Thunder Warriors

“Legiones Cataegis”

GW original artwork of a ThunderWarrior Primarch by JOHN BLANCHE

Summary

The Thunder Warriors, also sometimes referred to in ancient records as the Thunder Legion and the Thunder Regiments, and known in High Gothic as the Legiones Cataegis, were the 20 regiments or legions of genetically-engineered, superhuman warriors of Terra created by the design of the Emperor of Mankind through alchemical augmentation, somatic gene-sculpting and muscle-grafting techniques. Their purpose was to unite the homeworld of Humanity beneath the Emperor's rule during the Unification Wars on Terra in the late 29th and 30th Millenniums. They were the first gene-enhanced warriors created by the Emperor and served as the precursors to the present-day Space Marines, though they were created from adult male supporters of the Emperor rather than adolescents.
The Thunder Warriors' legions were commanded by genetically-identical Cataegis warriors of particular skill, intellect and mental stability, who each held the rank of "primarch." Each legion was particularly focused on a particular tactical or strategic specialty similar to the later, more perfected pattern seen among the Legiones Astartes.
Wrought to be living weapons, the Thunder Warriors were known to be physically stronger, more savage, more resilient and more potent in combat than the later Astartes, though they were not as long-lived and suffered from often dangerous mental instability and early metabolic collapse when their bodies began to reject their augmentations.
Imperial chronicles hold that the last of the legendary Thunder Warriors died heroically during the final battle of the Unification Wars at Mount Arrarat in 669.M30 that reunified Terra beneath the single rule of the Emperor and forged the government that would become the Imperium of Man.
The truth of the matter was far different, for the Thunder Warriors' fate was bound up in the terrible price that the Emperor proved willing to pay to secure a better future for Mankind.

Sourced from wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Thunder_Warriors

Appearance and Abilities

Thunder Warriors were large, greater in size than most Space Marines. In their earliest days the Thunder Warriors wore metal armor with leather strappings and wielded Lasrifles. Despite physical deterioration, the few Warriors that survived the end of the Unification Wars were easily more than a match for an Astartes, and had even outperformed Custodians during combat engagements. Even severely deteriorated Thunder Warriors shown capable of fighting multiple Astartes at once. They were made highly resistant to psychic attack, perhaps because of the sorcery they would regularly face during the Age of Strife, with any attempts at mental attack causing severe pain to the psyker. They had tremendous upper body strength that was considered to be unparalleled, which when coupled with their early model of power armor, made them virtually unbeatable in close combat. The leg strength of even a heavily physically deteriorating Thunder Warrior made them capable of kicking completely through the torso of a normal human. Their bones were thicker than that of an Astartes, with a Thunder Warrior capable of shattering the skull of an Astartes with a headbutt. Their reflexes were also extremely enhanced, allowing a Thunder Warrior to dodge the shot from a plasma gun, while already engaged in and focusing on fighting two other Astartes.
The Thunder Warriors genetic template was unstable and they were prone to fits of bloodlust and instability. Short-lived and rife with both mental and physical health issues, Thunder Warriors were known to suddenly drop dead or stop following orders. Unlike the later Legiones Astartes, they lived as warlords and relished battle. Their human emotions were not expunged from them, and they were known for their dry humor.

Organisation

Like the later Legiones Astartes, the Thunder Warriors were organized into twenty Legions, each led by a Primarch. However, unlike the Astartes Primarch's, Thunder Warriors Primarchs were not physically different from the warriors they led. Instead, they were simply superlative warriors who were promoted to the position by the Emperor.
The Legions of Thunder Warriors seem to match that of the Astartes. For instance, the 4th Legion of Thunder Warriors was known as the Iron Lords and specialized in Siegecraft. This closely resembles the subsequent Iron Warriors.

sourced from Valdor: Birth of the Imperium (Novel), Chapter 5

Legion Structure

Like the later Legiones Astartes, the Thunder Warriors were organized into twenty Legions, each led by a Primarch. However, unlike the Astartes Primarch's, Thunder Warriors Primarchs were not physically different from the warriors they led. Instead, they were simply superlative warriors who were promoted to the position by the Emperor of Man.
The Legions were large in number but fairly simple in organization. Credited to the Emperor himself, the Legion was organized into what was referred to as a Legiones Maniple. A divisionary battle force made up of 4 sections of battle; the Velites, hastati, principes and triarii. Each section had a role to play in the battle order and was strictly rejemented for a army force of that era.
The Legions of Thunder Warriors seem to match the later roles of that of the Astartes Legion. For instance, the 4th Legion of Thunder Warriors was known as the Iron Lords and specialized in Siegecraft. This closely resembles the subsequent Iron Warriors.

