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andain841 wrote:

While Magnus is no physical badass, he would psychically burn to cinders most Primarchs who stepped to him.

I'm not sure that I agree with this statement. We don't really have any evidence that Magnus' psychic abilities were that useful in a Primarch v. Primarch situation. It's possible, though by no means certain, that he could have destroyed Russ' fleet while it was in the warp. However, when it came down to a straight up fight he wasn't able to simply burn Russ to ash (awesome though that would have been). Of course you could argue that Russ had some sort of anti-psychic armor but it seems reasonable to me that if Russ has anti-psychic wards than so might other Primarchs.

Has anyone considered the Khan as a potential heavyweight in this hypothetical competition? I left him out of my top five but I've been thinking about it and it seems like he has some potential. I'm still pulling for Fulgrim as #1 overall but I can accept the argument put forward that a possessed Primarch doesn't count. I will say that I'm not certain that Fulgrim's possession made him any more powerful though, at least not at first. When he ascended to deamonhood then sure but before that I don't know.

He killed Ferrus Manus while he was still a primarch and not completely possessed.

If I recall correctly, Fulgrim was not actually possessed until after Ferrus was slain. He was only influenced. Afterward, his grief consumed him to the point that he freely accepted oblivion. Of course, afterward, he realizes how big of a mistake it was to give himself up to Chaos.

That's what I thought but its been a while since I read "Fulgrim" so I thought I was misremembering. In that case I stick by my previous assertion that Fulgrim should get the top spot based on his demonstrated victories. Besides, how much of a boost in power did his possession really give him anyway? Are we certain that it made him significantly more powerful? It obviously did when he became a demon, but what about before that?

Actually Ferrus had Fulgrim beat and the Daemon saved his life. Fulgrim didn't seem to be much until the Daemon possessed him.

I would theorize that Russ had his anti psyker armor/talisman whathaveyou because he was the one tasked with taking down the two lost primarchs, at least one of which was seemingly delving into the sorcerous arts. While not fully explored in canon yet, it seems likely that he did kill at least one of the lost primarchs otherwise I doubt he and his wolves would be widely known as the Emperor's executioners.

You can tell that Magnus isn't a great physical fighter even after his ascension because one of the SW Chapter Masters beat him up pretty badly before Magnus turned him to stone and left his soul wondering about... though Magnus probably doesn't care and believes that anyone specialising in hand-to-hand is an idiot so go figure.

Just an assist on Magnus and his possible physical strength

From Index Astartes: Space Wolves

Magnus the Red was a giant of a man, standing far taller than even his brother Primarchs, his hair and complexion a livid red. Most remarkable of all was the enormous cyclopean eye set deep into the Primarch's forehead; where normal men have two eyes, Magnus had one. His strength was lauded as rivalling that of Russ, but he preferred to expend his energies learning and pursuing ancient arcana than the art of battle.

I'm searching for stuff on The Lion and Russ at Dulan but finding it a difficult search. What I have so far

The Space Wolves found their flank unprotected, and many warriors were slain when the enemy counter-attacked. More galling to the prideful Leman Russ was the fact that the Dark Angels swept all before them and easily won the battle. After the conflict, hot-tempered and fearless, Russ stormed after El'Johnson and launched into the Dark Angels Primarch, fists flying and curses upon his lips. - Space Wolves Codex 4th Edition Page 91

The two titanic warriors battled for a day and a night, each unable to overcome the other." - Space Wolves Codex 4th Edition Page 91

At last the pair broke apart, and Russ, seeing the humour in the situation, began to laugh- quietly at first, but soon with a fulsome roar of mirth. The Dark Angels Primarch looked upon Russ with disgust. He saw the Fenrisian King's blow as treacherous, so he raised his fist and dealt the laughing Russ with such a blow that he was rendered unconscious. Considering his honour to be satisfied, El'Johnson left the fortress and set off into space. - Space Wolves Codex 4th Edition Page 91

There is also the other old piece of fluff wherein the Lion blames Russ for their late arrival to Terra and the Emperor's crippling.

Russ, heartbroken, bears his chest and invites the Lion to strike him down. El'Jonson obliges him, but turns the blow at the last moment, realizing what he's doing. He remains by his bedside until he heals, and then reaffirms their vows of friendship and brotherhood. But I can't find this part - I guess this doesn't count though as Russ invited The Lion to slay him

B&C actually has a good run down - The Wolf and The Lion have battled a number of times

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.php?showtopic=69369&st=0&p=973816&#entry973816

Sorry about posting late but after reading afew books and learning more about our Beloved primarch I felt I needed to put a comment here, sorry for any disruption.

To be honest if we look at this properly ther are a few contenders for this one.

If we are talking about Brute Strength then the title would go to either Ferrus Mannus or Vulcan this is purely down to where they were found and theyre bringing up and lifestyle before the emperor found them. Nocturne it'self having a massive effect on Strength and speed due to gravity.
I belive in one of the short stories from 'Age of Darkness'. It says that the title of the strongest primarch would be closely contested between Ferrus Mannus or Vulcan, but as Ferrus Mannus head lay in the snow there was no doubt as to outcome of that dispute now.

If we are talking about 'Martial Prowess' then that is a different kettle of fish and is down to opinions, but in my own opinion and trying not to be biased (I am a Space Wolves Fan), I belive that the Primarch's with most Physical Combat Ability (NOT PSYKER ABILITIES, cos thats cheating remember) are:

#1 Sanguinius
#2 Horus Lupercal
#3 Angron
#4 Leman Russ
#5 Lion El Johnson
#6 Rogal Dorn
#7 Vulcan
#8 Fulgrim
#9 Jaghatai Khan
#10 Ferrus Mannus
#11 Corvus Corax
#12 Robute Gullman
#13 Mortarion
#14 Magnus
#15 Conrad Curze
#16 Perturabo
#17 Alparius/Omegon
#18 Lorgar

Please bear in mind this is only an opinion based on Physical Combat Ability (If You had to put one in the Ring against the other with no
Psyker abilities) If you had to include Psyker abilities then my opinion would change aswell as the above list.

ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!!!

Hellgun is armed and ready!!!

Bring it on undead bastards!!!

But on a seruious note, how can you rule out the psychic power aspect and limit it to physical prowess?

I don't see why Magnus is in spot 14 there. Without psychic powers, he wouldn't be as strong, but he still got his hand around Russ's heart in their fight, and that was while battling wolves and Space Wolves as well.

It's results that count, so the winner is Fulgrim, with two kills to Horus' and Guilliman's one apiece, and nil for the rest of them.

Edit: it's arguable that Guilliman's kill only counts as a half. Also, if - as is unconfirmed but commonly supposed - Leman Russ really did kill off 'the Forgotten and the Purged' then he ties with Fulgrim for the top spot.