| Ranged | Close Combat |
|---|---|
|
Electric • Arc • Tesla • Flame • Gauss • Graviton • Grenade • Ion/Plasma • Laser • Melta • Missile • Bolt • Ordnance • Projectile • Grenade launcher • Monofilament/Web • Sonic • Volkite |
Chain • Force • Electric • Arc • Taser • Power • Miscellaneous |
Force weapons are advanced, psychically-attuned close combat weapons that are only fully effective in the hands of a psyker. The name of the weapon derived from the word "the force" — common term for psyching energy and its use.[4a] Force weapons effectively act as deadly, psychic extensions of the wielder's own powers. They are designed to allow a psyker to channel deadly warp energies into their victim, acting as a conduit between the wielder's mind and the flesh of their target.[Needs Citation]
Large alien monstrosities and daemons that are resilient to conventional weapons can be slain outright by a single wound, as their bodies and minds are destroyed by the unearthly powers of the Immaterium.[Needs Citation]
Force weapons take the form of swords, spears, or other close combat weapons. Within the structure of the weapon is interwoven a powerful psi-convector, formed into a precise serpentine shape which concentrates and directs psychic energy. This sometimes appears as a pattern on the blade. If a non-psyker takes up such a weapon, it functions as a standard weapon.[4b]
Types of force weapons
Force weapon
The basic force weapon is used by psykers of all races, often taking the form of a sword, axe, or staff.
Force rod
Force rods are black rods of alien origin which act as psychic batteries. Psykers may store their psychic energy in the rod to be used in the future, giving the individual an additional source of energy in combat. The rod is used as a normal force weapon in combat, with an additional bonus of being able to break protective psychic auras on contact, on top of that the wielder may draw the stored psychic energy from the rod to increase the power of the attack.[4b][7] Force rods are in some ways analogous to null rods.
Nemesis Force Weapon
Nemesis force weapons are used by the Grey Knights, who are all psykers, as well as some psychic Inquisitors of the Ordo Malleus, such as Torquemada Coteaz. The power unleashed by a Nemesis weapon is directly proportional to the individual wielder's own psychic capacity.[2]
Witch Weapons
- A singing spear is an Eldar force weapon similar to the Witchblade, but which can be thrown, returning automatically to the wielder's hand.[3a]
- Witchblades are Eldar force weapons wielded by Farseers and Warlocks.[3a]
- Witch staves function in much the same way as witchblades but are preferred by Spiritseers.
Other Aeldari Force Weapons
- Miststaves are force weapons wielded by Shadowseers.
- Wraithspears are wielded by Wraithseers; it is not clear if they are force weapons or not.
Unique force weapons
- Barbarisater — Carried by Gregor Eisenhorn
- The Black Staff of Ahriman, used by Chaos Sorcerer Ahriman of the Thousand Sons[6].
- The Blade of Ahn-Nunurta carried by the Primarch Magnus
- The Malleus Argyrum carried by Grey Knights Grand Master Voldus
- The Manreaper used by Typhus of the Death Guard. Shaped like a giant scythe, it is also blessed by Nurgle to infect those it touches.[6]
- The Rod of Tigurius, used by Chief Librarian Varro Tigurius of the Ultramarines[5].
- The Staff of Kelmon, belonging to Kelmon Firesight of Craftworld Iyanden[11]
- The Staff of Ulthamar, carried by Eldrad Ulthran of Craftworld Ulthwe[3a]
- The Thunder of Asgard, owned by the Space Wolves[13]
- The Titansword carried by Grey Knights Supreme Grand Master Kaldor Draigo
- The Traitor's Bane, used by Chief Librarian Ezekiel of the Dark Angels[8].
- Vinculum Vitae - Force Sword[10]
- The force sword Vitarus, used by Chief Librarian Mephiston of the Blood Angels[14].
- The Mindkiller Staff, located somewhere in the Koronus Expanse, could empower a psyker with every enemy slain and even allowed psychic powers to affect the otherwise immune Necrons [15].
Related articles
Sources
 |
- 1: Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook[Needs Citation]
- 2: Codex: Daemonhunters (3rd Edition)[Needs Citation]
- 3: Codex: Eldar (4th Edition)
- 4: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
- 5: Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition)[Needs Citation]
- 6: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition)[Needs Citation]
- 7: Warhammer 40,000: Battle Manual (1992)[Needs Citation]
- 8: Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition)[Needs Citation]
- 9: Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook, pg. 58
- 10: Psychic Awakening: Faith and Fury, pg.36
- 11: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution: Staff of Kelmon, wargear selection screen
- 12: Conquest 08 — Librarius Armoury - Force Weapon, pg. 6
- 13: Horus Heresy (game system): Promo Cards - Thunder of Asgard, card description
- 14: Psychic Awakening: Blood of Baal, pg.35
- 15: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (Video Game)
