View source for Defiler

{{CSMPortal}}
[[File:Defiler.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Chaos Defiler]]
The '''Defiler''' is a [[Chaos]] [[Daemon Engine]] and is among the most common of their kind. They were created by the [[Dark Mechanicum]] on the [[Forge World]] of [[Xana|Xana II]] at the command of [[Abaddon the Despoiler]] in preparation for the [[First Black Crusade]].{{Fn|1}}{{Fn|8}}

==Overview==
[[File:40k-110-chaos-defiler.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Chaos Defiler]]
[[Image:Defiler6.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Defiler]]
Unlike the tanks and vehicles of the [[Imperium]], which are mostly operated by [[human]]s, a Defiler is controlled by a [[daemon]]. [[Chaos Sorcerer]]s use arcane Chaos magic to draw the essence of a powerful daemon from the [[Warp]] and trap it within the rune-bound hull of the machine. Powerful spells of appeasement and pacification are utilised to keep the newly bound daemon from causing havoc among the forces of [[Chaos]].{{Fn|2}} The Defiler can sustain hits that would immobilise a battle tank without any difficulty.{{Fn|10}}

Standing on six piston-driven limbs, the Defiler's hull supports a massive turret, which houses the main armaments of the infernal machine. While Defilers are usually seen with large arrays of weapons, such as a [[Reaper Autocannon]] and a [[Havoc Launcher]], its main firepower comes in the form of a artillery-like [[battle cannon]]. There are often numerous variations of the weapon systems used; in some cases, Reaper Autocannons have been upgraded to house twin-linked [[heavy bolter]]s or [[lascannon]]s instead, whereas there have been sightings of Defilers with [[heavy flamer]]s on multiple occasions.{{Fn|2}}

In addition to being able to lay down a barrage of heavy fire, Defilers are also terrifying [[close combat]] opponents. When a Defiler arrives on the battlefield, the technosorcery keeping the bound daemon peaceful is released, allowing the daemon to truly enjoy the battle. As daemons are immortal and unconcerned for the survival of its machine host, Defilers ignore hits that would kill normal tank crews and continue on rampages of destruction that would otherwise be impossible to proceed with. Of its six limbs, Defilers use four for moving around and two arm-like appendages to crush enemies in their pincers.{{Fn|2}}

==Defiler Variants==
===Slaughterfiend===
Dedicated to [[Khorne]], a '''Slaughterfiend''' is a Defiler subjugated and ridden by a [[Khorne Berzerker]]. The first recorded instance of this reckless tactic came during the war for [[Eclipsion Prime]], when the [[Champion of Chaos|Skull Champion]], [[Akraghar]] of the [[World Eaters]], jumped from the ruins of a [[hive]]spire onto the eponymous Defiler, known as Slaughterfiend, and managed to subdue the daemonic machine to his own will and hence ride it like a monstrous steed.{{Fn|6}}

Ever since, Berzerkers have attempted to emulate Akraghar’s actions and carve rune-etched links about the throat of the infernal vehicle, binding it to the will and rage of Khorne. Competition to ride such beasts is fierce and though many try, very few succeed. In battle, whole units of Berzerkers will attempt to clamber onto a nearby Slaughterfiend, if only to steal a ride into the fray.{{Fn|6}}

Typically, Slaughterfiends renounce most ranged weapons and are armed with additional close assault weapons. They are often faster than other Defiler variants, as they are worked up into an agitated state. Groups of Slaughterfiends are known as '''Bloodpacks'''.{{Fn|6}}

{{Fanatic}}

===Desecrator===
Dedicated by the [[Death Guard]] to the rancid service of [[Nurgle]], a '''Desecrator''' is an unstoppable force commonly armed with a '''Vomit Cannon''', [[Reaper Autocannon]]s and '''Battle Claws'''.{{Fn|3}}

===Debaser===
A '''Debaser''' is a Defiler perverted to the causes of [[Slaanesh]] by the [[Emperor's Children]]. It is armed with a devastating payload of Sonic Weaponry; including [[Sonic Weaponry|Ultrasonic Disruptor]]s, a [[Sonic Weaponry|Death Wailer]] and [[Blastmaster]]s in addition to its '''Battle Claws'''.{{Fn|5}}

===Deceiver===
When the [[Thousand Sons]] dedicate a Defiler to the nefarious wills of [[Tzeentch]], it is referred to as a '''Deceiver'''. Such vehicles have an array of confusing weapons such as '''Tzeentch Cannons''', [[Ether Cannon]]s and [[Heavy Flamer]]s, as well as '''Battle Claws''' and '''Warp Flames''' which are used in close assault. Typically, Deceivers are more accurate in a firefight than other variants of the Defiler.{{Fn|4}}

==Famous Defilers==
*[[Doom Crab]] — Corrupted into a scuttling [[Warp]]-nightmare, by the [[Iron Warriors]] [[Warpsmith]] [[Vhostok Pistonhand|Pistonhand]]{{Fn|9}}
*[[Engine of Mael x]] — [[Red Corsairs]]{{Fn|8}}
*[[Engine of Plague]] — [[Death Guard]]
*[[Ghostcrusher]] — [[Night Lords]]
*[[Hellpincer]] — [[Alpha Legion]]{{Fn|8}}
*[[Me'kallar the Insane]] — [[Black Legion]]/[[The Tormented]]
*[[Rot Crusher]] — [[The Purge]]{{Fn|8}}

==Images==
<center><gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
Chaos Defiler.jpg|Defiler (3rd Edition)
Doom Crab.jpg|[[Vhostok Pistonhand|Pistonhand]]'s Doom Crab{{Fn|9}}
Defiler10th.jpg|Defiler (10th Edition){{Fn|11}}
</gallery></center>

==Conflicting sources==
It is not clear when Abaddon ordered the creation of the Defilers; in [[Garro: Oath of Moment (Audio Book)]], [[Nathaniel Garro]] fights against a giant war machine that matches the description of a Defiler, though it is never named as such, during the [[Battle of Calth]].{{Fn|7}}

==Sources==
{{Citation issues}}
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex)]], pg. 37
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]], pg. 41
*{{Endn|3}}: Death Guard Experimental Army List v1.0 ''(viewed 2007.11.26)'' / [[Fanatic Online 090-099#Issue: 90|Fanatic Online #90]]
*{{Endn|4}}: Thousand Sons Army List v2.1 ''(viewed 2007.11.26)''
*{{Endn|5}}: Emperor's Children Experimental Army List v2.0 ''(viewed 2007.11.26)''
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Apocalypse Reload]]:  ''Slaughterfiend Bloodpack'', pg. 58
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Garro: Oath of Moment (Audio Book)]], Track 9: Dawn Approaches and Track 10: Slow Motion of a Moment
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Index Chaotica: Defilers (Background Book)]]{{Cite Marker End}}
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Warhammer: Visions 16]], pg. 163 — ''Blanchitsu'' {{WHVisionsEnd}}
*{{Endn|10}}: [[The 13th Black Crusade (Background Book)]], pg. 54
*{{Endn|11}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20260210115621/https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/8oknimbb/revealed-the-new-defiler-stomps-onto-the-battlefield/ Warhammer Community: Revealed: The new Defiler stomps onto the battlefield] saved page, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/8oknimbb/revealed-the-new-defiler-stomps-onto-the-battlefield/ (last accessed 10/2/2026)
{{WHVisions}}

{{ChaosForces}}
{{DaemonEngines}}

[[Category:Daemon Engines]]
[[Category:Walkers]]
[[de:Geissel]]