First time DIY Chapter. Need Help!

[Brink]

Hello again thanks for more ideas! I'm answering your questions for now Erasus and then work from there.

 

1) The area where I plan to place the homeworld is near the "Ghoul Stars" and i thought it would be neat to have a name similar to the region.

 

2) Recurring enemy isn't one i have given much thought to i do however know that I would like for the chapter to have fought Tyrranids since Hive Fleet Jormungandr and Hive Fleet Moloch were seen in the region.

 

3) For well established allies i would guess the Imperial Guard and the Death Specters chapter since they are based in roughly the same region.

 

4) As for rivalry I haven't really thought of anything yet but maybe they can have a friendly rivalry with another chapter (this can be worked out later).

 

5) Viewing the Emperor as a god doesn't sit well with me so i want the chapter to think of him as an extraordinarily powerful man.

 

6) I suppose I would choose the 22nd founding along with the Iron Fists who are another Imperial Fists successor.

 

7) As for the color scheme Purple often resembled royalty in the middle ages and as for silver i find it complements purple better than gold.

 

8) For common units I can foresee more tactical squads than most chapters or maybe a unique front line unit like that of the breacher squads from 30k.

 

9) For a rare unit i really liked Bjorn's idea of Leman Russ tanks so perhaps that can fit the role here.

 

10) The Chapter Master and his Paladins will obviously be chapter heroes and I suppose past chapter masters as well and maybe a Dreadnought or 2.

 

11) In regards to personality traits i would like for the chapter to share a strong sense of honor similar to a code of chivalry type thing.

 

12) Perhaps in a similar manner to the Franks where those of status would write manuscripts and the give them a glowing effect so this would make it so each marine could write personal purity seals or chapter documents.

 

13) The Adeptus Mechanicus are seen as a slightly pesky entity but still more of a neutral party that forces it's ideas every now and then.

 

14) I suppose a standard compliment of Techmarines will work.

 

15) I like the idea of mass bolter fire and the use of breacher squad shields in teh very front lines.

 

16) I would like for the Chapter Master's own personal weapon and all of the Paladin's weapons to be relics but as for names and types I'm not sue yet.

 

17) Unsure will work on later.

 

18) I thought long and hard and came up with "Conquered with Blood, ours or theirs!"  (Grammar can be fixed as I'm unsure if it is correct ATM)

 

Thanks for the ideas it helped me think more uniquely.

 

Ezr91ael Your post on the battle cry didn't load for me until I had posted this and I do very much like that battle cry.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Durendal is one obvious choice for a Chapter relic. Another may be a relic melta or plasma weapon, named after Roland's olifant.

[Quixus]

Durendal is one obvious choice for a Chapter relic. Another may be a relic melta or plasma Volkite weapon, named after Roland's olifant.

FTFY. Because  Volkites go CHOOM ;)

 

Now that I think of it, can 40k vehicles even get volkite weapons. I'm pretty sure infantry can't.

[Brink]

Durendal is one obvious choice for a Chapter relic. Another may be a relic melta or plasma Volkite weapon, named after Roland's olifant.

FTFY. Because Volkites go CHOOM

Now that I think of it, can 40k vehicles even get volkite weapons. I'm pretty sure infantry can't.

I just looked in the Space Marine Codex and Volkite weapons aren't an option for any unit.

[Quixus]

I know that there are none in the codex, but FW might allow some on the vehicles that get the relic of the armoury rule in 40K.

[Brink]

I know that there are none in the codex, but FW might allow some on the vehicles that get the relic of the armoury rule in 40K.

 

Thanks for the info but where do i need to go to find this? Sorry I'm unfamiliar with FW and their website.

[Frater Petrus]

Hi Brink,

 

As for the enemies your chapter will mostly face, I recommend you to look at the various faction map you can find i.e in the Lexicanum.

