Changes

==Overview==

These long-ranged weapons are capable of slicing off a [[Titan]]'s limb{{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}} Their 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}} Fired upon a [[hive]], the laser beam of a [[Warlord Battle Titan|Warlord]]-mounted volcano cannon can vaporise an entire section of the hive's defensive wall and penetrate two kilometres into the structure, leaving only the fused slag remains of former streets and [[manufactorum]]s behind.{{Fn|17}}

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 defences.{{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 noise to be emitted by the volcano cannon when fired. This noise, which some claim are the final screams of 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 volcano cannons 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}}

*{{Endn|16}}: [[The Sabbat Worlds Crusade (Background Book)]] (2nd Edition), pg. 125

*{{Endn|17}}: [[Hunting Ground (Short Story)]]

{{ImpTitan}}