Bolt weapons

Bolt weapons are, and always shall be the backbone of human ranged weaponry. Although initially dismissed as ‘primitive’ or ‘clumsy’ by many other space faring races, the range of projectile arms held by space marines have impressed and outright shocked all who have questioned their effectiveness in battle. Most alien races, especially those who have attained space travel, rely heavily on energy based weapons; favouring their near limitless ammo supplies and the lack of need to develop solid slugs and shells. However what bolt weapons lack in bottomless supplies of shots, they make up for in utterly devastating firepower. From the humble bolt pistol, to the harrowing Vulcan mega-bolter, all such weapons deliver a one-shot-one-kill round at a wide variety of firing rates.

Each ballistic slug fired by a bolt weapon (known as ‘bolts’) is in a sense a miniature rocket. Fed into the weapon using a classical magazine system, each round is sheathed within a decorated shell that holds enough explosives to propel it at supersonic speed down the weapons barrel, however since each round is such a large calibre (.75-1.00) such speed in insufficient for piercing enemy armour. Once clear of the barrel, the bolts ignition triggers are activated as it enters the weapons muzzle, igniting three tiny, angled rocket tubes that propels the round at frightening speed. The rocket ensures the bolt continues spinning for increased accuracy and armour penetration. Once the bolt has hit its target, anything but the thickest infantry armour can hope to halt the round on its deadly journey; the adamantium tip breaks through armour and allows the bolt to speed into the target. As the round hits, a tiny electronic pulse is shot into the target, and once it has bounced back off the targets edge and hit’s the bolt, ignites a small fuse. The larger the target, the less energy is received and therefore the longer the fuse burns for. Once the fuse is spent the primary charge ignites and detonates with a sharp and brutal force. Such a blast is easily enough to turn any common mortal to a pile of broken bones and shattered organs.

All of this takes place in but a tiny fraction of a second, utterly unnoticeable to the eye of any material creature. The simple result is as soon as an enemy is struck by a bolt weapon the swiftly burst into a shower of guts and gore, ensuring its death and heavily demoralizing its comrades.

Bolt Pistol - The most common sidearm used by space marines and the sisters of the ecclesiarchy. This weapons small size (small to a space marine that is) means it is ideal for wielding alongside a close combat weapon. This quality has also proven popular amongst vehicle crews are thankful for the security the weapon provides. Reliable and able to use the same ammunition as its larger brother, the bolter, this weapon is widely respected and has saved millions of lives. Its obvious drawbacks are its small ammunition count and lack of range.

Boltgun - Also known as the ‘bolter’, this automatic cable carbine is the most common imperial firearm and is the widely feared for its devastating capabilities. Boltguns have a surprising rate of fire, easily emptying a 30 round clip in just under 5 seconds. This means that this weapon is utterly unusable by all but mankinds’ warriors as the recoil from firing even a burst of rounds would shatter the arms of any mortal. Boltguns come in a variety of patterns, yet all share the similar inner workings and deliver the same performance. Newer patterns of bolter incorporate a small collection of useful gadgets such as target painters, neural links, gyro-stabilisers and even folding stocks, but all are built with a palm reader and ammo counter as standard. Initially unreliable and difficult to maintain, decades of tiresome research has helped the bolter evolve into a firearm that can be thrown, struck, run over, buried and submerged with little to no complications in its function. This weapon is also famous for its ability to fire a wide variety of ammunition types, from incendiary rounds to bolts that deliver a potent venom into its target.

Heavy bolter - Deployed as a heavy suppression weapon the heavy bolter can reduce a platoon of enemy troops to a swamp of mashed innards in a few seconds. The heavy bolters firing mechanism doesn’t rely on a hammer pin like its smaller brothers, but instead uses an electric pulse to ignite the shells that are fed into its firing chamber. This allows the heavy bolters 1.00 calibre rounds to be fired at a near impossible rate, rivalling that of most pulse weapons used by other races.