 

If your "Star Specters" face Moloch, they are most likely to face the various ork Waagh in this region of space. That could help you define their tactics. I don't know who said attrition warfare did not fit SM. It's especially true when facing Tyrannids (and Ork in a certain way). Charlemagne's armies are known for having been (is the english correct here ?) quite flexible. So maybe mix the staunch defense trait from the Imperial Fist with a more subtle way of dealing with their foes (i.e chemical warfare against Tyrannids, even it's a bit extreme)

 

I find the name OK but not quite in harmony with the quirks of your chapter. They are more like "Star Knights". So I, personnally, as far as I'm concerned, (and so on) find the name a little off...

 

May the Emperor bless your men, whoever thay may be. ;-)

[DaBoiKyknos]

Hmm, I don´t know if any culture would fit especially to fighting for atrition. I think it´s right, that it doesn´t fit to space marine chapters that well. Legions could pull this kind of approach off, prime example are the Iron Warriors.

 

The Roman Empire had big armies of course, though their tactics and training  (in their prime at least) were so adavanced to others, that their strategy was more "don´t give them any chance at all."

Maybe achaemenid persians, they fielded at times very big armies.

I don´t know if Franks fit in to that style of comnbat that much. They had their famous throwing axes, the franciscas ( I guess at least that they are called that in

english, too), so maybe more short ranged-fire?

 

Franks means "free" or "brave" so I suppose you make them an offensive, hard-hitting army. In that they Black Templars fit (as I remember them).

So I think Imperial Fist ancestry would be quite fitting.

 

On the name of your commander: Why not orientate more on actual frank rulers and characters? Karl Martell is an interesting one e.g. .

He stopped the islamic advance in France and wielded a big hammer (Martell means "hammer"). IF´s like Hammers... ^^

 

I hope any of this helps.

 

Greetings, Velype

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I find the name OK but not quite in harmony with the quirks of your chapter. They are more like "Star Knights". So I, personnally, as far as I'm concerned, (and so on) find the name a little off...

The name can be made appropriate, with skilled writing. "We are SPECTERS of the Emperor's vengeance! Fear His wrath!" (emphasis mine) is a proposed battle cry that incorporates the Chapter name, as does Ezr91aeL's "For the stars that belong to the Emperor! For the spectres of our fallen brothers!"

[Quixus]

 

I know that there are none in the codex, but FW might allow some on the vehicles that get the relic of the armoury rule in 40K.

 

Thanks for the info but where do i need to go to find this? Sorry I'm unfamiliar with FW and their website.

 

Those vehicles are scattered across various Imperial Armour books and might even have downloadable rules. For example the Contemptor and Leviathan pattern dreadnoughts can be used in 30K as well as 40K. In 40K at least they have the option to take volkite weapons. I'm not sure if they can in 40K.

 

If the treatment of the B@C units is any indication what will happen with the BoP units, a volkite pistol will be available soon (a pistol is on the Tartaros Terminator sprue)

[Frater Petrus]

The name can be made appropriate, with skilled writing.

 

I wanted to say that the name does not fit the overall theme of the chapter. But anyway, it does not need to do so. It's a perfectly fine name, don't misunderstand me.

 

And the battle cry are both very cool.

 

Again, it is more of a personnal thought rather than a real remark.

[Brink]

Hello again and sorry for not being very active today.

 

I read the posts since i was last on and I do agree with Petrus after some thought I do think the name doesn't fit very well but I also think that "Star Knights" doesn't sound very pleasing. With that in mind I'm open to suggestions for a name change. And in regards to the IF liking hammers that I know but I personally don't find them attractive weapons. I have however decided to change the Chapter Masters name to Clovis in regards to one of the first rulers of the Franks and he will wield a relic called Durendal in honor of the sword from the myths. I do want opinions on a surname for the Chapter Master.

 

Thanks and hope you all are doing well.

[Draakur]

Astral Shades?

[Brink]

After much thinking and searching of the internet I think i have found a suitable name to replace the Star Specters and i would like to hear opinions of the new name idea.

 

So I'm thinking of renaming them to the "Celestial Knights/Templars" depending on which sounds better.

