vizn3r/warhammer40k-lore huggingface dataset:
Askellon Sector - Tributary Worlds: Other worlds beyond those linked through the Grand Processional wield great power on Askellon's fate. Systems such as these can have unparalleled influence across the sector, and some even outside of it. Some of these planets claim to date back to Askellon's founding in the Age of Technology, others are only several standard millennia in age, but all are puissant and between them control most of the commerce, industry, and manpower of Askellon.Aventine - A Civilised World.Cel - An Agri-world.Cerix Magnus - Cerix Magnus is perhaps the greatest of the many Adeptus Mechanicus Forge Worlds within the sector, and is strict in following only the most sanctified of technology patterns. The Tech-priests of the Regimen Affirmator work there to ensure no forge strays from the correct dictates of the Omnissiah, and that all proper obsequiences are made.Terminus Prime - Terminus is often the first developed star system a vessel travelling to Askellon encounters, and its primary world is a prosperous centre of trade.Thaur - The Shrine World/Cemetery World of Thaur is the resting place of billions, overflowing with the remains of the powerful and the saintly. Millions more of the humble and poor strive that their remains also find a place on this holy world, arranging in life that their dead forms be shipped there. It is at the Blessed Charnaven that their untold tonnes of flesh arrive for final rest. The Osseiates of the Charnaven inscribe into each bone a unique prayer before it is used to fortify a basilica or pave one of the kilometre-wide walkways that encircle the world. No bone is unused, and each becomes an eternal, sacred offering to the God-Emperor.Laran 9k - A Departmento Munitorum Armoury World where tens of thousands of the Astra Militarum's troops, tanks, and support vehicles are regularly prepared for embankment and outfitting.Port Aquila - Port Aquila is located in a dense region of asteroids and it is primarily controlled by the Greater Askellon Trade Combine which continually works a stranglehold over commerce across the belt. The Combine's chief rival, the Pale League, operates across the belt as one of the premier smuggling operations in the region. Made up of failed merchants and sometimes even Rogue Traders who saw their fortunes fall from catastrophic expeditions or piratical raids, Port Aquila is a relatively recent formation, but it is growing in power in the sector.Port Lokhart - The Imperial Navy maintains several facilities in the sector, collectively referred to as the Askellon Station Command. The most important of these is Port Lokhart, strategically located to provide its vessels with ready access to a number of Warp routes leading towards the nearby Scarus Sector, as well as away into the unknown reaches beyond the sector's trailing borders.Vanth - On the Death World of Vanth, the primary danger comes from the toxic and carnivorous plant life that makes up its trackless jungles and swamps.
Asmodai - Asmodai: Asmodai is the Master Interrogator-Chaplain of the Dark Angels Chapter of Space Marines and the leader of that grim order of Heretic-hunters. Also serving as the Chapter's "Master of Repentance," a title unique to the Dark Angels and the Unforgiven, Asmodai is at present the oldest and most successful Interrogator-Chaplain within the ranks of the Dark Angels.He is single-minded in his determination to force any of the Fallen Angels that come into his hands to repent. During his long career, he has only been able to make two Fallen repent of their sins. But those that fall into his capable hands cannot resist his finely honed and wicked craft, for it is said that his enemies would rather die than fall into his clutches.Brutal, uncompromising and to the point, Asmodai does not suffer fools, nor does he tolerate idleness of mind or spirit. In his obsession, which has grown with his age, Asmodai has become a living embodiment of duty, openly disdaining all that does not pertain to battle, the Chapter's goals, and ultimately, to the secret hunt that drives him. Whether on the battlefield, at council with the Inner Circle, or in the dungeons of The Rock administering to one of the heretical Fallen -- or anyone who might have information about them -- Asmodai is a merciless bringer of death, a true Dark Angel.Asmodai is rumoured to be able to horrifically torture a victim for solar weeks, keeping him or her alive to suffer the unspeakable torments of his brutal ministrations. Asmodai's relentless nature and single-minded pursuit of the Fallen balances on the border of what is morally defensible. Though Brother Asmodai's determination to force the Fallen that fall into his clutches to speak their secrets has aided the Chapter's most crucial and secret mission immeasurably, more than once Supreme Grand Master Azrael has been forced to censure Asmodai's demands, counteract his orders or cover up some of the Master Interrogator-Chaplain's more flagrant excesses.At some point during the Era Indomitus, Asmodai underwent the agonising surgery required to cross the Rubicon Primaris and he now serves the Emperor as a Primaris Space Marine.No other Dark Angel exemplifies the maxim "the end justifies the means" more than Asmodai, for in his unquenchable obsession, he is willing to sacrifice anything or anyone to capture another of the Fallen, and there is no boundary he will not cross to add another black pearl to his Rosarius.
Asmodai - First Response: Asmodai was soon elevated to the position of Interrogator-Chaplain, having shown more desire to bring the Fallen to justice than lead the warriors of the Chapter. With a determination that shamed others much his senior, Asmodai accompanied the Deathwing on any expedition that might bring rumour of his quarry. It was this dedication that saw Asmodai capture his first Fallen Angel in 411.M41.His name was Cephesus, and though Asmodai turned his considerable skills of excruciation and coercion upon him, he died without repenting his treachery. Frustrated, Asmodai became even more active and devoted, going to extraordinary lengths and risking himself and his warriors in extreme situations to capture his prey. He took captive three more Fallen over the next twenty-five standard years. Still, none would renounce their past heresies and Asmodai's superiors feared for the Chaplain, whose fervour was verging on the self-destructive.In an attempt to appease Asmodai's desperation, they granted him access to Sorl Mebbon, a Fallen who had been captured before Asmodai's rise to his rank who had stubbornly refused to die or confess. For eighteen solar days without rest, the Interogator-Chaplain interrogated Sorl Mebbon, inflicting hurt without measure, haranguing him constantly. Where others had failed, Asmodai finally succeeded, breaking Mebbon's spirit after one hundred and twenty-nine solar hours of unrelenting torment when thirty standard years of efforts by others had failed.Mebbon pleaded for forgiveness and repented every act he had committed against Lion El'Jonson and the Emperor. It is said that these words elicited a satisfied smile from the Interrogator-Chaplain; an expression that has been repeated only once -- when Asmodai drew forth the repentance of another Fallen, Ganiel.
