is a male [[demon]] associated with sexual pleasures and vices, an embodiment of the sin of lust. They are the male counterpart of the [[Succubus]], but get far less attention because, well, fantasy settings are full of near-human monstrous males who rape human women (see: [[orc]], [[ogre]], [[goblin]]) and they just don't interest the average fa/tg/uy the way that [[monstergirls]] do.

It doesn't help that some of the original legends said that incubi are literally just succubi that shapeshift into men since they were supposed to be the "temptators" responsible for both wet dreams and unwanted pregnancies, stealing semen from men in their dreams in female form to use it on the women they tempted afterwards in their male form. (Yeah, Middle-Age Christians kinda were /d/enizens, if you scratch the surface a bit.)

Incubus are also affiliated with something you may or may not have experienced, sleep paralysis.
==Dungeons & Dragons/Pathfinder==
The incubus as a demon in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] doesn't have a very long history. Their succubi sisters have stolen the show in almost every edition, but they have squeaked through here and there.

In 3rd edition, incubi embody "male sexual evil" in comparison to the succubi embodying "female sexual evil". This means that whilst succubi embody temptation and spiritual degradation, incubi embody rape and sexual violence. Appearing as shark-toothed, black-eyed, handsome men with gazelle-like horns, cloven hooves for legs and lashing tails, they retain the level-draining abilities of their sisters but have none of their subtler charms. [[Malcanthet]] keeps huge armies of them on her layer of the [[Abyss]], but she finds them dull and vulgar brutes, keeping them out of sight as best she can and using them only as armies to defend her layer against the inevitable attacks by rival [[Demon Prince]]s or [[angel]]s.

The [[Pathfinder]] version of the incubus is more of a melding point between the 3e Incubus and the 3e Succubus. Like the 3e Incubus, it's the embodiment of a masculine soul of particularly lusty and rapacious nature, one which is "forthright and forceful about its insatiable desires". However, it looks more like the succubus, complete with wings, and retains succubus-like enchantment spell-like abilities. Unlike either 'cubus from 3e, though, the PF incubus has no level draining ability, instead possessing a power called "Pain Redoubled" that imbues its melee attacks with the power to leave a victim temporarily incapacitated with augmented pain. When not in battle, incubi serve as counselors, torturers, and "companions" for greater demons. They are also often conjured for similar roles by mortal spellcasters, although care must be taken in dalliances with incubi, for they delight in causing pain to their companions.

In 4th edition, incubi are corrupted succubi; servitors of [[Graz'zt]], when the [[Archdevil]] entered the [[Abyss]] and turned into a [[Demon Prince]], they likewise were corrupted into primordial entities of untempered lust. In this edition, incubi and succubi are actually gender-neutral terms referring to specific kinds of lustful fiend, so you can now have a female incubus in the same way you could have a male succubus in previous editions. The incubus of the [[World Axis]] is an adept shapeshifter, able to take on mortal, beast and dream-forms, allowing it to prey upon the minds of those who attract its attention as well as their bodies and souls. They often work to form pleasure-cults, dedicated either to themselves or to Graz'zt. They're still charmers and manipulators, and in fact this is the one incubus in D&D that isn't about straight up rape, but instead charms and manipulates a victim before killing them, just like a common succubus. They use their dream-form to infiltrate the minds of slumbering victims, tempting and manipulating them, coaxing them into the arms of their humanoid forms, all the while assuming beast form to hunt, terrorize and slaughter freely elsewhere. They serve Graz'zt as scouts, assassins and other agents of disrupting, building clusters of broken-souled, lust-addled victims who will do anything for their master's embrace... and are ultimately consumed when the incubus' hunger for blood and souls is piqued by their corruption.

In 5th edition, incubi and succubi became indistinguishable; a single [[Neutral Evil]] lust-focused race of fiends with male and female members.

<center>
<gallery>
File:3e Incubus.jpg|The original D&D depiction of an incubus.
File:Incubus Pathfinder.jpg|The Incubus from Pathfinder. Not to be confused with [[World of Warcraft|Illidan Stormrage]].
File:4e Incubus.jpg|4e rendered the Incubus into a very different beast from its succubus counterpart.
File:5e Cubi.png|5e said "screw it"(presumably an expletive rather than a set of instructions) and just made the 'cubi into gender reskins of each other.
</gallery>
</center>

==Monstergirls==
{{Monstergirls}}
Incubi are integeral to the lore of the [[Monster Girl Encyclopedia]] - whatsat? How can an incubus, a by-defininition '''male''' monster, become a [[monstergirl]] and still be called incubus? Well, don't worry, they're not [[dickgirl]]s; it all has to do with the heavy Corruption Fetishism that the setting is built on.

See, the MGE world runs on the principle that there are two main kinds of [[mana]]; Spiritual Energy, produced by humans, and Demonic Energy, produced by demons (or mamono, in their native weeaboo). Demonic energy consumes spiritual energy, sort of like necrotic energy in D&D. As such, when a human is inundated with too much demonic energy, it changes them. Women turn into monstergirls; the "lesser succubus" is the iconic form of this, but virtually any monstergirl is possible depending on various factors. Men, on the other hand, don't react this way (barring gay men, who turn into reverse-[[trap]] succubi called Alps) - instead, they turn into what are called "Incubi".

In the MGE world, an incubus has absorbed so much demonic energy that it forms a ying-yang cycle with their spiritual energy (long story short, men produce spirit energy far more frequently and copiously than women do, which actually has its base in real Asian beliefs about soul energies, but still feels kind of skeezy). This results in them transforming into masculine "pseudo-monsters"; their bodies change into a more idealized form (youthful, slender, handsome), their virility and stamina increases massively, their personality becomes much more hedonistic and sex-obsessed, and they get some other benefits too.

Because men don't corrupt as easily as women, an incubus never comes into being unless a man has heavily bonded with a monstergirl lover - there are certain overpowered mamono who can force a near-immediate corruption in men, such as the [[Basilisk]] and the Ushi-oni, but they still "imprint" their essence on the new incubus. This has certain side-effects. The first two are that, one, the incubus can now physically sustain himself through sex with his bonded mamono, and two, the incubus is "marked" in the eyes of other monsters, which may either prevent them from trying to court him or encourage them, depending on their attitude towards monogamy & polygamy. Another side effect is that their physical appearance will shift to fit their bonded mamono's preferences - this won't make them physically inhuman, but if their wife is, say, a shotacon, then they'll end up looking like a young boy. Mind you, mamono bonded to an incubus find their subtle physical traits shifting to match his idealized form - which doubtlessly leads to amusement when a [[loli]] mamono snags herself a man with a tit fetish and winds up an oppai loli. Finally, the incubus will pick up various subtle mystical powers to better match their chosen mate(s), such as breathing water, tolerance for extreme temperatures, darkvision, etc.

[[Category:Monsters]]

Incubus

2018-09-24T21:47:04Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Dungeons & Dragons/Pathfinder */

[[File:5e Cubi.png|300px|thumb|right|At their core, [[Succubus]] and Incubus are different genders of the same demon.]]
:''This page details the male sex-[[demon]], the masculine counterpart to the [[Succubus]]. For the [[Dark Eldar]] unit from [[Warhammer 40,000]], see [[Incubi]].''

An '''Incubus''' is a male [[demon]] associated with sexual pleasures and vices, an embodiment of the sin of lust. They are the male counterpart of the [[Succubus]], but get far less attention because, well, fantasy settings are full of near-human monstrous males who rape human women (see: [[orc]], [[ogre]], [[goblin]]) and they just don't interest the average fa/tg/uy the way that [[monstergirls]] do.

It doesn't help that some of the original legends said that incubi are literally just succubi that shapeshift into men since they were supposed to be the "temptators" responsible for both wet dreams and unwanted pregnancies, stealing semen from men in their dreams in female form to use it on the women they tempted afterwards in their male form. (Yeah, Middle-Age Christians kinda were /d/enizens, if you scratch the surface a bit.)

Incubus are also affiliated with something you may or may not have experienced, sleep paralysis.
==Dungeons & Dragons/Pathfinder==
The incubus as a demon in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] doesn't have a very long history. Their succubi sisters have stolen the show in almost every edition, but they have squeaked through here and there.

In 3rd edition, incubi embody "male sexual evil" in comparison to the succubi embodying "female sexual evil". This means that whilst succubi embody temptation and spiritual degradation, incubi embody rape and sexual violence. Appearing as shark-toothed, black-eyed, handsome men with gazelle-like horns, cloven hooves for legs and lashing tails, they retain the level-draining abilities of their sisters but have none of their subtler charms. [[Malcanthet]] keeps huge armies of them on her layer of the [[Abyss]], but she finds them dull and vulgar brutes, keeping them out of sight as best she can and using them only as armies to defend her layer against the inevitable attacks by rival [[Demon Prince]]s or [[angel]]s.

The [[Pathfinder]] version of the incubus is more of a melding point between the 3e Incubus and the 3e Succubus. Like the 3e Incubus, it's the embodiment of a masculine soul of particularly lusty and rapacious nature, one which is "forthright and forceful about its insatiable desires". However, it looks more like the succubus, complete with wings, and retains succubus-like enchantment spell-like abilities. Unlike either 'cubus from 3e, though, the PF incubus has no level draining ability, instead possessing a power called "Pain Redoubled" that imbues its melee attacks with the power to leave a victim temporarily incapacitated with augmented pain. When not in battle, incubi serve as counselors, torturers, and "companions" for greater demons. They are also often conjured for similar roles by mortal spellcasters, although care must be taken in dalliances with incubi, for they delight in causing pain to their companions.

In 4th edition, incubi are corrupted succubi; servitors of [[Graz'zt]], when the [[Archdevil]] entered the [[Abyss]] and turned into a [[Demon Prince]], they likewise were corrupted into primordial entities of untempered lust. In this edition, incubi and succubi are actually gender-neutral terms referring to specific kinds of lustful fiend, so you can now have a female incubus in the same way you could have a male succubus in previous editions. The incubus of the [[World Axis]] is an adept shapeshifter, able to take on mortal, beast and dream-forms, allowing it to prey upon the minds of those who attract its attention as well as their bodies and souls. They often work to form pleasure-cults, dedicated either to themselves or to Graz'zt. They're still charmers and manipulators, and in fact this is the one incubus in D&D that isn't about straight up rape, but instead charms and manipulates a victim before killing them, just like a common succubus. They use their dream-form to infiltrate the minds of slumbering victims, tempting and manipulating them, coaxing them into the arms of their humanoid forms, all the while assuming beast form to hunt, terrorize and slaughter freely elsewhere. They serve Graz'zt as scouts, assassins and other agents of disrupting, building clusters of broken-souled, lust-addled victims who will do anything for their master's embrace... and are ultimately consumed when the incubus' hunger for blood and souls is piqued by their corruption.