Storm bolter - Essentially two Boltguns welded together, the storm bolter doubles the amount of firepower a Boltgun provides. Firing so that the bolts rate of fire is doubled, this portable variant sacrifices overall accuracy for withering damage output. Such a weapon is common used against swarms of infantry.

Twin linked bolter - In many ways this weapon is a storm bolter, the only difference being the manner in which the rounds are fired. Instead of firing at a heightened rate of fire, this weapon fires bolts in perfect synchronicity. This means that tougher, larger enemies can be felled were a standard bolter would take to long or not deliver enough bolts against to slow them down. Therefore the twin linked bolter bears greatly improved stopping power, but does not hold the infantry crippling capabilities of its twin.

Combi-bolter - This incredibly rare and difficult to replicate firearm is a basic Boltgun that bears another firearm as a linked attachment (flamer, plasma gun, meltagun). Due to the size of the attached weapon, early models were only able to fire the attachment once before having to reload. Weapon development has improved such a shortcoming greatly, allowing the secondary weapon to be fired several times before being spent of ammunition. However such a development has left the weapon in short supply, and is gifted only to space marines with centuries of battle honours.

Plasma weapons

The use of plasma weapons is an immensely popular trend that has swept through the galaxy, races large and small, advanced and even primitive finding ways to use the hotter-than-fire energy as ammunition for their weapons. However no other weapon quite matches the results the imperial plasma gun delivers. This weapon has undergone many changes through its existence in imperial armouries, starting off as a gun that held more risk to the user than to those it was aimed at. Such a quality has been dulled drastically, advanced cooling coils and heat vents ensure that excess plasma heat is disposed off as safely as possible. Prior to such an event, however, the range of plasma based weapons deliver terrifying results unto those they are used against. White hot bolts of superheated gas strike with enough force to turn even mechanised battle suits to gutted, smouldering husks. Each weapon also bears the ability to charge shots, firing larger shots that are essentially miniature, and highly unstable suns. Each of these charged shots explodes in a spectacular fashion, turning troops to dust and crippling enemy vehicles with ease.

Plasma pistol - This sidearm is widely used by sergeants and veteran space marines. Although it is less common than the bolt pistol, its improved firepower easily makes up for its lack in numbers. Portable and reliable like its less powerful counterpart, this pistol is used with caution along with all other plasma weapons due to its tendency to overheat and burp superheated gas from its cooling vents.

Plasma gun - Identical in function to its pistol variant, this rifle is blessed with a far greater range and more powerful charged shot. Such a weapon is even rarer than the pistol, being employed as a special weapon used against heavily armoured infantry or support units.

Plasma cannon - The plasma cannon uses plasma at its fullest potential, firing volleys of devastating, explosive plasma shots at superb range. Deployed in much the same way other heavy weapons, this deadly portable cannon is used to defend key strategic points and destroy the most valuable troop assets an enemy force throws at imperial forces.

Twin linked plasma gun - Working as in the same way the twin linked bolter does, this weapon fires two plasma guns in unison to achieve greater stopping power.

Melta weapons

Melta weaponry has been the envy of many alien races for centuries, its workings a mystery to all. The ironic fact is that Melta weapons are very easy to forge and replicate, its several STCs held by all current forge worlds in full stock. Melta weapons are purely anti-armour firearms, and work in two common ways. The early patterns use a chemical mixture that is fired from the barrel much like a concentrated flame thrower. This beam of beyond superheated molten liquid can cut through vehicle armour like it is little more than soggy paper, turning troops to vapour even if it’s a near miss. The second, more modern variant works with an energy battery that is conducted in a way to blast hyper-agitated microwaves at a target, creating a heat that is utterly immeasurable. Either method reaches the same result, the utter destruction or at least the disabling enemy vehicles of great size.

Inferno pistol - The pistol variant of Melta based weapons range, this firearm is similar in design to other sidearms’ used by mankind. Although its effective range is under 15 metres, its effects against armoured units is no less devastating compared that that of larger Melta weapons.

