Wave Serpent
The Wave Serpent is the Craftworld Eldar's main troop transport. Based upon the Falcon grav-tank chassis, it uses powerful anti-gravitic engines to deliver its cargo of Guardians and Aspect Warriors to any part of the battlefield. Its ability to travel all but the smallest Webway routes, and the tremendous speed with which it can operate, puts the Wave Serpent as possibly the best troop transport in the galaxy.[1][2][3][4]
Technical Information
Chief among the Wave Serpent's many advantages is its ability to project an uniquely powerful energy field just in front of its bow. Field projector fins studded along the craft's wings create a shimmering wave of energy along the prow of the Wave Serpent to absorb and dissapate enemy shots.[3][5a] This energy field is strong enough to deflect shrapnel from artillery blasts[2] and renders small arms fire ineffectual, including Space Marine Bolters.[6] However when flying in tight formation multiple Wave Serpents can combine their fields together to not only create a reinforced barrier but turn it into a potent offensive weapon. At close range the shimmering energy field can be released in a tsunami-like wave which, while rarely lethal, can disorient and sometimes paralysis living creatures and overload delicate circuitry.[5a]
Weapons carried by the Wave Serpent are more than capable of providing supporting fire for its deploying passengers. A small remotely-operated turret can mount twin-linked Bright Lances, Eldar Missile Launchers, Scatter Lasers, Shuriken Cannons or Starcannons. Chin-mounted twin-linked Shuriken Catapults provide additional anti-infantry firepower, although these too can be replaced with a single Shuriken Cannon. Control of these weapons and of the craft itself is handled by a single pilot.[3][5a] As with all Eldar vehicles the Wave Serpent is constructed of Wraithbone and other psycho-plastics formed by Bonesingers. Specially attuned to the Eldar's natural psychic talents, the use of the material makes it impossible for other races to copy or operate the vehicle.[5b]
Within the rear of the Wave Serpent is its transport compartment, which is large enough to accommodate twelve fully-equipped Aspect Warriors and Guardians or up to five Wraithguard along with two accompanying Eldar. In addition some Wave Serpents are upgraded to include Star Engines, Spirit Stones and Vectored Engines.[3][5a]
Technical Information[2] | |||
Length | 11.25m | ||
Height | 3.62m | ||
Wingspan | 7.31m | ||
Estimated Weight | 10 tonnes | ||
Armour | 10-15mm material unknown | ||
Combat Speed | 80 kph | ||
Estimated Max Speed | 800 kph | ||
Crew | 1 Pilot | ||
Transport | 10 | ||
Armament | Varies; Twin-Linked Bright Lances & Twin-linked Shuriken Catapults | ||
Main Ammunition | Estimated 4000 shots from main power pack |
Images
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), Pg. 12
- 2: Imperial Armour II, Pg. 10
- 3: Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), Pg. 45
- 4: Epic Swordwind, Pg. 21
- 5: Imperial Armour Volume Eleven - The Doom of Mymeara
- 6: Know Thine Enemy (Short Story) by Gav Thorpe — Let The Galaxy Burn (Anthology), Pg. 298
- 7: Codex: Craftworlds (7th Edition) Grav-Tanks
Craftworld Eldar Vehicles | |
---|---|
Light Vehicles | Jetbike (Raptor Jetbike) • Vyper • Hornet |
Walkers | War Walker • Wraithguard • Wraithlord • Wraithseer • Wasp Assault Walker |
Grav-Tanks | Falcon • Fire Prism • Night Spinner • Firestorm • Warp Hunter • Wave Serpent • Fireheart |
Artillery | Support Weapon Batteries (D-Cannon • Vibro Cannon • Shadow Weaver) |
Super-Heavy Vehicles | Cobra • Scorpion • Void Spinner • Storm Serpent • Lynx • Deathstalker • Tempest |
Super-Heavy Walkers | Wraithknight • Eldar Knight • Revenant Titan • Phantom Titan • Warlock Titan |
Aircraft | Nightwing • Crimson Hunter (Nightshade) • Phoenix • Vampire Raider • Vampire Hunter • Hemlock • Dawnsail • Ghostlance |