In 5th edition, incubi and succubi became indistinguishable; a single [[Neutral Evil]] lust-focused race of fiends with male and female members.

<center>
<gallery>
File:3e Incubus.jpg|The original D&D depiction of an incubus.
File:Incubus Pathfinder.jpg|The Incubus from Pathfinder. Not to be confused with [[World of Warcraft|Illidan Stormrage]].
File:4e Incubus.jpg|4e rendered the Incubus into a very different beast from its succubus counterpart.
File:5e Cubi.png|5e said "screw it"(unknown if pun intended) and just made the 'cubi into gender reskins of each other.
</gallery>
</center>

==Monstergirls==
{{Monstergirls}}
Incubi are integeral to the lore of the [[Monster Girl Encyclopedia]] - whatsat? How can an incubus, a by-defininition '''male''' monster, become a [[monstergirl]] and still be called incubus? Well, don't worry, they're not [[dickgirl]]s; it all has to do with the heavy Corruption Fetishism that the setting is built on.

See, the MGE world runs on the principle that there are two main kinds of [[mana]]; Spiritual Energy, produced by humans, and Demonic Energy, produced by demons (or mamono, in their native weeaboo). Demonic energy consumes spiritual energy, sort of like necrotic energy in D&D. As such, when a human is inundated with too much demonic energy, it changes them. Women turn into monstergirls; the "lesser succubus" is the iconic form of this, but virtually any monstergirl is possible depending on various factors. Men, on the other hand, don't react this way (barring gay men, who turn into reverse-[[trap]] succubi called Alps) - instead, they turn into what are called "Incubi".

In the MGE world, an incubus has absorbed so much demonic energy that it forms a ying-yang cycle with their spiritual energy (long story short, men produce spirit energy far more frequently and copiously than women do, which actually has its base in real Asian beliefs about soul energies, but still feels kind of skeezy). This results in them transforming into masculine "pseudo-monsters"; their bodies change into a more idealized form (youthful, slender, handsome), their virility and stamina increases massively, their personality becomes much more hedonistic and sex-obsessed, and they get some other benefits too.

Because men don't corrupt as easily as women, an incubus never comes into being unless a man has heavily bonded with a monstergirl lover - there are certain overpowered mamono who can force a near-immediate corruption in men, such as the [[Basilisk]] and the Ushi-oni, but they still "imprint" their essence on the new incubus. This has certain side-effects. The first two are that, one, the incubus can now physically sustain himself through sex with his bonded mamono, and two, the incubus is "marked" in the eyes of other monsters, which may either prevent them from trying to court him or encourage them, depending on their attitude towards monogamy & polygamy. Another side effect is that their physical appearance will shift to fit their bonded mamono's preferences - this won't make them physically inhuman, but if their wife is, say, a shotacon, then they'll end up looking like a young boy. Mind you, mamono bonded to an incubus find their subtle physical traits shifting to match his idealized form - which doubtlessly leads to amusement when a [[loli]] mamono snags herself a man with a tit fetish and winds up an oppai loli. Finally, the incubus will pick up various subtle mystical powers to better match their chosen mate(s), such as breathing water, tolerance for extreme temperatures, darkvision, etc.

[[Category:Monsters]]

Incubus

2018-09-24T21:44:36Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Dungeons & Dragons/Pathfinder */

[[File:5e Cubi.png|300px|thumb|right|At their core, [[Succubus]] and Incubus are different genders of the same demon.]]
:''This page details the male sex-[[demon]], the masculine counterpart to the [[Succubus]]. For the [[Dark Eldar]] unit from [[Warhammer 40,000]], see [[Incubi]].''

An '''Incubus''' is a male [[demon]] associated with sexual pleasures and vices, an embodiment of the sin of lust. They are the male counterpart of the [[Succubus]], but get far less attention because, well, fantasy settings are full of near-human monstrous males who rape human women (see: [[orc]], [[ogre]], [[goblin]]) and they just don't interest the average fa/tg/uy the way that [[monstergirls]] do.

It doesn't help that some of the original legends said that incubi are literally just succubi that shapeshift into men since they were supposed to be the "temptators" responsible for both wet dreams and unwanted pregnancies, stealing semen from men in their dreams in female form to use it on the women they tempted afterwards in their male form. (Yeah, Middle-Age Christians kinda were /d/enizens, if you scratch the surface a bit.)

Incubus are also affiliated with something you may or may not have experienced, sleep paralysis.
==Dungeons & Dragons/Pathfinder==
The incubus as a demon in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] doesn't have a very long history. Their succubi sisters have stolen the show in almost every edition, but they have squeaked through here and there.

In 3rd edition, incubi embody "male sexual evil" in comparison to the succubi embodying "female sexual evil". This means that whilst succubi embody temptation and spiritual degradation, incubi embody rape and sexual violence. Appearing as shark-toothed, black-eyed, handsome men with gazelle-like horns, cloven hooves for legs and lashing tails, they retain the level-draining abilities of their sisters but have none of their subtler charms. [[Malcanthet]] keeps huge armies of them on her layer of the [[Abyss]], but she finds them dull and vulgar brutes, keeping them out of sight as best she can and using them only as armies to defend her layer against the inevitable attacks by rival [[Demon Prince]]s or [[angel]]s.

The [[Pathfinder]] version of the incubus is more of a melding point between the 3e Incubus and the 3e Succubus. Like the 3e Incubus, it's the embodiment of a masculine soul of particularly lusty and rapacious nature, one which is "forthright and forceful about its insatiable desires". However, it looks more like the succubus, complete with wings, and retains succubus-like enchantment spell-like abilities. Unlike either 'cubus from 3e, though, the PF incubus has no level draining ability, instead possessing a power called "Pain Redoubled" that imbues its melee attacks with the power to leave a victim temporarily incapacitated with augmented pain. When not in battle, incubi serve as counselors, torturers, and companions for greater demons. They are also often conjured for similar roles by mortal spellcasters, although care must be taken in dalliances with incubi, for they delight in causing pain to their companions.

In 4th edition, incubi are corrupted succubi; servitors of [[Graz'zt]], when the [[Archdevil]] entered the [[Abyss]] and turned into a [[Demon Prince]], they likewise were corrupted into primordial entities of untempered lust. In this edition, incubi and succubi are actually gender-neutral terms referring to specific kinds of lustful fiend, so you can now have a female incubus in the same way you could have a male succubus in previous editions. The incubus of the [[World Axis]] is an adept shapeshifter, able to take on mortal, beast and dream-forms, allowing it to prey upon the minds of those who attract its attention as well as their bodies and souls. They often work to form pleasure-cults, dedicated either to themselves or to Graz'zt. They're still charmers and manipulators, and in fact this is the one incubus in D&D that isn't about straight up rape, but instead charms and manipulates a victim before killing them, just like a common succubus. They use their dream-form to infiltrate the minds of slumbering victims, tempting and manipulating them, coaxing them into the arms of their humanoid forms, all the while assuming beast form to hunt, terrorize and slaughter freely elsewhere. They serve Graz'zt as scouts, assassins and other agents of disrupting, building clusters of broken-souled, lust-addled victims who will do anything for their master's embrace... and are ultimately consumed when the incubus' hunger for blood and souls is piqued by their corruption.

In 5th edition, incubi and succubi became indistinguishable; a single [[Neutral Evil]] lust-focused race of fiends with male and female members.

<center>
<gallery>
File:3e Incubus.jpg|The original D&D depiction of an incubus.
File:Incubus Pathfinder.jpg|The Incubus from Pathfinder. Not to be confused with [[World of Warcraft|Illidan Stormrage]].
File:4e Incubus.jpg|4e rendered the Incubus into a very different beast from its succubus counterpart.
File:5e Cubi.png|5e said "screw it"(unknown if pun intended) and just made the 'cubi into gender reskins of each other.
</gallery>
</center>

==Monstergirls==
{{Monstergirls}}
Incubi are integeral to the lore of the [[Monster Girl Encyclopedia]] - whatsat? How can an incubus, a by-defininition '''male''' monster, become a [[monstergirl]] and still be called incubus? Well, don't worry, they're not [[dickgirl]]s; it all has to do with the heavy Corruption Fetishism that the setting is built on.

See, the MGE world runs on the principle that there are two main kinds of [[mana]]; Spiritual Energy, produced by humans, and Demonic Energy, produced by demons (or mamono, in their native weeaboo). Demonic energy consumes spiritual energy, sort of like necrotic energy in D&D. As such, when a human is inundated with too much demonic energy, it changes them. Women turn into monstergirls; the "lesser succubus" is the iconic form of this, but virtually any monstergirl is possible depending on various factors. Men, on the other hand, don't react this way (barring gay men, who turn into reverse-[[trap]] succubi called Alps) - instead, they turn into what are called "Incubi".

In the MGE world, an incubus has absorbed so much demonic energy that it forms a ying-yang cycle with their spiritual energy (long story short, men produce spirit energy far more frequently and copiously than women do, which actually has its base in real Asian beliefs about soul energies, but still feels kind of skeezy). This results in them transforming into masculine "pseudo-monsters"; their bodies change into a more idealized form (youthful, slender, handsome), their virility and stamina increases massively, their personality becomes much more hedonistic and sex-obsessed, and they get some other benefits too.

Because men don't corrupt as easily as women, an incubus never comes into being unless a man has heavily bonded with a monstergirl lover - there are certain overpowered mamono who can force a near-immediate corruption in men, such as the [[Basilisk]] and the Ushi-oni, but they still "imprint" their essence on the new incubus. This has certain side-effects. The first two are that, one, the incubus can now physically sustain himself through sex with his bonded mamono, and two, the incubus is "marked" in the eyes of other monsters, which may either prevent them from trying to court him or encourage them, depending on their attitude towards monogamy & polygamy. Another side effect is that their physical appearance will shift to fit their bonded mamono's preferences - this won't make them physically inhuman, but if their wife is, say, a shotacon, then they'll end up looking like a young boy. Mind you, mamono bonded to an incubus find their subtle physical traits shifting to match his idealized form - which doubtlessly leads to amusement when a [[loli]] mamono snags herself a man with a tit fetish and winds up an oppai loli. Finally, the incubus will pick up various subtle mystical powers to better match their chosen mate(s), such as breathing water, tolerance for extreme temperatures, darkvision, etc.

