Editing Siege tank

{{FeaturedArticle
|id=4
|date=2008-02-02
}}
{{Lore
|unit=siege tank
|sc1=x
|sc2=x
}}
{{Quote|Across the plaza, past a hastily erected barricade of dead cars, an Arclite siege tank had planted itself firmly between two buildings. It sat square in their path, fully deployed, its side pontoons firmly set in the asphalt. The shock cannon sent blistering rounds overhead, and its twin 80’s raked the debris of the fountain.|Confederate siege tank in action during the [[Battle of Tarsonis]]|StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade}}
{{VehicleBox
|name=Siege Tank
|bgcolor={{Silver}}
|fgcolor={{Black}}
|image=SiegeTank_SC2-WoL_Story1.jpg
|imgdesc=
|race=Terran
|faction=
|early=[[2480]] (general)<br>
[[2491]] (Arclite)<br>
[[2502]] (Crucio)
|create=
|destroy=
|type=Mobile/Stationary Artillery
|propulsion=Caterpillar treads
|armaments=Twin 80mm PPG-7 plasma cannons (Arclite)<br>
120mm Mjolnir shock/artillery cannon (Arclite)<br>
Twin 90mm plasma cannons (Crucio)<br>
180mm shock cannon (Crucio)
|job=
|command=
|crew=*1-3 (Arclite)
*Minimum of 1 (Crucio)
}}
The '''siege tank''' is a [[terran]] vehicle that can be configured to fulfill both the armored support and the long-range artillery support roles.<ref name="SC1_Manual">Underwood, Peter, Bill Roper, Chris Metzen and Jeffrey Vaughn. ''StarCraft (Manual)''. Irvine, Calif.: Blizzard Entertainment, 1998.</ref>

==Overview==
{{Quote|I'm about to drop the hammer and dispense some indiscriminate justice!|Siege tank pilot|StarCraft}}
[[File:SiegeTank SC-G Art1.jpg|thumb|left|An Arclite siege tank]]
The dual-mode siege tank concept was a [[Terran Confederacy]] response to the flexibility of the [[goliath]]. Prior to the [[Guild Wars]], work had progressed on a static "final defense" cannon. However, the conflict demonstrated the need for mobility and as a result an effort was made to make the cannon more mobile. The solution was creative. An existing tank design was modified so that it could operate as a conventional tank in addition to being able to deploy the cannon and become a static artillery emplacement at will.<ref name="SC1_Manual"/> Mobile siege tanks were in existence by [[2480]], several years before the official beginning of the Guild Wars. These tanks were able to be fueled by [[fossil fuels|oil]].<ref name="SC:IMengsk">McNeill, Graham (December 30, 2008). ''[[StarCraft: I, Mengsk]]''. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-1-4165-5083-9.</ref> An artillery version of the siege tank was in use by the Confederacy during the Guild Wars.<ref name="SC:HDevils">Dietz, William C. (April 6, 2010). ''[[StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils]]''. Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books). ISBN 978-1416-55084-6.</ref>

Siege tanks function in two modes. First is the "tank" or "assault mode" in which the vehicle may be used in the familiar armored support role using relatively light weapons. The second is the more radical "siege mode" in which the vehicle becomes a static emplacement able to deploy a much more powerful and longer ranged weapon.<ref name="SC1_Manual"/>

[[File:SiegeTank SC2-LotV Art2.jpg|thumb|A [[mercenary]] siege tank]]
By the [[Defenders of Man Insurgency]] the [[Umojan Protectorate]] appeared to be using siege tanks, a number of which were [[infested siege tank|infested]] by the [[zerg]] on [[Jarban Minor]].<ref name="NCO_NightTerrors">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Night Terrors]] (in English). 2016-08-02.</ref> [[Mercenary]] groups are known for the modifications they make to their siege tanks, both to increase their functionality and make them more visually intimidating, some modifying them to be better at [[demolition]] events. [[Tyrador IX]] utilized platinum-alloy siege tanks to give ten-round salutes to visiting dignitaries above a certain rank.<ref>[[Blizzard Entertainment]]. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. Collections Tab: Skins. July 19, 2017.</ref>
{{CoopCanon}}
During the [[End War]], [[Nova Terra]] deployed advanced [[heavy siege tank]]s against [[Amon's Forces]].<ref name="SC2-CoopNova">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[Co-op Missions]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. {{Link|Nova Terra|coop}} (in English). 2018.</ref>

