Space Marine Codex

IMPERIAL FISTS
THE SONS OF DORN

The Imperial Fists have stood as steadfast defenders ofthe Imperium since the Great Crusade. Strong of mind and spirit, they
are the Emperor's shield, indomitable and unbreakable. Their stubbornness in the face of any enemy and their determination
to hold no matter the cost is matched only by their zealous efforts to see their gene-sire's dreams for the Imperium made real.

The Primarch ofthe Imperial Fists was genetic material. The Emperor also since, the Imperial Fists have been known
Rogal Dorn, whose name is revered insisted the Prirnarch keep Phalanx, and as the Defenders of Terra, a title they bear
throughout the Imperium, and from him ever since it has been the Imperial Fists' with immense pride. Their official home
stem the Chapter's proud history and flagship and primary fortress. world, ten thousand years later, remains
traditions. After being torn from Terra Dorn discovered his sons to be peerless Terra itself, though the demands of war
and cast into the galaxy, the Emperor crusaders and resolute warriors, firm in ensure the Imperial Fists now almost
discovered Dorn years later on the ice their commitment to order, unwilling to never return.
world of Inwit. Like many ofhis brothers, give ground and unhesitating in making Dorn saw the lmperium being built by
he had risen to lord ofhis people, and the ultimate sacrifice for victory. Their the Emperor's Legions as a fortress, with
he had established a stellar empire ofhis talent for siegecraft was undeniable, each world a part of a galactic system of
own. Recognising the Emperor as his though they had achieved glorious ramparts, bulwarks and counter-guards.
father and liege, he presented the Master victories in all manner of warfare. The He laced the worlds the Imperial Fists
of Mankind with Phalanx, an immensely Emperor later declared Dorn and his conquered with mighty bastions and
powerful and mobile space station that Legion to be his Praetorians, and tasked constructed vast orbital citadels around
dated back to the Age of Technology. The them with fortifying the Sol System, them, naming this system the Bastion
Emperor handed to Dorn the Imperial Terra and the Imperial Palace itself. Ever Imperialis. When the Horus Heresy
Fists Legion, created using Dorn's own

struck and world after world fell in with - though it is without any doubt that firepower, the emphasis they place on
the traitors or was conquered by them, he many more victories have been won marksmanship and the hellish siege
saw each fall as a deep crack in his design. thanks to this trait, which runs so deeply battles they so often fight.
The tireless efforts of Rogal Dorn and the through them. The Imperial Fists have a In the time ofthe Era Indomitus, the
Imperial Fists to fortify the Sol System deep well of recruit reserves with which Imperial Fists have fought battle after
paid dividends during the Siege of Terra, to replace their fallen brothers, drawn battle to break the forces ofthe Arch­
turning the Imperial Palace into one from a multitude of worlds to allow enemy, relieve populations besieged by
ofthe most formidable fortresses the for the high casualties they frequently hordes of ravening xenos and recapture
Imperium had ever seen. The Imperial suffer. While their Chaplains teach ofthe fallen worlds.
Fists fought unwaveringly in the fighting, need to manage excessive pride to avoid
holding the walls and throwing back catastrophic losses, the determination to
traitor assaults. Dorn teleported with never give up holds a vice-like grip over
the Emperor to engage Horus aboarq every Imperial Fist's hearts.
the traitor's flagship, but was separated In terms of tlreir combat doctrine, many
from his father before the duel that Imperial Fists spend a disproportionately
decided the fate ofthe Imperium took long period of time in fire support roles,
place. Bitterness and a deep sense of serving in Hellblaster Squads, Devastator
failure came to define his character for Squads and Aggressor Squads. This
some time, and it took much to convince is due to their preference for heavy
him to break his Legion down into
Chapters following Roboute Guilliman's
publication ofthe Codex Astartes.

For ten thousand years the Imperial Fists
have been a symbol of Imperial defiance
in the face of all the myriad threats posed
to Humanity. They have played a vital
role in the preservation ofthe Imperium,
thousands of their number sacrificing
themselves on battlefields the galaxy
over. Rarely will a warrior of the Imperial
Fists boast of such deeds, however. For
them the performance ofsuch acts
ranks far higher in importance than the
declaring of them. Though not secretive
and mysterious like the Dark Angels,
they also do not possess the brash,
loud and forthright nature ofthe Space
Wolves. The Imperial Fists often appear
humourless and severe to those who
encounter them, but they are nonetheless
passionate warriors, determined, firm
and believing still in the great cause of
Rogal Dorn's Bastion Imperialis. For
them, it is said, the Great Crusade is yet
to be completed. Whilst this goal is rarely
spoken of aloud by the Imperial Fists,
doubtless it is one that scarcely leaves
their minds as they wage war.

Sacrifice and commitment are huge
elements of the Imperial Fists' ideals.
They refuse to give ground to the foe, on
occasion to their detriment. Phalanx's
Librarius has records of many destroyed
Imperial Fists forces that could well have
been saved were it not for stubbornness

BLOOD ANGELS
1HE SONS O F SANGUINIUS

Resplendent in their Chapter's gleaming red, the Blood Angels have fought for the Emperor since the First Founding. They
are amongst the most noble Space Marine Chapters, seeking to always protect the weak and vulnerable - yet this deep sense of
integrity and honour is besmirched by a hideous curse they conceal from all outsiders and ever strive to resist.

Little is known ofthe Blood Angels' itself, besides a handful of honorifics reached Terra to defend the Throneworld
earliest history. Sanguinius was discovered and generic articles praising the Blood from the forces of the Arch-traitor, Horns.
during the Great Crusade on Baal Angels' successes, almost all from the They fought with honour and courage and
Secundus, the second moon of the time after Sanguinius was placed at the slew countless foes on the battlements of
planet Baal. Though Baal and its moons head of his sons. What is clear is that the Imperial Palace. But the cost oftheir
were once glorious places ofwealth and Sanguinius was regarded as one ofthe efforts was great. In the final, desperate
breathtaking architecture, during the Dark greatest of the Emperor's sons. Beautiful attack against Horns' flagship, the Vengeful
Age ofTechnology all was destroyed. They in body and mind, he was a warrior Spirit, Sanguinius engaged the Warmaster
were left as irradiated husks, inhabited almost without peer and a leader who in personal combat. In the titanic duel that
by a small Human population and savage could inspire incredible feats of personal followed, he was slain.
mutants. After his pod crashed there, courage not just within his own Legion, The IX Legion shared a deep bond with
Sanguinius was as a god to the near feral but throughout the vast multitudes of the their Primarch - perhaps one deeper
inhabitants, a figure of incomparable Emperor's varied servants. It is believed than most of the Legiones Astartes had
nobility and beauty in a place of suffering, that the Blood Angels Legion fought with their gene-sire - for all Blood Angels
death and ugliness - this despite his by their Primarch's side throughout the at that time were injected with droplets
angelic wings, which nearly led the tribes Horns Heresy, though the only battle of Sanguinius' blood. Some Blood Angels
to slaughter him upon his discovery. in the historical record they can be believe it is this, combined with the
When the Emperor finally reached the accurately placed at is the Siege of Terra Prirnarch's death, that caused the Flaw
Baal System, Sanguinius accepted him - the conflict that defined the next ten that has cursed every Blood Angel ever
as his liege without question, and took thousand years of Humanity's history. since. Partial fragments discovered in
command of the IX Legion. It is said that it was only after a long and hidden corners ofthe Legion's Librarius
Little detail survives ofthe Legion's arduous journey - the battles ofwhich are that suggest some Blood Angels
involvement in the Great Crusade now lost to history - that the Blood Angels Legionaries suffered from a version of the

Flaw even before Sanguinius' death have in the Blood Angels' gene-seed is the honour their Primarch's beliefthat the
been dismissed as false and locked away. encoded experience oftheir Primarch, galaxy can be changed for the better.
The Flaw takes two forms: the Red Thirst the strongest of which is his duel with This is epitomised in the transformation
and the Black Rage. Every Blood Angel Horus. On the eve ofbattle, an event or of recruits into Space Marines. The
has deep within them an insatiable circumstance will trigger this memory in rad-scarred aspirants drawn from the
battle-lust and hunger for blood. This a Blood Angel. The battle-brother's mind Baal System undergo an apotheosis.
is the Red Thirst, and it afflicts every is taken over by this experience, and to They spend a year in slumber in ancient
gene-son of Sanguinius in every waking those around him he appears crazed with sarcophagi, in which time they receive
moment. Though they take great pains berserk fury, no longer aware of where their implants to become Space Marines.
to resist its lure, not all are successful, or who he is. These brothers are assigned They emerge as demigods, tall, strong of
and no few Blood Angels succumb to it to the Death Company, to meet an muscle, keen of sense and beautiful in
in the midst ofbattle; doing so renders honourable end in battle. body - the image of Sanguinius himself.
them truly deadly, to the extent that some The worst thing of all about these twin Their desire to perfect and improve
attempt to control it and use it. Though a curses is that with each passing year, more things manifests in every aspect of
curse, the Red Thirst humbles the Blood brothers succumb to them. The Blood the Blood Angels' existence, from the
Angels. It makes them aware of their own Angels and their successors, all of whom elaborate embellishments many sport on
weaknesses and thus more understanding are afflicted in the same way, are dying their armour, the exquisite craftsmanship
of those in others. out. Some at a faster rate than others. of their weapons and their incredible skill
with bolter and blade.

For all the horror of the Red Thirst, Few would be surprised if a Chapter In these dark times, the Blood Angels
the Black Rage is far worse. When this afflicted in such a way would fall to represent all that Humanity can be.
takes over the Blood Angel's mind, it is despair, yet the Blood Angels do not. Despite, or because of, their terrible
irreversible. The Blood Angels believe They fight on. They charge headlong flaws they are paragons of virtue and
that all will succumb to it should they not into the guns of the enemy, eager to slay duty, serving as inspiration for all in
die first Death is the only cure. Ingrained them in hand-to-hand combat. They the Imperium.

WHITE S CARS
T�E SONS OF THE WARHAWK

The roaring of furious engines, deep rumbles of thundering armoured transports, screaming ofheavy jump packs at full burn
and ferocious Korchin war cries herald the devastating assault of the White Scars. Formidable hunters drawn from fierce
tribesmen, the White Scars smash through their foes like the tip of a spear through the flank of prey.