[[Category:Monsters]]

Beholder

2018-09-24T21:25:51Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* 2nd & 3rd Edition */

[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]][[Category:Monsters]]
[[Image:Beholder_balloon.jpg|thumb|right|Drow clowns make a different kind of balloon animal]]

A '''beholder''' is a giant lumpy... thing that looks like a floating octopus with a giant eye in the middle. The tentacles also have eyes at the end of them. Yuck.

Beholders, like [[Illithid|Mind Flayer]]s, are considered "intellectual property" of <s>TSR</s> Wizards of the Coast, so they aren't allowed to be used in third party D&D supplements or in [[Pathfinder]] as they were not covered under the [[OGL|Open Gaming License]]. This naturally doesn't stop [[ChapterHouse Studios|weirdly similar]] creatures from appearing in various [[weeaboo]] JRPGs and related works, where they're usually called "gazers" or similar. Yes, this includes [[Monstergirls]]. Of course one game even used the name beholder, but we all excuse it, because this game is [[Heroes of Might and Magic|THE GAME. THE LEGEND.]]

==Personality and Characteristics==
Beholders are selfish bastards who love to manipulate and enslave any races considered beneath themselves (i.e. every other species). They are extremely [[Imperium|xenophobic]] even going so far as to kill other individuals of their species that look even ''slightly'' different from themselves, though they always go after the more extreme divergences first; two beholders will gang up on the "freak" with scales and fiery eyes before trying to kill each other over the differences in their numbers of teeth. Soooo basically the D&D equivalent of a [[Doctor Who|Dalek]].

Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the beholder race has a lot of genetic variety (as evidenced by the number of Beholder variants, all of whom hate each other, as listed below). They are greedy, often living in dungeons stuffed with valuables. They can cast magic from their eyes and often rule over unwilling souls through domination. One even runs the Thieves' Guild of Skullport, the most recent of several beholders to have done so.

==Notable Variants==
===2nd & 3rd Edition===
* Gauth: basically, babby's first beholder, with only 6 eyestalks of doom and a reduced ability to disintegrate everyone.
* Eyeball: tiny beholder, best used as a familiar. Pretty damn adorable for a beholder, still Neutral Evil.
* Death Tyrant: basically, a Beholder lich. Yeah, you're probably fucked.
* Death Kiss: instead of dispensing death-beams from its eyestalks, they use them to suck your blood.
* Astereater: giant space-faring asteroid beholder with no eyestalks that eats your ship. [[Spelljammer]] was weird.
* Hive Mother/[[Hive Tyrant]]: basically a bigger meaner beholder that holds other beholders under its sway.
* Spectator: true neutral beholder. It's actually pretty swell, as far as beholders go. Remember that one beholder in Baldur's Gate?
* Overseer: a beholderkin that looks like a giant fleshy tree trunk with eyestalk branches, tentacles for roots, and several mouths at the base. Yes, I realize that it looks nothing like a beholder, but the book says it is so fuck it, let's call it a beholder. Like the hive mother, it also has the ability to dominate other beholders.
* Eye of the Deep: it's like a beholder BUT UNDERWATER! And it tastes oddly of shrimp. Also, it's got little arms with crab-pincers. Only has two eye stalks and the central eye can flash blinding light. Also can cast the spell persistent image.
* Director: a beholder with three bottom tentacles that it uses to ride vermin, usually giant centipedes. Because haven't we all wanted to ride a giant centipede like a pony up and down the streets... SHUT UP, I DON'T JUDGE YOU! Has six eye stalks and its central eye generates a protective forcefield around itself and its mount.
* Beholder mage: when the DM wants the entire party to die horrible deaths but doesn't feel like using rocks. All the cheese of a wizard with more spells per day, the ability to blast 10 spells at once at you as free actions, and fucking spontaneous casting. Even munchkins shit their pants in fear when they hear of these things. One of the unholy trinity of fuck off broken PCs that you can technically enter, the others being tainted scholars and Illithid Savants. And that's before you start optimizing the bastard because the fucker can still take ten more levels before becoming epic.
* Gas Spore: Not a true beholder, but actually a [[fungus]] that resembles a beholder. May have been created by beholder mages, may be a fungus that took on the form of the beholder that it fed on, or maybe it's just mundane evolutionary mimicry.
* Gouger: A beholderkin created to fight beholders. It does not have any eye powers other than the antimagic eye. It attacks with a long barbed tongue which it uses to disable other beholder's eyes. Larger than regular beholders and has four small legs hanging off of their body.

===4th edition===
4e made use of quite a few different kinds of beholder, though almost all of them were pretty rapetastic, being made for higher levels. Most kinds of beholders had a Telekinesis Ray that they could use to slide enemies about, though for most that's all they do.

* Gauth - Pretty much the same as old editions, this is the pitiful little baby of the beholder family in 4e, and something you can toss at low-level parties to scare them without killing them. Level 5 Elites that can shoot fire, sleeping rays and exhaustion rays, and immobilise with its central eye.
* Bloodkiss - Another carry-over, and the second-weakest beholder statted, this one got the Undead subtype for some reason (guess they didn't read up and thought it was "just" a beholder vampire). Level 9 Solo Controller that relies on its blood-sucking tentacles to rip up anything in reach, though it also packs a psychic + dazing effect Death Scream attack and can hit people a lot of times.
* Eye of Flame - A beholder that specialises in burninating shit. Central eye gives vulnerability to fire and causes fire attacks to do ongoing, eyestalks blast foes with fire and fear effects. A low-Paragon tier (level 13 Elite) foe.
* Eye of Frost - We got a burn-your-ass beholder, so evidently we need a freezinating beholder. Slightly tougher (1 level higher) than its counterpart. Central eye means cold damage can immobilise those it looks at... weirdly, its got two kinds of freezing rays; one that does a lot of cold damage, one that does less cold damage but freezes your ass solid.
* Beholder Spawn - Baby beholders wanna eat your face, too. Level 15 Minions that can bite or do elemental damage with their eye-rays.
* Eye Tyrant - Your basic beholder for this edition, and pretty damn nasty (level 19 Solo). Can daze you with its central eye, or use its eyestalks to cause radiant and necrotic damage, put you to sleep, paralyze you, confuse you, terrify you, petrify you, disintegrate you or kill you outright.
* Eye of Shadow - Beholders who spent too long in the shadowfell, dissolving into a blot of darkness and hate. Fairly puny (level 12 Elite), but seriously trolling, with blinding rays, thundering rays, freezing rays, and the ability to pull off a "teleport 20 squares and then be invisible" trick.
* Ghost Beholder - Dead Eye Tyrant who came back as a ghost. A level weaker and only an Elite, but still pretty nasty. Freezing eye rays and the ability to possess and mind control your dudes: not a lot of fun if your Will is shitty.
* Death Tyrant - Zombie Eye Tyrants, pretty much. Way weaker than their older namesakes (level 15 Solo). Central eye can strip away necrotic resistance (guess what kind of damage it does most) and slow you, and eyebeams focused on kill-you-dead. Choice is whether it just necrotic damages you to death, petrifies you, makes you die, or makes you die and then come back as a ghoul. Oh, and it has a fear ray too.
* Eye of Chaos - Now we're getting into the big guns. Level 25 Elites that will drive you almost as crazy as themselves, with the ability to lock you down to at-will powers only with their central eye and hit you with rays of force, blinding, confounding, madness, fear or teleportation.
* Ultimate Tyrant - They ain't fucking kidding when they named this bastard. Level 29 Solo - there are ancient dragons that aren't this nasty! Central eye locks you down, other eyes can drive you mad, unravel you, dissolve you, burn you, freeze you, drag you around, petrify you, disintegrate you, pull you closer or hurl you away.

===5th Edition===
5e's first Monster Manual provides three forms of beholder; common beholder (or Eye Tyrant), Death Tyrant, and Spectator. The first two variants are what 5e calls Legendary creatures, meaning they have extra powers in their lairs that they can trigger on Initiative Count 20, certain specific effects mark the regions in which they lair, and they have special Legendary Actions that they can perform outside of the normal turn sequence. Their legendary ego has been given up a serious boost; now, beholders mutate at random just by accidentally thinking too hard, their ego is that overpowering. This is also how they reproduce: by sleeping and dreaming of other beholders, bending reality in that way.

