Titan (Warhammer 40,000)
Overview
A Titan in the Warhammer 40,000 universe is a colossal, bipedal war machine, used by the Imperium of Man and the traitorous forces of Chaos. These towering behemoths are the embodiment of death and destruction, a walking apocalypse whose sole purpose is to crush and obliterate the enemies of the Emperor.
Design and Construction
Titans are constructed by the Adeptus Mechanicus, the tech-priests of Mars, in colossal, cathedral-like Titan Manufactoria. These facilities are the only places in the galaxy where the arcane technology and rituals required to build a Titan can be performed. The construction of a Titan is a religious act, with each component blessed and sanctified before assembly.
Classification
Titans are classified into several different types, each with its own role on the battlefield. The smallest of these are the Warhound-class Scout Titans, used for reconnaissance and skirmishing. The Reaver-class Battle Titan is a larger, more heavily armed variant, used for line-breaking and siege warfare. The largest and most formidable of all are the Emperor-class Titans, walking fortresses armed with weapons capable of leveling cities.
Crew
The crew of a Titan is led by a Princeps, a highly trained and psychically gifted individual who interfaces directly with the Titan's Machine Spirit, or AI. The Princeps is assisted by a team of Moderati, who control the Titan's weapons and secondary systems, and a team of Tech-priests and Servitors, who maintain the Titan's systems and perform emergency repairs.
Combat Role
In combat, Titans are used as the spearhead of an Imperial assault, their devastating firepower and near-impervious armour allowing them to smash through enemy lines and fortifications with ease. They are also used in a defensive role, their towering height and powerful weapons making them ideal for holding key positions and repelling enemy assaults.
Notable Titans
There are many notable Titans in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, each with its own history and legends. These include the Dies Irae, an Emperor-class Titan that played a key role in the Siege of Terra, and the Stormherald, a Warlord-class Titan that served as the personal mount of the Primarch Perturabo.