Difference between revisions of "Shadowsword"
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| − | {{ | + | {{AstraMilitarumPortal}} |
| − | [[Image: | + | {{otheruses|USE=Imperial Super Heavy Tank|OTHERUSE=Novel by Guy Haley|OTHERPAGE=Shadowsword (Novel)}} |
| − | The '''Shadowsword''' is an [[Imperial Guard]] [[super-heavy vehicle]] based on the | + | [[Image:ShadowswordArt.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Shadowsword Super Heavy Tank]] |
| + | The '''Shadowsword''' (also spelled '''Shadow Sword'''{{Fn|4}}{{Fn|11}}) is an [[Imperial Guard]] [[super-heavy vehicle]] based on the same chassis as the [[Baneblade]].{{Fn|11}} | ||
| − | + | The Shadowsword design has existed for as long as the Baneblade and the two are described as ''"sisters"''.{{Fn|12}} While based on the same [[STC]] data as the Baneblade, the Shadowsword is specifically armed and equipped to hunt and destroy enemy [[Titan]]s. For this reason they are only constructed on [[Forge World]]s which raise [[Titan Legion]]s and deployed to support forces expecting to face these war engines.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|2}} | |
| − | The Shadowsword | ||
| − | + | ==Overview== | |
| + | The Shadowsword was originally developed from the Baneblade [[STC]] during the [[Great Crusade]]. It saw use with the [[Imperial Army]] and became the basis for the early [[Falchion Super Heavy Tank Destroyer|Falchion]] used by the [[Legiones Astartes]], which like the Shadowsword was armed with Volcano cannons in its original iteration.{{Fn|16}} | ||
| − | Like the Baneblade a "true" Shadowsword will have its own number and name and be registered on [[Mars]], where all of its deeds shall be recorded regularly. | + | The Shadowsword is primarily distinguished from its sister design by its main weapon, the [[Volcano Cannon]],{{Fn|1a}} a MkIV [[Phaeton]] pattern.{{Fn|2}} This massive laser cannon can tear off a Titan's limb with a single shot and is assisted by advanced logis-engines and targeting equipment,{{Fn|1a}} especially by the [[scanner|sensor]] and [[targeter]] units located on top of the sponsons,{{Fn|2}} for accurate long-range fire. The power needed to produce this devastating blow is drawn from the Shadowsword's capacitors, which themselves draw power from the tank's engine, however just one shot will completely drain them. In order to recharge the capacitors the engine's main drive must be disconnected and the generator connected in its place, rendering the tank stationary. This process is overseen by a dedicated [[Enginseer]], whether an actual member of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] or a highly-trained Imperial Guard specialist, who monitors the power flow from engine to generator and otherwise helps maintain the vehicle.{{Fn|1a}} On average it can take a Shadowsword two minutes to fully charge its four-terawatt capacitors, assuming its systems are functioning normally.{{Fn|8}} Because of its slow rate of fire the Shadowsword often operates with lighter vehicles who protect it against enemy assaults and help initiate an attack on an enemy Titan. While the Shadowsword lies in ambush the smaller vehicles attempt to strip the enemy's [[Void Shield]]s at which point the Shadowsword may deliver the killing blow.{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}} |
| + | |||