The White Scars are masters of lightning mountains. Its nomadic population shamanistic fetishes from their armour,
warfare and hit-and-run attacks. They are expert hunters and horsemen, ritually scar their faces with tribal
stalk their prey patiently and relentlessly, and are persistently at war. This harsh heraldry, and go to battle bearing the
before striking at the weakest point with lifestyle produces hard people, and severed heads of their enemies.
incredible precision, ferocity and speed. therefore aspirants of high quality Thanks to these trappings, many
They have inherited this martial legacy for the White Scars. It is among these mistakenly believe the White Scars to be
from the harsh culture of their home people that Jaghatai grew up, learning backwards, or even barbarous. The White
world, as well as from their Primarch, and embodying their ways. After his Scars' manner of war is tightly controlled,
Jaghatai Khan, known as the Warhawk, discovery during the Great Crusade, he however. As hunters they carefully
the Khagan and the Khan of Khans. imbued the V Legion with the traditions observe the lay of the land, striking only
The White Scars hail from Chogoris, a of Chogoris, and in so doing bound when they are ready. Off the battlefield,
world of windswept planes and jagged his sons to him. To this day the White though they train as hard as any other
Scars hang furs, Chogorian trinkets and

Space Marines in the arts of war, they almost all of their history, according to take to the field, they compete for overall
are highly cultured. Many White Scars those few with knowledge on the matter. command of the White Scars' force. In
seek mastery in one or more of the Noble They suggest that the White Scars argued doing so they both seek to earn honour
Pursuits set down by the Khagan. For in favour of retaining the Space Marine for their company - known to the White
some this is hunting, for others Korchin Legions' Librarius in the fabled Council Scars as a brotherhood - as well as for
calligraphy or the telling of ancient tales. of Nikaea during the Great Crusade. the sheer pleasure of rivalry amongst
A rare few embrace the challenge of ci Some believe that it was here that the brothers. Thanks to a khan's cunning
verse. These skills are vital in making the Emperor prohibited the Space Marines' tactics, a White Scars force breaks apart
White Scars better warriors. The patience use of psychic powers before the Horus and scatters their enemies, putting them
required to paint a perfect character of Heresy - though the horror of that to flight. In this moment their hunting
Korchin script is the same patience that terrible conflict necessitated reinstating skills come to the fore as they pursue the
makes for an adept hunter. Even killing is the Librarius. foe and slaughter them all.
an act of beauty to them, a demonstration The White Scars' battle tactics are highly The White Scars battle in the Era
of unity between warrior and weapon. fluid, the warriors of Chogoris repeatedly Indomitus with all the strength available
The White Scars are also possessed of utilising feints, staged retreats and to them, taking the fight to the forces
a strong sense of honour and justice, flanking attacks to destroy the foe. Speed of Chaos and the xenos menace. The
another legacy from their Primarch and is a key component of their strategies, Yasan Sector, in which their home world
the tribes of Chogoris. and every White Scars strike force resides, has come under ferocious attack
Deep mysticism and superstition form an brings with it a host of bikes, armoured by the forces of Chaos pouring from the
integral part of Chogorian tribal culture, transports and jump packs. Few things Maelstrom. Chogoris itself was besieged
and so too are they embraced by the give a son of the Warhawk greater joy by the Renegade Space Marines of the
White Scars. The Chapter's warriors place than roaring across the battlefield, blade Red Corsairs, led by their warlord, Huron
a great deal of trust in their Librarians, in hand, to bring death to the Emperor's Blackheart. But the 'Wbite Scars held
who they call Stormseers, calling upon enemies, often laughing as they strike firm and drove the traitors from their
these battle psykers for the enlightened their foes down. world, and the Chapter's brotherhoods
wisdom they have accumulated over At the head of every White Scars have since fought in the Vigilus, Asmar,
years of study. In battle, Stormseers company is a khan, a mighty warrior, Chenna and Anragua Systems. Though
command the elemental fury of the calculating strategist and superb duellist these times are fraught with perils
tempest. Gales flow at their instruction who has proven himself on the battlefield beyond imagining, the White Scars refuse
and lightning bolts strike the foe at their countless times. Where multiple khans to be cowed, just as they never have in all
behest. This appears to have been so for their glorious history.

ARMOURED STEEDS battle-plans. Before its spirit is roused, the Invader is
folded into a more compact form, and transported into
The White Scars are masters of making war from the a battle zone hanging from the deployment racks of a
saddle, and few embrace the fast-moving vehicles of a gunship. Dropped into battle, the crew engage Sagittus­
Space Marine Chapter's Armoury as they do. Whether class hunting protocols, awaken the machine spirit and
it be the Invader ATV or combat bikes, the White Scars race into battle.
have mastered their use. Often racing alongside Invader ATVs are Space Marine
bikes. Only a Space Marine has the physical power
Each of the Invader ATV's four wheels is independently needed to operate and manoeuvre these, or has the
adaptable thanks to the vehicle's highly articulated strength of will to dominate their especially bellicose
suspension. Operated by a machine spirit, these enable machine spirits. In battle a Space Marine will form a
the Invader to cross broken battlefield terrain with close bond with his mount, battle-brother and machine
impunity. Between its robust vox aerial and ground­ spirit working together to achieve victory.
mapping advanced auspex, the Invader accumulates
vast quantities of valuable topographical information
with which the Khans formulate their highly complex

• Raider-pattern combat bike, standard
configuration
.,.. Invader ATVfitted with an onslaught
gatling cannon

DARK ANGELS
THE SONS OF THE LION

The Dark Angels were the First Legion. No other Space Marine brotherhood has served the Emperor for as long as they have.
Staunch defenders of Mankind, they are merciless in the attack and stubborn in the defence. They are also shrouded in mystery,
however, and have secrets so shameful they are kept even from many of their own number.

The Dark Angels' name is held equally the Dark Angels he commanded opened referred to themselves as the Unforgiven,
in awe and fear by those they fight for fire. Luther's strength was swelled by retaining close ties with each other
and against. They are not regarded in that of the Dark Gods of Chaos, and was and fighting the lmperium's wars with
the same light as their brothers in the thus the Lion's every equal in combat. distinction even as they went about their
Ultramarines or Blood Angels. They Only once Luther had mortally wounded clandestine mission. Over time, the Inner
are famed less for their honour and the Lion did he realise his calamitous Circle formed, made up of the only Dark
nobility than their unsettling demeanour, mistake. As Luther cried out in anguish, Angels aware of the Chapter's terrible
taciturn manner, inscrutability and a warp rift consumed Caliban, tearing secrets. Only a battle-brother who has
solemnity. Those who have fought beside the planet apart and sweeping thousands earned their trust and fought bravely on
the Dark Angels observe the deliberate of the traitorous Dark Angels into the the battlefield may join their number, and
detachment the Chapter exhibits, and emp}Tean. They would later be regarded even then they are told but a fraction of
the rapid disappearance of its warriors as the Fallen. the whole damning truth.
as soon as their mission is achieved Whilst the hunt for the Fallen is of
- sometimes even before the war incredible importance to the Dark
is concluded. Angels, the great majority of their wars
have little to do with their traitorous
The Dark Angels are a fleet-based brethren. Following the Codex in its
Chapter, crossing the void in their entirety besides two specialist companies,
armada of warships - and at its head, the the veteran Deathwing and the rapid­
mysterious fortress monastery known as striking Ravenwing, the Dark Angels
the Rock. Few know how this colossal fight in the manner of most Space
voidborne citadel came to be - or why Marines Chapters. Lightning assaults,
the Dark Angels' former home world combined arms forces and tactical
of Caliban no longer exists - and they flexibility are at the core of the Dark
would fight and die to keep the truth Angels' way of war. Every battlefield is
from the remainder of the lmperium. searched for sedition, however. Though
only the Inner Circle understand the
To fully understand the Dark Angels it The surviving Dark Angels vowed to signs of the Fallen, the uninitiated can
is necessary to learn of their Primarch, pursue the traitors and keep these events still recognise heresy where they see it.
Lion El'Jonson, and his greatest friend, secret, believing the lmperium would In these tumultuous times, the Dark
Luther. When the Emperor came to damn them all should the truth become Angels have been at the forefront of some
Caliban after the Lion's discovery, known. Embracing the Codex Astartes of the galaxy's most significant wars. The
Luther was too old to join the I Legion with little complaint so as to avoid sons of Caliban have bled their foes in
as a Space Marine. The Lion left him suspicion, they and their successors the Stygius Sector, the Vigilus System, the
the vital charge of defending Caliban Prosperan Rift and numerous other war
and raising new generations of Space zones, upholding their name as some of
Marines. But Luther's heart grew bitter. the Emperor's fiercest defenders.
When the Horus Heresy ended, and the
Lion returned to Caliban, Luther and



RAVEN G UARD
THE SONS OF CORAX

Masters of clandestine warfare and the art ofthe shadowed blade, when the Raven Guard engage in open warfare, it is already
too late for their enemies. The bloody conclusion to a campaign of sabotage, guerrilla tactics and targeted strikes is a peerless
coordination of assets by which the Raven Guard apply exactly the right amount of power to utterly destroy their foe.

A series of shocking and explosive deaths The Raven Guard are one of the original has been the site of the Raven Guard's
followed by the hissing roar of jump brotherhoods of Space Marines who fortress monastery - the Ravenspire
packs is often the first time a heretic fought with the Emperor more than ten - since the Legion were united with
or xenos force is even aware of the millennia ago. Under their Primarch, their Primarch. It is a grim and sombre
Raven Guard's presence. The Chapter's Corvus Corax, the Raven Guard crafted citadel. Due to near constant campaigns
sable-coloured armour reflects little their Trifold Path of Shadow, mastering and a careful rate of recruitment,
light, and its battle-brothers are highly the doctrines of ambush, stealth and many enormous halls gather dust in
skilled in using their surroundings to vigilance. These principles represent the the gloom, and certain lofty towers
their advantage. Remaining unseen, pinnacle of the Raven Guard's way of war, haunted by ancient rumour are stasis­
they slip through twisted ruins and alien those which every battle-brother seeks sealed against intrusion. Yet the austere
undergrowth, silently merging into pools to perfect. display belies the power within, and its
of inky shadow. Lord Corax was withdrawn and taciturn, inviolable redoubts maintain a menacing
To fight the Raven Guard is to swing traits his sons inherited alongside his watchfulness. The Raven Guard spare no
blades at whorls of smoke and to fire at pallid skin and unsettling, dark eyes. The thought for displays of prestige. Function
half-seen spectres with increasing panic. Primarch spent his early years among is all, and as a training ground, bulwark
When every piece oftheir strategy has indentured slaves on a prison moon and memory oftheir gene-sire's legacy,
fallen into place, then will the Raven orbiting the industrial world of Kiavahr. the Ravenspire fulfills every function the
Guard swoop, their blades slicing deep Corax led the prisoners in revolt and Chapter requires of it.
and their heavy guns piercing the enemy broke the power of Kiavahr's slave guilds. Corax's experiences on Deliverance
lines in a dozen places at once. The moon was renamed Deliverance and instilled in him a deep hatred of

'The honoured brothers of the Armoury are skilled in the
mysteries they wield to repair Dirae's stabiliser fins, oil
its intakes and stoke its fiery heart. Yet they know not this
j ump pack's pall of dread vengeance and the twinning of
warrior spirits as we roar together into the ambush. Never
have they felt the brooding kinship that comes when the
drop-ship's armature cradle lowers Dirae onto my back an
the armoured harness locks into place. With the sudden
connection through armour ports, every flicker of power
growl of the pack's jets is an extension of me.

Though the Techmarines preen its plasteel planes, it is I
who feel Dirae's powerful thrusters as black wings at my
back, speeding me into the unknowing foe. Vector runes
engine dynamics cycle on my helm display, gifting unmat
aerial control. Dirae's precision pulse-jets slow my desce
a crushing impact. In a moment, we have killed in a flurry
talon strikes. With a silent command, Dirae roars once m
and we bound onto the next ambush in a graceful curve.'

- Brother Vaen, Btft Squad, Raven G uard 3rd Co

oppressors. To this day the Raven Guard The Raven Guard understand first hand Not all the Raven Guard's missions
strive to liberate Humanity from heretical the consequences of terrible losses. Some are undertaken subtly. After careful
tyrants and xenos overlords. They break of their oldest legends speak in bleak and reconnaissance by infiltrating squads,
the chains that bind Mankind's sundered bitter terms of the darkest days of the a Shadow Captain may deem a decisive
and enslaved worlds, though they do so Homs Heresy. Along with the Iron Hands strike of sudden and precise force is
from the darkness, with no expectation and Salamanders, Corax and the Raven necessary. Shock troops are revealed in
of glory - for the Raven Guard shun the Guard were brutally betrayed on the terror-filled storms of noise and death,
kinds of acclaim and honours that are black sands of lsstvan V by former allies. flights of jump troops descend from the
laid before other Chapters. Hardly anything is known for certain of skies, heralded by gunfire and crackling
The Raven Guard's isolationist tendencies those chaotic times, but the Raven Guard lightning claws. Such a strike shatters the
and inscrutable nature do not endear were massacred and almost wiped out. foe's strength before they are aware the
them to their allies. Their dour and After that terrible day, scattered bands fight has even begun. As counter-strikes
laconic battle-brothers are viewed of Raven Guard fought a shadow war mobilise against them, these fast-moving
as suspicious and uncertain figures, against the forces of the traitors, making squads have already withdrawn to
distancing themselves even from other them pay m blood for every step they strike elsewhere.
Space Marine Chapters. With their took towards Terra.
brooding mien and dark gaze, the
Raven Guard are held by those Human
survivors who owe them their lives as
much in fear as in awe. Yet there is no
doubting the Chapter's stalwart resistance
and unwavering loyalty. For ten thousand
years the Raven Guard have shielded
the Imperium, fighting wars across
the galaxy - from the dark heart of the
Emperor's realm to the bleak fringes.

