Gloriana-class

The Gloriana class battleship was an ancient, incredibly powerful warship used by the Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy. These massive vessels often served as the flagships of Primarchs and their Legions, and they were among the largest and most capable Imperial warships ever built.

What made Gloriana class ships so special

The Gloriana class was an ancient Terran design, a relic even by the time of the Great Crusade. It far outclassed contemporary Imperial battleships in speed, firepower, and durability.

They were huge, often serving as fleet flagships. After the Phalanx and the Furious Abyss class, Glorianas were the largest known Imperial warships. Some of the biggest examples included the Vengeful Spirit, Conqueror, Hrafnkel, and Iron Blood.

• Ancient Terran design, forgotten tech by the Great Crusade.
• Far surpassed contemporary Imperial designs.
• Frequently used as flagships for Primarchs and fleets.
• Among the largest Imperial warships after the Phalanx and Furious Abyss class.

Construction and origins

During the Great Crusade, Glorianas were built in the shipyards of Jupiter, Luna, Terra, and Mars. Building one was enormously expensive: a single ship could consume close to five per cent of Mars’s entire output.

Some vessels, like the Invincible Reason, had components sourced from multiple worlds, while others were built entirely over one world. Not all Glorianas were Imperial-built; some were relics from the Dark Age of Technology.

Notable Gloriana class battleships

Many Primarchs had a Gloriana as their flagship. The Dark Angels had perhaps the greatest fleet of the Legions, including a number of Glorianas. At the Battle of Advex-Mors, their leading squadron fielded at least three: the Invincible Reason, Truth’s Razor, and the Paradigm of Hate.

The Word Bearers had nine Glorianas at the start of the Shadow Crusade, several of which had formerly belonged to other Legions, likely captured during the Dropsite Massacre.

Key facts

• Ancient Terran design used by the Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.
• Among the largest Imperial warships, after the Phalanx and Furious Abyss class.
• Often served as Primarch flagships.
• Built at Jupiter, Luna, Terra, and Mars; one ship could cost 5% of Mars’s output.
• Some were Dark Age of Technology relics, not Imperial-built.
• The Dark Angels and Word Bearers had multiple Glorianas.

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Related reading

• The Liquifier Gun
• The Kharybdis
• Infinity Circuit
• The Dark Angels
• The Great Crusade
• The Word Bearers