==Types==
===AAV-5 Arclite===
{{Quote|There’s nothing scarier than a fleet of Siege Tanks, their Mjolnir 120 mm Shock Cannons poised to unleash a torrent of destruction.||url=https://starcraft.com/en-us/articles/20695698}}
[[File:SiegeTank_SC-G_Cncpt1.jpg|thumb|A modified Arclite tank]]
The AAV-5<ref name="SC1 Siege Tank">[http://www.battle.net/scc/terran/ut.shtml Arclite Siege Tank]. ''StarCraft Compendium''. Accessed on 2008-01-09.</ref> was in service by [[2491]],<ref name="Uprising"/> renowned throughout the [[Confederacy]] for its heavy firepower and stalwart emplacement/advance tactics.<ref name="SC1_Manual"/> It had a crew of three: gunner, driver, and commander/navigator,<ref name="SC1 Siege Tank"/> though could still be crewed by a single operator.<ref name="Uprising">Neilson, Micky. ''[[StarCraft: Uprising]]''. New York and Toronto, Ontario: Pocket Books, December 2000. ISBN 0-7434-1898-0 (eBook only).</ref><ref name="SC:FrntLn_V1_TG">Knaak, Richard A. and Naohiro Washio. "[[StarCraft: Frontline: Thundergod|Thundergod]]." In ''[[StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 1]]'', pp. 48–93. Tokyopop, August 1, 2008. ISBN 1427-80721-3.</ref> The crew compartment could get hot enough to be uncomfortable.<ref name="SiegeScience">2014-10-10, [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/unit/siege-tank#science Siege Tank Science]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2014-10-18.</ref>

In addition, the Arclite could serve as an APC of sorts, carrying personnel into a hot zone and deploying them via side/rear hatches.<ref name="Uprising"/> Use of a [[gravity accelerator]] allowed the Arclite to remain stable in low or zero gravity environments by utilizing artificial gravity.<ref name="SC:Upr">Neilson, Micky (December 18, 2000). ''[[StarCraft: Uprising]]''. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 0-7434-1898-0 (eBook).</ref> Hydraulic actuators meanwhile allow the Arclite to remain stable in tank for even when targeted by explosives. The gyros on the Arclite allowed them to navigate inclines of up to 65 degrees.<ref name="SC:MomentumStory">McAleese, Danny. "[[Momentum]]." (May 22, 2013). Blizzard Entertainment. [https://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/lore/short-stories/momentum/1 StarCraft Lore: Momentum] Accessed 2013-05-22.</ref>

The Arclite made navigation easy via its interior viewscreen, although a top hatch still existed should a crew member wish to survey the area personally and/or signal fellow soldiers.<ref name="Uprising"/> The tank also provided a targeting computer, which not only keyed in on heat sources, but also identified their range, notably whether they were in range or not via visual and audio indications.<ref name="Uprising"/> The viewscreen was able to display a 3D representation of topography surrounding the siege tank.<ref name="SC:MomentumStory"/>
[[File:SiegeTank SC-G Art2.jpg|thumb|Schematics of the upgraded AAV-5]]
Arclite armament consisted of twin 80mm PPG-7 plasma cannons<ref name="GhostVehicles">Source: [[BlizzCon]] 2005 StarCraft: Ghost information. [[Media:TerrVehicles SC-G BlizzCon2005.jpg|Terran Vehicles]]. Artist: Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed 2007-09-08.</ref> when mobile and the 120mm Shock Cannon when in siege mode.<ref name="SC1_Manual"/> Later on this was upgraded to the 120mm Mjolnir Artillery Cannon, which fired plasma shells in contrast to the standard explosives of the Shock Cannon.<ref name="GhostVehicles"/> Such weapons were sometimes used for "scorched earth" operations.<ref name="SC:TBG:BW">Corey Konieczka, Robert A. Kouba, Dan Clark (December 17, 2008). ''[[StarCraft: The Board Game: Brood War]]''. Fantasy Flight Games. ASIN 1589945034.</ref>

By the aftermath of the {{link|Brood War|conflict}} however, the AAV-5's "tank/assault mode" left much to be desired. Its armament and armor was too light to either advance, or hold a firebase from close-quarters assault, without significant support. The Crucio was developed to address these shortcomings.<ref name="SC2_SiegeTank">[http://www.starcraft2.com/features/terran/siegetank.xml Crucio Siege Tank]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2008-01-08.</ref>