Asmodai - Relentless Endeavour: For all the ill caused to the Dark Angels by Asmodai's uncompromising manner, his zeal also brings success, and it is for this success that he is tolerated. Whether by example or exhortation, the Master Interrogator-Chaplain has turned defeat into victory on numerous occasions. His utter contempt for anything other than total dedication ensures that commanders fighting alongside him apply themselves with nothing less than absolute fidelity. Space Marines may know no fear caused by the enemy, but the Dark Angels perhaps fear rebuke from Asmodai, dreading his wrath far more than death in battle.At Scarn's Bluff, when the Dark Angels' 5th Company found themselves with their backs to mile-high cliffs following a counterattack by a warband of World Eaters, it was Asmodai that led the breakout; he concluded the battle by chopping the head from the warband's Chaos Champion with the Traitor's own chainaxe.Asmodai single-handedly stormed the barbican of Helican's Citadel when the Meta-heretics of Alicantus Nocturnis unleashed the power of their moon-singers. He took the towers and opened the gates to allow the Ravenwing to pierce the heart of the enemy fortress, slaying the despicable sorcerers.Again and again, Asmodai has proven to be the unstoppable force needed to break the enemy. He insisted that the Dark Angels respond to the encroachment of Hive Fleet Leviathan, leading several companies against the Tyranids. He met briefly with Chaplain Ortan Cassius of the Ultramarines during this expedition and said of his contemporary, "He knows a lot about killing aliens, which is no bad thing" -- one of the few compliments Asmodai has ever paid to anybody.The Interrogator-Chaplain led the boarding attack against the Desecrator-class Battleship Sorrow's Embrace, storming the engine decks to place Melta charges on the plasma reactors before withdrawing.He also held the line at Carpathia Sound, with only two dozen fellow Dark Angels. They fought on for three solar days against a screaming tide of Asteorian scentfangs, rasptongues, slitterwings and daggerclaws whilst the soldiers of the Astra Militarum's Cadian 64th were rallied for a counter-attack.Whether on the offensive or defensive, Asmodai's unyielding righteousness continues to inspire the Dark Angels to victory after seemingly impossible victory. Across countless battlefields, his reputation alone has struck fear into the hearts of the most hardened foes. With his matchless determination and will of iron, Asmodai ensures the Deathwing's mission is always completed.
Asmodai - Arks of Omen Campaign: During the siege of the Rock in the Arks of Omen Campaign of the Era Indomitus, Asmodai took part in the defence of the Dark Angels' mobile fortress-monastery against the forces of Chaos led by the Greater Daemon of Chaos Undivided Vashtorr.After the battle, Asmodai oversaw the interrogation of those Heretic Astartes captured during the siege to learn what he could about Vashtorr's plans. Shortly thereafter Vashtorr was identified as dwelling within the Idolatros System of the Somnium Stars in realspace, and Asmodai led three-quarters of the forces of the Unforgiven Chapters there where they engaged Vashtorr's forces in the Battle of Idolatros.
Asmodai - Wargear: Artificer Armour (Sized for Primaris Space Marine)Crozius Arcanum - The Crozius Arcanum is the sacred rod of office carried by all Space Marine Chaplains. Within the Crozius Arcanum is a generator that produces a powerful energy field capable of disrupting matter in the same manner as a Power Weapon. Chaplains are powerful warriors, and the blows struck with a Crozius Arcanum can overwhelm nearly any defence.Rosarius - A Rosarius is a gorget or amulet worn by Space Marine Chaplains which traditionally bears the symbol of the Imperial Aquila or Crux Terminatus and is the Chaplain's "soul armour" bestowed upon him by the Ecclesiarchy of Terra. Asmodai's Rosarius also contains a Conversion Field generator that adds to his protection from the blows and weapons fire of his foes.Skull Helm - One of the most iconic elements of any Chaplain's wargear is his macabre skull helm, a stern visage that depicts the face of the Emperor mordant upon the Golden Throne, evoking the Master of Mankind's wrath. These helms may take many different forms and have been crafted by numerous Space Marine artificers across the galaxy. Universally, however, they are all fearsome in aspect.Sacred Standards - Interrogator-Chaplains like Asmodai are the custodians of the Dark Angels' holy relics, including such sacred standards as the Standard of Fortitude, the Standard of Devastation, and the Standard of Retribution.Bolt Pistol or Plasma PistolMaster-crafted Power SwordFrag GrenadesKrak GrenadesBlades of Reason - This is an ancient and horrific bladed device, full of arcane cruelty and the sorrow of Mankind. Its many sharply honed and well-polished blades are etched with scriptures of repentance in the tongue of Old Caliban, and criss-crossing the weapon's head are cables and fine neural-wires, mystic science that amplifies pain to agonies beyond endurance. With this archaic weapon of torture, Asmodai attempts to extract confessions from captured Fallen during interrogations in an attempt to save the doomed prisoner's soul through his expert and painful ministrations.Augmetic hand - Asmodai lost the fingers of his right hand while defending his prisoner, the Fallen Cypher, from an assault by the Deathwing's Grand Master Belial. The Chapter's Techmarines later removed the rest of his hand, as it was easier to fit a full augmetic prosthesis rather than just replace the fingers.
