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I have learned just enough to become more confused, but interested. (I had no plans to play SM, but now I'm intrigued)
The various SM factions in the game, what are their differences? Can someone direct me to a resource where I can read all about it? (or please educate me, if that isn't too much to ask).

What, in detail, are their differences in terms of gameplay, and physical asthetics? Between the core ones like SW, BA, DA, UM?

I know that Space Wolves, asthetics wise, is viking-like, and have furs and such attached. In another thread, I was told that SW are about specialists; I have no idea what it means.

Thanks for helping out a newbie.

(btw, is the Dawn of War's Blood Ravens even in the minis game? They look like BA with white shoulder pads and a different symbol)

Black Templars are a horde Marine army. They are primarily close-combat oriented with mixed Scouts and Marines in their basic infantry squads. They like Land Raiders a lot.

Blood Angels are similar to codex Marines, but have some unique units and characters, most notably the Death Company, berzerk Marines who are pretty scary in close combat. They also get a Predator with an assault cannon turret.

Dark Angels can run pure biker (Ravenwing) or pure Terminator (Deathwing) armies. They're also named after a poem by a homosexual poet.

Space Wolves are all about heroes, which is why they can have four HQ units and can split their elite Wolf Guard squads into individual men that lead other SW squads. They're mostly close-combat oriented, but their Long Fangs (Devastators) are better than those of other chapters.

Blood Ravens do not have a codex. They are merely a paint scheme and fluff, like most codex chapters.

Blood Ravens would use the normal Space Marines codex though. But, they don't have their own codex.

What about looks?

SW has furs. BA (from what I can tell) has all these skulls and such on the body (looking at the Space Hulk pics).

Is there a different look to DA and Templer?

At one time the robed veterans set off the Dark Angels look. But like everything else the Dark Angels have, its been stolen by regular marines or other marines in general. DA First Company is all Terminators "Deathwing" who wear the bone white armor in honor of a company who defeated a Tyranid invasion. The second company is Ravenwing essentially all fast attack. (Bikes/Speeders) They still wear the traditional Pre-heresy Dark Angel colors of Black versus DA Green. Deathwing wear the broken sword on the wings emblem, one of my favorite.

Black Templar have mixed armor troops, power armor and "scout" armor if you will mixed into larger squads. They have a crusade-esque feel to their models. Lots of purity seals and ribbons, etc.

Blood angels basically have normal armor but with teardrop symbols in some places. They aren't particularly distinct other than colors.

Black Templars are space marine Crusaders.

Dark Angels are space marine Gothic knights/warrior monks.

The difference is an illusion. Slap yourself and you'll see they are all the same like 50cent songs.

Actually I like marines, check out lexicanium (sp?) and you can find out everything you need to know about ever chapter..