| + | For defence, the Shadowsword has two remote-controlled side sponsons{{Fn|1a}} fitted with [[Twin-linked]] [[Heavy Bolter]]s or [[Heavy Flamer]]s. Some Shadowswords will instead replace these sponsons for [[extra armour]]ing or add a second set of sponsons, each fitted with the same weapons as the originals. In addition to this, many crews will install a [[pintle-mounted]] [[Storm Bolter]] or [[Heavy Stubber]], and/or a [[Hunter-Killer Missile]] on their tanks. Finally, all Shadowswords are equipped with [[Smoke Launchers]] to increase survivability and a [[Searchlight]] for night-fighting.{{Fn|3}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | Like the Baneblade a "true" Shadowsword will have its own number and name and be registered on [[Mars]], where all of its deeds shall be recorded regularly. So-called "counterfeit" Shadowswords are produced by Forge Worlds which don't have access to the same STC data and are consequently less advanced than those which have been properly constructed and consecrated: their logic engines and targeters will be more primitive, their capacitors or engine less efficient, their remote-controlled sponson weapons replaced with crewed versions, and the Volcano Cannon may be replaced with a large [[Plasma Cannon]], a huge [[Battle Cannon]] or a [[Turbo Laser]].{{Fn|1a}} | ||
| − | |||
{{Imperial Vehicles | {{Imperial Vehicles | ||
| − | |Vehicle Name=Shadowsword{{Fn| | + | |Vehicle Name=Shadowsword{{Fn|1a}} |
|Forge World of Origin=[[Mars]], [[Lucius (Forgeworld)|Lucius]], [[Estaban VII]], [[Triplex Phall]] | |Forge World of Origin=[[Mars]], [[Lucius (Forgeworld)|Lucius]], [[Estaban VII]], [[Triplex Phall]] | ||
|Known Patterns=I-VII | |Known Patterns=I-VII | ||
|Crew=Commander, Driver, Main Gunner, Remote Gunner, Comms-Operator, Engineer | |Crew=Commander, Driver, Main Gunner, Remote Gunner, Comms-Operator, Engineer | ||
|Powerplant=M507 V18 Multi Fuel | |Powerplant=M507 V18 Multi Fuel | ||
| − | |Weight=316 tonnes | + | |Weight=316 tonnes<sup>''See Notes''</sup> |
|Length=13.5m | |Length=13.5m | ||
|Width=8.4m | |Width=8.4m | ||
| Line 40: | Line 44: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | == | + | ==Regiments known to contain Shadowswords== |
| + | [[Image:shadowsword.jpg|thumb|right|225px|A standard Shadowsword]] | ||
| + | *[[Krieg 1st Armoured Regiment|1st Krieg Armoured Regiment]] — [[Atria Wilderness]] Campaign.{{Fn|1b}} | ||
| + | *[[Palladius 8th Armoured Regiment]] — '''Atria Wilderness''' Campaign.{{Fn|9b}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notable Individual Shadowswords== | ||
| + | [[Image:Shadowswords Illustration White Dwarf 216 (UK) pg108.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A group of Shadowswords]] | ||
| + | *''[[Alpha Three]]'' — [[Mordian 3rd Heavy Tank Company]].{{Fn|2}} | ||
| + | *''[[Angel of the Apocalypse]]'' — Command tank of [[Cadian 81st Armoured Regiment]]. Destroyed on [[Golgotha]] by [[Ork]] [[Fighta-Bomma]]s.{{Fn|6}} | ||
| + | *''[[Castigatus (Shadow Sword)|Castigatus]]'' — [[Eighth Pardus Armoured]].{{Fn|4}} | ||
| + | *''[[Creed's Vengeance]]'' — [[Cadian 12th Heavy Tank Company|Cadian 12th]].{{Fn|2}} | ||
| + | *''[[Duty's Honour]]'' — [[Palladius 53rd Regiment]].{{Fn|2}} | ||
| + | *[[Indomitable (Shadowsword)|Indomitable]] — [[Krieg 11th Tank Regiment]], 14th Titan-hunter Company (Heavy). Destroyed in an engagement with enemy Titans during the war on [[Vraks]].{{Fn|9a}} | ||
| + | *''[[Lux Imperator]]'' — [[7th Paragonian Super-heavy Tank Company]]. | ||
*''[[The Iron Saint]]''{{Fn|5}} | *''[[The Iron Saint]]''{{Fn|5}} | ||
| − | *'' | + | *''[[Tormentor (Tank)|Tormentor]]'' — command vehicle of [[Perturabo]].{{Fn|7}} |
| − | + | *''[[Titans' Bane]]'' — [[Cadian 75th Armoured Regiment]].{{Fn|10}} | |
