Wolf Slayer Space Marines

[Wolf Slayer 1]

Hi,

 

Came up with a bit of a project to keep me ticking over between uni assignments for a new painted up space marine chapter (though obv im not gonna buy, build and paint 1000 space marines, lol). After reading through all the fluff (canon and non-canon) i finally decided on a chapter idea.......

 

We all know the emperor, in all his glorious wisdom, genetically designed the space wolves to be the 'executioners' of any wayward space marine chapters. Well, seeing as how the high lords are now running the imperium, and if all fluff regarding relations between the imperium and the space wolves are at an all time low, and the imperium's habit of creating space marine chapters to fit a specific need, wouldn't it be feasible for them to sanction the founding of a chapter to 'solve the space wolf problem' should the very tenuous and strained relations break down and they be declared excommuntas traitoris?

 

With this in mind, i have come up with the Wolf Slayers Chapter!!. These marines have geneseed taken from tithes of the more 'reliable' chapters such as the ultramarines and imperial fists, thus ensuring the absence of any mutations (such as the canis helix, blood angels loopy gene, etc.). However, these marines are then stripped down of any non essential implants (such as sus-an membrane, the one in the stomach for absorbing memories, the betchers gland, etc), thus creating a pure, refined astartes. These marines are then subjected to a similar initiation to the space wolves (with the trails of the initiates, the pack mentality, honing hunting skills, close combat training, etc.) and then pretty much given carte blanche by the imperium to engage any and all threats to humanity, regardless of collaterall damage (the idea being if the can create and ethos of 'flatten everything to get the job done' mentality, in the event of the space wolves going rogue, this chapter would happily exploit the space wolves well documented empathy with the regular humans and would press home this advantage where the Space Wolves would hold back when innocents are concerned).

The reason for this chapters creation however would be kept from the Space Wolves themselves, and consequently when they were approached to help train companies of this new chapter in how to be 'as fantastic a chapter as them' (by applying some well placed ego massages to the wolves of fenris), they space wolves were more than happy to agree. By the space wolves training the wolf slayers, they would know space wolf tactics as well as the psycological advantage should they ever have to go toe to toe. In the meantime, and as long as the wolves of fenris are toeing the imperial doctrine, the wolf slayers are free to seek out, engage and eradicate any percieved threat to the security of the imperium as they see fit.

 

Clearly, the models i will be using will be the space wolf models themselves to make these, but ill be painting them with a very dark grey armour and a gold trim (for the fiddly bits of their armour and the wolf icons), with as much wolf pelts as i can get my devious little hands on. Im also going to avoid using any of the more 'extreme' hairstyle heads, going for a topknot, plaited or shaved hairstyle look (with compulsory beards, lol). Im also going to try and skimp down on as much 'ott' equipment, keeping the models themselves as simple as possible but working the poses in some more dynamic position, thus (hopefully) giving the marines a more'down to business, now messing about' look. I will get some pics up once i have sorted them out, but in the meantime, what you guys think of it as a concept??

[Wolf Slayer 1]

Incidently, i am also in the process of painting up another spacer marine chapter. This chapter is the polar opposite of the Wolf Slayers, being that they are a very much 'military' based chapter. I have based them on the imperial guard with the thought that 'space marine chapters recruit from gangs, tribes, and clans, why not from semi-military based groups'?. I have got this look by shaving down the heads of the sergeants to fit berets taken from the catachan command sprue head (as the catachan heads themselves just seemed a bit small without the 'gubbins' around the base of a bare headed space marines head and have modelled a captain in a similar method, but using the peaked cap from the cadian officers head. As with the Wolf Slayers, im trying to keep the alterations to a minimum (im a fan of the 'less is more' look, keep it simple i say) and am using a more uniform equipment loadout on models (to give a more regimented look).Ive gone for another simple colour scheme of a gretchin green basecoat with a very thinned down black wash. This has given a very nice 'olive green' colour, to which the sergeants berets and captains peaked cap will be a bright red as a contrast and to make them stand out from the ranks. so far ive sourced a 10 man tactical squad and 5 man assualt squad (with jump packs), plus captain to this chapter. I also 'stole' an idea i saw online for a chapter badge, by using an upside down dark angels transfer (looks pretty good, plus it gives a bit of a nod to current special forces regiment badges of the upward pointed sword). Bit stuck on idea for a name for these guys though as most chapter seem to edge on more of a 'grandious' name, which is something that doesnt quite fit with this chapter (Ive been toying with the idea of just calling them The Blades as a bit of a 'tip of the hat' to our own SAS and SBS troops.

