Home World

[CKO]

I have noticed alot of great Homeworld sections in DIY chapters that I have read. I have noticed that some times the culture of the world changes the tactics of the chapter. At first I paid little attention to it but then I realized that it is very true, in the heresy books the Terran marines are different from the younger guys.

 

So my question is do you think the homeworld culture should change the tactics of a DIY chapter?

 

The question has inspired me to make some changes to my DIY chapter, and I hope it does the same for you; regardless of your answer.

[RagingGriffon]

I think I was talking to Jarl about this. It brings up a good topic of discussion.

 

Tactics: what you use in that specific battle to beat the enemy

Strategy: your overall gameplan you use to win a war

Traits: how you act

 

For example:

 

The Lightning Marines's traits are hot-tempered, quick to boast, and always ready to fight. The strategy of the Lightning Marines is initial overwhelmning force to decimate their enemy. In the battle of Nob Knocker Pass they used the tactic of placing infiltrated scouts to locate enemy positions and then they called in a drop pod assault, a Terminator teleport, and swarm of Land Speeders.

 

I would say if a Space Marine Chapter is very involved with their homeworld (as most are), then that will influence their traits. It can logically be concluded that this will eventually shape their strategy. However, tactics should always be flexible for the situation the Marines are in. With that said, I am certain that some Chapters are just not good at some tactics.

[Jarl Bloodwolf]

Usually a chapters homeworld has very minimal influence on the tactics used by the chapter in terms of what is inhereted from the planets culture. The legions were affected because the primarchs trained them to fight in the styles that the primarchs specialised in. If done right a chapters tactics can be directly enfluenced by the culture of their homeworld but it is usually better to have the chapter develop their tactics due to having to fight a certain type of enemy or lacking certain equiptment.

[CKO]

So do you think the planet's culture changes the strategy?

[Shinzaren]

Sorry, my guys are fleet based ;)

 

But I think the answer is a yes and no. I think subtle changes are ok, but sweeping changes don't make lots of sense. Just b/c your Chapter Master's father worshiped an outlawed religion doesn't mean your CM should. Marines are taken when they are like 12 and totally reprogrammed to be loyal to the Emperor. Same with tactics in fighting. At most they fight for like 15 years before becoming marines, and being drilled in the marine way of fighting. Why would they carry traditions over like that? Subtle changes yes. Large changes to dogma, tactics, or organization make little sense to me.

[RagingGriffon]

So do you think the planet's culture changes the strategy?

 

I was thinking about this while I was driving back from dropping some people off...

 

I think a planet's culture shapes a Chapter's traits to a degree and visa versa. Yes, people talk about indoctrination of initiates into the Chapter, but I think we are seeing that Astartes have personalities and they are not programmed robots. Obviously a Chapter is going to influence a society because there are 7.5 foot power armored warriors snatching up their children. So, I guess it all depends on how integrated the Chapter is with their homeworld.

 

Now, IMHO, I think traits affect a battle strategy. If you are an aggressive guy, you are going to take an aggressive outlook at a battle. If you are a reserved individual you may take more conservative look at war. However, the situation dictates the course of action and any Chapter Master/Warlord worth his salt will adapt strategies and tactics to win.

[Ace Debonair]

So do you think the planet's culture changes the strategy?

I would say if a Space Marine Chapter is very involved with their homeworld (as most are), then that will influence their traits. It can logically be concluded that this will eventually shape their strategy. However, tactics should always be flexible for the situation the Marines are in. With that said, I am certain that some Chapters are just not good at some tactics.

 

Like RG says, I think it has an indirect, slow effect on changing if it changes at all. I know when I'm building a DIY chapter, I try to think up a homeworld that suits their temperament and battlefield preferences, just to help reinforce their way of thinking. :)

[Ferrata]

It is a difficult question to answer, yet has quite a simple answer to it as well.

 

Simples; the home world affects the chapter as much as you want it to do.

 

Diffuclt; it really depends on so many factors. My Black Guard taken nothing from their home world, they don't interact with the civilians and they don't absorb any of their culture (bar tattoos). Conversly, it would be difficult for the Salamanders to ignore their culture that surrounds them as they intermingle so much. The relationship between the chapter and the people of the home world plays a massive role on the influence of the culture on the chapter.

 

Second, you have the level of integration into the chapter. My Wings of Death basically break their recruits down to nothing to rebuild them better, whilst other chapters will aim to keep as much of the original child as possible (for example the Space Wolves). It depends on the processes of the chapter and their views on humans. The process of turning a child into a marine will have an affect on the level the culture transfers across into the chapter.

 

A home world doesn't need to be cohesive to the chapter, but you have to remember that the chapter has chosen to settle there so there does need to be a reason. The Black Guard settled for its location, the population would give recruits but that was it. The Dark Sons just found a nice quiet place to relax on, there is no culture there.