Representing one of the oldest and most powerful mechanized vehicles in service to the Imperium
of Man, the Mars-Pattern Baneblade Super Heavy Tank, is based upon designs dating back to
the Dark Age of Technology.
The tanks are distributed in extremely limited numbers throughout the Imperial Guard, and
as a result, they are treated with total reverence by the few regiments lucky enough to receive
them.
13.5 meters in length with a total weight of 316 tonnes, the sheer, imposing size of
the Baneblade leads the vehicle to appear complete unstoppable, and the tank’s multiple
layers of incredibly heavy armor are more than sufficient to back up this appearance.
A standard Mars-Pattern Baneblade requires a crew of ten to operate, including numerous
gunners and loaders, as well a highly trained tactical officer, and a fully-fledged Techpriest
of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
The Baneblade’s tracks are able to carry the vehicle at a surprisingly brisk pace for
its mass, as well as being designed to resist the tremendous recoil of the tank’s enormous
main gun, and to crush any hostile troops unfortunate enough to find themselves in the
Baneblade’s path.
The Baneblade carries a huge arsenal of powerful weapons, consisting of a single turret-mounted
mega battle cannon, also known as a Baneblade Cannon, a coaxial autocannon, two sponson-mounted
twin-linked heavy bolters, one turret-mounted twin-linked heavy bolter, two turret-mounted
lascannons, and a fixed forward-facing demolisher cannon.
In total this brings the Baneblade’s number of weapon barrels to eleven, though the tank
can still be outfitted with a pintle-mounted storm bolter or heavy stubber, as well as
a single-fire hunter-killer missile launcher, raising the total to thirteen individual firing
points, and making the Baneblade into one of the most fearsome mobile weapons platforms
available to the imperium, challenged only by the unstoppable titans, and by other super-heavy
tanks.
The Interior of a Mars Pattern Baneblade is divided into three separate levels, the first
is the gunnery level located within the tank’s turret, where the primary gunner and loader
are stationed.
The turret features the tank’s only access hatches, both of which are sealed with fingerprint
sensitive locks, and each features a command station for use by the tank’s commander
when needed.
The tank’s central command deck features numerous tactical arrays and Vox casters,
and the service deck below it plays host to most of the vehicle’s gunnery stations and
ammunition stores, as well as an integrated elevator used to carry the Baneblade cannon’s
massive shells up to the loading mechanism within the turret.
Many Baneblade’s have gathered substantial fame and renown for their accomplishments,
but none more so than the personal Baneblade of Commissar Sebastian Yarrick, the Fortress
of Arrogance.
The Tank featured numerous modifications from the stock model, including a wide pulpit from
which Yarrick could command and inspire, as well as a full repaint in the colours of the
Commissariat.
The Fortress of Arrogance was critically damaged in the Battle of Golgotha by an Ork Stompa,
and the commissar was forced to abandon his beloved vehicle in the subsequent retreat,
but prior to the third war for Armageddon, Yarrick insisted on returning to Golgotha,
where he reclaimed the venerable Baneblade from the battlefield and restored it to its
former glory.
From their construction on the Forge worlds of Mars, Lucius and Estaban 7, to their eventual
defeat on the field of battle, every Baneblade brings untold death and destruction to the
enemies of the Imperium.
For their service and power, the tanks are venerated by the Adeptus Mechanicus, with
their names and numbers being carved into the metal of the very foundries that built
them.
In the long history of the imperium of man, few war machines have challenged the might
and reputation of the Baneblade Super-Heavy Tank, and fewer still have inspired as much
terror, in the enemies of the god emperor.