| − | *'' | + | *''[[Winter's End]]'' — [[Valhallan 409th]] [[Armoured Regiment|Super-Heavy Armoured Regiment]].{{Fn|13}} |
| − | |||
| − | *'' | ||
| − | == | + | ==Images== |
| − | < | + | <gallery mode="nolines" widths="250"> |
| − | + | Shadowsword99120105051.jpg|Plastic Shadowsword | |
| − | + | Shadowsword Arkurion.jpg|An Arkurian pattern Shadowsword | |
| − | + | Shadowsword Interior.jpg|The interior of a Shadowsword | |
| − | + | ArmorcastShadowsword.jpg|[[Armorcast]] Shadowsword, (''[[Warhammer 40,000]]''-scale){{Fn|15}} | |
| + | Shadowsword Epic.jpg|A Games Workshop Shadowsword for ''[[Epic]]'' | ||
| + | Shadowsword Epic Forgeworld.jpg|A Forgeworld Shadowsword for ''Epic'' | ||
| + | HHLIShadowsword2024.jpg|Shadowsword from ''[[Legions Imperialis]]'' (2024){{Fn|14}} | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| − | === | + | |
| − | + | ==Trivia== | |
| − | + | {{Trivia}} | |
| − | + | ===Conflicting sources=== | |
| − | + | *There are inconsistencies in the data for the weight of the Shadowsword tank: while originally the weight was said to be "a thousand tons"{{Fn|11}}, in later publications it was scaled down to 308 tons{{Fn|12}} before going up again to 316 tons.{{Fn|1a}} | |
| − | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
| − | * | + | *1: [[Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy]]: |
| + | **{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 91–92 | ||
| + | **{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 209 | ||
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Imperial Armour - Apocalypse]], pg. 6 | *{{Endn|2}}: [[Imperial Armour - Apocalypse]], pg. 6 | ||
| − | *{{Endn|3}}: [[White Dwarf | + | *{{Endn|3}}: [[White Dwarf 351 (AU/NZ)]], pg. 28–29 |
| − | *{{Endn|4}}: [[Honour Guard (Novel)]] | + | *{{Endn|4}}: [[Honour Guard (Novel)]] — [[The Saint (Omnibus)]], Chapter Three |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|5}}: [[White Dwarf 352 (AU/NZ)]], pg. 34 |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|6}}: [[Gunheads (Novel)]], Chapter Twenty |
| + | *{{Endn|7}}: [[Angel Exterminatus (Novel)]], Chapter Nineteen | ||
| + | *{{Endn|8}}: [[Baneblade (Novel)]], Chapter Twenty | ||
| + | *9: [[Imperial Armour Volume One - Second Edition: Imperial Guard]]: | ||
| + | **{{Endn|9a}}: pg. 103 | ||
| + | **{{Endn|9b}}: pg. 270 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|10}}: [[Titans' Bane (Audio Drama)]] | ||
| + | *{{Endn|11}}: [[Armies of the Imperium]] booklet, pg. 55 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|12}}: [[Imperial Armour - Imperial Vehicles for Warhammer 40,000]], pg. 22 | ||
| + | *{{Endn|13}}: [[Codex: Astra Militarum (9th Edition)]], pg. 120 - ''Datasheets'' | ||
| + | *{{Endn|14}}: [https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/03/14/heresy-thursday-eradicate-titans-with-new-super-heavy-tanks-for-legions-imperialis/ Warhammer Community: Heresy Thursday – Eradicate Titans with New Super-heavy Tanks for Legions Imperialis (posted 14/03/2024)] ''(last accessed 14 March 2024)'' | ||
| + | *{{Endn|15}}:[https://web.archive.org/web/20030220044740fw_/http://www.armorcast.com/warhammer40k/ Armorcast Warhammer 40,000 Model Archive]''(saved archive page, dated November 2001, last accessed 20 March 2025)'' | ||
| + | *{{Endn|16}}: [[Journal Tactica: Mailed Fist - Legiones Astartes Super-Heavy Tanks]] – pgs. 14-15 | ||
| + | {{IGVehicles}} | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Shadowswords| ]] | |
| + | [[Category:Vehicles (Adeptus Mechanicus)]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Vehicles (Astra Militarum)]] | ||
| − | |||
