GrandMagnus Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Okay, so Im writting some fluff about a "small" group of Ultramarines that were stationed during the last years of the GC - start of the shadow crusade in a frontier system in the 500 worlds. So my question is, how many marines would you consider logical for a stationed, naval force? So far I have considered the following (using C:SM instead of the HH books): 1 centurion (captain), 1 techmarine, a few more characters probably, maybe 50 marines? The naval crew of the frigate they use (probably a couple hundred men, not sure how big a heavy imperial frigate would be), some mechanicum units, basically the ones who would maintain the ship and the equipment, as well as astartes and human pilots for transport ships. So, aprox. 55 marines, the naval crew, mechanicum and pilots AND a small alied detachment from another legion (for fluffy reasons), probably just 2 squads and a commander. Im basing this idea on Battle for the Abyss. Its not the greatest book but I really like the idea of a small group of loyalists. So, any thoughts or questions? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durfast Spiritwolf Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Sounds okay, but given the size of the UM detachment in Vengeful Spirit, you could easily field a full company. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866369 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Cohort Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Why were marines stationed on the planet in the first place? That might help you figure out how many there are. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866379 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1ncarnadine Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Well the Iron Warriors had a whole Grand Company they just forgot about somewhere... so if the UM are the biggest chapter around with some 250000 dudes, you're probably safe to make your force as large as you want. A few companies to a chapter of 1000 probably wouldn't seem unreasonable depending on the planet they're protecting Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866381 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted November 19, 2014 Author Share Posted November 19, 2014 My thought was a resently conquered system/worlds with a still quite unhappy population. So basically a force kept for keeping the peace until Imperial dogma is established. I was thinking small because an entire XIIIth legion company is a 1000 man. So something smaller, a capable manipular of troops. My idea was that they would later link up with the rest of their company as they went further along in the shadow crusade. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866394 Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackoption Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Well the Iron Warriors had a whole Grand Company they just forgot about somewhere... so if the UM are the biggest chapter around with some 250000 dudes, you're probably safe to make your force as large as you want. A few companies to a chapter of 1000 probably wouldn't seem unreasonable depending on the planet they're protecting This... but to a point. Remember that in Know No Fear, it listed that 20 ( i think) chapters were mustering at Calth. While that still leaves a potential of 50,000 Astartes, that would be spread mostly across Ultramar. We know there was a Garrison at Armatura, Macragge, and Molech. Considering they have 500 worlds in ultramar, that means the average garrison size would be about 100 marines (based on my rough swag math). Now assumptions may vary, but I think it would be safe to keep the force to approx 100 marines if it is a small garrison like you are imposing. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866396 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grotsmasha Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 My first instinct was to say 100, and that seems to be a pretty consistent number. It's probably years of "Space Marines operate in companies of 100" that's collectively been drilled into all of us. Cheers, Jono Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866545 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizur Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 I think also that 100 Marines would be absolutely ok. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866565 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 Yeah, would make sense to say a 100. A mixed force of specialists, line infantry, support and assault units. Okay, I think Ive got more or less the idea I need, cutting the numbers a bit shorter due to losses fighting against WB. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866583 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memento Of Prospero Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Some garrisons are as small as 10 marines. Dantioch and his iron warriors for example. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 So one last question: C:SM vs HH rules. Pros and cons? Personally the pros of C:SM is small units, which is what I wanted to start with, as well as special/heavy weapons in the tactical squads. Cons would be that they lack all the cool toys from HH. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866867 Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveNYC Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 How 'frontiery' is this planet? I'd been under the impression that the 500 planets were rolled up into the Imperium relatively early in the scheme of things, which makes me wonder just why these particular guys were so unhappy so late in the Great Crusade period. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866961 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 Well, consider when you look at the map for the galaxy in 40k, Ultramar is in the far reaches of the Ultima segmentum. So consider a world that borders the edges of the Imperium, near the Eastern Fringe. Beyond that system lies unconquered, hostile and alien worlds. That atleast is what Im thinking. This map should hopefully more or less help, just look for Macragge: https://unequivocalhorizon.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/liberastartesstarmapver2.png After all, the Imperium did expand its borders even after the Great Crusade, so its hard to tell exactly how far it reached and where its borders are. Also, maybe the system itself could be considered located in a xeno "hot-spot" (orks maybe) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866971 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slips Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 If its on the border of unconquered space, wouldn't it have a larger garrison in the event of a hostile force coming to them before they got to it? As well as permitting them to go on the offensive if necessary/required? You could make it so that its an expeditionary force currently on garrison duty on the fringes of Imperial Space awaiting word to continue with their conquest. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866982 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 Nice slipstream, I like that idea. So lets say an expeditionary force, the 5th maniple (subdivision of a company, 100 marines? + specialists, aka veterans, techmarines, pilots, etc.) sent ahead of the main company, awaiting the arrival of the company which has been restocking at some forgeworld/imperial planet. That might work. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866984 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slips Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Would also give you a reason to have a bigger body of marines/specialists and the potential to expand its size and scope as you see fit without having to finagle with the fluff. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866988 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted November 20, 2014 Author Share Posted November 20, 2014 Indeed, I like that idea and I think thats the way Im going. Now I just have to choose what rules to use, HH or 40k codex. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866991 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slips Posted November 20, 2014 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Well...you're in the Age of Darkness subforums...sooo.... :p Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/299453-how-big-would-a-stationed-force-be/#findComment-3866996 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.