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When I was assembling a rhino for my death co, I started thinking about if a rhino crew that have been taken by the black rage drives their death co brothers into battle? Is there anything like this?

I doubt the Rhino driver would have fallen.

they really need a clear head at the wheel.

The driver's probably sealed behind the door for their own safety as well.

I always figured rhino drivers were servitors/serfs/crippled marines and not fully battle brothers.

It's the only way the 1000 marine rule can work.

The Thousand marine rule doesn't include support personel like Drivers, Ship Captains, Trainers, Armory(including Techmarines and junior Techmarines), Reclusium, Librarium, Apothacarium, or Honor Guard(all of which are full battle brothers)

a full strength chapter could have 1200-1500 actual marines on hand.

'Tis true. The 1000 rule appears to be a general guideline for how line infantry you can have.

Don't know if they have them anymore but they used to come with a crewman. His shoulder pad reveals he is a techmarine.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:'Tis true. The 1000 rule appears to be a general guideline for how line infantry you can have.

Don't know if they have them anymore but they used to come with a crewman. His shoulder pad reveals he is a techmarine.

But why put a genetically modified, highly trained, power armor wearing marine in as a tank driver? There's plenty of non-marines who can do the same job.

I know this my personal canon but it's the only thing that makes sense. The tech marine symbol (for me) means it's a crippled marine hardwired into the rhino for the rest of his life.

You put the guy in the tank so he doesn't get scared driving that metal box around.

Tanks are dangerous places to be at any time. you want someone durable in there.

Ya I fear for Storm Raven Pilots that drop off DC dreadnought and the Company, I know if I were them, I wouldn't stop, I would make them jump!

Not just that, but, outside the game, I can imagine the drivers getting outside of those metal boxes and joining the infantry.

The death company driver is essentially the equivalent of the late night bus driver taking the drunks home from town, just opening the door and disgorging them at the location where they will cause maximum damage.

Come to think of it though, I can't think of a single example even in BL where the driver of a Rhino (or Land Raider for that matter) has been mentioned. On the other hand, I have read a couple of times about Thunderhawk crew being training individuals (but not always marines).

Perhaps piloting the Rhino is another task some Initiates undertake on their way to becoming full battle-brothers. It is known from actual models that Predator commanders are full Space Marines, but perhaps lesser functions are fulfilled by the Initiates.

The life expectancy might be really low
Remember you are essentially carrying the equivalent of Khorne berserker in loyalist terms.Although... this somehow make sense why Blood angels strapped faster engine into their vehicle, so they can disgorge said cargo and get the hell away from it

I think in the IA there is mention that the thunder hawk pilots are just well trained regular humans.

on the other hand, maybe they should make a rule called Road Rage - after the rhino has deployed its passengers the driver gets mad he can't join them. Any enemy unit with in cruising speed must be tanked shocked.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:'Tis true. The 1000 rule appears to be a general guideline for how line infantry you can have.

Don't know if they have them anymore but they used to come with a crewman. His shoulder pad reveals he is a techmarine.

But why put a genetically modified, highly trained, power armor wearing marine in as a tank driver? There's plenty of non-marines who can do the same job.

I know this my personal canon but it's the only thing that makes sense. The tech marine symbol (for me) means it's a crippled marine hardwired into the rhino for the rest of his life.

That crew is responsible for the lives of an entire tactical squad. An entire company for a thunderhawk pilot. It's hardly an unimportant job. I'd want some of my best men crewing my vehicles personally.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:'Tis true. The 1000 rule appears to be a general guideline for how line infantry you can have.

Don't know if they have them anymore but they used to come with a crewman. His shoulder pad reveals he is a techmarine.

But why put a genetically modified, highly trained, power armor wearing marine in as a tank driver? There's plenty of non-marines who can do the same job.

I know this my personal canon but it's the only thing that makes sense. The tech marine symbol (for me) means it's a crippled marine hardwired into the rhino for the rest of his life.

Remember back in the Pre-Heresy days they even had Marines loading artillery shells, on sentry duty on recon patrols. I guess they had a hell of a lot more around back then to do that, but I've kind of always liked the idea of marines doing that.

Pacific wrote:The death company driver is essentially the equivalent of the late night bus driver taking the drunks home from town, just opening the door and disgorging them at the location where they will cause maximum damage.

I just laughed so hard, i had a little accident in my pants.

As marines fight in the hardest parts of the battle, it's necessary for those driving their vehicles to be able to keep up or even survive if the vehicle is damaged or destroyed.
It also means that the crew can survive the same environments that the other marines can without the need for extra equipment, specialized transports and so forth.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:'Tis true. The 1000 rule appears to be a general guideline for how line infantry you can have.

Don't know if they have them anymore but they used to come with a crewman. His shoulder pad reveals he is a techmarine.

But why put a genetically modified, highly trained, power armor wearing marine in as a tank driver? There's plenty of non-marines who can do the same job.

I know this my personal canon but it's the only thing that makes sense. The tech marine symbol (for me) means it's a crippled marine hardwired into the rhino for the rest of his life.

It doesn't make sence hard wiring a mearine in for life, are you saying that every vehicule has a dreadnaught fitted inside sarcoficus inside? it makes more sence that it is a member of the armoury, it does actually make sence to use space marines as fluff has shown that humans cannot keep up with the demands of space marine orders in a warzone.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:'Tis true. The 1000 rule appears to be a general guideline for how line infantry you can have.

