Guide: Dark Angel Organization, Heraldry, and Armor

[jaxom]

As part of my run up towards a pre-Heresy Dark Angel force I was going through resources and putting together a set of painting/modeling guidelines. I decided to share them here.

 

For my purposes, I am ignoring the first two books for these sorts of details (and characters whose ranks stem from them) because they are full of what I think are early installment weirdness.

 

Organizational Hierarchy of the Dark Angels Legion

Name	Source	Commentary

HostHH6: RetributionListed as part of the formation information for the two example legionaries. The specific wording, "...his unit is of the 13th Chapter of the Third Host; a formation..." had me put this here because it could the Legion term for a smaller Expeditionary Force drawn from numerous Orders. I think this makes sense in the context of the First Host being assigned specifically to a single ship and the presence of a second Host (the Thirteenth) on it was unusual. For an alternative take, see below.[/tr]OrderSavage Weapons, The Lion, Unremembered Empire, Angels of CalibanOrders seem to take the place of Chapters as the Dark Angel upper level of the table of battle. Each Order consists five thousand legionaries and is led by a Master (based upon order of ranks from Angels of Caliban, p, 32) or less likely a Captain (based upon "The Lion" and Captain Tragan leading the Ninth Order, but this could be because he had not yet been raised to Master after the the death of Alajos). ChapterHH1: Betrayal, Savage Weapons, The Lion, Unremembered Empire, Angels of CalibanPresumably based upon the Principia Bellicosa unit and containing one thousand Legionaries (presumably there are five Chapters in an order). Each Chapter is led by a Captain. Early installment weirdness (via a throw foward to 40k) has the rank Chapter Master which may actually not be EIW, but rather a distinct ceremonial rank for Captains leading a Chapter.Battalion (Host)HH1: Betrayal, HH6: Retribution, Angels of CalibanThe Principia Bellicosa lists the Battalion as a half-Chapter strength unit, two per Chapter, led by a (amongst other title options) Commander. Commander is one of the ranks mentioned awaiting the orders of the Lion. It is possible Host is the legion name for this portion of an the organizational structure. I could see five hundred legionaries being assigned to a pre-Imperium relic ship. The promotion from lieutenant to captain makes me wonder if the Dark Angels use the former as the rank for a leader of Battalion rather than commander (see below why this just wonder and not think) or if Gav Thorpe was just putting in titles that sounded okay for those two scenes.CompanyHH1: Betrayal, Angels of CalibanAccording to the Principia Bellicosa it's one hundred legionaries led by a Company Captain alternatively called a Centurion. Centurion shows up as a rank during the Feast on Caliban, but it is Lieutenant that is mentioned in the Primarch's ranks. A lieutenant in the Principia Bellicosa is right below Centurion and commands three squads of a Company. Considering the out-of-touch nature of Luther's faction it's possible one rank replaced the other at some point during the later stages of the Great Crusade if the Lion saw that level of organization redundant. Considering the Lieutenant has command of a company immediately after the promotion to captain makes me think that it was his original command and not one received with the promotion. This also fits with him commanding a frigate and what we know about the capacity of frigates and battle-companies in 40k. The nature of the Wings and their perpendicular organizational structure lead me to believe that the Dark Angels would be unlikely to have many specialist companies and so I posit that the majority of companies are similar to the 40k battle-company. The resulting structure would be adaptable to many situations and capable of reorganization within a Chapter via Wings if a more specialist approach was required.[tr]SquadHH1: Betrayal, The Lion, Angels of CalibanTen to twenty legionaries for a Tactical Squad or 5-10 for a specialist squad. Presumably ten Squads per Company.

 

 

Additional: Paladins appear to be the equivalent of Company Champions in an Order, but who are given or capable of field command. Their presence in an Order may be what allowed for the removal of the three squads level of company command.

