Defiler

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Chaos Portal

Defiler
Allegiance:	Chaos
Type:	Daemon Engine
Sightings 13th Black Crusade

Of all the daemonic machines which the Imperium must face, Defilers are most likely the most common Daemon Engines in the service of the Chaos Space Marines. They were created at the command of Abaddon the Despoiler.¹

Daemonic presence

While having a distinct appearance, Defilers have another much more sinister aspect. Unlike the tanks and vehicles of the Imperium, which are operated by humans, Defilers are controlled by a daemon. Chaos Sorcerers use arcane Chaos magics 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.²

Overview

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 Reaper Autocannon and the Havoc Launcher, its main firepower comes in the form of a battle cannon. There are often variations of the weapon systems used; in some cases, Reaper Autocannons have been upgraded to house twin-linked heavy bolters or lascannons instead, whereas there have been sightings of Defilers with heavy flamers on multiple occasions.

Close combat

In addition of 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 magics keeping the bound daemon peaceful are 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.

Canon Conflict

The true origins of the Defiler are unclear. When first introduced in the Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex), it is stated that the first Defilers were fashioned at the command of Abaddon the Despoiler.¹ In the Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition) the Defiler's origins are stated as "shrouded in mystery".² This is not a conflict per se, as the original origin story could be from a universal stand-point, where as the "mystery" origin could be from the Imperium's point of view.

Another possible canon conflict emerged with the audio drama Oath of Moment. In the story, former Death Guard Captain Nathaniel Garro travels to Calth during the Word Bearers' assault on the Ultramarines. Garro helps defend an access tunnel from the Word Bearers, and at the climax of the assault a machine described almost exactly as a Defiler attacks. The following is a direct word-for-word recount from the audio drama:

"...and from behind the ridge line emerged a great construct of steel and cables, armor and brass. It clattered across the stone on four jointed piston hissing legs; crab-walking as it crushed the unwary in its path. An angular turret thrust up from the center of the mass, overloaded with guns and fearsome blades protruding in a spine-like formation. It had a main cannon made from black iron with a yawning muzzle dripping with penitent chains. The machine moved like it was alive, its flanks arterial red and dressed in the ebon detailing of the Word Bearers." ⁷

"Garro spun the length of Libertas around his gauntlets and plunged the point of the power sword into the apex of the turret where a screaming deamonic mask glared out with eyes of burning black." ⁸

Although never called a "Defiler", the machine's description matches that of a Defiler pretty closely.

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 Skull Champion, Akraghar of the World Eaters, jumped from the ruins of a hivespire 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.

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.

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

This article or article section is based on information from a Fanatic Press publication such as Fanatic Magazine or one of its predecessors (e.g. The Citadel Journal, Necromunda Magazine, etc.). These publications regularly featured articles submitted by hobbyists, and as such, their content may or may not be in contradiction to established background lore.

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 Autocannons and Battle Claws.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 Ultrasonic Disruptors, a Death Wailer and Blastmasters in addition to its Battle Claws.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 Cannons and Heavy Flamers, as well as Battle Claws and Warp Flames which are used in close assault. Typically, Deceivers are more accurate in a fire fight than other variants of the Defiler.⁴

Images

A Chaos Defiler

Sources

• ¹:Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex), p.37
• ²:Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition), p.41
• ³:Death Guard Experimental Army List v1.0 (viewed 2007.11.26) / Fanatic Online #90
• ⁴:Thousand Sons Army List v2.1 (viewed 2007.11.26)
• ⁵:Emperor's Children Experimental Army List v2.0 (viewed 2007.11.26)
• ⁶:Apocalypse Reload: Slaughterfiend Bloodpack, p.58
• ⁷:Oath of Moment, minutes 47:17-47:50
• ⁸:Oath of Moment, minutes 50:40-51:05