* Beholder: You know it, you hate it. Challenge level 13. Has its old antimagic cone central eye back, a bite attack for piercing damage, and ten eye rays, of which it can use three each round, rolling randomly to determine which three it has. Charm ray, paralyzing ray, fear ray, slowing ray, enervation ray, telekinetic ray, sleep ray, petrification ray, disintegration ray and death ray. It can burn one of its three legendary actions at the end of another creature's turn to blast somebody with a random eye ray. Its lair effects consist of three options; change a 50ft square up to 120ft distant into slimy difficult terrain, make any walls within 120ft sprout flailing appendages that'll grapple anyone within 10ft who can't beat a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check, or cause an eye to pop up on any solid surface within 60ft that can then shoot a random eye ray at any enemy within its sight. For region effects, they're all fluffy; creatures within 1 mile sometimes feel they're being watched, or minor reality warps that affect inanimate objects (markings changing on a wall, slime coating a statue, etc) pop up whilst the beholder is sleeping. Volo's Guide to Monsters introduced a table of potential alternate eye rays, in case your party was feeling complacent.
* Death Tyrant: A beholder who dreamed of living forever. So it died in its sleep and became an undead beholder skull with ghostly eyes. It trades the antimagic cone for a negative energy cone (creatures can't regain hitpoints, humanoids that die in its area of effect become zombies under the death tyrant's command on the next turn). It has the same eye rays and legendary actions as the beholder. Its lair actions are variants of the beholder's - its grabbing walls are DC 17 and reach into the Ethereal Plane, it creates a 50ft cube of lightly obscured difficult terrain, and it can create a spectral eye at any point within 50ft, which can also target foes on the Ethereal Plane. It has one crunchy regional effect; a creature that is both hostile to the death tyrant and aware of its existence must roll a D20 if it finishes a long rest within 1 mile of the death tyrant's lair. On a 10 or less, it gets zapped with a random eye ray.
* Spectator: A lesser beholder variant with only four eye stalks, conjured from another plane of existence via a ritual that requires four beholder eyestalks as material components. It's only Challenge level 3 and it's Lawful Neutral, rather than the Lawful Evil of the others. It has a Confusion Ray, a Paralyzing Ray, a Fear Ray and a Wounding Ray, and it can magically create all the food and water it needs to sustain itself each day. It's a fool's gambit to attack it with spells thanks to its Spell Reflection reaction, which lets it retarget a spell that missed the spectator, or which forced a save that the spectator passed, against another creature within the spectator's line of sight and that is at least 30 feet from the spectator.
* Death's Kiss: A Beholder who had nightmares about bleeding out spawns a vampiric tentacle monster, using toothy mouth-stalks to voraciously suck the blood from other creatures. It also bleeds lightning, for some reason. Not as smart as a normal beholder, but for this reason not as egotistical or paranoid. Added in Volo's Guide to Monsters.
* Gauth: A smaller beholder who sometimes shows up if you screw up the ritual to summon a spectator; it's got six eyestalks, four tentacles, and smaller eyes all around its central eye, so it's hard to understand how wizards can get confused when it lies and claims to be the real deal. The issue is that Gauths are magic eaters, sucking the juice from magical items to sustain themselves, so you can see why that makes them pretty piss-poor guards for a wizard's lair. They're weaker than true beholders and also less xenophobic. Also, they explode when you kill them.
* Gazer: A ridiculously adorable and weak little beholder (only Challenge 1/2 - that is, a ''twenty-sixth'' of the strength of a true beholder) that is sometimes dreamed into being. They're so amusingly pathetic that even pure beholders often keep them as pets, and they have the same sadistic ego of a full beholder in miniature. Have caused a lot of argument over whether the sidebar on gazer familiars is intended for PCs as well or just for mage NPCs, and if so if house rules should be used to slot them in as Chain Pact warlock familiars, let them take the action to fire their eye-rays, etc.
* Mindwitness: A beholder converted into an [[illithid]]-like creature via ceremorphosis. Now that those of you who aren't currently running from your computers in terror have stopped screaming, the end result is less "terrifying perfect marriage of beholder eye-rays with illithid mind rape and the combined egotism of both" and more "quasi-lobotomized docile [[Adeptus Astra Telepathica#Astropaths|glorified psionic email server]]," though still smarter than the average human. Notably, if the illithids and elder brains they serve are slaughtered and they survive, mindwitnesses tend to drift around looking for other psionic creatures to serve, taking on the alignments and worldviews of those they meet, be they kindly [[flumph]]s or evil [[demon]]s. Four of their eyestalks become tentacles, but they have six kinds of eyerays: fear, telekinetic, and slowing rays like those of their normal cousins, but also aversion rays that cause disadvantage on attack rolls, stunning rays that stun creatures, and a psychic ray that just causes a pile of psychic damage.

==Notable Beholders==
*That beholder head of the thieves' guild who was the first major boss in [[Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance]]
*Another beholder head of another thieves' guild who was the final boss of the first Eye of the Beholder game.
*That funny spectator you kept running into and quasi-befriended in [[Baldur's Gate|Baldur's Gate II]]
*That blind death tyrant boss you had to get a special god-killing magic wand to kill in [[Baldur's Gate|Baldur's Gate II]]
*That beholder in [[Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes]]
*That beholder in Futurama who's there for no apparent reason (was meant to be guarding some passage in the Central Bureaucracy but fell asleep on the job)
*Xanathar, the writer of "Xanathar's guide to everything" and head of Skullport's Thieves' Guild, which includes new options for classes and backgrounds, along with his snide comments running throughout. Apparently he's only one of many beholders to have used the title since the first one seized power. He really loves his pet goldfish. It is kind of adorable. What he doesn't know is that his beloved goldfish has been replaced several times by the Thieves' Guild since goldfish don't live very long and he would [[RAGE|not be happy if he ever found out]].

==Beholders as Monstergirls==
[[File:Gazer.jpg|200px|thumb|right|No, you're not dreaming, this is a Beholder in monstergirl form.]]{{Monstergirls}}

[[rule 34|The proof that nothing, ab-so-lu-te-ly nothing is sacred,]] even Beholders got anthropomorphised into a sexy almost-human female by [[/d/|those irremediably insane weebs]]. Goddamit, Japan!

Gazers (as they are typically known due to copyright) are often depicted as arrogant, selfish beings that do not hesitate to use their eye ray powers to get what they want. Of course, fitting for a [[monstergirl]]s setting, their powers are [[PROMOTIONS|less destructive]] than that of a D&D Beholder, going more toward charm, hypnotism and mind control.

Still, beholder-girls are a rarity, simply because there's something rather counter-intuitive about turning a floating head full of teeth and eyes into a monstergirl. Perhaps the most well known example of them on /tg/ is the Gazer of the [[Monster Girl Encyclopedia]], whose smug grin currently adorns this section of the page. Described as spiteful and full of themselves, their deepest secret is that this is mostly bluster to cover up feelings of insecurity about their looks. They specialize in hypnotic spells, mostly to brainwash men into falling in love with them.

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
File:Awesome Beholder.png
File:The-bard-and-the-beholder.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

Monster Girl Encyclopedia

2018-09-24T21:06:50Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* (Unintentional) Grimdarkness */

{{editwar}}
{{Promotions}}
{{Monstergirls}}
The '''Monster Girl Encyclopedia''' is a [[NSFW]] encylopedia fleshing out a setting of [[monstergirls]] written and impressively illustrated by Japanese hentai creator Kenkou Cross. The artwork is great (if somewhat contentious in content). Some of the premises are as interesting as they are [[/d/|"enjoyable"]].

So what's the problem?

Well, while everyone more or less likes the entries themselves, the setting around them is pure [[skub]], built on a mixture of fetishized [[rape]] and the sort of unintentional [[grimdark]] only a [[/d/M]] [[Magical Realm|building a world entirely for his penis to the exclusion of all other cocks]] could create. That didn't stop it from getting an english-translated hardcover first volume printed thanks to [[Life With Monstergirls|this faggotry]].

The first encyclopedia is written from the perspective of a human, a nameless Wandering Scholar. The second one is written by Saphirette Spherica, a formerly human monster girl. Whether or not this change in author actually results in a change in editorial viewpoint is... debatable. Kenkou Cross has tried to claim that the first paints the monsters in a harsher light due to faulty information, and the second in a more favorable light thanks to being written by one, but considering the first volume has nary a good thing to say about the monsters' enemies, stops just shy of all-but urging the reader to go fuck a monster right now, and is actually revealed to be cursed by a succubus at the end, well... doesn't really hold water upon any kind of inspection.

But, we're getting ahead of ourselves...

==The Setting==
A brief summary is pretty simple. A Succubus has become Monster Lord, god-like ruler of all monsters. Taking the throne for herself, the Succubus has enacted a plan to bring about her vision of peace upon the world: transforming all monsters into lusty monstergirls, known in universe as mamono, and setting them out to score themselves human husbands. Peace through mutually-ensured copulation, you might say. She even convinces the Hero who is sent to slay her to join her in her rebellion against the Chief God and become her husband.

==The Factions==
===Monster Lord===
The aforementioned Big Chief Succubus, her human husband, their daughters, and pretty much every freaking mamono in the world. Want to bring about peace between humans and monsters by making human man/monstergirl relationships the norm of the world. To be fair, though, the vast majority of "normal" mamono don't really have a lot of ideological indoctrination so much as help her goals by trying to find someone to slip 'em the d - the Monster Lord basically leeches off of their "mamono mana", which increases when they fuck, to boost her own strength.

Thanks to [[Mary Sue|blatant creator favoritism]], the Monster Lord has so many ludicrously-overblown advantages piled up on her side it's honestly more incredible she hasn't instantly won the conflict seconds after starting it. And the fact that her ideal world would look like ''Brave New World'' as run by a particularly sick combination of [[Nurgle]] and [[Slaanesh]] is something of a turn-off for a lot of readers. Seriously, go read [[Chakat|this page]], mentally find+replace all the furry stuff with this-setting stuff, and see how accurate all the descriptions still are.

Part of her eventual endgame involves causing monsters to have male incubus children, in addition to their own female offspring. Again, most monsters have no interest in actively conquering human lands so complete assimilation of humans into the "new humanity consisting of incubi and monster girls" will, probably, take a while. It's been a few centuries now and things are still in a relative stalemate, though every once in a while something dramatic happens, especially since lately one of her daughters, Derulla, has taken it upon herself to probe the human kingdoms for weak links, and has already destroyed the nation of Lescatier by exploiting its internal flaws and transforming its various heroines into ravenous and evangelical monster girls by exploiting their neuroses.

====Sabbath====
A sub-faction under the Monster Lord's banner, led by baphomet mamono and primarily staffed by cults of witches, many of whom joined for "eternal youth" without reading the side effects too closely. This group is comprised entirely of [[loli]] mamono and is dedicated to spreading lolidom (in both senses of the word) over the world. Or, in other words, they want to convert women into loli mamono, convert non-loli mamono into loli form, and convert human men into "Big Brothers" (lolicons). They're the monster's primary source of R&D for various weird and sexy inventions. While each branch of the Sabbath is run by a baphomet, the organization as a whole is led by the strongest baphomet of all. This same baphomet also leads the Mamono Lord's army and holds considerable influence in the world of monsters. Surprisingly she is noted to still be single, perhaps because baphomet normally only marry men who can beat them in battle, but more-probably so the lolicons in the audience can still hold onto hope of tappin' dat semi-jailbait ass.

====Zipangu====
The not!Japan of the setting, not technically loyal to the Monster Lord but still held up as the shining example of what she wants to achieve, with humans and monstergirls living together relatively peacefully, though often with monsters dominating humanity in the bargain. Would be [[Mary Sue]] if they had a bigger role in the world instead of being in the ass end of nowhere, but what do you expect when the creator is Japanese? Often a source of various "[[weeaboo|Eastern]]" versions of already-released mamono. Whether this is a bad thing really depends on your perspective, as well as the degree to which they successfully differentiate themselves from their predecessors.