Asmodai - Trivia: Asmodai is named for Asmodeus, also called Asmodai, who is a king of both the tutelary spirits called daemons and the malevolent entities called demons and the primary antagonist of the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit from the Old Testament of the Bible, as well as featuring in several other ancient Hebrew and Christian texts. He is one of the Seven Princes of Hell and the embodiment of the deadly sin of lust. This demon is also mentioned in some Talmudic legends; for instance, in the story of the construction of the Temple of Solomon. In Islam, he is identified with the "puppet" mentioned in the Quran.
Asmodai - Sources: Arks of Omen: Vashtorr (9th Edition), pg. 31Arks of Omen: The Lion (9th Edition), pg. 14Codex Adeptus Astartes - Dark Angels (8th Edition), pp. 31, 80Codex: Angels of Death (2nd Edition), pp. 15, 26, 35, 41, 72, 82Codex: Dark Angels (3rd Edition), pp. 7, 20Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pp. 37, 80Codex: Dark Angels (6th Edition), pg. 55Index Astartes II, "For the Emperor - Space Marne Chaplains", pg. 59Warlords of the Dark Millennium: Asmodai, pp. 3-4, 6-10, 12-17, 23-27White Dwarf 208 (US), "Faith and Vengeance: Space Marine Chaplain Background and Tactics - Interrogator-Chaplains: Dark Angels", pp. 78-86White Dwarf 227 (US), "Chapter Approved - Space Marines: Dark Angels, Asmodai, Interrogator-Chaplain", pp. 73-80White Dwarf 266 (UK), "Angels of Death"Pandorax (Novel) by C.Z. DunnUnforgiven (Novel) by Gav Thorpe, Part I, Ch. 13Asmodai Large Art, Former Games Workshop Site (Dead Site)Warhammer Community - World Championships Preview – Asmodai Demands to Know Which Codexes are Coming Next
Aspect Shrine - Aspect Shrine: An Aspect Shrine is a cult of Aeldari Aspect Warriors of a specific specialty that practice the mastery of their chosen Warrior Path. Each Aspect upon an Asuryani Craftworld keeps at least one shrine.The Path of the Warrior teaches the arts of death and destruction. Such is the dark nature of the Aeldari psyche that the Warrior Path draws most of them onto it at some point in their long lives. In aeons past, the ancient Phoenix Lords taught the arts of war to both males and females, and as a result Aeldari warriors are as likely to come from either sex.As with many of the more complex Paths, the Warrior Path is divided into multiple separate branches. Each of these is known as a Warrior Aspect, representing a different facet of the war god Khaine, and bringing with it unique fighting techniques, weapons and abilities.When the Aeldari go to war, the Warrior Aspects fight in a predetermined role associated with their shrine. They have their own warrior garb, a form of ritual battle suit, and distinctive weaponry.
Aspect Shrine - Sources: Codex: Eldar Craftworlds (7th Edition), pp. 18, 21-22, 31, 84, 96, 221, 332Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pp. 21, 69, 82, 86, 99, 108, 115, 120, 185, 189, 193, 197, 201, 274, 276, 288, 302, 312, 322, 338, 350
Aspect Warriors - Aspect Warriors: Aspect Warriors are those Craftworld Aeldari or Asuryani who specialise in certain aspects of combat during their time on the Path of the Warrior. The Asuryani are known to pursue any task they set out to do with an intensity that makes Human efforts pale in comparison.When an Asuryani feels called to the Path of the Warrior, he or she will join an Aspect Shrine, a cult of warriors who train themselves to embody some aspect of the Aeldari War God Khaine or ancient Aeldari myths and legends.All Asuryani craftworlds maintain at least some Aspect Shrines, although some, notably the Biel-Tan craftworld, have more than others and place a greater emphasis on the Path of the Warrior in their society.The following table lists all known Asuryani Warrior Aspects and their roles in the Aeldari order of battle:Aspect NamePhoenix LordBattlefield RoleDire AvengersAsurmen, the Hand of AsuryanGeneral CombatHowling BansheesJain Zar, the Storm of SilenceMelee CombatStriking ScorpionsKarandras, the Shadow HunterMelee Combat, StealthDark ReapersMaugan Ra, the Harvester of SoulsLong-Ranged Fire SupportFire DragonsFuegan, the Burning LanceAnti-Armour, Anti-Structure roleSwooping HawksBaharroth, the Cry of the WindAirborne InfantryWarp SpidersUnknownHit-and-Run AttacksShining SpearsDrastanta, the Tempest of StarlightHit-and-Run AttacksCrimson HuntersUnknownAir Superiority, Combat PilotsEagle PilotAmon HarakhtAsuryani Fighter PilotsCrystal DragonsUnknownUnknownSlicing Orbs of ZandrosUnknownUnknownShadow SpectresIrillyth, the Shade of TwilightAnti-ArmourEbon TalonsUnknownUnknown
Aspect Warriors - Exarchs: Each Aspect Shrine is led by an Exarch, an Aeldari fallen to the curse of inability to leave the Path of the Warrior. These Exarchs are powerful warriors, doomed to either die on the battlefield, or to eventually be chosen to become the Avatar of Khaine. The first member or founder of an Aspect Shrine is called a Phoenix Lord.When an Aspect Warrior becomes an Exarch, they will don one of the ancient suits of Exarch armour that belong to that shrine, and this suit will bond to their flesh permanently.This means that the new warrior's soul merges with those of the previous wearers of the suit, which is essentially a compact and mobile version of the craftworld's Infinity Circuit.