 

Perpendicular Organization of the Six Wings of Dark Angels Legion

Wing	Purpose	Symbol

AllEach Wing's membership consisted of legionaries whose specialty or predilection matched its purpose. Battlefield command could be switched from the normal hierarchy to that of one of the Wings if the nature of warfare required overwhelming application of its type rather than the usual operational adaptability of the Dark Angels. Each Wings was led by a Voted Lieutenant selected by its members. Voted positions in a Wing were completely separate from one's rank and were not impacted by Legion censure; presumably the membership of a Wing could vote to remove someone from a position. At least one member would be an elected Voted Successor who shadowed and learned from the Voted Lieutenant during Wing operations and could assume command if the Voted Lieutenant was unable to do so. This teacher-student relationship and pseudo-chain of command carried throughout the Wing; the highest 'teacher' on a battlefield would assume initial command once their Wing's protocol was called upon. These relationships were also independent of rank and allowed for similar fraternal discussions and outlets not normally found in the legions, but in the warrior-lodges that tended to pop up in other legions. There is one line in "Angels of Caliban," "the five warriors of Redloss' pantheon," that makes me think a pantheon is a smaller level of organization within a Wing similar to a squad.Each legionary would incorporate the symbol of their Wing into their armor's heraldry. It is likely higher members of each Wing would have Wing related ceremonial symbols in their heraldry and carry items-of-office specific to or fashioned to reflect their Wing.

DeathwingMembers are the veterans of the legion. I think they acted as a pool of experience and advice for battlefield. The Lion gathered them and kept him at his side during the unsure and turburlant times in Imperium Secundus. Their Voted Lieutenant was notable for his thoughtful nature and not mindlessly following orders. It's possible the Deathwing protocol was when a force of experienced and thoughtful (i.e. hyper analytical and adaptable) legionaries was required.The Deathwing's banner was described as the Legion symbol in red on a field of black (Angels of Caliban). The symbol of the Deathwing was described as two red swords crossed, points down (HH6: Betrayal).

DreadwingMembers are the extermination weapon specialists and genocidalists of the Dark Angels. They, and their weapons of Old Night, were spread amongst squads of the Legion. Their Voted Lieutenant was notable for his love of death. Where other legions had specialized death-squads and formations, the Dark Angels would enact Dreadwing protocol. The Dreadwing members would leave their squads and assemble into a singular field force (perhaps organized into sub-forces or squad-level units called pantheons) with the sole purpose of wiping out all non-Astartes life in the operation theater.The symbol of the Dreadwing was described as a skull-in-hourglass and their pennants were shaped like hourglasses.

StormwingMembers are the spaceborne boarding specialists of the legion. Supposedly, the Stormwing consisted only of Breacher squads with boarding shields. I don't know if this meant when Storming members gather from individual squads (like the Dreadwing) or if Stormwing members were usually kept together as squads. I imagine Stormwing protocol is similar to the assault rites, void boarding, or orbital shock deployments strategies of other legions.A three-line lightning bolt (z-pattern) striking down and the left with a single wing on the upper left.

FirewingThe Firewing specializes in destroying enemy command structures.A flame cradled above wings (like the Consecrator's chapter symbol).

IronwingMembers are the vehicular specialists of the legion. It includes tank crewmen and members of the Armorium and also armored cavalry, presumably anti-tank specialists. The Ironwing protocol functions similarly to the preferred mechanized assault tactics of the X legion (Correction: the preferred mechanized assault tactics of the X legion function similarly to the Ironwing protocol). Considering the more blatant nature of this Wing Techpriests and the dual allegiance might be segregated into it.Similar to the Firewing's symbol, but with a capital alpha (the classic Ultramarine Devastator symbol) instead of a flame. The alpha has a spiked halo (similar to most modern representations of the iron halo).

RavenwingMembers are the scout, flight, and presumably intelligence specialists of the Legion. It is unknown if members of the Ravenwing are part of non-fast units. The Ravenwing protocol is called for when speed and positioning are of utmost importance.A sword grasped by a winged raven's claw.

