Banesword

The Banesword super-heavy tank of the Imperial Guard is a variant of the much older and more common Shadowsword. The main difference between the Banesword and the Shadowsword is its main armament and battlefield role, the Banesword is armed with a weapon known as a Quake Cannon while the Shadowsword is armed with a Volcano Cannon. While the Shadowsword is used as a anti-armour and anti-Titan vehicle the Banesword is used as a heavy siege weapon.

Armament
The Banesword's main weapon, known as a Quake Cannon is one of the most powerful siege weapons available to the Imperium, with this extremely powerful weapon, and the impenetrable armour that the Baneblade and Shadowsword are known for, and where it gets its name, the Banesword is considered the absolute greatest siege tank available. Many Imperial commanders would willingly exchange two full regiments of infantry for a single Banesword, such is the reputation of this tank. The Banesword is also armed with a hull-mounted Twin-linked Heavy Bolter, and 2 sponson-mounted Heavy Flamers with top-mounted sponson Lascannons. The Heavy Flamers can be switched out for Heavy Bolters when needed. The sponson mounts can be replaced with extra armour plates for added protection or an additional 2 sponson mounts identical to the first can be added, giving the tank and extra 2 Twin-linked Heavy Flamers or Bolters and top-mounted Lascannons. The vehicle can also be equipped with a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, Pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber or Storm Bolter, a searchlight, and smoke launchers. A fully equipped Banesword will have a combination of 16 different barreled weapons.

Naming Convention
When a new Banesword is commissioned to an armoured regiment it is traditional that it will have to prove itself in combat before it can earn a name for itself, due to this all new Baneswords are referred to with either an abbreviation of their serial number or the name of their Forge World of origin. Many regiments include the name of fallen foes into the new name for the Banesword, although, after a direct hit with the Quake Cannon there is little left to confirm the identity of those who were killed.

Known Baneswords

 * Executioner of Cadanth - Part of the 2nd Vostroyan Armoured Regiment
 * Tyron's Doom - Part of the 23rd Cadian Armoured Regiment
 * Warmaster's Ruin - Part of the 44th Tallarn Armoured Regiment

Adeptus Mechanicus Technical Specifications
The Technical Specifications of this vehicle have yet to be released by the Adeptus Mechanicus.