Many of the Chapter's operations are
undertaken by strike forces of Vanguard
and Scout Squads, supported by squads of
jump pack troops and other aerial assets
such as gunships and speeders. Such
forces are expert at manoeuvring behind
enemy lines. There, they sow confusion
and destruction or prepare to sink their
talons into the foe's rear lines at the very
instant a more conventional Raven Guard
attack strikes from another angle.

Hunting from the shadows, teams of
Raven Guard snipers mercilessly
cut down fiery demagogues and
savage xenos warlords. Highly
valued among Corax's doctrines
was the belief that a leaderless
enemy is an enemy already defeated.
Decapitation missions and assassinations
are coordinated with feigned retreats
and skyborne strikes; these stunning
strategies leave the enemy reeling and
vulnerable to the final coup de grace
without unnecessarily exposing the
Raven Guard. The Chapter's doctrine
espouses stealth and swift reactions over
brazen and costly onslaughts.

'Many are the legends of the Ultramarines'
tenacity in Damnos' defence, and of their great
victory reclaiming it for the Imperium. Their
refusal to abandon that world and their hatred
for the xenos are worthy of legend and praise.
Without hesitation I salute them.

It would have been easy for the Ultramarines
to give in to pride and seek to fight for Damnos
alone. It must have stung them to learn of a world
they had thought made safe under threat once
again. But they did not surrender to vanity. They
called for aid, knowing that serving the Emperor
and preserving his realm is more important
than the personal honour of any battle-brother
or Chapter.

The Ultramarines have ever been held in the
Salamanders' esteem. They are men of honour,
loyalty and steadfastness. Their humility drew
our admiration, and a burning desire in our
hearts to fight alongside them and slaughter
the xenos.'

- Firedrake Ko'Tan Dai/or,

Salamanders 1 st Company

THE THIRD WAR FOR DAMNOS

For the third time the Ultramarines fighting to secure Damnos from the android warriors ofthe Necrons. Numerous Space
Marine Chapters stood shoulder to shoulder with them.

ULTRAMARINES BRAZEN CONSULS WHITE SCARS
HUNTING FORCE 'KAIDU'
STRIKE FORCE 'TRIVINIUS' SUPPRESSION FORCE 'DIGN ITOR' 'Argasar'....................close support (Outrider) squad
'Gesu'...................close support (Attack Bike) squad
'Quintas'.........................Veteran (Intercessor) squad 'Torsus' ...... close support (Land Speeder) squadron 'Korgeljin' ....................... close support (Bike) squad
'Axio' .................................Veteran (Vanguard) squad 'Travian'..................................... Whirlwind squadron 'Dunei'..............................................Scout Bike squad
'Acilion' ......................................................Scout squad 'Ochin' .............................................. Scout Bike squad
'Caerellio' ..................................................Scout squad ANTI-AIR DEFENCE FORCE 'TITUS' STORM WING 'GHAZAR'
Brother Gabinius ..............Redemptor Dreadnought 'Gallorn'............................................Hunter squadron 'Turger' ................................... I Stormraven Gunship
'Tearers of the Skies' ....................... Stalker squadron 'Khiratarr' ............................... 1 Stormtalon Gunship
'!Uusei' ..................................... 1 Stormtalon Gunship
LIBATORS _ 6TH COMPANY
++ DUE TO THE XENOTECHNOLOGJCAL
8TH COMPANY 'Galetus'.............................battleline (Tactical) squad
'Triferon' ..................close support (Outrider) squad 'Tiberias' ...........................battleline (Tactical) squad INTERFERENCE IN THE DAMNOS SYSTEM
'Remos' .... close support (Storm Speeder) squadron 'Otavio' .......................... battleline (Infiltrator) squad IN ADDITION TO STANDARD EMPYRICAL
'Salenio' ...................... close support (Assault) squad 'Andronicus'....battleline (Heavy Intercessor) squad INTERFERENCE, DATA COLLECTED ON ADEPTUS
'Ubrenicus'............... close support (Inceptor) squad Brother Thysor .................... Venerable Dreadnought ASTARTES FORCES PRESENT DEEMED 62.15%
ACCURATE AT BEST. ++
'Meles'..... close support (Assault Intercessor) squad SALAMANDERS
Brother Aedinio .....................Ironclad Dreadnought ++ DATA OF OTHER IMPERIAL FORCES PRESENT,
Brother Attius.........................lronclad Dreadnought STRIKE FORCE 'SAR'TATH'
'N'pann'.............................battleline (Tactical) squad NAMELY THOSE OF THE DAMNOSIAN PLANETARY
DEFENCE bULlTIA AND ULTRAMAR AUXILIA
IRON HOUNDS 'Hezonn' ............................battleline (Tactical) squad REGIMENTS CAN BE VIEWED IN FILE 82{;(1)/Z3V5.
TREAT WITH SIMILAR CAUTION. ++
LAND RAIDER SPEARHEAD 'CASTOR' 'Gnirra' .............battleline (Heavy Intercessor)squad
'Spear ofOrinus' ..................................... Land Raider 'Tes'ssen' ...................fire support (Eradicator) squad
'Canis lnfernus' .................... Land Raider Redeemer 'Hek'ulon' ......................Veteran (Bladeguard) squad
'Bloodhound'......................... Land Raider Crusader 'Mir'Shan'.........Veteran (Assault Intercessor) squad

The Space Marines engaged on Damnos sported
numerous campaign badges. Some of the
Ultramarines Veterans hadfought in the previous
Damnos Wars, and wore the adornments ofthose
battles with greatpride. These warriors swore to
destroy the Necrons and cleanse Damnosforever.

Brother Julianus Theldor, Ultramarines Brother Tacitun Paxor, Libators 8th Brother Constantius Remus Severinus,
1st Company, 10th Squad. Veteran ofthe Company, 4th Squad. Awarded the Brazen Consuls 6th Company, 3rd
previous warsfor Damnos. Won three Imperial Laurelfor saving the lives of
Marksman's Honours during the reliefof over three hundred Darnnosian citizens Squad. Killed in action on the tenth day
ofthe Halaheim Reclamation. Saved
Fort Thakken. No other slew so many. in a single day. seven brothersfrom a Wraith ambush.

SPACE WOLVES
T-HE SONS OF RUSS

With the fury of a winter's storm and the savagery ofapex predators, the Space Wolves tear apart Humanity's foes with
instinctive aggression. The Chapter is a brotherhood ofheroes, hungry for glory and dedicated to defending the lmperium.
Seeking to forge their sagas of honour, Space Wolves eagerly face down the most powerful enemies with ferocious snarls.

Clad in storm-grey power armour that fight in what adepts of the Codex would beauty, storm-tossed seas and lethal
reflects the wide tempestuous skies of recognise as every strata of strategic predators. Its tribes of nomadic hunters
their home world, bearing weapons hung designation. In this way, each Wolf Lord endure age-long ferocious winters and
with feral fetishes of atavistic power and is capable oftaking the fight to any brief Seasons of Fire, in which the world's
howling their savage war cries into the enemy, the warriors who answer his call scattered islands disappear beneath the
wind, the Space Wolves are among the deploying in massed drop assaults, in waves and new lands erupt after volcanic
most renowned and fierce Chapters of roaring columns ofbikes and battle tanks, cataclysms. Only the permanently ice­
Space Marines. With cunning strategies in bands ofheavy weapon specialists or bound continent of Asaheim endures
and hunters' instincts, they stalk the in swift groups ofclose combat killers. and upon its mountainous peaks rises
stars and seal the fate of all enemies Space Wolves fight in tightly knit squads the Space Wolves fortress monastery: the
of Mankind. called packs. Maintaining their ancient Fang. Native tradition forbids the tribes
The Space Wolves are expert hunters traditions, most battle-brothers fight ofFenrisians from attempting to reach
and trackers, loping patiently after their with the same pack for their entire lives, Asaheim, viewing it as a distant land
quarry over battlefields across the galaxy. building iron-hard bonds of camaraderie of fierce gods. They are ignorant of the
The hyper-keen senses oftheir battle­ and honour that see them operate fluidly wider Imperium, and know of the Space
brothers are more refined than those of and instinctively as a whole. Individual Wolves only as mythical Sky Warriors.
other Chapters. These are genetic traits warriors may be singled out for their These armoured giants, swathed in furs,
inherited from their Primarch, Leman glorious deeds and raised to the Great may appear suddenly after a tribal battle
Russ. Also known as the WolfKing, Company's elite packs ofWolf Guard, or and take with them those youths who
Russ fully embraced the tribal nature of they may possess specialised skills and fought with the greatest bravery and
his upbringing, and this culture forms traits that are best employed elsewhere, ferocity, never to be seen again.
an important part ofthe Chapter to such as in stealthy and taciturn packs of These vanished heroes are never
this day. The Space Wolves are divided Wolf Scouts or among aggressive and mourned. Though they may have been
amongst twelve Great Companies, each headstrong Skyclaws. grievously wounded when taken, as good
an autonomous brotherhood whose Guided by the Chapter's priests in their as dead, their kin know they now wage
commanding WolfLord is answerable totemic, lupine culture, Space Wolves eternal war among the stars at the side of
only to the master ofthe Chapter, the appear as barbarous and feral to their the demigods. This warlike pragmatism
Great Wolf. Diverging far from the allies as they are terrifying to their and indomitable spirit was instilled by
tenets ofthe Codex Astartes, the Great enemies. Their giant warriors wear wolf Leman Russ in the Space Wolves and
Companies are as individual as their pelts, runic talismans and necklaces of remains perhaps the greatest strength of
lords, reflecting their commander's oversized fangs, while upon their armour his sons. The Chapter's battle-brothers
preferred methods of warfare. and leathery, weather-beaten skins are are immune to the insidious tendrils
Each Great Company maintains its own jagged icons, tribal tattoos and warding ofdespair, apathy and discontent,
ships, war engines and specialist advisors sigils redolent oftheir harsh home world. for they live the warrior's dream: an
that in other Chapters are often drawn The Space Wolves hail from the death existence ofdaily battle waged alongside
from centralised institutions. Every world of Fenris, an icy planet ofsavage their brothers, punctuated by feasting
Great Company includes warriors who and drinking, and at its end a.truly
valorous death.

CURSE OF THE W ULFEN

The practices by which Space Marine Chapters select,
genetically alter and induct new warriors have long
since become esoteric mixtures of sacred rite, pseudo­
religious tradition and half-understood mummery. In
the Space Wolves Chapter, the shamanic spiritualism
of their warrior culture dictates that aspirants undergo
a ritualistic trial - one of many - in which the inductee
imbibes a potent mixture of genetic material from the
Cup of Wulfen . Thjs is the Canis Helix, the deadliest of
the legacies handed down by the Wolf King.