===Crucio===
{{Quote|This bastion of the battlefield stands as the crux of a Terran force’s fortitude, fending off enemy forces from afar and repelling even the most formidable of ground units.|[[Raynor's Raiders]] blurb|url=http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/16280610/new-terran-tech-schematics-10-10-2014}}
[[File:SiegeTank SC2-HotS Cine1.jpg|thumb|The Crucio siege tank]]
The Crucio was designed as the AAV-5's replacement,<ref name="SC2_SiegeTank"/> and had entered [[Dominion]] service by [[2502]].<ref name="SC:FrntLn_V1_TG"/><ref name="HDTimeline">April 6, 2010. "Timeline." ''[[StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils]]''. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). pp. 311 - 323. ISBN 978-1416-55084-6.</ref> By the [[Defenders of Man Insurgency]], the [[Umojan Protectorate]] had acquired access to Crucios.<ref name="NCO NightTerrors">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Night Terrors]] (in English). 2016-08-02.</ref>

====Design====
[[File:SiegeTank SC2 Cncpt2.jpg|thumb|left|Crucio schematics]]
The Crucio features superior protection and armament compared to its predecessor. The Crucio was designed for increased survivability, with an enlarged, reinforced turret and hull. The turret layout also features an upgraded Tank-Mode armament package, allowing the Crucio to defend itself more successfully in open battlefields. The Crucio is costlier than its predecessor, but its increased versatility justifies the expenses.<ref name="Crucio">[http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/unit/siege-tank Crucio Siege Tank], [[Blizzard Entertainment]]. Accessed on 2010-12-05.</ref> The treads of the Crucio are made out of modular, heavy-duty [[neosteel]] plates. Unlike standard tracked vehicles, the Crucio boasts a multi-track configuration with two extra tracks for added stability. Historically, tracked vehicles have a drawback, for the loss of a single tread segment results in immobilization. To prevent this, engineers have added a series of tubes in the chassis and bogies of the tank that pump a fast-drying gel onto the affected area. Said gel replaces lost tread segments, and allows the Crucio to remain operational after suffering damage that would cripple vehicles lacking this technology. In siege mode, the Crucio's main tracks turn outwards and the secondary tracks slide into the hull, while thick hydraulic outriggers (also called legs) deploy from the sides of the tank. Once the legs are locked in, they push against the ground for added stability. The base of the outrigger, known as the pad or foot, is similar to a large claw. It comes with retractable talons that activate on rough terrain, and microscopic weep holes which secrete a rubbery substance for greater grip on metal and pavement. While the system is generally reliable, the legs stick from time to time.<ref name="SiegeScience"/> In total the Crucio weighs around 60 tons.<ref name="SC:FManual">Barba, Rick. ''[[StarCraft Field Manual]]'' (hardcover). Insight Editions, November 17, 2015.</ref>

[[File:2. Siege Tank - Tank Mode Special Forces.jpg|thumb|A Dominion Special Forces siege tank]]
Like the Arclite, temperatures of the Crucio's crew compartment can become uncomfortable. To offset this, all Crucios come equipped with a set of heavy compressors that regulate the air inside the cabin, taxing the engine in the process. Some veteran tank operators, and a few borderline obsessive rookies, opt to modify the climate control system, paying out of their own pocket for additional performance.<ref name="SiegeScience"/>

Initially, Crucio siege tanks requires further modifications outside of the factory line in order to deploy into siege mode. However the research of [[Redell Quinton]] of [[Project Blackstone]] did away with the latrines of factories, allowing further space for the assembly of "siege tech" on siege tanks right out of the factory without the need for further research from a [[tech lab]].<ref name="Blackstone">Blizzard Entertainment. [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blackstone/login Project Blackstone], accessed on 2013-02-06.</ref>

During the reign of [[Valerian Mengsk]], the Dominion made improvements to the Crucio siege tank model, adding reinforced plating and heftier cannons. These tanks were used by the [[Dominion Special Forces]].<ref name="Collections">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. Collections Tab: Skins. October 17, 2016.</ref> The [[Defenders of Man]] experimented with utilizing cloaking devices on siege tanks in [[Davis's compound]].<ref name="NCO_InEnemyShadow">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[In the Enemy's Shadow]] (in English). 2016-11-22.</ref>

