Exterminatus

Exterminatus is the ultimate force used by the Imperium of Man to eliminate threats or to contain major heretical events. Normally ordered by an Inquisitor, Exterminatus is only chosen when the chance of being able to hold a planet has been reduced to almost zero. It is not considered a combat weapon, and although it has been used as such, these uses are limited.

Methods

Exterminatus takes place in a variety of ways, and no method seems to be more common than another. In a typical example, the Exterminatus begins with a orbital bombardment of a world, taking out anti-ship weapon platforms, as well as any shielding. Following this, a salvo of virus torpedos is launched, dispersing in the atmosphere and spreading all over the planet. In some cases, the virus bombs will be replaced by a mixture of extremely flammable gases designed to burn a way a planets atmosphere. This can be supplemented by any means of direct fire against a planet. By the time the procedure has finished, all that remains of the planet is a blasted rock, stripped of its atmosphere, and devoid of all signs of life.