[[de:Shadowsword]] | [[de:Shadowsword]] | ||
[[fr:Shadowsword]] | [[fr:Shadowsword]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:25, 7 April 2026
|
This article is about the Imperial Super Heavy Tank; for the Novel by Guy Haley, see Shadowsword (Novel). |
The Shadowsword (also spelled Shadow Sword[4][11]) is an Imperial Guard super-heavy vehicle based on the same chassis as the Baneblade.[11]
The Shadowsword design has existed for as long as the Baneblade and the two are described as "sisters".[12] While based on the same STC data as the Baneblade, the Shadowsword is specifically armed and equipped to hunt and destroy enemy Titans. For this reason they are only constructed on Forge Worlds which raise Titan Legions and deployed to support forces expecting to face these war engines.[1a][2]
Contents
Overview
The Shadowsword was originally developed from the Baneblade STC during the Great Crusade. It saw use with the Imperial Army and became the basis for the early Falchion used by the Legiones Astartes, which like the Shadowsword was armed with Volcano cannons in its original iteration.[16]
The Shadowsword is primarily distinguished from its sister design by its main weapon, the Volcano Cannon,[1a] a MkIV Phaeton pattern.[2] This massive laser cannon can tear off a Titan's limb with a single shot and is assisted by advanced logis-engines and targeting equipment,[1a] especially by the sensor and targeter units located on top of the sponsons,[2] for accurate long-range fire. The power needed to produce this devastating blow is drawn from the Shadowsword's capacitors, which themselves draw power from the tank's engine, however just one shot will completely drain them. In order to recharge the capacitors the engine's main drive must be disconnected and the generator connected in its place, rendering the tank stationary. This process is overseen by a dedicated Enginseer, whether an actual member of the Adeptus Mechanicus or a highly-trained Imperial Guard specialist, who monitors the power flow from engine to generator and otherwise helps maintain the vehicle.[1a] On average it can take a Shadowsword two minutes to fully charge its four-terawatt capacitors, assuming its systems are functioning normally.[8] Because of its slow rate of fire the Shadowsword often operates with lighter vehicles who protect it against enemy assaults and help initiate an attack on an enemy Titan. While the Shadowsword lies in ambush the smaller vehicles attempt to strip the enemy's Void Shields at which point the Shadowsword may deliver the killing blow.[2][3]
For defence, the Shadowsword has two remote-controlled side sponsons[1a] fitted with Twin-linked Heavy Bolters or Heavy Flamers. Some Shadowswords will instead replace these sponsons for extra armouring or add a second set of sponsons, each fitted with the same weapons as the originals. In addition to this, many crews will install a pintle-mounted Storm Bolter or Heavy Stubber, and/or a Hunter-Killer Missile on their tanks. Finally, all Shadowswords are equipped with Smoke Launchers to increase survivability and a Searchlight for night-fighting.[3]
Like the Baneblade a "true" Shadowsword will have its own number and name and be registered on Mars, where all of its deeds shall be recorded regularly. So-called "counterfeit" Shadowswords are produced by Forge Worlds which don't have access to the same STC data and are consequently less advanced than those which have been properly constructed and consecrated: their logic engines and targeters will be more primitive, their capacitors or engine less efficient, their remote-controlled sponson weapons replaced with crewed versions, and the Volcano Cannon may be replaced with a large Plasma Cannon, a huge Battle Cannon or a Turbo Laser.[1a]