[Legatus]

Unfortunately, the foundation of your story is not that sound.

 

We all know the emperor, in all his glorious wisdom, genetically designed the space wolves to be the 'executioners' of any wayward space marine chapters.

First of all, that's not what happened. That's what Dan Abnett proposed, and what he had some Space Wolves characters in one of his novels claim. But that is not what happened.

 

Second, if the Imperium has trouble with one partiuclar Space Marines Chapter, it will simply send five Chapters to deal with it. Done.

They might also send a few Grey Knights with them. In the particular case of the Space Wolves, the current Codex Space Wolves has a short bit about how they got into a fight with the Flesh Tearers, and the Flesh Tearers gave them a run for their money.

[Gree]

Unfortunately, the foundation of your story is not that sound.

 

We all know the emperor, in all his glorious wisdom, genetically designed the space wolves to be the 'executioners' of any wayward space marine chapters.

First of all, that's not what happened. That's what Dan Abnett proposed, and what he had some Space Wolves characters in one of his novels claim. But that is not what happened.

 

Second, if the Imperium has trouble with one partiuclar Space Marines Chapter, it will simply send five Chapters to deal with it. Done.

They might also send a few Grey Knights with them. In the particular case of the Space Wolves, the current Codex Space Wolves has a short bit about how they got into a fight with the Flesh Tearers, and the Flesh Tearers gave them a run for their money.

 

Well the Imperium does have anti-Marine chapters, (Or at least greatly implied) like the Minotaurs who are noted to respond to the High Lords requests to fight other Astartes with disturbing eagerness and seemed to relish fighting fellow Astartes. The Minotaurs are noted to also be unusually well equipped for an Astartes chapter.The second volume of the Babab War contains some information about how it’s thought some of the current chapters being used to prosecute the war where withdraw in favor of more violent brutal chapters like the Minotaurs because the current ones where not ‘’giving it there all’’ so to speak.

[Legatus]

The main trait that is pointed out in the description of the Minotaurs is that they seem to be closely tied to the High Lords of Terra, and on several occasions responded quickly and without question to their calls. It is then pointed out that they do so "even when that call has been to castigate, apprehend or even destroy formerly loyal Space Marines who have been declared renegade or that have hade suspected transgressions lodged against them". So they are not so much suspected to be an "anti Space Marine Chapter" but more specifically a Chapter that is in the pocket of the High Lords, and a Chapter that will not hesitate to attack other Chapters if ordered so.

 

There are other instances of Chapters being used against troubling Chapters, though. In the Index Astartes of the Relictors it is described how the Inquisition employed the support of four Space Marine Chapters to force the Relictors into compliance. And IIRC in their follow up article where they had been declared traitors (which has since been retconed in the 5th Edition Codex Space Marines) it had been the Grey Knights who had attacked the Relictors. In some sources the Crimson Fists have been described as having been used to destroy rogue Elements from other Chapters on two occasions. Sometimes it simply is neccessary to send one or more Chapters to fight another.

The Minotaurs are noted not to be created or used specifically to fight other Marines, but to do every bidding of the High Lords, and to not only hesitate but even relish to be sent against other Space Marines. The Alpha Legion also relished fighting other Marines, but that didn't mean they were created as an anti-Legion Legion.

 

Of course, the simple reason why no Chapter is specifically created as an "anti-Marine" Chapter is that 99% of all of a Chapter's engagements would be against non-Marines. They would spend the majority of their time fighting xenos and heretics just like every other Chapter, and only on rare occasions would have to fight against recently turned renegade Marines or a non-compliant Chapter.

And then the idea of this thread was not to have an "anti-Marine" Chapter, but specifically an "anti Space Wolves" one.

[Brom MKIV]

I think its a really cool idea, although im not sure I would use the SW dex to represent the slayers. Just my opinion but space wolves are pretty divergent and I would think that such a control measure as a counter chapter would be a little more codex adherent, more...strict in structure and more focused to their task.

