Warhammer Space Marines

 
In the Warhammer 40,000 table top game, each playable army is divided into troop types. For the Space Marines army, the troop types also have a corresponding background narrative that explains the Space Marine military structure. Rather than contemporary military formations such as regiments or battalions, the total Space Marine force is organized by "chapters". The background material states that there are just over 1,000 Space Marine Chapters, each with a nominal fighting strength of 1,000 Space Marines. Individual Chapters have their own identity, heritage, fighting style and practice of beliefs. Most of the Chapters follow the organisational regimes and tactics laid down in the Codex Astartes, a treatise on the operations and procedures that should be followed by Space Marines, compiled at the time of the Second Founding by the Ultramarines' Primarch, Roboute Guilliman.[1]

A few of the Chapters have been described in detail, especially those that differ significantly from the norm ("non-Codex"). The remainder have been left undescribed and this allows a player to make up their own history and colour scheme for their army.

Each "Codex" Chapter is organised into ten Companies (one veteran company, four "battle" companies, 4 reserve companies, and 1 scout company) numbered one to ten. "Non Codex" Chapters do not adhere strictly to the structures laid down in the codex and may have more than 1,000 Marines.

The background material also gives each of the original chapters a founding member, known as the "Primarch". Primarchs were engineered superhumans created by the Emperor to command his future Legions of Space Marines. Originally twenty in number (technically 21 due to the twin nature of Alpharius / Omegon) , they were said to have been created using the Emperor's own DNA. Their genetic material was also used to form the basis of the Legions they would command.

All were created in genetic laboratories hidden on Luna (Earth's Moon), and were almost complete before they were scattered across the galaxy. The background narrative leaves the cause unanswered; the forces of Chaos, the Emperor and the Primarchs themselves are claimed in varying tales to be responsible for snatching the infant Primarchs' incubation cradles from Earth and dispersing them through the Warp. According to the novel False Gods, The Emperor might have allowed the forces of Chaos to scatter the Primarchs across the Galaxy for purposes unknown. As the Great Crusade progressed, the Emperor was reunited with each Primarch as he established contact with the worlds on which the Primarchs had come to rest. Most had, in the intervening time, risen to positions of power or infamy as a result of their remarkable physiology and abilities. At least two had been subject to mutation; Sanguinius, who had angelic wings and was reported to be psychic; and Magnus, who had bright red skin and was widely known to have formidable psychic talent.

Twenty superhuman Primarchs were made of the God-Emperor's genetic material during the Great Crusade. All the Primarchs were recovered, but two are described to have had "tragic accidents". Each of the rediscovered Primarchs were appointed command of a Legion of superhuman soldiers made with their genetic code.

During the Horus Heresy, nine Legions remained loyal to the Emperor. After the defeat of Horus the Legions were separated into smaller "Chapters" of 1,000 Marines each. This was to prevent a single commander from having as much power as Warmaster Horus. The first Chapter of each of the old Legions retains the name of the founding Legion. All subsequent Chapters gain their own names and are referred to as Successor Chapters.
Loyal Legions Name     No.     Primarch     Primarch's World     Current Base of Operation     In-game description
Dark Angels     I     Lion El'Jonson     Caliban (Destroyed)     The Rock (asteroid base)     The First Legion to be created by the Emperor. The Dark Angels are unique in that when the Horus Heresy occurred, they were the only Legion to be split down the middle, with anywhere between one and five chapters siding with Luther (Lion El' Jonson's right hand man and ruler of Caliban in Lion's absence) who turned to Chaos independently of Horus, while the rest remained loyal to the Emperor. The Dark Angels and their successors refer to themselves as "The Unforgiven". Highly secretive, they hunt the "Fallen Angels" (the Dark Angels who sided with Chaos) as an attempt to redeem themselves of the taint upon their Legion's honor.
White Scars     V     Jaghatai Khan     Mundus Planus     Mundus Planus     The White Scars have a Mongolian-inspired culture and fast-attack combat doctrine. The Chapter makes extensive use of Blitzkrieg-like tactics, their strategies based chiefly on those of Genghis Khan. They are feared for their ability to storm the battlefield with lightning speed. They are almost never out-maneuvered on the battlefield.
Space Wolves     VI     Leman Russ     Fenris     Fenris (The Fang)     The Space Wolves are fierce warriors with an organization that differs strongly to other Chapters. Though their loyalty is unquestioned, they are known for their fiercely anti-authority attitudes. The Space Wolves' culture and background is heavily influenced by the Viking civilization. They are probably the most capable warriors in the imperium but at times can lack discipline and self control.
Imperial Fists     VII     Rogal Dorn     Holy Terra     Phalanx (space-borne fortress ship)     The Imperial Fists were charged with defending Holy Terra itself during the Siege of the Emperor's Palace, thus being one of the most honored armies of Man. As such they are masters of defense, but they also are relentless and rather stubborn attackers who would rather die than retreat.
Blood Angels     IX     Sanguinius     Baal Secundus     Baal Prime, Secundus     The Blood Angels and their successor chapters have suffered from various gene-seed flaws. Most notably the "Red Thirst" and "Black Rage", referring to a constant drive to shed blood, and a state in which the drive completely controls them, respectively. When they succumb to the Black Rage, their pale skin and sharp canine teeth lend the Chapter a somewhat vampiric appearance. The Blood Angels excel at close combat and assault tactics.
Iron Hands     X     Ferrus Manus     Medusa     Medusa     The Chapter's warriors display a high incidence of cybernetic modifications to their bodies and all recruits have the left hand removed and replaced with a cybernetic replacement. During the Horus Heresy the Primarch of the Legion, Ferrus Mannus, was killed by his brother Primarch Fulgrim. The Iron Hands do not have a chapter master or Fortress Monastery (the constant tectonic activity of Medusa makes static structures impossible to maintain) like other chapters, but are instead ruled by a council made of the commanders of the ten companies, which themselves are independent and maintain their own massive land-crawler like mobile fortresses.
Ultramarines     XIII     Roboute Guilliman     Macragge     Macragge (Fortress of Hera)     The Ultramarines are rigid adherents to the Codex Astartes as their Primarch created it to make sure his knowledge in warfare was preserved, and are the canonical Space Marine Chapter from whose genetic material most new Founding chapters are drawn, since their gene-seed still consists of all 19 implants.