The Primarch Leman Russ passed more than keen
senses onto his sons; through the Canis Helix the
bestial vigour and ferocity of the Wolf King is made
manifest in the Space Wolves. After drinking from the
Cup of Wulfen, the aspirant undergoes changes in body
and mind. He reverts to a primal state, bones buckle
and skin splits, thick hair grows in a shaggy mane and
the aspirant's thoughts are filled with the desire to hunt
and glut on fresh meat. The youth must control the
raging beast whose howls sing through his blood, lest it
overwhelm him completely. Should he endure the trials
to come, the Chapter's Wolf Priests will implant the
remainder of the Space Wolves gene-seed, stabilising
the Canis Helix. Yet some warriors never completely
conquer its transformative effects; in times of great
stress, some Space Wolves succumb to berserk rages
and horrifying savagery, altering into the bestial state
that haunts their soul. This is the Curse of the Wulfen.

SALAMANDERS
_THE SONS OF VULKAN

Forged in the crucible ofwar, the Salamanders are flame-bearers and warrior-craftsmen who hail from the volcanic death
world ofNocturne. This brotherhood of onyx-skinned guardians has fought stoically to defend the Imperium for ten
millennia, wielding master-wrought weapons to hammer the foe into oblivion.

The Salamanders are the scions of the at their centre like lit coals, Salamanders
Primarch Vulkan, whose great strength, Space Marines present a more terrifying
endurance and skill in the forging and appearance than warriors of other
wielding of magnificent weapons is Chapters. Though they carry their
legendary. These traits and many others unsettling appearance with a humble
passed into his sons, and have persisted nobility, more than one insurrection
for ten millennia. The Chapter's warriors has been quashed in its infancy by
have skin as black as flawless obsidian, the sight of an unhelmed Salamander
thought to be an unusual reaction advancing upon the ringleaders with red
between their gene-seed and the as yet eyes blazing.
unexplained radiation on their home Salamanders excel in short-range
world. Coupled with the black orbs of firefights, striding through storms of
their eyes, broken only by ruddy glows enemy shots in suits of master-forged
armour. Each step forward is echoed
'Death hangs over the galaxy and by synchronised bursts of blistering
seeks to extinguish the fire of firepower. They expertly employ large
the lmperium. Let our strength numbers of incendiary weapons such as
burn brightly, brothers, to light flamers and meltaguns, with which they
Humanity's path and sear its burn their enemies out of the shadowed
enemies to ash.' places of the galaxy and carve open their
places of refuge. The Salamanders prize
- Chapter Master Tu'Shan patience and wisdom above impetuosity
and haste. Against overwhelming odds,
they maintain steady advances, until
they meet the foe eye to eye. Then are
the fires of their rage unleashed and the
famed strength of their gene-sire visited
upon Mankind's enemies in blows from
artisan-crafted blades and immense
drake-headed thunder hammers.
The Salamanders' home world of
Nocturne is a fiery orb, strung with
volcanoes, black plains and sulphurous
seas. Its higher crags are stalked by
immense fire-breathing predators
from which the Salamanders take
their name. It was on Nocturne where

THE HEAT OF THE FORGE Melta rifle
Combi-flamer
Every battle-brother of the Salamanders Chapter is
a highly skilled craftsman. Rather than relying wholly
upon the Adeptus Mechanicus, many of the Chapter's
weapons are forged by the Salamanders themselves.
Each of these weapons is unique, the skill of the
Space Marine who forged and embellished it showing
in the strength of its construction and the surety of its
shot. Symbols of the Promethean Cult are recurring
features of design - the smith's hammer and anvil, the
fanged maw and scales of predatory reptiles and the
bloom of flame.

The draconic heat of the Salamanders' Armoury
radiates from its most emblematic weapons. Imperial
thermal technology, used in weapons such as the
melta rifle, employs sub-molecular thermal agitation,
melting or evaporating matter in moments. Living
tissue is horribly and explosively vaporised, while
plasteel and even solid rock run like glittering wax.
Salamanders claim to hear the weapons' belligerent
machine spirit in the distinctive hiss of superheated
air and the roaring blast of contact.

Flame weapons all work in a similar fashion. Liquid
promethium, sometimes admixed with other volatile
chemicals, is stored in sealed canisters and sprayed
from the weapon before it is ignited, engulfing the
enemy in fire. Flamers are sometimes alloyed with the
sacred boltgun, to form versatile combi-weapons.

Vulkan learned the art of metalworking, great emphasis on self-reliance, loyalty prior to the Ultima Founding. It is said
unlocking the secrets of fire and steel, and sacrifice. that at the Second Founding, when
the virtues of patience and honest labour. Roboute Guilliman bade every Space
His sons continue to perfect these traits The Salamanders maintain a great Marine Legion to divide its strength
and each battle-brother learns to craft many technologies from ancient times, into separate Chapters, Vulkan secured
and maintain their own wargear with including unusually large numbers of an agreement to keep the depleted
great skill. This allows the Chapter's hulking suits of Terminator armour. The Salamanders whole. There have been
Techmarines to focus on the repair of Firedrakes of the Chapter's Veteran 1st many Foundings since that time, and
the Salamanders' large war machines and Company often take to battle arrayed there are several Chapters that share
create technological artefacts of great in such powerful wargear, and their similarities in doctrine, organisation
beauty and perfect function. personification ofthe Salamanders' ideals and physique with the sons ofVulkan.
recalls their heroic namesakes from Whether these Chapters are successors
While the Salamanders fortress millennia ago. The original Firedrakes of the Salamanders remains a matter of
monastery sits on Nocturne's barren were Vulkan's elite warriors and, together debate. During the Ultima Founding,
moon of Prometheus, the Chapter's with a large part of the Legion, they Archmagos Belisarius Caw) used the true
battle-brothers maintain close ties with were betrayed during the opening stages genetic stock ofVulkan to create Primaris
the Human inhabitants of Nocturne. ofthe Horus Heresy by those they had battle-brothers for the Salamanders.
This perhaps explains why the thought were allies. With a fraction of All-Primaris Chapters were also founded
Salamanders hold in high esteem many their Legion remaining, the Salamanders from this source, their warriors plunging
ofthe Human values that other Space nevertheless proved a patient and themselves into the fires ofwar with the
Marines have distanced themselves enduring foe. tenacity expected of all Vulkan's sons.
from or simply forgotten. The Chapter's The Salamanders made swift contact with
culture draws on Vulkan's formative Official records tell of no known them, dispatching Chaplains to each to
upbringing on the planet and places successors to the Salamanders Chapter instruct them in the Promethean Cult.

IRON HANDS
TH� SONS OF FERRUS MANUS

Adherents to cold logic, intolerant of weakness and utterly without mercy, the Iron Hands are implacable warriors whose
resolve is as unflinching as solid adamantine. They are relentless defenders of the Imperium who seek to replace the weakness
of the flesh with the unyielding strength of the machine to attain perfection.

To the Iron Hands, the flesh is weak. land-crawlers. Medusa's inhabitants the Raven Guard. For all of Manus' fury,
Though many Space Marine Chapters are in a constant state of war with each he could not prevail against the odds
utilise bionics to replace body parts of other, fighting furiously over the planet's stacked against him, and he was slain
their wounded that have been damaged scarce resources. Such a way of life by the traitor Primarch Fulgrim of the
beyond repair, the Iron Hands replace breeds a hardy and remorseless people. Emperor's Children, who had once been
entirely functional limbs, organs and However, the greatest cause of the Iron amongst Ferrus' closest brothers.
digits with mechanical augmentations. Hands' intolerance can be traced to their The death of their indomitable gene-sire
The ultimate goal for a great many Primarch, Ferrus Manus; indeed, it was caused the surviving Iron Hands much
Iron Hands is to be interred within a his death that set them fully down the anguish. They blamed the Salamanders
Dreadnought, which they see as the path of affinity with the machine. and Raven Guard for failing to support
perfect alloy of the organic and the Ferrus Manus was the first Primarch Ferrus in his hour of greatest need.
mechanical. To them no destiny is more to die in the Horus Heresy. When he They blamed themselves for their own
perfect than spending an eternity of war learned of Horus' treachery he made for weakness, for not being able to reach
as a living machine. the Isstvan System with all haste. On the their Prirnarch and fight by his side. They
The Iron Hands inherited their disdain ash plains of lsstvan V he surged into even blamed Ferrus Manus himself, for
for weakness in part from the tribal the fray without hesitation, consumed allowing his anger to consume him at
culture of their home world, Medusa. with wrath. In the bloody ambush by the expense of sense and logic. The Iron
Shrouded in a perpetual gloom, it is a several brother Legions that killed tens Hands decided that they would purge
death world characterised by jagged of thousands of loyalist Legionaries, he this emotional weakness, embedded as
volcano ranges, rupturing geysers struck down traitor after traitor, and it is in organic flesh, from themselves, so
and toxic pollution, pumped into its ignored the pleas to retreat issued by that they might never fall to its frailties as
atmosphere by the population's enormous Vulkan of the Salamanders and Corax of their Prirnarch did.

As a part of this purge, the Iron Council
was formed, its nominated members
each granted the title of lron Father. It
has led the Iron Hands ever since. The
Iron Hands have no permanent Chapter
Master, instead electing a warrior to lead
the Chapter if one is deemed required.
The Iron Council adopted Roboute
Guilliman's Codex Astartes, seeing it
as the only logical course. Despite this,
each of the Iron Hands' ten companies
retained the clan company names of the
Legion, which are in turn taken from the
greatest clans of Medusa's population.
The Iron Hands held on to the tradition
despite its apparent superfluity.

In its pursuit of perfection by purging the
weakness of flesh from their bodies, the
Iron Hands in time grew more reclusive
and insular. It was only with the Adeptus
Mechanicus that their ties grew, bonded
by their reverence for machines and
scorn for the weakness of the organic.
This relationship has proven beneficial to
the Iron Hands - their armoured vehicles
and Dreadnoughts are among the most
mechanically resilient and best crafted
in the Imperium, and their Techmarines
are taught secrets of the Omnissiah that
those of most Chapters will never learn.
It is a great irony that this bond with the
Machine Cults of Mars has been forged
through shared passion rather than sheer
logical necessity. If the Iron Hands have
observed this, they have never remarked
on it.

To those that encounter them, the not available for a campaign, they will They responded to threats in the manner
Iron Hands almost resemble automata, not fight. On the battlefield itself, the Iron they always had, however - with careful
apparently despising such concepts as Hands often prioritise the destruction calculation. This has seen much of the
valour that drive so many of their brother of the foe to the saving of the world they Chapter's strength deployed to the vital
Chapters. Nonetheless, at their core are fighting on. While this makes them world of Vigilus, where they and the
they are still of Mankind, and emotion lethal, uncompromising adversaries, warriors from their Brazen Claws and
rules a part of their hearts regardless of for many it can make them poor, if not Sons of Medusa successors have fought
their efforts to suppress it. In fact, such dangerous, allies. with distinction. They have deployed
efforts merely draw it out. Their wrath is As the Great Rift tore across the galaxy with such unfeeling discernment that
legendary. Their hatred for weakness is and the population of world after those they have refused aid to have
still hate. Their reverence of the machine world succumbed to waves of mutation deemed them aloof and unreliable. The
is still reverence. of psychic maladies, the Iron Hands Iron Hands care not, indifferent to what
When the Iron Hands go to war, they tolerance for flesh only grew weaker. they see as nothing more than th• e craven
select the war zones they will fight in mewling of the weak.
through ruthless utilitarianism. The Iron
Hands perform the Calculum Rationale,
a painstakingly detailed and ruthless
calculation that determines the exact
resources needed for victory. If these are

DEATHWATCH
S[4YERS OF THE ALI EN HORDE

It is the task of the Deathwatch to defend the Imperium from the ravages of the xenos, countless species ofwhich threaten
Mankind in every corner of the galaxy. For thousands ofyears the Deathwatch have remained true to their endless task.
Drawing their numbers from almost every Space Marine Chapter, each is an elite alien killer of proven skill in battle.

