Fleet-based chapters - why and when are they created?

[Quixus]

What it says in the title. What are the reasons for creating a chapter without a planetary base? Are there only cases of some calamity befalling the homeworld and later making the chapter fleet based or are there tasks that can be better fulfilled without a chapter world. Are chapters initially conceived as fleet-based?

[Michaelum]

Most popular example is the Black templars, with Crusader patter operations (joins or makes Crusades all over the Imperium). They were made originally to hunt down the traitors of the Horus Heresy

 

Another is the Carcharodons, with Nomad-Predation patter operations, that go without support for extended periods of time and patrol inside and outside of the Imperium (At least the Carcharodons) And only engage forces that can beat without extended loses (Otherwise just pass the message that bad guys are coming). Originally made at orders from Corax as an exile to the survivors of the Raven Guard from Terra.

Edited March 24, 2018 by Michaelum

[Sword Brother Adelard]

The Dark Angels are a good example of a calamity forcing a fleet existence. Their homeworld was destroyed and all that remains is their Fortress Monastery and the bit of planet it stood on.

 

The Fists are slightly different, they were fleet based originally, but became based from Terra during the Great Crusade.

[deathspectersgt7]

Some become fleet based due to doing Penitence. Blood swords Mantis Warriors and a few others. 

[Boldthreat]

Actually the Imperial Fists have been retconned into a crusading chapter now as well. While they recruit from Terra, they haven't stationed themselves there since the War of the Beast.

 

The Marines Errant were specifically created to be a crusading fleet based Chapter in the Sentinel Founding. I believe that's the 23rd founding off the top of my head.

 

The Eagle Warriors are also noted to be a fleet based Chapter that continually campaign in regions conquered by Guilliman in the Great Crusade.

 

The Crimson Fists were originally A fleet based crusading Chapter as well, only being granted dominion over the Loki sector after the Crusade of Righteous Liberation.

 

Just what I have on the top of my head.

[Melete]

This is one of those things that's suited to DIY fluff, I think.

 

"These Necrons over there are giving us trouble, let's found a chapter to launch a crusade against them."

"The Emperor's tarot is telling us we'll need to fight a big war against something in three hundred years, guess we should found a chapter. But we don't know exactly where they'll be needed, so let's give them a bunch of ships."

[Quixus]

So what can a fleet-based chapter do better than one with a homeworld? Do they get more ships?

[Guest uk_crow]

Currently making some fluff up for my own chapter that is fleet based as I’ve always preferred fleet based chapters.

 

Advantages I can think of for a fleet based chapter:

 

Much more responsive to threats - if an incident happens they can immediately deploy and not head back to their home world to prepare for the deployment.

Not tied to a homeworld - a world needs defending and managing, if an enemy threatens it you have to defend it and yourselves. If you’re fleet based you’re always on the move so foes can’t pin you down and draw you back to a trap.

You’re not putting all you’re eggs in one basket - if you’re chapter is spread over say 3 battle barges and 5 strike cruisers then if you lose a 1 then there is redundancy as you’re still spread out over 7 more ships. It’s muchbharder to knock you out.

 

Regarding their fleet size, it’s quite possible that their fleet would be larger and/or include rarer ships from the great crusade era for example. They could of inherited them or due to their fleet based nature be extremely adept at space combat so have captured or salvaged them from defeated foes like the carcharodons’ Nicor or the Executioners’ Night Hag.

[Quixus]

Thanks uk_crow. Do you by chance know if any of those reasons are canonical?

 

Isn't that number of ships a bit low even for a planet based chapter? According to Lexicanum quite a few chapter have as many or more battle barges whose names we know. There probably are more ships that are not named (yet). Contrary to the arbitrary restriction of 1000 marines per chapter I cannot find a similar restriction, or even averages on fleet sizes.
 

While not having most of your resources on a planet, reduces resupply trips, it on the other hand requires a lot more support vessels and equipment, as they have to manufacture their materiel in space. I was wondering about the feasibility. Addtionally I doubt that they can have many redundant forges so a surgical strike on one the forge vessels would be at least as crippling as destroying the forges on a chapter's homeworld.

 

If they just requisitioned their gear form Forgeworlds on the way, they would give up quite a bit of autonomy and their supply would depend on the good will and location of the AdMech.

[Guest uk_crow]

Not canonical per se but it makes sense and there have been mentions of these reasons in the fluff e.g. Imperial Armour, codexes etc. Read the Badab War Imperial Armour books, there is a lot of information on space marine fleets in those.

 

That was just a example of a fleet size I picked off the top of my head.

 

Correct, logistics and resupply is a greater problem for fleet based chapters. In the fluff there are mentions of huge chapter barques and forge ships that act as the chapter fortress monastery. A battle barge and strike cruiser would have necessary forges to produce and repair small arms and ammunition, whilst being able to maintain the embarked vehicles. But yes you are correct a surgical strike on one of their forge vessels could be devastating but they would normally have a sizeable escort.

 

Also correct, if they have good relations or strategic alliances with forge worlds they could make their way to them when requiring a resupply. Another way they'd able to resupply is other imperial worlds, particularly ones they have saved may provide them with arms and armaments. Finally they'd also be able to scavenge supplies off the battlefield and lost hoards of gear from the great crusade etc.

 

Hope that helps!

[Dracos]

Some of the all Primaris Chapters are a brand new assigned to specific objectives.

 

“The Rift Stalkers is a fleet-based Chapter, and its task is to patrol the Cicatrix Maledictum, as many foul abominations emerge out of that great rent in reality. In addition to slaying the Emperor's enemies, the Rift Stalkers diligently seek a method of reconnecting with the hundreds of thousands of worlds cut off in the galactic north of the Imperium Nihilus.”

[Melete]

Some of the all Primaris Chapters are a brand new assigned to specific objectives.

 

“The Rift Stalkers is a fleet-based Chapter, and its task is to patrol the Cicatrix Maledictum, as many foul abominations emerge out of that great rent in reality. In addition to slaying the Emperor's enemies, the Rift Stalkers diligently seek a method of reconnecting with the hundreds of thousands of worlds cut off in the galactic north of the Imperium Nihilus.”

A lot of the older ones, too. The Astartes Praeses were assigned to guard the Eye of Terror, for example, or the Astral Claws who were assigned to guard the Maelstrom.

[Ekim_Trub]

I wonder, would a Chapter be assigned a certain area to cover or would they be given free reign to go where they will?

[Felix Antipodes]

I wonder, would a Chapter be assigned a certain area to cover or would they be given free reign to go where they will?

There have been examples of both in the fluff over the years. The Astartes Praeses have been mentioned above, as have the BT, who range from one end of the Imperium to the other. I have two fleet-based DIY Chapters and they are divided along this very axis.