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[[Image:<gallery heights="160px" widths="220px" mode="packed" caption=""> DeimosPredator.jpg|thumbDeimos Pattern Predator ([[Forge World (Company)|centerForge World]])PredatorAOD.jpg|Deimos Pattern Predator([[The Horus Heresy: Age of Darkness|Age of Darkness]]){{Fn|11}}</gallery>
*[[White Dwarf 271]]*[[Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition)]], {{Cite This}}
[[Category:Tanks]]
→Uncited
{{SpaceMarinesPortal}}
{{otheruses|USE=Space Marine Tank|OTHERUSE=Chaos Space Marine Chapterwarband|OTHERPAGE=Predator Legion}}
[[Image:PredatorArt.jpg|thumb|right|Predator Tank{{Fn|2b}}]]
The '''Predator''' is a [[battle tank]] employed by the [[Space Marine]]s. It is a more heavily armed and armoured version of the [[Rhino]] personnel carrier. There are two major patterns of Predator, the '''Destructor''' and the '''Annihilator''', primarily distinguished by their specific weaponry. The [[Blood Angels]] and their [[Successor Chapter]]s employ the assault-oriented [[Baal Predator]].
==Construction==Construction of Predators remains restricted to a Chapter's [[Armoury]] or allied [[Forge World]], with most Chapters fielding between twenty to thirty of all types.{{Fn|1a}} However, some Chapters are known to contain several hundred battle tanks, though that number includes [[Land Raider]]s as well.{{Fn|4}} Rhinos can be easily refitted to serve as Predators, with the [[Death Spectres]] for example converting twelve Rhinos into Predators after losing almost all Predator Destructors during the [[Vern IV]] offensive.{{Fn|14a}} Every thirteenth vehicle outfitted to be a Predator is blessed and purified to a greater degree than usual and every 666th is melted down, its material returned to the forge and sacrificed to the [[Machine God]].{{Fn|14a}} Predators are named only after the [[Emperor's Tarot]] has been consulted, following a widely held opinion that the tank's personality is influenced by its name. Each vehicle is said by its crew to be as unique as its name, with some being utterly fearless while others being stubborn in defensive situations.{{Fn|14a}} The Predator is crewed by two Space Marines, a commander/gunner and a driver. Crews can be hardwired into their position in case of failure or punishment for transgressions against chapter laws.{{Fn|13}} These Space Marines are not actually [[Techmarine]]s, but are fully versed in the operation and maintenance of their vehicles, with it being a great honour to crew a Predator, just behind commanding a [[Land Raider]].{{Fn|14a}}
==History==
Some [[Tech-Priest]]s claim that one of the more exotic and unusual weapons of the Predator was a [[Graviton Cannon]], though there are no examples of it existing in the [[M41]] and the ability to re-create it remains unknown to this day.{{Fn|8a}}
As of [[M41]], while many common predator patterns exist and are manufactured such as as the [[Predator#Predator Destructor|Destructor]], [[Predator#Predator Annihilator|Annihilator]], and [[Baal Predator|Baal Pattern Predator]] there are also many less common but highly valued variants, particularly those that have survived the [[Great Crusade]] and [[Horus Heresy]]. Such 'relic' patterns can be found deep within the stasis-bound forge-chambers of the most fortunate chapters. These vessels have fought for over 10 millenia of the Imperium, and even destroyed tanks are recovered and offered a place of honour in a chapters vaults. Typically it is the [[First Founding]] Chapters who retain them, but some [[Second Founding]] Chapters also have inherited them from their parent Legion upon their creation. Chapters born of [[Founding#Space_Marine_Foundings|later foundings]] are considered fortunate to even possess a single example of these, as a gift from an ally or recovered from ancient battlefields as a reminder of past Imperial glories.{{Fn|16}}
==Predator Destructor==
[[image:pred_destructor fwSMPredatordestructor.jpegjpg|thumb|right|Predator Destructor]]The '''Predator Destructor''' is the original model of Predator battle tanks, with its origins dating back to the [[Dark Age of Technology]]. The Predator was built in direct response to the threat of [[Orks]], which were proving difficult for humanity to handle. Its combination of heavier armour and weaponry allowed the Predator to withstand Orkish attacks and easily destroy their vehicles. Soon the Predator became the standard fighting vehicle for all of humanity's armies, and would remain in that position throughout the Great Crusade, where its small troop carrying capacity would be replaced with space for more ammunition.{{Fn|1a}} Eventually, similar to the Rhino it was based off of, the Predator Destructor would be restricted to use by the Space Marines only.{{cite this}}
===Armament===