The galaxy is inhabited with innumerable who have pledged to tithe a portion between entire Chapters have formed
alien horrors, each non-Human race oftheir number to the annihilation via harmonious Deathwatch kill teams
seen by the Deathwatch as a blight on ofthe alien. A battle-brother can only in which the combat doctrines ofthe
Mankind's birthright. Wherever these join the Deathwatch with the approval battle-brothers have worked together
creatures tread they taint the land, pollute ofhis Captain, an Apothecary and seamlessly. In this way, Deathwatch kill
the air and poison the waters. Their very Chaplain ofhis Chapter, and must be teams are stronger than the sum of their
existence is a crime that the Deathwatch an expert in slaying all manner of xenos parts, honed so finely they can devastate
punish with death. On a thousand creatures. Before departing to join one alien machinations with a single, well­
fronts is the Imperium threatened by ofthe Deathwatch's watch fortresses, placed attack.
these monsters, and it is the duty ofthe he will leave his battle-brothers in a
Deathwatch to meet them wherever solemn ceremony where his armour The Deathwatch is no blunt instrument.
and whenever they raise their heads. is painted black, for few expect him Countless races infest worlds and
The threats are myriad and endless, and to return alive. Once a Space Marine flood space with their multitudes, too
against them the Deathwatch are the has joined his Deathwatch brothers, he numerous to engage in open battle.
Shield that Slays, the thin black line. receives advanced training in anti-xenos Thus the Deathwatch investigate,
They are the watchmen in the void that combat techniques and in the use of a observe, analyse and only then strike
throw back colossal xenos invasions, range of weapons only the Deathwatch at the optimal point to cause the most
put planetwide nesting sites to flame have access to. He is also subject to all catastrophic damage. Then they withdraw
and mercilessly stamp out emerging manner ofpsycho-conditioning. During to strike again at the next critical
threats before they grow. They endure this arduous process he absorbs the vulnerability in their foe. By this method
unimaginable terrors and fight creatures knowledge the Deathwatch have accrued have they prevented the awakening of
dangerous beyond measure, whether in their millennia-long fight. Thus, even Necron tomb worlds, scattered Aeldari
they be clouds of minute parasites or ifhe goes to war against a species he raiders, purged Tyranid tendrils and
gigantic bio-titans. has never before encountered, he will stymied Ork Waaaghs!
The Deathwatch are puritanical in their instinctively know their weaknesses and
hatred ofthe alien. Few understand how to exploit them. With the Great Rift's emergence, never
the true repugnance of xenos species When a Space Marine joins the has the Deathwatch's unstinting vigil
more than the Deathwatch. Such is Deathwatch, their rank is cast aside and been of more vital importance. The task
their loathing that only in the rarest of he joins a kill team, a disparate group of defeating the alien falls increasingly
circumstances will they consider even the of formidable warriors from up to ten heavy upon them as Imperial world after
most tentative truce with a xenos race, different Chapters. This squad dynamic Imperial world becomes embattled with
and then only if such an action will result inevitably leads to friction and rivalries, the forces of the Archenem� or beset by
in the destruction of a much graver threat but all are sworn to the greater cause. heretical uprisings.
or the saving of a vital Imperial world. The kill team's brotherhood is forged in
The Deathwatch are organised into combat, in the terrible adversity they The Deathwatch's responsibility is a nigh
small, elite companies, their strength face. They begin to respect each other's on overwhelming burden to bear. To this
drawn from the Space Marine Chapters skills and methods of war and learn day, however, it is one they shoulder with
from each other. Unshakeable bonds pride, and to this day they hav•e proved
equal to the task.

DEATHWATCH HERALDRY With ranks replete with warriors from scores, perhaps
hundreds, of different Chapters, it is essential that all
The many watch fortresses of the Deathwatch - such as brothers see themselves as part of a greater whole.
Talasa Prime, the Furor Shield and the Eye of Damocles The banners of the Deathwatch remind them of the
- each have their own unique banners and heraldry, legacy that has been passed down to them by brothers
adorned with their sigils and symbols. Many of these past, what a formidable force they are now privileged
bear sanctified trophies - skulls and bones of those to be a part of and what glories they can win. This is
beasts and creatures slain in defence of the lmperium. not to say a warrior's history with their own Chapter
The standards recount the watch fortress' victories, is without importance - far from it. The Deathwatch
the stitched on name of each battle representing a are encouraged to embrace the strengths of all within
time when the Deathwatch wiped a xenos species from a kill team to the betterment of the Imperium. The
existence, or saved an Imperial system from a horrific Deathwatch's incredible success in the millennia
end at the claws of some abominable race. of its existence is testament to the effectiveness of
this system.
It is around these symbols, honour rolls and banners
that the brotherhood of the watch fortress is formed.

..

.I::C,

. .0

=...Qi

Furor Shield has the task ofmonitoring Talasa Prime is the Deathwatch's capital The Eye ofDamocles is a vastfortress
the Octarius Sector. Both the Ork and training world. Rather than a space that monitors the borders between
Tyranid race adapt and evolve in war,
and whichever survives their titanic station, this watchfortress is an entire Imperial and Tau space. Its kill teams
conflict will emerge deadlier than ever. world, situated in Ultramar. They have are experts in vertical assaults, striking

slain countless Tau and Tyranids. from Corvus Blackstar gunships.

S UCCESSOR CHAPTERS

Most Space Marine Chapters can trace their genetic lineage to Many successor Chapters have close bonds with their parent
one of the nine loyal Primarchs that fought for the Emperor Chapters, as the Covenant of Fire have with the Salamanders.
during the Horus Heresy. This is not always the case, however. Chapters have their own
There is no singular reason as to why a certain Primarch's own histories and traditions, often developed over centuries or
gene-seed is selected for a new Chapter during a Founding. longer, which their battle-brothers are deeply proud of. Thus,
Assessment of purity, availability ofresource, the reasons for some feel little reason to hold their parent in higher regard
the Founding being declared in the first place and even political than others. Some successors will never encounter their parent
manoeuvring has had an impact on which gene-seed is used and Chapter, with both waging wars at opposite ends ofthe galaxy.
how often. Such a situation easily breeds indifference. Some Chapters even
shun their parent Chapters for all manner of reasons.

Black Templars Crimson Fists
The Black Templars are valiant The Crimson Fists spent
warrior-knights and pious arduous decades on the brink
champions ofthe Emperor. ofextinction. Crippled by the
s:: They are deeply unusual assault on their home planet of
among the Adeptus Astartes Rynn's World by Ork Waaagh!
-0 for venerating the Emperor Snagrod, the Chapter held
[T] as a literal god. The Chapter's on to their planet through
fanatical devotionfinds its sheer tenacity and tactical
;::o focus in constant campaigning. excellence. Only with the

:r>
� Afleet-based Chapter, they Ultima Founding was their
...,CJ) divide theirforces into crusades strength restored, and they

CJ) led byMarshals, and storm could look to thefuture with
CJ) across the galaxy immolating some degree ofhope. They
C and annihilating everything nowfight to overthrow xenos

() that stands in their path. despots and tyrants.
()

[T]

CJ) Hammers of Dorn Subjugators
CJ) Founded in the 41st Near as zealous as the Black
Millennium, the Hammers Templars, the Subjugators are
0 ofDorn have already proven infamousfor their extreme and

;::o
CJ)

themselves during hundreds unsubtle methods of warfare.
ofcampaigns, including the There have been numerous
bitterlyfought Achilus Crusade documented occasions
against the Word Bearers, and where the Subjugators have
the Nightfire Wars against the liberated a conquered Imperial
Tau. The Hammers ofDorn world at the cost ofits entire
are a stringent Codex Chapter, population. Ofcourse, though
and uphold the precepts of the Subjugators' methods
Guilliman's scriptures with may be costly, they are also
exactingprecision. spectacularly effective.

Iron Knights Sons of the Phoenix
Every inch ofthe Iron Knights' Faithful to the Emperor and
ritualistic in their battle cant,
home world ofBrycantia is the Sons ofthe Phoenixpride
sheathed in the metal or hewn themselves on plunging into the
stone ofmanufactorums and flames ofbattle. Their crusades
are so impressive in spectacle
bastions. Thepopulation
spends its existence under theypave the wayfor the
the overseer's lash, producing Imperial creed to spread, and
vast quantities ofweapons hence arefollowed by a great
and ammunitionfor the many holy men and women.
Iron Knights. The Chapter's The Chapterfleet was scattered
warriors share the harsh by the opening of the Great
demeanour ofthe people, Rift, and now the Sons ofthe
knowing that hardship and Phoenix crusade to gather their
sacrifice are necessary ifthey
forces back as one.
are to win victories.
68

Revilers Knights of the Raven :::0
One ofthe Raven Guard'sfew Little is known about the
Second Founding successors, �
Knights ofthe Raven.
the ranks ofthe Revilers When theyfight alongside z[T]
were drawn heavilyfrom other Imperialforces, they
the survivors ofthe Isstvan communicate only when C)
Vdisaster. The Chapter's necessary, and talk to each C:
warriors have proven worthy other in cryptic battle-tongue. )>
inheritors ofCorax's legacy, Thefortress monastery ofthe :::0
possessing exceptional skills Chapter is on thefeudal world C,
in stealth and ambush. The ofCoralax. To the inhabitants Cf)
Revilers maintain an ongoing ofthis bleak place, the Knights C:
shadow war with the traitor ofthe Raven are mythological (')
forces ofthe Alpha Legion, and figures who descendfrom the (')
have thwarted many oftheir heavens to spirit away their [T]
greatest young warriors. Cf)
insidious schemes. Cf)
Rift Stalkers Black Guard 0
This Chapter believes in :::0
A relatively new Chapter, the the timely application of Cf)
Rift Stalkers are composed overwhelmingfirepower to
entirely ofPrimaris Space defeat theirfoes. Masters of
the careful ambush, the Black
Marines. They arefleet-based, Guard deploy massed batteries
for it is their task to patrol of Thunderfire Cannons and
the Cicatrix Maledictum, Vindicators to annihilate
as manyfoul abominations their enemies in an instant.
Overkill or halfmeasures are
emerge out ofthat great rent in not concepts that the Chapter's
reality. In addition to slaying warriors understand, and
the Emperor's enemies, they they are known to leave vast
diligently seek new methods of cratered ruins in the wake of
reconnecting with the hundreds
ofthousands ofworlds cut off their many victories.
Necropolis Hawks
in thegalactic north. The Necropolis Hawks are
trained extensively in close­
Raptors quarters combat, and many
Believed to have beenfounded are veterans offierce city-
fights. They additionally bear
from initiates training on their battlefield role insignia
Deliverance at the time ofthe upon their backpacks so that
Isstvan V disaster, the Raptors their comrades can identify
them even in the choking
are an ancient and well smoke and dust of urban war.
respected Chapter. They prize Although a newer Chapter, the
skilled marksmanship and Necropolis Hawks have earned
independent thought, and view a reputationforpragmatic
the Codex Astartes as a highly brutality and relentless - if
effective set ofguidelines rather carefully measured - aggression.
than absolute doctrine. The
Raptors are known forfielding Death Spectres
substantial 1 0th Company Stationed beyond the bounds
assets supported by waves of ofthe Imperium, the Death
Spectres keep constant vigil.
combat skimmers.
Iron Ravens Even with the Great Rift
yawning wide, their thankless
The Iron Ravens are specialists duty remains: ensuring that
in sudden, shocking drop
the mysterious, dea.thless
assaults. Their 1 0th Company inhabitants ofthe Ghoul Stars
elements may spend months never again ascend to threaten
building up local intelligence the galaxy. They comefrom the
and preparing the ground so Thirteenth Founding, which is
that, when the main body of known as the Dark Founding,
the Iron Ravensforce comes for less is known ofits creations
screaming down into battle,
they strike with such decisive than ofany other Space
and destructive precision that Marinefounding.
the war is won with a single
unstoppable sword-blow. The
Chapter have taken to calling

this 'the Blade ofCorax'.

