Hierophants (Gothic: Tyranicus giganticus) are a type of colossal Tyranid bio-titan which feature in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Description[]
Enormous organic weapons many dozens of metres in height and weighing upwards of fifty tonnes, Hierophants are amongst the largest Tyranid land-based constructs encountered by the Imperium of Man to date. Heavily armoured monstrosities which stalk the battlefield on four spiny legs, they are commonly equipped with a pair of powerful bio-cannon for long-range work or mighty pincers and scything claws for dealing with armoured opponents up-close. In addition to this terrifying armament, they feature a cluster of venomous tendrils which hang from the underbelly, used to ensnare and crush the life from any infantry unfortunate enough to come within their reach, and and constantly emit a cloud of toxic spores, lethal to any unprotected living creatures which venture too close.
Battlefield Role[]
Hierophants are deployed at the forefront of any major Tyranid land-based offensive, with groups of these creatures used as demoralising linebreakers to crush any enemy armoured formations, dug-in troops, or fortifications which stand in their way. Their mere presence on the battlefield is a powerful psychological weapon in itself (something the Tyranids are extremely good at exploiting) with the only sure-fire way to deal with a Hierophant being the focused and sustained application of heavy ordnance.