The main turret armament on the common [[Mars]]-pattern MarkIV-b Predator Destructor is the [[Syrtis]] pattern [[Autocannon]], which is constructed with an automatic ammunition feed, muzzle flash suppressor and discharge extractor. The weapon is aimed by the vehicle commander/gunner through a multi-spectral remote targeting [[surveyor]] and accuracy talisman.{{Fn|1a}} It fires explosive ammunition, each round larger than a Space Marine's fist, which easily chew through heavily-armoured infantry and light vehicles.{{Fn|2a}} It can also fire amour piercing shells.{{Fn|13}}
The autocannon incorporates a discharge extractor, a muzzle flashback suppressor, a Syrtis II pattern reinforced breach lock and an armoured ammunition feed.{{Fn|13}} The gunner/commander itself is seated in a morphic seat in the turret, surrounded by a periscope, target acquisition displays, weapons status panels and fine motor controls. He is connected to the tank via an auto-sense network cabling.{{Fn|13}} The gunner/commander has also access to a 360 degree traversable command cupola, featuring an auto-sealing hatch, an auxiliary long range communications array, a multi spectrum visual pickup and an auxiliary integration point mounting. The cupola also gives access to the M33 MK VI auxiliary storm bolter, equipped with 200 multi-purpose bolter rounds.{{Fn|13}} The side sponsons can mount a variety of weapon though the most common - either [[Heavy Bolter]]s for close defense or [[Lascannon]]s for additional anti-tank firepower. The sponson weapons are remotely controlled from the turret and aimed through similar surveyors,{{Fn|1a}} these are slaved multi-spectral remote targeting surveyors. The sponsons are situated in a ceramite/titanium bonded armour cowling.{{Fn|1a13}} The sponson mounted Heavy Bolters are of the 446AV 'Godwyn-Tadcoke' pattern and are situated in an 180 degree traversable mount, elevating up to +18 degree and depressing down to -18 degrees in an 180 degree arc.{{Fn|13}}
Some Tech-Priests speculate that once the main auto-loading ammunition feeds were more efficient and able to cycle rounds at a faster rate than the Predator's systems of M41. Even if it is likely true, the older pattern of autoloader is thought to be long lost, though extant examples are still hidden somewhere and waited for the technology hunters to find them.{{Fn|8a}}
===Armour===
[[image:Predator Reinforced Armour.jpg|thumb|right|Predator with Extra Armour (Reinforced)]]Protection for the Predator Destructor comes from three layers of armouring. The first, a bonded [[ceramite]]/[[adamantine]] alloy, gives the Predator protection equivalent to five times its width in conventional steel whilst being lighter. This is followed by a reinforcing thermoplas with a mesh of sub-dermal energy dissipation fibre for protection against radiation. The outer layer is a non-metallic acrylic identification sheath. {{Fn|1a}} The armour is 65mm thick on the front hull,{{Fn|13}}, with the frontal glacis plate reinforced with a 10mm secondary thermoplas layer,{{Fn|14b}} 55mm thick on the side hull and 50mm thick on the rear hull.{{Fn|13}} In all, this armour corresponds over the 200mm of 'standard' steel on the front of Predator.{{Fn|1a}}
The defence of the Predator can be additionally reinforced with layers of [[Extra Armour]].{{Fn|7}}
===Mobility===The Predator is mobile by use of four independent Mark II 'Mars' pattern D adaptable thermic combustor reaction engines, protected against impurities by [[image:Adeptus Mechanicus]] purity seals. They provide 2800bhp, an operational range of 1000 kilometres and a road speed of 68kph and a cross country speed of 50kph. The Predators track links are cast out of a pseudo-titanium alloy.{{Fn|13}} The Predator Reinforced Armourhas a ground clearance of 0.44 metres, provided by a reinforced titanium torsion bar, a maximum gradient climb of 65%, exerts a ground pressure of 10.jpg8-12.2 psi, depending on pattern, can cross trenches 4 metres in width and can climb vertical obstacles 1.2 metres in height. Finally, it can ford waters 12 metres deep.{{Fn|thumb|center13}} The driver is seated in a morphic seat, connected to the tank via a spinal implant interface and umbilical pickups and has access to a periscope, a tactical display, an engine status display, a power assisted drive column and a manual momentum cancellation control.{{Fn|Predator with Extra Armour (Reinforced)]]13}}
===Equipment===
[[Smoke Launchers]] and a [[Searchlight]] are standard options on a Predator Destructor. It may be further upgraded with [[Dozer Blades]], [[Extra Armour]], a [[Hunter-killer Missile]], and a [[Pintle-mounted]] [[Stormbolter]].{{Fn|1f}} The Hunter-Killer Missile is of the Mk VIII ‘Avenger' pattern, fired from the 'Diacria' pattern hunter-killer launcher and guided via an autonomous target acquisition system. The smoke launcher is a Mk II 'Tenebrus' smoke discharge unit, fitted with [[Smoke Grenade|Stygies 'D' pattern smoke grenades]].{{Fn|13}} The Predator also features a [[Vox|narrow band long-range communication array]], an atmospheric filtration unit, 1.5 megawatt quartz halogen headlights and a frontal view port with integral debris clearance mechanism. The view port can be reinforced with an shield, adjustable by the driver.{{Fn|13}}