Marauders Rampagers
The Marauders are isolationist The Rampagers are a Second
in their tendencies. They will Founding successor ofthe
fight readily enough alongside White Scars, known for their
other Imperialforces, but practice offacial scarring to
:c� :E remain aloofand exchange denote rank. At the celebratory
only what information they feasts thatfollow these rituals,
[Tl must to prosecute their the blood of those markedfor
elevation is mixed with drinks.
nCf) campaigns. Recognisedfor The Rampagers are in the habit
>;;i;:, theirparticular aptitude as ofclaimingferal worlds asfresh
marksmen, the Marauders recruiting grounds in the wake
Cf) often set ambushesfor their
Cf) enemies and hammer them ofconquest - providing the
nnC with massedfirepower before planet's populace test negative
sweeping down tofinish offthe for anyforms ofspiritual or
[Tl ragged and-terrified survivors. physical corruption.
Cf)

0Cf) Dark Hunters Destroyers
;;i;:, The Dark Hunters were Established during the Second
Cf)
founded during the tenebrous Founding, the Destroyers have
days ofthe Occlusiad. That a troubled history. Though
theirfirst campaign as a they have won manygreat
Chapter saw harrowing victories, questions remain
fighting against the Daemon regarding the stability oftheir
Engines of Warpsmith Hilghar, gene-seed. These concerns
and the mutated Warlord Titan have grown despite the self­
Repellus Maximal during the sacrificing heroics the Chapter
Battle ofBloodsteel, has left displayed in the wake ofthe
a deep-rooted mistrust ofthe Daemon rampage throughout
machine within theirpsyche. the Lhorgus Sub-sector. For
Even today, the Chapter's their part, the Destroyers
relations with the Tech-Priests are concerned only with the
ofMars are strained at best. next mission.

Solar Hawks Storm Reapers
The Solar Hawks arefrom There arefew more battle­
an unknownfounding, but
date back to at least M35. hungry than the Storm
Aggressive and noble, they Reapers, thefirst Primaris
embody all that is best in
the sons ofthe Khan, and Chapterfoundedfrom
honour theirprogenitor by Jaghatai Khan's gene-seed.
eitherpainting a pauldron or The Khan would be proud of
gauntlet white. As their name hisferocious sons; they are
suggests, theyfield an especially wise and noble, butfight with
large number ofairborne a passion he would recognise
assets, regularly deploying as his own. They claimed
whole wings ofStormtalons, theferal world ofJagunfor
their home, with its savage
Stormravens and other natives, and were commended
gunships into battle. for their spearheading ofthe

Absolutis Crusade.

Storm Lords Mantis Warriors
As Second Founding successors Thanks to their indiscretions
ofthe White Scars, the Storm during the Badab War, the
Mantis Warriors have spent
Lords can trace their history decades on a penitent crusade.
back to a time when Jaghatai Due to their historic crimes, the
Khan hunted across the stars. Chapter received no Greyshield
They have maintained a strong
reinforcements when its
rivalry with their parent Torchbearerfleet reached it,
Chapter,frequently competing leaving the Mantis Warriors
forglory, and have been known terribly understrength and still
on their near-ruinous crusade.
to go to reckless lengths in Nevertheless, they have utilised
order to emerge victorious. the Primaris technology to as
The Storm Lords are also good an effect as they can.
particularly well knownfor the
ferocity with which they hunt

Ork Waaaghs!.

70

Iron Lords Red Talons
The Iron Lords are a Chapter The Red Talons are a Second
Founding Chapter. Their home
knownfor their stern world ofRaikan lies within the
demeanour and lauded Segmentum Tempestus. Since
xenophobia. For longyears theirfounding at the end ofthe
now it has been the duty ofthe Great Scouring, the Red Talons z�
Iron Lords to watch over the have been known for their bold
Grendl Stars, encircling the style ofwarfare and never- z>
vile Barghesi and preventing ending vendetta against the
their destructive potential Traitor Legions. Several times 0
from beingabsorbedby Hive the Lords of Terra have tasked Cl)
Fleet Kraken. Knowing the the Red Talons with hunting Cl)
consequences ofthis would be down and destroying Renegade
direfor the Imperium, the Iron C
Lords have suffered greatly in
upholding theiroath. ()
Chapters, a duty they discharge ()
Brazen Claws with relish. [TI
Unyielding and remorseless, Cl)
the Brazen Claws are noted
for their stoicism and their Sons ofMedusa 0Cl)
grim determination to succeed. The Sons ofMedusa are utterly
Since their creation during the ruthless, and share the Iron ;::c
Second Founding, they have
amassed a string ofglories and Cl)
triumphs. Arriving too late
tofight on Cadia itself, they Hands' reliance on the power
instead bled thefoe around ofthe machine and intolerance
the Cadian Gate. Riding out for the weakness offlesh.
the cataclysmic openingofthe The Chapter's unorthodox
Great Rift, they lent their might organisational doctrine sees
to the defence ofGudrun, Lapis its companies divided between
three war clans, and is notable
VII and other worlds. for itsfurious aggression,
Covenant of Fire large-scale use ofarmoured
transports, and thundering
The Covenant ofFire crave armoured spearheads that it
knowledge ofthe Imperium drives deep into enemy lines.
theyfightfor, seeking out lore Dragonspears ,,
wherever they can find it,
hoping that this information Afleet-based Chapter, the
can help them bringlight to Dragonspears have won
darkness. Conversely, they renown fighting alongside the
purge any sign ofheretical Space Wolves against the Orks >Cl)
material theyfind, knowing at the Gnarion Reef, and have >
that its knowledge is afalse become expert Ork hunters.
light that leads only to ruin. Being constantly on the move, z>
The Chapter eagerly embraced it took manyyearsfor the
the Promethean Cult, imbibing Salamanders to make contact 0
and applying the wisdom of with them, in which time the [TI

theirgene-sire swiftly. Dragonspears developed a very Cl)
Black Vipers strong culture ofself-sacrifice
Cl)
The Salamanders accidentally C
learned ofthe Black Vipers and endocannibalism, to
ensure their lost brothers never ()
manyyears after they learned ()
oftheirother Ultima Founding fallfrom memory.
[TI
successors. Sur Kgosi, the
Chaplain sent to the Chapter by Cl)
the Salamanders, disappeared
without trace. The Black Vipers Dark Krakens 0Cl)
The Dark Krakens' oceanic ;::c
appear to claim no worldfor and night-bathed home world Cl)
their own, andspurn contact ofNaktis only boasts one land
with allies on the rare occasion mass capable ofsupporting
where it is seen at war. Wherever afortress monastery. Naktis'
the Chapter has been identified, vast seas are replete with
agents ofBelisarius Caw/ have bioluminescent megafa�na
and shoal-predators, which
never beenfar away. . . the nativepopulation hunt
for sport and nourishment.
Echoing this, in battle the
Dark Krakens seek out the
largestfoes, whether that be
in terms ofphysical size or
sheer numbers.

,.

UN KNOWN FOU N DIN GS

Not every Chapter can trace its lineage to one of the Prirnarchs. around these Chapters regardless, as some demonstrate the
Over the millennia records have been lost, destroyed, tampered traits of certain First Founding Chapters more than others, or
with or concealed. For some Chapters being ignorant of even exhibit the characteristics of more than one equally.
this part of their history is a source of immense frustration, These Unknown Founding Chapters cannot count on the
and they take great pains to learn anything they can of their brotherhood often found among Chapters descended from the
brotherhood's origins, waging entire wars for fragments of same Primarch. Their alliances are hard-won, and the mystery
information. Others care little. They believe that it is their that surrounds them sees them deemed unworthy by some.
task to defeat and kill the Emperor's foes, and that knowing or Nonetheless, they are loyal Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes,
recovering lost parts of their history contributes little to the and they fight furiously for the Imperium.
successful fulfilment of their purpose. Rumours often abound

Mentors Black Dragons
The Mentors Chapter have It is believed that the Black
no official progenitor, but it Dragons were created in the
is known they were created so-called Cursed Founding,
during the 26th Founding. but theirgene-sire is unknown.
The Mentors are distrusting Rumours abound ofa genetic
- ofothers, and prefer to work mutation that can cause
alone and unobserved. osseous blades to protrude
They are often referred to from their limbs. Their name
as the Mentor Legion, and appears in battle records
some - highly unreliable and .fighting alongside other
apocryphal -fragmentary Chapters, but theirpresence is
records suggest that the brief Only the turmoil ofthe
Chapter has at timesfielded Great Rift has halted the latest
warriors ofunusual size, Inquisition investigation into
strength andfortitude. the Black Dragons.

.. Fire Lords Exorcists
The Fire Lordsfavour a The Exorcists are speculated to
plethora offlamer weapons. have comefrom the Thirteenth
Preceding theirfiery assaults Founding. Their progenitor
with barrages ofincendiary is known only to the highest­
missiles, they hurl themselves ranking members ofthe Ordo
at the charred, bewilderedfoe Malleus, and details oftheir
even before theflames have creation have been placed
burned out. Their home world under Inquisitorial seal.
is Mundus Pyra, a planetfar The Exorcists maintain two
out on the Eastern Fringe, additional Scout Companies,
and they are knownfor the for a total oftwelve companies
strangeflamecraft they use - their esoteric training
in Chapter rituals, which requires a high influx of
manyfind reminiscent of recruits in order to ensure the
the Salamanders. Chapter's continuation.

Blood Ravens Star Dragons
The Blood Ravens originate The Star Dragons practise
from an unknown founding ritual scarification, inlaying
and have an unknown gene­ the deep cuts with electro
sire. They have operated as a circuitry that causes them to
solelyfleet-based Chapter ever glow like caged stars. There
since the loss oftheir home has been speculation that
planet. Their own records they are the scions �fFerrus
have been expunged, and the Manus, but ifthis is so they
ones kept by the Ordo Malleus display little oftheir erstwhile
are sealed. Perhaps because brothers' relentless logic.
Instead, the Star Dragons
ofthis, the Blood Ravens areguided by theirfurious
hungerfor knowledge, and are passions, unleashing their
particularly obsessive about wrath upon any who threaten
discovering the truth behind
the Emperor's realm.
their creation.

