The Chimera: A Reliable and Versatile Armoured Transport
The Chimera is a stalwart of the Imperial Guard, providing a dependable and practical means of transporting troops into the heart of battle. Its durability and versatility have made it a favourite among Guard commanders, who value its ability to withstand the harsh conditions of the battlefield.
Primary Role: Supporting the Tanks
The Chimera’s primary duty is to accompany tanks into battle, providing protection for the Guardsmen within and supporting the tanks with its heavy weapons. Standard doctrine calls for the Chimera to lay down covering fire while the squad within disembarks and advances. The Chimera then falls back to a firing position, where it can continue to support the infantry and await orders to reposition.
Variants and Upgrades
The Chimera has spawned numerous variants over the years, each designed to fulfill specific roles on the battlefield. Some common upgrades include:
- Heavy Flamer: Replaces the hull-mounted Heavy Bolter, ideal for clearing dense terrain.
- Autocannon: Provides light anti-vehicle capabilities, effective against lightly armoured targets.
- Twin-linked Heavy Bolters: Mounted in the turret, these provide devastating firepower against infantry formations.
- Dozer Blade: Clears terrain for heavier vehicles, or provides nighttime illumination.
- Searchlight: Illuminates the battlefield, allowing the Chimera to operate effectively in low-light conditions.
Specialised Variants
Several regiments have developed their own specialised variants of the Chimera, including:
- APDS-6a Defender: A stopgap variant produced on Armageddon, featuring extensive ablative armour.
- Storm Chimera: Issued to frontline assault units, modified with additional armour and an Autocannon.
- Command Chimera: Used by Guard officers to transport themselves and their command squads, featuring extensive vox arrays and sensors.
- Hippogriff: An Auspex reconnaissance tank, with armaments similar to a Manticore.
Regiments Known to Contain Chimeras
The following regiments are known to operate Chimeras:
- Armageddon Steel Legion
- Cadian 98th Armoured Regiment
- Cadian 113th Mechanised Infantry Regiment
- Inquisitorial Storm Troopers
- Krieg 18th Armoured Regiment
- Krieg 23rd Mechanised Infantry Regiment
- Magdellan 6th Armoured Regiment
- Mordian 84th Armoured Regiment
- Mortant 7th Regiment ‘Headhunters’
- Palladius 8th Armoured Regiment “The Warhounds”
- Phyressian 81st Armoured Regiment
- Tallarn 3rd Armoured Regiment
- Valhallan 597th Infantry Regiment
- Valhallan 193rd Armoured Regiment
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