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I've been reading the Space Marine's Codex lately, and have been thinking quite a bit about the organization of Codex Chapters. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into the nature of the SM reserve companies; it seems kind of strange to me that as elite as they are, most chapters would have nearly half their number as reserves.

If the reserves were spread out throughout the Imperium in small, mixed units, performing a variety of different missions, and the main battle companies were focused on larger engagements, I would understand this, but according to fluff (Angels of Darkness, by Andy Hoare) such large, company-size engagements are extremely rare.

Tell me what you think, or if there is a better description of the role of reserve companies somewhere.

Dr. Ew wrote:I've been reading the Space Marine's Codex lately, and have been thinking quite a bit about the organization of Codex Chapters. I was wondering if anyone had any insight into the nature of the SM reserve companies; it seems kind of strange to me that as elite as they are, most chapters would have nearly half their number as reserves.

If the reserves were spread out throughout the Imperium in small, mixed units, performing a variety of different missions, and the main battle companies were focused on larger engagements, I would understand this, but according to fluff (Angels of Darkness, by Andy Hoare) such large, company-size engagements are extremely rare.

Tell me what you think, or if there is a better description of the role of reserve companies somewhere.

Don't trust Angels of Darkness is my first tip. Most chapters have nine companies in employment then have a tenth in reserve, plus dreads and scouts thrown onto the battlefield. So that idea is luticrous.

specialy since dark angels are known to be slightly different then the rest of the chapters and are known to have their own hidden agenda.

Actually, before I get assaulted, I was wrong about that. 400 marines, the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th, are all kept in reserve. The tenth (scout) is always being trained and thrown around. The first is also sent around for fun and entertainment. So it is about half of a company that is in reserve thanks to casualties. Makes me wonder why the heck they wouldn't send out more marines! Surely they don't think every Space marine planet/base will be attacked?

Because of things like the damnos incident and kellenport probably. Also things like the Battle for Ultramar. Damnos saw the death of over 700 marines in one cataclysmic explosion, many died in kellenport, and Ultra saw the entire first company of the Ultramarines all but slaughtered. If all 1000 (nearly that many int he Damnos incident) died in a short period, the chapters would take generations to get back up to chapter strength. having reserves allows 1st company to replace it's losses with Sgt's and captains from other companies, and then allows 6th-10th companies to trickle marines down and replace the other companies losses, and then after that, 6th-9th companies will take form the 10th, and the 10th will get more recruits.

IggyEssEmManlyMan wrote:Because of things like the damnos incident and kellenport probably. Also things like the Battle for Ultramar. Damnos saw the death of over 700 marines in one cataclysmic explosion, many died in kellenport, and Ultra saw the entire first company of the Ultramarines all but slaughtered. If all 1000 (nearly that many int he Damnos incident) died in a short period, the chapters would take generations to get back up to chapter strength. having reserves allows 1st company to replace it's losses with Sgt's and captains from other companies, and then allows 6th-10th companies to trickle marines down and replace the other companies losses, and then after that, 6th-9th companies will take form the 10th, and the 10th will get more recruits.

It does make sense for Chapters to have lots of backup for their main battle companies, but it still seems strange to me for an elite military organization to keep nearly half their numbers as reserves. I was wondering if their is any fluff anywhere on what these guys are up to. Angels of Darkness notwithstanding, it seems logical that they would be deployed with the battle companies to act as reinforcements.

The reserve companies are indeed reserve but they are also a form of reinforcement, if by some remote chance a SM company would bite more than they could chew the reserve companies would come and assist. Or even a reserve company might get an assignment of their own if the other companies are busy.

Yup, the Reserves serve an important function as a result of the rigid structure of Battle Companies under the Codex Astartes.

Essentially, the Battle Company (or elements thereof) would be sent in as the main force, with elements drawn from the relevant Reserve company added in where needed. So add in some assault reserves if the situation calls for a lot of fast attack options. Add in Tactical reserves if you need more line troops. And so on.