Deimos Predator Executioner

An ancient pict-capture of a Deimos Predator Executioner of the Thousand Sons Legion.

The Deimos Predator Executioner, also known as the Predator Executioner, is a variant of the standard Deimos Predator Destructor main battle tank used by the Space Marine Legions and after the Second Founding by the Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. The Deimos Predator Executioner is an ancient and revered design that dates back to the time of the Emperor of Mankind's Great Crusade, where it was used by the Space Marine Legions as they conquered the galaxy. The Deimos Predator design differs from other Predator variants in that its turret and sponson-mounts are eloquently curved to the point that they are almost circular and the tank makes use of more advanced internal systems and support for technologies now lost to the Imperium.

An ancient pict-capture of a Deimos Predator Executioner of the Death Guard Legion during the Istvaan III Atrocity

Each and every Deimos Predator was Artificer-crafted by the finest machine-wrights of the great forge-complexes of Mars. The Deimos Predator Executioner is no longer manufactured on a large scale, or at all, for the Chapters of the Space Marines as the Mars Pattern Predator is now used almost exclusively by the Adeptus Astartes. As Plasma Weapons technology has been nearly lost to the Imperium in the late 41st Millennium, the Predator Executioner's main weapon, the Plasma Destroyer, is extremely rare and difficult to replace. However, these vehicles still survive in the Armoury of many Chapters, revered as both relics of the long-forgotten past and as symbols of a Chapter's ancient heritage.

Armament

A Deimos Predator Executioner armed with a turret-mounted Plasma Destroyer and sponson-mounted Lascannons

The Deimos Predator Executioner replaces the standard Deimos Predator's turret-mounted Autocannon, known as a Predator Cannon, with a turret-mounted Executioner Pattern Plasma Destroyer. The Plasma Destroyer is a powerful Plasma Weapon that is able to blast apart even the most powerful armour with contemptuous ease. The Predator Executioner was fielded in large numbers by the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade, although by the late 41st Millennium Plasma Weapons technology has nearly been lost to the Imperium. As a result, surviving Deimos Predator Executioners are revered as treasured relics that cannot be easily replaced. It is unknown if the Mars Pattern Predator can be armed with the same weapon load-outs as the Deimos Predator variant, or even if the Adeptus Mechanicus would allow it if it were possible.

The Deimos Predator Executioner can also be armed with a turret-mounted Heavy Conversion Beamer in place of its Plasma Destroyer. The Heavy Conversion Beamer is an ancient and poorly understood weapon that fires a high intensity beam of anti-matter that transforms matter into pure energy. A heavily armoured target and dense material will be rent apart as its matter is transmuted into pure electromagnetic energy. The denser the material of the target, the more energy that is converted, making Predator Executioners into extremely powerful siege units and long-range tank destroyers. Yet, this firepower is gained at the cost of maneuverability and increased vulnerability to short-range attacks.

The Deimos Predator Executioner, as with all Predator tanks, can be armed with up to two sponson-mounted weapons including Heavy Bolters, Heavy Flamers, or Lascannons. The tank can be equipped with a variety of Pintle-mounted weaponry, including a Combi-Bolter or other Combi-Weapon, a Heavy Flamer, a Heavy Bolter, or a Havoc Missile Launcher. The vehicle can also be outfitted with a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, a Dozer Blade, an Auxiliary Drive System, Extra Armour Plating, Armoured Ceramite Plating, or an advanced Machine Spirit (Artificial Intelligence). All Deimos Predator Executioners are equipped with Smoke Launchers and a Searchlight.

Unit Composition

• 1 Relic Deimos Predator Executioner (41st Millennium Only)
• 1-3 Legion Deimos Predators Executioner (31st Millennium Only)

Wargear

A Relic Deimos Predator Executioner is armed and equipped with:

• Executioner Plasma Destroyer

A Relic Deimos Predator Executioner may replace its turret-mounted Plasma Destroyer with one of the following weapons:

• Heavy Conversion Beamer (C-beam Cannon)

A Relic Deimos Predator Executioner may take one of the following sets of sponson-mounted weapons:

• Heavy Bolters
• Lascannons
• Heavy Flamers

A Relic Deimos Predator Executioner may take one of the following pintle-mounted weapons:

• Storm Bolter

Relic Deimos Predator Executioners may also possess vehicle equipment such as:

• Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher

Horus Heresy Wargear

During the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy eras the Deimos Predators of the Legiones Astartes featured different weapon loadout options than those that still exist in the 41st Millennium.

