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The Numeric Strength of the Heresy Dark Angels


Azorius

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Previously, a few years ago, before publication of the first Black Book, the First Legion's number has been supposed to be around 150,000. 30 Orders each 5,000 marines, so 5,000x30 = 150,000 

 

However, it has already been retconned - Forge World Books clearly state the Dark Angels are one of the largest Legions along with the Iron Warriors(Massacre) and they once possessed around 216,000+ Astartes and recovered their initial strength prior Heresy.


 

Retribution explicitly confirmed that even after the Rangdan, the Dark Angels were still a powerful and independent Legion, supremely capable of replenishing its rank, procuring supply and operating independently. 

 


Moreover, according to the Forge World, Dark Angels have control over numerous void outposts and watch fortresses...all of these are viable recruitment facilities/headquarters. They also have jurisdiction over 'Skarasan Deep' and 'Mausolia Angelis' - specific stellar regions, such as star clusters? Whatever it means, we will see in Angelus

 

These assets are unimaginably immense and powerful. How much? In Wolf King, a single Dark Angels watch fortress and attendant fleet mauled main fleet of the Alpha Legion, which had crippled and then nearly annihilated entire fleet of the Wolves.

 

And in the same book, Dark Angels commander confesses sorta 'we are more powerful than any other period'. Considering the Legion's strength prior Rangdan Xenocides, it is a very meaningful statement. 

 

Nor strength of the First Legion is limited to number of the Astartes. All factors and indexes are consistently indicating the Dark Angels fleet strength is truly vast, secondary only to the Imperial Fists, and one of their primary speciality is void warfare and extended period of independent fleet operations, further reinforced by unknown number of void outposts and watch fortresses and bolstered from peerless technological expertise and monopoly of marvelous DAoT relics and forbidden archeotech. 

 

So I think it would be safe to presume that Dark Angels have at least 200,000+ Legionary in total during the heresy and probably as many as the Ultamarines or the Word Bearers, supplemented by truly formidable fleet and void assets, potentially rivaling the Imperial Fists. 

 

The First Legion, magnificently fearsome and redoubtable Legion indeed. 

 

 

Any speculation and conjecture regarding the topic is welcomed.  :)

or did you just wanna gush about the 1st?

Don't we all?

 

Seriously though, it seems the DA, as with the IF, have gained huge prominence under Forge World, rivalling the repute of the UM and LW (some add SW to that list, I don't know enough to have a clear opinion on that matter).

or did you just wanna gush about the 1st?

Don't we all?

Seriously though, it seems the DA, as with the IF, have gained huge prominence under Forge World, rivalling the repute of the UM and LW (some add SW to that list, I don't know enough to have a clear opinion on that matter).

Originally, the Dark Angels were the most prominent, and also the most powerful and numerous Legion. They were explicitly stated the single most powerful Imperial force.
However, the catastrophic Rangdan Xenocides severely reduced them - their reputation was tarnished, their ranks depleted, their strength declined.
But still, even after prevailing the Darkest War and saved the nascent Imperium from its utter devastation, they were one of the most powerful, numerous and feted Legion, one of so-called 'paragons' of the Imperium, a legion of peerless deeds and renown.
So yeah, under Forge Worlds' auspice, star of the First Legion is soaring, so does the Luna Wolves and the Imperial Fists.

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only conjecture.

And discussion. msn-wink.gif

I'm all for the dark angels being a really big legion, since it would add another hard-hitter to the loyalist side. But i'm wondering if the parts of the legion that is stuck on caliban is counted into the mix, and how many those constitute.

 

It would also mean that the dark angels had the numbers to signifacntly help in the mop-up of terra and scouring after that, unless fw does something serious with the thramas campaign or invents something to deplete their numbers on the way to terra with the rout.

Maybe its just me, but I don't really see any sort of discussion-worthy questions or ideas here. It just seems to be all about proclaiming the DA are great. Which is fine, I guess, but even as a DA fan I don't really believe there is any true conversation here.

Maybe its just me, but I don't really see any sort of discussion-worthy questions or ideas here. It just seems to be all about proclaiming the DA are great. Which is fine, I guess, but even as a DA fan I don't really believe there is any true conversation here.

Um...I simply wished to know whether other people, especially DA fans such as you, have similar opinion similar as mine, or not. I just wanted to post my opinion, and hear other people's diverse opinions. If it seems OP is all about proclaiming glory and greatness of the DA, then I'm sorry. unsure.png

I'm all for the dark angels being a really big legion, since it would add another hard-hitter to the loyalist side. But i'm wondering if the parts of the legion that is stuck on caliban is counted into the mix, and how many those constitute.

 

It would also mean that the dark angels had the numbers to signifacntly help in the mop-up of terra and scouring after that, unless fw does something serious with the thramas campaign or invents something to deplete their numbers on the way to terra with the rout.

It seems DA's overall numeric strength, restored to its pre-Rangdan state, is aggregating the Lion-leading DA and various sub-detachments, and including loyalist Lutherite-such as those featured in the Wolf King-, but excluding Calibanite and other traitor elements. 

 

They are the Fallen Angels, another Legion in all but name. 

Maybe its just me, but I don't really see any sort of discussion-worthy questions or ideas here. It just seems to be all about proclaiming the DA are great. Which is fine, I guess, but even as a DA fan I don't really believe there is any true conversation here.

 

There isn't a conversation here. There's a desire for verification and little else, and I really don't care for these kinds of threads because they have no real substance and the creators of such threads tend to have no intention of listening to anyone's opinion that contravenes their own and what they want to hear about their favorite Legion; sometimes even in the face of overwhelming facts to the contrary as officially written by Forge World.

 

http://i.imgur.com/u9yQtVs.gif

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