My DIY Chapter Development Thread

[Julgolax]

I want to start this thread to accumulate all the feedback I can to make a chapter all my own. I am using the page-long section from the current Space Marines codex as my starting point. (Reference page 104)

 

Obviously my force will start as I'm sure all chapters start, a Captain, a scout squad and a tactical squad. Going from that point I started to think about themes. My 2 favorite game style themes are mass assault specialists, orbital strike specialists, or mounted assault specialists. My 2 favorite cultural themes are special forces, and viking warriors (yes, I own a Space Wolves codex but I don't want to do Space Wolves themselves).

 

There are of course dozens if not 100 ways to go about any of these themes gameplay-wise, but before I even think about that I wanna get a cultural theme chosen.

 

For the Special Forces theme, I look to the Raven Guard and their unique tactics. Not only I'm very much into the jump pack assaults but I have plans to use Stormtalons, Stormravens, and if I can get my hands on a few, Thunderhawks. These will utterly REPLACE Rhinos and Razorbacks. The chapter will take stealth even more seriously as well, incorporating the 6th and 7th companies as Scout Companies. The chapter operates out of their fleet and recruit ONLY from feral worlds. (think of the French Foreign Legion in WH40K)

 

For the Viking Warriors theme, I took a direct interest and inspiration from the Carcharodons. A chapter of space marines that live like a warrior tribe. Much like the Salamanders, there will only be X < 10 amount of companies as each company will be considerably larger than normal. The idea here is to be a type of mounted assault force, each company eschewing flight where possible and taking more tanks because of it. Also, a company of elite Bikes/A.Bikes for land-based mounted assault. Like the Vikings of old, they ride to the battle, hop out, and carve folks up so in this way I will have basically twice as many foot sloggers than normal, using jump pack-less assault marines mounted up. Basically, lots and lots of power armored assault phases.

 

Those are my ideas. The question is from here, where to go?

[Agitated Owl]

 

Those are my ideas. The question is from here, where to go?

 

I think the question is, where do you want to go?  Are you looking for inspiration for your own Index Astartes entry?  Are you looking for list-building advice?

[Julgolax]

 

Those are my ideas. The question is from here, where to go?

 

I think the question is, where do you want to go?  Are you looking for inspiration for your own Index Astartes entry?  Are you looking for list-building advice?

 

 

Well I'm looking for inspiration for my own Index Astartes article, yes. What I'm having trouble with is picking a cultural theme to build my chapter off of. I'm trying to divine the best choice for how I like to play. I personally like space marines for their versatility, being able to adapt to situations as needed is their keystone. That said, I do prefer the heady joys of close combat to the methodical pounding of heavy guns. 

 

What's nice about this game is that it offers a plethora of tactical challenges and rewards to playing a power armored assault army. With a 3+ armor save, Strength 4, and Weapon Skill 4, a Space Marine can go toe-to-toe with most other infantry units in the game and survive. Add to that my love of the Space Marine's signature tactic, to launch massed assaults from orbit, I get all tingly when I imagine dozens of drop pods crashing into the side of a fortress, popping open, and dozens of space marines laying waste to the enemies of mankind.

Where does that leave me now I wonder? Basically, I guess I like my first theme idea the most but what to do about it now? Buy minis and paint or start writing an I.A. article? How does one create an entire science-fiction futuristic space-faring warrior culture from scratch?

 

[Captain Juan Juarez]

"How does one create an entire science-fiction futuristic space-faring warrior culture from scratch?"

 

- By starting with a very small idea.

 

 

Don't limit yourself by thinking that you need a culture to create your Chapter; yes many creations both by GW and others use them but it isn't a rule.

 

What you need to decide is what will be different about your Chapter but not in the "We Are So AWESOME" sense.

[Malthe]

Might I suggest that you do as suggested by CJJ and start with a very small idea and work your way up?

 

For example; you say you love orbital assault and an in-your-face aproach to combat.

 

From here you might go with an arial theme -> inspiration from a culture where birds are important (aztech?).

 

Or you might go with an in-yer-face theme -> your marines shove themselves down the throat of their enemies because they feel superior to them and don't fear submitting themselves to a counter-attack.

 

You might even go with both -> superiority + birds = a proud and haugthy chapter who's combat doctrine emulates that of a bird of prey.

 

Now ask yourself how this came to be -> maybe they 'grew up' fighting a Waagh! Untold numbers of orks who could not be defeated in a pitched battle, but melted against acurate pin-point strikes.

 

I'm sure you get the idea :)

Basically, start out with a very small idea that inspire you and then derive the rest from there.

And as CJJ said, focus on differences and on the why's. These are what will make your chapter stand out!