Mortus Poisoner

Weapons so bad, even other Destroyer Squads look like pussies in comparison.

The Mortus Poisoners were the Death Guard's specially trained and equipped cadre of Flamer-wielding Destroyer Squads, during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.

Overview

Kept aboard the Death Guard's Poison Ships, the Poisoners wielded a high proportion of chemical munitions, even by the standards of their Legion. Frequently deployed in support of more conventional troops, their formidable weapons were valuable in clearing defensive positions. However, the sheer level of fuckedness that was the alchemical flames the Poisoners' spread left many battlefields uninhabitable in the galaxy.

Eventually, though, their close exposure to such deadly chemical and biological weapons inevitably took a toll on the Poisoners. If they did not die at the hands of their enemies, then Poisoners faced an unavoidable demise of super Cancer. Either by withering away or being consumed by flames, when chemicals ate through the protective seals of their weapons' fuel canisters. The Death Guard were well aware of this, and it became an unofficial act of censure or punishment to be assigned to the Poisoners. Yes, you hear that right. The position of a Mortus Poisoner is so bad, that not even the superhuman constitution of a Death Guard marine would be enough to stop their own weapons from killing them.

This was reserved for members of the Legion that failed to achieve what was asked of them by their command. Despite this, however, there were Poisoners who embraced serving within the Destroyer Squad cadre enthusiastically. These Poisoners sought to close with their enemies to unleash toxic death. They did so, though, with disturbingly little heed for their own longevity.

Equipment

The Poisoners' extremely modified Alchem Flamers and Alchem Heavy Flamers unleashed hissing emerald fire, due to their fuel canister's chemical cocktail. They also carried Rad Grenades as part of their Destroyer arsenal and Poisoner squads were led into battle by Poison-masters who themselves can be armed with a Power Scythe. Other than that, they usually start with standard Astartes Boltguns, but can be swapped out with the more nastier weapons as aforementioned. Due to years of exposure from deadly biological agents, their advanced Mark IV: Maximus Armour was eroded and no longer displayed the original colours of the Death Guard.

Crunch

These guys can be described as a "Heavy-type Alchem Flamer Tactical support squad with rad grenades", sitting in the Elites slot instead of being non-Compulsory Troops. That's pretty much it. They start armed with normal bolters, but they can swap them for the Alchem-Flamers. Unlike actual Destroyers, the squad has no access to any of the other fun warcrime weapons and their sergeant can only buy power weapons or a scythe.