Land Raider Variants (updated designs, added fluff)

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Edit:

I Legion, the Dark Angels: Achilles Mortem:

Primary Weapon [Hull Mount]: Demolisher Siege Cannon
Secondary Weapons [sponsoon Mounts]: Flamestorm Cannons / Twin-Linked Multi-Meltas

When the schematics for adapting the MKIIb Land Raider Phobos chassis into the ‘Achilles’ variant arrived with the 1st Legion, Warsmith Ozul had already tasked his techmarines with repurposing the new designs with Perturabo’s blessing, details of which were spreading as quickly amongst the Legions as the schematics upon which they relied.

However, the artificers of the Dark Angels immediately started converting a number of their existing Phobos Land Raiders according to the new templates, experimenting with installing different weapons systems within the new hull mount, whilst ordering production of Achilles hulls from their supplying Forge Worlds. Within the 4th Legion, progress was much slower – the Iron Warriors’ distrust of the Imperial Fists from whom the schematic originated meant they rigorously tested the designs, looking for any sign of fault or flaw.

By the time Ozul had approved the Iron Warrior’s redesign for prototype manufacture, christened the Reductor, the 1st Legion was already field testing their ‘Achilles Mortem’, featuring a hull mounted demolisher cannon due to its relative simplicity, and the Enginseers’ experience with mounting it upon a variety of armoured vehicles. When Perturabo discovered this, he ordered his artificers co-opt the designs, reprimanding Ozul for his laxness. The only change the 4th Legion made to the Dark Angels’ new variant was the replacement of its sponsoon Flamestorm cannons – originating with the Predator Infernus – with twin linked multi-meltas, dedicating the vehicle as a true siege tank.

The 1st Legion primarily used the new Achilles mortem to deliver elite units to crucial enemy-held chokepoints, able to smash apart defences with its Demolisher cannon and flush out infantry with its powerful flame weapons. The Iron Warriors used the Mortem in a much less approved strategy, using its armour-shattering weapons to tear open fortifications in order to unleash the censured brutality of destroyer squads upon the heart of enemy garrisons, purging their strongholds from within.

It has been suggested that the Land Raider ‘Ares’, a battle tank occasionally accompanying forces of the ‘Unforgiven’ Chapters, may have been based upon the designs for the Achilles Mortem.

X Legion, the Iron Hands: Achilles Dominus:

Primary Weapon [Hull Mounted]: Graviton Cannon
Secondary Weapons [sponsoon Mounted]: Twin-linked: Lascannons / Multi-meltas / Volkite Culverins

When the Forge Worlds and Forge Masters of the 10th Legion received the Imperial Fists schematics for the Land Raider Achilles, alongside information regarding the Iron Warriors’ intent to re-purpose said designs, the Iron Hands had an unmatched reputation for mechanised warfare. True to this, Ferrus Manus ordered the complete and extensive integration of the new designs into the Legion’s armoured divisions, as well as the development of specialised variants utilising the newly adopted weapon mount.

With their unrivalled relationship with the Mechanicus, the 10th possessed a huge stockpile of weaponry that would be considered esoteric and rare amongst the other Legions. The Achilles Dominus took advantage of this, featuring the tank-shattering power of a Graviton Cannon as its primary weapon. In the years to come, the Dominus would be used to counter mechanised threats, blasting into the heart of enemy armoured echelons to bring the power of a small contingent of heavy support marines to bear, scattering their opponent’s war engines and allowing them to be destroyed piecemeal.

Achilles Nox:

Primary Weapon [Hull Mounted]: Vulcan Megabolter
Secondary Weapons [sponsoon Mounted]: Twin-linked Autocannons

Possessing modified designs for multiple variants of the Achilles as well as the original, the Forge Lords of the 12th Legion bade their Forge Worlds modify the Achilles with enhanced anti-infantry firepower, sufficient to carve a path into the heart of an enemy horde to release the World Eaters’ most bloodthirsty warriors.

Bearing the terrifying Vulcan Mega Bolter, the Achilles Nox could turn an enemy infantry force to paste in a matter of seconds, tearing through the ubiquitous heavy bolter shells at a monstrous rate. If an Achilles Nox was fielded, it undoubtedly carried some of the 12th Legion’s most unhinged warriors, who would often leap from the accelerating war engine as it tore into infantry formations.