I too would suggest the minotaurs. Call them wolf slayers but use the rules for Lord Asterion Moloc from imperial armour 10. Hes a beast and his chapter tactics give army-wide preferred enemy: marines! How cool is that? IMO this would fit better than counter attack and acute senses.

 

Anyway if you do decide to use the SW dex I suppose you could get around some of the hangups by avoiding stuff like TWC, mark of the wulfen (although this could be called mark of the slayer heh heh). Hmmm, actually some things could actually fit rather well, for example 'lone slayers' and plenty of scouts possibly accompanied by Mot hunter battle leaders.

 

This could also be a good opportunity to utilize some of the more under played units in the dex like jump troops.

Either way it sounds good from here but id like to see the end result. If it were me though I would really try to break away from the standard SW lists to represent the chapters counter tactics developed against a foe they are specifically trained to fight.

[Grotsmasha]

@ Wolf Slayer 1: Firstly, welcome to the B&C !!!!!!

 

I like the idea for your Wolf Slayers, but the name is unsubtle. Imagine, "Hi I'm Chapter Master X of the Wolf Slayers, would you kindly train my marines in every facet of your war-craft?". I think Grimnar would catch on quickly. I don't have any suggestions for you, just food for thought.

On Legatus' point about your idea not matching the fluff, well, he doesn't personally know or hang with the High Lords, so while it may be UNLIKELY, it is not IMPOSSIBLE for this to have happened. When fleshing out your fluff, imply rather than stateing the fact.

For your second Chapter, is is extremely unlikely for Marines to recruit from military institutions because of the young age at which marines recruit (10-14yrs old). Head on over to the Librarium forum to check out greatcrusade08's excellent article, "A Closer Look at Scouts".

 

@Gree and Legatus: Please don't derail this thread with pointless argueing for the sake of argueing.

[Gree]

The main trait that is pointed out in the description of the Minotaurs is that they seem to be closely tied to the High Lords of Terra, and on several occasions responded quickly and without question to their calls. It is then pointed out that they do so "even when that call has been to castigate, apprehend or even destroy formerly loyal Space Marines who have been declared renegade or that have hade suspected transgressions lodged against them". So they are not so much suspected to be an "anti Space Marine Chapter" but more specifically a Chapter that is in the pocket of the High Lords, and a Chapter that will not hesitate to attack other Chapters if ordered so.

 

Asterion Moloc’s entry speaks of the Minotaur’s being used often to scour heretics and traitors from the ranks of the Astartes often and about how said Chapter Master has become an expert on fighting other Astartes chapters and destroying them. Perhaps that is the reason why he gives his army Preferred Enemy-Space Marines.

 

So certainly their Chapter Master is a specialist in that regard.

 

They may have not been created as an anti-Space Marine chapter, but the implication of them being one is obvious. They are more than a Chapter that is simply affiliated with the High Lords.

 

And then the idea of this thread was not to have an "anti-Marine" Chapter, but specifically an "anti Space Wolves" one.

 

I am not arguing against the unfeasibility of creating a chapter to specifically deal with a single chapter, but I am pointing out that we at least have a precedent for an Anti-Space Marine chapter. (If the Minotaurs’ special rules are any indication)

 

 

@Gree and Legatus: Please don't derail this thread with pointless argueing for the sake of argueing.

 

Then it is quite fortunate we are discussing a valid topic related to that at hand is it not?

[Grotsmasha]

@Gree: Correct me if I've misinterpreted, but this thread is for feedback on a DIY idea, not a discussion on the finer points of Minotaurs fluff?

[dswanick]

Well, I hardly know where to start - so I'll start by saying welcome to the B&CS.

 

With that said, I see several problems with your foundation. I will try to work through them in the same order in which they pop up in your post.

As stated by Legatus, the "Wolves as Astartes Executioners" is strictly a product of Dan Abnett and not cannon. You certainly can build it into your fluff, but don't expect everyone to buy into it.

 

Second, there are no "non-essential" Astartes implants. Every implant and alteration was designed by The Emperor to serve a purpose in enhancing the total package of abilities which makes an Astartes what he is. Anything less than perfect fidelity to The Emperor's original design is impure and unrefined. The very idea that you can do less than what The Emperor decreed and get as good or better results is Heresy.

