Falcon

The Falcon is the main battle tank of the Craftworld Aeldari, a fast, mobile and well-protected grav-tank carrying excellent anti-armour and anti-infantry firepower.

In addition to the Falcon's considerable assets, it can also transport a small squad of Aspect Warriors or Asuryani Guardians into battle, and its split wing design and single seat turret are a familiar sight to those enemy tank crews that face the Craftworld Aeldari on the battlefield.

History[]

According to the Aeldari species' long and complex mythical creation-story known as the War in Heaven, it was Faolchú, consort of the Great Hawk, the messenger of the Aeldari gods, who stole the smith god Vaul's mighty sword Anaris, one of the Swords of Vaul, and gave it to the Aeldari hero Eldanesh so he might defeat the Aeldari war god Khaela Mensha Khaine.

This principle of deliverance lies behind the Falcon grav-tank's design. As well as mounting a diverse array of potent weapons, it can carry a small squad of Craftworld Aeldari warriors in its transport compartment, delivering them to where their prowess is most needed and retrieving them once their mission is complete.

The Aeldari's enemies have learnt to fear the Falcon's sleek silhouette, for if its deadly weapons do not bring about their doom, the Aeldari inside it will.

Armament[]

An Falcon speeding into battle — An Aeldari Falcon speeding into battle

The key to the Falcon's battlefield performance is its engine and anti-gravitic generators. The Aeldari are masters of anti-gravitic technology, utilising it as readily as Mankind uses tank tracks. Their advanced technology means the Falcon's engines can generate an estimated top speed of 800 kilometres per hour.

Its advanced anti-grav generators are also capable of limited flight, climbing higher than equivalent Imperial vehicles and thus giving them the added edge of altitude, allowing them to swoop down onto the battlefield at high speed, weapons locked on to their pre-selected targets.

Each Falcon has a crew of two, the pilot and the gunner. These will be already experienced warriors, having most likely learned their skills within Jetbike squadrons or along other, similar paths, who intuitively handle the Falcon's complex and delicate control systems using both their mind and body.

As befits its versatile battlefield role, a Falcon's armament is also very deceptive. Alongside its standard high-energy firing Pulse Laser, a Falcon can be equipped for just about any role: be it anti-infantry with Scatter Lasers and Shuriken Cannons, or dealing with light armour with Starcannons, or in an anti-tank role with a Bright Lance or Eldar Missile Launcher.

Tactical Role[]

An Falcon grav-tank of — An Asuryani Falcon grav-tank of Craftworld Saim-Hann

The Falcon forms a keystone of the Craftworld Aeldari's mounted warfare tactics. Supported by Fire Prisms, Firestorms and Night Spinners, an armoured host will first move at speed to outflank and then surround an enemy force.

Striking at top speed and withdrawing before the enemy's anti-tank weapons can be deployed to face them, a Falcon flight, sometimes referred to as a "Cloudstrike squadron," can rapidly change position and strike again from another direction, breaking up an enemy's defensive cohesion or attack formations before the main Aeldari assault hits.