Aspect Warriors - Leaving the Warrior's Path: Once an Aeldari warrior finishes their time as an Aspect Warrior, he or she moves on to other occupations, as called for by the conventions of the Asuryani Path. Since the population of the surviving Aeldari race is so low, all Aeldari are expected to serve if called to fight.Thus, if a craftworld subsequently goes to war, these former Aspects will frequently be called upon to serve as Guardians, a type of citizen-soldier serving as part of a militia to defend the craftworld.
Aspect Warriors - Dire Avengers: The Dire Avengers are the oldest and most numerous Aspect Warriors. They are armed with Shuriken Catapults, an effective if short-ranged weapon, and perform as elite troops. The Exarch can be equipped to improve the squads' close combat abilities.The Phoenix Lord of the Dire Avengers is Asurmen, the Hand of Asur. He was the first of the Phoenix Lords and the greatest, who instructed all the other founding Phoenix Lords in the skills of combat.
Aspect Warriors - Dark Reapers: The Dark Reapers represent the Aeldari War God Khaine in his aspect as a destroyer, and specialize in long-range firepower. Their standard weapon is a Reaper Launcher which is a powerful, long ranged weapon that fires several small missiles at the target.Their Exarch can be equipped with more powerful weapons, such as a Missile Launcher or Shuriken Cannon. The Phoenix Lord of the Dark Reapers is Maugan Ra, the Harvester of Souls.
Aspect Warriors - Eagle Pilots: An Eagle Pilot is an Aeldari Aspect Warrior who follows the Warrior Path of the Phoenix Lord Amon Harakht, of whom almost nothing is known. Like their fellow airborne Aspect Warriors, the Swooping Hawks, the Eagle Pilots take exultant pleasure in the arts of aerial combat.These Aeldari are superb pilots of any type of Aeldari aircraft or spacecraft, but especially excel in the aerial arts of war. Their skill and artistry in flight is nearly unmatched by the combat pilots of any other species, as they take to the skies in their Nightwing interceptors or Phoenix strike aircraft.
Aspect Warriors - Fire Dragons: The Fire Dragons specialize in short-range firepower and anti-tank warfare. They carry a Fusion Gun and Melta Bombs, both excellent weapons for dealing with vehicles, and have Grenade Launchers built into their armour. The Fusion Gun is also very effective against heavy infantry such as Space Marine Terminators, but is limited by its short range.The Exarch can be given a Fire Pike, a stronger Fusion Gun with better range, and skills to make him an excellent tank-killer, as well as a highly dangerous melee combatant. The Phoenix Lord of the Fire Dragons is Fuegan, the Burning Lance.
Aspect Warriors - Howling Banshees: The Howling Banshees are a close combat Aspect made up primarily of female Aeldari. The Howling Banshees are equipped with a Shuriken Pistol and a melee Power Weapon, usually an Aeldari blade. As the Power Weapon can easily slice through armour, the Banshees are very effective against well-armoured opponents like Space Marines in close combat.They also wear a Banshee Mask, which alters their already naturally-piercing war cries into sonic screams that can burst eardrums and incapacitate foes, leaving them open to attack. This scream, when focused at a single target, can also be deadly on its own.Howling Banshees can deliver a devastating first strike, but if they get mired in long-duration combat, attrition will work against them. The Exarch can be armed with an Executioner which boosts her strength. The Phoenix Lord of the Howling Banshees is Jain Zar, the Storm of Silence.
Aspect Warriors - Shadow Spectres: Once a disciple of Asurmen, the first of the Aeldari Phoenix Lords, the Shadow Spectres' Phoenix Lord Irillyth, the Shade of Twilight, founded the Shrine of the Shadow Spectres on the Craftworld of Mymeara. Drawn to the small Craftworld in response to a vision of doom and horror, Irillyth gifted the skills of stealth, swiftness and all-consuming firepower to the warriors of Mymeara.After many Terran years, the Phoenix Lord led a great war host to the legend-shrouded world of Bethalmae to destroy an alien race that would, many thousands of Terran years later, arise to threaten Craftworld Mymeara.Neither he nor any of his warhost ever returned to the Craftworld, and with the loss of their Phoenix Lord, the Shadow Spectre Aspect fell into decline until just recently. The Shadow Spectres specialise in the deployment of highly-mobile, infantry-based anti-armour firepower and are experts at striking at enemy vehicles from concealment and extreme long-range.Armed with Prism Rifles, each a potent anti-tank weapon, and equipped with Jetpacks, their mobility allows them to hunt down their chosen targets with the implacable patience of the dead, materialising seemingly from the very air to unleash their overwhelming firepower. The Shadow Spectres represent the Aeldari God of War Kaela Mensha Khaine in his aspect as the bringer of unexpected death on the battlefield.
Aspect Warriors - Shining Spears: The Shining Spears are a fast-attack Aspect. They ride Aeldari jetbikes and are armed with a Laser Lance, giving them high mobility and a strong charge attack. They are limited by their small squad sizes.The Exarch can be armed with a Bright Lance, providing an accurate but very expensive anti-tank unit. The Phoenix Lord of the Shining Spears is Drastanta, the Tempest of Starlight.
Aspect Warriors - Striking Scorpions: The Striking Scorpions are another close-combat Aspect. They are armed with Aeldari Chainswords, Shuriken Pistols and Mandiblasters. They have better armour than the other Aspects, and are generally physically stronger than most Aeldari. These characteristics allow them to work very well against a large number of weaker opponents.The Striking Scorpions are also effective against stronger opponents, but their relative physical fragility works against them in that situation. The Striking Scorpions Exarch can be armed with a Biting Blade which is effective against a few enemies, and a Scorpion's Claw, which combines a Powerfist and a Shuriken Catapult. The Phoenix Lord of the Striking Scorpions is Karandras, the Shadow Hunter.
