Baal Predator

The Baal Pattern Predator, better known as the Baal Predator, is a specialised variant of the standard Space Marine Predator Destructor battle tank. The Baal Pattern Predator is used only by the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter, and their Successor Chapters. This variant of the standard Predator battle tank replaces the vehicle's standard Autocannon with Twin-linked Assault Cannons. The Baal Pattern Predator is also faster and more maneuverable than the standard Predator design. The Baal Pattern Predator's Standard Template Construct (STC) blue-prints are not verified by the Adeptus Mechanicus, and thus their use by Space Marine Chapters that are not the Blood Angels or their Successor Chapters is limited, and the vast majority of these vehicles are not true Baal Pattern Predators but standard Predators equipped with Twin-linked Assault Cannons, and lacking all other Baal Pattern features.

History
The Standard Template Construct (STC) designs for the Baal Pattern Predator were found by the Blood Angels Space Marine Legion near the beginning of the Great Crusade. The designs were found on the planet of Atium III from the ruins of the arch techno-heretic Lord de Ladt's fortress. After the Blood Angels stormed into the fortress and defeated the techno-heretic's forces they found the Baal Predator's STC designs in his inner sanctum. The Blood Angels never returned the designs to the Adeptus Mechanicus, and instead returned them to their homeworld or Baal, where they remain to this day. The designs are stored alongside the Chapter's Relics, and is protected from both enemies and allies. This act has caused great friction between the Blood Angels and the Adeptus Mechanicus, which claims that this variant and its STC template were never officially sanctified. The Blood Angels only allow the knowledge of the Baal Pattern Predator's construction to be known to their Successor Chapters, who also protect this knowledge from falling into the hands of others.

Armament
The Baal Pattern Predator is the Predator pattern the differs most from the original. The Baal Predator can be equipped with either Twin-linked Assault Cannons or a Flamestorm Cannon, which is a massive flame-thrower based weapon. Unlike other Predator variants, the Baal Predator is able to equip Heavy Flamers and Multi-Meltas to the vehicle's sponson-mounts. The differences between the Baal Pattern and the more standard patterns doesn't stop with its armament, the Baal Pattern is also faster and more maneuverable than any other Rhino chassis based vehicle in use by the Adeptus Astartes, the Blood Angels have also reverse engineered these features into their other vehicles. Due to the designs of the Baal Predator being kept secret, it is only assumed that these are the only differences from the standard pattern Predators. The Baal Pattern Predator, like all other Predator Patterns can also be outfitted with a dozer blade, extra armour plating, a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, improved communications equipment, a Pintle-mounted Storm Bolter, a searchlight, and smoke launchers.

Known Users of the Baal Pattern Predator

 * Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter - The Baal Pattern Predator is used almost exclusively by the Blood Angels Space Marine Chapter and their Successor Chapters, any that are used by other Chapters are more than likely just regular Predators with Twin-linked Assault Cannons equipped.
 * Blood Angels Successor Chapter, such as:
 * Angels Encarmine
 * Angels Sanguine
 * Angels Vermillion
 * Blood Drinkers
 * Blood Legion
 * Blood Swords
 * Exsanguinators
 * Flesh Eaters
 * Flesh Tearers
 * Knights Sanguine
 * Lamenters
 * Red Wings
 * Sons of Baal
 * Templars of Blood

Also See

 * Blood Angels
 * Imperial Vehicles

Gallery
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