{{Spoiler|source=The Outcast Dead (Novel)}}

The '''Thunder Warriors''' (also known as the '''Thunder Legion'''{{Fn|7}} or '''Legiones Cataegis'''{{Fn|10a}}) were the genetically engineered warriors of [[Terra]] created by the [[Emperor of Mankind]] to [[Unification Wars|unite the homeworld of humanity]] beneath His rule in the 30th Millennium. They were gene-enhanced warriors created by the Emperor and served as the precursors to the present-day [[Space Marines]]. Wrought to be living weapons, the Thunder Warriors were known to be physically stronger, more savage, and more potent in combat than the later Astartes, though they were not as long-lived.

===Overview===

The Thunder Warriors battled throughout the Unification Wars and united Terra for the first time in millennia under the rule of the [[Emperor]]. According to myth, they were all killed during the final battle of the Unification Wars, the Battle of Mount Ararat.{{Fn|2}}

===Organization===

Like the later [[Legiones Astartes]], the Thunder Warriors were organized into twenty Legions, each led by a [[Primarch]]. However, unlike the Astartes Primarch's, Thunder Warriors Primarchs were not physically different from the warriors they led. Instead, they were simply superlative warriors who were promoted to the position by the Emperor.{{Fn|10a}}

===Appearance and Abilities===

Thunder Warriors were large, greater in size than most [[Space Marine]]s. In their earliest days the Thunder Warriors wore metal armor with leather strappings and wielded [[Lasgun|Lasrifle]]s.{{Fn|10a}} Despite physical deterioration, the few Warriors that survived the end of the [[Unification Wars]] were easily more than a match for an Astartes, and had even outperformed [[Custodian]]s during combat engagements. Even severely deteriorated Thunder Warriors shown capable of fighting multiple Astartes at once.{{Fn|5b}}{{Fn|8}} They were made highly resistant to psychic attack, perhaps because of the sorcery they would regularly face during the [[Age of Strife]], with any attempts at mental attack causing severe pain to the psyker.{{Fn|8}} They had tremendous upper body strength that was considered to be unparalleled, which when coupled with their early model of [[Power Armor#Mark_1_.22Thunder_Armour.22|power armor]], made them virtually unbeatable in close combat.{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|5b}}{{Fn|8}} The leg strength of even a heavily physically deteriorating Thunder Warrior made them capable of kicking completely through the torso of a normal human.{{Fn|8}} Their bones were thicker than that of an Astartes, with a Thunder Warrior capable of shattering the skull of an Astartes with a headbutt.{{Fn|2}} Their reflexes were also extremely enhanced, allowing a Thunder Warrior to dodge the shot from a plasma gun, while already engaged in and focusing on fighting two other Astartes.{{Fn|8}}

===Survivors===

Towards the end of the [[Unification Wars]], a group of at least two dozen surviving Thunder Warriors under one of their Primarchs [[Ushotan]] took part in the [[Palace Coup]] to seek revenge and death in battle. The rebels were all massacred by the early [[Legiones Astartes]] in their very first engagement, while Ushotan was slain by [[Constantin Valdor]].{{Fn|10b}} Bands of Thunder Warriors continued to exist in hiding however, with some escaping off-world. These were later hunted down and destroyed by the [[First Legion]] of the Legiones Astartes.{{Fn|11}}

*{{Endn|2}}: [[The Outcast Dead (Novel)]], {{Cite This}}

*{{Endn|3}}: [[The First Heretic (Novel)]], Chapter 17

*5: [[The Horus Heresy Book One - Betrayal]]:

**{{Endn|5a}}: pg. 27