Lightning claw

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In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, a Lightning Claw is a specialized type of power weapon, based on the design of the Powerfist.

A Lightning Claw consists of a powered gauntlet, fitted with three or four blades. A matter-disrupting energy field is projected around the blades, allowing them to cut through armour and flesh with minimal effort. Lightning Claws are almost invariably worn as a pair.

Lightning Claws are most commonly used by the Space Marine Chapters - by Assault Marines, Terminators and some officers, for example, Captain Kayvan Shrike of the Raven Guard and his retinue, Shrikes Wing - and also has been used by the Chaos Space Marine Legions, Abaddon's Talon of Horus being an example. General Sturnn, from the Winter Assault expansion pack for the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War video game, also wears a pair of Lightning Claws, although balance issues and game mechanics prevent the matter-disrupting properties of table top Lightning Claws being applied to them.

In the tabletop game, Lightning Claws count as a Power Weapon and enable the user to re-roll failed 'to wound' rolls. If worn as a pair, they allow the user to make an additional attack. Because of this most players will pay the extra point cost to 'Master-Craft' their Lightning Claws to ensure hits and wounds. Lighting Claws are most often mounted on Terminators (to ensure they actually get into combat before getting killed) or on jump pack-equipped heroes (as their superior stats will complement the Claws).

The Space Wolves Venerable Dreadnought (Bjorn the Fell-Handed) has a Lightning Claw instead of a Powerfist, but currently it counts as a regular Dreadnought Powerfist for gaming purposes.

[edit] References

• Chambers, Andy (2004). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Space Marines, 4th Edition, Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-526-0.