Achilles Terminus:

Primary Weapon [Hull Mounted]: Laser Destroyer
Secondary Weapons [sponsoon Mounted]: Twin-linked Lascannons

The muse of decorated tank commander Jarius Frey, the Achilles Terminus was the result of his petition to Guilliman to have the 13th Legion’s techmarines repurpose the Land Raider Achilles into a dedicated tank hunter and Astartes command tank.

Carrying enough laser weapons to burn through the void shields of a scout Titan, the Terminus mounted the deadly Laser Destroyer battery upon its hull, which – alongside its sponsoon lascannons – allowed it to act as a spearhead to Ultramarines’ armoured forces, tearing through any mechanised formation capable of damaging it. Its small transport capacity was often utilised by the division’s commander and staff, allowing him to coordinate the accompanying vehicles and monitor the overall combat. If part of a smaller division, the Terminus could transport a small Tactical Support unit to purge the wrecks of enemy vehicles it had left in its wake, or bear a techmarine to maintain the valued engine of war.

It is generally believed the modified STC for the Achilles Terminus would later be used to develop the inferior Terminus Ultra Land Raider.

For a while now I've been thinking about modelling some variants on the MKIIb Land Raider Achilles model after it is released. After having a look at the new FW catalogue supplement, with the Achilles Alpha, I realised that variants on the design might actually be fluffy.

The idea is that after the Imperial Fists modified the MKIIb Land Raider to mount the large thunderfire cannon on the chassis, they would have disseminated the designs to the other Legions & Forge Worlds, allowing for different weapon systems to be mounted upon the hull once the modified chassis had been produced.

I like the idea because it allows different Legions to have their own variants, which others could obviously have access to, but in lesser quantities.

However, FW stuff is pricey, so I'd only do a couple of the more feasible variants - I might even decide not to convert those. To that end, I made a couple of quick MS paint mock-ups of the Raiders.

If I could get some feedback on which would be the most likely / interesting from you guys, that would be very useful

[Reichfaust]

As someone who owns a kit-bashed LR Ares, I can safely say I would happily trade the Assault Cannons & Heavy Flamers for Flamestorm Cannons! Of course, no-one lets me use it as is, so I doubt that would help my cause much :lol:

 

I'm a firm believer that you should build what you love, so if you want the Achilles Nox the best I say go for it! The Mega-Bolter is woefully underrepresented on the table considering how cool it is (the pathetic one strapped to Dark Angel's flyer hardly counts!). What kind of Volkite weapons are those? I am not super familiar with HH stuff.

[Honda]

As a fellow LR aficionado, these all look pretty cool. The ones that stand out the most to me are the:

 

1. The Achilles Mortem

2. The Achilles Nox

 

On the Nox, I might consider adding autocannon sponsons just for a little variety, but those two really stand out to me the most.

 

Looking forward to seeing what you do with these and I just might have to take on a couple of these myself.

 

Cheers,

[Max Power]

These are awesome, brother. As I am a convent to the ways of the Iron Tenth, and a treadhead, I'm all over the Dominus.

 

Thanks for sharing your creativity!

[daveNYC]

I'm not so sure about sticking an indirect fire artillery piece on a close range assault vehicle.

[spu00sed]

I'm loving them.

 

What about quad heavy bolters for the nox? The Prometheus variant has them.

[depthcharge12]

Like the sicaran variants I want a raider with volkite so out the wazoo

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Thanks for all the feedback, glad they don't seem too far-fetched. Admittedly, I don't do any gaming so I'm completely unaware of how effective any of this stuff would actually be

On the Nox, I might consider adding autocannon sponsons just for a little variety, but those two really stand out to me the most.

Your wish is my command :P - edited the 1st post

I prefer the autocannons honestly. Non-energy weapons would probably be more reliable & easier to maintain, and seeing as this is an assult vehicle, usually in the thinck of the fighting, that would probably be pretty important. Plus I think the image of a massive iron beast spewing metal is an image kinda appropriate to the World Eaters.

I'm not so sure about sticking an indirect fire artillery piece on a close range assault vehicle.

