Chaos Terminators are the veteran elite of the Chaos Space Marines, wearing Tactical Dreadnought Armour and carrying weapons that can crack open tanks and infantry alike. They’re slow, but they hit like a Land Raider with legs, and they often serve as a warlord’s bodyguard.
What makes them so dangerous
Their armour is thick enough to shrug off most small-arms fire, and their weapon loadouts are flexible. They can teleport into battle using arcane tech or sorcery, or ride in a Land Raider to reach the right spot.
They’re not fast, so getting them into position matters. Once they’re there, they can tear through infantry and light vehicles with ease.
- Standard gear: combi-bolter and power weapon, often upgraded to a power fist or chainfist.
- Heavy options: reaper autocannon or heavy flamer instead of the combi-bolter.
- Combi-weapons: can be configured as combi-melta, combi-plasma, or combi-flamer.
- Melee alternative: a pair of lightning claws.
Where they fit in a warband
Chaos Terminators are respected, and many are Aspiring Champions. Often the only way to get a suit is to kill the previous owner, so they tend to be the toughest and most ruthless members of a warband.
They usually form the bodyguard of a high-ranking leader or Champion, enforcing his will and intimidating the rest of the warband. To younger Chaos Space Marines, they’re a vision of what they could become.
Legion variations
Each Traitor Legion has its own take on Terminator elites, shaped by its history and combat doctrine.
| Legion | Notable unit | What they’re known for |
|---|---|---|
| Emperor’s Children | Phoenix Guard | Bodyguard of Fulgrim |
| Iron Warriors | Tyranthikos | Elite linebreakers; also fielded Tyrant Siege Terminators |
| Night Lords | Atramentar | Elite Terminator bodyguards |
| Night Lords | Contekar | Specialists in sowing panic and dismay |
| World Eaters | Red Butchers | Customised armour for brutal close combat |
| Death Guard | Deathshroud | Silent bodyguards of Mortarion |
| Thousand Sons | Scarab Occult | Sorcerer-led Terminator cabals |
| Black Legion | Bringers of Despair | Abaddon’s elite Terminator guard |
| Word Bearers | Anointed | Fanatically devoted Terminators |
Heresy-era roots
During the Horus Heresy, the Traitor Legions fielded Cataphractii and Tartaros pattern Terminator armour. Cataphractii suits were slower but better protected, while Tartaros suits were more mobile.
Both patterns carried combi-bolters and power fists as standard, but could take chainfists, lightning claws, heavy flamers, and grenade harnesses. Tartaros suits also had access to reaper autocannons, plasma blasters, and volkite chargers.
Key facts
- Chaos Terminators are veteran Chaos Space Marines in Tactical Dreadnought Armour.
- They’re slow but heavily armoured, and can teleport or ride in a Land Raider.
- Standard armament is a combi-bolter and power weapon, with options for power fists, chainfists, lightning claws, reaper autocannons, and heavy flamers.
- Many are Aspiring Champions, and they often form a warlord’s bodyguard.
- Each Traitor Legion has its own Terminator elite, such as the Deathshroud, Scarab Occult, and Red Butchers.
- During the Horus Heresy, Traitor Legions used Cataphractii and Tartaros pattern Terminator armour.
FAQ
What is a Chaos Terminator?
It’s a veteran Chaos Space Marine wearing Tactical Dreadnought Armour. They’re the elite shock troops of a Chaos warband, often serving as a warlord’s bodyguard.
How do Chaos Terminators get their armour?
Usually by killing the previous owner. That brutal tradition means only the toughest and most cunning warriors wear a suit.
What weapons do Chaos Terminators use?
They typically carry a combi-bolter and a power weapon, which can be upgraded to a power fist or chainfist. They can also take a reaper autocannon, heavy flamer, or a pair of lightning claws.
Can Chaos Terminators teleport?
Yes. They can teleport into battle using arcane technology or sorcerous powers, often appearing right in front of their enemies with little warning.