Changes

The '''Leman Russ Vanquisher''' is a rare and specialised variant of the [[Leman Russ Battle Tank]] used by the [[Imperial Guard]]. It mounts the significantly more powerful [[Vanquisher cannon]], firing special Vanquisher shells which are extremely effective at penetrating armour even at great ranges, and is a favourite among tank company commanders.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|2a}}

The Vanquisher was primarily built on [[Forge World]] [[Tigrus]] until it was overrun by the [[Ork]] [[Warboss|Warlord]] [[Arrgard the Defiler]] in [[M35]], resulting in the number of remaining Vanquishers reserved only for experienced tank crews. With the loss of Tigrus the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] made strenuous efforts to reproduce the tank's specialised cannon, selecting a number of Forge Worlds known for their craftsmanship and devotion to the [[Machine God]] to spearhead the effort. While the process was slow and with limited success two Forge Worlds - — [[Gryphonne IV]] and [[Stygies VIII]] - — have succeeded in producing their own version of the Vanquisher while several other worlds continue their work. A small but increasing number of Vanquishers produced by Gryphonne IV and Stygies VIII have been used to equipped [[Imperial Guard]] [[regiment]]s, however both jealously guard their secrets and have not allowed any comparative tests to take place.{{Fn|1a}} Only those tank crews that demonstrated they can perform their duty against the most heavily armoured enemies, may receive the Vanquisher as their new battle tank.{{Fn|5a}}

The centerpiece of the tank is its [[Vanquisher Cannon]], a modified cannon with superior range, accuracy and a first-hit kill ratio.{{Fn|1a}}{{Fn|2a}} Both Forgeworlds produce a cannon able to achieve these effects, albeit through different methods, and the tank has achieved a fearsome reputation among the Imperial Guard and its enemies.{{Fn|1a}} The Vanquisher is also equipped with advanced [[auspex]] sensors including threat detectors, terrain finder{{Fn|4a}} and motion sensors,{{Fn|4b}} along with [[Targeter]] gear including range-finders.{{Fn|1b}} Many are fitted with co-axial [[Storm Bolter]]s while other secondary weapons come in the form of a hull-mounted [[Heavy Bolter]], [[Heavy Flamer]] or [[Lascannon]]; if fitted with side sponsons it can also mount additional Heavy Bolters, Heavy Flamers, [[Multi-melta]]s or [[Plasma Cannon]]s. A [[Searchlight]] and [[Smoke Launchers]] are standard on Vanquishers, while other upgrades include [[Camo Netting]], a [[Dozer Blade]], [[Extra Armour]], a [[Hunter-Killer Missile]] and/or a [[pintle-mounted]] [[Heavy Stubber]]/Storm Bolter.{{Fn|2b}}

*[[Gryphonne IV]] - — Immense barrel length for superior shell velocity.{{Fn|1a}}*[[Stygies VIII]] - — Smaller calibre shell with no rifling for increased velocity and consequently superior first-shot accuracy, although increased barrel movement counteracts follow-up shots despite better gun stabilising and recoil dampening.{{Fn|1a}} It is said that Mechanicus of the Stygies VIII continue to work on correcting of this flaw, but knowing the slowness of their bureaucratic structure it may take decades or even centuries.{{Fn|5a}}

*[[Cadian 142nd Armoured Regiment]] - — defence of [[Cadia]] during [[13th Black Crusade]] ([[Mars Alpha]] chassis)*[[Cthonian 2nd Armoured Regiment]] - — defence of [[Veridian Prime]]*[[Jouryan 27th Infantry Regiment]] - — [[Liberation of Septiam Torus]]{{cite this}}*[[Krieg 76th Armoured Regiment]] - — [[Commissar]] [[Konstantin Garrick]]'s vehicle*[[Magdellan 6th Armoured Regiment]] - — [[Tsaragrad]]

*[[Mortant 7th Regiment]] "Headhunters" - — [[Sacking of Colonia]]*[[Orestean Pride Armor 6]] - — defence of [[Orestes]]{{cite this}}

*[[Valhallan 8th Armoured Regiment]] - — [[Sallan's World]] campaign

*[[Valhallan 193rd Armoured Regiment]] - — defence of [[Canaan's World]]

*[[Varolian 256th Armoured Regiment]] "the Ironsides" - fire deserts of [[Ferrum-Prime]] - — [[Imperial Guard Captain|Captain]] [[Solomon Stanz]]'s vehicle

*'''"Steel Dog Alpha"''' - — tank of '''Obadiah Schfeer''' of the '''254th Varolian Regiment'''. Equipped with a loud speaker system used to both inspire the Imperial forces and depress the enemy.{{Fn|1c}}

**{{Endn|1a}}: pgs. 31-3331–33

**{{Endn|2a}}: Pgpg. 49**{{Endn|2b}}: Pgpg. 102*{{Endn|3}}: [[Honour Guard (Novel)]] - — [[Gaunt's Ghosts: The Saint (Omnibus)]] by [[Dan Abnett]], Ch. 4, pg. 57

**{{Endn|4a}}: 11, Pgpg. 60**{{Endn|4b}}: 11, Pgpg. 70