 

Next, Legatus' points about the need for a single Chapter to "counter" another is valid. The High Lords could just send multiple Chapters to deal with a Traitorus Space Wolves. A combined crusade of Black Templars and Dark Angels, supported by a company of Blood Angels and some Ultras could probably get the job done once a sizeable fleet of Imperial Navy ships broke the ring of defenses around Fenris. But this is an important point. The High Lords would be hard pressed to supply a single Chapter with enough heavy firepower for the Astartes and enough naval assets to successfully assault Fenris without resistance from half of the High Lords (who would fear giving such power to any Astartes leader) and many of the loyalist Chapters (who would resist such power concentrated in the hands of an unproven Chapter of questionable loyalties).

 

The next point to be considered is your notion of the exploitability of the Space Wolves "empathy" towards civilians. I think you're giving them a little too much credit in this department. My view of the Space Wolves attitude is that they consider civilians as their "charges" to be watch over and protected, but not necessarily as particularly valuable in an individual sense. By this I mean - Space Wolves try and protect civilians because that is their mandate from The Emperor. They try and avoid performing grossly inhumane acts against civilians because it is beneath their "Honor" to do so. But if they were given a choice to do something rashly suicidal or allow some civilians to be slaughtered by an enemy - they wouldn't just up and slit their own throats. I've sometimes viewed the Space Wolves attitude in this to be similar to someone who has no great love for cats, who wouldn't necessarily go charging into a neighbors house to rescue one if it were being abused, but who would not abuse such animals because he is still a decent fellow.

 

On the issue of having Space Wolves train this Chapter - I agree with Grotsmasha. It is unlikely that Grimnar would be willing to devote resources from his own Chapter to train a new force which does not bear a gene-seed relationship with the Wolves. And I find it unlikely that Grimnar would be so gullible as to do it in such an obvious case.

 

My last point is directed more towards the mechanics of your idea. I don't think that using the Space Wolves codex is appropriate for this idea because much of what is in the book is tied to the nature of the Chapter, its gene-seed divergence, and its homeworld. If you think you can build a viable army list without resorting to

• Blood Claws (Skyclaws and Swiftclaws included)

• Rune Priests

• anything mounted on a Thunderwolf

• Mark of the Wolfen

• anything equipped with Wolf Tooth Necklaces, Wolf Tail Talismans, Frost Weapons, or Wolf Claws

• or anything else I'm forgetting this early in the morning which is iconic Space Wolves, all while dealing with the built-in limits of Codex: Space Wolves (no teleporting TDA, no Apothecaries, no veteran sergeants in mounted ten-man squads,e tc)

Then you might want to reconsider the viability of your idea. I am curious - why you want to use the Space Wolves dex if you're going to go so far against the fluff and Chapter personality that underpins it?

[Gree]

@Gree: Correct me if I've misinterpreted, but this thread is for feedback on a DIY idea, not a discussion on the finer points of Minotaurs fluff?

 

And I am simply pointing out that if he wants to make an ‘’executioner chapter’’ he might want to look at the Minotaurs for inspiration and as a precedent. My intent is simply to help.

[skoll]

Well, I hardly know where to start - so I'll start by saying welcome to the B&CS.

 

With that said, I see several problems with your foundation. I will try to work through them in the same order in which they pop up in your post.

As stated by Legatus, the "Wolves as Astartes Executioners" is strictly a product of Dan Abnett and not cannon. You certainly can build it into your fluff, but don't expect everyone to buy into it.

 

Second, there are no "non-essential" Astartes implants. Every implant and alteration was designed by The Emperor to serve a purpose in enhancing the total package of abilities which makes an Astartes what he is. Anything less than perfect fidelity to The Emperor's original design is impure and unrefined. The very idea that you can do less than what The Emperor decreed and get as good or better results is Heresy.

 

Next, Legatus' points about the need for a single Chapter to "counter" another is valid. The High Lords could just send multiple Chapters to deal with a Traitorus Space Wolves. A combined crusade of Black Templars and Dark Angels, supported by a company of Blood Angels and some Ultras could probably get the job done once a sizeable fleet of Imperial Navy ships broke the ring of defenses around Fenris. But this is an important point. The High Lords would be hard pressed to supply a single Chapter with enough heavy firepower for the Astartes and enough naval assets to successfully assault Fenris without resistance from half of the High Lords (who would fear giving such power to any Astartes leader) and many of the loyalist Chapters (who would resist such power concentrated in the hands of an unproven Chapter of questionable loyalties).

