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The '''Predator''' is a [[battle tank]] employed by the [[Space Marine]]s. It is a more heavily armed and armoured version of the [[Rhino]] personnel carrier. There are two major patterns of Predator, the '''Destructor''' and the '''Annihilator''', primarily distinguished by their specific weaponry. The [[Blood Angels]] and their [[Successor Chapter]]s employ the assault-oriented [[Baal Predator]].

[[image:pred_destructor fw.jpeg|thumb|right|Predator Destructor]] The '''Predator Destructor''' is the original model of Predator battle tanks, with its origins dating back to the [[Dark Age of Technology]]. The Predator was built in direct response to the threat of [[Orks]], which were proving difficult for humanity to handle. Its combination of heavier armour and weaponry allowed the Predator to withstand Orkish attacks and easily destroy their vehicles. Soon the Predator became the standard fighting vehicle for all of humanity's armies, and would remain in that position throughout the Great Crusade, where its small troop carrying capacity would be replaced with space for more ammunition.{{Fn|1a}} Eventually, similar to the Rhino it was based off of, the Predator Destructor would be restricted to use by the Space Marines only.{{cite this}}

Protection for the Predator Destructor comes from three layers of armouring. The first, a bonded [[ceramite]]/[[adamantine]] alloy, gives the Predator protection equivalent to five times its width in conventional steel whilst being lighter. This is followed by a reinforcing thermoplas with a mesh of sub-dermal energy dissipation fibre for protection against radiation. The outer layer is a non-metallic acrylic identification sheath. In all, this armour corresponds over the 200mm of 'standard' steel on the front of Predator.{{Fn|1a}}

[[Smoke Launchers]] and a [[Searchlight]] are standard options on a Predator Destructor. It may be further upgraded with [[Dozer Blades]], [[Extra Armour]], a [[Hunter-killer Missile]], and a [[Pintle-mounted]] [[Stormbolter]].{{Fn|1f}}

*'''''Avenger''''' - — of the [[Marauders]] [[Chapter]]. Was part of the '''Thracian Response Forse'''{{Fn|1c}}*''[[Belsarius Fury]]'' - — of the [[Blood Angels]]. Took part in the [[Third War for Armageddon]] where it was destroyed during the defence of Hades Five.{{Fn|1c}}*''[[Harbinger of Death]]'' - — of the [[Aurora Chapter]]. Fought against [[Chaos]] cultists during the [[Goru Heresy]].{{Fn|1c}}

*'''Phaeton Pattern Mk.IIIb/c''': Older variant based on Mk.I [[Rhino]] chassis. Distinctive square turret mounted on the forward hull as opposed to center.{{Fn|1d}}

{|align<gallery mode="packed" heights="center200">|[[Image:MkIIIc.jpg|thumb|right|[[Dark Angels]] Mk.IIIc Pattern Predator{{Fn|1e}}]]|[[Image:Predator2nd.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ultramarines]] Mk.IIIc Pattern Predator]]|}</gallery>

[[image:PredGladius.jpg|thumb|right|Ultramarines Predator Annihilator]] The '''Predator Annihilator''' is the second and latter of the two major patterns, though its introduction was not without controversy. According to the [[Liber Armorum]] the model did not appear until [[M36]] - — when it first appeared during the [[Skarath Crusade]].{{Fn|1a}}

The [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] was suitably infuriated at the [[Space Wolves]]' blasphemous alteration to a holy [[STC]] design, however their success could not be denied. While the Space Wolves continued to field Predator Annihilators, the Tech-priests examined the design, debated its sanctity in councils and ran extensive trials. Two hundred years later, it was found that the modified tank was not only acceptable to the [[Machine God]], but that the Predator was intentionally designed to accept such a retrofit.{{Fn|1b}} The Predator Annihilator has since found its way into the Armouries of many other Space Marine Chapters and therefore seeing increasing use close to it's cousin.{{Fn|1h}}

In place of the Syrtis pattern Autocannon, the Predator Annihilator mounts [[twin-linked]] 'Stormbringer' [[Lascannon]]s equipped with flash dampeners and focusing rings. Powered by diaquartzoid crystal batteries, each lascannon has a barrel life of 1000 shots before it warps and must be replaced.{{Fn|1b}}

[[Smoke Launchers]] and a [[Searchlight]] are standard options on a Predator Annihilator. It may be further upgraded with [[Dozer Blades]], [[Extra Armour]], a [[Hunter-killer Missile]], and a [[Pintle-mounted]] [[Stormbolter]].{{Fn|1g}}

|Gun Elevation=From -15&deg; to 28&deg;

*''[[Deus Annihilatus]]'' - — [[Raptors]] [[Chapter]].{{Fn|1j}}*''[[Endurus]]'' - — [[Revilers]] [[Chapter]]. Took part in the [[Molov Massacre]].{{Fn|1i}}

:{| border="0" cellpadding="3" align="center" style<gallery mode="border-collapse:collapsepacked" valignheights="top150">!colspan=9 ||----|[[Image:Predator1st.jpg|thumb|center|1st Edition [[Space Wolves]] Predator miniature]]|[[Image:EpicPredator2nd.jpg|thumb|center|200px|[[Epic]] 2nd Edition [[Imperial Fists]] Predator miniature]]|[[Image:EpicPredator.jpg|thumb|center|250px|[[Epic]] 3rd Edition Predator miniature]]|}</gallery>

**{{Endn|1a}}: pgspg. 27-2827–28**{{Endn|1b}}: pgspg. 37-3837–38**{{Endn|1c}}: pgspg. 29-3029–30

*{{Endn|5}}: [[Index Astartes: Predators]] - — ''Earliest Predators''

*{{Endn|7}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (7th Edition)]] - — ''Space Marine Vehicle Equipment''

**{{Endn|8a}}: pgspg. 61-6261–62**{{Endn|8b}}: pgspg. 66-6866–68