An Ambitious Idea...

[Ace Debonair]

First, I've got to thank everyone for all the great input so far. Thanks! ;)

 

I'm hoping to leave my four chapters sort of in an ongoing struggle rather than concluding anything concerning the Shroud Stars.

Thus, they can be in a constant state of aggro. :D But as for pushing them all the way over the edge... not yet.

 

Concerning the Shroud Stars, I'm planning currently on the main threat being Night Lords popping up through a dimensional rift akin to the eye of terror, but on a rather smaller scale. If there's a problem with this idea, I hope someone mentions it darn soon, because I'm getting ready to write up the IA's for these chapters.

 

So... going solely on the lack of complaints... are the Twilight Talons and the Infinity Knights sound concepts? If not I'd love to hear why before I start cementing ideas... :P

 

I'm amazed the Steel Dragons have generated so much interest. ;) To be perfectly honest, they were the chapter I was least concerned about. More fool me, hmm? :D

Also the fact they are the only chapter chosen as a favourite surprises me, especially since I currently am a little overwhelmed about what exactly to do with them. ;)

Everyone else has had lots of good ideas, and it seems quite impossible to choose between them. They'll be the first chapter's IA that I write, just as soon as I get them sorted out.

 

Telling someone to scrap an idea may sometimes be considered rude, but provided you give a good reason to do so, I'll treat the suggestion with the seriousness it deserves.

It's not like I can't come back to my earlier ideas, anyway. :D

 

The Red Lords aren't going to be so big on religion themselves. They're just not against religion, either. If a guy wants to pray before or while he's being used as a shield, that's fine.

The Dragons, likewise, aren't religious fanatics as such. The Infinity Knights might naively believe all other chapters should be, but the Dragons look at the emperor more like other chapters traditionally do.

 

So, all that said, first things are first - should the Steel Dragons be an Iron Hands successor?

I'm not sure how to paint them in a different light from their famous parent if they are, but they'd certainly fit the vehicle-centric feel of the chapter quite well.

My general thrust with the chapter was to have them start with one "cure-all" tactic, then evolve a wildly different strategy, but I'm beginning to see that such a drastic change would give less character than a simple one. So, my current view of the chapter runs as thus:

 

- Fast attack triumphs over many of the Ork warbands in the sector.

- Orks rally under new leader, who seems to have the medicine for fast attacks.

- Fast attacks evolve into a sort of "Maximum Firepower, Minimum Time" discipline.

This latter idea revolves around incredibly rapid delivery of firepower to an area, and units such as bikes, assault squads and dreadnoughts will be mainly used for flushing enemies out into the open. (flank attacks, jump packs and drop pods respectively used to support these tactics.)

I appreciate that it doesn't sound too much like a 'new' idea. In fact, it's probably used by lots of chapters. But it's going to get results, and the key feature of this tactic is that it will rub the other three up the wrong way.

 

Twilight Talons will see it as a cumbersome, awkward strategy.

Infinity Knights will dislike the "careless" use of dreadnoughts.

Red Lords will disapprove of the reckless nature of their attacks.

 

Again, insights and opinions will be much appreciated. ;)

[Guest Mordray]

In all honesty I prefer the Twilight Talons... though I'm not too crazy about the color scheme. Purple is all good and such but I'm just not a fan of purple as the primary color. Now black with purple and silver highlights I believe that could have potential.

 

Personally I'd rather the geneseed have nothing to do with the tactics... it gets rather old reading about a sally successor with a love of flamers and plasma, white scars who are all speeders and bikes... and the list goes on.

 

I just don't get the obsession with authors only using the geneseed that matches closest with how they plan to play them...

 

Alright personally I'd use the Raven Guard as it would better justify the shift in tactics as the slow replacement of losses could be used to justify the shift over to a more minimal loss maximum force desire... which I think is what your going for.

 

Core Geneseed traits

Raven Guard - gene-seed degeneration, slow to replace losses

Dark Angels - unforgiven/fallen

Iron Hands - hate weakness

White Scars - aggression

Salamanders - excessive response to atmospheric

Ultramarines - reliable

Blood Angels - black rage / red thirst

Space Wolves - canis helix

Imperial Fists - stuborn

[lee265]

Just for reference Purple chapters turn to chaos it goes back to the legions. True not all but most so if your forshadowing great, otherwise good luck. Also I like this idea though I'm simple enough to enjoy the Red Lords.

[Donkey Kong]

So, I take it my suggestion with the Red Lords Apothecaries is out of the question?

 

The thing with the Steel Dragons isn't that they're using vehicles. Rather they're flexible. I don't know who this would be following really. It's not Gulliman because they'd be using every tactic anyway. It's not Dorn or Ferrus because both are stubborn and don't really lend to changing tactics. Pick one out that you like and work with it.

