Genestealers go through many different changes throughout the generations. Let’s take a look at the five different Genestealer Generations.
Via our good friends at Lexicanum
Genestealers form the first wave of a Tyranid invasion, either infiltrating a suitable world hundreds of years before the actual invasion, or in the more short term, where they are deployed onto a planet by Mycetic Spores from the hive fleet. In both cases they pave the way for the invasion by weakening the planet’s defences.
Once upon a new world, the Genestealers seek out all forms of life, attempting to home in on species of a highly organised nature. Genestealers at first concentrate on infecting host victims, who go on to breed Genestealer/host hybrids and begin a generational cycle of new hybrids increasingly like the host species. Over decades, the hybrids will spread through a society and a hidden cult is established within the host’s society. All members of the Genestealer cult are psychically linked and controlled by the original Genestealer. The cult is totally devoted to gaining political power within the society, often cloaking itself in the guise of a legitimate religion, while infecting suitable hosts, prospering and multiplying, and hiding their true nature from the broader society.
The different phases, beginning with a Purii. The contagii, who are mere hosts and not Genestealers at all, are not shown.
Purii
A full Genestealer starts the infection cycle by inserting their genetic material into a host victim. As the infestation spreads and the cult grows, the first Genestealer takes the role of a Genestealer Patriarch and often grows larger into an obese and psychic monstrosity.
As the Contagii mate, the Genestealer genetic material passes onto their offspring, the Maelignaci. The Maelignaci are animals, slow, clumsy and moronic. Within the cult they generally regarded as expendable shock troops. They often possess three or even four arms, and are unable to use their host species technology or weaponry.
1st Generation Genestealer Hybrid
2nd Generation – Hybrid
The Hybrid offspring of the Maelignaci are born unique with no two alike. However this generation can be selectively bred, using their parents like live-stock, and is often manipulated for traits such speed, strength or aggression. They bear more resemblance to their host species than a Genestealer, but are still unable to use their host’s technology.
2nd Generation Hybrid
3rd Generation – True Hybrid
The next generation are True Hybrids and can be mistaken for a member of their host species, if they wear disguising clothes, or stay in dark areas, etc. Some of this generation are capable of using weapons of their host species.
Genestealer Hybrid
4th Generation – Primacii
The fourth generation, the Primacii, are almost indistinguishable from their host species, only with slight physical deformities. Some still sport give-away signs such as being bald . They are able to blend in to the host society and work to lure, kidnap, or do whatever it takes to provide more hosts. Some rare individuals of this generation have psychic powers and become a Genestealer Magus or Genestealer Primus.
5th Generation – Purii
Paradoxically, the Genestealer’s DNA reemerges in the fifth generation, giving birth to a full Genestealer, albeit one showing some physical characteristics of the host species. Thus the cycle can begin anew, as the new Genestealers have the potential to infiltrate other worlds and become a Patriarch.