Aspect Warriors - Swooping Hawks: The Swooping Hawks are a highly mobile Aspect who serve as the Aeldari equivalent of airborne infantry. Equipped with an anti-gravity Jump Pack crafted with stylised wings, they can move rapidly across the battlefield, dropping grenades upon the enemy before swooping in for the kill.Their weapons are not that powerful, and they are best employed as a flanking unit. The Exarch can be enhanced with certain melee weapons and powerful, close ranged weapons to become devastating in close combat. The Phoenix Lord of the Swooping Hawks is Baharroth, the Cry of the Wind.
Aspect Warriors - Warp Spiders: The Warp Spiders are another highly mobile Aspect, equipped with a Warp Spider Jump Generator which allows them to jump into and out of the Warp, avoiding any obstacles in their way in realspace. This Warp-jumping is considered extremely dangerous, as it might attract the attention of daemons.Since they do not have to run all over the battlefield, the Warp Spiders make use of stronger armour than most other Aspects. Their armour makes use of built-in Warp shielding similar to the Imperial Gellar Fields that protect them during their Warp-jumps and, as an added bonus, makes them highly resistant to psyker attacks since they use Warp energy.Warp Spiders are armed with Death Spinners, which fire a net of monomolecular threads which slice into the flesh of the foe even as it entangles them. The Warp Spider Exarch can be given the ability to withdraw from combat, enhancing the Warp Spiders' survivability. The Warp Spiders have no known Phoenix Lord.
Aspiring Champion - Aspiring Champion: Aspiring Champions of Chaos are veteran warriors of Chaos, usually but not always corrupted Astartes, who lead a squad of Chaos Space Marines or other Chaos warriors into battle but remain under the command of a true Champion of Chaos or an even more powerful Chaos Lord.Space Marines are superhuman in almost every way, and this holds true for their treasonous brethren as well. Amongst the Traitor Legions, however, there are those who stand apart.These Traitor Legionaries show the traits of true leadership, honed keen by the constant struggle to maintain control over warbands of Heretic Astartes.
Assault Bike - Assault Bike: The Assault Bike, also known as the Space Marine Bike, is a light vehicle that is used throughout the Imperium by most Adeptus Astartes Chapters, and even by Renegade and Chaos Space Marines.The Assault Bike is an extremely powerful machine, and is capable of propelling a fully armoured Space Marine at dizzying speeds while remaining responsive enough to perform a full-range of death-defying combat maneuvers. There are tales of experienced Space Marine Bikers who have driven their bikes through solid rockcrete walls at full speed without harm.Assault Bikes usually operate in Bike Squads of up to eight and are used for fast-moving assault missions, intelligence gathering, infiltration, and general reconnaissance.When Assault Bikes are used for assault missions they will attack the enemy at incredible speeds, using both surprise and unstoppable momentum to rip through enemy formations.Before the enemy can regroup and go on the defensive, the Astartes Bikers will turn around and attack once again from an unexpected direction.Bike Squad tactical strikes are often likened to thunderbolts, as by the time the enemy hears their approach, the damage has already been done.In order for Space Marine Bikers to use their mechanical steeds at maximum efficiency they must function flawlessly as one, and to this end the Codex Astartes dictates that all Assault Marines, Scouts, and the entire 6th Company of a Chapter must master the art of mounted warfare as part of their training regimen.There are several Chapters that take this further, with every Space Marine in the Chapter being required to maintain his mounted training, even if the Space Marine has long since passed into the ranks of the Chapter's 1st Company.There is no Astartes Chapter that better exemplifies this philosophy better than the White Scars, who proudly employ Assault Bike Squads as the main body of their strike forces.There are many other Chapters who are less enamored of an Assault Bike's tactical value, and prefer to send their assault forces into combat in Rhinos and Razorbacks instead.
Assault Bike - History: The Assault Bike, along with its Attack Bike variant, have been used by the Adeptus Astartes since the dawn of the Imperium. The Space Marine Legions that fought during the Great Crusade maintained entire companies of Assault Bikes as part of their Legion Outrider Squads for lightning fast attacks on their enemies. These vehicles were deployed during the Horus Heresy by both Loyalist and Traitor Legions alike.During the Heresy many Legion Outrider Squads deploying Assault Bikes were used by the Traitor Legions to hunt down Loyalist survivors of the virus-bombing of Istvaan III, and the Drop Site Massacre on Istvaan V.During the Siege of Terra, the White Scars Legion and their expert use of Assault and Attack Bikes helped keep the Traitor Legions away from the walls of the Imperial Palace, and after the walls were breached they were successful in capturing the Lion's Gate Starport and denied the Traitors many of their reinforcements.Following the death of the Arch-traitor Horus, the Traitor Legions made a hasty retreat from Terra into the Eye of Terror, all the while being harried from world to world by White Scars Bike Squads.
