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{{AdeptusMechanicusPortal}}
[[Image:WarpRunner Warlord1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A Warlord Titan with two arm-mounted '''Volcano Cannon''']]
The '''Volcano Cannon''' is amongst the most powerful [[laser weapon]]s used by forces of the [[Imperium of Man]], unleashing terawatts of energy{{Fn|9}} in a blazing white laser beam which produces a thunderous crack and tremendous recoil{{Fn|7}}. This long-ranged weapon is capable of slicing off the arm or leg of a [[Titan]]{{Fn|1a}} or killing an enemy war engine{{Fn|2}} with a single shot, though even a [[Warhound Scout Titan]] with intact [[Void Shield]]s can survive a direct hit{{Fn|10}}. Its firepower is similarly stupendous against lesser targets, reducing a [[Razorback]] to nothing more than a blackened scorch mark{{Fn|8}} and utterly vaporizing a thick hundred meter-tall iron gate as though it never existed{{Fn|7}}.
Volcano Cannons are manufactured in small numbers on just a handful of [[Forge World]]s in addition to [[Mars]]. These included [[Estaban III]], [[Phaeton]] and [[Gryphonne IV]], all of which are surrounded by formidable Imperial defenses.{{Fn|11a}}
The crystals needed for the weapon to fire, are taken from a mineral vein on the [[Mining World]] [[Cinderus XI]]. Created when [[Heretic]] [[Psykers]] were slaughtered and buried beneath the lava rivers on the planet, after a failed plot to kill the [[Planetary Governor]], the crystals cause a loud crackling nosie to be emitted by the Volcano Cannon when fired. This noise, which some claim are the final screams of the the dead Psykers, has been known to drive those who fight beside the weapon insane; though the tank or Titan crews themselves have never been reported to suffer from these ill effects. As a result units of infantry escorting vehicles and Titans using the Volcano Cannon are subject to periodic purges. The Imperium sees this as an acceptable price to pay for deploying such a devastating weapon on the battlefield.{{Fn|11a}}
==Known Patterns==
===MkIV Phaeton pattern===
[[Image:Shadowsword.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A '''Shadowsword''' with Volcano Cannon.]]
The current model sanctioned by the Adeptus Mechanicus; which perfected its use in mid-M35.{{Fn|11a}}
The '''Type 22-S, MkIV Volcano Cannon, Phaeton pattern''' is the Volcano cannon mounted on [[Imperial Guard]] [[Shadowsword]]s.{{Fn|1b}} Due to the immense power requirements to fire the weapon, the Shadowsword must be stationary so that the main drive can be disconnected and the generator connected in its place, allowing power to transfer to the vehicle's capacitors. Firing the weapon just once will completely drain the capacitors, again requiring the vehicle to remain stationary so that they may be recharged.{{Fn|1a}}
===MkIII Synne pattern===
{{Fn|11a}}
===MkII Teracharge pattern===
Was said to be even more powerful than the current MkIV, but was never used in service due to being to volatile. When the Teracharge was fired it almost always destroyed the arms of the Titans and hulls of the tanks that carried it. As a result it was ultimately determined to be a failure by the Adeptus Mechanicus.{{Fn|11a}}
===Mk I Variant pattern===
Volatile when fired; almost as much as the failed MkII pattern.{{Fn|11a}}
==Notes==
In the original [[Adeptus Titanicus (game)|Adeptus Titanicus]]-era material, the Volcano Cannon was refered to as the '''Defence Laser'''{{Fn|6}}
Titans or Shadowsword's using a Volcano Cannon must have them replaced after being fired 1,500 times, in order to avoid catastrophic misfire.{{Fn|11b}}
==Sources==
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Baneblade (Novel)]] by [[Guy Haley]], Ch. 4, pg. 64
*{{Endn|10}}: [[Titanicus (Novel)]] by [[Dan Abnett]], ''111'', pg. 234
*11: [[Munitorum - Volcano Cannon]]
*{{Endn|11a}}: pgs. 2-4
*{{Endn|11b}}: pg. 8
{{ImpTitan}}
