Just a fun project, need help

[Julgolax]

The whole premise for this little side project is just purely out of interest and fun right now so I'd like ideas to help it along but nothing too crazy please!

 

The idea came to me when I was viewing custom chainglaives and squads of Flesh Tearers assault marines w/o jump packs. The force was in all marks VI, VII, and VIII power armor as would be in a tactical squad box but with custom studding on the armor to resemble Mark V without the odd cables running along the arms, chest, and thighs. For a while now I've been wanting to create a custom chapter with an emphasis on Chainblades and close combat specialists. I thought about doing the Flesh Tearers, Space Sharks, Space Wolves, and Blood Angels but I either didnt like the backround and/or the rule set.

 

The sort of chapter I want to create is something of a cross between a barbarous chapter like the Space Wolves or Flesh Tearers with a more military-focused chapter like the Imperial Fists or the Black Templars.

 

I have an unusual fascination with fur cloaks, roman-style leather tassels, and chainblades so I want to somehow incorporate them into the theme of the chapter. If anyone by now is thinking "this sounds like White Scars kinda" you'd be right because they were the next point I was about to make. This chapter is basically going to be a bit of a White Scars clone without the White Scars style of battle.

 

My original ideas were a chapter with a feudal class homeworld much like ancient Greece but with a 40K grim-dark cyberpunk feel. The planet's primary city, the largest and most important of course, would be adjacent to the Chapter's Fortress-monastery which would be a void-shielded Colosseum-like fortress complete with Hall of Healers (Apothicarion), Hall of Knowledge (Librarium), and Hall of Heroes (Reclusium). The chapter's Hall of Honor which would be the Chapter Master's chambers and command structure would sit above and at the back of the fortress overlooking both the rest of the fortress and the cascading cliffs behind the structure leading to the sea.

 

I had the idea in my head while watching Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, and Blood and Sand that this chapter would recruit it's warriors from privately held training regimens within the Colosseum, drawing from the planet's best PDF, Civilians, and Servants alike.

 

The chapter would of course specialize in close combat, close range firefights, boarding actions, and of course is gaining a reputation for brutality in the face of traitors and aliens. I had the idea also from the Salamanders to rearrange the company configuration to appropriate the theme. Basically 6 Tactical Squads, 3 Assault Squads, and 1 Devastator Squad per battle company, and instead of having a Devastator Reserve Company, there would be an additional Fast Attack Company devoted instead to Land Speeders, Storm Talons, a small corps. of bikes, and of course Assault Marines. The Veteran Company would host only 2 squads of Sternguard or regular Terminators, 2 alternate Squads of Assault Terminators and the rest would be Vanguard Squads. The 10th Company would be all scouts of course but without sniper rifles since those are cowardly tools of war. No Whirlwinds, no Thunderfire Cannons I think.

 

That's about it so far. I have no idea what sort of color scheme or icon/insignia I would use for this chapter and I'm still unsure if the pure assault thing is tactically sound but that's why I'd like all the input I can get at this point.

[whiteraven17708]

white scars successor, blue and white with a simple equalateral cross on it (greeces flag)

[voi shet magir]

You should look at Luna Wolves.

 

This may help your general thinking, it is not a specific argument in one direction or another.

 

A Codex order of battle involves tactical squads steadily pressing the enemy. When an opportunity arises, assault squads which have been hanging back surge forward to exploit it. This is why assault squads also come in shooty flavors like land speeder and biker; the actual close combat is only collaterally related to their role.

 

So a close-combat chapter does not mean more assault squads. It means close-combat variants on the tactical squad, with assault squads in the normal or even lesser proportion.

 

Of course there are different types, like squads that carry heavy weapons but do not bother with bolters like Templars, aggressive squads like melta-spam grey hunters, and chapters that have normal tactical squads and reserves close combat as a privilege.

[Julgolax]

white scars successor, blue and white with a simple equalateral cross on it (greeces flag)

 

Technically this chapter will be a successor of Rogal Dorn to tie into the military lifestyle they live, but are only loosely tied to the traditions of the Imperial Fists and such.

