Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

With the wave of "Ultramarines are everywhere!" threads that seem to be popping up everywhere recently on Dakka, I think someone needs to step up and speak out on their behalf-I know I've done a fair share of Ultra-bashing, but I used to play them (and no, they were not my first army), so I think I'm entitled to an odd jibe here and there. Okay, deep breath...

Why Ultramarines?
Ultramarines are popular because they are versatile-there is no force in the 40k verse, with the possible exception of the Orks, that is as versatile as the Ultramarines. Take the Blood Angels for instance-whilst you can go down the shooty route, at heart your a close combat army. 99% of your battles will be won or lost in the hack and slash of melee. But with Ultra's, you can go down whatever road you want when it comes to army construction-wanna shoot the enemy up? The Ultra's can do that. Feel like breakings heads in close assault? Ultra's can do that too. Armoured assaults? No problem. You really get bang for your buck as an Ultra's player, since they can do anything and no-one can accuse you of being unfluffy, as the codex astartes is all about versatility and the ability to adapt. An Ultramrine army can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be. It's not like the poor old Necrons who seem to be stuck playing 40k on 'hard' mode, you can apply as much handicap to yourself as you want if you know how to write lists.

The problems people have with Ultramarines.
Sadly, not everyone agree's. Their are some people who seem to go into rage mode if Ultra's are even hinted at, for a variety of reasons. So, whilst on my crusade in defence of all things blue, I will examine each point in turn:

"GW has a massive mancrush on the Ultramarines!"
Oh come on now, this is hardly fair. It's not so much that the Ultra's are getting all the love, it's that the Ultra's are getting all the love, if you comprehend me. If another chapter was getting so much attention, such as the Sable Swords for instance, then we would be throwing toys out of the pram at them. Besides, in a world where we can all safely admit that GW is catering more and more to kiddies the Ultra's are one of the less dark factions and so are more likely to meet with the parents approval. Which brings us on nicely to this:

"Ultramarines are only played by kiddies who don't know the rules!"
As I said above, Ultramarines are one of the 'nicer' elements of the 40k-verse so are more accepted by parents in general. And as I mentioned a while ago, the Ultramarines versatility comes to the fore again. Ultra's are the perfect beginners army-able to compete in all aspects of the game. They do a roughly equal share on moving, shooting, and assaulting, they have good basic troops, and if you make a few mistakes then the army is tough enough and forgiving enough to mean they don't ruin the entire game. We have relatively few newbies playing blue marines in the local area, and I notice that the ones who do get a better all around hobby experience and stick with the game longer. Which, deep down, we all know is a good thing.
Besides, the opinion that all Ultramarine players are newbies who've got no clue on tactics or rules is gravely incorrect. I've seen people challenge Ultra players confident for an easy win, before getting tabled in 3 turns. If a player see's all the other armies and tactics available, but sticks with their Ultra's and become profficient with them, then they are some of the toughest opponents anywhere.

"Ultramrines fluff is the stoopid!"
I know I've said in the past that Ultra fluff is boring. I'm now having to seriously reconsider that notion. Ultramarines fluff is actually some of the best in the game-partly because there's such a wealth of matireal to choose from, but partly because of it's actual content. An average Ultramrine is a badass, make no mistake-they're truly loyal to the Imperium and the Emperor, and they do it without a 'reason'. They aren't motivated by an genetic deficiency, or the need to hunt traitors, or even the feeling of faliure-they simply do it because it's their duty too. An Ultramarine is a paragon, and although I wouldn't go as far as to say that all other marines want to be like them, I think all other chapters secretly respect the boys in blue. After all, if it wasn't for them, the Imperium would probably have collapsed a long tme ago in the aftermath of the heresy.
Ultramar also is interesting, being one of the remarkably few well-documented places that sound like a decent place to live. Their is geniune peace, and respect for their Astartes overlords there. Come on, if we were in 40k we would all want to live in Ultramar.

"Ultramarines look boring!"
WHAT!? I'm sorry, but Ultarmarines, boring? Surely there's some kind of mistake. To start with, blue and gold is sexy. Come on, we all know it is. Even the 1ksons wear blue and gold, they know how awesome it makes you look. Plus, I maintain that the Ultramarines are the hardest chapter to get right when it comes to squad markings and heraldry. Their are literally hundreds of things to consider (for instance, did you know that each squad in a company has a different squad marking? It's true.), and the day I played an Ultramarine army that had nearly all it's heraldry and squad markings spot on was possibly the happiest day of my entire gaming life.

