Warhammer 40K: Abaddon’s 5 Most Important Black Crusades
Abaddon the Despoiler has led 13 Black Crusades. But which ones were the most important? That’s what we’re here to discuss!
We could have just made a quick list numbered 1-13 and ranked the Black Crusades but out of context it wouldn’t make much sense. Instead we’re going to talk about 5 of them and why they are the most important 5 Black Crusades. Keep in mind these are based off the most recent lore in which Games Workshop “reworked” the meaning behind each one.
Some call it a retcon…Abaddon would say it was all part of his plans to begin with. Either way, the results speak for themselves.
#5 – The 5th Black Crusade, aka The Tide of Blood
The 5th Black Crusade was a big deal for a couple of reasons. First, it unleashed Doombreed, the greatest of all of Khorne’s Daemon Princes (take that Angron). The fact that this Black Crusade shows Abaddon knows how to bargin with Daemon Princes is already impressive. But he got Khorne’s #1 guy to fight for him!
Secondly, it wiped out two entire Chapters of Space Marines: the Warhawks and the Venerators. Thirdly, it caused the Blood Angels to sacrifice a Battle Barge to contain Doombreed… for a time. Not only did millions die on Tarinth to summon Doombreed but the cost to the Imperium as a whole was grave. While those sorts of losses were already bad enough, the “secret mission” of this attack was to “loosen the psychic equilibrium” in this relatively stable region of space. Knowing what we know now, we can see how that would come into play later.
#4 – The 3rd Black Crusade, aka The Desecration of Gerstahl
This Black Crusade is actually super important because it was one of those massive feints that Abaddon pulled. The start of the Black Crusade saw Abaddon launch an attack on Cadia. It was led by Daemon Prince Tallomin, so-called ‘Prince of Princes’ — so it was a host to behold. But this was all a distraction to pull forces away from a Shrine World of Saint Gerstahl. There was a prophecy written on the tomb of the Saint that said the saint would rise again when the “Eye of Darkness opened for the last time.” To prevent that from coming to pass, Abaddon destroyed the tomb and his remains. Why do that? Well, again, now that we know the goal of Abaddon, we know that this had some ramifications down the line. Could this Saint have stopped Abaddon and prevented the Great Rift? Now we’ll never know.
#3 – The 12th Black Crusade, aka The Gothic War
While this Black Crusade might have been listed as an Imperial Victory there were two major things that happened in the background as a part of Abaddon’s grand plan. First, 4 of the six Blackstone Fortresses were destroyed. That was a major blow as we now know that these Blackstone Fortresses have an affect on the warp and can be used to alter the fabric between real and warp space. And secondly, Abaddon not only learned how to control them, but he stole TWO of them! Again, we know what ultimately happened to both but this turned out to be a pretty big score for Abaddon. It also lead directly to…
#2 – The 13th Black Crusade, aka The Fall of Cadia
I don’t think I need to get into too much detail as to why this was such a big deal. Not only did Cadia get cracked in half and was destroyed, it also caused the universe to split as the Great Rift tore open across the stars. This is also how one of the two of Abaddon’s Blackstone Fortresses was used as it smashed in to Cadia to put the nail in the coffin of the planet. The doorway between the warp and real space was flung wide open and the universe changed forever. So what could top this Black Crusade?
#1 – The 1st Black Crusade, The First Battle of Cadia
Again, the Imperium might have pushed Abaddon back into the Eye of Terror but it cost them greatly. At the end of this Black Crusade the Imperial Fists First Captain Sigismund had fallen and Abaddon claimed the Daemon Sword Drach’nyen. These two factors changed the game and really made Abaddon the new Warmaster of Chaos. Abaddon might have been a great warrior before he claimed the sword but afterwards…well, 12 more Black Crusades and he’s still going. Sure he’s been “stopped” here and there but how many souls has he claimed along the way? And he’s never been truly defeated. At least not yet…
Those are our picks for the 5 most important Black Crusades of Abaddon? Which ones do you think deserve to make the cut?
