Difference between revisions of "Power Armour"
Siegfriedfr (talk | contribs) m (step 1 of re-sourcing this article : numbering restored to pre-2021 troublesome edit (and checked), unused sources removed. TO-DO : renumber footnotes from 1) |
Siegfriedfr (talk | contribs) m (step 2 of re-sourcing this article : sources were renumbered from 1) |
||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
===Space Marine Power Armour=== | ===Space Marine Power Armour=== | ||
* {{Main|Space Marine Power Armour}} | * {{Main|Space Marine Power Armour}} | ||
| − | [[Space Marine Power Armour]] is an extraordinarily sophisticated defensive system which combines huge resistance to physical damage with a sensory array and sealed environment which protects its wearer from the ravages of the void and alien atmospheres. Integrated with the armour are networks of electro-motivated fibre bundles which mimic and augment the muscular strength of the wearer. The true genius of the design, however, lies in its close integration with the already superhuman physiology, senses and reflexes of the Space Marine within. Working in concert, armour and Astartes together become a weapon without equal.{{Fn| | + | [[Space Marine Power Armour]] is an extraordinarily sophisticated defensive system which combines huge resistance to physical damage with a sensory array and sealed environment which protects its wearer from the ravages of the void and alien atmospheres. Integrated with the armour are networks of electro-motivated fibre bundles which mimic and augment the muscular strength of the wearer. The true genius of the design, however, lies in its close integration with the already superhuman physiology, senses and reflexes of the Space Marine within. Working in concert, armour and Astartes together become a weapon without equal.{{Fn|3}} |
===Sisters of Battle Power Armour=== | ===Sisters of Battle Power Armour=== | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
===Vratine Power Armour=== | ===Vratine Power Armour=== | ||
* {{Main|Vratine Armour}} | * {{Main|Vratine Armour}} | ||
| − | Vratine Armour is a type of armour used by the [[Sisters of Silence]]. which shares design elements with both the power armour of the Space Marines and the silicate-mesh of [[Selenite]] void-mail{{Fn| | + | Vratine Armour is a type of armour used by the [[Sisters of Silence]]. which shares design elements with both the power armour of the Space Marines and the silicate-mesh of [[Selenite]] void-mail{{Fn|8}} |
===Inquisition=== | ===Inquisition=== | ||
| − | Power armour is also favored for use by agents of the [[Inquisition]] and those individuals wealthy enough to afford one, such as [[Rogue Traders]]. These suits of armour enhance the user's strength, allow for operation in hostile environments, and include auxiliary systems such as vox-links and auto-senses. Like the [[Adepta Sororitas]] though, the lack of a [[Black Carapace]] means these users cannot fully interface with their power armour and so do not enjoy the same strength enhancements and other advanced support systems typical to Astartes power armour.{{Fn| | + | Power armour is also favored for use by agents of the [[Inquisition]] and those individuals wealthy enough to afford one, such as [[Rogue Traders]]. These suits of armour enhance the user's strength, allow for operation in hostile environments, and include auxiliary systems such as vox-links and auto-senses. Like the [[Adepta Sororitas]] though, the lack of a [[Black Carapace]] means these users cannot fully interface with their power armour and so do not enjoy the same strength enhancements and other advanced support systems typical to Astartes power armour.{{Fn|2}} |
====Malleus Power Armour==== | ====Malleus Power Armour==== | ||
[[File:Maellusinquisitor.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Ordo Malleus]] [[Inquisitor]]]] | [[File:Maellusinquisitor.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Ordo Malleus]] [[Inquisitor]]]] | ||