Meltagun - A short ranged support weapon, the meltagun is practically worshipped for its ability to bring low even the largest of enemy war machines. As with other Melta weapons what this gun excels at in power, it falls short in range.

Multi-melta - The heavy variant of the Meltagun, this supercharged weapon is designed to double the effective range of its shots, granting the wielder the ability to deal with dangerous enemy units at a much greater, and safer range.

Flame weapons

Most alien races have deemed the use of flamethrowers and other flame based weapons as barbaric and utterly cruel to use. Such ‘moral’ concerns barely touch a humans mind, especially the forces of the Adepta Sororitas who greatly favour the usage of heat based weapons. The range of flamer weapons is much a practical way of dealing with massed infantry as it is a symbol of how little imperial forces think of their opponents. Believing such weapons will wash away the sins and filth of those they oppose, a flame weapon can usually be found in the hands of the most fanatic of space marines and battle sisters. Using a fluid that can achieve a burning reaction much like that of prosperous, flame weapons can strip away flesh in a heartbeat, and due to its gel-like qualities, sticks to the target much like napalm. This is, of course, extremely painful for whoever it is used against, at least for the few seconds before the fire eats through their muscles and incinerates their internal organs. This means that after the vicious fires have finally burnt out little is left but a mountain of blackened bones buried amongst the ashes of those they once belonged to.

Hand flamer - A portal flame based pistol, this weapon works as a handy anti-infantry sidearm. Many space marines and battle sisters, however, have commented on how short lived its fuel canisters can be.

Flamer - This short ranged weapon works in the same way it has done for millennia. Washing enemy units in a tidal wave of angry flames, the flamer is the most feared hand weapon in the imperial arsenal.

Heavy flamer - Rarely seen in devastator units, this weapon can be considered a vehicle mounted gun. However both weapon patterns are identical in functionality and results, throwing highly concentrated bursts of liquid fire over infantry units and bringing even armoured units down with the ferocity of its flames.

Las weapons

Laser based weaponry has been tried and tested for centuries. Dozens of alien races make good use of such technology, some even using it in their standard issue firearms. Yet such weaponry holds mediocre results at best, performing no better than ancient projectile weaponry. This has resulted in hundreds of failed attempts at creating a truly effective pistol or rifle that uses laser technology.

Lascannon - The only successful laser weapon to make its way into the imperial armoury is the dreaded Lascannon. Delivering a high powered laser shot down a concentrated light beam, the effects of such a weapon very impressive. Using such extreme energy consumption means that even a devastator with a fully charged ammo pack will have only 10 shots before having to be reloaded. Shots delivered by Lascannons pierce even the thickest armour with frightening ease at incredible range, and tank crews across the galaxy have learnt to keep an ever vigilant, yet pointless eye out for an astarte wielding a Lascannon.

Volkite weapons

Newly introduced to space marine forces by the genius that is the Adeptus Mechanicus, volkite weaponry is the latest in human weapons engineering and advancement. Rarest weapons in all the Imperium, Volkite firearms have been said to take a while before their STCs' are put into circulation and every chapter is able to bear them as special weapons. These advanced weapons incorporating light based technology, agitating light particles until they gain solidity and can be used as energy bolts. When put against a foe, Volkite weapons pepper the target with their impressive rate of fire, burning plasma-like shots into the target, but the weapons brilliance lies in what comes next. The bolts light energy have a particularly devastating effect against organic matter, the light particles exploding out into the body of any creature hit by its rounds. Once the energy is set loose inside a target the particles criss-cross through the targets cells, essentially ’undoing’ the enemy it has hit. To the eye of a mortal the target seems to be infected by a wave of brilliant, brightly coloured light that leaves behind a fine dust as it dematerialises the target. Considering its respectable ammunition count and deadly effect, those chapters that have been granted such weapons hold them with great pride.

Volkite serpenta - The pistol variant of Volkite weapons, the serpenta is held by only a few lucky individuals. Its range is typical of a pistol, but its ability to vaporize organic tissue means it will soon be a greatly favoured sidearm amongst captains and chapter masters.