 

Red Lord: even more genetic modification please .

[Ace Debonair]

Mordray:

In truth the question of geneseed for me isn't so big a deal. I just want to pick something that won't irritate everyone else.

I'm quite open to ideas about using any geneseed except the Dark Angels or Space Wolves.

Raven Guard could be a good gene-seed for the Red Lords, going on what you say. Especially if it's permitted to have the gene-seed stop decaying after a while, so the Red Lords figure they've definitely got their outlook right.

Steel Dragons... I'm still not sure. This might come down to a vote. :D

Twilight Talons will probably be Ultramarines successors.

Same with the Infinity Knights.

Lee265:

On my computer the Twilight Talons appear dark blue rather than purple, dark blue was the colour I had in mind for them.

As far as colour schemes go, nothing is set in stone. I doubt very much I'll use black for a major colour, however, simply because I don't like the colour that much.

KingHongKong:

Sorry I didn't reply about your apothecaries - I like the idea of the Red Lords' apothecaries working on higher survivability for the marines under their care. Genetic modification sounds good, although I admit my biology is more than a little rusty, likewise my knowledge of all the space marine extra bits and pieces. I'm sure I'll work it out, anyway.

Colour Schemes:

Ideas for the Steel Dragons colour scheme (let's get them out of the way first, shall we?)

The first one is my original colours, the second is based off of the idea posted by KingHongKong.

Third and fourth are just other potential ideas I put together.

Speak up if you like any of them - or if you have your own ideas on how they oughta look, tell me.

Thanks again for all the help thus far.

[Ace Debonair]

Twilight Talons potential colour schemes. Currently I like the third one. Any thoughts?

Red Lords potential schemes. Again, third one is my favourite.

Infinity Knights potential schemes. Third and fourth one are my current favourites.

Like any of them? Think they all suck? Let me know! All input greatly appreciated!

[Moonsword]

Third, first, and second, respectively.

[Guest Mordray]

As for color schemes... 4th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd in that order.

 

I personally just can't wrap my mind around how it is that near every chapter of cybernetic nuts with a love machinery ends up being Iron Hands descended... or every stealth specialist is descended from the Raven Guard, or Siege specialists are all Imperial Fists... honestly the list goes on and on.

 

I'd much rather see people think and create something unique rather then just recreate a legendary chapter with a new paint scheme... Yes I'm over simplifying but honestly not by much... at least the trend seems to be slowing with only a few die-hards still pushing the old belief that everyone with a certain tactic or attitude should there for be from a certain geneseed.

[Ace Debonair]

Thanks for the input so far, guys. This is going pretty well! :)

 

Anyone else got favourite colour schemes? Speak up if you have! :P

 

Mordray - as far as the geneseed thing goes... I've already said I'm willing to listen to alternative ideas. I also considered what you said earlier, and took advantage of that list you very kindly provided.

The Red Lords might be a good chapter to have as Raven Guard successors, but I'm not certain about that yet. And if they are, the one thing you can't accuse them of is stealth. :P

The Twilight Talons, the closest thing to a stealth chapter, are going to be Ultramarines. ;) Not Raven Guard.

Although you've got me bang to rights on the Steel Dragons. :D Not so much the cybernetics bit, but the dislike of weakness and the favouring of vehicles will both fit my vision of the chapter as a whole.

 

I appreciate you might have problems with the lack of original ideas bouncing around, but please remember that most people are making their first serious go at a DIY chapter, and that people inclined to do so probably have a favourite chapter that they wish to emulate.

I haven't got one, as such, but I'm trying to make four chapters at once who are each different from each other, and if different gene-seeds help mark them out as different, then I'll darn well take advantage of that. ;)

 

I really apologize if this seems overly rant-like. It's not meant to be, your ideas and insights are always most welcome.

If anybody else has any comments or ideas regarding gene-seed, I'll listen with interest.

 

I've almost finished the first draft of the IA: Steel Dragons. Just waiting for a more concrete view on which colour scheme to use, and contemplating a few other little details.

However, I'm planning on finishing the first draft of all four chapters before posting them.

Like the title suggests, I'm aiming high. ;)

[ChaplainMathreyn]

Twilight Talons - 3rd

Red Lords - 1st

Infinity Knights - 3rd... It seems the most... "knightly"

Steel Dragons - 2nd

[Ace Debonair]

Alright, a quick update.

 

The IA's are finished, and posted.

 

If you want to rip 'em up, go do so immediately!:D

All criticism and opinions will be very welcomed!

 

 

Thanks everyone for helping me put this together so far! :D