Macharius (Heavy Tank) var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":true};

Ambiguous Term? This article is about Tank. For other uses of Macharius, see Macharius (disambiguation).

The Macharius is a Super Heavy Tank named after the legendary Lord Commander Solar Macharius and referred to as a 'second generation' Baneblade, fulfilling the same battlefield role.^[3a] The Adeptus Mechanicus of Mars tightly controls the information necessary to build true Baneblades, allowing only a handful of Forge Worlds permission to build these deadly machines to the same standards as those during the Great Crusade. For Forge Worlds seeking to secure large military contracts but lacking the necessary STC data, or who experience a shortfall in Baneblade production, the Macharius is a viable alternative and has become a common sight in the regiments of the Imperial Guard.^[1][2]

History

In the mythic past it is known that the Imperial Army once fielded many types of heavy tanks during the Great Crusade, though the knowledge of their design, construction and even the name of some of these tanks has been lost. It is the job of the munition-adepts of the Adeptus Mechanicus to rediscover this lost data, a tireless effort which can last years. During one such mission Magos Nalax of forge world Lucius, through diligent study of his world's vast archives, discovered fragments of a blueprint for such a tank. The task of reconstructing the missing data became his life's work, cross-referencing data with components used on the Baneblade and other vehicles, until finally he presented a complete plan before the Fabricator-General on Mars for final approval. The process took two hundred years of careful study and consultation with other forge worlds before acceptance was given and Lucius sanctioned to begin production, though Nalax would not live to see his dream realized.^[1][2]

Ironically by this time Lucius had successfully lobbied for the right to build Baneblades and was already constructing them. However they soon found themselves swamped by the Departmento Munitorium's demands for the vehicle, and when the world of Krieg was returned to the Imperial fold it was Lucius that was charged with equipping their newly-raised regiments. To meet these demands Lucius turned to the Macharius, and in 852.M41 the first of these heavy tanks rolled off the production lines for the Death Korps of Krieg. Since that time other forge worlds have been granted permission to build Macharius tanks of their own, and its usage has spread to other regiments.^[1][2]

Technical Information

Smaller and with fewer weapons, the Macharius cannot hope to match the Baneblade in firepower, armor, engine performance or advanced logic-engines. Despite these failings it is still a powerful heavy tank, carrying very thick frontal armor and twin synchronized Battle Cannons in its main turret. Secondary fire comes in the form of a hull-mounted twin-linked Heavy Stubber and two sponson-mounted Heavy Stubbers, although the latter can be switched out for Heavy Flamers or Heavy Bolters.^[1] Some tanks will also carry a pintle-mounted Storm Bolter or Heavy Stubber and/or a single Hunter-Killer Missile.^[3a]

The tank requires a large crew to operate, with the commander, gunner and two loaders in the turret, while the hull seats the driver, comms-operator/heavy stubber gunner, and two sponson gunners.^[1]

Macharius Super-Heavy Tank

Technical Specifications

Vehicle Name:	Macharius[1]	Main Armament:	2 x Battle Cannons
Forge World of Origin:	Lucius	Secondary Armament:	2 x Heavy Stubbers 2 x Heavy Bolters
Known Patterns:	I-III	Traverse:	360°
Crew:	Commander, Driver, Gunner, 2xLoaders, 2xSponson Gunners, Comms-Operator	Elevation:	From -2° to +28°
Powerplant:	LC400 V18 P2 Multi-Fuel	Main Ammunition:	40 rounds
Weight:	175 tonnes	Secondary Ammunition:	1000 rounds and 600 rounds
Length:	10.9m	Armour
Width:	7m
Height:	4.8m	Superstructure:	200mm
Ground Clearance:	.45m	Hull:	190mm
Max Speed - on road	26kph	Gun Mantlet	150mm
Max Speed - off road:	18kph	Vehicle Designation:	8769-128-8734-MA12
Transport Capacity:	None	Firing Ports:	N/A
Access Points:	N/A	Turret:	220mm

Variants

In addition to resurrecting what became known as the Macharius, Magos Nalax also produced variants which replaced the tank's main armament with alternate weapons.^[2]

