Toxic Spore Mines levitating above the dead earth
Spore Mines (Boletus minoris), are used by the Tyranids as living, floating mines which explode if any non-Tyranid lifeform gets too close to one. Spore mines can be grown and launched by Biovores. They grow deep inside a Biovore's body and are then launched via a powerful muscle spasm through the Biovore's dorsal aperture and hurled across the battlefield. An internal gas bladder in the spore mines inflates allowing them to drift down towards the ground, where they do not detonate upon impact but when they sense the proximity of a non-Tyranid. They have been known to drift for days, weeks or even years until an unwary foe comes too near. Alternatively, spore mines can also be seeded onto worlds from orbit by what are known as Sporocysts -- bloated, fleshy pods released by bio-ship. The Sporocysts burrow into the surface, becoming spore chimneys, which then release Spore Mines when threatened.
Spore mines possess a rudimentary animal intelligence and are full of poisons, toxins, viruses and chemicals and are covered in sensitive feelers which seek out heat and vibrations. They are also able to sense nearby enemy fire and will explode in the hope of killing the enemy firing. All of the spore mines in a cluster are linked, and when one explodes, they all do even if there are no enemies nearby. If a mine is killed it will also explode.
Spore mines come in one of three forms most often:
- Poison Spore Mines - Full of poisons and toxins, the mine can overcome any physiology. The poisons include highly reactive inorganic poisons, hemo-toxin, afla-toxin, neuro-toxin and phage cells.
- Frag Spore Mines - It has an iron hard shell which shatters when the mine explodes and sends shards of the shell in all directions, which can scythe down light infantry but can also cause lethal infections and sepsis.
- Bio-Acid Spore Mines - The acids are thick and viscous, allowing them to cling to their victim to maximize the effectiveness. They have been known to dissolve everything up to, and including, ceramite plate.
Combat Role
Bombardment
When deployed by Biovores or from an orbital hive ship, spore mines detect and follow the Hive Mind's enemies, sometimes directed by the Hive Mind to where they can be most destructive. Clustered infantry are most vulnerable, as the explosion of chitin and toxic fumes can shred most lightly-armored foes. Many guardsmen can tell stories of spore mines raining down from the skies, destroying entire squads at once with their lethal detonations.
Living Minefield
While the Biovores are the Hive Mind's answer to the artillery used by the native races of the galaxy, they themselves are vulnerable to many of its weaknesses, especially the use of melee and close-ranged fire. Other primarily ranged Tyranids suffer similar weaknesses; while they are not helpless in melee, they are not nearly as efficient. Spore mines automatically detonate when an enemy is nearby, so the Hive Mind sometimes places barriers of mines as buffers, forcing the foe to at least slow down before they reach the more valuable bioforms.
Unit Composition
- 3-9 Spore Mines
Gallery
Sources
- Codex: Tyranids (8th Edition)
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