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So recently a friend of mine gave me a space marine tactical squad as a birthday present. That marked my first ever space marine unit!
I wanted to start a proper army using this squad but im not sure which chapter i should choose.

I dont really want to use the following:

Ultramarines, they are overused
Grey knights, another friend already has them and i dont want to have a similar army
Space wolves, dont like the fluff

Any others are fair game!
I want an army that can do a little of everything if i wanted to. I like shooty armys, backed up by a bit of close combat, maybe some psychic thrown in.

As a side note, does anyone know where i can find the rules for the crimson fists, or the black templars? They sounds cool, but i cant find anything about their rules?
Thanks everyone!

Flesh Tearers!!! They look great when painted properly and have upgrade shoulder pad kits.

Take a look at some of the Chapter Tactics from Forgeworld. Much more interesting stuff in there...

Black Templars are within the main codex, so technically are Crimson Fists (as they are a successor chapter of imperial fists)

If you want a bit of psychic then Black Templars are out as they detest psykers.

Imperial fists (so crimson fists included) would work as they have a nice rule for shooting, however there other rule is used less often (in my Meta anyway).

Salamanders could fill the gap with improved flamers and free weapon upgrades, and from a Fluff view are my number 2 (after blood ravens)

Blood Ravens would be good - due to the fact there is no solid proof who there successor chapter is (good chance there loyalist thousand sons) you can use any chapter tactic.

Blood angels (including the above comment Flesh Tearers) are a very CC army with some nice rules.

Raven Guard are a more focused army with emphasis on stealth and Assault pack units.

Haven't used the white scars as not big on there fluff but are basically space ghengis!

Iron hands don't excel at combat but have staying power with increased survivability.

This is just my observation using the main codex haven't delved into the supplements but should give you a good idea.

White Scars. Mongol motorbikes. Can it get more awesome?

The Exorcists (maybe too close ties with Grey Knights) or Blood Angels, maybe Blood Ravens?

Dark Angels could be one possibility if you like an elite army.

A blood ravens chapter would look really cool and they even have a character librarian from deathwatch.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Loyal_Space_Marine_Chapters_%28List%29

Or, make your own, based on a known chapter with tactics you like.
Successor chapters exist for almost every founding chapter, and colour schemes are up to you.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Pictorial_List_of_Space_Marine_Chapters_A-L
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Pictorial_List_of_Space_Marine_Chapters_M-Z

 kezwick wrote:
Black Templars are within the main codex, so technically are Crimson Fists (as they are a successor chapter of imperial fists)

They have their own CT, and three IC's, two of which are named and their own troop choice. If that is technically Crimson Fists I will burn every Ultramarine I own.

Aviax wrote:
So recently a friend of mine gave me a space marine tactical squad as a birthday present. That marked my first ever space marine unit!
I wanted to start a proper army using this squad but im not sure which chapter i should choose.

I dont really want to use the following:

Ultramarines, they are overused
Grey knights, another friend already has them and i dont want to have a similar army
Space wolves, dont like the fluff

Any others are fair game!
I want an army that can do a little of everything if i wanted to. I like shooty armys, backed up by a bit of close combat, maybe some psychic thrown in.

As a side note, does anyone know where i can find the rules for the crimson fists, or the black templars? They sounds cool, but i cant find anything about their rules?
Thanks everyone!

Both the Crimson Fists and the Black Templars are included in the Space Marine Codex.

The Crimson Fists use the Imperial Fists Chapter Tactics. The Crimson Fists don't have a unique unit, but they do have Pedro Cantor. He grants Sternguard the Objective Secured special rule and is often included in armies that like the Imperial Fists tactic (reroll to hit any result of 1 with a Bolt Gun, bolt pistol, etc). This is VERY useful with the Sternguard's special issue ammo, but not overpoweringly so.

The Black Templars have 2 unique characters (High Marshal Helbrecht and Chaplain Grimaldus). They also get the Emperor's Champion HQ and have access to Crusader Squads. The Black Templars also have their own unique Chapter Tactic. Their tactics aren't terribly shooty, though.

The (arguably) best "Shooty" Chapter Tactics are either Imperial Fists, Ultramarines, or Salamanders (Flamers and meltas have special rules). We can go round and round about what is the absolute best, but that's silly. Each chapter has their own strengths and weaknesses. Pick one that suits your play style and lore.