Assault Bike - Armament: The standard Assault Bike used by both the Adeptus Astartes and the Chaos Space Marines is armed with twin-linked Bolters that are attached to the Bike's forward armour cowling, fixed to fire in the direction of travel.The sheer amount of Bolter shells that can be brought to bear at whatever target that might stand in the way is often enough to make the enemy break and run before a Bike has even reached them.While the Assault Bike itself is only lightly armed by most Adeptus Astartes vehicle standards, the vehicle's real firepower comes from its rider, who is always equipped with Frag Grenades, and can also employ Krak Grenades.The rider is usually also equipped with a Bolt Pistol and a Chainsword, and can optionally make use of Flamers, Grav-Guns, Meltaguns, and Plasma Guns.Bike Squad Sergeants, and sometimes regular Battle-Brothers from very well-equipped Chapters may also possess Hand Flamers, Infernus Pistols, Plasma Pistols, Grav-Pistols, Power Swords, Powerfists, Lightning Claws, Combi-Weapons, and Melta Bombs.There are several less common Assault Bike armaments, such as Bikes adapted to be used by Chaplains, or to accept non-standard upgrades such as Smoke Launchers.Assault Bikes used by Chaos Space Marines are usually equipped with the same Bike-mounted and rider-carried weaponry as their Loyalist counterparts, but there are some Chaos Space Marine Bikers that add various items and weapons to their vehicles, such as Doom Sirens, Chaos Icons, and spikes and hooks for cutting and impaling anyone who gets too close.Chaos Bikers also make use of weapons that have long since vanished from most Space Marine armouries, such as Power Scythes and Chain Axes.During the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy eras of the late 30th and early 31st Millennia, Assault Bikes could be equipped with weapons that are no longer commonly used by the Adeptus Astartes in the late 41st Millennium, such as twin-linked Flamers, twin-linked Meltaguns, and twin-linked Plasma Guns used in place of the standard twin-linked Bolters.
Assault Bike - Unit Composition: 2-7 Space Marine Bikers on Assault Bikes with 1 Space Marine Biker Sergeant or 1 Veteran Space Marine Biker Sergeant on an Assault Bike and 2 Space Marine Bikers on a single Attack Bike
Assault Bike - Wargear: Each Biker and Sergeant in a Space Marine Bike Squad is armed and equipped with:Bolt PistolFrag GrenadesKrak GrenadesTwin-linked Bolters (Assault Bike)Twin-linked Bolters and a sidecar-mounted Heavy Bolter (Attack Bike)A Space Marine Sergeant or Veteran Sergeant may replace his Bolt Pistol with one the following weapons:ChainswordLightning ClawPower AxePower SwordPower FistPower MaulThunder HammerBolterStorm BolterCombi-WeaponGrav PistolPlasma PistolAny Space Marine Biker may replace his Bolt Pistol with the following:ChainswordUp to two Space Marine Bikers may replace their Bolt Pistols with the following:FlamerGrav-GunMeltagunPlasma GunAn included Attack Bike may replace its side car-mounted Heavy Bolter with the following:Multi-Melta
Assault Bike - Formations: The following is a list of all known Adeptus Astartes battle formations that include Assault Bikes:Venator Kill Team - A Venator Kill Team is a formation used by the Deathwatch, the Chamber Militant of the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos. A Venator Kill Team consists of a squad of Deathwatch Veterans, a squadron of Deathwatch Bikers on Assault Bikes, and any number and combination of Deathwatch Librarians, Deathwatch Terminators and Vanguard Veterans. A Venator team is assembled when the Deathwatch must face a foe too agile or manoeuvrable for a more conventional strike force to contain it. Where such a xenos army could run rings around an armoured division or Gladius demi-company, the Venator team turns the enemy assault on its head, its bike-mounted warriors hurtling in wide sweeps to encircle the foe in their turn. When their designated quarry is located, the Bikers share the data of their previous forays with the rest of their team. It is then that cold vigilance turns to fiery, red-hot fury. As the bikers finally open fire, the weapon systems borne by the rest of the team's Veterans send salvos blasting in on the coordinates set by their bike-mounted brethren -- no matter how fast their prey, the pinpoint vengeance of these volleys strikes home with killing force.Ravenwing Attack Squadron - The Ravenwing Attack Squadron consists of one Ravenwing Assault Bike Squadron or one Ravenwing Attack Bike Squadron and one Ravenwing Land Speeder Squadron or a single Land Speeder Vengeance. Dust clouds billow behind the Ravenwing Attack Squadron as it hurtles into battle. Striking swiftly, the 2nd Company huntsmen drive hard into the midst of the enemy, many foes falling before they even realise their danger. With massed firepower, the Attack Squadron mow their victims down in huge numbers. They plough a bloody furrow through the heart of battle, bursting from the foe's rear ranks before wheeling about and diving back into the fray once more. It is these high-speed attacks for which the Ravenwing are rightly feared, yet this is not the only trick they have to play. Should some vital quarry be sighted, or a mighty enemy strongpoint need to be purged, the hunters activate their Teleport Homers and -- amid a crackling storm of light -- summon the merciless warriors of the Deathwing to join the fight.
Assault Bike - Chaos Assault Bikes: The Assault Bike is also used by the Traitor Legions and Renegade Space Marine Chapters. The Assault Bikes used by Chaos Space Marines are similar to the ones used by their Loyalist counterparts, although Chaos Bikes are usually covered in various spikes and spurs that are used to cut enemies apart as they pass by. Chaos Assault Bikes are used as fast-moving reconnaissance vehicles to scout out enemy positions and eradicate those units which are too slow to pose a threat.Chaos Space Marine Bikers are recognised, even among other Chaos Space Marines, as ruthless and cruel individuals and will often pursue a foe for miles, due to both their determination to achieve the kill, and as a perverse method of torturing their victim.Originally, Assault Bikes were simply seen as another piece of hardware to its Chaos Space Marine operator, but over thousands of Terran years of exposure to the Warp, man and machine have become almost a single entity, much like the crew and pilots of other Chaos Vehicles.Chaos Space Marine Bikers usually operate in squads of up to ten, which can include a Biker Champion. Chaos Assault Bikes are armed with similar weaponry to that of the standard Imperial Assault Bike, which includes a set of twin-linked Bolters located on the bike's handlebars. Chaos Assault Bikes can also be armed with sets of twin-linked Flamers, Meltaguns, and even Plasma Guns in place of their standard Bolters.Assault Bikes that are aligned to the Chaos God Slaanesh can also be armed with Doom Sirens. The Chaos Space Marine who operates the Assault Bike may be armed with a Bolt Pistol or a close combat weapon such as a Chainsword, along with a Frag Grenade and a Krak Grenade.Biker Chaos Champions can be armed with Plasma Pistols and Power Swords or Powerfists, and can also be equipped with a Melta Bomb. These Champions can also be mutated by their exposure to the Warp and as a result of the "gifts" bestowed upon them by the Gods of Chaos. The Assault Bike itself offers little protection to its operator, and as such all Chaos Space Marine Bikers wear their Power Armour at all times. A member of a Chaos Assault Bike Squad may also take into battle an Icon of Chaos, and may also carry Marks of Chaos.