In the earliest background, the Ultramarines were a Third, rather than First Founding Chapter, and were said to have been founded during the Horus Heresy. Upon its creation, "the Emperor gave the chapter the number 13 - formerly the number of one of the traitor Legions now banished to the Eye of Terror 'without number and name with all honors erased'" (White Dwarf 97). This, however, seems to have been retconned in later editions as the Ultramarines' back story extends to before the Horus Heresy.
Salamanders     XVI     Vulkan     Nocturne     Prometheus (moon of Nocturne)     Technically-adept warriors with a preference for short-ranged combat, the Salamanders favour heat-based weaponry and, visually, have an almost tribal appearance, with scarification being common among the Chapter's warriors, and due to high levels of radiation on Nocturne all marines have coal-black skin and burning red eyes.
Raven Guard     XIX     Corax     Deliverance (originally named Lycaeus)     Deliverance (Ravenspire Tower)     The Raven Guard specialize in hit-and-run assaults using jump packs and extensive use of Scout Marines.

Of the Legions, nine sided with Horus and the forces of Chaos during the Horus Heresy. After their defeat they fled into the Eye of Terror, becoming the Chaos Space Marines.
Traitor Legions Name     No.     Primarch     Primarch's world     Current base of operations     In game description
Emperor's Children     III     Fulgrim     Chemos (Unknown status, presumed destroyed)     Eye of Terror     Once the most loyal and steadfast defenders of humanity, the Emperor's Children now are hedonistic devotees of Slaanesh, deriving pleasure from the most extreme actions and sensations. They are also renowned for sonic warfare.
Iron Warriors     IV     Perturabo     Olympia (Destroyed)     Medrengard (Eye of Terror)     The Iron Warriors are siege and trench warfare specialists. They favor heavy weaponry and fortifications.
Night Lords     VIII     Konrad Curze/Night Haunter     Nostramo (Destroyed)     Eye of Terror     The Night Lords specialize in raids and terror tactics, taking special interest in psychological warfare.
World Eaters     XII     Angron     Unknown     Eye of Terror     The World Eaters are the chosen ones of Khorne and favor close combat. The Legion has devolved into bloodthirsty fanatics with no organized command structure, with a common desire to spill blood and collect skulls for their God.
Death Guard     XIV     Mortarion     Barbarus (Destroyed)     Plague Planet (Eye of Terror)     The Death Guard are plague-ridden devotees of Nurgle who are driven to spread plague and pestilence across the galaxy to please their god. They are amongst the most organized of the Chaos Space Marines.
Thousand Sons     XV     Magnus the Red     Prospero (Destroyed)     Planet of the Sorcerers (Eye of Terror)     The Thousand Sons are favored by Tzeentch and value knowledge, especially the arcane. The majority of the Legion have been rendered incorporeal by the Rubric of Ahriman and fight as walking suits of armor, led by the Legion's Sorcerers.
Luna Wolves / Sons of Horus / Black Legion     XVI     Horus     Cthonia (Destroyed)     Eye of Terror     The Luna Wolves were renamed to Sons of Horus in honor of Warmaster Horus before the Horus Heresy erupted. After Horus’ death, Abaddon the Despoiler renamed them as the Black Legion, to forever mourn their primarch's death.
Word Bearers     XVII     Lorgar     Colchis (Destroyed)     Sicarus (Eye of Terror), Ghalmek (Maelstrom)     The Word Bearers are strongly religious in mindset, worshiping all Chaos Gods as a pantheon; in fact, they are the only Traitor Legion to maintain the use of Chaplains (though the Word Bearers have renamed these twisted preachers "Dark Apostles" to indicate where their true faith lies). They are known for never retreating, even if facing certain destruction.
Alpha Legion     XX     Alpharius     Unknown     Unknown     The Alpha Legion adopted the hydra as their motif. Subtlety and covert operations are this Legion's forté, using minimalistic but devastating force against their enemies. Their Primarch, Alpharius, has been thought to have been killed but recent canon revealed that he had an identical twin named Omegon who could serve as Primarch either in Alpharius's absence or in his stead, as the Alpha Legion was a very secretive chapter. They were described as being "one soul in two bodies" in an encounter with a Xenos (alien) presence. With that same presence, they were told that they had to side with Horus and ensure that Horus won for the Galaxy's sake-in the novel Legion, Alpharius says that "... So what I do ... from this moment on, I will do for the Emperor." after he has been told to side with Horus, hinting that even though his Legion turned, he remains loyal to the Emperor.