 

These six wings, collectively referred to as the Hexagrammaton, are represented by a unicursal hexagram (drawn with one continuous line rather than two overlapping triangles.

 

Heraldry

 

What makes the difference, for me, between the Dark Angels and all the other posers in black (Catulan Company, Iron Hands, Raven Guard) is the heraldry. I've seen some great painted troops, and if it weren't for the Legion badge I wouldn't have guessed they were First Legion. I think, based on the HH6: Betrayal images, each Dark Angel should have: Legion badge, Chapter number, and Wing marking. Considering the Black Library sources, it seems like Order, Company, and Squad are represented by non-numeric heraldry (which may contribute to the 40k company markings). I'd guess the numeric heraldry have standardized placement based on Principia Bellicosa while everything else is the checker and stripe mixtures seen in much of the art. For example, Merir Astelan has a particular pattern shown on his pauldron and escrutcheon; it probably represents his Order. 

 

 

 

Thus each legionary probably has at least six heraldic devices. Certain other heraldic devices are known. A red sword vertical over white escrutcheon is the sigil of The Order. A green pauldron can represent a Calibanite legionary. When you take those elements and then add in whatever personal touches you want to the heraldry then you should have some Astartes that proudly proclaim Dark Angels and nothing else.

 

Factions

At the moment there are

five

factions within the Dark Angels and which one your force belongs to can impact what heraldry they bear. I'm listing them by leader except for the last.

* Lion El'Jonson - Dark Angels loyal to the Emperor and the Primarch. Consists of Terrans and Calibanites. They have not been on Caliban for many years.

* Luthor - Dark Angels loyal to Luthor and an independent, secure Caliban. Consists primarily of Calibanites who have never been off world along with a handful of Calibanite veterans.

* Zahariel - Dark Angels originally loyal to Luthor, but now taken by Ouroboros, the Conquer Worm, a warp entity associated with Nurgle. It's presence trapped in Caliban may have contributed to the lush, hypergrowing forests and various beasts. Consists primarily of former members of the Librarius.

* Astelan - Dark Angels purportedly loyal to the Emperor, but not the Lion. Consists primarily of Terran veterans. Currently allied with Luthor's faction.

* Errants - Dark Angels who are part of Luthor's faction, but who somehow ended up off Caliban. They've never seen the Lion and seem to have no contact with Luthor. Each force individually assesses information they find and determine if they side with the Emperor or Horus should the war come to them.

* [speculative] Wandering Veterans of the Crusade - First Legion veterans who served at the side of the Emperor and have returned from the unknown void, having never known the Lion.

 

Armor

The preference or distribution of armor marks within the Legion is unkown. The available images show primarily what appear to be MkII and MkIII armor. The Forge World upgrade torsos match those. The strange part, in my mind, is the helmets. The Black Libary covers and original Visions of Heresy art show helmets similar to those from the 11th-13th centuries; the front profile is relatively flat which is closest to MkII and MkIII helmets. The Forge World helmets, however, are more similar to 14th and 15th century helmets. I'd expect that sort of progression for MkIV armor. Either seems appropriately knightly depending on personal taste. Escrutcheons, small shield-shaped attachments are often used to secure a cape, cloak, robe, surcoat, tabard, etc. Astelan has one evident in his bust image. Besagues (alternatively besagews) are small circular shields for guarding the armpit and can also be found on Dark Angel armor; again, often used to secure cloth. Speaking of cloth, as much as a pain it can be, I think it should be liberally scattered throughout a force. The white against black armor provides some nice pop that further helps distinguish the Dark Angels from other black-armored folk (And while I'm tossing completely subjective aesthetics around I'd avoid silver/metal or bronze/gold trim on pauldrons because they, to me, scream Iron Hands and Catulon Company). The trim of the cloth provides another place for heraldry: red, black, and green seem to have meaning (green and red were noted as the colors of Caliban so black is most likely related to Terra or having served beside the Emperor). Patterns of triangles along the trim could differentiate between squads or companies (seen on the edge of Astelan's cloak on the cover of "Fallen Angels" and a Dark Angel on the cover of "Descent if Angels").

