Powerfist
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A Powerfist is a weapon in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Around since the first incarnation of Warhammer 40,000, there have been several models and parts of models that have a power fist. It is essentially an oversized, armoured gauntlet that generates an energy field around it that disrupts any matter it touches. It is a favoured close combat weapon for the Imperium, as well as the forces of Chaos (particularly the Chaos Space Marines). It's the iconic feature of the Space Marines.
In the table-top game, it has the effect of doubling the user's strength while ignoring armour saves, making it devastating against infantry and pretty effective against enemy armour. It has the disadvantage of forcing the user to strike last, making them vulnerable to attack from others before they get a chance to strike. This drawback is often fatal to the character, as ones who use Powerfists are usually pitted against monsters or vehicles. A popular choice for weapons that go with a power fist are the combat shield and bolt pistol or just a storm shield, to ensure that the character lasts long enough to use it.
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[edit] Variants
From time to time, the Terminators' (and occasionally, Assault Space Marines and Space Marine Heroes') Powerfists have also been known as Power Gloves, especially in the Space Hulk PC game. However, the Dreadnought's close combat weapon has always been known exclusively as the Powerfist. Although it operates on the same principle as the infantry powerfist, it is vastly more powerful - the power of the dreadnought means there is effectively no limit to the power of the fist, making it more effective against heavily armoured vehicles. Also, it does not force the dreadnaught to strike last.
One variant on the powerfist is the Lightning Claw (see below). It 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. They are more specialized than powerfists, being extremely effective against enemy troops but having little impact on vehicles.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.
Another variant is the Chainfist, similar to a Powerfist, but with a reduced, powered chainsaw blade attached. It was originally intended for breaching bulkheads on starships and hulks but it is equally adept at tearing up vehicles. It is treated as a power fist against infantry, but its purpose is tearing up armour, where it excels.
Most Terminators are equipped with a Storm Bolter and Powerfist. Occasionally, the Chainfist will substitute for a Powerfist in case the situation calls for it.
[edit] Other weapons
There are also several weapons which bear the same effects of a Powerfist, but with additional effects and a different appearance.
Thunder Hammers are huge, energy coated hammers used by Space Marine Terminators and a few characters against strong opponents. The shockwave sent out by the weapon can stun an opponent for several moments, which will often cost their lives. The Thunder Hammer functions much like a Powerfist, but can cause the victim to be stunned in subsequent turns. It can also shake up the crew of a vehicle.
Eviscerators, used by the priests and Adeptus Sororitas of the Imperium, are the commoner's version of a Chainfist. They are ridiculously large Chain Swords that can carve through bulkheads and vehicle plating just as well as a Chainfist. They are two handed, however. Other than being two handed they are the exactly the same as a Chainfist. The reason for this piece of equipment is that Chainfists are so heavy that they can usually only be mounted on Terminators, thus the Eviserator is made so that flak, carapace and power armoured models can have the devastating effects of the Terminators.
[edit] Other races
The Orks use a variant known as a Power Klaw, which is a large claw, often with three bladed fingers. The wielders of such weapons can easily rip apart armour of any kind with them. In game they have the same effects as a Powerfist (note that the speed handicap is almost non-existent, as Orks are only slightly faster than the Powerfist).
The Eldar Striking Scorpion Exarchs employ a variant called Scorpion's Claw, which integrates a shuriken catapult and a Powerfist, and is shaped like a hand sized claw of a scorpion.
[edit] Lightning Claw
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.
Because of their ability to wound opponents so easily and the fact that they can be master-crafted, most players rightly fear the Lightning Claw in all its forms. Normally they are used in conjunction with Jump Packs, which allows the character to get in close as soon as possible with the enemy. Bikes are often overlooked due to the bike's high point cost. It is theorised that a single general, equipped with a pair of Master-crafted Lightning Claws and a Jump Pack, is capable of taking down a whole army by simply hopping from one unit to the next.
[edit] The Gauntlets of Ultramar
The Chapter Master, Lord Macragge, of the Ultramarines is granted the right to wear the mighty Gauntlets of Ultramar. These are an ancient pair of powerfists, accompanied by a set of ornate shoulderpads (compatible with both artificer armour and Terminator Armour) and a set of built-in bolters. Their origin is unknown, all that is known is that they were taken back from a fell champion of Chaos by the Primarch of the Ultramarines. In game they are considered as a pair of powerfists (granting +1 attack) with a single built-in Storm Bolter (the two bolters fire as one). They are currently held by Marneus Calgar, Lord Macragge of the 41st millennium.
[edit] References
- Games Workshop Design Staff (2002). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Chaos Space Marines, 1st Edition, Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-322-5.
- Thorpe, Gav (2001). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Eldar, 3rd Edition, Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-869893-39-5.
- Chambers, Andy (2001). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Orks, 2nd Edition, Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-869893-38-7.
- Chambers, Andy (2004). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Space Marines, 4th Edition, Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-526-0.
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