 

Thanks for any input!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Clovis was a Merovingian- a name that should be familiar to those who read 'The Da Vinci Code', which repeated claims the Merovingian were descendants of Jesus Christ. (The name was also used in for the antagonist in 'The Matrix Reloaded'.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Aachen is another option for the Chapter Master's surname. (It's the German city where Charlemagne's remains are displayed.)

[DaBoiKyknos]

After much thinking and searching of the internet I think i have found a suitable name to replace the Star Specters and i would like to hear opinions of the new name idea.

 

So I'm thinking of renaming them to the "Celestial Knights/Templars" depending on which sounds better.

 

Thanks for any input!

 

My proposition: "Knights Defiant" ;).

 

@ Björn: Well "Aachen" as a surname probably sounds cooler for not german-natives! :D Considering, that Americans got cities called "Washington" or "Lincoln" it might sound more normal to you, but for me it´s kind of awkward, sorry. :) I´d rather call him Carolus, Carl, Carlmann or the like (with an aditional "from Aachen" maybe).

Or Pippin (father of Charlamagne for example) if you don´t mind him sharing a name with a well-known Hobbit. :)

[Erasus]

Hello!

 

Firstly,

 

Attrition can totally work for Space Marines.

 

There's a common misconception that a battle of attrition simply means two huge armies fighting it out i.e. "Fighting by numbers", but it's not, it is a style of warfare designed to wear the enemy down, occasionally through superior numbers, sometimes through unstoppable force.

 

It's basically a style of warfare that lacks a decisive blow. The force keeps grinding away until there's nothing left to fight.

 

This can be done by a smaller force that just can't be stopped.

 

Death Guard did it :)

 

Anywho onto other things!

 

I really like Lord Velypes' suggestion of 'Knights Defiant'

 

For surnames maybe Merovech?

It's technically a first name, the name of the founder of the Merovingian dynasty, after a bull creature mated with his mother in sea water. Could use the imagery of a water bull or a bull resisting a wave as a personal symbol?

 

He doesn't necessarily need a last name

 

Hope this helps!

[DaBoiKyknos]

I really like Lord Velypes' suggestion of 'Knights Defiant'

...

[NightrawenII]

Hello!

 

Firstly,

 

Attrition can totally work for Space Marines.

 

There's a common misconception that a battle of attrition simply means two huge armies fighting it out i.e. "Fighting by numbers", but it's not, it is a style of warfare designed to wear the enemy down, occasionally through superior numbers, sometimes through unstoppable force.

 

It's basically a style of warfare that lacks a decisive blow. The force keeps grinding away until there's nothing left to fight.

Ahem, you are the one, who don't get it.

 

Yes, the attrition warfare is not about numbers, but it's about how fast you replace these numbers. And at this game the Adeptus Astartes simply lose to anyone in the universe (with notable exeption of Eldar).

 

It takes decade(s) to create a Space Marine, it takes a mere hours to spawn a Tyranid Warrior. So in the attrition battle between Chapter and a Tyranid Hive-fleet, even if the Tyranids "exchange" 100 Warriors for single Marine, they will still ultimately win.

 

Oh, btw. It was the attrition which doomed the Great Crusade.

 

 

~ NightrawenII

[Wargamer]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds it strange to have "attrition" as a Space Marine special tactic. In fact, it's practically impossible for them to do.

 

Space Marines are a surgical strike force. Despite what fanboys will tell you, Space Marines have virtually no hope of victory in open conflict; give the enemy time to range find with tanks and artillery, and those one hundred super-humans are going to disappear pretty damn quickly.

 

Where Space Marines excel is surgical strikes and close quarter actions - ship boarding, cityfighting, trench raids, etc. Up close and personal, heavy guns can't be brought to bear. In open ground, they rely on high speed redeployment to survive.

 

Marines winning by attrition are only something you'll see in the Horus Heresy novels, and even then only because the writers decided to arbitrarily up the Legions from 10,000 to 1,000,000 Marines apiece.

