Warhammer 40K: 5 Funky Tanks Of The Astra Militarum
The Imperium is all about brutal efficiency. At least that’s what the propaganda says. But if that is true how do you explain these tanks?
Everyone loves a good set of Tank Treads on their side. For the Astra Militarum, they have treads to spare! But some of those tanks designs are a bit…eccentric. Today, we’re looking at 5 of the Funkiest Tank of the Imperial Guard Armory!
Minotaur Artillery Tank
The Minotaur is an all but unknown sight of the battlefields of the 41st Millennium; an ancient and venerable artillery piece that is designed to lay down crushing barrages of ordnance from advanced positions, while under threat of enemy fire, before redeploying under its own power.
This tank is all about laying down some serious firepower. And, apparently, dropping a double dose of doom downrange. It’s twin barrels aren’t a very common design option for artillery pieces. It also looks like the barrels are facing the rear so the driver would have to get this tank into position backwards. I think that make this tank have the most junk in the trunk by default.
Atlas Recovery Tank
The Atlas Recovery Tank is an Imperial Guard armoured recovery tank based on the Leman Russ Battle Tank chassis. It is designed to recover disabled or destroyed vehicles and tow them back to friendly lines for repairs.
This is the tank version of a tugboat that could also repair other tanks on the fly. Lore-wise, it would drag wrecks back to friendly repair facilities. But rules-wise, this think could basically bring tank back from the brink. It was a treadhead apothecary!
Deathstrike
The Imperial Guard Deathstrike Missile Launcher is a destructive war machine, able to fire a single, incredibly dangerous missile.
Does the phrase one-and-done ring true for your battle plans? It will if you take a Deathstrike! Sure, it’s got some back-up armament, but really you get one shot with this missile and whatever it hits is in for a world of hurt! It’s also extremely goofy looking. I’m all for high-powered missiles but surely there is a better way to deploy them than a refitted chimera chassis. Or maybe not…this is the Grimdark, right?
Malcador Defender
Named after a mysterious figure from the Imperium’s earliest days, Malcador the Sigilite, this tank is a mobile fortress, mounting multiple heavy bolters for all-round defence and a demolisher cannon in a limited traverse hull mount.
There are many funky Malcador Tank designs, but this one takes the funky cake. Do you like heavy bolters? Do you wish tanks would take more than just a sponson or two? Well, the Malcador Defender is the tank for you! It’s got more heavy bolters slapped on it than a typical Guard heavy weapon team – plus a demolisher cannon for when you want to get serious.
Gorgon Armoured Assault Transport
The Gorgon is a huge, heavily armoured amphibious transport vehicle used to carry a large number of troops straight towards enemy lines before disgorging them directly into enemy-held positions.
The Gorgon transports up to 50 Imperial Guard infantry across the battlefield in safety. It is armed with two twin heavy stubbers and two Gorgon mortars, the latter of which can be replaced with the supplied heavy bolters, heavy flamers or heavy stubbers.
The Gorgon is just kind of silly. It’s a MASSIVE vehicle that can disgorge 50 Guardsmen from it’s belly. That’s already crazy! What we’re somewhat confused about is the open-toppedness of it all. With all those bodies tightly packed inside, couldn’t a well placed artillery shell devastate the Guardsmen inside? The tank would probably be fine with all that armor. It’s just an odd design. Plus, ruleswise, it’s so slow, your 50 guardsmen could probably outrun the thing on foot. Is it practical? Only in the Grimdark, baby!
What are some of your favorite funky tanks of the Grimdark universe?
