Solblade
Solblades are small, rapid-response Imperial fleets dispatched during the Fourth Tyrannic War, to attack the Leviathan tendrils Nautilon and Promethor, which have invaded Segmentum Pacificus.[1]
Contents
History
When the true extent of the threat the tendrils posed was discovered, the Imperium began massively mobilizing to stop them. However, this would take time; the vast majority of the forces sent would be Astra Militarum Regiments. However, the Imperium's more elite armies could attack at once, and most of these strike forces were organised into Solblades, named after their commanders. Besides being told which tendril to attack, the Solblades were given huge strategic autonomy but often numbered no more than two or three warships in each fleet. Because of their small sizes and low manpower, the Solblades were forced to utilize hit-and-run tactics against the massive Nautilon and Promethor. The Imperium hoped that, despite this, the Solblades would be able to move more swiftly against the tendrils than larger Imperial formations, which would become entangled amidst the Xenos' swarms.[1]
Many of the Solblades that were deployed, often came from Space Marine Chapters whose commanders were either Captains, Lieutenants, Librarians, Chaplains or in a rare few cases even Dreadnoughts. Their fleets and military forces were drawn from their commanders' Chapter and typically centered around a Strike Cruiser or squadron of frigates. Some would however, also include forces from other Chapters, the Deathwatch and even from the Militarum Tempestus.[1]
The Adepta Sororitas also sent many Solblades, with the Convent Prioris on Terra sending numerous Canonesses and Palatines to command them. Those dispatched from Prioris were drawn from many Orders, including the Ebon Chalice, Argent Shroud and Sacred Rose. They often drew other warriors of faith to them, which included the Black Templars and shiploads of fanatics and flagellants. As a result of this, the Adepta Sororitas Solblades were noted for being the most zealous and containing the largest fleets.[1]
Other forces of the Imperium sent their own Solblades as well. This included the Astra Militarum and Adeptus Custodes, with Captain-General Valoris commanding one himself. The Knight Houses also took part and House Taranis supplied a score of Barons to command their Solblades, with each containing a lance of their Imperial Knights.[1]
Known Solblades
- Solblade Magnifa - The Imperium has lost contact with the Solblade[2]
- Solblade Kommenos - The Imperium has lost contact with the Solblade[2]
See also
Sources
- 1: Leviathan (Box) Rulebook, pgs. 226-228
- 2: Warhammer Community: Heroes of the First Founding – The Burden of Command (Saved archive page, dated 22 October 2025, last accessed 22 October 2025, original link: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/thronqxy/heroes-of-the-first-founding-the-burden-of-command/)
