In a previous post, we used Fate Accelerated Edition (FAE) to stat out some example Space Marines from Warhammer 40k. The Adeptus Astartes need someone to fight, and there are many options; let’s take a look at Tyranids, since they have a few features that show off just how flexible FAE can be.

Tyranid Masses

We start with Tyranid groups; all of these are seething masses of separate creatures working together as a swarm. Bigger swarms mean more Stress boxes.

Ripper Swarm – from Warhammer 40K Wiki

Ripper Swarm

Mindless marauders, Consume, consume, consume!

Skilled (+2) at: Devouring Biomass, Swarming a target, Evolving into new forms
Bad (-2) at: Thinking, Tactics

STRESS (0, 1, or 2 Stress boxes, depending on the size of the swarm)

Gargoyle Swarm

Bat-winged nightmares, Strike from hiding!

Skilled (+2) at: Spitting bio-plasma, Sneaking into tight spaces
Bad (-2) at: Long-ranged flight

STRESS (0, 1, or 2 Stress boxes, depending on the size of the swarm)

Spore Mine Cluster

Floating Explosives

Skilled (+2) at: Blowing up
Bad (-2) at: Everything else

STRESS (0 or 1 Stress boxes, depending on the number of Spore Mines in the cluster)

Hormagaunts – from Warhammer 40k Wiki

Hormagaunt Brood

Scything talons, Toxin-sacs, Adrenal Glands

Skilled (+2) at: Moving fast, Poisoning a target
Bad (-2) at: Thinking, Tactics

STRESS OO

Termagant Brood

Fleshborer Beetles, Spike Rifle

Skilled (+2) at: Ranged attacks, Group tactics
Bad (-2) at: Independent action

STRESS OO

Tyranid Individuals

The following Tyranids are individuals, but Tyranid Warriors can also be grouped together, with each Stress box counting as a single Warrior.

Ravener – from Warhammer 40k Wiki

Ravener

Scythe-claws, Wide-spectrum senses, Strike from below!

Skilled (+2) at: Burrowing & tunneling, Surprise attacks, Hunting independently
Bad (-2) at: Ranged combat

STRESS O

Shrike (Harpy)

Spore-mine Cysts, Aerial Maneuverability, Synapse Creatures

Skilled (+2) at: Bombarding targets, Picking on the weak and helpless
Bad (-2) at: Defense

STRESS O

Tyranid Warrior – from Warhammer 40k Wiki

Tyranid Warrior

Deathspitter bio-rifles, Highly Adaptable, Synapse Creatures

Skilled (+2) at: Ranged attacks, Directing lesser Tyranids
Bad (-2) at: Surviving heavy weapons fire

STRESS O

Various Notable Biomorphs

Tyranids are long on variety, but short on actual individuality. Some sub-types are powerful enough to warrant being treated as full characters in FAE. Those given here are examples. Since creatures of this sort do exhibit variations from one to another, any specific individual might have Aspects or Stunts that make it unique.

Trygon – from the Warhammer 40k Wiki

Trygon

High Concept: The Burrower Beneath
Trouble: Monstrous Appetite
Other Aspects:
Serve the Hive Mind!
Tunneler
Independent

APPROACHES:
Careful: +1
Clever: +0
Flashy: +2
Forceful: +3
Quick: +1
Sneaky: +2

STUNTS
Behind Enemy Lines: Because I lurk beneath the ground, Behind Enemy Lines, I gain +2 to Carefully overcome attempts to detect my presence.
Bio-Electric Pulse: Because I can produce a Bio-Electric Pulse, I gain +2 to Flashily attack when I discharge my ionizing spray.
Deadfall Traps: Because I construct Deadfall Traps, once per game session I can drop any unit on the battlefield into a deep pit.

STRESS OOO      REFRESH: 3

Lictor – from the Warhammer 40k Wiki

Lictor

High Concept: Tyranid Assassin
Trouble: Lightly-armored
Other Aspects:
Serve the Hive Mind!
Feeder Tendrils
Keen Sense

APPROACHES:
Careful: +2
Clever: +1
Flashy: +0
Forceful: +2
Quick: +1
Sneaky: +3

STUNTS
Stealthy: Because I am Stealthy, I gain +2 to Sneakily create advantages against unsuspecting prey.
Predatory Stalker: Because I am a Predatory Stalker, once per game session I can arrive in a scene undetected by my enemies.
Brain Eater: Because I use my scything talons to open skulls and devour brains, I gain +2 to Carefully create advantages because I know my enemies plans after eating their brains.

STRESS OOO      REFRESH: 3

Old One Eye, a Carnifex – from the Warhammer 40k Wiki

Carnifex

High Concept: Tyranid “Tank”
Trouble: Huge Size
Other Aspects:
Serve the Hive Mind!
Thick Carapace
Living Battering Ram

APPROACHES:
Careful: +1
Clever: +1
Flashy: +2
Forceful: +3
Quick: +2
Sneaky: +0

STUNTS
Claw-blades: Because I have Claw-blades, I gain +2 to Forcefully overcome the advantages of armored targets.
Bony Carapace: Because I have a Bony Carapace, once per game session I can ignore the effects of armor-piercing attacks.
Trample: Because I can Trample my foes, I gain +2 to Forcefully create advantages by breeching barriers or crushing heavy vehicles.

STRESS OOO      REFRESH: 3

Hive Tyrant – from Warhammer 40k Wiki

Hive Tyrant

High Concept: Tyranid Battlefield Commander
Trouble: Huge Size
Other Aspects:
Serve the Hive Mind!
Infinitely Reborn
Psyker

APPROACHES:
Careful: +1
Clever: +3
Flashy: +1
Forceful: +2
Quick: +2
Sneaky: +0

STUNTS
Heavy Venom Cannon: Because I carry a Venom Cannon, I gain +2 to Forcefully attack armored targets at range.
Boneswords: Because I carry a pair of Boneswords, I gain +2 to Quickly attack in melee combat.
Psychic Web: Because I am a major synapse of the Hive Mind, once per game session I can declare that reinforcements arrive where I want them.

STRESS OOO      REFRESH: 3

Tank vs Massive Bio-Titan – from the Warhammer 40k Wiki

Bio-Titan

High Concept: Gigantic Monster
Trouble: Massive Size
Other Aspects:
Serve the Hive Mind!
Destroy all opposition!
Specialized Mutations

APPROACHES:
Careful: +1
Clever: +1
Flashy: +2
Forceful: +3
Quick: +2
Sneaky: +0

STUNTS
Massive Carapace: Because I have a Massive Carapace, I gain +2 to Forcefully defend in combat.
Gigantic: Because I am Gigantic, once per game session I can ignore all damage received during a round.
Tremendous Strength: Because I have Tremendous Strength, I gain +2 to Forcefully attack in melee combat.
Unique Bio-weapon: Because I have a Unique Bio-weapon, once per game session I can attack a huge group of enemies at once.

STRESS OOO      REFRESH: 2

Needless to say, all the various near-unique Bio-Titans are immune to small-arms fire, grenades, and anything that isn’t a heavy weapon.