Well, the rationale I suppose is that when you remove the transport capacity, it no longer has to function as a close assault vehicle. I suppose the reductor could be seen as a heavy support vehicle, with both anti infantry and vehicle capabilities, with the lascannons having a range appropriate for the main weapon. Seeing as the ordnance is a seige gun, it could be used as a seige tank, with the armour to goe toe-to-toe with heavy emplacements. That, or a long-range support tank where protecting vulnerable artillery units is impossible, so you need your ordnance to look after itself so to speak.

Then again, I am by no means a gamer, so I have no idea of how useful any of this stuff would be :P

I'm loving them.

What about quad heavy bolters for the nox? The Prometheus variant has them.

Unfortunately there's no way in hell you could fit those on the MKIIb sponsoon mounts, and seeing as this is supposed to be latter great crusade / heresy era, keeping those mounts is pretty important, as Im pretty sure the 'newer' sponsoon mountings weren't in production. Also, seeing as the vulcan megabolter uses heavy bolter ammo, I think it kinda makes more sense to have a different form of secondary ammo, considering the speed the main weapon would exhaust ammunition.

Thanks for the input though brother, glad you like them

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Okay, I've realised how unlikely its is that I'll actually get around to building any of these, but when the Achilles Alpha was released I knew I had to make some better mock-ups of the designs, just on the off chance that anyone liked the designs enough to build their own.

 

I also thought I'd add some fluff for each of the Achilles variants, to explain / justify their creation.

 

The removal of the Reductor is basically becuase up until I read the Achilles Alpha's experimental rules, I assumed the Achilles didn't have transport capacity. Realising its still a transport tank, I concured with daveNYC that an artillery piece was kinda out of place, and theorised that the Mortem would probably suit the Iron Warriors heavy siege tank needs.

 

As always, any C&C / feedback is welcome, thanks fer lookin'

[Lord Lorne Walkier]

Well as a fellow Landite i must say HERESY!!!! 

 

When i first read your post my jaw dropped.  I thought finally they let the gamers control the action over at Forge World.  I was looking for the link but then figured out it was all your idea.  Oh well.  I LOVE IT.  I think i love your fluff more then the pictures as great as they are.   You should submit this. 

 

The highlight for me model wise is the Megabolter on the Nox.  I have created my own Landraider.  The Piecemaker.  It has the duel quad Heavy Bolters form the Prometheus with further duel turret mounted Heavy Bolters (Like the Terminus Ultra has Lascannons).  Add to that hull mounted twin Linked Heavy Boilters from the Phobos.  When i saw your Vulken i was like WHAT!!!!  Upgrade time.  

 

The 2nd loveliest thing is your Dominus.  Man that thing just looks pure Evil.  That Graviton Cannon is almost beyond words. The Twin Linked Plas Cannons i would buy just on look alone.

 

My least favorite part of your heresy is the Terminus.  I would stay away from that name as it is already used, (Terminus- Ultra).  I don't see a large difference  in the effectiveness of one over the other.

 

Anyhoo keep up the great work!

[Nakuth]

Possible suggestion for a Salamanders variant: The Land Raider Achilles Drake.

- magna-melta/twin-linked magna-melta hard point.

- twin-linked multi-meltas/flamestorm cannon sponsons.

- possible ram-prow/siege shield option.

- Used as part of a hammer. Think a Caestus assault ram in LR format (sort of). Transports a small contingent of Pyroclasts into the heart of the enemy/breaching fortifications where the Pyroclasts can then put their flamers to good use, clearing the way for the rest of the Salamanders force.

[coloroutofspace]

How about Achilles Dominus with Graviton Cannon AND twin-linked Graviton Gun sponsons?

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Possible suggestion for a Salamanders variant: The Land Raider Achilles Drake.

- magna-melta/twin-linked magna-melta hard point.

- twin-linked multi-meltas/flamestorm cannon sponsons.

- possible ram-prow/siege shield option.

- Used as part of a hammer. Think a Caestus assault ram in LR format (sort of). Transports a small contingent of Pyroclasts into the heart of the enemy/breaching fortifications where the Pyroclasts can then put their flamers to good use, clearing the way for the rest of the Salamanders force.