 

Officers have been noted to have wings on their helmets rather than the crests seen in more traditional Principia Bellicosa forces like the Ultramarines and Imperial Fists.

 

 

I'll update as new information comes my way. Hopefully this will be helpful to more than just me. Please feel free to post any miniatures that you think are helpful for displaying any of the above or to provide commentary of your own views.

 

EDIT: If you are considering starting a Dark Angel force before the release of Angelus, I recommend you consider the numbers of each type of Wing you have present. For example, if you take all the special weapon troopers out of the tactical squads, they should be able to form a legal support squad (Dreadwing pantheon) while the Deathwing members from those squads for a legal veteran squad (Deathwing pantheon). Alternatively, if you could theme a squad as a pantheon from the start, i.e. Despoilers or Breachers for Dreadwing or Stormwing and hacve different hierarchy markings but Wing heraldry indicating they are single pantheon.

 

EDIT: Updated the above base on the useful reminder that normal Legion Tactical Squads don't have special weapons. I got their options confused with Veteran Squads.

 

EDIT: Added a new faction, courtesy of Cloud Runner.

Edited February 28, 2020 by jaxom

[Sandlemad]

Not much to add other than well done on such a comprehensive review of a (purposely) tangled, byzantine topic.

 

In particular I like your note about black colouration possibly occasionally indicating direct service to the emperor among some imperial services. That was the stated reason behind the chaplains' colour scheme in the old 3rd ed. Chapter Approved siege of Terra background (and by proxy the colours of Sigismund and then the BT) so nicely picked up. I would like it if that came through when the DA get their writeup in Angelus.

[Brother dean]

 

 

EDIT: If you are considering starting a Dark Angel force before the release of Angelus, I recommend you consider the numbers of each type of Wing you have present. For example, if you take all the special weapon troopers out of the tactical squads, they should be able to form a legal support squad (Dreadwing pantheon) while the Deathwing members from those squads for a legal veteran squad (Deathwing pantheon). Alternatively, if you are theming a squad as a pantheon from the start, i.e. Despoilers or Veterans, consider having different hierarchy markings but Wing heraldry indicating they are single pantheon.

 

Basic tactical squads do not have special weapons.. or upgrades of pretty much any kind. The specials are already grouped into "Legion Tactical Support Squads" which are entirely armed with special weapons, even the sergeants.

 

Until "Angelus" changes it anyway.  

[jaxom]

Thank you, I completely messed that up! Fixed with an edit.

[Sulemain]

So, as you all probably know, the Dark Angels have two ROW so far, the Ironwing and the Ravenwing.

 

Which are, as you also probably know, variants on the Armoured Spearhead and the Sky Hunter Phalanx ROW, with their own unique twists.

 

So, baring in that in mind, what ROWs will the Deathwing, Dreadwing, Stormwing and Firewing be based off?
 

Now, going by fluff, the Deathwing is all about Terminators. So I suspect that the Deathwing will be based on the Pride of the Legion ROW, but emphasising Terminators even more. I'd also suspect it is very much a footslogging force, but with bonuses to to Terminators that move on foot. Also, Terminators can be fielded in all slots, but with particular armament and armour qualifications; ie Fast Attack Terminators can only have the Tartaros Armour, whilst their weapons are restricted to Combi-Bolters and Power Swords.

 

The Dreadwing, now this is where it gets complicated, because their is no Destroyer ROW for it to be based on. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd expect a lot of phosphrex, rad weapons, warp weapons and so forth. The the Death Guard's The Reaping ROW but with a lot more mobility, but with less move through dangerous and difficult terrain advantages. So you got to be careful what you apply willy-pete too.