Supposedly has clans of exorcists who fight monsters with about the same success as the Order, but are tolerated since some vicious monsters really do need clearing out.

====The Land of Mists====
Like Zipangu, only not!Chinese instead of not!Japanese.

===Pandemonium===
A faction operating out of a timeless demiplane. Allied to a high tier god called "the Fallen God", they're basically extremists on the Monster Lord's plan who seek to convert men and women to go to a dimension (Pandemonium) that consists essentially of one eternal, never-ending orgy. KC only made three profiles for this faction - the Dark Angel, Dark Valkyries and the Dark Priest - and often doesn't touch it for ages between profiles, probably because they tended to be the biggest fuel for the "anti-mamono interpretation" of the setting in the early days due to the rather limited lifestyle they subject their converts to. Hilariously, compared to the Monster Lord, they're practically vanilla: since none of them seem to go in for rape when "conversion" is much more fun. Moreover, since they have their own dimension, they aren't all that interested in altering the rest of the world, instead seeking converts to leave with them for Pandemonium.

Of course, the featured Fallen God-aligned maiden in Lescatier went and raped a couple little girl orphans she'd been caring for immediately after converting to its worship (with some prodding by Derulla), then pimped out all the other orphan children to random perverts in the street, so maybe not ''as'' vanilla as many would like...

===The Gods===
The original masters of the world, led by a Chief God, who was gravely injured by the Monster Lord and her husband while trying to kill them both to stop their plans. Currently split between those who support the Monster Lord's plan and those who support the Chief God in trying to slay the Monster Lord and return things to the original cycle. Mentioned goddesses in the first faction include Poseidon, Eros, Ares, and Dionysus. Hilariously, [[Derp|the english translations refer to every single god thus far as a goddess, and most of them are named after a deity that was originally male,]] though the Japanese text refers to them using gender neutral pronouns which is slightly less odd.

In all honesty, many fans find the Chief God (who isn't the ''original'' Chief God) far more sympathetic than the Monster Lord. Yes, she wants to bring back the old cycle, which is bad, but otherwise she doesn't really work as a villain and is written too sympathetically to be truly hateable. KC has admitted that she was a rookie, and she ''knows'' this and that she's over her head. She's still hurt from a thwarted attempt at smiting the current Monster Lord and her husband, and she has no idea what she's doing, but she's trying to do a good job and set things "right" as far as she understands it, because that's what's expected of her. She's so ineffectual as an antagonist, especially with how stacked things are in the Monster Lord's favor, that many fans want to comfort her rather than see her lose.

To try and counter this, KC has put out that it's officially fact that the Chief God will accept nothing less than the restoration of the old cycle, and doing so will result in countless grisly deaths as every former-mamono reverts to a man-eating monster and devours her spouse. Unfortunately, rather than instantly silence his critics, it has only made the setting look like a [[Grimdark|"you're fucked either way"]] sort of deal. (Pun semi-intended.)

====The Order====
The chief religion of the setting and a fairly standard [[weeaboo]] take on Medieval semi-Christianity. Dedicated to the Chief God first and foremost, their duty is to ensure humanity lives safe, moral lives. To this end, they train divinely-empowered Heroes to go out and fight monsters. It's kind of unclear as to whether they don't know that the new Monster Lord wants to end the cycle, or if they do know and are deliberately lying to general people so they still believe that all mamono want to kill and eat them. The Wandering Scholar is worried he'll be killed if they catch him, and the original Encyclopedia had a warning about people being punished for being caught with it, but, well... remember how it ends with a call to arms for everyone to go out and become or fuck a monster, then with a ''second'' reveal that it's actually a cursed book that's either turned you into a succubus or sent you off to stick your dick in the nearest one?

A lot of fans like to portray them as essentially a fantasy take on the [[Imperium of Man]], but, really, that particular interpretation doesn't hold much water. If nothing else they aren't racist, having been on excellent terms with a number of non-human races before current events left humankind alone. Shit, settings material outright states that monsters are always ''happy'' when the Order comes crusadin', because it means they're about to enjoy the fantasy equivalent of a massive speed dating party. Due to the very nature of their teachings, the Order's men are such good people that most of them can't bring themselves to actually hurt a mamono when they meet one. Consequently, mamono consider Order men damn fine husbando material, and are eager to capture and "convert" them when they show up.

There are Order soldiers and heroes who will kill monsters readily of course, but given monsters will still fight and even kill to defend themselves it's dangerous work. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on one's perspective), the goddess of war protects both side of the war, and getting killed in battle is rare, so lots of beaten knights just end up getting convinced "the hard way" after a fight.

==(Unintentional) Grimdarkness==
The original Chief God created humans, but for an unknown reason was worried about their numbers like the retard it is. So it created monsters to slaughter humans in sufficient numbers to cull them before eventually creating the program of the Heroes and the Monster Lord: the Heroes get empowered when humans are too weak to disrupt the monsters' attack by killing their demigod leader, the Monster Lord, throwing monsterkind into disarray so that humanity has time to recover, and then eventually a new Monster Lord rises up and starts the same shit over again. Said Chief God also forced the other gods to get in on this - Poseidon supports the new Monster Lord because she's sick of having to kill people with tidal waves, storms, and sea monster attacks.

So there we start: murder and violence is a must because...well...the creator can't be bothered to invent diseases or make a better species, literally turns the world into a medieval battlefield and forces genocidal hate onto other species.

Think the new Monster Lord is any better? Only if you don't mind the fact that she's bungling her job, and so mamono have swapped "kill and eat humans" for "kidnap and rape" humans...It would be a relatively tolerable subjugation were it not the fact her stated goal is to drive human women ''extinct'' so human men '''would have to''' marry monstergirls, and so she is actively seeking to convert (physically and mentally transform) all women into mamono. Also, her idea of utopia is a [[/d/| lawless wasteland]] where [[Chris-Chan|free love is rampant, dissent is impossible, everyone agrees with her about everything all the time, and also, children regularly fuck their parents]]. (No, seriously, there's an entire species of mamono that are literally fetuses that ''abort'' themselves because they can't stand waiting to be born before having sex, on top of the [[loli| usual nonsense]].) And anyone who becomes a monster or an incubus basically loses the ability to disagree with her, one way or another. And we all can agree that mind rape is worse than murder in many ways, like a family mother that disappeared in a monster raid and now is back as a forcefully converted sex hungry monster that rapes probably even her own kids.

[[Edgy|Jesus...]]

Also, a lot of the time when KC writes profiles he focuses ''so goddamn much'' on the aspect of how the men that monsters catch react sexually and how women caught by monsters end up going "Oh noes, how embarrassing, everyone can see my sexual repression!" that he forgets to ''actually write the profile'', causing several monsters to come across as significantly more horrible than he intended. Though this is still absolutely a rod this idiot has made for his own back, and he deserves your scorn rather than your pity for it. (Significant mentions include the matango, which as written was in everyone's "least favorite" category for years, thanks to seeming more like a plague than a fun monster, the mind flayer, where he got so wrapped up in masturbating over how the mind flayer can make a woman slutty that he forgot to clarify basic facts like a man's ability to go back and forth between squid-monster form and human form and that women don't ''actually'' turn into lobotomized corpses after being fed on, and the atlach-nacha, which, in addition to being a [[DFC|loli]], and therefore [[heresy]], also fails to clarify that the human being they turn into their spider body can turn back in favor of going on and on about random minutae.)

Kenkou Cross has taken the observations on his setting's grimdarkness poorly, to say the least. According to him, the encyclopedia descriptions were in fact grossly exaggerating both the nymphomania of the monstergirls and the intentions of the Monster Lord - the unintended grimdarkness was in fact the product of shoddy translation work. As a result, he forced the most popular website supporting of his work to cease hosting translated versions of his material when they refused to ban anyone espousing those interpretations, and only lets other sites host them on the condition that they prevent anyone from voicing their unhappy opinions.

He also likes to argue that the "blame" lies squarely on his Western fandom, since they don't get the overworked-Japanese-salaryman mindset that apparently makes his setting such a paradise. It hasn't worked because, really, when you get right down to brass tacks, his [[Butthurt|little tantrum]] boils down to the DM failing to understand why anyone ''wouldn't'' want to enter his [[magical realm]] unless there was something wrong with them, compounded with the fact that letting his penis do all the thinking blinded him to the unintentional grimdarkness he was putting in without even realizing it. So if he didn't want it to be grimdark, he shouldn't have written himself into a corner where grimdarkness was the only logical explanation for how everything was still working. Though, admittedly, his attitude wasn't helped by anti-fans sending him hate-mail and death threats.

Oh, a reminder by the way: if the Chief God wins, then all those sexy monstergirls? They immediately revert back to being hideous monsters, and the mamono mindset of "love humans" will be forced to return to "kill humans" and most monsters will not be able to resist it. So a Chief God victory means restarting the original cycle, and anyone who has a mamono lover, is going to wind up being '''killed and eaten by his wife'''. And this time it isn't hyperbole, that's plain and explicit ''fact'', straight from KC, so that's one bit of grimdarkness he's actively promoting, to make the Monster Lord seem the better choice because the alternate is literal ''worldwide human and monstergirl extinction''.

[https://allthetropes.org "All The Tropes Wiki"] (an uncensored fork of TvTropes that hosts all the PROMOTIONS the advertising companies threw a shitfit over) theorizes the grimdark is actually intentional after all, a sort of saccharine-flavored crapsack world where the glass is only half full (as opposed to Warhammer 40k where the glass is half empty with holes drilled along the bottom). It's not a nice place to live, rape and kidnapping are so common on the frontiers almost everyone is desensitized to it, and roving packs of [[Amazon]]s and [[Drow|Dark Elf]] slavers aren't sugarcoated at all... but there's plenty of people living decent lives and there's still plenty of ways things can get better.

Maybe.