Sounds pretty cool - originally I had the idea of a salamander version without transport capacity at all, armed with the massive flamer that this has. However, I held off becasue it might be just a bit too big for a land raider. However, your version sounds pretty cool, I might give editing a pic of it a go at some point, if I can find some pics of the magna-melta at an appropriate angle. Tbh, I think the achilles uber frontal armour might make having a ram a bit pointless [and that has nothing to do with it being annoying to edit onto my existing template :P ]

Well as a fellow Landite i must say HERESY!!!!

When i first read your post my jaw dropped. I thought finally they let the gamers control the action over at Forge World. I was looking for the link but then figured out it was all your idea. Oh well. I LOVE IT. I think i love your fluff more then the pictures as great as they are. You should submit this.

The highlight for me model wise is the Megabolter on the Nox. I have created my own Landraider. The Piecemaker. It has the duel quad Heavy Bolters form the Prometheus with further duel turret mounted Heavy Bolters (Like the Terminus Ultra has Lascannons). Add to that hull mounted twin Linked Heavy Boilters from the Phobos. When i saw your Vulken i was like WHAT!!!! Upgrade time.

The 2nd loveliest thing is your Dominus. Man that thing just looks pure Evil. That Graviton Cannon is almost beyond words. The Twin Linked Plas Cannons i would buy just on look alone.

My least favorite part of your heresy is the Terminus. I would stay away from that name as it is already used, (Terminus- Ultra). I don't see a large difference in the effectiveness of one over the other.

Anyhoo keep up the great work!

Thanks brother - to be honest both the Mortis & the Terminus were effectively designed as the precursors to the Ares & the Terminus Ultra respectively - these are exclusively heresy-era vehicles so neither wouldreally exist when the latter were in use. The advantage of the terminus is that a laser destroyer is better than 4 x lascannons, it has a (small) transport capacity, & it gets the Achilles awesome frontal armour.

In terms of submitting it to FW, it is tempting, but I'm not really sure how to go about it. Plus, I don't want to come across as a drooling fanboy who wants in on the action - the FW design team I'm sure are stuffed full of cool ideas & FW (currently at least) has a pretty limited casting facility

How about Achilles Dominus with Graviton Cannon AND twin-linked Graviton Gun sponsons?

Balance dude, if anyone ever got the approval to use these, having that amount of graviton stuff might be a bit too much. However, having sponsoon weapons that already feature on other variants seems less OP, and indicates the rarity of graviton weapons amongst the Legions.

Thanks for the input though

[coloroutofspace]

Possible suggestion for a Salamanders variant: The Land Raider Achilles Drake.

- magna-melta/twin-linked magna-melta hard point.

- twin-linked multi-meltas/flamestorm cannon sponsons.

- possible ram-prow/siege shield option.

- Used as part of a hammer. Think a Caestus assault ram in LR format (sort of). Transports a small contingent of Pyroclasts into the heart of the enemy/breaching fortifications where the Pyroclasts can then put their flamers to good use, clearing the way for the rest of the Salamanders force.

Sounds pretty cool - originally I had the idea of a salamander version without transport capacity at all, armed with the massive flamer that this has. However, I held off becasue it might be just a bit too big for a land raider. However, your version sounds pretty cool, I might give editing a pic of it a go at some point, if I can find some pics of the magna-melta at an appropriate angle. Tbh, I think the achilles uber frontal armour might make having a ram a bit pointless [and that has nothing to do with it being annoying to edit onto my existing template ]

>Well as a fellow Landite i must say HERESY!!!!

When i first read your post my jaw dropped. I thought finally they let the gamers control the action over at Forge World. I was looking for the link but then figured out it was all your idea. Oh well. I LOVE IT. I think i love your fluff more then the pictures as great as they are. You should submit this.

The highlight for me model wise is the Megabolter on the Nox. I have created my own Landraider. The Piecemaker. It has the duel quad Heavy Bolters form the Prometheus with further duel turret mounted Heavy Bolters (Like the Terminus Ultra has Lascannons). Add to that hull mounted twin Linked Heavy Boilters from the Phobos. When i saw your Vulken i was like WHAT!!!! Upgrade time.

The 2nd loveliest thing is your Dominus. Man that thing just looks pure Evil. That Graviton Cannon is almost beyond words. The Twin Linked Plas Cannons i would buy just on look alone.

My least favorite part of your heresy is the Terminus. I would stay away from that name as it is already used, (Terminus- Ultra). I don't see a large difference in the effectiveness of one over the other.

