The Land Raider is the Space Marines’ heaviest tank and a mainstay of their armoured spearheads. It’s been around since the earliest days of Warhammer 40,000, and over the millennia it’s spawned a family of variants, each tweaked for a different kind of war.
What is a Land Raider?
The Land Raider is a heavily armoured personnel carrier and occasional heavy tank. It’s primarily used by the Space Marines and Chaos Space Marines and sees service with the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Inquisition, and even wealthy Rogue Traders.
Its sealed hull and life support let it operate anywhere, from a vacuum to the ocean floor. It’s a Standard Template Construct design, meaning it can be built by any colony with the right STC database, and it’s been modified many times since its rediscovery.
A brief history
The Land Raider dates back to the Dark Age of Technology, when humanity spread across the stars. Production stopped during the Age of Strife, and the design was lost until the Great Crusade, when the Techno-archaeologist Arkhan Land rediscovered the STC on Mars.
It was quickly adopted by the Space Marine Legions and the Imperial Army, and a whole Forge World, Anvilus 9, was dedicated to building them. When the Horus Heresy began, Anvilus 9 fell to the Dark Mechanicum, and the secrets of the Land Raider were shared with the Traitor Legions.
Main patterns and variants
The standard modern Land Raider is the Phobos pattern, equipped with a Cyclops-class battle cogitator. But several other patterns exist, each with a different focus.
The Crusader trades some of its anti-tank firepower for extra transport capacity and anti-infantry weapons, making it ideal for delivering assault troops. The Redeemer swaps its lascannons for massive flamestorm cannons, perfect for clearing trenches and bunkers. The Ares and Cerberus are rarer, more specialised variants, while the Terminus Ultra is a dedicated tank hunter.
Chaos Space Marines field their own corrupted Land Raiders, often with daemonic possession and additional weapons.
| Variant | Key feature | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Phobos | Twin lascannons, heavy bolters | Standard main battle tank |
| Crusader | Extra capacity, assault ramp | Troop transport and assault |
| Redeemer | Flamestorm cannons | Close-range infantry support |
| Terminus Ultra | Multiple lascannons | Tank hunting |
Why it matters
The Land Raider is more than just a tank; it’s a symbol of the Space Marines’ enduring might. Its ability to carry a squad of Terminators into the heart of battle while shrugging off most anti-tank fire makes it a cornerstone of many armies.
On the tabletop, it’s a tough nut to crack, and its variants let you tailor it to your playstyle. Whether you need a mobile fortress, a bunker-buster, or a line-breaker, there’s a Land Raider for the job.
Key facts
- The Land Raider is a heavily armoured STC vehicle used by Space Marines and others.
- It was rediscovered by Arkhan Land during the Great Crusade.
- Main variants include the Phobos, Crusader, Redeemer, and Terminus Ultra.
- It’s sealed against hostile environments and can operate in vacuum or underwater.
- Chaos Space Marines field corrupted versions of the Land Raider.
FAQ
What’s the difference between the Land Raider and its variants?
The base Land Raider (Phobos) is a balanced mix of transport and firepower. Variants like the Crusader and Redeemer trade some of that firepower for more transport capacity or specialised anti-infantry weapons.
Can Chaos Space Marines use Land Raiders?
Yes, they captured many during the Horus Heresy and have their own corrupted versions, often with daemonic upgrades.
What is the Land Raider’s main weakness?
It’s expensive and not very fast. It also lacks the firepower to reliably destroy other heavy tanks without variant support.