Steam Tank

is an war machine unit in Total War: Warhammer. With the release of Shadows of Change, also gained access to Steam Tanks.
== Recruitment ==
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** Unlocked with: Engineer's Guildhall
*
** Unlocked with: Engineer's Guildhall (requires unlocking the Engineer's Guildhall with the Emperor's Mandate mechanic)
** gained from the Imperial Engineers option with the Imperial Supplies mechanic and recruiting them in the Imperial Supplies tab
*
** Recruited with: Regiments of Renown Recruitment panel after completing The Reikland Gambit scheme
== Description ==
Steam Tanks are monstrous, smoke-belching creations that rumble towards the enemy, firing deadly cannonballs from their steam-powered guns. A thick, armoured skin protects the whole Steam Tank and the advance of these iron behemoths is terrifying to behold; arrows and sword strokes rebound harmlessly from hulls and enemy warriors are crushed beneath their immense bulk. Steam Tanks are armed with a steam-powered cannon that can fire a spinning ball of iron whirling into the foe's ranks. A turret-mounted steam gun is also standard, which can engulf nearby enemies in great gouts of scalding steam.
== Attributes ==
== Unit Abilities ==
=== Passive Abilities ===
* Wounds
== Strategy ==
A steam tank is a unique piece of equipment that can leave many players confused as to its optimal use, combining a cannon with a slow moving, unbreakable chariot. Being a single entity model, steam tanks do not have the same long-range firepower of a great cannons battalion, but can still provide decent chip damage when firing at elite enemy infantry such as black orcs. Unlike other artillery, steam tanks are designed to be part of the frontline and perform best when embedded with infantry for protection, in much the same way as is typically done with monstrous infantry. They can help hold the line with basic infantry troops while adding fear and terror to the enemy, which can often lead to brief respite for your frontline and allow ranged units to get more shots in as an enemy unit routs.
The steam tank also has a smaller mounted steam gun which appears to have unlimited ammunition, and fires at a much closer range in a 360 degree arc. This allows firing on enemies whilst moving away from them. In addition, steam tanks are capable of ramming enemy infantry when they get into melee. With exceptionally high armour and terror routing capability, steam tanks excel at damaging and breaking masses of low-leadership infantry like often encountered when fighting orks and Beastmen. They are also very useful, like most single-entity units, for sending alone into enemy infantry, causing them to "blob" up for easy targeting with vortex spells and other AOE damage abilities. This should eviscerate the infantry whilst leaving the steam tank relatively unscathed. 
The biggest threat to the steam tank comes from armour piercing damage, and particularly hostile single entity units. Steam tanks do not last long against a Dragon Ogre Shaggoth or giant wailing away on it. Powerful heroes with armour piercing damage (like Grimgor or Archaon) can make extra short of work of it, although in reality most heroes can be a significant threat. It is relatively small and low to the ground compared to other single entity units, so it has a degree of protection against armour piercing arrows due to their parabolic arc, and enemy artillery can usually be dodged thanks to its speed. The same cannot be said of enemy gunpowder troops, so deal with these as a priority.
Ultimately, despite its lack of buffs, the steam tank is best used to support the main army, assisting in multiple areas, being a jack of all trades, master of none. Like most Empire troops, the steam tank shines when used in combined-arms forces, so will not perform spectacularly on its own, a fact that sees it often overlooked. Whilst it will not have the same knockout blow potential as something like a Mammoth would, it can aid your army at every stage of a fight and arguably prove more impactful over the course of an entire battle.
== Trivia ==
This unit has the most armour in the game at 160.
Category:Tzeentch units
Category:Tzeentch war machine units