Assault Bike - Notable Chaos Bikers: Doomrider - Doomrider is a Daemon Prince and one of the strangest servants of the Chaos God Slaanesh. His true identity has been lost to time and all that is known of his past is that he was once a Space Marine Biker of the Emperor's Children Legion. Having been granted Daemonhood by Slaanesh, Doomrider rode through both the Materium and Immaterium, always in search of new sensations. His love of speed would put an Ork Speed Freek to shame, and it is only equalled by his love of bringing agonising death to the denizens of the Materium. Servants of Slaanesh often attempt to summon him forth from the Warp to assist them in battle, but even when they succeed in attracting the Daemon Prince's attention, the vain and fickle Doomrider usually disappears back into the Warp soon after his arrival regardless of the outcome of the combat in search of the next happenstance that has caught his attention.
Assault Bike - Notable Users of the Assault Bike: The Assault Bike has been in use by the Adeptus Astartes since the Great Crusade, and the Traitor Legions took theirs with them after the Horus Heresy. In the 41st Millennium most, if not all, Space Marine Chapters make use of the Assault Bike in some fashion or another. Below are some of the more notable users of the Assault Bike:
Assault Bike - Space Marine Chapters: White Scars - The White Scars Space Marine Chapter make the most widespread use of Space Marine Bikes of all variants. The White Scars' homeworld of Chogoris is comprised of large, wind-swept steppes and grasslands. The Astartes of the Chapter who are recruited from Chogoris are taken from the savage horse riders of the steppes, and thus the entire Chapter is already adept at mounted warfare. The White Scars deploy Assault Bikes during nearly all of their campaigns.Dark Angels - The Dark Angels Space Marine Chapter make heavy use of Assault Bikes in their 2nd Company, the Ravenwing. The Ravenwing is a highly specialised unit that is intended to make use of mobility and speed to defeat the enemy rather than heavy firepower. The Ravenwing is made up of Assault and Attack Bikes, along with Land Speeders.Space Wolves - The Space Wolves Space Marine Chapter gives the use of Bikes over to their Blood Claws Neophytes. These Blood Claws, known as Swift Claws, make use of Assault Bikes in lightning fast hit-and-run attacks. Since Blood Claws are considered very headstrong, the use of an Assault Bike allows them to give vent to their need for wild, head-on assaults at breakneck speed.Ultramarines - The Ultramarines Space Marine Chapter makes use of Assault and Attack Bikes for the purposes and in the manner dictated by the Codex Astartes.SalamandersRaven Guard
Assault Bike - Traitor Legions: Death GuardEmperor's ChildrenWord BearersWorld Eaters
Assault Bike - Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications: Technical specifications for this vehicle have not been released by the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Assault Bike - Sources: Codex: Black Templars (4th Edition), pp. 40, 59Codex: Blood Angels (5th Edition), pp. 30, 76, 93Codex: Blood Angels (3rd Edition), pg. 9Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 1st Codex), pp. 15, 24Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 2st Codex), pp. 16, 33Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition), pp. 27, 99Codex: Chaos Space Marines (6th Edition), pp. 37, 100Codex Adeptus Astartes - Dark Angels (8th Edition), pp. 43-45, 110, 113Codex Adeptus Astartes - Dark Angels (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), "The Hunt for the Fallen", The Ravenwing", "Ravenwing Bike Squads", "Ravenwing Black Knights", "Ravenwing", "Ravenwing Command Squad (Datasheet), "Ravenwing Bike Squad (Datasheet), "Ravenwing Black Knights (Datasheet)", "Ravenwing Attack Squadron (Formation)"Codex: Dark Angels (6th Edition), pp. 4-5, 46, 82-83, 101Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pp. 17, 26-27, 66-67, 85Codex: Dark Angels (3rd Edition), pp. 8, 10Codex Adeptus Astartes - Deathwatch (7th Edition), pp. 39, 49, 83, 93-96Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition), pp. 33, 60, 90Codex: Space Wolves (3rd Edition), pg. 11Codex Adeptus Astartes - Space Marines (8th Edition), pp. 32, 74, 168Codex Adeptus Astartes - Space Marines (7th Edition) (Digital Edition), "Space Marine Bikes", "Bike Squad"Codex: Space Marines (6th Edition), pp. 84, 174Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition), pp. 68, 117, 140Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition), pg. 37Codex: Space Marines (3rd Edition), pp. 12-13, 19, 28-29Codex: Ultramarines (2nd Edition), pg. 70Deathwatch: First Founding (RPG), pp. 48-49Deathwatch: Rites of Battle (RPG), pg. 176Warhammer 40,000: Apocalypse (6th Edition) (Digital Edition), pp. 169, 173The Art of Warhammer 40,000 (Art Book), pp. 13, 145The Horus Heresy: Collected Visions (Background Book), pp. 75, 77, 155, 162, 228, 253, 277, 353, 357Imperial Armour Volume Eleven - The Doom of Mymeara, pg. 48The Horus Heresy - Book One: Betrayal by Alan Bligh, pp. 211, 237Warhammer 40,000 Compendium (2nd Edition), pp. 87-88Warhammer 40,000: Rulebook (6th Edition), pg. 45Warhammer 40,000: Rulebook (5th Edition), pg. 53Warhammer 40,000: Rulebook (4th Edition), pg. 53Warhammer 40,000: Rulebook (3rd Edition), pp. 40, 94White Dwarf 331 (UK) "Blood Angels Official Codex: Part II", p. 22Forge World: Legion MK IV Outrider Squadron
Assault Bolter - Assault Bolter: An Assault Bolter is a recent addition to the armoury of the Adeptus Astartes. Many standard centuries of tinkering improvements by Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl has resulted in the creation of the Assault Bolter -- essentially a hand-held pistol version of the conventional Heavy Bolter outfitted with a large box magazine and high-speed autoloader. Although short-ranged, its rate of fire and damage are considerable, with the recoil contained by a mag-shield. These deadly weapons are primarily utilised by Primaris Space Marines Inceptor Squads for deep strikes into enemy lines.