| − | Rare even among the Holy Ordos, this power armour is inscribed with pentagrammatic wards in the vaults deep below the [[Tricorn Palace]]. It is highly prized by those who expect to fight [[daemons]] in hand-to-hand combat, and an Inquisitor who allows an [[Acolyte]] access to it must have good (or desperate) reasons. The wards inscribed onto the armour harm Daemonic creatures who directly strike the wearer. The wards are temporary at best, some failing after a single encounter, but servants of the Ordos Malleus regard them as a retributive strike, hoping that with their death they might still weaken or slay such accursed creatures. The power pack used in [[Ordo Malleus]] power armour allows it to operate for a week without recharging. Alternatively, it can be equipped with a power supply like that used by the Adeptus Astartes.{{Fn| | + | Rare even among the Holy Ordos, this power armour is inscribed with pentagrammatic wards in the vaults deep below the [[Tricorn Palace]]. It is highly prized by those who expect to fight [[daemons]] in hand-to-hand combat, and an Inquisitor who allows an [[Acolyte]] access to it must have good (or desperate) reasons. The wards inscribed onto the armour harm Daemonic creatures who directly strike the wearer. The wards are temporary at best, some failing after a single encounter, but servants of the Ordos Malleus regard them as a retributive strike, hoping that with their death they might still weaken or slay such accursed creatures. The power pack used in [[Ordo Malleus]] power armour allows it to operate for a week without recharging. Alternatively, it can be equipped with a power supply like that used by the Adeptus Astartes.{{Fn|7}} |
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
====Delphis Mk.II "Ironclad" Heavy Power Armour==== | ====Delphis Mk.II "Ironclad" Heavy Power Armour==== | ||
| − | [[File:IroncladArmor.jpg|thumb|200px|Delphis Mk.II "Ironclad" Heavy Power Armour{{Fn| | + | [[File:IroncladArmor.jpg|thumb|200px|Delphis Mk.II "Ironclad" Heavy Power Armour{{Fn|5}}]] |
| − | A variant of standard power armour, it features increased personal protection at the cost of agility, with huge plates of [[Plasteel]] covering the flatter areas of the body. Exposed servo-mechanisms run along the legs and arms and elaborate bracing runs across the spine. The helmet is small by comparison and the gauntlets are unwieldy to the point where basic actions beyond wielding a weapon is impossible.The power cell system in the rear has several thermal fins protruding to shed away excess heat. Ranks of power cells mounted on the rear provide 12 hours of continuous operation before recharging is needed, but require a day of recharging after each prolonged use. The suit is also a fully enclosed void suit and incorporates an inbuilt auspex, good craftsmanship photo-visors, an incorporated vox, and a pair of recoil gloves. If the suit becomes unpowered, vents open automatically in the helmet to ensure the wearer does not suffocate.{{Fn| | + | A variant of standard power armour, it features increased personal protection at the cost of agility, with huge plates of [[Plasteel]] covering the flatter areas of the body. Exposed servo-mechanisms run along the legs and arms and elaborate bracing runs across the spine. The helmet is small by comparison and the gauntlets are unwieldy to the point where basic actions beyond wielding a weapon is impossible.The power cell system in the rear has several thermal fins protruding to shed away excess heat. Ranks of power cells mounted on the rear provide 12 hours of continuous operation before recharging is needed, but require a day of recharging after each prolonged use. The suit is also a fully enclosed void suit and incorporates an inbuilt auspex, good craftsmanship photo-visors, an incorporated vox, and a pair of recoil gloves. If the suit becomes unpowered, vents open automatically in the helmet to ensure the wearer does not suffocate.{{Fn|5}} |
