Which marines codex?!

[superwill]

Hey guys!
 

I had a bit of a look around, and I couldn't find anywhere else more suitable to post this, so hopefully it's okay here!

I've created my own SM chapter, named the Ivory Shields, but need a little help figuring out the details and which codex I'll be running from. Basically, the Ivory Shields are one of the 7 unnamed chapters of the Astartes Praeses (http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Astartes_Praeses) who guard the eye of terror. There's plenty more fluff if anyone's interested. I would love if one day someone else collected them and they became part of the recognised fluff, but that's just a dream. I am mainly interested in having a cool looking army that I love, but I am also interested in having a playable army, preferably somewhat competitive.

At the moment I have one unit, and I need to see how this unit will fit in to an army. Model wise, they are going to be a little like this guy http://www.dakkadakka.com/core/gallery-viewimage.jsp?i=380523&m=2&w=800 and this guy http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/images-31742-10831_Sanguinary%20Guard%20Wip..%2099%25%20Complete.html . Would be happy to share more info on specific items I'm going to use for them, hoping to pull off a very unique but effective look for them. I might even do a photo log!

My problem is I am trying to figure out how I can make them a playable unit. They will need to be jump troops, obviously, and I am hoping to include these in a list of special weapons: lightning claws, power swords, plasma pistols, storm/combat shields, and then I'm happy to fill the rest out with whatever works. But if possible I'd like to include those weapons. Unfortunately I don't own any SM codexes (except for GK), so I can't see if any units can carry all those things. If so, what options could I make them? I'm guessing vanguard are my best bet? Could it be a command squad? There will also be a HQ which will be fitted with jump pack and a combination of those weapons.

Secondly, there are other favourite units/wargear which I would love to be part of my chapter, and again, figuring out which one would make them most effective would be awesome. My favourite SM units are (from most
loved to less loved):

Command Squads
Sniper Scouts
Sternguard
Drop pods
Apothecaries
Bikes
Storm/Combat shields (though I'm not a huge fan of termie armour)
Assault marines
Lightning Claws
Robes
Techmarines

I have to pick a founding chapter too, which will probably be based on which codex my army follows. I like the Dark Angels best, closely
followed by Raven Guard, but I'll see what works best for the army.

Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to offer in picking a codex!

[my_face]

i cant speak for any other dexs, i have only ever read black templars

pros- 5 man squads with the option of multiple weapon options (including 2 PP's and PF for assault troops)

cheap typhoons

lrc as a dedicated transport

access to rage usr

cons- ollld dex

zeal has been faq'd to pantsness

lack of anything shiny

[Shuggnuggath]

Sounds like the Blood Angels codex is the one you want. They have pretty much everything on your list covered.

[Olis]

Judging by what you like and what units you prefer, I'd be inclined to say the regular marine 'dex would serve you just fine. The list of weapons you'd like to use and the look of those two example pretty much sound like a match for a Vanguard Squad.

[dswanick]

From the list of units you've provided I would say a combination of C:Dark Angels and C:Blood Angels.  And the beauty of 6th is that it is legal to do with Allies.  And since they're Battle Brothers, the only limitation you have to be careful of is the Transport prohibition.

[Raven Angel]

Having read all the codexes I would say Blood Angels in the primary slot with Dark Angels and/or Codex Space Marines filling out allies options.

[infornography]

Based on what units you like and those two awesome models you have.  Blood Angels.  Totally.  Though Blood Angles aren't so much of the robe wearers.  That would be the Dark Angels.  The Black Templar like Tabards.  But if you like that angel wing motif your models are rocking, Absolutely Blood Angels.

[Upstartes]

Another vote for Blood Angels. They have lots of jump pack options, including jump Troops and special characters with wings. They have all the other units you list. They don't wear robes themselves, but the rules don't stop you from making your own robed models with Blood Angels rules.

 

If you want winged marines, definitely go Blood Angels.

[Peredyne]

Sounds like Vanguard Assault marines for any chapter.

[AngelsWithBaals]

+1 for BA

[Octavulg]

Vanguard Veteran are definitely up to representing such a squad. They're available in C:BA and C:SM.

 

Command Squads - only the BA can have Command Squads with jump packs.

Sniper Scouts - Either C:SM or C:BA can have Sniper Scouts

Sternguard - Both C:BA and C:SM can have Sternguard (the BA having them is bull:cuss, but there you go).

Drop pods - Everybody gets Drop Pods

Apothecaries - the Blood Angels use Sanguinary Priests, who work similarly but have a very different aesthetic. Which you wouldn't necessarily have to follow. The BA can have jump apothecaries and Terminator apothecaries. SM can't. And the BA have an apothecary special character.

Bikes - Everybody gets bikes

Storm/Combat shields (though I'm not a huge fan of termie armour) - everybody gets these

Assault marines - everybody gets these

Lightning Claws - everybody gets these

Robes - the DA are the chapter who are probably most associated with robes, but since they're a modelling choice without game effect, anyone can have them.

Techmarines - everybody gets these, though C:SM probably has more flexible ones than C:BA.

 

I'd recommend C:SM over C:BA, since C:BA comes with the various Blood Angels special rules that are odd if you're not a BA successor chapter (and being a BA successor chapter comes with a lot of baggage). That said, the BA do have some more jumpiness, which seems to be appealing to you.