Macharius 'Vanquisher'

Macharius 'Vanquisher'

The Macharius 'Vanquisher' is armed with twin-linked Vanquisher Cannons in the main turret. While rarer and harder to manufacture than battle cannons, they are capable of using special anti-tank shells in addition to normal munitions. Fired at very high velocities, the anti-tank shells can penetrate even the thickest of armour, turning this variant into a potent tank hunter. The Macharius 'Vanquisher' features the same secondary weapons as the original with the ability to mount an additional pintle weapon and/or hunter-killer missile.^[3b]

Macharius 'Vulcan'

The Macharius 'Vulcan' mounts the Vulcan Mega-Bolter in its main turret, a fearsome weapon normally found on Imperial Titans. Firing thousands of rounds per minute, the Vulcan is a highly-effective anti-infantry platform, able to sweep clear trench systems and suppress enemy heavy weapons teams. Since the mega-bolter is fed by a high-speed autoloader, the Macharius 'Vulcan' requires only a crew of six, using the space previously taken up by the two loaders for more ammunition. The lack of penetrative power against fortified targets limits the tank's usage, while its main drawback is limited internal storage space. Able to carry only twenty seconds worth of continuous fire, most crews will fill the tank's stowage bin with extra ammunition and strap on additional ammunition crates to the hull.^[2] The Macharius 'Vulcan' features the same secondary weapons as the original with the ability to mount an additional pintle weapon and/or hunter-killer missile.^[3c]

Macharius 'Vulcan'

Technical Specifications

Vehicle Name:	Macharius Vulkan[2]	Main Armament:	Vulcan Mega-Bolter
Forge World of Origin:	Lucius	Secondary Armament:	2 Heavy Stubbers 2 Heavy Bolters
Known Patterns:	I-II	Traverse:	360°
Crew:	Commander, Driver, Gunner, 2xSponson Gunners, Comms-Operator	Elevation:	From -2° to +28°
Powerplant:	LC400 V18 P2 Multi-Fuel	Main Ammunition:	8000 rounds
Weight:	172 tonnes	Secondary Ammunition:	1000 rounds and 600 rounds
Length:	10.9m	Armour
Width:	7m
Height:	4.8m	Superstructure:	200mm
Ground Clearance:	.45m	Hull:	190mm
Max Speed - on road	26kph	Gun Mantlet	150mm
Max Speed - off road:	18kph	Vehicle Designation:	8769-128-8734-MA14
Transport Capacity:	None	Firing Ports:	N/A
Access Points:	N/A	Turret:	220mm

Macharius 'Omega'

Macharius Omega^[3d]

The Macharius 'Omega' is a relatively new addition to the Imperial arsenal, armed with a mighty Omega-pattern Plasma Blastgun. The Omega-pattern Plasma Blastgun, unlike the Ryza-pattern found on Imperial Titans, is a more compact design that is easier to manufacture. While this allows it to be mounted on smaller vehicles, it is also highly unstable and more prone to overheating than its larger cousin. The comparable ease with which the Macharius 'Omega' can be manufactured and maintained has more then overcome its shortcomings in the eyes of the Departmento Munitorum, and large quantities of resources have been devoted to the forge worlds which produce them such as Lucius, Hellgrace and Dynax Primus. Subsequently, the Omega has proven its worth on the battlefield and in counter assaults against the Tyranids in particular.^[3d]

Other differences with the Macharius 'Omega' is the removal of the hull-mounted Heavy Stubbers, while the sponsons can mount Heavy Bolters, Heavy Stubbers or Autocannons. It is similarly able to carry a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber or Storm Bolter and/or a single Hunter-Killer Missile.^[3d]

Sources

• 1: Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks - Part One, pgs. 125-126
• 2: Imperial Armour Volume Six - The Siege of Vraks - Part Two, pgs. 114-115
• 3: Imperial Armour - Apocalypse Second Edition
  • 3a: pg. 9
  • 3b: pg. 10
  • 3c: pg. 11
  • 3d: pg. 20