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Or perhaps because in GW's book Marines are still seven rather than eight feet big. /nitpick

Height wouldn't be the biggest issue. I think it would be width.

And still, 7 ft tall 800 pounds is a major size difference from 6ft 200 pounds.

.. where do people keep getting the 7 ft tall thing from? horus heresy and other BL books keep saying 2.5 meters.

GW studio books, such as the Space Marine Codex. Or Jes Goodwin's lifesize drawing (that conveniently was partitioned into squares of 1x1 feet).

I used to be just as puzzled where people would get the 8+ feet from until I eventually figured out that it all depends on where you look, and that the different sources of fluff contradict each other with disappointing regularity.

 Grey Templar wrote:

 Kain wrote:
I think they later retconned it by saying that Chimeras aren't a comfortable or easy fit for the eight foot tall quarter ton space marines.

Then again Henchmen Chimeras can fit Terminators.

Indeed.

The only reason a Chimera can actually carry Space Marines and Terminators with no issue is probably because of a rules loophole.

And the only way its possible for a Marine of any kind to get in a Chimera is the GK Codex.


If Chimeras were going to be a possible transport for Marines GW would have probably had a rule where PA counts as 2 spaces in the Chimera and TDA counts as 4 or something. But as now there is no way outside the GK codex for Marines to embark in a Rhino its a moot point.

According to Cain, Rhinos are significantly more roomy than Chimeras, to the point where for a human, it's almost downright luxuriously spacious for a military transport. If a Rhino fits Marines as well as a Chimera fits regular humans, then a Marine is definitely going to have some problems fitting into one.

As the Rhino at most has to hold clips for storm bolters while the Chimera has to fit capacitors and ammo for it's main weapon and hullgun, while the Rhino is slightly smaller given their official sizes available on Lexicanum, I'd say the Rhino's got a significantly bigger cargo hold. Which would be great for beings who are generally one and one fourth to one and one third times as tall as your bog standard homo sapiens sapiens clad in bulky power armor that probably adds at least a few inches. Trying to fit Terminator or even more amusingly, Centurion armored marines in a Chimera would probably require aid from the Fraternitatem Pagani and their expertise in tightly packing vehicles. (There's a genius bonus in there if you know Latin or have google Translate)

"THE FOES OF THE EMPEROR WILL NEVER SUSPECT THE ENTIRE FIRST COMPANY TO BE PACKED INTO THIS LONE CHIMERA! ONWARD TO VICTORY!"

"SIR EACH OF OUR TACTICAL DREADNOUGHT ARMOR SUITS WEIGHS OVER TWO TONS, THIS CHIMERA IS ONLY RATED TO CARRY FORTY, HOW WILL WE GET THIS THING TO GO FORWARD?"

"CEASE THINE BELLY ACHING AND SHIFT THINE WEIGHT FORWARD!"

I'm with Grey Templar & Lynata; Rhino's are the better (or at least more sophisticated) transport.

The impression I've always had of Rhinos is that while they might not have as much frontal armour as a Chimera, they are pretty much superior in every other way. They are (might be) lighter weight, and easier to transport (can you pick up a Chimera with a Thunderhawk?), somewhat faster over long distances, possess a modular design that allows for easy re-purposing (into razorbacks or predators), have more compact and efficient motors etc.

If I remember correctly; they also have very sophisticated internals; with better automation requiring less crew (I think a Rhino needs 1 crew, and a Chimera needs at least 3), better communication tech, better scanning tech and some systems specifically designed to interact with power armour (recharge points, direct links to a squad's PA diagnostics while there in the field, that sort of thing).

At least, that's the impression I had.

The early Imperial Armour Books have some 'good' technical info on Rhinos (once again IIRC)

Why do US Special Forces roll around in ATVs and doorless Hummers when line units tool around in Strykers and Bradley APCs?

They need light things that can be airdropped or easily fit into cargo space of a larger transport and are easily repaired in the field. Space Marines are essentially the Special Forces of the Imperium. What makes the US Military SOCOM amazing isn't that the guys can shoot quarters out of the air or eat snakes, it's that they can be anywhere in the world within 24 hours. Part of that is making sacrifices in gear.


Rhinos seem more transportable than Chimeras, lighter, and easier to repair with limited resources. Astartes may have access to better mechanics when they're in fleet, but the IG rarely deploys at anything less than Regimental strength. Space Marines might deploy something around squad strength. There's no Doc Dorden and Milo the Bugle Boy in tow, so to speak.



If you want to look into cool logistics sacrifices, check out Soviet tank design. Their size in particular, not the spectacular fashion with which they explode.

'Cause they like giving up first blood!

Maybe rules wise and fluff wise they don't relate but perhaps the Rhino is a lot faster than most APC's. They like lightening assaults and all.