==For more information...==
What? You're still here? You wanna know about the monstergirls we keep insisting prop the whole thing up?
* [http://mgewiki.com/w/Main_Page Here, look at their wiki.]
* [https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Girl-Encyclopedia-Vol-1/dp/1626923612 Or go buy it, you /d/egenerate]
Also, specific answers from Kenkou Cross's [https://ask.fm/k_cross Q&A site], which briefly hint at the future of Monster Girl Encyclopedia world:
* [https://ask.fm/k_cross/answers/114716374101 The Order and the Chief God are, as anyone following the source material is unsurprised to learn, fated to lose, or at least never to win.]
* [https://ask.fm/k_cross/answers/127378863701 The plan to have mamono give birth to incubus children is going to succeed within one lifetime, so complete extinction is not on the table.]
* [https://ask.fm/k_cross/answers/117249680981 Even after completely defeating the Chief God, the Monster lord will not kill her.]
And some /d/eviant is making a work in progress homebrew for running a game in the setting using the WHFRP 2e system: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-khJ4fE5v2MyrumyZoauEJ4VIucMO-kP1MGHNVtaDkc/edit

==So Why Is This Here?==
You may be asking just why this page is here, and what possible relevance it has to /tg/. Well, there's a couple of reasons.

Firstly, /tg/, having grown with non-human settings where humans lived along with other sentient beings, loves [[monstergirls]], plain and simple - and for all its many faults, the MGE is a widely recognized and well-detailed MG setting which both has consistently appealing artwork ''and'' does not shit it up with some of the more hardcore /d/ fetishes, like vore. Whilst the MGE's setting could definitely be better, it could very, ''very'' easily be a lot worse than it is. Deviantart is full of artists who add cannibalism, hard bondage and slavery being common to monster-rich fantasy settings, and Kenkou, though misguided, still has a semblance of decency in form of monster battle gods preventing death on both sides so the victor can fuck/love the defeated to their hearts' content.

Secondly, every so often, a thread pops up on /tg/ about adapting the setting in some way. If it's not anons asking how they can stat up a given mamono race as either PCs or NPCs, it's a thread asking how you might rework the setting for use in running your own campaigns, or even a simple "your last character/party gets dumped into the MGE world; what happens?" idle chatter-thread.

==/tg/ Races==
Being a Monstergirl Fantasy World, it's natural that a lot of the entries in the Encyclopedia correspond to various races and monsters present in more mainstream works.

* [[Amazon]]
* [[Angel]]
* [[Basilisk]]
* [[Beholder]]
* [[Catfolk]]
* [[Centaur]]
* [[Chimera]]
* [[Cockatrice]]
* [[Cyclops]]
* [[Demon]]
* [[Dhampir]]
* [[Doppelganger]]
* [[Dragon]]
* [[Drider]]
* [[Dryad]]
* [[Dwarf]]
* [[Elemental]]
* [[Elf]]
* [[Fairy]]
* [[Familiar]]
* [[Ghost]]
* [[Ghoul]]
* [[Girtablilu]]
* [[Gnome]]
* [[Goblin]]
* [[Golem]]
* [[Gremlin]]
* [[Griffon]]
* [[Harpy]]
* [[Hellhound]]
* [[Illithid]]
* [[Incubus]]
* [[Jiangshi]]
* [[Kappa]]
* [[Kitsune]]
* [[Kobold]]
* [[Kraken]]
* [[Lamia]]
* [[Lich]]
* [[Lizardfolk]]
* [[Manticore]]
* [[Medusa]]
* [[Merfolk]]
* [[Mimic]]
* [[Minotaur]]
* [[Mummy]]
* [[Nightmare]]
* [[Ogre]]
* [[Oni]]
* [[Orc]]
* [[Pixie]]
* [[Ratfolk]] (the Large Mouse in particular is based on the [[Giant Rat]])
* [[Redcap]]
* [[Roper]]
* [[Sahuagin]]
* [[Salamander]]
* [[Satyr]]
* [[Scylla]]
* [[Selkie]]
* [[Shoggoth]]
* [[Siren]]
* [[Skeleton]]
* [[Slime]]
* [[Sphinx]]
* [[Succubus]]
* [[Tanuki]]
* [[Therianthrope]]
* [[Troll]]
* [[Unicorn]]
* [[Vampire]]
* [[Werewolf]]
* [[Wight]]
* [[Will-o-Wisp]]
* [[Witch]]
* [[Yeti]]
* [[Yuki-onna]]
* [[Zombie]]

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
File:MGE Large Mouse.jpg
File:MGE Dormouse.jpg
File:MGE Hinezumi.jpg
File:MGE Holstaur.jpg
File:MGE Gyobu Danuki.jpg
File:MGE Sphinx.jpg
File:MGE Minotaur.jpg
File:MGE Hakutaku.jpg
File:MGE Ogre.jpg
File:MGE Red Oni.jpeg
File:MGE Blue Oni.jpg
File:MGE Slime.jpg
File:MGE Red Slime.jpg
File:MGE Bubble Slime.jpg
File:MGE Dark Slime.jpg
File:MGE Slime Queen.jpg
File:MGE Orc.jpg
File:MGE Dragon.jpg
File:MGE Dragon Zombie.jpg
File:MGE Jabberwock.jpg
File:MGE Otohime.jpg
File:MGE Ryu.jpg
File:MGE Wurm.jpg
File:MGE Wyvern.jpg
File:MGE Jiangshi.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

[[Category:NSFW]]

Monster Girl Encyclopedia

2018-09-24T21:02:05Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* The Order */

{{editwar}}
{{Promotions}}
{{Monstergirls}}
The '''Monster Girl Encyclopedia''' is a [[NSFW]] encylopedia fleshing out a setting of [[monstergirls]] written and impressively illustrated by Japanese hentai creator Kenkou Cross. The artwork is great (if somewhat contentious in content). Some of the premises are as interesting as they are [[/d/|"enjoyable"]].

So what's the problem?

Well, while everyone more or less likes the entries themselves, the setting around them is pure [[skub]], built on a mixture of fetishized [[rape]] and the sort of unintentional [[grimdark]] only a [[/d/M]] [[Magical Realm|building a world entirely for his penis to the exclusion of all other cocks]] could create. That didn't stop it from getting an english-translated hardcover first volume printed thanks to [[Life With Monstergirls|this faggotry]].

The first encyclopedia is written from the perspective of a human, a nameless Wandering Scholar. The second one is written by Saphirette Spherica, a formerly human monster girl. Whether or not this change in author actually results in a change in editorial viewpoint is... debatable. Kenkou Cross has tried to claim that the first paints the monsters in a harsher light due to faulty information, and the second in a more favorable light thanks to being written by one, but considering the first volume has nary a good thing to say about the monsters' enemies, stops just shy of all-but urging the reader to go fuck a monster right now, and is actually revealed to be cursed by a succubus at the end, well... doesn't really hold water upon any kind of inspection.

But, we're getting ahead of ourselves...

==The Setting==
A brief summary is pretty simple. A Succubus has become Monster Lord, god-like ruler of all monsters. Taking the throne for herself, the Succubus has enacted a plan to bring about her vision of peace upon the world: transforming all monsters into lusty monstergirls, known in universe as mamono, and setting them out to score themselves human husbands. Peace through mutually-ensured copulation, you might say. She even convinces the Hero who is sent to slay her to join her in her rebellion against the Chief God and become her husband.

==The Factions==
===Monster Lord===
The aforementioned Big Chief Succubus, her human husband, their daughters, and pretty much every freaking mamono in the world. Want to bring about peace between humans and monsters by making human man/monstergirl relationships the norm of the world. To be fair, though, the vast majority of "normal" mamono don't really have a lot of ideological indoctrination so much as help her goals by trying to find someone to slip 'em the d - the Monster Lord basically leeches off of their "mamono mana", which increases when they fuck, to boost her own strength.

Thanks to [[Mary Sue|blatant creator favoritism]], the Monster Lord has so many ludicrously-overblown advantages piled up on her side it's honestly more incredible she hasn't instantly won the conflict seconds after starting it. And the fact that her ideal world would look like ''Brave New World'' as run by a particularly sick combination of [[Nurgle]] and [[Slaanesh]] is something of a turn-off for a lot of readers. Seriously, go read [[Chakat|this page]], mentally find+replace all the furry stuff with this-setting stuff, and see how accurate all the descriptions still are.

Part of her eventual endgame involves causing monsters to have male incubus children, in addition to their own female offspring. Again, most monsters have no interest in actively conquering human lands so complete assimilation of humans into the "new humanity consisting of incubi and monster girls" will, probably, take a while. It's been a few centuries now and things are still in a relative stalemate, though every once in a while something dramatic happens, especially since lately one of her daughters, Derulla, has taken it upon herself to probe the human kingdoms for weak links, and has already destroyed the nation of Lescatier by exploiting its internal flaws and transforming its various heroines into ravenous and evangelical monster girls by exploiting their neuroses.

====Sabbath====
A sub-faction under the Monster Lord's banner, led by baphomet mamono and primarily staffed by cults of witches, many of whom joined for "eternal youth" without reading the side effects too closely. This group is comprised entirely of [[loli]] mamono and is dedicated to spreading lolidom (in both senses of the word) over the world. Or, in other words, they want to convert women into loli mamono, convert non-loli mamono into loli form, and convert human men into "Big Brothers" (lolicons). They're the monster's primary source of R&D for various weird and sexy inventions. While each branch of the Sabbath is run by a baphomet, the organization as a whole is led by the strongest baphomet of all. This same baphomet also leads the Mamono Lord's army and holds considerable influence in the world of monsters. Surprisingly she is noted to still be single, perhaps because baphomet normally only marry men who can beat them in battle, but more-probably so the lolicons in the audience can still hold onto hope of tappin' dat semi-jailbait ass.

====Zipangu====
The not!Japan of the setting, not technically loyal to the Monster Lord but still held up as the shining example of what she wants to achieve, with humans and monstergirls living together relatively peacefully, though often with monsters dominating humanity in the bargain. Would be [[Mary Sue]] if they had a bigger role in the world instead of being in the ass end of nowhere, but what do you expect when the creator is Japanese? Often a source of various "[[weeaboo|Eastern]]" versions of already-released mamono. Whether this is a bad thing really depends on your perspective, as well as the degree to which they successfully differentiate themselves from their predecessors.

Supposedly has clans of exorcists who fight monsters with about the same success as the Order, but are tolerated since some vicious monsters really do need clearing out.

====The Land of Mists====
Like Zipangu, only not!Chinese instead of not!Japanese.