Anyhoo keep up the great work!

Thanks brother - to be honest both the Mortis & the Terminus were effectively designed as the precursors to the Ares & the Terminus Ultra respectively - these are exclusively heresy-era vehicles so neither wouldreally exist when the latter were in use. The advantage of the terminus is that a laser destroyer is better than 4 x lascannons, it has a (small) transport capacity, & it gets the Achilles awesome frontal armour.

In terms of submitting it to FW, it is tempting, but I'm not really sure how to go about it. Plus, I don't want to come across as a drooling fanboy who wants in on the action - the FW design team I'm sure are stuffed full of cool ideas & FW (currently at least) has a pretty limited casting facility

How about Achilles Dominus with Graviton Cannon AND twin-linked Graviton Gun sponsons?

Balance dude, if anyone ever got the approval to use these, having that amount of graviton stuff might be a bit too much. However, having sponsoon weapons that already feature on other variants seems less OP, and indicates the rarity of graviton weapons amongst the Legions.

Thanks for the input though

I was rather thinking of a cool model, not the rules - you said it yourself, you don't do gaming, brother

[TheForgottenAngel]

I think you should post these to FW Facebook page, just saying ;)

[Sanct]

How about Achilles Dominus with Graviton Cannon AND twin-linked Graviton Gun sponsons?

But you would have to stay stationary to shoot them all? How about twinlinked graviton gun sponsons and a hull mounted twinlinked plase-plasma fusil (Thinking of using the mechanicum land raider in betrayal is a good guideliner)

Dark Angels would probably have sponson plasma cannon and hull volkite culverin

[jeremy1391]

Those look pretty cool, would love to see them converted up.

[Barabbas Sogalon]

Any chance of a Death Guard variant? Flamestorm cannon/volkite culverin sponsons with some sort of rad weapon on the front?

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

I think you should post these to FW Facebook page, just saying

I'm warming to the idea of presenting this stuff to FW, but there's no way in hell I'm gonna contact them via my FB account

*I might try emailing them the designs, if I can get hold of an appropriate adress

*I'd be happy for someone else to post the designs (with their attatched fluff sections!) to the FW page - just so long as it had a link to this thread and an appropriate level of bowing and scraping in my direction

How about Achilles Dominus with Graviton Cannon AND twin-linked Graviton Gun sponsons?

But you would have to stay stationary to shoot them all? How about twinlinked graviton gun sponsons and a hull mounted twinlinked plase-plasma fusil (Thinking of using the mechanicum land raider in betrayal is a good guideliner)

Dark Angels would probably have sponson plasma cannon and hull volkite culverin

Well my (mental) brief for these was slight alterations to the Achilles - mainly with other rapier mounted weapons - that would be relatively simple & characterful, so:

*Dominus: I think grav cannon and melta/lascannon/volkite sponsoons are fluffy & give the IH a sprinkling of the special stuff without going crazy

*DA already have the mortem - if some Legions aren't getting some, then Im no gonna give the 1st Legion 2 - sorry

Any chance of a Death Guard variant? Flamestorm cannon/volkite culverin sponsons with some sort of rad weapon on the front?

Being by no means a gamer, there's no way I'd risk inventing a rad weapon - but I'm pretty sure the Death Guard would be hot on the Mortem - after all, you could give those flamestorm cannons chem munitions

Hmm, thinking about that, I wonder if the Iron Warriors could have the Mortem with phosphex demolisher shells......

[TheForgottenAngel]

I know some people. You deserve the credit though!

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

I know some people. You deserve the credit though!

Oooooh, mysterious contacts - well, if you were happy to pass on the details that would be super awesome, and I'd be much obliged, & if they ever wanted to contact me, I could always PM you my email adress

Funny to think this started off ass "man, the terminus ultra looks super ugly - I bet FW could make a version 100x better - hmmmmm, that MKIIb Achilles previewed at gamesday sure did look fine" :P

Oh and I just wanted to reiterate, thanks so much for everyone's great feedback - all that time spent editing the FW pics was totally worth it

[TheForgottenAngel]

Yeah there are a few. Some even lurk here! I'll ask him if he's cool with sharing his email. If not I'll forward the pictures and fluff his way and your email, just pm it to me.