When you need a line held, there’s one group of soldiers in particular you call for – the Cadians. They might ‘only’ be human, but they’re hard as nails, and this week’s Warhammer+ Wednesday sees the return of Hammer and Bolter with a brutal look at the horrors they face in Cadia Stands.
Despite the loss of their home world, the remaining regiments of Cadia fight on with considerable vigour, fully earning their reputation as some of the sturdiest Humans around. When lesser warriors fail, Cadians gird their loins and fix bayonets, and the history of Warhammer 40,000 is littered with tales of their heroism. To prepare for the episode ahead, we’ve listed five battles that have proved just how tough the Guardsmen of Cadia can be.*
The Red Waaagh!
A massive Ork invasion sweeps through the Sanctus Reach, catching the Imperial Governor completely unaware. Even after the Obsidian Glaives Chapter of Space Marines are wiped out to a man at their home world of Obstiria, the Cadians defending the core world hold out under an intense Gargant assault, defending critical bridges despite horrific casualties until Imperial Knights reinforcements arrive.
The Second Agrellan Campaign
The punitive campaign to retake the world of Agrellan from the T’au Empire sees a massive Imperial muster commanded by Cadian Lord General Troskzer smash into the embattled world. Legendary fighters such as Commander Farsight and Chapter Master Kayvaan Shrike were involved in the wider conflict, but there was one duel that everyone watched. Knight-Commander Pask and Longstrike fought a mighty armoured battle to determine once and for all who is the greatest tank commander in the 41st Millennium.**
The Battle for Tyrok Fields
In the opening salvos of the 13th Black Crusade, the renowned Volscani regiment are greeted at their landing fields by the entire High Command of Cadia. This gesture turns to tragedy when the Volscani turn traitor and wipe them out, forcing Ursarkar E. Creed to assume command of the shaken Cadian forces and crush the heretics. For this, he is named Lord Castellan of Cadia, and he begins preparations for Abaddon the Despoiler’s arrival.
The Battle of Eagle Gate
A crusade fleet bound for the Damocles Gulf is redirected to defend Eydolim from a sudden, overwhelming Chaos assault. Cadian regiments lead a desperate defence against Chaos Titans, Khornate Daemons, and Word Bearers, holding out against incredible odds until an Ultramarines detachment can come to their aid. At the height of the final battle, an unknown Cadian Guardsman rushes the Chaos commander with only a bayonet, buying time with his life for the wounded Cato Sicarius to kill the leading Word Bearer and pitch his forces back into the Warp.
The Fall of Cadia
The greatest alliance of Chaos forces since the Horus Heresy descends on Cadia itself, taking the fight to the planet’s surface after weeks of bloody battle around the Eye of Terror. Despite billions of casualties, Cadian regiments hold the line and defend critical locations across the planet against the stuff of nightmares. The end only comes when a Blackstone Fortress is smashed into the planet, cracking it to its core even as the Cadians continue to stand firm against Abaddon.
You can witness the legendary determination of Cadia yourself in Cadia Stands, which is released today alongside a host of new content across Warhammer+. Meanwhile, Loremasters delves into the arcane history of Warhammer Age of Sigmar’s precious realmstone, while Citadel Colour Masterclass returns with an in-depth guide to painting realistic fur effects on your miniatures.***
For Warhammer+ viewers in Australia, the new Hammer and Bolter animation will be available to watch later this week, rather than today. The other new shows are unaffected and available to watch now. We apologise for the delay and hope you enjoy the episode once it arrives.
This week’s additions to the Warhammer Vault will be a delight for fans of the T’au Empire, who can relive the triumphs of the Taros Campaign, which saw the Imperium desperately trying to recapture its planet. As well as the narrative content from Imperial Armour Volume 3, you can also get your digital hands on three more classic issues of White Dwarf.
Don’t forget you can win six pieces of incredible Hammer and Bolter concept art just by being subscribed to Warhammer+ this month.**** Only 20 sets of these prints exist, so make sure you’re in with a chance to win this incredible prize draw by signing up to Warhammer+ now.
* Make no mistake, there were a lot to choose from.
** It’s a good job that Sergeant Chronus wasn’t there – he’d have taught them both what tank commanding is all about.
*** Just the ticket for the cold winter months!