Inside the Baneblade: Colossal Super-Heavy Tank – Part 17

Title: The Might of the Imperium Unleashed: Baneblades and Beyond

The Warhammer 40,000 universe is a vast cosmos teeming with epic battles, legendary heroes, and monstrous villains. As we delve into this mythos, we find ourselves amidst the chaos and glory of the Imperium’s armoured might. Among these steel behemoths, the Doomhammer and Banehammer tanks hold a special place in the annals of the Imperium’s history.

In the final stages of a critical battle, the concentrated might of two dozen Doomhammers brought the Imperium a victory that would echo through the millennia. Such was the Doomhammer’s legendary impact that it was eventually put into serial production across several Forge Worlds. However, controversy brewed among the Tech Priests, some of whom claimed that this mechanical beast was an affront to the sacred Machine Spirits and the Omnissiah.

Our journey continues as we turn our attention to the Banehammer, a variant of the Baneblade tank. The Banehammer sets itself apart with its Tremor Cannon, a weapon designed to combat vast waves of infantry. It’s a weapon that strikes fear in the hearts of Orks, Tyranids, and followers of Chaos.

The Banehammer’s Tremor Cannon is aptly named. Its projectiles burrow into the ground before detonating, creating a localized earthquake that sends a potent shockwave through enemy ranks. This cannon also has the ability to detonate projectiles mid-flight, raining deadly shrapnel onto foes. However, against the likes of Tyranids, the ground-burrowing option is often favoured.

The Tremor Cannon isn’t just an anti-infantry tool; it excels at destroying long-term defensive fortifications, such as bunkers. After several volleys from these heavy tanks, the landscape can change beyond recognition. The Banehammer’s ability to carry an assault force serves to quickly and safely deliver infantrymen to enemy lines, providing them with protection against bolter fire, laser fire, and shrapnel.

Despite its formidable abilities, the Banehammer is not without its flaws. Its primary weapon is ill-suited for combat against enemy armoured vehicles, placing it at a disadvantage against even light Chaos Space Marine tanks. Its short-range cannon also presents challenges, often leaving the tank exposed to enemy anti-tank guns, rockets, lascannons, and heavy bolters as it approaches fortifications.

The Hellhammer and the Stormhammer are other notable variants derived from the Baneblade. The Hellhammer, unlike its artillery-focused counterparts, is a full-fledged tank. Its design, based on the Eradicator model gun of the Leman Russ battle tank, is optimised for urban and woodland combat, where shooting range is less crucial.

Then we have the Stormhammer, a veritable fortress on treads, boasting two turrets, four sponsons, and an additional hull-mounted weapon. It is considered the most heavily armed tank in the Imperium, despite being the rarest and heaviest Baneblade variant. Unleashed, the Stormhammer rains down an avalanche of deadly bolter, laser, and projectile fire, annihilating enemies with terrifying speed.

The Stormhammer was introduced during the Great Crusade, specifically designed for war against the Orks. Its focus was on rate of fire and firepower, rather than large cannons. By the 41st Millennium, Stormhammers were almost out of production and were rarely encountered, with most of the old tanks having long been destroyed in battle.

The Doomhammer, Banehammer, Hellhammer, and Stormhammer – each of these tanks has written its own saga in the tumultuous history of the Imperium. They stand as testament to the Imperium’s relentless pursuit of victory against all odds, and the indomitable spirit of those who man these mechanical beasts. These are the stories that continue to shape the vast, brutal, and captivating world of Warhammer 40,000. Stay tuned for more in this series.

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