The narratives leave two additional unnamed and undescribed First Founding Legions, Legions II and XI. In some literature the missing Primarchs and their Legions are listed as being "Deleted from Imperial records". The only information Games Workshop has ever released that directly addresses them, can be found in False Gods and The Lightning Tower (Dan Abnett).

In the Black Library Horus Heresy novel series, Horus, in a chaos-induced dream sequence, apparently goes back in time and sees the cracked incubation capsule of Primarch XI before the Primarchs are scattered to the warp (the effect this has on the Primarch is inconclusive). Before doing this, he puts his hand on XI's capsule and feels "the untapped glories that might have lain ahead for what grew within, but knowing that they would never come to pass".

However, Games Workshop has explained the gameplay purpose for these "deleted" Legions: they are available to help those who wish to develop their own, custom Legions. The basic idea is since there were 20 Legions, and half went to Chaos but half stayed loyal, that these two lost Legions would represent the same for "do-it-yourself" forces.


In subsequent millennia, the Imperium has also created new Chapters of Space Marines. These minor chapters have appeared in various spin-offs produced by Games Workshop, as well as in works of fiction from The Black Library and the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War series.

The Cursed 21st Founding was when new chapters of Space Marines were created but with unfortunate side-effects. Many chapters had uncontrolled mutations, and entire chapters were lost or destroyed. One more commonly known chapter created during the founding were the Fire Hawks, who were lost upon entering the Warp and are rumored to be the Legion of the Damned. One of the these chapters that appeared in the Third War for Armageddon were the Black Dragons.

The training of a Space Marine is described within game literature in great detail. A Space Marine is a vastly superior warrior when compared to a normal human. This is due to a series of biological enhancements. The end result of creating a Space Marine produces a soldier with abilities that are so superior to those of an average human that they are best described as superhuman.

    * Phase 1 – Secondary Heart.
    * Phase 2 – Ossmodula.
    * Phase 3 – Biscopea.
    * Phase 4 – Haemastamen.
    * Phase 5 – Larraman's Organ.
    * Phase 6 – Catalepsean Node.
    * Phase 7 – Preomnor.
    * Phase 8 – Omophagea.
    * Phase 9 – Multi-lung.
    * Phase 10 – Occulobe.
    * Phase 11 – Lyman's Ear.
    * Phase 12 – Sus-an Membrane.
    * Phase 13 – Melanochrome (Melanochromic Organ).
    * Phase 14 – Oolitic Kidney.
    * Phase 15 – Neuroglottis.
    * Phase 16 – Mucranoid.
    * Phase 17 – Betcher's Gland.
    * Phase 18 – Progenoids.
    * Phase 19 – Black Carapace.

Once the recruit passes a battery of tests and challenges set by the Chapter, and the initial gene-seed implants have taken hold on his body, he is accepted into the Chapter as a Neophyte. These Neophytes will be trained in the history of the Chapter and the edicts of the Codex Astartes, while the remaining implants and modifications are made to his body.