What about Ventris?
Ah, yes. Ventris. The red headed stepchild of the Ultramarines chapter. I will be a big boy here an admit I don't particularly like him, but then again I'm not entirely convinced that's his fault. The problem is, a lot of BL books and authors know that the target demographic is over-excitable kiddies. Therefore, the heroes can do stupid stuff that we pick up in an instant but they miss in their blind devotion. In fact, many a time they HAVE to do stupid stuff to keep the story going. Poor old Uriel suffers from the problem of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, so to speak.


So, there we go. Thats my opinions on why the Ultramrines are a great chapter. Insult me if you want, I don't care. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and I love the boys in blue-and I think very little that you say will change my mind.

Good thread! +1 for the ultramarines and Uriel Ventris

Also, uriel has black hair, which I may point out..Or was that a figure of speech? In my family, the red heads are the coolest of the family

Thats cool Fauntleroy, thats your opinion and you're entitled to it. Great Ultramarine artwork too. They are a great chapter. Plus they have the most named special characters out of all the chapters which makes them pretty cool too.

The only problem I have with them is when people say that they're the BEST chapter. Thats obviously not true. My opinion is that only girly chapters have 10 companys. I'm all about the Space Wolves, they have 12 Great Companys. Even better than your normal company, plus there's 12 of them!

But I don't want this to descend into a slagging match. Good for your Ultramarines, the galaxy would be less blue without you.

s.j.mccartney wrote:The only problem I have with them is when people say that they're the BEST chapter. Thats obviously not true.

Yeah, that also sends me into an eranged, hald mad, inchoherent frenzy of nerd rage. No chapter can claim to be the 'best', just as no craftworld can claim to be the 'best, no hive fleet can claim to be the 'best' etc. Oh, the Ultramarines are good-very good infact-but to say that they are the 'best' is an out and out lie.

Little lord Fauntleroy wrote:

s.j.mccartney wrote:The only problem I have with them is when people say that they're the BEST chapter. Thats obviously not true.

Yeah, that also sends me into an eranged, hald mad, inchoherent frenzy of nerd rage. No chapter can claim to be the 'best', just as no craftworld can claim to be the 'best, no hive fleet can claim to be the 'best' etc. Oh, the Ultramarines are good-very good infact-but to say that they are the 'best' is an out and out lie.

I think it's safe to say that the emperor is indeed 'the best' Just kidding. He's dead...On a chair.

Samus_aran115 wrote:I think it's safe to say that the emperor is indeed 'the best' Just kidding. He's dead...On a chair.

I still maintain that it's actually a monumental potty, and the big E is in fact having the largest dump in human history.

Thought for the day: Don't touch the Vindaloo. Seriously.

Little lord Fauntleroy wrote:

Samus_aran115 wrote:I think it's safe to say that the emperor is indeed 'the best' Just kidding. He's dead...On a chair.

I still maintain that it's actually a monumental potty, and the big E is in fact having the largest dump in human history.

Thought for the day: Don't touch the Vindaloo. Seriously.

Vindaloo is great, the only problem is the bath the Emperor ate was made by Nurgle...

Like I said in your "top 20" Legions thread I would have put them at number 1 or 2 with the Luna Wolves.

Little lord Fauntleroy wrote:http://liveforfilms.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/warhammer_ultramarine_take_2_by_faroldjo.jpg

Eicht... nya... hah... *falls out of herchair from uproarious laughter*

*gets up a few minutes later, and sees this image again, and nearly falls out a second time*

Wow, man... that's comic gold right there. And people accuse ORKS of being the comedic relief of 40k...

But seriously... *snicker*... there's really not that much of a need for this thread. So what if a bunch of people dislike Ultramarines? What matters is that YOU think they're cool. I mean hell, it's the same way with comic books. Some people think that Rob Liefeld can actually draw.

I have always had respect for the ultramarines. Hell i love their battle for macragge stuff from Index Astartes. I love that article. But its just they have been getting too well popular. Almost 2/3 of the space marine players at my store play ultramarines.

I like Ultramarines because their primarch's name sounds funny.

Is that wrong?

I only like them when the're painted well.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/249758.page

When the exceptional becomes inescapable, the normal becomes exceptional.

The Ultras demonstrate this perfectly. They are supposed to be the baseline, normal chapter. But since seemingly every other chapter is extra special, that leaves the Ultras as the only interesting chapter because they are the only ones who stand out amidst a sea of freakshows.

They are cool, they are the only interesting chapter*.

they are not the best chapter, but it would be very silly if a film called 'Ultramarines' didn't say they were - it's about them! Duh.


