Krios
The Krios Battle Tank is a Battle Tank of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Overview
A pattern originating on Mars whose genesis is lost to the earliest days of the Mechanicum, the Krios uses numerous arcane integrated systems well outside the purview of most STC construction facilities to build or maintain, so despite its age and proven record in the Mechanicum's arsenals, it has never seen service outside the Taghmata Omnissiah and Skitarius. Comparable in many ways in function and tactical role to the Predator tank more widely used by Imperial forces, it lacks a flexible turret mount for its main armament, but makes up for this disadvantage with its greater speed and manoeuvrability.[4]
In marked contrast to more conventional armoured vehicles, its durability is provided by interlocking defensive Energy Fields, and in some cases potent Flare Shield generators, rather than physical armour, lending it a deceptively skeletal appearance. Unsurprisingly, given its long service history, many armament patterns and hull variants of the Krios exist but the most common mount a variety of heavy energy weapons unique to the Mechanicum, such as the Lightning Cannon, its most common armament,[3] Irradiation Blasters[5] and Pulsar-Fusils.[4] It can also mount Hunter-Killer Missiles, a pair of Volkite Sentinels, Smoke Launchers and an Arbaric Claw.[4]
The Krios is the most common Mechanicum battle tank and possesses great speed and maneuverability, and can provide valuable line-anchoring element to Taghmata Omnissiah forces.[3] It further possesses Blessed Autosimulacra for self repairs, and can be fitted with Extra Armour[4]
Krios Venator
This common[4] variant of the Krios adapts the tank into a powerful tank destroyer by replacing its lightning cannon with a Pulsar-Fusil. This ancient and complex weapons system is a relic of the Dark Age of Technology and its secrets are jealously guarded by those who possess them.[2]
Images
- Models
Krios Battle Tank[1]
Plastic Krios Battle Tank (2025)[5]
Krios Venator[2]
Plastic Krios Venator (2025)[5]
Sources
- 1: Forge World Mechanicum Krios (last accessed 21 May 2015)
- 2: Forge World Mechanicum Krios Venator (last accessed 21 May 2015)
- 3: Legions Imperialis: Rise of the Dark Mechanicum, pg. 110
- 4: The Horus Heresy Book Three - Extermination, pg. 228
- 5: Warhammer Community: Heresy Thursday – Mechanicum heavy support (Posted on (06/02/25) (Accessed 06 February 2025)
- 6: Warhammer Community saved page (last accessed 7/2/2025)