Volkite charger - The charger is the carbine variant of the Volkite weapons range. Although short ranged, its rate of fire and spectacular results mean it has become favoured amongst those partaking in close quarters fire fights.

Volkite caliver - More of a long range rifle than heavy cannon, the caliver is used as a long range suppression rifle, forcing even the bravest into hiding in fear of being deflagrated. The rate of fire is also enhanced to ensure nothing living is left standing before this support weapon.

Volkite culverin - The heavy cannon of its breed of weapon, the culverin is used to vaporise the largest creatures. Creatures the size of tanks find themselves being turned to ash at the hands of this weapons withering rate of fire, as well as entire battalions running for solid cover after seeing their friend shrivvel into piles of dust.

Other projectile weapons

Shotgun - Used for as long as imperial records can tell the shotgun is ancient is design and function, yet is one of the most reliable firearm ever made. Manually loaded via a pump located underneath the barrel, there is little to no chance of the shotgun becoming jammed or broken. Each shell loaded can fire a small collection of ammunition types, some fire a shower of metal pellets that are preferably used against un-armoured infantry, others fire a large solid slug that can leave even the largest foes fallen in a puddle in there own gore and others fire a burst of incendiary liquid and shards of crystalline shrapnel. Either way, the shotgun is solely used by space marine scouts when deployed in close quarters city fights of dense jungle.

Sniper rifle - Boasting impressive range and brilliant accuracy the sniper rifle is used by scouts who are tasked with covering their brothers from afar or eliminating opposing heavy infantry and leader units. Firing a toxic, crystal shards at near mach 10 speeds and boasting a telescopic scope this long ranged rifle is the bane of commanders brave enough to venture beyond the confines of a bunker or command vehicle.

Grenade launcher - An incredibly rare weapon due to its impracticality in space marine hands, the grenade launcher has a few uses amongst the ranks of space marines. Lobbing explosive shells at moderate range the weapon is useful in breaking enemy formations and forcing a squad into cover. However its ammo count and inaccuracy makes it the least preferred firearm in the armoury.

Missile launcher - The big brother of the grenade launcher and vastly preferred over its smaller counterpart the missile launcher garuntees a devastator or tactical marine is never ill prepared to face any enemy. Firing either infantry crippling fragmentation shells that send white hot shrapnel busting amongst the ranks of terrified soldiers, or armour piercing krak missiles feared by tank crews on many worlds. Such a capability ensures that anti-infantry and anti-armour roles can be covered by just 1 battle brother.

Autocannon - This heavy weapon fires round similar to those used by battle tanks. But where vehicles would use a single shot, or at best a semi-automatic firing mode, the imperial autocannon fires its heavy calibre shells at an impressive rate of fire. Barking loud as it pummels its target with fully automatic fire, the autocannon has become the bane of light vehicles as well as infantry of all kinds. A devastator squad armed with such weapons is a living nightmare for any general looking to break through a frontline, finding themselves bombarded with panicked radio transmissions as his forces are brutally torn apart by a shower of vehicle gutting rounds.

Close combat weapons

Space marines are both feared and respected for their ability to bring such unmatchable firepower to a war zone, yet their true profession is not behind the trigger of a firearm. Generals of many worlds and species have fallen into hysterics at the news that their superhuman allies will be meeting the enemy with swords, shields and hammers, dismissing such claims as ridiculous or utterly insane. Such individuals are left gob smacked by the news that shortly follows. Infantry shredded by growling chain blades, elite units left in steaming heaps of neatly dismembered corpses and tanks reduced to crumpled piles of twisted metal. The blades of the astartes have gained a formidable reputation and have left enemy generals gaping in horror before being swiftly beheaded by the weapons they had laughed at hours ago.

