Igni Irae
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Sub a totally awesome tank. Most practical design since the Maus tank.
Image Source: Here.
Canon Link: N/A.
Permissions: N/A.
Primary Source: N/A.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Tephrike
Affiliation: Tephrike
Market Status: Closed-Market
Model: Xiphos Class Landcruiser
Modularity: Yes; Auxiliary weapon systems can be exchanged, Vehicle upgrade kits.
Production: Limited
Material: Quadanium steel armour, Durasteel core, Alusteel plating, Terenthium-Desh and micronised Neuranium reactor shielding, electronics, standard vehicle components.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Classification: Tank
Role: Super-Heavy Tank, Tank Destroyer and Siege Tank.
Size: Extremely Large
Weight: Extremely Heavy
Armaments: Extreme
- 2x 155mm howitzer cannons.
- Coaxial heavy machine gun, e-web, rotary blaster cannon or similar anti-personnel weapon
- Gun Shielded Pintle mounted machine gun, repeating blaster, rotary cannon or similar anti-personnel weapon
- 1 x 4 missile pod (no reloads carried internally)
- Super-Heavy Armour
- Deflector Shield
- AR-0B Damage Reduction Armor Component
- Cap Drains and De-Ionizer Suite
- Explosive reactive armour
- Rear escape hatch.
- Anti-missile flares
Speed Rating: Very Low
Propulsion: Tracks
Minimum Crew: 6. This is the bare minimum to make it move.
Optimal Crew: 12
Passenger Capacity: 4
Cargo Capacity: Average
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Damage Control Systems
- Probe Droid Dispenser
- On-Board Fire Control/Targeting Systems
- Compact Fusion Drive
- Class-4T3 Power Generator (Featuring Gk7 Cryocooler)
- Explosive reactive armor plating
- Communicator with strong encryption
- IFF Circuitry
- Atmospheric sealed internal cabin with air scrubbers, temperature regulation systems and life support.
- Incredible firepower. Its main guns have a calibre typically used for howitzers. Performs well as a siege tank, and self-propelled anti-tank gun. Ideal for smashing heavily armoured vehicles and blowing hardened targets up in general.
- Also a very tough nut to crack.
- Incredibly heavy. Absurdly obvious target. Requires sturdy roads. But that's not a problem on war-torn third world hellholes, right? Right?
- Incredibly slow and lacking in agility. Very bad at turns.
- As a result of its impressive firepower, the Xiphos suffers from recoil issues...since it has very big cannons.
The Xiphos Class Landcruiser is a marvel of Humanist engineering. Designed by the Telemachus Motor Company at the behest of the Imperium's Ministry of Armaments and Munitions, it represents the pinnacle of Tephriki tank development, proving once again the supremacy of human engineering and ingenuity over crude xenos designs. For it is a work of art. Incredibly sturdy, resilient and heavily armed, the Xiphos is ground warfare's equivalent of a battlecruiser. It will strike fear into the hearts of Windian Jedi dogs and xenos savages.
If only it were not so appallingly slow. If only it were not too heavy for all but the most sturdy roads of the Imperium. If only Tephrike's infrastructure was not in shambles. If only the stupendously large dual cannons did not suffer from such significant recoil.
Certain figures in the Imperial military have complained about the army being screwed over by greedy contractors. Some even allege that the Armaments Ministry has been receiving substantial kickbacks from industrialists. These claims are to be dismissed. Minister Skaer is an honest man, a genius technician who is single-handedly responsible for the Imperium's armaments miracle, and would never do such a thing.
The Xiphos was meant to replace the old warhorse tank - the Occupier - but has ended up being relagated for a separate duty. It is actually a good vehicle for siege warfare, as long as it has escorts and infantry support to screen it, since that task doesn't require mobility. Moreover, it performs very well in a static defensive role as a self-propelled anti-tank gun, essentially serving as a big turret that can move and wreck enemy tanks and walkers by taking advantage of its firepower and rage. But, in the words of tank crews, it is a moving coffin if it is actually forced to drive through a hostile urban environment. Imperial propaganda has still built it up the ultimate answer to urban warfare.
Mechanics hate the Xiphos because it is a maintenance nightmare. The Supreme Leader likes to give speeches while standing on top of a Xiphos. It looks very dramatic, which makes it good at rallies.
Last edited:
