Colonel ‘Iron Hand’ Straken is the commanding officer of the Catachan II ‘Green Vipers’ regiment, a living legend of the Astra Militarum whose bionic arm and sheer aggression have made him Catachan’s ‘Man of Adamantium’.
Who is Colonel Straken?
Straken is a Catachan Jungle Fighter who rose from common trooper to colonel, taking command of the Catachan II after his mentor, Colonel Greiss. He’s been active since M41 and is still going.
His nickname ‘Iron Hand’ comes from the extensive bionics that replaced the parts of his body eaten by a Miral Land Shark. He killed the beast moments later by ripping its throat out with his teeth.
- Title: Colonel of the Catachan II ‘Green Vipers’
- Homeworld: Catachan
- Also known as: Iron Hand, Man of Adamantium
- Affiliation: Imperium, Astra Militarum
Why he matters
Straken embodies the Catachan ideal: lead from the front, get stuck in, and never show fear. He’s survived decades of constant warfare and more wounds than most guardsmen have had hot meals.
His command style is simple: insults, curses, and orders, always from the thick of the fighting. That example inspires the troops and makes him a symbol of Imperial grit.
Notable battles and feats
His career spans countless campaigns, including Moden’s Ridge, the Dulma’lin Cleansing, Voltoris, the Ulani Aftermath, and Vartol City. On Vendal’s Landing, he repelled a phalanx of Daemon Engines with just twenty-two men, ten lasguns, and a case of short-fused mining charges.
At the battle of the Red Rain, he personally crushed the Dark Eldar Archon Yrekh Drash’s head in his bionic fist. On Signis VIII, he killed a Hive Tyrant in single combat, severing its head with four blows from his Catachan Fang even with his bionic strength.
| Battle | Feat |
|---|---|
| Vendal’s Landing | Repelled Daemon Engines with 22 men and mining charges |
| Red Rain | Killed Archon Yrekh Drash in single combat |
| Signis VIII | Slew a Hive Tyrant with his Catachan Fang |
Wargear and abilities
Straken’s bionics give him strength and resilience beyond a normal human. He wields a Catachan Fang, a large knife, and typically carries a shotgun or laspistol.
On the tabletop, he’s a close-combat monster who buffs nearby Catachan units, fitting his lore as a front-line leader.
Key facts
- Colonel ‘Iron Hand’ Straken leads the Catachan II ‘Green Vipers’.
- He’s known as Catachan’s ‘Man of Adamantium’.
- His bionics came from a Miral Land Shark he killed with his teeth.
- He’s fought for decades and survived countless wounds.
- He personally killed a Hive Tyrant and a Dark Eldar Archon.
FAQ
What is Colonel Straken’s real name?
His full name is Colonel ‘Iron Hand’ Straken. ‘Iron Hand’ is a nickname from his bionics, and he’s also called the Man of Adamantium.
How did Straken get his bionics?
A Miral Land Shark ate parts of his body. He killed it by ripping its throat out with his teeth, and the bionics replaced what was lost.
What regiment does Straken command?
He commands the Catachan II, known as the Green Vipers.