Changes

The '''Stormblade''' is a variant of the [[Shadowsword]], a [[super-heavy vehicle]] used by the [[Imperial Guard]] as a [[Titan]]-hunter. Developed by [[Ryza]], a [[Forge World]] noted for its mastery of [[plasma weapon]]ry, the Stormblade represents a viable alternative for those Forge Worlds which lack the [[STC]] data necessary to construct a Shadowsword.{{Fn|11a}}

The Stormblade is built upon the same chassis as the Shadowsword but lacks some of the advanced features of the original design, primarily the long-range tracking device and redundant generators and capacitors to power the [[Volcano Cannon]]. In its place it mounts a Ryza-pattern{{Fn|2b}} [[Plasma Blastgun]], a powerful if short-ranged weapon capable of destroying Titans and other super-heavy vehicles, powered by massive photonic fuel cells. Additional space left over is used for extra heat shielding to protect the crew and an extensive cooling system to make it more reliable than the [[Leman Russ Executioner|Executioner]]. To compensate for the loss in long-range firepower both sponson turrets are fitted with [[Lascannons]] with a fire control system adapted from the [[Baneblade]], while the sponson mounts themselves are fitted with [[twin-linked]] [[Heavy Bolters]] and a coaxial Heavy Bolter is also included. A [[Targeter]] just above the primary weapon and an off-set armoured housing for a [[Searchlight]] are standard.{{Fn|11a}}{{Fn|2a}}

It was once common practice for Stormblade to mount racks of [[Hellion Missile]]s to assist them in bringing down the heaviest of Titans, however after three Stormblades of the [[Phyressian 31st Heavy Tank Company]] were destroyed by their own missiles the weapons were withdrawn from service.{{Fn|11a}} Some Stormblades will mount a [[Hunter-Killer Missile]] and/or a [[pintle-mounted]] support weapon, either a [[Heavy Stubber]] or [[Storm Bolter]]. Others still will replace the sponson mounts for additional armor.{{Fn|2a}}

|Vehicle Name=Stormblade{{Fn|11a}}

:{| border="0" cellpadding<gallery heights="3170px" alignwidths="center300px" stylemode="border-collapse:collapsepacked" valigncaption="top">!colspan=9 ||----| [[Image:stormblade.jpg|thumb|center|Ryza pattern Stormblade{{Fn|5}}]]| [[Image:Stormblade Arkurion.jpg|thumb|center|Arkurian pattern Stormblade{{Fn|3}}]]| [[Image:Stormblade Epic Forgeworld.jpg|thumb|center|Forgeworld Epic Stormblade]]|}</gallery>

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy]]**{{Endn|1a}}: , PgPgs.99-100**{{Endn|1b}}: , Pgs. 101