Once a Scout begins his training and genetic modification, he is no longer permitted contact with his home or family, sworn to serve the Emperor and the Chapter until his death. The Scouts form the Tenth Company of a Chapter. The creation of a Space Marine is a dangerous process, and it is accepted that many will die during their indoctrination.

Once the Neophyte's/Scout's period of training is complete, the Neophyte will often be sent on a final challenge to prove his worth. Upon the completion of this challenge, the Neophyte will become a full member of the Chapter, and will be assigned to one of the eight Battle or Reserve companies (or Chapter equivalent).

The new "battle-brother" is presented with a boltgun and a suit of power armour although some chapters issue different weapons, the maintenance of which is his responsibility. A newly promoted Marine is assigned to one of the chapter's tactical squads as a tactical marine, to provide close support for the more battle hardened marines. As he gains experience and proves himself, he may be allowed to carry the heavy guns. After exemplary service in a tactical squad a marine may be assigned to an assault squad or a devastator squad, afterwards he may be promoted to a Tactical Squad sergeant or 1st company veteran depending on the chapter.


Space Marines that have had centuries of experience in battle, veterans usually remain with their Company, leading squads of their fellow Battle Brothers into the fray as Sergeants. However, the Marines that have most proven their worth to the Chapter are inducted into the elite First Company. it is quite common for tactical squads to be lead by a seconded veteran from the first company. On rare occasions, a less experienced Initiate will be honoured with a position in the First Company, in response to a distinguishing display of exceptional courage, tactical intelligence or prowess in battle.

As the powerful Dreadnought Armour which encases Marines near fatally wounded in battle is reserved for only the most distinguished Space Marines,while heavily-armed Terminator Squads are typically comprised entirely of veteran characters.


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At any point during their long careers, a Space Marine may be called upon to train in a specialist field, to better support the Chapter in both combat and non-combat roles. Techmarines, Apothecaries, and Librarians begin their training during the neophyte stage of their indoctrination for showing technical, medical or psychic skills, respectively. Certain members are also inducted into the Deathwatch, the military arm of the Ordo Xenos, should they possess a certain skill useful against the vile Xenos.

Marines who show an aptitude with technology are often selected to undergo the training to become a "Techmarine" (Frater Astrotechnicus[4]), honorary members of the Adeptus Mechanicus and priests of the Machine God.

After hundreds of years of service to the Chapter, elite Marines may be called upon to take up one of the leadership positions within the Chapter. These positions are Captain and Chapter Master. Occasionally a space marine captain may be required to take command of several companies however this is only with the permission of the chapter master.

In the novels and stories published by the Black Library (Games Workshop's publishing division), the Space Marines are portrayed as being far more powerful than their tabletop equivalents. The reason behind this has been explained as to maintain game balance; all armies are on an equal enough footing that the skill, tactics and luck of the individual players have a greater effect on the results than any fictional stereotype. Even so, the Marines are one of the most balanced armies in terms of shooting ability compared to close combat ability, as they excel at both.

However, a set of rules was created in January 2005 by Pete Haines, published in White Dwarf 300 in the US and Australia (but missing from UK publications). Titled "The Movie Space Marine List", these rules strove to match the Space Marines portrayed in the fiction, resulting in 'armies' of ten or less Space Marines that were more than capable of taking on regular-sized armies from other Codexes. These rules were made completely unofficial, and players were warned to be careful when using them against opponents.


Space Marines now have a new codex in the 5th edition of the Warhammer 40,000. This introduced new rules, and characters and models being released such as Sternguard and Vanguard Veterans, Drop Pods, the Land Raider Redeemer and the Thunderfire Cannon.

Though Space Marines were the first to get a codex update after the release of 5th Edition, many codexes were released in anticipation for 5th Edition: Eldar, Chaos Space Marines, Orks, and Daemons.

Outside the WH40K game and Epic, Space Marines have also featured in:

Space Crusade Space Marines figures

    * Space Crusade
    * Advanced Space Crusade
    * Space Hulk
    * Talisman - through the Timescape expansion
    * Battlefleet Gothic - through the Armada expansion
    * Inquisitor


    * Space Crusade (1992) and its sequel
    * Space Hulk (1994) - Terminator armour marines
    * Space Hulk: Vengeance of the Blood Angels (1996) - "sequel" to Space Hulk
    * Final Liberation: Warhammer Epic 40,000 (1997)
    * Chaos Gate (1998)
    * Rites of War (1999)
    * Fire Warrior (2003)
    * Dawn of War (2004), and its expansion packs, Winter Assault (2005), Dark Crusade (2006) and Soulstorm (2008).
    * Squad Command (2007)
    * Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 (2009)
    * Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (unknown)