Weaponry of the Adeptus Astartes

When it comes to the battlegear of the Space Marines a whole plethora of weapons are there for the warrior's choosing. Weapons available to the warrior depend on their battlefield role and experience. A fresh initiate will only be given responsibility of standard issue weapons whereas a battle-hardened veteran of many centuries will have exceedingly little he can't take on missions. Here, for your consideration, is an almost full list of weapons used by the Adeptus Astartes:

Bolt Pistol
The standard issue sidearm of the Space Marines. Bolt pistols are compact ranged weapons that spew explosive-tipped shots at the enemies of Mankind. Magazines of these weapons are typically only big enough for closing the distance on enemy soldiers. In protracted firefights they lack long range and run low on ammunition quickly.

Plasma Pistol
An uncommon sidearm, it is never-the-less a hard task to find a Space Marine squad without one. Plasma weapons as a rule are inaccurate and prone to overheating but the superheated charges they produce can knock a hole clean through most materials. Because of this Plasma weapons are valuable yet untrustworthy weapons that can wreak havoc upon heavy armoured units and demolish cover.

"Do not forsake your sidearm. It is the deliverer of wrath and a constant companion in a life of unending battle."

Boltgun
Much like the Bolt pistol, the Boltgun is the standard issue firearm of the Space Marines. A deadly assault rifle that spews explosive-tipped rounds into enemy ranks. This, however, is where the similarities end. Boltguns have a much larger magazine. If that wasn't enough Tactical Marines carry round extra magazines. Those bearing Boltguns are now capable of fulfilling what they couldn't with Bolt Pistols. Boltguns are also one of the Bolt Weapons to make use of different types of ammunition, something that other weapon types are incapable of. This makes the Boltgun by far the most adaptable battlefield weapon.

"A warrior is as skilled as the quality of his armament permits."

Storm Bolter
Like a carbine unto the Boltgun, the Storm Bolter is the standard firearm of the Terminator Squads, though it is sometimes used by those outside their ranks. Storm Bolters have big drum-magazines and a higher rate of fire. This does have it's own drawback, Storm Bolters are known to jam when letting off uncontrolled automatic fire. They are still a great weapon for mobilization and carry all the benefits of any other Bolt weapon.

"One can never have too much firepower."

Heavy Bolter
The Heavy Bolter is a rapid-fire heavy weapon with an almost unending feed of large-caliber bolt-rounds. It is capable of cutting through harder enemies than the standard Boltgun and is best used from a fortified position in stationary stance. Not too manoeuvrable, the Heavy Bolter is usually first to set up and last to pack away.

"The heavy bolter sings praises to the Emperor with a voice that will never tire."

Plasma Gun
Almost a hand cannon in terms of how it handles, the Plasma Gun is an intimidating weapon. It is quite capable of taking down light vehicles and heavily armoured troops. Like all Plasma weapons the Plasma Gun recharges after each shot. This means a slow rate of fire but it can optionally use its rapid fire setting at loss of shot power.

Plasma Cannon
The Plasma Cannon is a heavy weapon of titanic destruction. It's pure weight requires much the same handling as a Heavy Bolter but it remains true of all Plasma Weapons. It overheats, it's powerful and it's inaccurate. An added bonus, though, is such is the radius of a Plasma Cannon's shot that it can eliminate enemies standing next to the target when hit.

"The noblest works incur the heaviest risks."

Flamer
Great for flushing enemies out of their hiding places, Flamers are the bane of cover heavy combat. This is the only real role of the Flamer, burning enemies to a cinder at close proximity. It isn't very effective against heavily armoured targets but can cover areas of troops is a wall of flame. It may not be as damaging as a Boltgun but watch the swathes of enemies drop as they seek shelter behind a low wall.

Heavy Flamer
A much more powerful adaption of Flamer weaponry, there is little than can survive the fiery onslaught of the Heavy Flamer. Such is the rarity of the weapon, only Squads of a Chapter's 1st company can make use of them.

"It is more than just a weapon. It is the redeemer of the corrupt and the purifier of the tainted."

Missile Launcher
A Missile Launcher launches missiles at opponents. Most commonly these vary between Frag missiles and Krak missiles. Frag missiles are used for eliminating groups of lesser opponents and Krak missiles fulfil an anti-tank role, destroying vehicles and breaching buildings. Though reloading such a weapon is a slow task, firing it always has a devastating outcome.

"Never permit thine enemy to find you unprepared for the battle."

Assault Cannon
Akin to the Gatling guns of old is the Assault Cannon. Multiple chambers provide a barrage of shots that mow down swarms of light infantry in split seconds. Even the Heavy Bolter does not have a rate of fire *this* fast. Such a weapon can only be wielded by Terminator Squads.

Chainsword
This weapon is standard issue of the Assault Marines and commonly seen with Sergeants of almost any Space Marine Squad. When set into whirring motion it chews into foes with grinding teeth, brilliant for close combat. Combined with a pistol it makes a great offensive or even with a shield for additional protection when engaging in melee.

"Taste the fear of your enemy as he dies."

Power Sword
The Power Sword cuts through armour like a knife through butter. Only tanks are safe from the slashing, hacking and piercing attacks of such weapons. In the hands of a skilled sword fighter, this weapon can have even the most deadly enemies routed on a charge.

"Armour is no protection against the blessed tools of the righteous."

Power Fist
Power Fists are weapons of colossal impact damage. Granted they are cumbersome but a blow landed of one can leave an enemy in several places or rip the hull off a tank. If an Astartes Warrior can be prepared to weather the blows of his enemy, the power fist can exact vengeance upon even the largest, most deadly of foes. Suddenly the large monsters that Chaos and the Tyranids can throw at you seem far less invulnerable.

"The powerfist smites the foe with all the fury of a thousand men."

Thunder Hammer
The exacter of godly smiting as such that only Terminators and Veteran Sergeants may use these most powerful of all melee weapons. Despite being much like a lengthier version of the Power Fist, the Thunder Hammer also has enough force to put any lucky survivor unluckily on their feet, leaving them vulnerable to more melee attacks.

"Conviction lends it strength. Justice gives it purpose."

That's my extensive look at Space Marine weapons for you. Sorry I hadn't posted much on this blog in prior days. Hope you enjoy planning which weapons you wish to destroy your enemies with - Ed.