 

With regard to the Stormwing, in fluff they are the boarding specialists with lots of Breacher Marines. So I suspect a variant on Orbital Assault OR the Angels Wrath ROW. Either way, I suspect it puts a more more emphasis on close in firefighters then either of those lists, and on heavier gunships such as the Fire Raptor. Vulnerable to long range fire, and dependent on timing reserves right;  I further hypothesise a sort of objective based limitation whereby you get bonuses (or lose stats) depending on how much of the map you control, to represent training for step by step ship captures.

 

Last but not least, the Firewing. I... got nothing. The name suggests some some sort of Salamanders Covenant of Fire wannabe shenanigans, but that is sort of covered by the Dreadwing's chemical weapons shtick. Maybe a World Eater esque close assault force, less brutal but far more controllable? Energy weapons, maybe? I dunno. 

 

Your thoughts, ladies and gentlemen?

 

Reposting from a similar thread I posted a while ago. 

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/329411-dark-angel-wings-deathwing-dreadwing-stormwing-firewing/

[Legio Draconis]

Thanks for this, will be a great help

[Arvendragon]

As someone assembling a semi-HH/2nd Founding Chapter of Dark Angels, this has been a great resource. Haven't seen anything quite like it anywhere else.

[Brother dean]

And here we have the most recent color schemes released..  
 

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/Dark%20Angels%20Legion/16508617_10211382657499976_9116350586477083670_n.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/Dark%20Angels%20Legion/16473710_10211382657379973_4567042683487608382_n.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/Dark%20Angels%20Legion/f9a95ced2e6466f43d932f6ca07a95c9.jpg

 

Edit:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/Dark%20Angels%20Legion/1b062393a7a3e24ef77b66d3d473bdd8.jpg

Edited February 7, 2017 by Brother dean

[Cloud Runner]

Fantastic work, very much appreciated - much kudos sir 

 

 

It may be worth adding an additional faction to those already listed

 

There could well be another faction that like the Errants are not on Caliban, have not met Lion or Luther but were original legionairres, unswerving from the Emperor.

I don't have any references to substantiate, other than Astelan's almost doggedness in loyalty to the Emperor and having fought alongside

 

 

Really hyped for the release of Angelus (whenever that is) and hope that we get some more previews at Warhammer Fest (or sooner) and any other events in year.

 

Bring on the First!!

 

 

 

EDIT - Wouldn't it be interesting if the Chapter badges of the Successors were linked (and based) upon the original Wings?

Edited February 7, 2017 by Cloud Runner

[Brother dean]

 

 

EDIT - Wouldn't it be interesting if the Chapter badges of the Successors were linked (and based) upon the original Wings?

Consecrators = Firewing

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Consecrators

 

The Dreadwing has a skull hourglass similar to the Limited time hourglass that GW uses on its website.  A blue version is a current space marine chapter but I do not remember the name..  

Edited February 7, 2017 by Brother dean

[Forward Assist]

Star Phantoms like a mother-fether, yo!

[Brother dean]

That's the one!.

 

http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Phantoms

Edited February 7, 2017 by Brother dean

[Brother Sergeant Luther]

Just a possible faction to add to your current five, you have those legionaires who are with Corswain, as the Lion split his force in half before heading to Ultramar. They hounded the Deathguard fleet commanded by Typthus, I would guess they later hook up with the lion again but currently they are an independent force

Edited March 9, 2017 by Brother Sergeant Luther

[Harleqvin]

Here is some info I have gathered from reading through BL and FW stuff.

Not sure how much it will be helpful but here it is.

These three are not really only DA but it was on the list I made for doing my own Pre/Heresy era DA.

Current Rhinos and Landraiders were around (Phobos pattern...)
MkVII (Aquillas Armor) Pattern armor.
Just not a bunch ( fluff wise)

All TDA patterns were in use as FW had said all models of TDA were made roughly around the same time.
However, not sure if the Crux terminatus markings in use... (I personally have been removing them from the shoulder pads of Indomitus patter (the basic version they have had forever before Cat and Tart started being made by FW,) and any that look like that version.)

