Termagants are the small, quick, ranged bioforms that make up the bulk of most Tyranid swarms. They’re not tough on their own, but they win fights by showing up in numbers and overwhelming whatever’s in front of them. Fast, agile, and surprisingly cunning, they’re the classic Tyranid horde unit and the backbone of many hive fleet assaults.
What termagants are
Termagants belong to the Gaunt genus, a family of smaller Tyranid creatures. A typical one runs a little over two metres from snout to tail, though the Ordo Xenos records an average height around 1.3 metres and a weight near 0.2 tonnes. Their species name is Gauntii virago.
They were originally bred to patrol the arterial passages of bio-ships as agile bodyguards, hunting down intruders. When a hive fleet invades a planet, termagants are among the first species sent down. The Ordo Xenos first encountered them at Tyran, where they are classified as infantry with a medium threat evaluation.
- Species name: Gauntii virago
- Average height: 1.3 m
- Average weight: 0.2 tonnes
- First encountered: Tyran
- Role: Infantry
- Threat evaluation: Medium
Weapons and wargear
Termagants carry anti-personnel bio-weapons built into their forelimbs. The standard loadout is the fleshborer, a living weapon that works in symbiosis with the fleshborer beetle. Depending on the swarm’s needs, they can be equipped with other bio-weapons instead.
- Fleshborer: the default, symbiotic with the fleshborer beetle
- Spike rifle: longer-ranged option
- Strangleweb: close-range crowd control
- Spinefist: short-ranged, self-guiding
- Devourer: rapid-fire bio-weapon
- Shardlauncher: fires razor-sharp shards
How they fight
Termagants are fast, agile, and surprisingly cunning. They’re weak one-on-one, so they rely on numbers and support from bigger Tyranid breeds to bring down tougher foes. They’re not meant to win fights alone; they’re meant to drown elite foes in bodies while bigger creatures do the heavy lifting.
They often fight alongside Tyranid Warriors, and there’s a strange affinity between the two. When a Warrior is threatened, nearby termagants will instinctively swarm the attacker before it can do harm. The likely reason is to protect the Warrior’s synapse link and keep the Hive Mind’s control intact.
Instinct and survival
Termagants have a strong sense of self-preservation. They’ll skirt an ambush and hit from an unexpected angle, or hunt for weak points in enemy lines.
If they’re cut off from the Hive Mind, that instinct takes over and they’ll usually flee to find shelter. It looks like a weakness, but it means surviving termagants stay a threat: any cave, ruin, or thicket could hide a nest waiting to strike. Sometimes the Hive Mind suppresses that instinct entirely, sending them charging forward just to drain enemy ammunition. Their numbers, instinctive coordination, and ability to survive after a battle mean you can never fully clear them out.
Key facts
- Termagants are Gaunt-genus Tyranids, roughly two metres long and about 1.3 metres tall.
- They’re ranged infantry, usually armed with fleshborers but able to carry several other bio-weapons.
- They were originally bred as bodyguards aboard bio-ships before being deployed in planetary invasions.
- They fight in large numbers and often accompany Tyranid Warriors, instinctively defending them.
- Cut off from the Hive Mind, they flee to shelter, which leaves hidden nests behind after a battle.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a termagant and a hormagaunt?
Both are Gaunt-genus Tyranids, but termagants carry ranged bio-weapons in their forelimbs while hormagaunts are built for melee with scything talons.
What weapon do termagants use by default?
The fleshborer, a living anti-personnel weapon that’s symbiotic with the fleshborer beetle. Broods can swap it for spike rifles, devourers, spinefists, and others.
Why do termagants protect Tyranid Warriors?
It’s likely to preserve the Warrior’s synapse ability, which keeps the Hive Mind in control of the swarm. When a Warrior is threatened, nearby termagants swarm the attacker instinctively.
What is a termagant in Warhammer 40k?
A termagant is a small, fast Tyranid Gaunt used as infantry in hive fleet swarms. They’re about two metres long and rely on numbers and cunning rather than individual strength.