| − | Each suit is a personal heirloom item, colourful paintwork and elaborate scrolls delineating the history of the various users cover the surface; some users have also added additional ornamental shields to indicate their personal heraldry. The more ostentatious suits include large retractable poles for flying more elaborate personal banners and their vessel’s blazons. {{Fn| | + | Each suit is a personal heirloom item, colourful paintwork and elaborate scrolls delineating the history of the various users cover the surface; some users have also added additional ornamental shields to indicate their personal heraldry. The more ostentatious suits include large retractable poles for flying more elaborate personal banners and their vessel’s blazons. {{Fn|5}} |
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
===Mechanicus Dragon Scale Armour=== | ===Mechanicus Dragon Scale Armour=== | ||
[[File:Enginseer1.jpg|thumb|200px|A Mechanicus Enginseer]] | [[File:Enginseer1.jpg|thumb|200px|A Mechanicus Enginseer]] | ||
| − | This type of power armour is worn by the tech-priests of the Magos Militant and the [[Enginseers]] seconded to the [[Imperial Guard]]. Each set of dragon scale is individually hand-forged from adamantine and ceramite plating and woven with prayers of permanence and micro-etched with fractal incantations of defense. While offering protection of the finest powered armour, and augmenting the wearer's strength, dragon scale’s greatest advantage is that it is designed to interface directly with the tech-priest’s cybernetic body and draws its power from his potentia coil, never needing to be recharged while worn. The suit's systems include a photo-visor and a respirator. However, the user must have a cybermantle and potentia coil in order to use this type of power armour.{{Fn| | + | This type of power armour is worn by the tech-priests of the Magos Militant and the [[Enginseers]] seconded to the [[Imperial Guard]]. Each set of dragon scale is individually hand-forged from adamantine and ceramite plating and woven with prayers of permanence and micro-etched with fractal incantations of defense. While offering protection of the finest powered armour, and augmenting the wearer's strength, dragon scale’s greatest advantage is that it is designed to interface directly with the tech-priest’s cybernetic body and draws its power from his potentia coil, never needing to be recharged while worn. The suit's systems include a photo-visor and a respirator. However, the user must have a cybermantle and potentia coil in order to use this type of power armour.{{Fn|4a}} |
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
| Line 44: | Line 44: | ||
*Light Power Armour | *Light Power Armour | ||
| − | By reducing the bulk of the ceramite plating, Light Power Armour offers the benefits of servo-boosted strength and a shell of durable ceramite, without sacrificing mobility or nimbleness.{{Fn| | + | By reducing the bulk of the ceramite plating, Light Power Armour offers the benefits of servo-boosted strength and a shell of durable ceramite, without sacrificing mobility or nimbleness.{{Fn|13}} |
*Heavy Power Armour | *Heavy Power Armour | ||
| − | Sacrificing mobility for thicker plating and industrial grade actuators, Heavy Power Armour turns its wearer into a walking tank, capable of striding through a storm of small arms fire without so much as flinching.{{Fn| | + | Sacrificing mobility for thicker plating and industrial grade actuators, Heavy Power Armour turns its wearer into a walking tank, capable of striding through a storm of small arms fire without so much as flinching.{{Fn|13}} |
*Lidhl Light Power Armour | *Lidhl Light Power Armour | ||
| − | Despite its heavily ornamented and impressive visage, this armour it is at the low end of protective value. It sees the most widespread use among the officers of the Scintillan Guard, for it allows a great deal of customisation to better display their heraldry and accomplishments.{{Fn| | + | Despite its heavily ornamented and impressive visage, this armour it is at the low end of protective value. It sees the most widespread use among the officers of the Scintillan Guard, for it allows a great deal of customisation to better display their heraldry and accomplishments.{{Fn|4b}} |
*Stormsuit pattern | *Stormsuit pattern | ||
** {{Main|Arkan Confederates Armour}} | ** {{Main|Arkan Confederates Armour}} | ||
| − | Used by the [[Imperial Guard]]'s Arkan Confederates' Steamblood Zouaves. Stormsuits are powered exoskeletons covered in high quality and resilient carapace armour.{{Fn| | + | Used by the [[Imperial Guard]]'s Arkan Confederates' Steamblood Zouaves. Stormsuits are powered exoskeletons covered in high quality and resilient carapace armour.{{Fn|9}} |
