Stormsword var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":true};

Imperial Guard Portal

A standard Stormsword

The Stormsword is an Imperial Guard super-heavy vehicle based on the Shadowsword. Built specifically for sieges and street-fighting, the Stormword is geared towards providing troops close-quarter support with a variety of heavy weapons.^[1][2a]

Overview

The Stormsword was originally a field conversion of a salvaged Shadowsword chassis; though such "unofficial" conversions are frowned upon by the conservative elements of the Adeptus Mechanicus, most Guard commanders take a more pragmatic view.^[2a] In place of the Shadowsword's Volcano cannon is a large Hellhammer siege gun firing rocket-propelled siege shells.^[1] While sufficiently powerful to level an entire building with a single shot, typically by destroying the ground floor and collapsing the structure, the weapon's limited range and restricted elevation severely limits its utility on the open battlefield.^[2a]

The Stormsword's formidable secondary armaments are also geared towards the close confines of a street brawl: a coaxial Heavy Bolter is supported by two sponson-mounted twin-linked Heavy Bolters atop which are turret-mounted Heavy Flamers.^[2a] Although, some Stormswords replace their sponsons with extra armour plating. The Stormsword can also mount additional weapons such as a Hunter-Killer Missile and/or a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter.^[1]

While it remains a rare vehicle, the Stormsword has earned its place within the Imperial Guard, leading the charge in the heart of intense city battles, and it is rumoured some Forge Worlds have begun producing them in limited numbers.^[2a]

Technical Specifications

Vehicle Name:	Stormsword[2a]	Main Armament:	Siege Cannon
Forge World of Origin:	Unknown, most are workshop conversions	Secondary Armament:	2 Heavy Flamers, 2 Heavy Bolters
Known Patterns:	I-XII	Traverse:	2°
Crew:	Commander, Driver, Main Gunner, Remote Gunner, Comms Operator, Loader	Elevation:	From -2° to +12°
Powerplant:	MR507 V18 Multi Fuel	Main Ammunition:	20 Rounds
Weight:	302 tonnes	Secondary Ammunition:	2000 Rounds
Length:	13.5m	Armour
Width:	8.4m
Height:	5.85m	Superstructure:	220mm
Ground Clearance:	1.2m	Hull:	210mm
Max Speed - on road	25kph	Gun Mantlet	200mm
Max Speed - off road:	18kph	Vehicle Designation:	0427-658-0215-SW201
Transport Capacity:	N/A	Firing Ports:	N/A
Access Points:	N/A	Turret:	N/A

Known Stormswords

• Cadian 12th Heavy Tank Regiment, 6th Squadron, fought during 13th Black Crusade^[2b]
• Armageddon 8th Heavy Tank Company, 9th vehicle, unknown unit^[2c]
• Cadian 8th Heavy Tank Regiment, one of six vehicles, possibly refitted from a Shadowsword during the 13th Black Crusade^[2d]
• Tallarn 17th Heavy Tank Company, attached to the Tallarn 101st Armoured Regiment, fifth vehicle of the company, bears eagle's head honour badge after leading the first assault on the Palace of Tears^[2d]
• The Imperial Reaver, a Death Guard Stormsword from the Horus Heresy period^[3]

Miniatures

Forgeworld released an Arkurion pattern Stormsword in 2008 and they also produce an Epic scale version, which Games Workshop does not supply.

• 

  An Arkurion pattern Stormsword

• 

  A Forgeworld Epic-scale Stormsword

Sources

• 1: Imperial Armour - Apocalypse Second Edition, pg. 7
• 2: Imperial Armour Volume I
  • 2a: pg. 106
  • 2b: pg. 107
  • 2c: pg. 108
  • 2d: pg. 109
• 3: Horus Heresy - Collected Visions, pg. 381