Unlike the other artillery units in the Imperial Guard, such as the Bombard, Griffon, and Manticore, the Basilisk is capable of direct as well as indirect fire, giving it a limited ability to defend itself from enemy vehicles and infantry. Additionally, the guns produce a tremendous muzzle report, and it is also mentioned that Earthshaker crews tend to experience hearing loss. The Earthshaker shells are renowned for the powerful shrieking they make during flight, the mere sound of which is often enough to break enemy morale. The Basilisk can fire its main weapon directly at an enemy, but this means the Basilisk would have to be close to the enemy which is not good considering it is lightly armoured, instead the Basilisk will stay away from the main fighting and fire its weapon indirectly. Basilisks utilise the standard Chimera chassis but replace the passenger compartment and turret with the Earthshaker, leaving it with the hull-mounted Heavy Bolter weapon and driver's compartment. The Basilisk mounts one of the longest-ranged weapons in the Imperium's arsenal, the Earthshaker Cannon. It is essentially an artillery piece mounted on a stripped-down chassis of a Chimera transport.

The Basilisk is the most common artillery tank used by the Imperial Guard in the 41st Millennium.

1.37 Crassus Armoured Assault Transport.

Imperial guard leman russ battle tank