Combat blade - Having more of a ceremonial use than a practical one the combat blade has been born into space marine hands in an endless variety of designs. Most space marines choose to keep their combat blades throughout their lives, honouring it as the first weapon they were granted and used. Sharpened at a molecular level and sheathed in a layer of adamantium or even purified diamond. However, when such a weapon is used in combat many foes are horrified to find their mouths dripping gore, a razor sharp blade bursting out their back.

Chainsword - This single edged weapon is the most widely used close combat weapon and finds itself in the hands of many space marines and battle sisters happy to wield it. Bearing an edge lined with rotating, razor sharp adamantium teeth the Chainsword is famous for the fear factor it presents to enemy forces, as well as its visceral results when used. Once the handles trigger is pulled the blade activated, spinning up the weapons teeth at a frightening pace, leaving troops scrambling away in terror at its deafening roar. The blade can chew clean through a mortal in a blink of an eye, wrecking armour and sending innards flying about the battlefield in a spectacular display of carnage. Primarily used whilst wielding a pistol in the free hand this weapon is ideal for using against dense infantry, its STC is one of the most common in any forge world.

Chain axe - Using the same chain blade technique as the Chainsword, the chain axe is the heavier alternative, preferred by marines who specialise in assault and siege warfare. The chain axe is truly frightening, but due to a lack of STCs’ is not commonly seen.

Power sword - A blade that usually bears intricate design and aesthetics, the power sword is commonly used by veteran sergeants and captain. The blade of this single hand weapon is sheathed in an energy field that disrupts physical matter, softening even heavy armour to a jelly like state before slicing through it with ridiculous ease. Such a weapon can be used effectively against infantry and even small vehicles, slicing red hot arches through their hulls as if they were built from Styrofoam.

Power axe - Incorporating the same energy technology as the power sword the power axe is to the power sword like what the chain axe is to the Chainsword. Bearing a heavier weight at the blade the weapon can be put against heavily armoured foes of colossal size, burying its glowing blade deep into its target.

Power maul - Unpopular due to other weapons delivering better results in more specific fields, the power maul is not seen often. Utilising the anti-material technology of all other power weapons, only instead of coating a blade in the energy each strike is followed by a bone shattering blast of anti-material energy that sends troops flying through the air, usually in multiple pieces.

Relic blade - An axe, sword or spear that was made many centuries ago by the finest minds the Imperium had to offer. These weapons are normally recovered from abandoned or wrecked manufactorumns, the secretive Adeptus Mechanicus no longer present to tend to the security of such a weapon. These blades are revered greatly as ancient relics, bearing forbidden technologies that provide a wide variety of qualities from incendiary to cryogenic.

Power fist - A giant gauntlet enveloped in crackling energies, able to smash and crush anything in its wielders way. Bearing a full resemblance of a human hand and built with servos and hydraulics capable of pulling apart a tank with little effort the power fist is commonly used by terminator squads, using the gauntlet as a means to dismantle the interior of an enemy base or star ship. Each mechanical glove is made with an inbuilt auspex scanner, and power regulators that allow the user to use the weapon as a manipulative tool capable of handling objects with all the care and gentleness of a child.

Lightning claw - A power fist that has been modified to bear a collection of power field sheathed blades instead of fingers or mounted on its knuckles. The lightning claw is greatly respected for its ability to ensure a definite hit due to the width the blades cover. Normally used in a pair, a marine with a set of lightning claws are ideal for dealing with infantry of any size or number.

Thunder hammer - A mighty war hammer whose head is alight with a shimmering power field that detonates with each strike it makes, shattering apart infantry as easy as vehicles. Such a weapon is considered a rare and venerated weapon, carried only by the finest and most capable space marines. Seeing such a heavy instrument swung by an astarte as if it were weightless is enough to freeze enemies with fright before reducing their forms to a bloody mist.

Force weapon - Used by Librarians, the space marines psykers, this weapon comes in a variety of forms and designs and holds strange qualities. Force weapons have the ability to harvest the death energy from those it has slain, the event of a foes death fuelling the weapon with ever increasing power. Such weapons are also able to channel a psykers supernatural energy, working as a potent relay to conjure godly sorcery.