A standard Legion Deimos Predator Executioner is armed and equipped with:

• Executioner Plasma Destroyer
• Searchlight
• Smoke Launchers

A Legion Deimos Predator Executioner may replace its turret-mounted Plasma Destroyer with one of the following weapons:

• Heavy Conversion Beamer

A Legion Deimos Predator Executioner may take one of the following sets of sponson-mounted weapons:

• Heavy Bolters
• Lascannons
• Heavy Flamers

A Legion Deimos Predator Executioner may take one of the following pintle-mounted weapons:

• Twin-linked Bolters (Combi-Bolter)
• Combi-Weapon
• Heavy Bolter
• Heavy Flamer
• Multi-Melta
• Havoc Missile Launcher

Legion Deimos Predator Executioners may also have a variety of vehicle equipment such as:

• Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher
• Dozer Blade
• Auxiliary Drive System
• Machine Spirit
• Extra Armour Plating
• Armoured Ceramite Plating

When in a squadron of three, one Legion Predator Executioner could be upgaded to serve as the following:

• Squadron Command Tank

Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications

Deimos Predator Executioner

Vehicle Name:	Deimos Predator Executioner	Main Armament:	Single Turret-mounted Plasma Destroyer
Forge World of Origin:	Deimos  (Mars' Moon) (No Longer Constructed at this Forge World, Imprint Held Elswhere)	Secondary Armament:	2 Sponson-mounted Heavy Bolters
Known Patterns:	Deimos	Traverse:	360 degrees
Crew:	1 Driver, 1 Gunner	Elevation:	-15 to 28 degrees
Powerplant:	Quad Mark IV Adaptable Thermic Combustor Reactor	Main Ammunition:	12 Shots from photonic fuel cell (approx.)
Weight:	42 tonnes	Secondary Ammunition:	1100 Rounds
Length:	6.6 metres	Armour:
Width:	6.0 metres with sponsons
Height:	4.4 metres	Superstructure:	65 millimetres
Ground Clearance:	0.44 metres	Hull:	55 millimetres
Max Speed On-Road:	70 kilometres per hour	Gun Mantlet:	65 millimetres
Max Speed Off-Road:	58 kilometres per hour	Vehicle Designation:	Unknown
Transport Capacity:	N/A	Firing Ports:	N/A
Access Points:	N/A	Turret:	N/A

See Also

• Imperial Vehicles
• Deimos Predator Infernus

Sources

• Imperial Armour Volume Two, Second Edition - War Machines of the Adeptus Astartes, pp. 74-75, 77
• Imperial Armour Volume Twelve - The Fall of Orpheus, pp. 133, 155
• Imperial Armour Volume Thirteen - War Machines of the Lost & The Damned by Andy Hoare with additional material by Alan Bligh & Neil Wylie, pp. 31-33
• Imperial Armour Index: Forces of the Adeptus Astartes (8th Edition), pg. 7
• The Horus Heresy - Book One: Betrayal (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pp. 116, 119, 124, 154, 156, 216-217, 256
• The Horus Heresy - Book Seven: Inferno (Forge World Series) by Alan Bligh, pg. 145
• The Horus Heresy: Legiones Astartes - Age of Darkness Army List pg. 63
• Forge World Webstore - Deimos Predator Executioner

Gallery

An ancient pict-capture of a Deimos Predator Executioner in combat

An ancient pict-capture of a Deimos Predator Executioner during the Istvaan III Atrocity

An ancient pict-capture of a Deimos Predator Executioner during the Istvaan III Atrocity

A Deimos Predator Executioner armed with a Plasma Destroyer and sponson-mounted Heavy Bolters, front-side view

A Deimos Predator Executioner armed with a Plasma Destroyer and sponson-mounted Heavy Bolters, left-side view

A Deimos Predator Executioner armed with a Heavy Conversion Beamer and sponson-mounted Heavy Bolters, front-side view

A Deimos Predator Executioner of the Minotaurs Chapter during the Orphean War

A relic Deimos Predator Executioner of the Blood Ravens 9^th Company, this vehicle took part in the Battle For Lorn V

An Executioners Chapter relic Deimos Predator Executioner, equipped with a rare Executioner-class Plasma Destroyer; this particular tank is suspected the have been captured by the Chapter during their Penitent Crusade following the Badab War

Infernal Relic Predator Executioner of the Renegade Avenging Sons 3^rd Company. This vehicle was once a venerated relic of the Avenging Sons Chapter and its fall, along with the entire 3^rd Company at Helmabad in 970.M41, was a great tragedy.

A Deimos Predator Executioner of the Iron Hands Legion