*Zayth Engine Armour | *Zayth Engine Armour | ||
| − | The complicated exoskeletons used by the Engine Orders of [[Zayth]] are marvels of Dark Age technology. While not as advanced as most power armour, Zayth engine armour provides a degree of protection from environmental hazards and its pistons and servos greatly increases the user’s strength. Since no clan would ever willingly trade away even a single one of its irreplaceable suits of Engine Armour, most examples found off world are those salvaged from dead Zaythian cities, casualties of the endless wars. Designed to allow the wearer to operate in the hazardous engine rooms of Zayth's vehicle cities, engine armour also comes equipped with rebreathers capable of sustaining the wearer for up to 10 hours, and its shielding allows the wearer to resist the effects of extreme heat and most forms of electromagnetic radiation. The power cells needed to use the engine armour (without which the exoskeleton is nothing more than dead weight) generally last 10 hours before they must be recharged or replaced.{{Fn| | + | The complicated exoskeletons used by the Engine Orders of [[Zayth]] are marvels of Dark Age technology. While not as advanced as most power armour, Zayth engine armour provides a degree of protection from environmental hazards and its pistons and servos greatly increases the user’s strength. Since no clan would ever willingly trade away even a single one of its irreplaceable suits of Engine Armour, most examples found off world are those salvaged from dead Zaythian cities, casualties of the endless wars. Designed to allow the wearer to operate in the hazardous engine rooms of Zayth's vehicle cities, engine armour also comes equipped with rebreathers capable of sustaining the wearer for up to 10 hours, and its shielding allows the wearer to resist the effects of extreme heat and most forms of electromagnetic radiation. The power cells needed to use the engine armour (without which the exoskeleton is nothing more than dead weight) generally last 10 hours before they must be recharged or replaced.{{Fn|6}} |
==Chaos Space Marines== | ==Chaos Space Marines== | ||
[[File:Chaosspacemarineart.jpg|thumb|200px|a [[Chaos Space Marine]]]] | [[File:Chaosspacemarineart.jpg|thumb|200px|a [[Chaos Space Marine]]]] | ||
| − | At the time of the [[Heresy]], [[Power Armour#Mark II "Crusade Armour"|Crusade-pattern armour]] was in the process of disappearing from the Legions and being replaced by improved iterations of Space Marine power armour. Even so, both sides were forced to reinstate older marks of armour to replace their losses, as well as scavenging from their fallen comrades.{{Fn| | + | At the time of the [[Heresy]], [[Power Armour#Mark II "Crusade Armour"|Crusade-pattern armour]] was in the process of disappearing from the Legions and being replaced by improved iterations of Space Marine power armour. Even so, both sides were forced to reinstate older marks of armour to replace their losses, as well as scavenging from their fallen comrades.{{Fn|16}} |
The armour of the Traitor Legions reflects these turbulent times, often featuring distinctive studded and riveted plasteel | The armour of the Traitor Legions reflects these turbulent times, often featuring distinctive studded and riveted plasteel | ||
| − | plates rather than the smooth ceramite of later designs.{{Fn| | + | plates rather than the smooth ceramite of later designs.{{Fn|16}} |
Exposed power cables blend with sinew and vein and many Chaos Space Marines individualise their armour with crests, | Exposed power cables blend with sinew and vein and many Chaos Space Marines individualise their armour with crests, | ||
| − | horns, skulls chains and spikes. A Chaos Space Marine’s armour will have been changed by long exposure to the [[warp]]. It might sprout spines or bony ridges, be covered in a layer of scales or flicker with coruscating energy{{Fn| | + | horns, skulls chains and spikes. A Chaos Space Marine’s armour will have been changed by long exposure to the [[warp]]. It might sprout spines or bony ridges, be covered in a layer of scales or flicker with coruscating energy{{Fn|16}} |