===Pandemonium===
A faction operating out of a timeless demiplane. Allied to a high tier god called "the Fallen God", they're basically extremists on the Monster Lord's plan who seek to convert men and women to go to a dimension (Pandemonium) that consists essentially of one eternal, never-ending orgy. KC only made three profiles for this faction - the Dark Angel, Dark Valkyries and the Dark Priest - and often doesn't touch it for ages between profiles, probably because they tended to be the biggest fuel for the "anti-mamono interpretation" of the setting in the early days due to the rather limited lifestyle they subject their converts to. Hilariously, compared to the Monster Lord, they're practically vanilla: since none of them seem to go in for rape when "conversion" is much more fun. Moreover, since they have their own dimension, they aren't all that interested in altering the rest of the world, instead seeking converts to leave with them for Pandemonium.

Of course, the featured Fallen God-aligned maiden in Lescatier went and raped a couple little girl orphans she'd been caring for immediately after converting to its worship (with some prodding by Derulla), then pimped out all the other orphan children to random perverts in the street, so maybe not ''as'' vanilla as many would like...

===The Gods===
The original masters of the world, led by a Chief God, who was gravely injured by the Monster Lord and her husband while trying to kill them both to stop their plans. Currently split between those who support the Monster Lord's plan and those who support the Chief God in trying to slay the Monster Lord and return things to the original cycle. Mentioned goddesses in the first faction include Poseidon, Eros, Ares, and Dionysus. Hilariously, [[Derp|the english translations refer to every single god thus far as a goddess, and most of them are named after a deity that was originally male,]] though the Japanese text refers to them using gender neutral pronouns which is slightly less odd.

In all honesty, many fans find the Chief God (who isn't the ''original'' Chief God) far more sympathetic than the Monster Lord. Yes, she wants to bring back the old cycle, which is bad, but otherwise she doesn't really work as a villain and is written too sympathetically to be truly hateable. KC has admitted that she was a rookie, and she ''knows'' this and that she's over her head. She's still hurt from a thwarted attempt at smiting the current Monster Lord and her husband, and she has no idea what she's doing, but she's trying to do a good job and set things "right" as far as she understands it, because that's what's expected of her. She's so ineffectual as an antagonist, especially with how stacked things are in the Monster Lord's favor, that many fans want to comfort her rather than see her lose.

To try and counter this, KC has put out that it's officially fact that the Chief God will accept nothing less than the restoration of the old cycle, and doing so will result in countless grisly deaths as every former-mamono reverts to a man-eating monster and devours her spouse. Unfortunately, rather than instantly silence his critics, it has only made the setting look like a [[Grimdark|"you're fucked either way"]] sort of deal. (Pun semi-intended.)

====The Order====
The chief religion of the setting and a fairly standard [[weeaboo]] take on Medieval semi-Christianity. Dedicated to the Chief God first and foremost, their duty is to ensure humanity lives safe, moral lives. To this end, they train divinely-empowered Heroes to go out and fight monsters. It's kind of unclear as to whether they don't know that the new Monster Lord wants to end the cycle, or if they do know and are deliberately lying to general people so they still believe that all mamono want to kill and eat them. The Wandering Scholar is worried he'll be killed if they catch him, and the original Encyclopedia had a warning about people being punished for being caught with it, but, well... remember how it ends with a call to arms for everyone to go out and become or fuck a monster, then with a ''second'' reveal that it's actually a cursed book that's either turned you into a succubus or sent you off to stick your dick in the nearest one?

A lot of fans like to portray them as essentially a fantasy take on the [[Imperium of Man]], but, really, that particular interpretation doesn't hold much water. If nothing else they aren't racist, having been on excellent terms with a number of non-human races before current events left humankind alone. Shit, settings material outright states that monsters are always ''happy'' when the Order comes crusadin', because it means they're about to enjoy the fantasy equivalent of a massive speed dating party. Due to the very nature of their teachings, the Order's men are such good people that most of them can't bring themselves to actually hurt a mamono when they meet one. Consequently, mamono consider Order men damn fine husbando material, and are eager to capture and "convert" them when they show up.

There are Order soldiers and heroes who will kill monsters readily of course, but given monsters will still fight and even kill to defend themselves it's dangerous work. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on one's perspective), the goddess of war protects both side of the war, and getting killed in battle is rare, so lots of beaten knights just end up getting convinced "the hard way" after a fight.

==(Unintentional) Grimdarkness==
The original Chief God created humans, but for an unknown reason was worried about their numbers like the retard it is. So it created monsters to slaughter humans in sufficient numbers to cull them before eventually creating the program of the Heroes and the Monster Lord: the Heroes get empowered when humans are too weak to disrupt the monsters' attack by killing their demigod leader, the Monster Lord, throwing monsterkind into disarray so that humanity has time to recover, and then eventually a new Monster Lord rises up and starts the same shit over again. Said Chief God also forced the other gods to get in on this - Poseidon supports the new Monster Lord because she's sick of having to kill people with tidal waves, storms, and sea monster attacks.

So there we start: murder and violence is a must because...well...the creator can't be bothered to invent diseases or make a better species, literally turns the world into a medieval battlefield and forces genocidal hate onto other species.

Think the new Monster Lord is any better? Only if you don't mind the fact that she's bungling her job, and so mamono have swapped "kill and eat humans" for "kidnap and rape" humans...It would be a relatively tolerable subjugation were it not the fact her stated goal is to drive human women ''extinct'' so human men '''would have to''' marry monstergirls, and so she is actively seeking to convert (physically and mentally transform) all women into mamono. Also, her idea of utopia is a [[/d/| lawless wasteland]] where [[Chris-Chan|free love is rampant, dissent is impossible, everyone agrees with her about everything all the time, and also, children regularly fuck their parents]]. (No, seriously, there's an entire species of mamono that are literally fetuses that ''abort'' themselves because they can't stand waiting to be born before having sex, on top of the [[loli| usual nonsense]].) And anyone who becomes a monster or an incubus basically loses the ability to disagree with her, one way or another. And we all can agree that mind rape is worse than murder in many ways, like a family mother that disappeared in a monster raid and now is back as a forcefully converted sex hungry monster that rapes probably even her own kids.

[[Edgy|Jesus...]]

Also, a lot of the time when KC writes profiles he focuses ''so goddamn much'' on the aspect of how men monsters catch react sexually and how women caught by monsters end up going "Oh noes, how embarrassing, everyone can see my sexual repression!" that he forgets to ''actually write the profile'', causing several monsters to come across as significantly more horrible than he intended. Though this is still absolutely a rod this idiot has made for his own back, and he deserves your scorn rather than your pity for it. (Significant mentions include the matango, which as written was in everyone's "least favorite" category for years, thanks to seeming more like a plague than a fun monster, the mind flayer, where he got so wrapped up in masturbating over how the mind flayer can make a woman slutty that he forgot to clarify basic facts like a man's ability to go back and forth between squid-monster form and human form and that women don't ''actually'' turn into lobotomized corpses after being fed on, and the atlach-nacha, which, in addition to being a [[DFC|loli]], and therefore [[heresy]], also fails to clarify that the human being they turn into their spider body can turn back in favor of going on and on about random minutae.)

Kenkou Cross has taken the observations on his setting's grimdarkness poorly, to say the least. According to him, the encyclopedia descriptions were in fact grossly exaggerating both the nymphomania of the monstergirls and the intentions of the Monster Lord - the unintended grimdarkness was in fact the product of shoddy translation work. As a result, he forced the most popular website supporting of his work to cease hosting translated versions of his material when they refused to ban anyone espousing those interpretations, and only lets other sites host them on the condition that they prevent anyone from voicing their unhappy opinions.

He also likes to argue that the "blame" lies squarely on his Western fandom, since they don't get the overworked-Japanese-salaryman mindset that apparently makes his setting such a paradise. It hasn't worked because, really, when you get right down to brass tacks, his [[Butthurt|little tantrum]] boils down to the DM failing to understand why anyone ''wouldn't'' want to enter his [[magical realm]] unless there was something wrong with them, compounded with the fact that letting his penis do all the thinking blinded him to the unintentional grimdarkness he was putting in without even realizing it. So if he didn't want it to be grimdark, he shouldn't have written himself into a corner where grimdarkness was the only logical explanation for how everything was still working. Though, admittedly, his attitude wasn't helped by anti-fans sending him hate-mail and death threats.

Oh, a reminder by the way: if the Chief God wins, then all those sexy monstergirls? They immediately revert back to being hideous monsters, and the mamono mindset of "love humans" will be forced to return to "kill humans" and most monsters will not be able to resist it. So a Chief God victory means restarting the original cycle, and anyone who has a mamono lover, is going to wind up being '''killed and eaten by his wife'''. And this time it isn't hyperbole, that's plain and explicit ''fact'', straight from KC, so that's one bit of grimdarkness he's actively promoting, to make the Monster Lord seem the better choice because the alternate is literal ''worldwide human and monstergirl extinction''.

[https://allthetropes.org "All The Tropes Wiki"] (an uncensored fork of TvTropes that hosts all the PROMOTIONS the advertising companies threw a shitfit over) theorizes the grimdark is actually intentional after all, a sort of saccharine-flavored crapsack world where the glass is only half full (as opposed to Warhammer 40k where the glass is half empty with holes drilled along the bottom). It's not a nice place to live, rape and kidnapping are so common on the frontiers almost everyone is desensitized to it, and roving packs of [[Amazon]]s and [[Drow|Dark Elf]] slavers aren't sugarcoated at all... but there's plenty of people living decent lives and there's still plenty of ways things can get better.

Maybe.

==For more information...==
What? You're still here? You wanna know about the monstergirls we keep insisting prop the whole thing up?
* [http://mgewiki.com/w/Main_Page Here, look at their wiki.]
* [https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Girl-Encyclopedia-Vol-1/dp/1626923612 Or go buy it, you /d/egenerate]
Also, specific answers from Kenkou Cross's [https://ask.fm/k_cross Q&A site], which briefly hint at the future of Monster Girl Encyclopedia world:
* [https://ask.fm/k_cross/answers/114716374101 The Order and the Chief God are, as anyone following the source material is unsurprised to learn, fated to lose, or at least never to win.]
* [https://ask.fm/k_cross/answers/127378863701 The plan to have mamono give birth to incubus children is going to succeed within one lifetime, so complete extinction is not on the table.]
* [https://ask.fm/k_cross/answers/117249680981 Even after completely defeating the Chief God, the Monster lord will not kill her.]
And some /d/eviant is making a work in progress homebrew for running a game in the setting using the WHFRP 2e system: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-khJ4fE5v2MyrumyZoauEJ4VIucMO-kP1MGHNVtaDkc/edit

==So Why Is This Here?==
You may be asking just why this page is here, and what possible relevance it has to /tg/. Well, there's a couple of reasons.

