Warhammer 40K: Classic To Primaris – Vehicle Edition
The Rhino is to the Impulsor as the Razorback is to ??? – It’s time for some fun with the Primaris Vehicles.
We’re going to bring back something that was removed from the SATs in 2005 – the analogy questions. Well, more accurately, we’re going to use the format – those questions kind of sucked and “were criticized for being irrelevant to success in a college or work environment.” But that doesn’t me we can’t have fun with the setup. Particularly when we’re using them within the context of the Grimdark and the new Primaris Vehicle lineup.
You can blame GW for this one – the idea came from this infographic.
Rhino: Impulsor
This one is pretty straightforward and probably the simplest analogy. Both are (relatively) light tanks/APC and have a similar carrying capacity. While the Impulsor does have more weapon options and few other tools to use, they basically fill the same function in either case.
Land Raider: Repulsor
Here’s another fairly straightforward one. While the Land Raider does have more variants the Repulsor is clearly the Primaris version. Sure, it’s got anti-grav repulsor tech, but it’s got (most) of the durability and carrying capacity. And any trade-offs were for the sake of firepower – which the Repulsor has in droves.
Razorback: Repulsor Executioner
Okay, here is where I’m sure I’m going to get some flak, but before you leave an angry comment hear me out. While the Executioner clearly has more firepower and armor and the case can be made it’s more akin to the Land Raider (see above), it’s got more in common with the Razorback. It’s got limited carrying capacity, it’s a hybrid Main Battle Tank/APC, and it’s considered versatile. Unlike the Razorback, it’s probably been more heavily utilized for it’s firepower than it’s transporting abilities, but that doesn’t erase the fact that it can do both.
Predator: Gladiator
Here we have the Predator and the Gladiator. This one is fairly obvious and you can tell that conceptually they share a lot of the same DNA. Both come from the “lighter” chassis option (a Rhino chassis for the Predator and the Impulsor Chassis for the Gladiator). But both have skipped on the transport capacity in exchange for bringing all the guns. There is even a “Baal” version for the Gladiator in all but name:
GW even painted it red. Just sayin’…
Bikes: Outriders
Space Marine Bikes clearly got the Primaris Protocol with the new Outriders. Visually they share a lot of the same design aspects – the double-dual exhausts, the top mounted bolter weapons, the tires and wheel bays…Outriders are just Bikes with a more modern design twist.
Attack Bikes: Invader ATV
The Invader ATV ditched the side-car, and added a fourth wheel, but functionally, these two vehicles are the same. The ATV is the Attack Bike replacement – it’s still got the driver’s twin bolters and the gunner with larger weapon options. What more do you need?
Land Speeder: Storm Speeder
The new Storm Speeder looks like it’s the Primaris Replacement for the Land Speeder – it’s even got the ‘Speeder’ name, too! While it did add the third crew member, the resemblance is clear. The Storm Speeder is the descendant of the Land Speeder.
Dreadnought: Redemptor Dreadnought
This picture does not do the size difference justice. While the Redemptor Dreadnought is almost twice the size of the Dreadnought, it’s undeniable that the Redemptor owes it’s existence to the classic Dreadnought. The Classic Dread does have more variants and options in total, but we’re also not including the Invictor Warsuit so we’ll call it even.
Thunderfire Cannon: Firestrike Servo-turret
Technically, these aren’t really vehicles but that’s not the point. You can see the evolution of the idea of a “manned” gun emplacement from one to the other. That’s also why both are manned by a Techmarine. While the Thunderfire Cannon is a callback to old school cannons and artillery pieces, the new Firestrike Servo-Turret is more of the mounted AA guns you’d see on say… a ship from WWII. But the core concept is a manned gun emplacement and that’s pretty clear.
Whirlwind + Drop Pod = Hammerfall Bunker?
This is less of an analogy and more of a algebra equation. But based on what the Hammerfall Bunker does it’s hard to argue what it’s supposed to be the Primaris Replacement of. The thing is, the Bunker is really only a visual replacement – it can’t deepstrike and has no carrying capacity. It’s also immobile but has Line of Sight based missiles. So…yeah. At this point, I’m pretty confident that the Hammerfall underwent quite a few rules adjustments before it got the final approval – and at that point the model had already been produced.
Maybe one day, we’ll get to do a Chaos Space Marine Version of this list…
