Imperial Fist Space Combat Strategy

[DogWelder]

I made a write-up of how the different legions fought in space based on the novels and the Forge Word Books. I thought I'd post the Imperial Fist section here. Criticism, correction and additional info are always welcome.

 

Equipment and Supply:

 

The Imperial Fists pride themselves on their discipline and stoicism, maintaining a well drilled fighting force that had a very good supply chain thanks to their proximity to Terra. Not to mention access to the best equipment and machinery the Mechanicus could equip them with as befitting their role as guardians of Mankinds throne world.

As such, they were able to obtain several Battleship and Cruiser class vessels in addition to their considerable Astartes Specific void vessels (Strike Cruisers, Battle Barges etc.)

 

Tactics and Strategy:

 

Imperial Fists during space combat tend to deploy a large number of medium to heavy class vessels (Battleships/Cruisers) like most Space Marine Legions. However, they did make use of their lighter Destroyers and Frigates as well, mostly as torpedo boats to soften up targets for their larger ships. These smaller ships don't tend to last long in their battles and perhaps it is a reflection of the Imperial Fist doctrine of self sacrifice that they consider it a success that they achieve their objective even if it entails the loss of their craft.

Their almost fanatical dedication to discipline has resulted in finely trained ship crews that are able to co-ordinate their movements with the larger fleet to terrifying effect and execute fleet maneuvers that would seem impossible to other Legions.

 

The Battle of Phall

 

This is the same state of readiness and constant drills that allowed a third of the Imperial Fist fleet led by Captain Alexis Polux to be victorious against a massive flotilla the Iron Warriors ship numbering in the hundreds commanded by the Primarch Perturabo.

As the Iron Warriors charged forwards in a conical formation, their heaviest void vessels to the fore, hoping to get up close with the Imperial Fist fleet, Polux's plan came into action. The loyalist ships executed perfect strike and evasion maneuvers on an individual level. Combined with the co-ordinated fleet movement, resulted in the Iron Warriors passing right through the loyalists like a "fist through smoke". The superior engines and machinery installed on the Imperial Fist vessels was also a factor that allowed them to be much more maneuverable than their counterparts and easily outflank them.

The Fists then viciously picked apart the traitor fleet by attacking it on all sides, surrounding their "cone". The Iron Warriors were badly mauled and Perturabo's flagship was even boarded at one point in the battle. Although the battle would end in a loyalist retreat due to external forces, this remains a terrifying example of Imperial Fist void combat strategy.

[Dosjetka]

Thank you for gathering this information. Which book(s) did you source it from?

[DogWelder]

Thank you for gathering this information. Which book(s) did you source it from?

 

Crimson Fist and the Horus Heresy FW books.