{{ChaosPortalCSMPortal}}{|hspace=5 VSPACE=5 align=right cellpadding=3 cellspacing=3 style="clear[[File:right;margin:5px; border:1px solid #090909"DefilerArt10th.jpg|colspan=2 align="center"thumb|'''Defiler'''|-right|align=center colspan=2 style="font-size:85%;font:85%"350px|[[Image:Defiler.jpg{{Fn|250px13}}]]|-|cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:85%;font:85%"|The '''Allegiance:Defiler'''|cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:85%;font:85%"|is a [[Chaos]]|-|cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:85%;font:85%"|'''Type:'''|cellpadding=2 cellspacing=1 style="font-size:85%;font:85%"|[[Daemon Engine]]|-|align=center colspan=2 style="font-size:85%;font:85%"|'''Sightings'''<br>[[13th Black Crusade]]<br>|} Of all the [[daemon]]ic machines which the [[Imperium]] must face, '''Defilers''' are most likely and is among the most common [[Daemon Engine]]s in the service of the [[Chaos Space Marine]]stheir kind. They were created at by the command of [[Ezekyle Abaddon|Abaddon the DespoilerDark Mechanicum]].¹ ===Daemonic presence===While having a distinct appearance, Defilers have another much more sinister aspect. Unlike on the tanks and vehicles of the Imperium, which are operated by [[humanForge World]]s, Defilers are controlled by a of [[daemonXana|Xana II]]. [[Chaos Sorcerer]]s use arcane Chaos magics to draw at the essence command of a powerful daemon from the [[WarpAbaddon the Despoiler]] and trap it within in preparation for 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 [[ChaosFirst Black Crusade]].² {{Fn|1}}{{Fn|8}}

Standing on six piston[[File:40k-110-chaos-driven limbs, the defiler.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Chaos 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 LauncherImage:Defiler6.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Defiler]], its main firepower comes in Unlike the form of a [[battle cannon]]. There are often variations tanks and vehicles of the weapon systems used; in some cases, Reaper Autocannons have been upgraded to house twin-linked [[heavy bolterImperium]]s or [[lascannon]]s instead, whereas there have been sightings of Defilers with which are mostly operated by [[heavy flamerhuman]]s 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 is controlled by a [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex)daemon]], 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)Sorcerer]] the Defiler's origins are stated as "shrouded in mystery".² This is not a conflict per se, as use arcane Chaos magic to draw the original origin story could be from essence of a universal stand-point, where as the "mystery" origin could be powerful daemon 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 [[CalthWarp]] during the [[Word Bearers]]' assault on the [[Ultramarines]]. Garro helps defend an access tunnel from the Word Bearers, and at trap it within the climax rune-bound hull 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 Powerful spells of steel appeasement and cables, armor and brass. It clattered across pacification are utilised to keep the stone on four jointed piston hissing legs; crab-walking as it crushed the unwary in its path. An angular turret thrust up newly bound daemon from causing havoc among the center forces of the mass, overloaded with guns and fearsome blades protruding in a spine-like formation[[Chaos]]. It had {{Fn|2}} The Defiler can sustain hits that would immobilise 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 Bearersbattle tank without any difficulty.''" ⁷{{Fn|10}}

Standing on six piston-driven limbs, the Defiler''"Garro spun s hull supports a massive turret, which houses the length main armaments of Libertas around his gauntlets and plunged the point infernal machine. The Defiler is capable of the power sword into the apex wielding a large array of the turret where weapons, with its primary being a screaming deamonic mask glared out chest-mounted [[Hades Battlecannon]] or [[Ectoplasma Destructor]]. Its torso can mount twin [[Excruciator Cannon]]s or [[Magma Cutter]]s, while its arms can be armed with eyes of burning blackHeavy [[Reaper Autocannon]]s, Hades [[Lascannon]]s, Heavy [[Baleflamer]]s, [[Havoc Launcher]]s, or an [[Electroscourge]]."'' ⁸{{Fn|12}}

Although never called 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's description matches host, Defilers ignore hits that would kill normal tank crews and continue on rampages of a Defiler pretty closelydestruction 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}}

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 hivespire [[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 also faster than other Defiler variants, as they are worked up into an agitated state. Groups of Slaughterfiends are known as '''Bloodpacks'''.^{{Fn|6}}

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}}

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 DisruptorsDisruptor]]s, a [[Sonic Weaponry|Death Wailer ]] and [[Blastmaster]]s in addition to its '''Battle Claws'''.^{{Fn|5}}

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 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 fire fight firefight than other variants of the Defiler.<sup>{{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]]/sup>[[The Tormented]]*[[Rot Crusher]] — [[The Purge]]{{Fn|8}}

{|align<center><gallery mode="packed" heights="center150">Chaos Defiler.jpg|Defiler (3rd Edition)Doom Crab.jpg|[[Image:Chaos Vhostok Pistonhand|Pistonhand]]'s Doom Crab{{Fn|9}}Defiler10th.jpg|Defiler(10th Edition){{Fn|11}}DefilerIW.jpg|thumb10th Edition [[Iron Warriors]] Defiler{{Fn|center12}}Defiler10Options.jpg|220px10th Edition Defiler head options for [[Khorne]], [[Tzeentch]], [[Nurgle]], and [[Slaanesh]].{{Fn|A Chaos 12}}</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}} 

{{Citation issues}}*^{{Endn|1}}:[[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex)]], ppg.37*^{{Endn|2}}:[[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)]], ppg.41*^{{Endn|3}}:Death Guard Experimental Army List v1.0 ''(viewed 2007.11.26)'' / [[Fanatic_Online_090Fanatic Online 090-099#Issue:_9090|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'', ppg.58*^{{Endn|7}}: [[Garro:Oath of Moment(Audio Book)]], minutes 47Track 9:17-47Dawn Approaches and Track 10:50Slow Motion of a Moment*<sup>{{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/sup>Warhammer Community:Oath of MomentRevealed: The new Defiler stomps onto the battlefield] saved page, minutes 50original link:40https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/8oknimbb/revealed-the-new-defiler-stomps-onto-the-51battlefield/ (last accessed 10/2/2026)*{{Endn|12}}:05[https://web.archive.org/web/20260330114035/https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/avczirqt/sunday-preview-into-the-eye-of-terror/ Warhammer Community: Sunday Preview – Into the Eye of Terror] saved page [Categoryhttps:Vehicles //www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/avczirqt/sunday-preview-into-the-eye-of-terror/ original link] (Chaoslast accessed 30/3/2026)*{{Endn|13}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20260331140053/https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/krrfctul/perturabos-grand-plan-revealed/ Warhammer Community: Perturabo’s grand plan revealed]''(archived from [https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/krrfctul/perturabos-grand-plan-revealed/]31 March 2026, last accessed 31 March 2026)''{{WHVisions}}