====Ordnance====
{{Quote|Sure, our boys want to open up a meaningful dialog...with a hundred volleys of Crucio siege-tank fire follwed by thousands upon thousands of [[C-14 rifle|C-14 Impaler gauss-rifle]] fire!|[[Samwise Didier]]|The Art of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty}}
[[File:SiegeTank SC2 Cncpt1.jpg|A group of Crucio tanks advancing|thumb]]
By way of armament, the Crucio's turret has a dual-mode weapon system. In assault/tank mode,<ref name="SC2_SiegeTank"/><ref name="SiegeScience"/> the Crucio utilizes twin 90mm<ref name="SC2_SiegeTank"/> plasma<ref name="SCLArt">2008-06-29. Samwise Didier, Dave Bergain. [http://sclegacy.com/feature/32-wwi-08/316-starcraft-ii-art-panel WWI 08 Coverage - StarCraft II Art Panel]. ''StarCraft Legacy''. Accessed 2008-06-29.</ref> cannons.<ref name="SC2_SiegeTank"/> These are the Crucio's main line of defense, and are effective against enemy armor. Yet, the true might of the Crucio lies in its siege mode. On activation, the twin plasma cannons become the dreaded 180mm Shock Cannon, and just the roar of this weapon has been known to send enemies of the Dominion into full retreat.<ref name="SiegeScience"/> The shock cannon fires super-heated tungsten in an area larger than the 120mm version.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryArmoryUnits">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Armory units (in English). 2010.</ref> The weapon can fire a diverse range of munitions, like armor-piercing Maelstrom shells.<ref name="SiegeScience"/>

Dominion infantry soldiers are universally convinced that Crucio operators inflict more damage on friendly forces than on the enemy. Consequently, Crucio operators stick together during shore leave.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryArmoryUnits"/> [[LarsCorp]] addressed this issue by developing a "smart shell" for the Crucio that scans for allies on impact and adjusts its detonation to minimize damage to friendly units. Field tests have shown that this shell reduces friendly fire fatalities by 75%, though due caution is still recommended when walking into a fire zone.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryArmoryUpgrd">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Armory upgrades (in English). 2010.</ref> Siege tanks can be outfitted with [[spider mine]]s.<ref name="NCO_EnemyIntel">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Enemy Intelligence]] (in English). 2016-03-29.</ref>
{{AmbigCanon|Heroes of the Storm}}
The Crucio features a targeting and radar (or similar) system.<ref>2017-25-08, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jInzG9Ukrk Obey the Call – Heroes of the Storm]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2017-08-25.</ref>

===Imperio===
[[File:5. Siege Tank - Tank Mode Umojan.jpg|thumb|The Imperio siege tank]]
The Imperio siege tank was created by the [[Umojan Protectorate]]. A recent invention, they already rivaled their Dominion counterparts in early combat tests (which was precisely their goal).<ref name="Collections"/>

===Other Information===
{{AmbigCanon|Heroes of the Storm}}
Some advanced models of siege tanks can be outfitted with the ability to fire napalm shells, as well as utilize a massive [[blunt force gun]].<ref name="HeroesoftheStorm">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]'' (Blizzard Entertainment) (in English). June 2, 2015.</ref>

==Game Unit==
===StarCraft===
:''For StarCraft gameplay information see: [[Siege tank (StarCraft)]]''.
:''For StarCraft in-game quotations see: [[StarCraft unit quotations#Siege tank|StarCraft Siege Tank Quotations]]''.

===StarCraft: Ghost===
[[File:SiegeTank SC-G Game1.jpg|thumb|Plasma rounds being fired]]
{{Ghost}}
In ''[[StarCraft: Ghost]]'', [[Nova]] was able to call down artillery support from siege tanks by identifying targets.<ref>2004-05-11. [http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/489/489843/vids_2.html Calling down support]. ''IGN''. Accessed 2008-01-09.</ref><ref>Goldstein, Hilary. 2003-03-31. [http://ps2.ign.com/articles/391/391633p3.html Starcraft: Ghost Details]. ''IGN''. Accessed 2007-09-01.</ref> Siege tanks were player drivable in multiplayer, and were able to run over and crush other players and vehicles.<ref name="GhostVehicles"/>