 

The next point to be considered is your notion of the exploitability of the Space Wolves "empathy" towards civilians. I think you're giving them a little too much credit in this department. My view of the Space Wolves attitude is that they consider civilians as their "charges" to be watch over and protected, but not necessarily as particularly valuable in an individual sense. By this I mean - Space Wolves try and protect civilians because that is their mandate from The Emperor. They try and avoid performing grossly inhumane acts against civilians because it is beneath their "Honor" to do so. But if they were given a choice to do something rashly suicidal or allow some civilians to be slaughtered by an enemy - they wouldn't just up and slit their own throats. I've sometimes viewed the Space Wolves attitude in this to be similar to someone who has no great love for cats, who wouldn't necessarily go charging into a neighbors house to rescue one if it were being abused, but who would not abuse such animals because he is still a decent fellow.

 

On the issue of having Space Wolves train this Chapter - I agree with Grotsmasha. It is unlikely that Grimnar would be willing to devote resources from his own Chapter to train a new force which does not bear a gene-seed relationship with the Wolves. And I find it unlikely that Grimnar would be so gullible as to do it in such an obvious case.

 

My last point is directed more towards the mechanics of your idea. I don't think that using the Space Wolves codex is appropriate for this idea because much of what is in the book is tied to the nature of the Chapter, its gene-seed divergence, and its homeworld. If you think you can build a viable army list without resorting to

• Blood Claws (Skyclaws and Swiftclaws included)

• Rune Priests

• anything mounted on a Thunderwolf

• Mark of the Wolfen

• anything equipped with Wolf Tooth Necklaces, Wolf Tail Talismans, Frost Weapons, or Wolf Claws

• or anything else I'm forgetting this early in the morning which is iconic Space Wolves, all while dealing with the built-in limits of Codex: Space Wolves (no teleporting TDA, no Apothecaries, no veteran sergeants in mounted ten-man squads,e tc)

Then you might want to reconsider the viability of your idea. I am curious - why you want to use the Space Wolves dex if you're going to go so far against the fluff and Chapter personality that underpins it?

 

 

he could always do as net list suggest and

 

Do 10 man grey hunter squads or 9 man with attached wolf guard with combi melta in rhinos.

 

then utilize vehicles to fill in the rest of the lists, also use wolf lords which are just marine chapter masters, wolf claws are lightning claws with the ability to re roll to hit (if the user chooses to not re roll to wound), frost blades could be called :cusstier relic blades.....the codex isnt as limited as u'd like to think or force this fellow to believe.

[dswanick]

My last point is directed more towards the mechanics of your idea. I don't think that using the Space Wolves codex is appropriate for this idea because much of what is in the book is tied to the nature of the Chapter, its gene-seed divergence, and its homeworld. If you think you can build a viable army list without resorting to

• Blood Claws (Skyclaws and Swiftclaws included)

• Rune Priests

• anything mounted on a Thunderwolf

• Mark of the Wolfen

• anything equipped with Wolf Tooth Necklaces, Wolf Tail Talismans, Frost Weapons, or Wolf Claws

• or anything else I'm forgetting this early in the morning which is iconic Space Wolves, all while dealing with the built-in limits of Codex: Space Wolves (no teleporting TDA, no Apothecaries, no veteran sergeants in mounted ten-man squads,e tc)

Then you might want to reconsider the viability of your idea. I am curious - why you want to use the Space Wolves dex if you're going to go so far against the fluff and Chapter personality that underpins it?

 

he could always do as net list suggest and

 

Do 10 man grey hunter squads or 9 man with attached wolf guard with combi melta in rhinos.

 

then utilize vehicles to fill in the rest of the lists, also use wolf lords which are just marine chapter masters, wolf claws are lightning claws with the ability to re roll to hit (if the user chooses to not re roll to wound), frost blades could be called :cusstier relic blades.....the codex isnt as limited as u'd like to think or force this fellow to believe.