===Technical Information===
|Height=4.4m
|Ground Clearance=0.44m
|Fording Depth=
|Max Speed - on road=68kph
|Max Speed - off road=50kph
===Named Predator Destructor===
[[image:Trajan.png|thumb|right|[[Howling Griffons]] Predator Destructor [[Trajan (Predator)|Trajan]]{{Fn|12}}]]
*'''''Avenger''''' — of the [[Marauders]] [[Chapter]]. Was part of the '''Thracian Response Forse'''{{Fn|1c}}
*''[[Belsarius Fury]]'' — of the [[Blood Angels]]. Took part in the [[Third War for Armageddon]] where it was destroyed during the defence of Hades Five.{{Fn|1c}}
*''[[Harbinger of Death]]'' — of the [[Aurora Chapter]]. Fought against [[Chaos]] cultists during the [[Goru Heresy]].{{Fn|1c}}
*''[[Trajan (Predator)|Trajan]] — of the [[Howling Griffons]].{{Fn|12}}
====Patterns====
*Certain predators are observed using the chassis of the [[Rhino#MkIb_Mars_Pattern| MkIb Mars Pattern Rhino]]*'''Phaeton Pattern Mk.IIIb/c''': Older variant based on Mk.I An older pattern inspired by the [[Rhino#MkIb_Mars_Pattern| MkIb Mars Pattern Rhino]] chassis, to the point it shares a few of its drawbacks, they originate from Forge World [[Phaeton]] but are produced in many forges across the Imperium. Distinctive Many have seen battle for hundreds of years and are kept as honoured chapter relics, fielded as needed in a Chapter's armoury. They are noted for their distinct square square section turret which is mounted on the forward hull as opposed to center.They remain the second most commonly fielded pattern, next to the Mk.IVb{{Fn|1d}}
*'''Mars Pattern Mk.IVb''': Most common pattern of Predator Destructor.{{Fn|1a}}
*'''Mk.IVc Pattern'''{{Fn|6}}
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
MkIIIc.jpg|[[Dark Angels]] Mk.IIIc Pattern Predator{{Fn|1e}}
Predator2nd.jpg|[[UltramarinesSpace Wolves]] Mk.IIIc Predator, visibly built on the chassis of a [[Rhino#MkIb_Mars_Pattern| MkIb Mars Pattern PredatorRhino]]ChaosPredator2nd.jpg|This [[Chaos Space Marine]]s Predator uses the chassis of a [[Rhino#MkIb_Mars_Pattern| MkIb Mars Pattern Rhino]] and the turret of a '''Phaeton Pattern Mk.IIIc Pattern PredatorIIIb/c'''{{Fn|9}}
</gallery>
==Predator Annihilator==
[[imageImage:PredGladius99120101247 SMPredator01.jpg|thumb|right|Ultramarines Predator Annihilator]]
The '''Predator Annihilator''' is the second and latter of the two major patterns, though its introduction was not without controversy. According to the [[Liber Armorum]] the model did not appear until [[M36]] — when it first appeared during the [[Skarath Crusade]].{{Fn|1a}}
The [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] was suitably infuriated at the [[Space Wolves]]' blasphemous alteration to a holy [[STC]] design, however their success could not be denied. While the Space Wolves continued to field Predator Annihilators, the Tech-priests examined the design, debated its sanctity in councils and ran extensive trials. Two hundred years later, it was found that the modified tank was not only acceptable to the [[Machine God]], but that the Predator was intentionally designed to accept such a retrofit.{{Fn|1b}} The Predator Annihilator has since found its way into the Armouries of many other Space Marine Chapters and therefore seeing increasing use close to it's cousin.{{Fn|1h}}
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
Pilum Sentry Cannon The Citadel Journal 22 Inner Cover.png| Mk.IIIc Pattern Predator Annihilator with turret mounted [[Pilum Sentry Cannon]]
</gallery>
===Armament===
In place of the Syrtis pattern Autocannon, the Predator Annihilator mounts [[twin-linked]] 'Stormbringer' [[Lascannon]]s equipped with flash dampeners and focusing rings. Powered by diaquartzoid crystal batteries, each lascannon has a barrel life of 1000 shots before it warps and must be replaced.{{Fn|1b}} The Kz9.76 'Stormbringer' lascannons are situated in a 360 degree arc turreted traverse, traversing at 80 degrees/second and elevating up to +28 degrees and depressing down to -15 degrees.{{Fn|13}}
The weapon sponsons can be easily changed by [[Techmarine]]s even during an active campaign, so the Predator Annihilator can be equipped with either heavy bolter or lascannon sponsons as the battlefield situation dictates, as long as there are alternative weapons available.{{Fn|1h}}
|Height=4.4m
|Ground Clearance=0.44m
|Fording Depth=
|Max Speed - on road=68kph
|Max Speed - off road=50kph
====Named Vehicles====
*''[[Deus Annihilatus]]'' — [[Raptors]] [[Chapter]].{{Fn|1j}}
*''[[Endurus]]'' — [[Revilers]] [[Chapter]]. Took part in the [[Molov Massacre]].{{Fn|1i}}
*{{Main|Deimos Predator}}
The '''Deimos Pattern Predator''' is an ancient design standard during the [[Great Crusade]] and [[Horus Heresy]] and came in a variety of variants.