You can make up your own chapter as a successor chapter of one of the Space Marine Chapters covered in the Space Marine codex. Don't be scared to come up with something new!

Here are some helpful things, perhaps!



A list of dozens of Space Marine Chapters, brief summaries, and (for most) pictures! Pick something that will be fun to paint! I can't stress that enough. My Horus Heresy army is Imperial Fists. I love the lore and am very happy with my army, but Yellow is a pain to paint properly. Ugh! http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Space_Marine_Chapters

I would go to Lexicanum and read over the chapters there. Find one you like there. If you don't find one make your own based off of one. Thats the beauty of this game is the ability to make your own chapter. Granted there are no rules for it any more you would choose a parent chapter and use those rules but fluff/background wise, its all up to you.

Personal favorites of mine.
Iron Hands: Bionics and cybernetics.
Salamanders: Fire. And I mean all the fire.
Deathwatch: Not really a chapter but is made up of many chapters. Now that they have there own rules they are actually playable.
Angry Marines: No where near official but has the greatest fluff. Just would have to find a rule set to base them off of.

I made my own up, but there are some really cool colour schemes from the Badab War which are worth looking at. Minotaurs in red and yellow, Howling Griffons, Executioners, Mantis Warriors, Lamenters...

Bhlud Rehvans (Blood Ravens)
Then you can steal the Enemeh

Plus this guy is a captain

There is another thread here in the general forums that suggests which successor chapter you are. Take that psychology test and let it pick for you.

Thanks for the overview there Kezwick!

I think ill follow your advice Fallenbourne and go have a squiz through the Lexicanum. See if i find anything that jumps out at me!

I did consider doing dark angels at one point, but i struggled to fit all the units i wanted into a decent list. They are still one of my favourites though.

You know what, i might even do what some of you said and make up my own chapter! If you do make up your own which rules do you use? Or do you just pick one that seems appropriate?

I don't understand why GW didn't keep the beaky marine as the standard marine... So much cooler than the others marines !

Lamenters

Crimson Fists. The Bro-est of all Fists.

The Executioners just to be unique. Think honorable classical era Barbarians in space.

For the badass factor, definitely Minotaurs or Carcharodons. One of them would be my pick.

I'm not a sm player myself but if I had to chooae I'd go with white scars, mongol bikers are just awesome and I'm a big fan of ko'sarro khan giving all bikers and transports scouts, it's a pretty huge boon.

Even if you don't like bikers, Gladius strike force with khan at the head is brutal, I toyed around with this idea when brother started scars. I got it up to 660 points of free razorbacks(12) and it honestly scared me(and I play eldar!) the sheer amount of blob with mixed in heavy guns gives lack of targets but a very real threat. And a ton of units for objectives.

Deathwatch.

 Gamgee wrote:
Deathwatch.

What he said.
Admittedly, it means you'll have Space Wolves and Ultramarines in your ranks but, that's just an easy matter of not painting up any models as Spaz Wolves or Ultra Smurfs. It means you'll also have everything except Grey Knights.

You know I do actually like the sound of the deathwatch.
How are they looking rules wise?

Aviax wrote:
You know I do actually like the sound of the deathwatch.
How are they looking rules wise?

Expensive units with cheap upgrades and situational re-rolls, mind you a lot of situations are covered.
Mostly shootie although there are two squads that can be decked out dirt cheap for melee, Bikers and Vanguard Vets. Their formation detachments are a bit awkward if you want speed and assault but for making shootie squads they give great coverage.

Chaos space Marines!! (only need add some spikes xD).

That are the space marines of MEN! haha

First I'd simply say: whatever you like best. Surely you've seen a Chapter or two and thought "whoa, that's frikkin' awesome!". That's the best way to choose.

If you're not sure, all I can say...choose a quartered colour scheme Chapter. No one does them and they look freakin' awesome when done right. Probably takes a crap ton of time and effort - but would be worth it.

This old Howling Griffon Company is awesome...

You could always be the super loyalist most awesome, faithful, super transparent, totally not secretly a traitor, chaos hunting, best macaroni picture on the emperors fridge because the others mysteriously disappeared chapter ever!

The dark angels.

I would consider any one of the chapters Forge World makes custom bits for, because this will allow you to personalise your models even further and create something very few others have.

The FW 30k Dark Angels bits are all really nice.