Umm, actually this was the OPs own idea, not mine :

Im also going to try and skimp down on as much 'ott' equipment,

If the OP wants to do a DYI Space Wolves chapter that's anti-Space Wolves, I'm fully in support. I was simply pointing out that if you don't use the "C:SW" unique stuff you're really gimping what little you do take. For a more viable list with non-C:SW equipment a non-C:SW codex would be a better choice. So if the OP doesn't want to constantly explain why he's re-rolling to-hits with his "Lightning Claws", why his Relic weapons are S5 instead of S6 but can be wielded with a Bolt pistol, and why his Librarian's Psychic Hood works on a 4+ regardless of Leadership then it might make more sense to do a list using some other Codex.

And if he just wants to do Tacs in Rhinos supported by Preds and Vindis, there are other Codexs which do this better and more competatively. Especially once you take into account the self-imposed limitations.

[skoll]

he could do razor spam as efficiently as the next codex and without anything that is particular to the wolves anyhow. He could also do gunline , etc. All he has to establish is that he is using the SW codex before hand to his opponent and no confusion should arise.

[Wolf Slayer 1]

Wowser, seems I stirred up a bit of a hornets nest with that one, lol!

 

Firstly, massive thanks to everyone for the input so far, its been really helpfull and helped point out a few refinements in the back story (which is exactly why I posted this topic!). Id like to make a little point here, that i am really not a gamer as such (tried it once, never really got into it) but am more of a collector/painter/modeller and was looking to see if i could generate a chapter that could be worthy (and as airtight as possible) to be included in forums listings and maybe even inspire others to do the same.

The idea as a general executioner chapter as oppose to a space wolf specific chapter seems more the way forward. I kinda see the logic in Logan Grimnar being a little bit more switched on than I initially thought, lol! However, what about basing the chapter on a similar line with the space wolves (ie, the viking style) but with more of a darker undercurrent (like the pre-heresy night lords as the proverbial 'bad guys' the imperium needed to ensure compliance amongst some systems)? I know i mentioned it before and it seemed to hit a raw point, but it has been said the space wolves, although the 'bad asses' of the space marines, they have numerously shown a more 'caring' side than say the dark angels, etc. (i point out the 'outrage' logan grimnar himself showed at the treatment of the armageddon survivors by the imperium). I find the idea of the imperium sanctioning the creation of chapters to get obediance from some more wayward planetary systems by way of sheer intimidation fairly feasible.

I agree with the point raised that 'no organ is non-essential' due to the emperors divine will/master plan, however, i was kinda referencing that several chapters organ implants are somewhat malfunctioning (such as black dragons, space wolves, blood angels, salamanders, etc.) and several chapters having implants that are no longer actually effective? Thus, a boiled down space marine could remove some of the more fancy implants in favour of refining the ones that did work (such as the 5 senses, biscopula, ossmodula, larramens organ, etc)

Also, I totally agree with the point that was made about the imperium using an orbital bombardment to level any rogue planets, but what if the high lords needed to have a plausible deniability to their subjects or even other high lords? Wouldn't a close combat specialist space marine chapter be able to clear a planet while making it look like a chaos attack (a few well placed 'relics', the odd bit of paint here and there, plus the total carnage a bunch of chainsword weilding nutters would do would look fairly convincing to joe average??)

 

Any more contructive help would be great, if you have any ideas that could help tie up loose ends or even some suggestions would be cool!! Obviously this is not set in stone, and any creative process is a fluid one, so if you guys could help kinda steer me on the right track that'd be great.......?

[Shinzaren]

I know i mentioned it before and it seemed to hit a raw point, but it has been said the space wolves, although the 'bad asses' of the space marines, they have numerously shown a more 'caring' side than say the dark angels, etc. (i point out the 'outrage' logan grimnar himself showed at the treatment of the armageddon survivors by the imperium).

Grimnar's rage at the treatment of the Armageddon survivors was less to do with caring for humanity and more to do with honoring those he fought alongside. These were men and women who gave their all to defend this world, only to swept aside and disowned by their Imperium. He raged at the thought of such brave and honorable men being cast off. Its not the normal human in trouble that upsets him, its the callous treatment of those who fought for the Emperor.

 

I find the idea of the imperium sanctioning the creation of chapters to get obediance from some more wayward planetary systems by way of sheer intimidation fairly feasible.

The problem lies in the fact that the 41st millennium is so messed up. Wayward systems and traitorous governors aren't going to be scared back in line by sheer intimidation, because everything in this universe is so terrifying. They are worshipping Gods of pure malice and summoning daemons from the Warp. How are you going to out terrify that?

