Changes

The origin of the Vindicator is fragmentary, although the earliest records show it was developed along with the other Rhino [[STC]] variants during the [[Dark Age of Technology]]. The fragments of received request of [[General]] [[Vindictis]] were recovered from the [[Librarius Omnis]] and within this request General asked for a self-mobile weapon of high calibre, capable of following up advancing armies and able to engage well-protected targets with high angle fire. It is believed that General Vindictus was personally responsible for instigating the idea of the 'Vindicator' so the vehicle was named in his honour. In this record also stated that on the planet [[Rostern]] assembled 10 Vindicators fought raiding [[Orks]] and though 9 of a 10 were destroyed in process, Imperial forces were victorious.{{Fn|11a}} Other records show that the Vindicator was first fielded during the early years of the [[Horus Heresy]] on [[Rostern I]], when massive [[Thunderer Cannon]]s were mounted onto remodeled Rhinos and used to blast heavily dug-in [[Traitor Legions|Traitor]] positions among the urban rubble.{{Fn|2a}}

Later records stated that Vindicators were mentioned very little and it's assumed that this machines fell out of favor. It seems that the production of Vindicators was halted during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy or that the manufacturing site was destroyed. Only when the mighty [[Guilliman]] mentioned Vindicator in his [[Codex Astartes]] this vehicles reappeared in the Space Marines Armies. Since the Heresy, the bulky Thunderer Cannon has been replaced with the more compact, but no less potent, [[Demolisher Cannon]], along with other minor modifications to armouring, fire control and driving systems.{{Fn|11a}}{{Fn|2a}} The Vindicator has become a vital part of a Chapter's siege and urban combat capabilities, with most retaining a dozen or so vehicles within their [[Armoury]].{{Fn|2a}}

As laid down by the [[Codex Astartes]], the Vindicator's chief role is in urban combat, to provide [[Assault Squad|assault]] and [[tactical squad]]s with destructive firepower against enemy strongpoints and snipers. Standard combat doctrine has the Vindicator advance down a street towards the target structure, supported by Space Marine squads advancing from building to building on either side of it, blasting holes in the walls if necessary. Once in position, the Vindicator opens fire on the target building, reducing much of it to rubble and opening the way for subsequent assault by Space Marines with close-combat weaponry.{{Fn|11a}}

The [[Demolisher Cannon]] gives the Vindicator immense destructive capabilities. Firing rocket-assisted siege shells, the Demolisher Cannon can reduce a building to rubble in a matter of moments, crushing the enemies taking shelter in it under tonnes of rubble.{{Fn|2a}} The cannon's two exhaust vents for vacating rocket back-blast are located behind its multi-spectral targeting array. The Rhino chassis's transport capacity is given over completely to ammunition storage, of which it can carry 16 shells in its racks. That number is normally increased by two, with one shell preloaded and a second stored on the collapsible loading ramp.{{Fn|11a}} The Vindicator is also armed with a [[Storm Bolter]] for anti-infantry firepower.{{Fn|2a}}

In order to survive the brutal close-combat fighting typical of urban warfare, Vindicators have much thicker armour compared to the standard Rhino, especially along its front and top facings. This armour is further supported by extra bracing, which adds additional weight to the frame.{{Fn|11a}}

'''Vindicator Laser Destroyers''' are a tank-destroying variant of the Vindicator used primarily during the [[Great Crusade]] and [[Horus Heresy]], though some are still in service today.{{cite this}}

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

*{{Endn|1}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Two - Space Marines and Forces of the Inquisition]], **{{Endn|1a}}: pgs. 67-69**{{Endn|1b}}: pgs. 74-75