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The Leman Russ is the main battle tank of the Astra Militarum and the most widely used tank in the Imperium. It is named after Leman Russ, the Primarch of the Space Wolves, in honour of his ferocity in war. The design is not sophisticated. It was built to be reliable, easy to repair and simple to make on countless forge worlds, so that the Guard can field it by the thousand.
Because so many forge worlds build it, there are many variants. The standard battle tank carries a battle cannon. The Demolisher mounts the short-ranged demolisher cannon for breaking fortifications and is one of the most common versions. Other patterns include the Punisher, Executioner, Vanquisher, Eradicator, Exterminator and the Conqueror, which is built in significant numbers only on the forge world of Gryphonne IV.
Tank aces such as Knight Commander Pask, the most famous tank commander of Cadia, have made the Leman Russ legendary among Guardsmen.
The Leman Russ battle tank is named after the Primarch of the Space Wolves. It is the most common main battle tank in the Imperium and is produced on many forge worlds, each with its own pattern, such as Mars, Lucius and Ryza. It is simple, rugged and adaptable, and crews love and trust it. Variants include the standard battle cannon tank, the anti-armour Vanquisher, the fortress-buster Demolisher, the Exterminator and Punisher (anti-infantry), the plasma-armed Executioner and the Eradicator. Tank aces like Knight Commander Pask are among the Guard's best-known heroes.
Appearance & wargear
The Leman Russ is a squat, slab-sided tank with tall tracks running around a boxy hull. A turret carries the main gun, and a hull-mounted lascannon or heavy bolter sits at the front. Many also mount sponson weapons on the sides. Paint follows regimental colours and camouflage, often with kill markings and names painted by the crew.
It is a thick-armoured, tracked hull with a turret-mounted main gun and a hull lascannon or heavy bolter, plus optional sponson weapons. It has a slab front and rear access door.
Weapons & Vehicles
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A super-heavy tank and one of the oldest STC designs in the Imperium, a mobile fortress crewed by ten men.
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Explore all 48 entries in the Weapons & Vehicles armoury.
Battlefield role & tactics
Leman Russ squadrons are the armoured backbone of a Guard army. They hold the line with heavy firepower, destroy enemy vehicles and support infantry assaults. Specialised variants deal with particular threats, from bunkers to massed infantry to enemy tanks.
It is the main striking force of armoured regiments. It can fire on the move and is very tough at the front. It breaks lines and destroys other tanks and fortifications. Its weaknesses are its slow speed and vulnerable rear and sides.
Notable battles & users
- Knight Commander Pask: Cadia's tank ace, famous for his kill tally in the Leman Russ.
- Armageddon: massed tank battles in the ash wastes against Ork armour.
- Steve Parker's novel 'Gunheads' follows Cadian Leman Russ crews on Golgotha as they hunt for Yarrick's lost Baneblade.
Related
Characters (2)
Leman Russ · Primarch of the Space Wolves, the Wolf King
Sebastian Yarrick · Commissar, Hero of Hades Hive
