Editing Chitin

[[File:Chitin.JPG|200px|right|thumb|Time to open up the shell-crackers boys!]]
Chitin is a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, a derivative of glucose. This polysaccharide is a primary component of cell walls in fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as crustaceans and insects, the radulae of molluscs, cephalopod beaks, and the scales of fish and lissamphibians. Why are we describing the first sentence of Chitin in a wikipedia article? Because in the [[Grimdark|grimdarkness]] of the 41st Millennium, this simple chain of modified glucose is the most common form of armour of the [[Tyranids]]. Not [[Flak Armour]], not [[Studded Armour]], but the humble Chitin is the most numerous of the lot. To be fair, the Nids aren't the only ones with Chitinous armour, just about any invertebrate Xenos have Chitin like the [[Q'Orl]] and [[Vespid|Vespids]], but the Nids are the most infamous users.

== Overview ==

As it is a natural form of armour, Chitin is part of any Tyranid organism and each species and superorganism are born with this basic, dense, hardened shell. These are tough, beetle-like carapaces which cover the creatures' vital spots. Chitin is tough enough to turn aside blades and even glancing small-arms fire, although direct hits from even [[Stubber|Stubbers]] could penetrate it.

Larger and more powerful Tyranids are often bred with '''Reinforced Chitin''', a series of carapace plates that exude a sticky resin-like substance which quickly hardens and create additional self-healing layers of ablative armour that offer the Tyranid greater protection against incoming attacks. Akin to natural chainmail or plated armour.

Despite being one of the weakest forms of armour, they are incredibly cheap, easy to grow, does not require that much biomass and come in large numbers, which is what the Nids need anyway.

[[Category: Warhammer 40,000]]

[[Category: Armour]]

[[Category: Xenos]]

[[Category: Tyranid]]

{{40k-Armor}}