 

So my question would be this: what aspect of attrition warfare is it you want to express? You've chosen a Charlemagne era for the culture, but that's hardly known for attrition war - that's an era when the true power of cavalry was being discovered! I think if you drill down and find a certain aspect of this war style, we can find a way to express it that's true to Space Marine combat doctrines.

 

 

Edit: Oh, just another random thing: in Charlemagne's time, purple would have been heavily associated with the Byzantine Empire, so they might be worth a look for inspiration as well. They were right on the eastern edge of Europe, which is a nice parallel to your Chapter being on the north-east edge of the Imperium. They also had bad-ass heavy cavalry called "Cataphracts" - again, if you plan to use Cataphractii Terminators, there's a nice link.

[Brink]

Hello again and after hearing virtually everyone tell me attrition warfare doesn't work with Space Marines I've decided to change the fighting style but not sure to what just yet. As for the thought on cavalry being a huge success in the time-frame I'm looking at it really doesn't appeal to me personally. With regards to Wargamer's comment on the "Cataphracts" I do plan on using Cataphractii Terminators but the reason being is they look so much better than Indomitus pattern Terminators to me also I don't find Byzantine very interesting so thanks for those ideas anyways. LordVelype thanks for the name suggestion I do like that much better than what i came up with but I would like to hear other suggestions before choosing.

 

Thanks for Input!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Armored vehicles are directly comparable to cavalry- at least in the US Army of 920.M2 and beyond.

[DaBoiKyknos]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds it strange to have "attrition" as a Space Marine special tactic. In fact, it's practically impossible for them to do.

 

So my question would be this: what aspect of attrition warfare is it you want to express? You've chosen a Charlemagne era for the culture, but that's hardly known for attrition war - that's an era when the true power of cavalry was being discovered! I think if you drill down and find a certain aspect of this war style, we can find a way to express it that's true to Space Marine combat doctrines.

 

1) My impression, too.

2) Ahem. No, not really, sorry. The Franks probably used cavalry as a favourite tactic, too, but it became important quite some time before them, too.

    The Sasanids (Persian Empire during middle-late Roman Empire) already used cavalry heavily, which made them a hard enemy to Roman forces, who then adopted

     the Cataphractii- style cavalry (heavy armoured, with a lance, looking almost like high-medieval knights); one example in many of Romans "borrowing" from other 

     cultures. When of course this type of fighter was further used in the Byzantine Empire. Cavalry had been used before heavily by the Parthians the predecessor of the

     Sasanids, mostly in the form of mounted archers, also an enemy that frequently bested the Romans in battle.

     So there was already a great importance on cavalry before the rise of the franks.

 

                                                                                                               ~

P.S.: As I said before, I´d take Black Templar- tactics for this fellows. But like with the name it´s of course up to you, Brink! :)

P.P.S: "Paladins Defiant" came up in my mind, too. More of a frankonian link, but also longer and thus a bit harder to remember. Greetings, Velype

 

 

 

 

      Cavalry had already used verysucc

[DaBoiKyknos]

 

Hello!

 

Firstly,

 

Attrition can totally work for Space Marines.

 

There's a common misconception that a battle of attrition simply means two huge armies fighting it out i.e. "Fighting by numbers", but it's not, it is a style of warfare designed to wear the enemy down, occasionally through superior numbers, sometimes through unstoppable force.

 

It's basically a style of warfare that lacks a decisive blow. The force keeps grinding away until there's nothing left to fight.

Ahem, you are the one, who don't get it.

 

Yes, the attrition warfare is not about numbers, but it's about how fast you replace these numbers. And at this game the Adeptus Astartes simply lose to anyone in the universe (with notable exeption of Eldar).

 

 

~ NightrawenII

 

 

I think you can have different opinions on that, or not?

 

Apart from that, wouldn´t Black Templars fit to atrition warfare, maybe in combination with other forces if they have a leading role.They are quite big, the are on a crusader with other forces and they got big squads with Neophytes...

 

                                                                                                                      ~

Sorry for the double post. I hope I don´t annoy with all my suggestions, Brink! :P :D