The Tyranids are alien predators invading the galaxy from the vast intergalactic void beyond its edges. Like swarming insects falling upon precious crops, they devour all before them – consuming life upon each world in their path, and leaving nothing but airless rocks in their wake. They are a threat to every sentient species in the galaxy, and their numbers are growing.
New races in the galaxy are as redoubtable, courageous or determined as the Kin who make up the Leagues of Votann. Nor are many as ruthless when it comes to the risk-and-reward calculus of war. To face them in battle is to stand before an armoured avalanche that crushes all in its path. It is to be appraised and then brusquely dealt with by attackers who see you as little more than an obstruction to wealth and glory – or else as a hated nemesis, whose annihilation is worth any cost.
The Kin are a clone race of resilient and pragmatic warriors, who together form the ancient Leagues of Votann. Given wisdom and purpose by their ancient Ancestor Cores, armed and armoured by the pounding pistons of the forge, they scour the galaxy for the resources to expand their works and overcome any foe. Hernkyn Pioneers roam the battlefield on magna-rail bikes, scouting a path for doughty Hearthkyn Warriors and augmented Cthonian Beserks to secure their objectives – guided by battle-tested Kâhls such as the legendary Ûthar The Destined.
Each Norn Emissary is a purpose-bred beast, spawned by its Norn Queen to accomplish a specific and singular objective – be it hunting a strategically gifted commander, abducting a knowledgeable prey-being, or pursuing some other ineffable goal. These colossal heralds of the Hive Mind's agenda meld terrifying psionic potential with speed, intelligence, and monstrous strength, ensuring that a Norn Emissary is more than equal to its alien task.
The iconic battle tank and armoured transport of the Leagues of Votann, the Hekaton Land Fortress is as venerable and well-respected as it is powerful. With a fearsome arsenal of heavy weaponry and tremendously resilient armour – and with the ability to bear bands of Kin soldiery into battle – it is a versatile military asset, and a formidable bulwark against any foe.
Hive Guard are heavily armoured gun-beasts bound to extremely powerful symbiotic bio-weapons. They are created to guard the Tyranid Hive Ships and capillary towers that stand sentinel over prey worlds, until such time as intruders come within range of their deadly weapons.
The Venomthrope's whip-like tentacles drip with a multitude of alien poisons. Indeed, so potent are these toxins that it is believed that a Venomthrope's very touch means certain death.
Designed to survive the worst that hostile worlds and alien predators can throw at it, the Sagitaur is a rugged ATV ideally suited for scouting operations and swift, armoured offensives. Sagitaurs mount a remarkable amount of firepower for vehicles of their size, and can even knock out enemy battle tanks – all while maintaining transport capacity for small expeditionary squads.
Hernkyn Pioneers skim across alien worlds and scout enemy positions, riding on their magna-coil bikes. Fast, resilient, and possessed of formidable firepower, these far-ranging bands of warriors often strike at the foe from unexpected quarters, or send back intelligence on enemy movements to their Oathband's Kâhl.
The Deathleaper is a rare and advanced development of the Lictor strain, perfectly evolved to act as a terror weapon. This apex Lictor possesses an instinctive understanding of how to spread fear through hostile forces and prey populations alike, using its skills in stealth, infiltration, and assassination to sow paranoia and dread before the hive fleet attacks en masse.
Clad in formidable exo-armour and equipped with a fearsome array of weaponry, Einhyr Hearthguard are a force to be reckoned with. Whether forming bodyguards around their Oathband's heroes or striking deep into the heart of enemy territory, they are all but unstoppable on the attack and nigh-immovable in defence.
Cthonian Beserks are among the most heavily augmented and courageous of the Kin. Brandishing powerful mining tools that double as weapons of war and unleashing autonomous explosives that tunnel through solid rock, the Beserks storm enemy strongpoints and break them open like an asteroid filled with seams of precious ore.