Firstly, /tg/, having grown with non-human settings where humans lived along with other sentient beings, loves [[monstergirls]], plain and simple - and for all its many faults, the MGE is a widely recognized and well-detailed MG setting which both has consistently appealing artwork ''and'' does not shit it up with some of the more hardcore /d/ fetishes, like vore. Whilst the MGE's setting could definitely be better, it could very, ''very'' easily be a lot worse than it is. Deviantart is full of artists who add cannibalism, hard bondage and slavery being common to monster-rich fantasy settings, and Kenkou, though misguided, still has a semblance of decency in form of monster battle gods preventing death on both sides so the victor can fuck/love the defeated to their hearts' content.

Secondly, every so often, a thread pops up on /tg/ about adapting the setting in some way. If it's not anons asking how they can stat up a given mamono race as either PCs or NPCs, it's a thread asking how you might rework the setting for use in running your own campaigns, or even a simple "your last character/party gets dumped into the MGE world; what happens?" idle chatter-thread.

==/tg/ Races==
Being a Monstergirl Fantasy World, it's natural that a lot of the entries in the Encyclopedia correspond to various races and monsters present in more mainstream works.

* [[Amazon]]
* [[Angel]]
* [[Basilisk]]
* [[Beholder]]
* [[Catfolk]]
* [[Centaur]]
* [[Chimera]]
* [[Cockatrice]]
* [[Cyclops]]
* [[Demon]]
* [[Dhampir]]
* [[Doppelganger]]
* [[Dragon]]
* [[Drider]]
* [[Dryad]]
* [[Dwarf]]
* [[Elemental]]
* [[Elf]]
* [[Fairy]]
* [[Familiar]]
* [[Ghost]]
* [[Ghoul]]
* [[Girtablilu]]
* [[Gnome]]
* [[Goblin]]
* [[Golem]]
* [[Gremlin]]
* [[Griffon]]
* [[Harpy]]
* [[Hellhound]]
* [[Illithid]]
* [[Incubus]]
* [[Jiangshi]]
* [[Kappa]]
* [[Kitsune]]
* [[Kobold]]
* [[Kraken]]
* [[Lamia]]
* [[Lich]]
* [[Lizardfolk]]
* [[Manticore]]
* [[Medusa]]
* [[Merfolk]]
* [[Mimic]]
* [[Minotaur]]
* [[Mummy]]
* [[Nightmare]]
* [[Ogre]]
* [[Oni]]
* [[Orc]]
* [[Pixie]]
* [[Ratfolk]] (the Large Mouse in particular is based on the [[Giant Rat]])
* [[Redcap]]
* [[Roper]]
* [[Sahuagin]]
* [[Salamander]]
* [[Satyr]]
* [[Scylla]]
* [[Selkie]]
* [[Shoggoth]]
* [[Siren]]
* [[Skeleton]]
* [[Slime]]
* [[Sphinx]]
* [[Succubus]]
* [[Tanuki]]
* [[Therianthrope]]
* [[Troll]]
* [[Unicorn]]
* [[Vampire]]
* [[Werewolf]]
* [[Wight]]
* [[Will-o-Wisp]]
* [[Witch]]
* [[Yeti]]
* [[Yuki-onna]]
* [[Zombie]]

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
File:MGE Large Mouse.jpg
File:MGE Dormouse.jpg
File:MGE Hinezumi.jpg
File:MGE Holstaur.jpg
File:MGE Gyobu Danuki.jpg
File:MGE Sphinx.jpg
File:MGE Minotaur.jpg
File:MGE Hakutaku.jpg
File:MGE Ogre.jpg
File:MGE Red Oni.jpeg
File:MGE Blue Oni.jpg
File:MGE Slime.jpg
File:MGE Red Slime.jpg
File:MGE Bubble Slime.jpg
File:MGE Dark Slime.jpg
File:MGE Slime Queen.jpg
File:MGE Orc.jpg
File:MGE Dragon.jpg
File:MGE Dragon Zombie.jpg
File:MGE Jabberwock.jpg
File:MGE Otohime.jpg
File:MGE Ryu.jpg
File:MGE Wurm.jpg
File:MGE Wyvern.jpg
File:MGE Jiangshi.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

[[Category:NSFW]]

Drider

2018-09-24T20:31:22Z

2001:4930:48:53:B959:CB9A:FDA3:9BAB: /* Monstergirls */

[[File:Pale Drider.png|300px|thumb|right|Fun fact: originally, driders were supposed to turn pale white as part of the transformation, perhaps to mimic a freshly molted spider?]]
'''Driders''' are a creature that originated in the [[Forgotten Realms]] of [[Dungeons & Dragons]]. They are basically [[centaurs]], but replace "human half" with "[[drow]] [[elf]] half" and "horse body" with "giant spider body". Basically, the batshit crazy [[Lolth]] has a history of transforming her followers into half-spider monsters for shits 'n' giggles.

In the original lore, transformation into a Drider was supposed to be a punishment for those drow who failed one of [[Lolth]]'s various psycho-tests or for a male who pissed off a high priestess so bad murderraping him to death wasn't punishment enough. [[Wat|It doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense]] considering that [[Lolth]] herself is basically half-drow and half-spider in her favorite avatar-form, that she considers spiders sacred (her original title was ''Demon Queen of Spiders'' for chrissakes) and Driders are actually ''more'' powerful in crunch than the drow they were made from. So when 4th edition came around, the fluff got changed to match the crunch and getting Drider'ed became a cherished reward for her most worthy followers instead. 5th edition went back to the old fluff, arguing that Lolth is batshit insane and that few if any of her actions makes sense at all.

[[Pathfinder]] made driders into the results of twisted mutative "[[fleshcrafting]]" done on failures with no divine connection at all. It also introduced a classic [[monstergirl]] sexual dimorphism; female driders look like sexy half-drow half-black widows, whilst male drow are hideous spider-faced half-tarantula brutes.

In Eberron, Drow instead worship the scorpion god Vulkoor, and thus have [[Awesome|drow/scorpion hybrids]] called [[Scorrow]].

==Monstergirls==
{{Monstergirls}}

Since the basic picture of a Drider is inevitably a sexy black-skinned elf-lady atop a giant spider, centaur-style, it should be no surprise that they have taken off as one of the more common forms of [[monstergirls]]. Non-explicitly D&D based ones tend to be called Arachnes, however, since, y'know, trademarks and Arachne being the woman who became the first spider in Greco-Roman myth and all. These monstergirls are often depicted as dominatrixes (if not outright vorarephiles, more on that later), particularly favoring bondage, since they can spin restraints out of their own silk - though there is an almost equally strong tendency to portray them as surprisingly timid and demure. Some actually invoke both, either by having the arachne possess a facade of shyness or demure mannerisms that gives way to domination in the bedroom, or by having them act assertive and domineering in public, but be shy and tender lovers in the privacy of the bedroom. Surprising if you look into actual spider behavior, it's not too far removed depending on the species. Some have elaborate 'dancing' such as with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maratus_volans peacock spider] (watch it, it's pretty cute, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYIUFEQeh3g and quite memeable.]). Others do 'cuddle' after reproduction, and there are at least a few species of spider that do the bondage thing and tie up there mating partner... although it is typically the male that ties the female down so he can have a chance to have his way with her without getting eaten by the much larger and stronger female. (Yeah, Mother Nature is something of a /d/enizen like that at times...)

It's also surprisingly common for [[monstergirl]] Driders to [[/d/|parasitically lay eggs inside of humanoid hosts with an ovipositor]], [[Rule 34|especially nubile human or elfin maidens]]. Precisely why, nobody freaking knows, especially since first, Driders are almost always depicted as sterile in D&D (Lolth might be crazy but she doesn't want to create a self-sustaining rival race to her beloved/hated Drow - she has the [[chitine]]s for that) and second, spiders just don't do that sort of shit in real life. Like, at all. Among arthropods that's mostly a wasp thing, [[Grimdark|the eggs are usually injected like a syringe rather than deposited with a tube, it's done with the idea that when the young hatch they feed by eating the recipient - '''alive''' - from the inside out]] and as an ironically fun fact, spiders are known for being at the receiving end of it, there is a reason why Tarantula Hawks have that name.

The [[Monster Girl Encyclopedia]] has no fewer than 6 varieties of spider-based mamono:
* The '''Arachne''' is the common variant, and is basically a typical dominatrix spider-girl.
* The '''[[Hengeyokai|Jorogumo]]''' is a Zipangu variant who acts polite and demure during the day, but reverts to the same aggressive, sexually dominant behavior as her mainland cousin at night.
* The '''Ant Arachne''' is an arachne variant that has adapted to resemble the appearance of a Giant Ant mamono; these lazy bums infiltrate Giant Ant dens, where they freeload off of the food and captured men that the Ant-girls work so hard to provide. In case your wondering: this is actually biologically accurate and there is a whole Taxonomy family of spider which mimic ants.
* The '''Ushi-oni''' is another Zipangu arachne; based upon a yokai that resembled a giant spider with an ox's head, it's essentially a [[minotaur]]-girl from the waist up and a giant tarantula from the waist down. They are amongst the most brutish and uncivilized of the Zipangu mamono, being essentially even more aggressive than minotaurs.
* The '''[[Girtablilu]]''' is essentially the [[Scorrow]] of the MGE world, taking its name from an actual scorpion-taur monster. It uses aphrodisiac venom to ensnare victims. If your wondering why Scorpions and Spider monster girls are in the same family, it's because Scorpions and spiders are in the same biological order: ''Arachnid''.
* The '''Atlach-nacha''' is a Mythosian mamono, and as such one of the freakiest; in its native form, it resembles a [[loli]] with spider legs growing out of her back, but she uses her magic to transform men into giant spider-like abominations, with a "head" that is basically an orifice full of sexual organs and aphrodisiac venom-injectors into which she slots herself to take up the traditional "tauric" appearance.

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
File:Fireside Spinning Arachne.jpg
File:MGE Arachne.jpg
File:MGE Atlach-Nacha.jpg
File:MGE Ant Arachne.jpg
File:MGE Jorougumo.jpg
File:MGE Ushi-oni.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons]][[Category:Monsters]][[Category: Monstergirls]]