*In GW cannon at any rate. To this day I don't understand why anyone would use a cannon chapter rather than create their own.

Does the pic in the OP make anyone else think of Captain America in power armor? Because Im getting that vibe from it...

I attribute the Ultramarine hate to something akin to Middle Child Syndrome. The boys in blue are perceived to be the Target of an inordinate amount of love or affection from a distant authority figure(aka Daddy). This leads to feelings of resentment toward the object of GW's attention and acting out in various irrational ways.

Yes every day. I see a well painted space marine army. I think mini captain americas. Or King George.

del'Vhar wrote:Does the pic in the OP make anyone else think of Captain America in power armor? Because Im getting that vibe from it...

It makes me think of a clown.

Nice statement. I don't mind them, I just am kind of sick of SM as a whole, with the Codex releases: SM, other army, SM, SM, other army...and so on.

BTW, no offense to the OP, but the marine looks pants-on-head stupid with that...thing on his face.

I hate the Ultras* because threads about how cool/uncool they are are popping up all over the place like an outbreak of some blue thing that pops up all over the place.

It's like Bop-a-Mole.
with Ultramarines.

That would be a fun game. Played as an ork.
With a mallet.


*Not really, just pulling blue power armour clad legs

I love the Ultramarines, and its a sad story about how they became my first (yes first) race :(

I made my own chapter colour scheme with white armour and blue shoulders before I found out about ultramarines. I saw ultramarine first company, and thought wow, blue with white shoulder pads looks way awesomer. So I was UM 1st company, NOT SECOND like all the children, then I realised EVERYONE WAS UM! GAY.

now im guard, with my own colour scheme and background. No one can ever call me a noob again

Melissia wrote:

Little lord Fauntleroy wrote:http://liveforfilms.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/warhammer_ultramarine_take_2_by_faroldjo.jpg

Eicht... nya... hah... *falls out of herchair from uproarious laughter*

*gets up a few minutes later, and sees this image again, and nearly falls out a second time*

Wow, man... that's comic gold right there. And people accuse ORKS of being the comedic relief of 40k...

But seriously... *snicker*... there's really not that much of a need for this thread. So what if a bunch of people dislike Ultramarines? What matters is that YOU think they're cool. I mean hell, it's the same way with comic books. Some people think that Rob Liefeld can actually draw.

whoa, unexpected shot at Rob Liefeld!

Jaon wrote:UM 1st company, NOT SECOND like all the children

I resent that comment a little.

Melissia wrote:

del'Vhar wrote:Does the pic in the OP make anyone else think of Captain America in power armor? Because Im getting that vibe from it...

It makes me think of a clown.

Now that's not very nice at all...

Anyway, I've said it before, and I'll probably say it a few more times, but Ultramar is probably the only place in the 40K galaxy that a sane person would want to live!

Alpharius wrote:

Melissia wrote:

del'Vhar wrote:Does the pic in the OP make anyone else think of Captain America in power armor? Because Im getting that vibe from it...

It makes me think of a clown.

Now that's not very nice at all...

Anyway, I've said it before, and I'll probably say it a few more times, but Ultramar is probably the only place in the 40K galaxy that a sane person would want to live!

Terra seems pretty sweet.

So does T'au.

And any Craftworld, with the exception of Ulthwe.

And Cormorragh. I mean sure, there's the torture, but you gotta admit, the Dark Eldar know how to party.

Nah
Any sane person would baulk at living on a planet called Ultramar. The lamest name for a planet EVER!
They might just as well called it Nigel.

Disclaimer: Nigel is a perfectly good name for a bank clerk residing in 21st century Suburbiton. Just lame for a 40K planet in the grimdark.
Offence caused to any members named Nigel is unfortunate and wholly gratuitous

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:Nah
Any sane person would baulk at living on a planet called Ultramar. The lamest name for a planet EVER!
They might just as well called it Nigel.

Disclaimer: Nigel is a perfectly good name for a bank clerk residing in 21st century Suburbiton. Just lame for a 40K planet in the grimdark.
Offence caused to any members named Nigel is unfortunate and wholly gratuitous

I am offended!

Sorry Nigel :(

Oh no, my name isn't Nigel. I'm just offended because I used to be lame.

Then I cut my hair, learned to play sports, and started drinking beer.

Yeah I get all the ladies now.

But the nightmares still haunt me.

That is so unfair!

I used to be lame.
So I cut my hair
played sports
drank beer.


Still didn't get the ladies