| Vehicle Name: | Shadowsword[1a] | Main Armament: | Volcano Cannon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Mars, Lucius, Estaban VII, Triplex Phall | Secondary Armament: | 4 Heavy Bolters |
| Known Patterns: | I-VII | Traverse: | 2° |
| Crew: | Commander, Driver, Main Gunner, Remote Gunner, Comms-Operator, Engineer | Elevation: | From -2° to 12° |
| Powerplant: | M507 V18 Multi Fuel | Main Ammunition: | Unlimited |
| Weight: | 316 tonnesSee Notes | Secondary Ammunition: | 1600 rounds |
| Length: | 13.5m | ||
| Width: | 8.4m | Armour | |
| Height: | 6.3m | ||
| Ground Clearance: | 1.2m | Superstructure: | 220mm |
| Fording Depth: | {{{Fording Depth}}} | Hull: | 210mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 25kph | Gun Mantlet | 200mm |
| Max Speed - off road: | 18kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-658-0212-SS120 |
| Transport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | N/A |
| Access Points: | N/A | Turret: | N/A |
Regiments known to contain Shadowswords
- 1st Krieg Armoured Regiment — Atria Wilderness Campaign.[1b]
- Palladius 8th Armoured Regiment — Atria Wilderness Campaign.[9b]
Notable Individual Shadowswords
_pg108.jpg)
- Alpha Three — Mordian 3rd Heavy Tank Company.[2]
- Angel of the Apocalypse — Command tank of Cadian 81st Armoured Regiment. Destroyed on Golgotha by Ork Fighta-Bommas.[6]
- Castigatus — Eighth Pardus Armoured.[4]
- Creed's Vengeance — Cadian 12th.[2]
- Duty's Honour — Palladius 53rd Regiment.[2]
- Indomitable — Krieg 11th Tank Regiment, 14th Titan-hunter Company (Heavy). Destroyed in an engagement with enemy Titans during the war on Vraks.[9a]
- Lux Imperator — 7th Paragonian Super-heavy Tank Company.
- The Iron Saint[5]
- Tormentor — command vehicle of Perturabo.[7]
- Titans' Bane — Cadian 75th Armoured Regiment.[10]
- Winter's End — Valhallan 409th Super-Heavy Armoured Regiment.[13]
Images
Plastic Shadowsword
An Arkurian pattern Shadowsword
The interior of a Shadowsword
Armorcast Shadowsword, (Warhammer 40,000-scale)[15]
A Games Workshop Shadowsword for Epic
A Forgeworld Shadowsword for Epic
Shadowsword from Legions Imperialis (2024)[14]
Trivia
 |
Conflicting sources
- There are inconsistencies in the data for the weight of the Shadowsword tank: while originally the weight was said to be "a thousand tons"[11], in later publications it was scaled down to 308 tons[12] before going up again to 316 tons.[1a]
Sources
- 1: Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy:
- 2: Imperial Armour - Apocalypse, pg. 6
- 3: White Dwarf 351 (AU/NZ), pg. 28–29
- 4: Honour Guard (Novel) — The Saint (Omnibus), Chapter Three
- 5: White Dwarf 352 (AU/NZ), pg. 34
- 6: Gunheads (Novel), Chapter Twenty
- 7: Angel Exterminatus (Novel), Chapter Nineteen
- 8: Baneblade (Novel), Chapter Twenty
- 9: Imperial Armour Volume One - Second Edition: Imperial Guard:
- 10: Titans' Bane (Audio Drama)
- 11: Armies of the Imperium booklet, pg. 55
- 12: Imperial Armour - Imperial Vehicles for Warhammer 40,000, pg. 22
- 13: Codex: Astra Militarum (9th Edition), pg. 120 - Datasheets
- 14: Warhammer Community: Heresy Thursday – Eradicate Titans with New Super-heavy Tanks for Legions Imperialis (posted 14/03/2024) (last accessed 14 March 2024)
- 15:Armorcast Warhammer 40,000 Model Archive(saved archive page, dated November 2001, last accessed 20 March 2025)
- 16: Journal Tactica: Mailed Fist - Legiones Astartes Super-Heavy Tanks – pgs. 14-15