 

I agree with the point raised that 'no organ is non-essential' due to the emperors divine will/master plan, however, i was kinda referencing that several chapters organ implants are somewhat malfunctioning (such as black dragons, space wolves, blood angels, salamanders, etc.) and several chapters having implants that are no longer actually effective? Thus, a boiled down space marine could remove some of the more fancy implants in favour of refining the ones that did work (such as the 5 senses, biscopula, ossmodula, larramens organ, etc)

The problem here is that each organ that is lost or malfunctioning is considered a necessary organ. Attempts have been made to repair them, and they usually fail. Not only that, but the arcane science the Emperor used to genetically design the geneseed is lost to the Imperium. Each organ depends on others to work, and so removing some that YOU think aren't necessary could have dire repercussions. Tampering with the geneseed is a bad idea under the best of circumstances, and under the worst leads to terrible mutations and problems.

 

Also, I totally agree with the point that was made about the imperium using an orbital bombardment to level any rogue planets, but what if the high lords needed to have a plausible deniability to their subjects or even other high lords? Wouldn't a close combat specialist space marine chapter be able to clear a planet while making it look like a chaos attack (a few well placed 'relics', the odd bit of paint here and there, plus the total carnage a bunch of chainsword weilding nutters would do would look fairly convincing to joe average??)

They don't. The High Lords answer to No One. They could care less about what their subjects think, because they are the voice of the Emperor himself. And the idea that the HLoT need to answer to each other raises all sorts of questions. Is one HLoT going behind the others' back to level this planet? Why didn't they reach a consensus? Why are the HLoT so involved anyway? They have a galaxy to run, and one planet is hardly a big issue for them.

 

Any more contructive help would be great, if you have any ideas that could help tie up loose ends or even some suggestions would be cool!! Obviously this is not set in stone, and any creative process is a fluid one, so if you guys could help kinda steer me on the right track that'd be great.......?

I find the whole idea to be in need of rethinking. Marines turn traitor so rarely in the grand scheme of the universe that a chapter dedicated to destroying them would spend 99% of its time twiddling its thumbs. If your desire is to be a pocket project of the High Lords of Terra, why? Examine what you want your chapter to actually do on a day to day basis, and then go from there. Hunting down chapters that the High Lords determine to be a threat isn't something they do everyday. Now, if they are created to hunt down renegades and Chaos Marines who have betrayed the Emperor and continue to blight his Imperium, then you have a full time job. Perhaps your chapter was created to patrol outside the Maelstrom, constantly engaging the roving bands of traitors that emerge. Perhaps you are constantly on patrol through a Segmentum, destroying renegades and Chaos marines. These are workable ideas. Being created solely to battle marines that aren't yet traitors is not a workable idea.

[Heru]

Also, I totally agree with the point that was made about the imperium using an orbital bombardment to level any rogue planets, but what if the high lords needed to have a plausible deniability to their subjects or even other high lords? Wouldn't a close combat specialist space marine chapter be able to clear a planet while making it look like a chaos attack (a few well placed 'relics', the odd bit of paint here and there, plus the total carnage a bunch of chainsword weilding nutters would do would look fairly convincing to joe average??)

They don't. The High Lords answer to No One.

That isn't actually entirely correct, the High Lords have to answer to the Inquisition when necessary. The Inquisition has the authority to go after the High Lords if they step out of line.

[NightrawenII]

Also, I totally agree with the point that was made about the imperium using an orbital bombardment to level any rogue planets, but what if the high lords needed to have a plausible deniability to their subjects or even other high lords? Wouldn't a close combat specialist space marine chapter be able to clear a planet while making it look like a chaos attack (a few well placed 'relics', the odd bit of paint here and there, plus the total carnage a bunch of chainsword weilding nutters would do would look fairly convincing to joe average??)

They don't. The High Lords answer to No One.

That isn't actually entirely correct, the High Lords have to answer to the Inquisition when necessary. The Inquisition has the authority to go after the High Lords if they step out of line.

In theory... How many High Lords have been accused of heresy and executed?

 

Mind you, I'm not trying to start a argument, in fact I think you are spot on. I just want to point out that it's not exactly smart to poke a sleeping dragon, so to speak.

 

 

Have a nice day, NightrawenII.