They were present as early as one of the earliest builds of the game.<ref name="WentWrong">July, 2016, [http://www.polygon.com/2016/7/5/11819438/starcraft-ghost-what-went-wrong STARCRAFT: GHOST: WHAT WENT WRONG]. ''Polygon'', accessed on 2016-07-08.</ref>
[[File:SiegeTankPortrait Ghost Game1.JPG|thumb|''[[StarCraft: Ghost]]'' siege tank portrait]]

===StarCraft II===
:''For StarCraft II gameplay information see: [[Siege tank (StarCraft II)]]''.
:''For StarCraft II in-game quotations see: [[StarCraft II unit quotations#Siege Tank|StarCraft II Siege Tank Quotations]]''.
The siege tank in [[StarCraft II]] represents the Crucio type.<ref name="SC2_SiegeTank"/>

===Heroes of the Storm===
{{DotA}}
[[Alabama Kowalski|Sgt. Hammer]] appears as a playable siege tank in ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''.<ref name="HeroesoftheStorm">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]'' (Blizzard Entertainment) (in English). June 2, 2015.</ref>

==Known Siege Tanks==
[[File:SiegeTank SC-G Art3.jpg|thumb|An Arclite tank]]
*[[24-KC-75]]
*[[Arclite 2717]]

===Variants===
*[[Heavy siege tank]]
*[[Infested siege tank]]
*[[Karnage tank]]
*[[Tower cannon]]

===Companies===
*[[Shock Division]]
*[[Siege Breakers]]

===Commanders and Crewmen===
[[File:SiegeTank SC2 Head2.jpg|thumb|A Crucio siege tank operator]]
*General [[Edmund Duke]]
*General [[Martin]]
*Captain [[Marius Blackwood]]
*Sergeant [[Forest Keel]]
*Sergeant [[Bama Kowalski]]
*Sergeant [[Wendell Sovens]]
*Private [[Armstrong]]
*[[Garth]]
*[[Murphy]]

==Notes==
[[File:Momentum Cover1.jpg|thumb|An Arclite siege tank]]
*Early lore had the Crucio with a 120mm Shock Cannon.<ref name="SC2_SiegeTank"/> This was later altered to be 180mm.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryArmoryUnits"/>

*Artwork from ''[[StarCraft: Ghost Academy: Volume 2]]'' depicts Crucios being in use during the [[Fall of Tarsonis]].<ref name="SC:GA_V2">Gerrold, David (w), Fernando Heinz Furukawa (p, i). ''[[StarCraft: Ghost Academy: Volume 2]]'' (paperback binding). Tokyopop, August 10, 2010. ISBN 978-1427-81613-9.</ref> This contradicts all other sources of information and is likely an artistic error.

===Cultural References===
[[File:SiegeTank SC2 Cncpt3.jpg|thumb|The Crucio siege tank development design]]
*The 120mm Mjolnir cannon may be a reference to the hammer of the Norse god of thunder, Thor.

*Crucio is a Latin word which means "I torture." Imperio is a Latin word that roughly translates as "government," "power," or "sovereignty."

*An arcade game named ''[http://overwatch.gamepedia.com/Siege_Mode_3 Siege Mode 3]'' cameos in ''Overwatch''. Per its namesake, it features a siege tank as an apparent antagonist to the player's character (a marine).<ref name="Overwatch">Blizzard Entertainment. ''Overwatch'' (Blizzard Entertainment) (in English). February 29, 2016.</ref> A siege tank likewise features in the Blizzard World map in the game.

*"Indiscriminate justice" is the name of an achievement in ''[https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Bolt:_The_Video_Game Bolt: The Video Game]'', alongside "power overwhelming" (a reference to the [[archon]]).

*The [https://stormgategame.fandom.com/wiki/Artillery_mech Artillery mech] in ''Stormgate'' (made by ex-Blizzard developers) bears resemblance to the siege tank, possessing both a "tank mode" and "deployed mode."

*The name may be a reference to "Hammer's Slammers", a Military Science Fiction book series centered around a mercenary tank company run by a man named Hammer.

==References==
{{Ref|scroll=x}}
{{Terran Vehicles}}
[[es:Tanque de asedio]]
[[Category:Terran Vehicle Classes]]
[[Category:StarCraft: Ghost Terran units]]