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
| Line 73: | Line 73: | ||
===Exo-Armour=== | ===Exo-Armour=== | ||
*{{Main|Exo-Armour}} | *{{Main|Exo-Armour}} | ||
| − | [[Exo-Armour]] is extremely durable and advanced Power Armour produced by the [[Squat]]s of the [[Leagues of Votann]]. Often compared to [[Terminator Armour]], it is capable of shrugging off heavy fire and turning its wearer into a living battering ram.{{Fn| | + | [[Exo-Armour]] is extremely durable and advanced Power Armour produced by the [[Squat]]s of the [[Leagues of Votann]]. Often compared to [[Terminator Armour]], it is capable of shrugging off heavy fire and turning its wearer into a living battering ram.{{Fn|15}} |
{{Clear}} | {{Clear}} | ||
===Armour of the Order=== | ===Armour of the Order=== | ||
* {{Main|Armour of the Order}} | * {{Main|Armour of the Order}} | ||
| − | The Knights of [[the Order]] on [[Caliban]] used a rudimentary pattern of power armour, before the arrival of the Emperor. Each suit was handed down from knight to knight and repair/maintained throughout the [[Age of Strife]], being one of the few technologies that the armourers of Caliban retained through the Age of Strife.{{Fn| | + | The Knights of [[the Order]] on [[Caliban]] used a rudimentary pattern of power armour, before the arrival of the Emperor. Each suit was handed down from knight to knight and repair/maintained throughout the [[Age of Strife]], being one of the few technologies that the armourers of Caliban retained through the Age of Strife.{{Fn|10}} |
===The Auretian Technocracy's power armour=== | ===The Auretian Technocracy's power armour=== | ||
| − | The civilization known as the [[Auretian Technocracy]] used a model of power armour for its "Brotherhood" order of soldiers. Each suit of power armour was fully enclosed and coloured a gleaming silver with red/black heraldry on their pauldrons. The power armour was noted as being so similar to Astartes power armour that the release catches on the helmet were in the same location. Unlike Astartes power armour, the Auretian Technocracy's power armour did not require the use of a black carapace, and its wearers were not gene-enhanced. These suits were the product of a still fully functional STC that the Technocracy possessed, thus while the Brotherhood numbered in the millions, they were all armoured with this power armour.{{Fn| | + | The civilization known as the [[Auretian Technocracy]] used a model of power armour for its "Brotherhood" order of soldiers. Each suit of power armour was fully enclosed and coloured a gleaming silver with red/black heraldry on their pauldrons. The power armour was noted as being so similar to Astartes power armour that the release catches on the helmet were in the same location. Unlike Astartes power armour, the Auretian Technocracy's power armour did not require the use of a black carapace, and its wearers were not gene-enhanced. These suits were the product of a still fully functional STC that the Technocracy possessed, thus while the Brotherhood numbered in the millions, they were all armoured with this power armour.{{Fn|11}} |
| − | After the destruction of the Auretian Technocracy, the STC fragment for this power armour was recovered and presented to the Mechanicum as a new pattern of Astartes power armour.{{Fn| | + | After the destruction of the Auretian Technocracy, the STC fragment for this power armour was recovered and presented to the Mechanicum as a new pattern of Astartes power armour.{{Fn|12}} |
===Dulanian power armour=== | ===Dulanian power armour=== | ||
