Basilisk
From Lexicanum
The Basilisk is the main line artillery piece of Imperial Guard regiments throughout the Imperium. It is armed with an Earthshaker Cannon and counts as self-propelled artillery. It is based on the Chimera chassis but has been heavily modified to allow the installation of the main gun.
Contents |
History
In the 41st Millennium
The Basilisk is the mainstay of Imperial artillery, although it is often mixed with Manticores, Griffons or Bombards. The Basilisk is however the most common and often called on to fire massive barrages at foes not seen. While it is very different to the Chimera, it retains the same engine, suspension etc. but replaces the passenger compartment with the open topped fighting platform and huge gun shield.
The main task of the Basilisk is to fire artillery barrages to support front-line units. They are directed by companies far forwards, often on the front lines, or by other high ranking Imperial Guard officers. Most shots fired are High Explosives, but other shells such as Smoke Shells, Incendiary Shells and Illumination Shells are sometimes used. Its high strength and range make it deadly for bombarding enemy positions and can be upgraded to fire from behind cover, making it an invisible killer.
Vehicles are just as vulnerable to the fire of a Basilisk as infantry, although its accuracy is doubtful in the face of long distance fights. The Earthshaker can be moved down to a much lower angle than most other weapons of its type, allowing it to for fire as an assault gun instead of artillery piece. This allows it to engage targets at a relatively short range, where its accuracy is somewhat better. It is however never used as an assault vehicle as its open top and weak armour make it vulnerable to enemy small fire.
It is also used by the Iron Warriors Chaos Space Marines as they favoured siege battles.
Forge World Variations
The Armageddon 'Hades' pattern Basilisk is not open-topped, giving its crew some extra protection. This variant bears a strong resemblance to the German Ferdinand Tank from WWII.
Regiments known to contain Basilisks
- 66th Arcadian Armoured Regiment - Toal III Invasion force
- 27th Konig Armoured Regiment
- 7th Mortant Regiment - Sacking of Colonia
- 142nd Cadian Armoured Regiment - Defence of Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade
- 9th Dniepr Tank Corp
- 28th Valhallan Armoured Regiment - Belatis IV
Armament and Upgrades
The Basilisk is armed with an Earthshaker Cannon with hull-mounted Heavy Bolter. It may also be upgraded with an Armoured Crew Compartment, Camo Netting, Extra Armour, a Hunter-killer Missile, Improved Comms, a Mine Sweeper, a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter, a Rough Terrain Modification, a Searchlight, Track Guards and Smoke Launchers.
| Vehicle Name: | Basilisk | Main Armament: | Earthshaker Cannon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | All known | Secondary Armament: | Heavy Bolter |
| Known Patterns: | I-XXVII | Traverse: | 3 degrees |
| Crew: | Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader | Elevation: | From 0 to 59 degrees |
| Powerplant: | Vulcanor 16 twin coupled multi-burn | Main Ammunition: | 20 rounds |
| Weight: | 40 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | 300 rounds |
| Length: | 7.08m | Armour | |
| Width: | 4.86m | ||
| Height: | 4.38m | Superstructure: | 100mm |
| Ground Clearance: | 0.45m | Hull: | 150mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 35kph | Gun Mantlet | Gun shield 60mm |
| Max Speed - off road: | 21kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-941-3011-BA02 |
| Tranport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | n/a |
| Access Points: | n/a | Turret: | N/A |
Sources
| Leman Russ Chassis | Leman Russ Battle Tank • Leman Russ Demolisher • Leman Russ Annihilator • Leman Russ Conqueror • Leman Russ Exterminator • Leman Russ Executioner • Leman Russ Punisher • Leman Russ Vanquisher • Destroyer Tank Hunter • Thunderer • Bombard • Atlas |
|---|---|
| Chimera Chassis | Chimera • Hellhound • Basilisk • Griffon • Medusa Siege Tank • Salamander Command • Salamander Scout • Hydra Flak Tank • Manticore • Trojan |
| Other | Sentinel • Cyclops • Siegfried • Bruennhilde• Centaur |
| Super Heavy Tanks | Baneblade • Stormblade • Shadowsword • Stormsword • Stormhammer • Gorgon Armoured Assault Transport |