Aquillas were only given really to SMs who did "great/exceptional" things.

These next three are related to DA as it was mentioned about DA in Black Library stories for Horus Heresy

Shown at least some Techmarines have small bit of red, not mostly like 40K.

It has been shown that at least some DA Librarians had black armor and blue tabard/surplice. Horned skull is used. Stated at least to have
 the Horned Skull on the Staff in the Descent of Angels HH novel

Calibanite Dark Angels were told to have right shoulder pad depicting colors/heraldry of the Knightly
 Order they were from, and Left Shoulder had Green Background with Red sword n' wings.
Heraldic symbol on Belath's right shoulder plate, where normally a Space Marine's organisational
and rank markings would be painted.: One of the DA in the HH books had it (right shoulder that is,) decorated with a quartered shield, white and blue,
emblazoned with a sword held in the grip of a taloned foot. ('The Order of the Raven's Wing.')
other pauldron, dark green beneath the Dark Angels symbol.

--------------------------------------------------
Hope that can help some people with a couple things.

[jipimus]

If this is of interest, i have had it from an old rogue trader era painting guide.

[Laughingman]

Complete conjecture, but I've been musing about the purpose of the Firewing and come up with several ideas

 

Conventional heavy weapons and artillery experts

Flame based weapon specialist that are useful in specific situations: jungles, space hulks, caves etc 

Conventional siege experts ( when you want to put a city to the torch but not leave it a radioactive wasteland with the dreadwing)

[jaxom]

And here we have the most recent color schemes released..  

 

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/Dark%20Angels%20Legion/16508617_10211382657499976_9116350586477083670_n.jpg

 

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/Dark%20Angels%20Legion/f9a95ced2e6466f43d932f6ca07a95c9.jpg

 

 

Just noticed this while working on some stuff, but the bottom Lance-Decurion has something more going on. He's said to be the Adjutant for a Despoiler squad. His Chapter number is below the symbol while the Legionnaire in the top picture has the Chapter number (and a different number at that) above the symbol. Two options: 1) Despoiler squads have the same symbol as Tactical and their purpose of denoted by the location of the Chapter number or 2) it's completely the wrong pauldron... further reinforced by the description saying 52nd Chapter and the pauldron saying 62nd (which I previously thought was just a typo issue).  

 

The good news is that the "working on some stuff" made me realize the right hand wing marking may be the Adjutant marking or it could be the lightning bolt on the knee pad. The top Legionnaire share the black/white cheque, but it is behind the Host number. The fact that the two have the same pattern makes me think it is related to Order or Company.

 

 

EDIT:

Fixed the Despoiler/Destroyer confusion and had more to write:

 

Calibanite Dark Angels were told to have right shoulder pad depicting colors/heraldry of the Knightly

 Order they were from, and Left Shoulder had Green Background with Red sword n' wings.

Heraldic symbol on Belath's right shoulder plate, where normally a Space Marine's organisational

and rank markings would be painted.: One of the DA in the HH books had it (right shoulder that is,) decorated with a quartered shield, white and blue,

emblazoned with a sword held in the grip of a taloned foot. ('The Order of the Raven's Wing.')

other pauldron, dark green beneath the Dark Angels symbol.

 

--------------------------------------------------

Hope that can help some people with a couple things.