| − | The Faash (the military cadre of the non-Imperial human civilisation known as the [[Dulanian]]s) employed a type of reactor-driven power armour utilised by their [[Scarabine]] mechanised troopers. This heavy armour incorporated internal shield generators and [[chem-stimm]] dispensers and featured built-in arm-mounted weapons, typically [[interference gun]]s or [[lasgun]]s and [[power gauntlet]]s.{{Fn| | + | The Faash (the military cadre of the non-Imperial human civilisation known as the [[Dulanian]]s) employed a type of reactor-driven power armour utilised by their [[Scarabine]] mechanised troopers. This heavy armour incorporated internal shield generators and [[chem-stimm]] dispensers and featured built-in arm-mounted weapons, typically [[interference gun]]s or [[lasgun]]s and [[power gauntlet]]s.{{Fn|14}} |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 100: | Line 100: | ||
<div style="column-count:2;font-size:85%"> | <div style="column-count:2;font-size:85%"> | ||
*{{Endn|1}}: [[White Dwarf 129 (UK)]], ''Space Marine Armour'', reprinted in [[Warhammer 40,000: Compilation]] | *{{Endn|1}}: [[White Dwarf 129 (UK)]], ''Space Marine Armour'', reprinted in [[Warhammer 40,000: Compilation]] | ||
| − | + | *{{Endn|2}}: [[Rogue Trader Rulebook]], pg. 139 | |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|3}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two]], pgs. 168-169 |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *4: [[Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook]]: |
| − | + | **{{Endn|4a}}: pg. 137 | |
| − | * | + | **{{Endn|4b}}: pg. 181 |
| − | **{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|5}}: [[Rogue Trader: Into the Storm]], pg. 129 |
| − | **{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|6}}: [[Rogue Trader: Faith and Coin]], pg. 93 |
| − | + | *{{Endn|7}}: [[Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter]], pg. 71 | |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|8}}: [[Codex: Sisters of Silence (7th Edition)]] - ''Bane of the Unholy'' |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|9}}: [[Fire Caste (Novel)]] |
| − | + | *{{Endn|10}}: [[Descent of Angels (Novel)]], Prelude | |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|11}}: [[False Gods (Novel)]], Chapter Eighteen |
| − | + | *{{Endn|12}}: [[Mechanicum (Novel)]], Chapter 1.04 | |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|13}}: [[Wrath & Glory]] (2e), pg. 234 |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|14}}: [[Leman Russ: The Great Wolf (Novel)]], Chapter II |
| − | + | *{{Endn|15}}: [[Codex: Leagues of Votann (9th Edition)]], pg. 20 | |
| − | *{{Endn| | + | *{{Endn|16}}: [[Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Edition)]], pg. 63 |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | *{{Endn| | ||
| − | *{{Endn| | ||
| − | |||
| − | *{{Endn| | ||
| − | *{{Endn| | ||
| − | *{{Endn| | ||
| − | |||
| − | *{{Endn| | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | |||
[[Category:Armour]] | [[Category:Armour]] | ||
Revision as of 17:13, 19 May 2024
| Energy Fields: Conversion field - Refractor field - Displacer field - Stasis field | Armour: Flak - Carapace - Powered - Artificer - Terminator |
Power Armour is worn primarily by the Space Marines, Sisters of Battle, Adeptus Custodes and the Chaos Space Marines. It is a completely enclosed suit of armour, made of thick ceramite plates. The armour would be heavy and cumbersome to wear but for the electrically motivated fibre bundles within the armour that replicate the wearer's movement and enhance his/her strength.[1]
Imperium
Space Marine Power Armour
Space Marine Power Armour is an extraordinarily sophisticated defensive system which combines huge resistance to physical damage with a sensory array and sealed environment which protects its wearer from the ravages of the void and alien atmospheres. Integrated with the armour are networks of electro-motivated fibre bundles which mimic and augment the muscular strength of the wearer. The true genius of the design, however, lies in its close integration with the already superhuman physiology, senses and reflexes of the Space Marine within. Working in concert, armour and Astartes together become a weapon without equal.[3]
Sisters of Battle Power Armour
The Sisters of Battle use a version of power armour designed for the human shape and size, known as Sororitas Power Armour.
Adeptus Custodes Power Armour
The Adeptus Custodes are clad in finely wrought golden armour. Their Power Armour is made from Auramite as opposed to Ceramite.
