Rogal Dorn Battle Tank at Warhammer World

Named in honour of the legendary Primarch of the Imperial Fists, the Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is a ponderous, heavily armoured behemoth designed to anchor the Astra Militarum’s armoured spearheads.

Larger and far more heavily protected than the ubiquitous Leman Russ, yet more nimble than a massive Baneblade, the Rogal Dorn bridges the gap as a dedicated heavy combat vehicle capable of taking immense punishment while shattering enemy fortifications. Its cavernous hull bristles with an imposing array of weaponry: the main turret can be fitted with either a devastating twin battle cannon or a high-caliber Oppressor cannon paired with a co-axial autocannon, while hull-mounted weapons, ranging from heavy meltas and castigator gattling cannons to pintle heavy stubbers—allow it to sweep away infantry and heavy armour alike.

Engineered with thick, reinforced plating and an imposing profile, the Rogal Dorn stands as an unyielding fortress on tracks, embodying the uncompromising resilience of its namesake across the war-torn battlefields of the 41st Millennium.

Bridging the gap between the ubiquitous Leman Russ and the gargantuan Baneblade, the Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is a ponderous, heavily armoured line-breaker engineered for the Astra Militarum’s most brutal grinding engagements. Named after the steadfast Primarch of the VII Legion, this heavy combat vehicle combines thick, damage-absorbent plating with immense, flexible firepower.

Its imposing main turret can mount a crushing twin battle cannon or an armour-shredding Oppressor cannon with a co-axial autocannon, while secondary mountings allow for an overwhelming barrage of castigator gatling cannons, heavy meltas, and sponson-mounted heavy bolters. Mobile enough to keep pace with armoured spearheads yet durable enough to act as a rolling fortress, the Rogal Dorn brings the uncompromising resilience and devastating artillery of its namesake directly to the front line.

Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank

Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank with an oppressor cannon and a co-axial autocannon

There were quite a few Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank models on display at Warhammer World. As well as the display cabinets, some have been added to various existing displays, notably the Imperial Guard parade.

Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank with an oppressor cannon and a co-axial autocannon
Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank with a twin battle cannon

The Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is larger than the standard Leman Russ battle tank. A huge tank that provides support for the infantry of the Imperial Guard.

This Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is armed with a twin battle cannon that provides a a high volume fire.

Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank with a twin battle cannon
Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank with a twin battle cannon

This variant has an oppressor cannon with a co-axial autocannon mounted on its side.

Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank with an oppressor cannon and a co-axial autocannon
Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank with an oppressor cannon and a co-axial autocannon

I quite like the model, which certainly has an Imperial Guard feel to it and fits in well with other Imperial Guard armoured vehicles. We’ve not seen any variants for it at this time, well in the heyday of Forge World we would have seen alternate turrets, or the hull used as the basis for different kinds of armoured vehicles. Thinking it might be a good platform for a real large missile. 

The model did cause some negative feedback from modellers, who didn’t like the fact that the model did not have an underside.

When it came out I did wonder about it in this blog post back in October 2022.

I do wonder why they decided to design a completely new tank. I suspect it might be that attempting to recreate an existing resin model in plastic was challenging, and to ensure that the sprues would fit in the box they needed to start from scratch.

Well since then Games Workshop have released a plastic version of the Malcador. I am now wondering if we will see a plastic Macharius tank?

Campaign weary Rogal Dorn Battle Tank

So, we know there is a new tank coming for the Imperial Guard.

Rogal Dorn Tank

The new Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is a behemoth of a vehicle, perfectly suited for smashing enemy positions and anchoring defensive lines. Its heavy armour gives it durability worthy of the Praetorian’s name, while its powerful engines ensure it doesn’t fall behind squadrons of Leman Russ Battle Tanks.

In a recent post on the Warhammer Community we learnt a little more about the kit and how the model goes together.

As I read the article it got me thinking about building a camping weary Rogal Dorn tank, a fighting vehicle that has been out in the field for a while.

It’s also the first time we’ve shown proper suspension on a tank kit, so you can leave off the side skirts and see the wheels. 

Now this is interesting, I quite like the idea of modelling the tank without skirts, maybe they got lost during a firefight.

The stowage is also really versatile – there are plenty of sandbags, packs, tools, and oil canisters – but we’ve been careful with the sizing so they fit in lots of different places. 

I like this idea, I can see how this will allow you to create a tank which has been on a long campaign. Covered in stowage and personal belongings. This isn’t a parade ready tank, this is a fighting vehicle that has been fighting for a long time.

I suspect it won’t be long before it’s available in pre-order.

New Rogal Dorn Battle Tank for the Imperial Guard

Rogal Dorn Tank

So there is a new tank coming for the Imperial Guard.

The new Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is a behemoth of a vehicle, perfectly suited for smashing enemy positions and anchoring defensive lines. Its heavy armour gives it durability worthy of the Praetorian’s name, while its powerful engines ensure it doesn’t fall behind squadrons of Leman Russ Battle Tanks.

Its turret mounts either two full-size battle cannons, or an enormous oppressor cannon. 

Like the idea of this model. A nice big Imperial tank. This is bigger than a Leman Russ, but smaller than the Baneblade.

Rogal Dorn Tank

It’s interesting that for many years Forge World produced resin tanks that were also bigger than a Leman Russ, but smaller than the Baneblade. Tanks such as the Malcador Heavy Tank

…and the Macharius Heavy Tank.

Imperial Macharius Heavy Tank
Imperial Macharius Heavy Tank

I do wonder why they decided to design a completely new tank, though I am reminded of the Imperial Guard Raganrok tank that was developed for Epic.

I suspect it might be that attempting to recreate an existing resin model in plastic was challenging, and to ensure that the sprues would fit in the box they needed to start from scratch.

Having said that, as I said I do like this model.  Also I like that the kit comes with tons of detail parts, so you can add tool stowage, track links, and other bits and bobs all over the chassis, as well as a range of weapon options.