Bravery Under Fire: Knight Commander Pask Lore

By Tim Roberts | March 4th, 2024 | Categories: 40k Lore, 40k News & Articles, astra militarum

Knight Commander Pask can spot the weak point on a tank from miles, and never misses his opportunity to carry the day in Warhammer 40k lore!

If you like grizzled human veterans, look no further than Pask! Somehow, he knows exactly where to hit enemy armor and takes advantage of the smallest openings. Despite his innate gifts, he’s had his fair share of near-death experiences just like every other human in the Grimdark future. But fear not, he always makes it out!

Commander Pask 40k Lore: Natural Born Tank Killer

Today, we’re taking a look at his first battle and how he started his rise to stardom. Get out your favorite Leman Russ, and let’s learn about the history of Commander Pask and his lore!

Knight Commander Pask is a renowned tank ace within the ranks of the Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard) in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. He is known for his exceptional skill in commanding armored vehicles, particularly the fearsome Leman Russ battle tanks.

What Makes Knight Commander Pask Special?

Commander Pask’s reputation stems from his unparalleled prowess in combat and his ability to lead his tank crews to victory against overwhelming odds. His strategic acumen, combat experience, and tactical brilliance make him a legendary figure on the battlefield.

His First Battle

Sometimes, you’re just born with it. Pask surely was born with the skills to kill tanks. It seems like a strange innate ability, but it’s one he’s always had. Even in his first battle, he displayed talents far beyond his commanding officer. His skills seem even more impressive when your training consists of a week of pointing glorified flashlights at targets!

We’re not saying the Imperium doesn’t care about training (they don’t). They just don’t have the time and need to send bodies to the front line. Such was the case with Pask. He was drafted to serve in the 423rd Cadian Armoured Regiment and eventually found himself in a Leman Russ called Hand of Steel. It was in this great machine of humanity that he would partake in his first battle and begin his rise to fame. In that tank, he was sent to help repulse the WAAAGH Gutcutta.

In an ensuing battle, the Hand of Steel was straight in the path of the Ork’s final armored push. As the lines crashed into one another, his tank was crippled by a giant Battle Fortress. Do you think that stopped Pask? Of course not!

The Rookie Takes Control

His commander died under the giant trakks of the Ork vehicle, but Pask wasn’t going to let his tank be shamed like that! He immediately assumed control of the battered tank and started calling out orders. His eye for weak spots in the enemies’ tanks was obvious right away. He took aim down the barrel of a Lascannon and, in a single shot, detonated the machine that just crippled his tank.

But of course, being a hero of the Imperium, he didn’t stop there! In his first real engagement, his tank managed to rack up an impressive 14 vehicle kills. Not too bad for a rookie Guardsman. He was accredited with helping break the back of the Ork WAAAGH! and repelling them from the planet!

Which Regiment Does Commander Pask Belong to?

Commander Pask hails from the Cadian Shock Troops, also known as the Cadian regiments. The Cadians are one of the most famous and respected military forces within the Imperium of Man, renowned for their discipline, resilience, and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor.

The Fall of Cadia

Pask was not present when the planet Cadia was attacked and destroyed during the Thirteenth Black Crusade. Instead, he and the 423rd Armoured Regiment were returning from the Damocles Gulf, where they had helped defeat the Tau invaders of Agrellan. Although he feels ashamed for not being there to fight and die alongside his fellow Cadia defenders, he is determined to seek revenge against Abaddon the Despoiler’s armies.

Despite achieving many victories, the 423rd Armoured Regiment has had to absorb depleted regiments from other worlds to maintain their fighting strength. The 423rd Armoured Regiment is not the only surviving Cadian Regiment that has done this. As a result of training various Militarum Regiments across the Imperium, the Cadians are familiar with drilling foreign troops to fight in the style of the Shock Troops. Nevertheless, these foreign Guardsmen are not true Cadians, and the proud warriors often resent having to admit lesser soldiers into their ranks formally

If Pask comes across a particularly skilled crew of Valhallan or Athonian tankers, he personally requests them to serve in the 423rd. The reputation of the Steel Tithe has spread far and wide, and tankers from various regiments now vie for the chance to fight alongside the greatest Tank Commander in the Imperium. As a result, foreign tank crews who join the 423rd are considered to be amongst the most skilled in the galaxy.

If you need to take out enemy armor and turn the tide of battle, you need to call in Pask!