Requesting Clarification on Ultramarine Squad Markings

[Brother Dallo]

Hi folks,

 

I’m currently working on an Ultramarine Kill Team and was hoping to get some advice on squad markings.

 

I’m doing Second Company, so they’ll have a yellow/gold shoulder trim. Sergeants get red helmets. Currently the team only has Intercessors and Rievers, but I may branch out into other unit types.

 

My first question is about squad numbering. Back before Primaris, there were ten squads of ten per Chapter with each squad having a different number/icon. Has this changed with the addition of Primaris? I’d seen something suggesting that there are now up to twenty squads per Company. Is this accurate? Should Primaris use squads 11-20?

 

Where should this squad number go? I’ve seen both the right shoulderpad (inside the Tactical Arrow) and also the left knee. Is there a hard and fast rule?

 

Secondly, I’d like to put some honour/campaign markings on the right knee of each marine. Is this in breach of any Squad marking conventions? I’ve seen Ultramarines with checkers on their knee pad. Is this an official marking or just artistic flair?

 

I’m aware I can paint whatever markings I want, but would like to know that the “proper” markings should look like.

 

To recap, I understand that an Ultramarine Intercessor will have his chapter badge on his left shoulder, a Tactical/Battleline Arrow marking on his right shoulder (with squad number?) and a coloured trim to denote his Company. Is this right? Have I missed anything?

 

Thanks in advance folks.

 

Dallo

[Seahawk]

No, you have it right. The hard n fast rule is to have the squad number in the tactical markings on the right shoulder pad, but variants do exist.

 

Honor markings typically go on the kneepads, and campaign markings typically go on the greaves. I was impressed at how well GW followed the rules of old when putting markings in the primaris models.

 

Primaris units seem to be the 11-20 designation, but realistically I don't see why any units can't take that now. Only thing to remember is usually heavy support is the last 1/5th and assault are the second to last 1/5th of squads in the company.

Edited January 29, 2020 by Seahawk

[Brother Dallo]

Thanks Seahawk.

 

I might have a go at making my own Campaign honour on the kneepads.

 

Dallo

[OrkPlayer137]

Squads 11-20 are now for squads temporarily assigned from reserve companies (and now temporarily having the same colours as 2nd company) - although this was added only since Primaris came along, I think it can apply to any squad from a reserve company, whether Primaris or not.

[mel_danes]

Insignium Astartes was a treasure trove for unit markings. Dozens of variations for each type of unit, Assault, Tactical, Veteran. If you can find a copy well worth it for this type of research.

[StraightSilver]

Primaris units also replace lost units within a company.

For example 3rd and 4th Squad 2nd Company are now Intercessor units in the current timeline.

Rievers though I would imagine would be attached from reserve companies?

[Seahawk]

Yep, Reivers and Eliminators are replacing Scouts, so they would be attached from the 10th.