Excorcists and Vanguard Companies

[Arganias]

Hello everyone!

 

I have been tinkering around with the idea of making an Excorcist Vanguard force for an Inquisition Army. I was wondering, since before Primaris were introduced they had three scout companies. Does this mean they have three vanguard companies?

 

I know they are a codex compliant chapter, but since they have accepted Primaris and it seems a little off with the new organizational treatises, it would be odd to have strictly scout companies now. I would also imagine that the Order Malleus might like the ability for expanded clandestine operations.

 

What do you guys think?

[Dracos]

I think the important thing is find a way to continue the practice of indoctrination in place for the Exorcist. From everything I have read  ... to this point ... Scouts are still a thing even in Primaris only Chapters. I could be mistaken about that, but I don't think I am. It would mean the large number of Scout Companies would still be in place for them, because ... attrition.

[Iron Lord]

 

I think the important thing is find a way to continue the practice of indoctrination in place for the Exorcist. From everything I have read  ... to this point ... Scouts are still a thing even in Primaris only Chapters. I could be mistaken about that, but I don't think I am. It would mean the large number of Scout Companies would still be in place for them, because ... attrition.

 

Given that the SM codex's account of Primaris Brother Gaius Pollandus's career, has him fighting on campaign before getting his Black Carapace,

 

I'd say, yes, "regular Scouts" still exist - any Primaris neophyte who hasn't yet had his Black Carapace implanted, "counts as" a regular Scout, and whatever stage his  Primaris implants are in, they don't affect his stat block enough  to change his stats.

Edited May 8, 2020 by Iron Lord

[Brother Tyler]

I doubt that the Exorcists have three vanguard companies under the rationale posed.

 

The reason for the two additional Scout companies is the unusual indoctrination process that the Exorcists utilize, forcing their Scouts to be temporarily possessed by minor daemonic entities. That process involves some [undisclosed] number of casualties. We don't know exactly when that possession takes place within the Scout training cycle. It might happen very early, it might happen very late (potentially as a sort of "graduation"), or it might happen anywhere within the cycle.

 

Since we are also somewhat in the dark as to when the organs unique to Primaris Space Marines are implanted, it's impossible for us to say with any degree of certainty whether or not Primaris Space Marines in training are subjected to the possession process. I think that it's highly likely that all Exorcists Space Marines, whether Primaris or legacy, are subjected to that process, but that is just my personal guess.

 

That doesn't mean that the Exorcists haven't adapted their internal organization to capitalize on the enhancements that the Primaris Space Marines bring, however. While the Vanguard perform a role similar to the battlefield role of the Scouts, they are not the same. Scouts are still in training, not full battle-brothers, whereas Vanguards are fully trained [Primaris] battle-brothers. [Primaris] Scouts are fully trained in Vanguard doctrines and wargear, but the Vanguards role is generally performed by Battle Companies who assume the Vanguards role.

 

So the basic answer to the original question is that the Exorcists probably do employ Vanguards - just not in the way posed by the OP.

[Iron Lord]

According to Lexicanum, Primaris Implants all come between phase 3 and 4 - right after the Biscopea, which triggers muscle growth.

 

https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Creation_of_a_Space_Marine#Primaris_Implants

 

So, pretty early on.

 

The 10th Company normally has a full 100 Vanguard Marines, who have trained with all Vanguard weaponry, and are in the process of training to take up their places in the Reserve Companies. This standing formation, is likely to see use when an "all-Vanguard" force is needed.

 

 

Some of a Battle Company or Reserve Company's Marines will don Phobos armour and become "Vanguard squads" when this is needed, as well, but this may be more on a squad-by-squad basis, rather than as an "all-Vanguard" force.

[Arganias]

Thank you for all of your input!

 

It would make sense that they would maintain two entire companies of nothing but scouts, while the 10th is the Vanguard marines with some scouts (that don't count against the 100 Marine limit).

 

I was wanting to make a Vanguard force of Excorcists as part of an Inquisitorial Task Force. I wanted the Vanguard to be a solid core with the option to have Elysians in support for larger games, all vehicles in the army will have fly or be the Warsuit. I just like the idea of shadow wars and trying to stop cults and Chaos elements from even beginning to get a foothold. Or destroying other key objectives before a larger assault.