 

You should look at Luna Wolves.

 

This may help your general thinking, it is not a specific argument in one direction or another.

 

A Codex order of battle involves tactical squads steadily pressing the enemy. When an opportunity arises, assault squads which have been hanging back surge forward to exploit it. This is why assault squads also come in shooty flavors like land speeder and biker; the actual close combat is only collaterally related to their role.

 

So a close-combat chapter does not mean more assault squads. It means close-combat variants on the tactical squad, with assault squads in the normal or even lesser proportion.

 

Of course there are different types, like squads that carry heavy weapons but do not bother with bolters like Templars, aggressive squads like melta-spam grey hunters, and chapters that have normal tactical squads and reserves close combat as a privilege.

 

Why should I look at Luna Wolves? The whole idea of the chapter is close combat, why wouldn't that mean more assault squads? I dunno, I just dont want it to turn into a Blood Angels or White Scars knock off. Maybe I should take it in a different direction as far as composition and battle tactics? I just know I want chainblades and close combat to be a major facet of tactics and lore.

 

As for the colors, name, and icon, I've been thinking that I should consider dark red as the primary color though I've been mauling over the idea of a rustic red-brown colored armor, like rich leather or something, and red "scar" markings like the White Scars chapter. For the name, I have thought about something a little obscure but something you would find in WH40K, perhaps "Argonauts", "Conquerors", "Marines Brutalis". For the icon it would of course depend largely on the name, the one I favor the most, "Marines Brutalis" would have a simple icon. Maybe just a trio of diagonal slashes painted on the left shoulder pad? I dunno about that yet.

[DrakeStorm]

The reason for the Luna Wolves is before thay turned, thay where second only to Death Guard in assaults mainly chainswords and bashing there enemys in the head with bolt pistals. Thay also liked the close in fire-fights.

[Octavulg]

The thing to remember is that Space Marine recruits have to be 14 and under, and so that'll be reflected in the gladiators.

 

All kinds of neat gladiatorial things could work for a symbol. Various swords, helmets, tridents, lions.

 

As to the name, I wouldn't go with Marines Brutalis or Argonauts. Argonauts refers to something specific, after all, and (this may be more subjective) Brutalis sounds a little silly.

 

What do you want the chapter to be like regarding their character? Proud? Humble? Cruel?

[Julgolax]

The thing to remember is that Space Marine recruits have to be 14 and under, and so that'll be reflected in the gladiators.

 

All kinds of neat gladiatorial things could work for a symbol. Various swords, helmets, tridents, lions.

 

As to the name, I wouldn't go with Marines Brutalis or Argonauts. Argonauts refers to something specific, after all, and (this may be more subjective) Brutalis sounds a little silly.

 

What do you want the chapter to be like regarding their character? Proud? Humble? Cruel?

 

Why do you think Brutalis sounds silly?

 

I had it in my mind that the chapter would be a harsh brotherhood, no outward pride, just honor and strength to the core. Sort of like how Imperials should be to survive in these times.

[DrakeStorm]

You know the sad part is that 4th ed codex alouded for this style of army. Cause you could drop the jump packs and the assault squad counted as a troop, not a fast attack.

[Overlord-Rakszan]

Unfortunately you cant just pop up an original Chapter out of nothing that easily.

In this case you will need to find a already instated chapter to base some of your required elements on.

If you want a certain chapter trait and don't like any of the current chapters with that trait your gonna have a bad time.

I suggest that you rethink what you really want to get out of this chapter and work it around the cursed founding.

Everyone here is just trying to help.

 

Good Luck!

[Octavulg]

Why do you think Brutalis sounds silly?

 

It sounds like one of the later Star Wars Sith Lord names (i.e. take a scary word and stick "is" on it).

 

Honor is not necessarily a strength. Indeed, it's often a liability. Especially when doing the things the Imperium often must.

 

How do you want honor and strength to be reflected in the chapter? What do they do that demonstrates these principles? What do they mean by "honor"? What do they mean by "strength"? What do they think of those who do not meet their standards for either?