==Chaos Space Marine Predators==
When they first rebelled against the [[Emperor]], the [[Traitor Legions]] took with them their Predator Destructors, many of which still remain operational over 10,000 years later.{{Fn|3}} Though they share some similarities to their Loyalist cousins, many of these once-noble machines have been [[Chaos_Space_Marine_Armoury#Unique_Vehicle_Upgrades|twisted and warped]] by the power of [[Chaos]], including outright possession by [[Daemons]].{{Fn|3}} Older patterns of Chaos Predators dating back to the Great Crusade and [[Horus Heresy]] are known as [[Infernal Relic Predator]]s.{{cite this}}[[Image:<gallery heights="160px" widths="220px" mode="packed" caption="">ChaosPredator1.jpg|thumb|center|Chaos Predator with twin-linked [[Lascannon]]sChaos Predator.jpg|Chaos Predator with [[Autocannon]]{{Fn|10}}</gallery>
==Other Images==
EpicPredator2nd.jpg|[[Epic]] 2nd Edition [[Imperial Fists]] Predator miniature
EpicPredator.jpg|[[Epic]] 3rd Edition Predator miniature
LI Predator.jpg|[[Epic]] Predator for [[Legions Imperialis]]{{Fn|15}}
</gallery>
==Related ArticlesSee also==
*[[Infernal Relic Predator]]
*[[Predator Assassin Squadron]]
==Sources==
**{{Endn|1i}}: pg. 42
**{{Endn|1j}}: pg. 43
*2: [[Codex: Space Wolves (5th Edition)]]:
**{{Endn|2a}}: pg. 41
**{{Endn|2b}}: pg. 78
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]], ppg. 34*{{Endn|4}}: [[Insignium Astartes]], ppg. 48
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Index Astartes: Predators]] — ''Earliest Predators''
*{{Endn|6}}: http://web.archive.org/web/20031205150223/http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/predator.htm ''(saved archive page, dated December 2004, last accessed 10 February 2016)''
*{{Endn|7}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (7th Edition)]] — ''Space Marine Vehicle Equipment''
*8: [[Imperial Armour Volume Two - Second Edition: War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes]]
**{{Endn|8a}}: pgpgs. 61–62**{{Endn|8b}}: pgpgs. 66–68*{{Endn|9}}: [[The Complete Games Workshop Catalog & and Hobby Reference]] reference - The 2004-2005 05 Edition]], pg.40*{{Endn|10}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20160114140551/http://www.games-workshop.com/en-WW/Chaos-Space-Marines-Predator Games Workshop Chaos Predator (archived 4/13/2021)] (last accessed 4/13/2021)*{{Endn|11}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2022/07/08/tackle-anything-the-age-of-darkness-throws-at-you-with-the-versatile-new-predator/ Warhammer Community: Tackle Anything the Age of Darkness Throws at You With the Versatile New Predator (posted 8/7/2022)] (last accessed 8/7/2022)*{{Endn|12}}: [[White Dwarf 309 (UK)]], pg. 119*{{Endn|13}}: [[White Dwarf 270 (UK)]], ''Adeptus Astartes MK IVb Predator'' (poster)*14: [[White Dwarf 271 (UK)]] — ''Index Astartes: Armoured Hunters'':**{{Endn|14a}}: pg. 56**{{Endn|14b}}: pg. 57*{{Endn|15}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230701155242/https://www.warhammer-community.com/2023/07/01/warhammer-preview-battle-on-an-epic-scale-in-the-horus-heresy-legions-imperialis/ Warhammer Community : Warhammer Preview – Battle on an Epic Scale in the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Legions Imperialis] (saved archive, last accessed 01/07/23)*{{Endn|16}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Two (Second Edition)]] pg. 74
===Uncited===
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{{ChaosForces}}
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