Maniple Roles

Velites

“Velites (singular: veles) were a class of Thunder Warrior in the Thunder Warrior Legion in the Unification Wars. Velites were light infantry and skirmishers often equipped with light carapace armour, snub guns, grenades and close combat weapons.
As the youngest and brashness warriors in the legion they wear light carapace armor around there chest, if they wear armor at all. Prefering to display their imperial tattoos and scars to frighten their opponents.
The velites were placed at the front partly for tactical reasons. They are the first into battle as scouts and opening skirmishes, harassing the enemies of the imperium. But more so, that they had the opportunity to secure glory for themselves in single combat.
Velites formed units that were then attached to other maniple section. Providing fast active support for the heavier hastati, principes and or triarii formations.
They were typically used as a screening force, driving off enemy skirmishers and disrupting enemy formations before the heavier-armed maniple properly position into attack. Their high mobility allowed for effective flanking and counter manoeuvres compared to the heavier units of other Maniples.

Hastatii

Hastati (singular: hastatus) were the staple warrior unit of the Legiono Maniple. The second battle line of the Maniple, once the new recruiters have burn themselves out from the fighting in the Velites, the warrior would find themselves here. When one thinks of a Thunder Warrior, a Hasatus is what comes to mind. The Hasati and every other Thunder Warrior role onwards would be equipped what would later be dubbed; the mk 1 thunder armour. Although called “power armour”, only power of the armor was powered. Indeed, much of the weight of this armour was carried by the warrior himself, with all the extra strength going to the arms and chest for crushing melee power and greater weapon stability.
With the heavy armour and powered upper body, the Hastati carried a variety of close combat and midrange weapons into battle. This included but not limited to the famed chain swords and bolter.
They fought in a quincunx formation, supported by the lighter infantry of the Velites.
If the enemy chose to charge in, the attackers were allowed to penetrate the first battle line consisting of hastati, after which the enemy would deal with the more hardened, seasoned soldiers, of the principes.

Principes

Principes (Singular: princeps) were the Thunder warrior how has proven time and time again of there effectiveness in battle and rewarded with elite armes and armour.
As a result, the Principes were the heavier infantry of the legions.
Their usual position was the second battle line. They fought in a quincunx formation, supported by groups of Velites.

Triarii

Triarii (singular: Triarius) were the oldest and most elite fighters in the legion. As the last battle line the Triarii were used as a reserve to to move in where the fighting was most intension and or were the enemy was weakest to finest them off.
In most battles triarii were not used because the lighter section of battle usually defeated the enemy before the triarii were committed to the battle.
They were meant to be used as a decisive force in the battle, thus prompting Gothic adage: 'it comes down to the triarii', which meant “the battle is at its end.”

Unit Structure

Legions
"I Legion Angels of Death'"
"II Legion The Second'"
"III Legion Emperor's Children'"
"IV Legion Iron Warriors'"
"V Legion Star Hunters'"
"VI Legion The Rout'"
"VII Legion Praetorians'"
"VIII Legion Night's Children'"
"IX Legion aters of the Dead'"
"X Legion Storm Walkers'"
"XI Legion The Eleventh'"
"XII Legion War Hounds'"
"XIII Legion War-Born'"
"XIV Legion Dusk Raiders'"
"XV Legion Thousand Sons'"
"XVI Legion Emperor's Wolves'"
"XVII Legion Imperial Heralds'"
"XVIII Legion The Fearless'"
"XIX Legion Pale Nomads'"
"XX Legion Ghost Legion'"

Lore

wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Thunder_Warriors
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Thunder_Warriors

Type

Shock

Founding

Ca. 29400

Dissolution

Ca. 29699

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Decorated/Honored

Used by

• Imperium of Man