 

The Techmarine and Librarian info was quite useful; it's been forever since I read through Descent of Angels and Fallen Angels  properly. It's kind of funny, I was reading Call of the Lion earlier today to see if it mentioned which Chapter Astelan was Master of (because the whole First Master thing was an inducement from Luther) and ran into the above and it struck me what poor consistency the Dark Angels have received from Black Library and Forge World. The Lance-Decurion is said to be a Calibanite, but there's not a speck of green on him. Similarly, Astelan has either precursor or standard Principia Bellicosa markings and not heraldry, but all the images of him show him with heraldry (and the fact that one is a battle image means it probably wasn't meant to be after he got exiled to Caliban). The term Host only shows up in HH6 and they don't use Order in it, the use of Order of the Raven's Wing make that seem like a Calibanite name and Astelan makes no connection between it and the Hexagrammaton, which is first mentioned in Angels of Caliban where the Legion 'wings are presented as an amalgamation of the Orders of Caliban and the Six Hosts of the Hexagrammaton. Yet, the use of the wing suffix would work well for the Six Hosts due to the connection with seraphim, the first and highest choir/order of angels, having six wings; compare that to something like Order of [the] Fire's Wing.

Edited March 12, 2017 by jaxom

[Kilofix]

What about the difference between the Legion Emblem or Order Sigil as Red Sword over White Wings vs White Sword over Red Wings?

[Slips]

Despoiler squads ARE Tactical squads. They just trade in their Bolter for a Chainsword.

[jaxom]

Despoiler squads ARE Tactical squads. They just trade in their Bolter for a Chainsword.

I had them confused with Destroyer squads. I fixed that while adding some more stuff I was reminded of by Harleqvin's earlier comment.

 

 

What about the difference between the Legion Emblem or Order Sigil as Red Sword over White Wings vs White Sword over Red Wings?

Not even at p=0.90 on this one (EDIT: i.e. I'm not even close to being sure on what the difference indicates). Red sword on a white shield is The Order, red crossed swords are the Deathwing, I actually cannot recall any white wings other than the new mkIV Fallen images... and I don't trust the Fallen  . 

 

Despoiler squads ARE Tactical squads. They just trade in their Bolter for a Chainsword.

I had them confused with Destroyer squads. I fixed that while adding some more stuff I was reminded of by Harleqvin's earlier comment.

Edited March 12, 2017 by jaxom

[jaxom]

Yet, the use of the wing suffix would work well for the Six Hosts due to the connection with seraphim, the first and highest choir/order of angels, having six wings; compare that to something like Order of [the] Fire's Wing.

I slipped up. From Angels of Caliban: "Six Hosts had each been created by the Emperor for a specific task, or from a particular type of warrior. Their names, if they had any, were unknown to Farith – the Wings were an adoption of Order terminology." But Host no longer refers to them because we have a Lance-Decurion of the 1st Host but an ordinates member of the Firewing and a Legionary-Primaris of the 3rd Host but an ordinated member of the Deathing.

[Kilofix]

 

Despoiler squads ARE Tactical squads. They just trade in their Bolter for a Chainsword.

 

I had them confused with Destroyer squads. I fixed that while adding some more stuff I was reminded of by Harleqvin's earlier comment.

 

 

What about the difference between the Legion Emblem or Order Sigil as Red Sword over White Wings vs White Sword over Red Wings?

 

Not even at p=0.90 on this one (EDIT: i.e. I'm not even close to being sure on what the difference indicates). Red sword on a white shield is The Order, red crossed swords are the Deathwing, I actually cannot recall any white wings other than the new mkIV Fallen images... and I don't trust the Fallen :wink: . 

 

Despoiler squads ARE Tactical squads. They just trade in their Bolter for a Chainsword.

 

I had them confused with Destroyer squads. I fixed that while adding some more stuff I was reminded of by Harleqvin's earlier comment.

The Red (single, not Deathwing) Sword on White / Silver Wings is depicted below the Cat Terminator in the picture above, from HH6.

[jaxom]

That's what I get for being up at 1 am.... I think it's a Deathwing thing then because of its use on a Terminator armorial and the relationship of red crossed swords to the Deathwing.

[rendingon1+]

We have clear Firewing symbol:

[Brother dean]

Firewing?

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w20/fred40k2002/Dark%20Angels%20Legion/ConsecratorsBadge.jpg