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I am running Nova Marines, and it states in the SM codex that the chapter has never fought together for a long time and are in all respects scattered all across space. So i have started painting my 3rd company of marines, and they are traveling in a Strike Cruiser as that is the correct ship to mount a Company in i think. For Fluff sake, what would the Strike Cruiser Deploy with in terms of escorts and coaler ships for extended deployment?or should i put a company onto a battle barge, which seems a little excessive but makes more sense for long term deployment away from your home planet...any thoughts?

A single strike cruiser, even on extended deployment would probably be accompanied by no more than 4-6 escorts and 2-3 support vessels.

The fluff is very clear that strike cruisers can support a full company of marines (indeed, that's their main job) while Battle Barges can have up to 3 full companies aboard. Also, most chapters own just the one Battle Barge. The Ultramarines are listed as being exceptional in having 3, but that's because of the amout of territory they are expected to patrol in Ultramar.

P.S. - good choice with Novamarines, the blue/khaki is a great colour scheme. My regular gaming buddy has his own chapter (Emperor's Sword) in blue and khaki halves instead of quarters and it looks great.

A small correction of symantics: Battle Barges normally have three companies assigned to them, Strike Cruisers one. However a single Strike Cruiser could carry the entire chapter with room to spare. Though not all could drop at once.

According to main background a single regiment can fit on a single cruiser in the Great Crusade. Many Imperial Navy ships have a gun crew running into the thousands.

In terms of Thunderhawks, three Thunderhawks make up a squadron. Strike cruiser can operate six at once, a battle barge nine. Spares likely exist.

thank you to both, this info will help a lot to flush out the fluff for my 3rd company unit...
um, slight paint scheme change...my Novas are white and blue, and for some odd reason it ended reversed vs. the codex paint scheme...but they still look cool!