Assault Cannon - Assault Cannon: The Assault Cannon is a ballistic six-barreled, self-loading rotary Autocannon, effective against infantry targets and light vehicles at close to medium range. It is a medium calibre rotary Autocannon, with its 6 barrels cycled by an electric motor past a single chamber.The Assault Cannon was developed after the end of the Horus Heresy in the early 31st Millennium as a replacement for the Autocannon. Introduced during the Mark IIIA phase of Indomitus Pattern Terminator Armour development, this weapon is the standard alternative to the Heavy Flamer as a Terminator Squad's special ranged weapon. Its design has changed little in 10 Terran millennia, retaining the distinctively long, cylindrical, rotating barrels.Although it lacks the range of the Autocannon and many other Imperial heavy weapons, the Assault Cannon is a fearsome weapon when used at the close range role from which it was intended to be fired. The weapon is prone to overheating and jams due to its high rate of fire -- the number of rounds fired per second are counted in the hundreds. The barrels and other firing components are made of a heat-dispersing ceramic/metallic alloy, helping the weapon to withstand the intense heat generated by its high rate of fire. Despite this, the barrels still reach temperatures of over 300°F.Due to the high rate of wear on the barrels, they are usually replaced after every mission by most Space Marine Chapters and Astra Militarum regiments that use the weapon. Motor and barrel failure are common problems with the Assault Cannon, making the weapon prone to jamming during sustained bursts. The weight and complexity of its mechanism, and the heavy recoil generated by its fire means that the Assault Cannon requires a stable firing platform to be unleashed effectively.
Assault Cannon - Vehicle Usage: The weapon's large size and tremendous fire rate require a special means to sustain, so the Assault Cannon is normally mounted on Imperial vehicles or combat walkers such as Sentinels and Dreadnoughts, or specially damped and fitted to Space Marine Terminator Armour. It is also commonly used by the Blood Angels Space Marines as their close-assault Baal Predator main battle tanks sport a twin-linked Assault Cannon in the turret.The anti-infantry Land Raider Crusader has a similar dual Assault Cannon mount (whilst the standard Land Raider has a dual Heavy Bolter). The Razorback has the option to use a twin-linked Assault Cannon. Although the Assault Cannon lacks the range of other rapid-fire ballistic weapons such as the Heavy Bolter and the Autocannon, its enormous rate of fire enables it to literally shred its way through most targets, punishing them with a hundred rounds per second.Assault Cannons are extremely potent at medium-to-close range, against armoured infantry and moderately armoured vehicles, while Heavy Bolters are only effective against lightly armoured targets. However, Autocannons have a slower firing rate than a Heavy Bolter. The Assault Cannon epitomises the deadliness of elite Terminator Squads who teleport behind the enemy's front line and open up with fully-automatic fire, spreading carnage and terror. Assault Cannons are used by Planetary Defence Forces on rare occasions as a stand-mounted defensive weapon, and are also found on the Destroyer variant of the Marauder bomber.
Assault Cannon - Terminator Usage: While the Assault Cannon is not normally considered man-portable, the powerful servos, recoil compensators and stabilisers built into Terminator Armour allows elite Astartes Terminator Squads to carry the weapon into battle. The Assault Cannon is well-suited to the battlefield role of Terminator Squads, providing a massive rate of fire which often compensates for the enemies' vast superiority in numbers.In confined environments providing long corridors of fire, such as Space Hulks and the hive cities of Hive Worlds, the Assault Cannon is invaluable. The high rate of fire makes the Assault Cannon unsuitable for extended engagements when used by Terminators, as the ammunition carried is quickly exhausted. This drawback is negated in vehicle and Dreadnought mountings, where ammunition storage capacity is far greater.The standard ammunition fired by an Assault Cannon is a cased round, comprising a dense metallic core covered in a non-metallic composite sheath with a diamantine tip. This provides excellent penetration capabilities against light and personal armour.It has long been reported by the Astartes that the Assault Cannon's high rate of fire can allow it to chew through armour that would normally be impenetrable to a weapon of its calibre. Extensive testing by the Adeptus Mechanicus supported this observation, and Adeptus Astartes targeting doctrines have been officially amended to recognise this attribute. In general, the logistic shortcomings of the Assault Cannon are far outweighed by its destructiveness in combat and its effect on enemy morale.
Assault Cannon - Mark II Absinia Pattern Assault Cannon: This pattern of Assault Cannon is known to be used by the Red Brethren Terminators of the Carcharodons Chapter.
Assault Cannon - Mark VIII Absolo Pattern Assault Cannon: This pattern of Assault Cannon is the one most often deployed by Space Marine Terminators and other Space Marine forces like Dreadnoughts and Land Speeders.