[Wulfebane]

C:SW neglect! For the starter squad, while expensive, Wolf Guard would work. Also, Wolves have great sniper scouts, are DP-oriented, and like shields/claws. They're only diminished in the bike/assault squad proficiency, and techmarines, but I get around that with allies.

 

Just wanted to toss that in, but I agree with the C:SM sentiment.

[superwill]

Hey guys,

thanks soooo much for the replies! It's really really appreciated, may the Emperor smile kindly upon you all

Didn't mean to neglect C:SW, I actually used to collect 13th company when I was younger, but then the whole army became void haha. I've had my fill of SW, but an excellent suggestion.

I'm now totally torn between C:BA and C:SM. I'm fairly sure that BA is a better fit in terms of competitiveness - cheaper vanguards who are also better (sigh), and so far I actually pretty much can't see an advantage to C:SM from a tabletop perspective.

On the other hand, I feel a little strange playing the BA codex with my own newly created chapter. I'm not hugely keen on being a BA successor chapter, and whilst I know others have just used the BA codex as "counts as", at the end of the day I'd feel like I'm not really collecting a SM army but a BA one (just a personal feeling).

I guess that really if I were ever to go in a tournament, I'd be bringing my GK anyway, and I feel like I've already got a somewhat competitive army (I was playing GK back when they were daemonhunters, so I feel no guilt that they are now so strong!)

Unfortunately, it's not quite as simple as forgoing competitiveness in order to have the army I want, because actually BA offers several units (jump-pack command squads/honour guard, more apothecaries, sanguinary guard, troop assault marines etc.) that I won't be able to field in a C:SM army.

Tentatively, I'm thinking that my guys will be a Raven Guard successor chapter - partly because they're my favourite founding chapter, and partly because I love their style, base units and my choice of iconography sort of matches. It will also let me take a Shrike counts as, which is both fluffy and allows me to use my claws and jump pack captain. For a colour scheme, I think I've got it down to either dark navy and ivory/bone, or a dark ash grey and ivory/bone.

As a very rough ~1500 point list, do you think something like this would ever have any chance of winning a game?:

Shrike

Command Squad - drop pod - kitted out with decent upgrades - maybe storm shields?

5 Sternguard - drop pod - combi-meltas/plasmas?

5 Sniper Scouts inc. 1 missile

5 Sniper Scouts inc. 1 missile

10 Tactical Marines inc PC

5 Vanguard squad - mix of weapons, expensive squad

5 Assault Squad inc PF

Aegis Defense Line w. quad gun

Thanks again for your input!

[Olis]

I'd switch out that plasma cannon in the tac squad for a lascannon if possible, tbh. I'd feel more comfortable in that list if it had an anti-tank weapon that was long range. I know missile launchers can cope with some tanks but at least having a lascannon about means that any Russes or Raiders could potentially be taken out at range, from the front.

[Upstartes]

If I were you, I'd use the BA codex, but I would come up with some fluff that explains the BA-specific units and abilities in a way that doesn't involve the chapter being a BA successor. I always find that kind of fluff-creation fun.

 

Maybe the "Red Thirst" is a reflection of the unbalanced minds created by having the chapter always so close to the Eye of Terror and it's chaotic influence. Maybe the Death Company are marines who have almost succumbed to the temptations of Chaos, and have been put into the suicide squad so that they can die in battle before their hearts turn traitor. Etc, Etc.

 

But that's just me. Your mileage may vary.

[thade]

I use the BA dex for my DIY; you can easily you can get apothecaries in the list...the trade offs from vanilla being that your techmarines don't have the Independent Character rule (and thus can't join your marine units or ride around inside the LR and fix it from within), you miss out on a lot of cool vanilla ranged options (thunderfire cannon, venerable dreads), and your vanguard's storm shields are more costly. (There are other trade offs, but I think those are the big ones for you considering your list there.)

 

Vanguard in particular are going to be good for you if you want storm shields in units. My chapter, the "Red Shields", has an 'honor guard' of "Shield Bearers" which could have been a command squad, but Vanguard can be larger (which is pretty important for melee-focused units). Having a few vanilla guys in the mix to add three (four on the charge) more attacks and soak a hit for an upgraded guy is very hard to do with a command squad. The real benefit BA has over the other codexes here is that you can easily stick an apothecary with that Vanguard, and your librarian support powers (or rather inexpensive chaplains) can make them really mean on a budget.

[Kristoff]

If I were you, I'd use the BA codex, but I would come up with some fluff that explains the BA-specific units and abilities in a way that doesn't involve the chapter being a BA successor. I always find that kind of fluff-creation fun.

 

Maybe the "Red Thirst" is a reflection of the unbalanced minds created by having the chapter always so close to the Eye of Terror and it's chaotic influence. Maybe the Death Company are marines who have almost succumbed to the temptations of Chaos, and have been put into the suicide squad so that they can die in battle before their hearts turn traitor. Etc, Etc.

 

But that's just me. Your mileage may vary.

I would go this route. Also, you can keep the Raven Guard aspect of them as well, because their geneseed is unstable ever since Corax tried to recover from the Drop Site Massacre. The affects of that instability could have been enhanced by their proximity to the Eye.

[Inquisitor Eisenhorn]

Sniper Scouts, Assault Marines w/lightning claws?  Bikes?  Drop Pods?  Sternguard?

 

Sounds like you are a Raven Guard successor, my friend.

 

Not a bad thing to be.