72

Storm Giants White Templars
The Storm Giants havefought Hailingfrom the world of
in several ofthe Imperium's Sanctum, the White Templars
greatest and mostpivotal wars, are stoic and relentless in their
prosecution ofthefoe. Though
not least amongst them the for a time it was thought
Third Warfor Armageddon. that they were Imperial Fists .
successors, recent discoveries
They display heightened by Administratum genetoria­
physical strength, evenfor logi have thrown substantial
Space Marines, and there is doubt upon this claim. The
some debate that theirgene- White Templars have been
seed may have mutated to shaken by this revelation, and
enhance their biscopea. Several have launched a star-spanning
magos-genitors have made crusade to discover the truth.
requests to study the Chapter's
gene-seed, but the Storm Giants Brazen Skulls
have refused -on each occasion. Though the Brazen Skulls
are known to have been
Dragon Lords destroyed during the Sabbat
All contact was lost with the Worlds Crusade, their name,
colours and heraldry were
Dragon Lords even before reinstated during the Ultima
the emergence ofthe Great Founding, and thus all oftheir
Rift. By immense and costly number are Primaris Space
efforts, a torchbearer taskforce Marines. The Brazen Skulls
discovered themfighting still, are determined to live up to
having been nearly annihilated the honour oftheirforebears
by successive Hrud invasions and have swiftly earned
that reduced theirfortress a reputationfor heroism,
monastery to dust. The Dragon tenacity and all-consuming
Lords vowed to rebuild and hatredfor theforces ofChaos.
have been reinforced by their ThefleRete-dbaSsceodrcpriuosnasders of
Primaris brethren. They the Red Scorpions believe in
now wage war anew in the the Emperor's divinity without
question and are staunch
Imperium Nihilus. followers ofthe Codex Astartes,
Tigers Argent which they see as holy writ.
Fanatical in theirpursuit
With their home world ofpurity, theirgene-seed's
perilously close to the Great sanctity is essential to their
core beliefs; as a result, they
Rift as well as the Pariah have more Apothecaries than
Nexus, the Tigers Argent most Chapters, and their
are extremely hard-pressed. Master ofthe Apothecarion
Their battered strikeforces is second in command ofthe
have repulsed incursion after
incursion pouringfrom the whole Chapter.
Cicatrix Maledictum and Minotaurs
haveyet to be bested. Icefang,
their home world, has become The Minotaurs' history beyond
a beacon ofhope, drawing a thousandyears ago has been
all manner ofrefugees and deliberately concealed by edicts
scattered Imperialforces
that even Inquisitors cannot
seeking sanctuary. circumvent with ease. In battle
Carcharodons they are possessed ofa berserk
fury and are willing to sustain
Mysterious prowlers ofthe heavy losses to ensure victory.
outer dark, the Carcharodons How they are able to maintain
are ever on the move, seeking
out the Emperor'sfoes beyond the rapid influx ofaspirants
the Imperium's bbrders. Few and war machinery to replace
those lost is another mystery.
have everfought alongside More than one Imperial agent
them. Those who have report has beenfound dead whilst
their unsettling savagery, their
preferencefor rapid strikes researching such subjects.
using stealth or extreme speed,
and their deadly skill in close­
quarters actions using a range

ofbayonets, blades, chain
weapons and point:blank

weaponsfire.









INSIGNIUM
AS TARTES

The Space Marine Chapters march to battle proudly bearing
their traditional colours and heraldry. Powerful, semi­
autonomous armies, their ranks are made up of myriad squad
and warrior types, each designed for a single purpose: to
make war upon the enemies of the Imperiurn, and in so doing
purge them from the galaxy without mercy. These pages show
example warriors and vehicles of the most famous Chapters of
these Angels of Death.

The Codex Astartes makes significant provision for how squads,
vehicles, Dreadnoughts, gunships and other assets should display
Chapter heraldry and organisational markings. Many Chapters,
such as the Ultramarines and a multitude of their successors,
follow these to the letter. Other Chapters deviate through
choice. This may be due to the influence of being descended
from another Primarch, the cultural influences of their home
world, or other traditions whose origins have long since been
lost to history. Others deviate through accidents of time. Over
the millennia, the Codex Astartes has been copied many times,
with deviations, mistranslations and reinterpretations slowly
leaking into the innumerable different versions. Many Space
Marine Chapters claim to be fully Codex-compliant when it
comes to their organisation and markings, but vary considerably
with others who claim the same. Combined with the guidance
of the Codex that Space Marine forces can and indeed should
alter their markings in a war zone in order to confuse the enemy,
Space Marine forces have enormous variety in how they adorn
their armour.

FILE: ULHA//3356XA - ULTRAMARINES CODEX DESIGNATION

Battlefield Role Battleline Close Support Fire Support Veteran Command

A Space Marine's battlefield role
is typically indicated by a symbol
displayed on his right pauldron.

Rank

Company Colours Battle-brother Sergeant
Company colours are
displayed on the edges of an Veteran Veteran Sergeant
Ultramarine's pauldrons.
Ultramarines Intercessor Ultramarines Lieutenant Captain
1st Company Intercessor Sergeant
2nd Company
3rd Company
4th Company
5th Company
6th Company
7th Company
8th Company
9th Company
10th Company

Squad Markings One Two Three Four Five

A company's squads can be numbered I II III IV V
from one to twenty. Most commonly a
Space Marine's squad number is displayed Six Seven Eight Nine Ten
as a High Gothic numeral on his right
pauldron, superimposed above a symbol VI VII VIII IX X
that specifies their strategic designation.
Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen

XI XII XIII XIV xv

Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Twenty

XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX

r-n

0>CV!::,'

:�,:

��-n

V>I,
,;!
0VV,:>V0C0,:..:,:,,,,l,,
zc'i
Imperial Fists Intercessor Imperial Fists Aggressor Imperial Fists Hellblaster Sergeant

!:;
..._______________________________;.________________________, 0z



Transport Designation 0 Close Support Fire Support O Q
Troop transports, warsuits and Battleline Veteran Command
armouredvehicles carry the same
heraldry and organisational squad
markings as the Space Marines who
crew them.

,,
iIz.,,T=.,.'.

V-Ia

:0:::I: lmpulsor with ironhail

skytalon array, ironhaii

heavy stubber and

storm bolters

FILE: HT45211L - INVICTOR TACTICAL WARSUIT/REF//06

Vehicle Company Markings
When a vehicle is attached to a Codex-compliant
company, a small roundel displaying the company's
colour and number and is placed on the vehicle's hull.

Space Marine battle
tanks and Dreadnoughts
are assigned a unique
identification number
within the company.
This is typically rendered
as a numeral upon the
vehicle's hull.

Space Marine Chapters award campaign badges lnvictor Tactical Warsuit with twin ironhail autocannon
to their warriors. Sometimes, this will be ahead
of a major conflict, the badge given out before
on the eve of glorious battle. On other occasions,
they are awarded upon war's end.

FILE: CODEX VARIATID� REF/7345-00-223

Although the Raven Guard follow
much of Codex convention for
their squad markings, they
all trim one pauldron in black.

Each Iron Hands clan company
has its own symbol, borne on
the right pauldron. The Chapter
symbol is borne on the left.

White Scars Intercessor Sergeant,
3rd Company, 16th Squad

The squad a White Scar belongs to
is identified by the patterns on his
left knee plate.

Raven Guard Intercessor, 1st u2nd 3rd Iron Hands Intercessor Sergeant,
2nd Company, 2nd Squad Clan Raukaan ( 3rd) . 6th Squad
•4th 5th 6th
7th 8th 9th etc.

FILE: CODEX VARIATION REF/56388-04-142

Veteran/Command

Fire Support Close Support

The Blood Angels denote
battlefield role by helmet colour.

Dark Angels Intercessor Space Wolves Hell blaster, the
Sergeant, 5th Company� Blackmanes Great Company

2nd Squad Space Wolves wear pack
markings on their right
Rather than by pauldron trim, shoulder. These indicate
the Dark Angels denote the whether they belong to Wolf
company they belong to by the Scouts, hunter packs, fang
marking on their left knee pad. packs or claw packs.

7th 8th 9th Blood Angels Heavy Intercessor,
2nd Company, 2nd Squad

j= ' 1,-
...f."!,'',1
. ..... .'•' .''' r� ..,,,, ...],.,'� '»,...r' ..�.•.. ,•,.'....".;... �'
"' Ranks and Honours .. :· ; ::·-·.....
00.0... Higher-ranking Space Marines •• 4 • � ••• "Y '
and specialists often bear

alternative markings. These

indicate their specialisms and

ranks for easy identification

in the heat of battle by their Ultramarines Captain, Imperial Fists Captain, Raven Guard Lieutenant, Ultramarines Ancient,

warriors and allies. 2nd Company 3rd Company 3rd Company 1st Company

Captain with Master-crafted Heavy Bolt Rifle Ultramarines Primaris Techmarine Ultramarines Primaris Chaplain

Bladeguard Veterans ''

Each Bladeguard Veteran
displays their personal heraldry
on their tilting plate. The wide
array of symbols and colours
used reflects the Veteran's
years of service, companies
they were promoted from and
many other details.

BladeguardVeteran Sergeant Primaris Lieutenant





THE RULES

Welcome to the rules section of Codex: Space Marines. On the following
pages you will find all the rules content you need to bring every aspect
of the Adeptus Astartes to life on your tabletop battlefields. Maybe you're
inspired to dive straight into some open play games; maybe you want to
forge your own tales of glory and infamy with narrative play; perhaps you
can't wait to pit yourself against your opponents in nail-biting matched
play contests; whichever appeals to you - even if it's a bit of all three - this
section of your Codex provides a modular toolbox that allows you to get the
most out of your collection.

Of course, there's no need to take it all in at once! Some of the content on
the following pages, things like your army's datasheets and the rules for its
weapons, will be useful no matter what kind of game you're playing. Others
- such as your army's Stratagems, Warlord Traits and Relics - will become
relevant once you start playing games with Battle-forged armies. Then
there's content such as Litanies of Battle, or the Librarius and Obscuration
disciplines, which you will unlock by including particular models in your
tabletop army. In each case, you can include these new elements at your
own pace; whether you're a brand new hobbyist playing your first few games
or a veteran general ready to cause carnage, there's plenty here to provide
countless hours of fresh and exciting gameplay.

On top of this, the Space Marines are the only faction in Warhammer
40,000 with access to Chapter Command rules, a means of upgrading the
officers of your army to mighty heroes. You will find everything you need
on the following pages to include these in your games of Warhammer
40,000, not to mention bespoke content for your Space Marines Crusade
force. Included in the latter are exciting Requisitions that can enable
you to inter a mortally wounded Space Marine into the sarcophagus of a
indomitable Dreadnought, and a system of Honorifics - a brand new Battle
Honour only available to Space Marine Captains - to better reflect their
titles and duties within their Chapter.

BATTLE-FORGED RULES MATCHED PLAY RULES

DETACH M ENT ABI LITIES (PG 93) CHAPTER APPROVED RULES (PG 113)

Units in Space Marine Detachments gain additional abilities If you are playing a battle that instructs you to select secondary
to better reflect how Space Marine armies operate together objectives, then you will be able to choose from the additional
and wage war on the battlefield, including Chapter Tactics Adeptus Astartes ones printed here. These represent the
to describe individual fighting styles of the different Space tactical and strategic goals unique to Space Marine armies.
Marine Chapters. You can find out more about Detachment You can find out more about selecting secondary objectives in
abilities in the Battle-forged Armies section of the many matched play mission packs, including the Eternal War
Warhammer 40,000 Core Book. mission pack found in the Warhammer 40,000 Core Book.

CHAPTER COMMAND (PG 98-101) CRUSADE RULES

Certain character models in your Space Marine army can be CRUSADE (PG 114-123)
upgraded to be part ofthe Chapter Command. In being so,
these high-ranking officers will gain powerful new abilities. Space Marines have access to a host of additional rules that
further personalise your Crusade force. These include bespoke
STRATAGE M S (PG 102-105) Requisitions, Agendas, Crusade Relics and Battle Tactics that
reflect the rich background of the Adeptus Astartes. Amongst
Space Marine armies have access to unique battlefield the rules presented in this section are Honorifics, a new type
strategies and tactics that they can utilise to best their foes in of Battle Honour that Space Marine Captains can take to
any theatre of war; these are represented by the Stratagems better reflect their individual roles within their Chapter.
in this section, which you can spend Command points to use
in your games. You can find out more about Stratagems and DATASHEETS
Command points in the Warharnmer 40,000 Core Book.
DATASHEETS (PG 124-194)
ARMY RULES
This section is essential to all Space Marine players, regardless
WARLORD TRAITS (PG 106-107) of preferred play style, containing as it does the datasheets for
Space Marine units. Each datasheet describes, among other
The Warlord of a Space Marine army can have one of the things, the profiles of its models, the wargear they can be
traits presented in this section. These help to personalise the equipped with and the abilities they have. You can find out
leader of your force and better reflect their individual combat more about datasheets in the Warhammer 40,000 Core book.
prowess and command style on the battlefield.
WARGEAR
RELICS (PG 108-109)
WEAPON PROFILES (PG 195-201)
Space Marine heroes can take powerful artefacts and
venerated weapons called Chapter Relics into battle; these This section provides wargear lists referenced in the wargear
Relics and the rules they bestow are described in this section. options of certain Space Marine datasheets, as well as
profiles for all of the weapons that Space Marine units can be
LIBRARIUS DISCIPLINE (PG 1 10) equipped with.