Vratine Power Armour
Vratine Armour is a type of armour used by the Sisters of Silence. which shares design elements with both the power armour of the Space Marines and the silicate-mesh of Selenite void-mail[8]
Inquisition
Power armour is also favored for use by agents of the Inquisition and those individuals wealthy enough to afford one, such as Rogue Traders. These suits of armour enhance the user's strength, allow for operation in hostile environments, and include auxiliary systems such as vox-links and auto-senses. Like the Adepta Sororitas though, the lack of a Black Carapace means these users cannot fully interface with their power armour and so do not enjoy the same strength enhancements and other advanced support systems typical to Astartes power armour.[2]
Malleus Power Armour
Rare even among the Holy Ordos, this power armour is inscribed with pentagrammatic wards in the vaults deep below the Tricorn Palace. It is highly prized by those who expect to fight daemons in hand-to-hand combat, and an Inquisitor who allows an Acolyte access to it must have good (or desperate) reasons. The wards inscribed onto the armour harm Daemonic creatures who directly strike the wearer. The wards are temporary at best, some failing after a single encounter, but servants of the Ordos Malleus regard them as a retributive strike, hoping that with their death they might still weaken or slay such accursed creatures. The power pack used in Ordo Malleus power armour allows it to operate for a week without recharging. Alternatively, it can be equipped with a power supply like that used by the Adeptus Astartes.[7]
Delphis Mk.II "Ironclad" Heavy Power Armour
A variant of standard power armour, it features increased personal protection at the cost of agility, with huge plates of Plasteel covering the flatter areas of the body. Exposed servo-mechanisms run along the legs and arms and elaborate bracing runs across the spine. The helmet is small by comparison and the gauntlets are unwieldy to the point where basic actions beyond wielding a weapon is impossible.The power cell system in the rear has several thermal fins protruding to shed away excess heat. Ranks of power cells mounted on the rear provide 12 hours of continuous operation before recharging is needed, but require a day of recharging after each prolonged use. The suit is also a fully enclosed void suit and incorporates an inbuilt auspex, good craftsmanship photo-visors, an incorporated vox, and a pair of recoil gloves. If the suit becomes unpowered, vents open automatically in the helmet to ensure the wearer does not suffocate.[5]
Each suit is a personal heirloom item, colourful paintwork and elaborate scrolls delineating the history of the various users cover the surface; some users have also added additional ornamental shields to indicate their personal heraldry. The more ostentatious suits include large retractable poles for flying more elaborate personal banners and their vessel’s blazons. [5]
Mechanicus Dragon Scale Armour
This type of power armour is worn by the tech-priests of the Magos Militant and the Enginseers seconded to the Imperial Guard. Each set of dragon scale is individually hand-forged from adamantine and ceramite plating and woven with prayers of permanence and micro-etched with fractal incantations of defense. While offering protection of the finest powered armour, and augmenting the wearer's strength, dragon scale’s greatest advantage is that it is designed to interface directly with the tech-priest’s cybernetic body and draws its power from his potentia coil, never needing to be recharged while worn. The suit's systems include a photo-visor and a respirator. However, the user must have a cybermantle and potentia coil in order to use this type of power armour.[4a]
Other Imperial Designs
- Light Power Armour
By reducing the bulk of the ceramite plating, Light Power Armour offers the benefits of servo-boosted strength and a shell of durable ceramite, without sacrificing mobility or nimbleness.[13]
- Heavy Power Armour
Sacrificing mobility for thicker plating and industrial grade actuators, Heavy Power Armour turns its wearer into a walking tank, capable of striding through a storm of small arms fire without so much as flinching.[13]
- Lidhl Light Power Armour
Despite its heavily ornamented and impressive visage, this armour it is at the low end of protective value. It sees the most widespread use among the officers of the Scintillan Guard, for it allows a great deal of customisation to better display their heraldry and accomplishments.[4b]
- Stormsuit pattern
Used by the Imperial Guard's Arkan Confederates' Steamblood Zouaves. Stormsuits are powered exoskeletons covered in high quality and resilient carapace armour.[9]
- Zayth Engine Armour