If your army includes any Librarians, they can be given POINTS
additional psychic powers from the Librarius discipline. This
represents the different arcane lore and particular talents POI NTS VALUES (PG 202-206)
of each individual Librarian. You can find out more about
psychic powers in the Warhammer 40,000 Core Book. If you are playing a game that uses points values, you can use
the alphabetised lists in this section to determine the cost of
OBSCU RATION DISCIPLINE (PG 1 1 1) each unit in your army. These will be reviewed annually.

Librarians clad in Phobos armour can be granted additional RULES REFERENCE
psychic powers from the Obscuration discipline. This psychic
discipline is bespoke to those Librarians who have trained GLOSSARY (PG 207)
in the psychic arts of illusion, and are well suited to the
Vanguard operations such individuals are seconded to. I n this section you will find a glossary o f rules terms used in
this Codex that is designed to aid in resolving any complex
LITANIES OF BATTLE (PG 112) rules interactions that may arise.

On the battlefield, Chaplains recite rousing Litanies of Battle
to inspire their comrades to feats of heroism. The list of
different litanies that each Chaplain in your army can choose
from can be found in this section.

REFERENCE (PG 208)

Here you will find a handy bullet-pointed rules reference that
summarises some common Space Marine rules.

CO M BAT PATRO L

Combat Patrol is the smallest size game, warriors of other armies. As part of a The Outriders make for a rapid response
and the Space Marine force below is a Battle-forged army, this unit will also gain force that can dash forwards to grab
great way to start - regardless of whether the Objective Secured ability, as described objectives, or rush in to support your
you want to play an open play game, on page 93, enabling them to hold on to slower-paced infantry forces. Though few
forge a narrative with a Crusade army, or objectives even when outnumbered by the in number, these bikers are an incredibly
compete in a matched play mission. foe - a likely prospect for an elite army deadly blend of firepower and close
Created from the contents of the such as Space Marines. combat punch.
Warhammer 40,000 Elite Edition Starter When the Assault Intercessors are The Invader AT V is equipped with this
Set, this force can be used in a Battle­ bolstered by the Primaris Captain's Rites Combat Patrol's heaviest weaponry. With
forged army, and in itself comprises a of Battle ability, they become a truly a choice of an anti-infantry onslaught
Patrol Detachment, as described in the formidable force in melee. The Primaris gatling cannon or an anti-tank multi­
Warhammer 40,000 Core book. Captain is himself equipped to excel melta, it is a versatile and mobile weapon
On the battlefield, the Assault Intercessors in the cut and thrust of close combat, platform that is best used in conjunction
are a resilient and hard-hitting Troops capable of slaying all but the most titanic with the Outriders to threaten your
unit, more than able to contend with the of foes whilst his relic shield affords him opponent's most prized assets and
some of the best protection available. obliterate them.

92

D ETACH M E NT AB I LITI ES

An ADEPTUS ASTARTES Detachment is one that CHAPTER TACTICS
only includes models with the ADEPTUS ASTARTES
keyword (excluding models with the AGENT OF Each Chapter has its own combat philosophy
THE IMPERIUM or UNALIGNED keyword). suited to the unique skills of its battle-brothers.
• ADEPTUS ASTARTES Detachments gain the All ADEPTUS ASTARTES units (other than SERVITOR
and BEAST units) with this ability, and all the
Company Command ability. models in them, gain a Chapter Tactic so long
• ADEPTUS ASTARTES units in ADEPTUS ASTARTES as every unit in their Detachment is from the
same Chapter. The tactic gained depends upon
Detachments gain the Chapter Tactics ability. which Chapter they are from, as shown on the
• Troops units in ADEPTUS ASTARTES following pages.
Example: An ULTRAMARINES unit with the Chapter
Detachments gain the Objective Secured Tactics ability gains the Codex Discipline tactic.
ability (this ability is described in the If your Chapter does not have an associated
Warhammer 40,000 Core Book). Chapter Tactic, you must instead select
Successor Tactics for them, as described on
COMPANY COMMAND page 96; this allows you to customise the rules
for your successor Chapter. In either case, write
When Space Marines are deployed to battle, the down all of your Detachments' Chapter Tactics/
honour ofleading them oftenfalls to the Captain Successor Tactics on your army roster.
ofa company and his esteemed Lieutenants.
You can include a maximum of one CAPTAIN
model and two LIEUTENANT models in each
Detachment in your army.

93





SUCCESSOR CHAPTER TACTICS

Ifyour chosen Chapter does not have an associated Chapter In heritors of the Primarch
Tactic on pages 94-95, you must instead create their Chapter So closely do this Chapter's warriors cleave to the strategic doctrines
Tactic by selecting rules from the list here. Unless otherwise oftheir geneticforebears that only their heraldry marks them out as
stated, your Chapter has two Successor Tactics from the uniquefrom the First Founding Chapter they emulate.
following list:
You cannot select this Successor Tactic ifyou have selected any
Bolter Fusillades other Successor Tactic, and ifyou select this tactic you cannot
With rigorous drilling and singularfocus, this Chapter trains its select a second. Select one ofthe following Chapters and use the
battle-brothers to optimise the killingfury oftheir bolt weaponry Chapter Tactic of that Chapter as listed on pages 94-95: Dark
and annihilate their enemies infirefights. Angels, White Scars, Space Wolves, Imperial Fists, Blood Angels,
Iron Hands, Ultramarines, Salamanders or Raven Guard.
Each time a model with this tactic makes a ranged attack with a
bolt weapon (pg 195), re-roll a hit roll of 1. Designer's Note: If, in the background ofour publications, your
Chapter is a known successor ofa specific First Founding Chapter
Born Heroes (pg 94-95), then ifyou select this Successor Tactic you must select
Like demigods ofwar do the champions ofthis Chapter bestride the Chapter Tactic of that First Founding Chapter.
the battlefield, taking their blades to anyfoe who dares challenge
them and leaving nought but bloodied corpses in their wake. Knowledge is Power
Vast are the data-stacks and Librarius cloisters of this Chapter,
Each time a model with this tactic makes a melee attack, if that and esoteric is the knowledge possessed by its psykers. In battle,
model's unit made a charge move this turn, add 1 to that attack's they swiftly establish empyric dominance.
hit roll.
Each time a Psychic test or Deny the Witch test is taken for a
Duellists PSYKER unit with this tactic, re-roll any or all dice results of 1.
This Chapter prizes skill andprecision in close-quarters combat
above simpleferocity. Its warriors are deadly combatants, their Long-range Marksmen
attacksflowing around their enemies'guard like smoke. This Chapter's warriors are able to extend the maximum effective
range oftheirfirearms through a combination ofmodified targeting
Each time a model with this tactic makes a melee attack rituals and precision adjustments by their skilled armourers.
against an INFANTRY or BIKER unit, an unmodified hit roll of 6
automatically wounds the target. Add 3" to the Range characteristic of Rapid Fire and Heavy
weapons (excluding Flame weapons, see page 195) models with
You cannot select this tactic ifyou have already selected the this tactic are equipped with.
Whirlwind of Rage tactic (see opposite).
Master Artisans
Fearsome Aspect Far and wide spreads thefame ofthis Chapters craftsmen, who
Whether through ominous trappings and iconography, deafening fashion thefinest masterwork weaponryfor their battle-brothers.
vox-amplified war cries or simply the sheerforce oftheirpresence,
this Chapter's warriors sow terror amongst the enemy ranks. Each time a unit with this tactic is selected to shoot or fight, you
can re-roll one hit roll when resolving that unit's attacks.
Units with this tactic have the following ability: 'Fearsome
Aspect (Aura): While an enemy unit is within 3" ofthis unit, Preferred Enemy
subtract 1 from the Leadership characteristic ofmodels in that Time and time again, the warriors ofthis Chapter havefaced the
enemy unif samefoes. Through bloody defeat and hate-fuelled victory they
have learned their enemies' weaknesses well.
Hungry for Battle
For this Chapter's warriors, all else is but a prelude to the glorious When you select this tactic, select one of the following Faction
moment in which their warriors'charge crashes home. keywords: CHAOS KNIGHTS; TYRANIDS; AELOARI; ORK; HERETIC
ASTARTES; NECRONS; T'AU EMPIRE. Each time a model with this
Add 1 to Advance rolls and charge rolls made for units with tactic makes a melee attack against a unit with that Faction
this tactic. keyword, re-roll a hit roll of 1.

Indomitable Rapid Assault
No matter what horrors theyface, nor what catastrophic losses Firingfrom the hip, tracking their targets with enhanced runic
they might suffer, this Chapter's warriors stand immovable and displays thatflicker lightning-fast across their auto-senses, the
fearless before even the most ghastlyfoe. warriors ofthis Chapter lay down punishingfusillades even as
they close with thefoe.
Each time a Combat Attrition test is taken for a unit with this
tactic, it is automatically passed. Models with this tactic do not suffer the penalty incurred to
their hit rolls for firing Assault weapons in the same turn their
unit Advanced.

96

Scions of the Forge Stoic

This Chapter's warriors are expert armourers, their tanks and Bravery runs in the blood ofthis Chapter's battle-brothers.
Dreadnoughts maintained to levels that even the Adeptus Add 1 to the Leadership characteristic of models with this tactic.
Mecha11icus would admire.

Models with this tactic whose characteristics can change as they Tactical Withdrawal
suffer damage are considered to have double the number of
wounds remaining for the purposes of determining what those This Chapter's warriors are well drilled in the art ofdisengaging
characteristics are. only to hurl themselves back into thefray withfresh impetus.
Units with this tactic are eligible to declare a charge with even if
St a l w a rt they Fell Back this turn.

Howdoes one defeat warriors whose willpower and determination Warded
are soferocious that they can shrug offeven the most catastrophic
injuries and keep onfighting? Whether through latentpsychic talent, personal energy shielding,
Each time an attack is made against a unit with this tactic, an enhanced reflexes or sheer zealotry, the battle-brothers ofthis
unmodified wound roll of 1 or 2 always fails, irrespective of any Chapter can shrug offeven the most devastating attacks.
abilities that the weapon or the attacker may have. Each time a model with this tactic would lose a wound as a
result of a mortal wound, roll one D6: on a 5+, that wound is
Stealthy not lost.

This Chapter makes a virtue ofdeception and cunning, and drills Whirlwind of Rage
its battle-brothers in evasive techniques that allow them to hug the
shadows and close upon theirfoes unseen and unsuspected. Like ravening beasts this Chapter's battle-brothersfall upon thefoe.

Each time a ranged attack is made against a unit with this tactic, Each time a model with this tactic makes a melee attack, if that
if the attacker is more than 18" away, the unit with this tactic is model's unit made a charge move, was charged or performed a
treated as having the benefits of light cover against that attack Heroic Intervention this turn, an unmodified hit roll of 6 scores
(see the Warhammer 40,000 Core Book). 1 additional hit.

You cannot select this tactic if you have already selected the
Duellists tactic (see opposite).