The complicated exoskeletons used by the Engine Orders of Zayth are marvels of Dark Age technology. While not as advanced as most power armour, Zayth engine armour provides a degree of protection from environmental hazards and its pistons and servos greatly increases the user’s strength. Since no clan would ever willingly trade away even a single one of its irreplaceable suits of Engine Armour, most examples found off world are those salvaged from dead Zaythian cities, casualties of the endless wars. Designed to allow the wearer to operate in the hazardous engine rooms of Zayth's vehicle cities, engine armour also comes equipped with rebreathers capable of sustaining the wearer for up to 10 hours, and its shielding allows the wearer to resist the effects of extreme heat and most forms of electromagnetic radiation. The power cells needed to use the engine armour (without which the exoskeleton is nothing more than dead weight) generally last 10 hours before they must be recharged or replaced.[6]
Chaos Space Marines
At the time of the Heresy, Crusade-pattern armour was in the process of disappearing from the Legions and being replaced by improved iterations of Space Marine power armour. Even so, both sides were forced to reinstate older marks of armour to replace their losses, as well as scavenging from their fallen comrades.[16]
The armour of the Traitor Legions reflects these turbulent times, often featuring distinctive studded and riveted plasteel plates rather than the smooth ceramite of later designs.[16]
Exposed power cables blend with sinew and vein and many Chaos Space Marines individualise their armour with crests, horns, skulls chains and spikes. A Chaos Space Marine’s armour will have been changed by long exposure to the warp. It might sprout spines or bony ridges, be covered in a layer of scales or flicker with coruscating energy[16]
Non-Imperial Power Armour
Exo-Armour
Exo-Armour is extremely durable and advanced Power Armour produced by the Squats of the Leagues of Votann. Often compared to Terminator Armour, it is capable of shrugging off heavy fire and turning its wearer into a living battering ram.[15]
Armour of the Order
The Knights of the Order on Caliban used a rudimentary pattern of power armour, before the arrival of the Emperor. Each suit was handed down from knight to knight and repair/maintained throughout the Age of Strife, being one of the few technologies that the armourers of Caliban retained through the Age of Strife.[10]
The Auretian Technocracy's power armour
The civilization known as the Auretian Technocracy used a model of power armour for its "Brotherhood" order of soldiers. Each suit of power armour was fully enclosed and coloured a gleaming silver with red/black heraldry on their pauldrons. The power armour was noted as being so similar to Astartes power armour that the release catches on the helmet were in the same location. Unlike Astartes power armour, the Auretian Technocracy's power armour did not require the use of a black carapace, and its wearers were not gene-enhanced. These suits were the product of a still fully functional STC that the Technocracy possessed, thus while the Brotherhood numbered in the millions, they were all armoured with this power armour.[11]
After the destruction of the Auretian Technocracy, the STC fragment for this power armour was recovered and presented to the Mechanicum as a new pattern of Astartes power armour.[12]
Dulanian power armour
The Faash (the military cadre of the non-Imperial human civilisation known as the Dulanians) employed a type of reactor-driven power armour utilised by their Scarabine mechanised troopers. This heavy armour incorporated internal shield generators and chem-stimm dispensers and featured built-in arm-mounted weapons, typically interference guns or lasguns and power gauntlets.[14]
See also
- Armour
- Artificer Armour
- Space Marine Equipment (List)
- Lorica Thallax
- Servo-rig
- Titanshard Armour
- Void Hardened Armour
Sources
- 1: White Dwarf 129 (UK), Space Marine Armour, reprinted in Warhammer 40,000: Compilation
- 2: Rogue Trader Rulebook, pg. 139
- 3: Imperial Armour Volume Ten - The Badab War - Part Two, pgs. 168-169
- 4: Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook:
- 5: Rogue Trader: Into the Storm, pg. 129
- 6: Rogue Trader: Faith and Coin, pg. 93
- 7: Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter, pg. 71
- 8: Codex: Sisters of Silence (7th Edition) - Bane of the Unholy
- 9: Fire Caste (Novel)
- 10: Descent of Angels (Novel), Prelude
- 11: False Gods (Novel), Chapter Eighteen
- 12: Mechanicum (Novel), Chapter 1.04
- 13: Wrath & Glory (2e), pg. 234
- 14: Leman Russ: The Great Wolf (Novel), Chapter II
- 15: Codex: Leagues of Votann (9th Edition), pg. 20
- 16: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Edition), pg. 63