Don't know if they have them anymore but they used to come with a crewman. His shoulder pad reveals he is a techmarine.

But why put a genetically modified, highly trained, power armor wearing marine in as a tank driver? There's plenty of non-marines who can do the same job.

I know this my personal canon but it's the only thing that makes sense. The tech marine symbol (for me) means it's a crippled marine hardwired into the rhino for the rest of his life.

That crew is responsible for the lives of an entire tactical squad. An entire company for a thunderhawk pilot. It's hardly an unimportant job. I'd want some of my best men crewing my vehicles personally.

You can't fit 100 marines inside a Thunderhawk.

it's 30.


Stormbirds could carry a company + tank support.

I think it differs from chapter to chapter...
Some use trained humans whilst others might use full marines or servitors.
The SW for instance use Grey Hunters that have specialised in operating vehicles like tanks or thunderhawks.

Pacific wrote:Come to think of it though, I can't think of a single example even in BL where the driver of a Rhino (or Land Raider for that matter) has been mentioned.

In the book "Brothers of the Snake" it is mentioned. I don't have the book in front of me as I'm not at home, but they say brother so and so drove the rhino but he was stripped to the waste of his armour so that he could fit into the drivers compartment. When they got to the town they were driving to they just got out and re-armoured him.

When I get home I will look up the exact reference and post the actual quote.

BluntmanDC wrote:

It doesn't make sence hard wiring a mearine in for life, are you saying that every vehicule has a dreadnaught fitted inside sarcoficus inside? it makes more sence that it is a member of the armoury, it does actually make sence to use space marines as fluff has shown that humans cannot keep up with the demands of space marine orders in a warzone.

Dreads are only for the very best marine heroes, surely there must be tons of other marines and filed initiates who are competant, qualified but no longer fit for the front lines.

So Brother Bob gets blown in half by a plasma cannon but, as a marine, he's still alive. What do you do with him?

You don't have a dread body free for him, and besides y'know he was always just kind of there, not really an arm-wrestle an Avatar kind of guy. So you wire him into his old squad's rhino and he gets to be part of the unit.

At least that's how I see it.

Dude, don't Black Rage and Drive.

Leave your keys with the chaplain at the end of every engagement.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

BluntmanDC wrote:

It doesn't make sence hard wiring a mearine in for life, are you saying that every vehicule has a dreadnaught fitted inside sarcoficus inside? it makes more sence that it is a member of the armoury, it does actually make sence to use space marines as fluff has shown that humans cannot keep up with the demands of space marine orders in a warzone.

Dreads are only for the very best marine heroes, surely there must be tons of other marines and filed initiates who are competant, qualified but no longer fit for the front lines.

So Brother Bob gets blown in half by a plasma cannon but, as a marine, he's still alive. What do you do with him?

You don't have a dread body free for him, and besides y'know he was always just kind of there, not really an arm-wrestle an Avatar kind of guy. So you wire him into his old squad's rhino and he gets to be part of the unit.

At least that's how I see it.

What happens is he is either given the Emperor's Mercy or heavy Bionics if he isn't deemed worthy of a Dreadnought.

Grey Templar wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

BluntmanDC wrote:

It doesn't make sence hard wiring a mearine in for life, are you saying that every vehicule has a dreadnaught fitted inside sarcoficus inside? it makes more sence that it is a member of the armoury, it does actually make sence to use space marines as fluff has shown that humans cannot keep up with the demands of space marine orders in a warzone.

Dreads are only for the very best marine heroes, surely there must be tons of other marines and filed initiates who are competant, qualified but no longer fit for the front lines.

So Brother Bob gets blown in half by a plasma cannon but, as a marine, he's still alive. What do you do with him?

You don't have a dread body free for him, and besides y'know he was always just kind of there, not really an arm-wrestle an Avatar kind of guy. So you wire him into his old squad's rhino and he gets to be part of the unit.

At least that's how I see it.

What happens is he is either given the Emperor's Mercy or heavy Bionics if he isn't deemed worthy of a Dreadnought.

Marines can also be retired from active service... though usually if they are that old they get a dreadnought.
If they are hurt badly enough and relatively early in their 'career' they would be retired and put to use elsewhere.

purplefood wrote:

Grey Templar wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

BluntmanDC wrote:

It doesn't make sence hard wiring a mearine in for life, are you saying that every vehicule has a dreadnaught fitted inside sarcoficus inside? it makes more sence that it is a member of the armoury, it does actually make sence to use space marines as fluff has shown that humans cannot keep up with the demands of space marine orders in a warzone.

Dreads are only for the very best marine heroes, surely there must be tons of other marines and filed initiates who are competant, qualified but no longer fit for the front lines.

So Brother Bob gets blown in half by a plasma cannon but, as a marine, he's still alive. What do you do with him?

You don't have a dread body free for him, and besides y'know he was always just kind of there, not really an arm-wrestle an Avatar kind of guy. So you wire him into his old squad's rhino and he gets to be part of the unit.

At least that's how I see it.

What happens is he is either given the Emperor's Mercy or heavy Bionics if he isn't deemed worthy of a Dreadnought.

Marines can also be retired from active service... though usually if they are that old they get a dreadnought.
If they are hurt badly enough and relatively early in their 'career' they would be retired and put to use elsewhere.

True enough, most of the time they get to train new initiates and, if they arn't hurt too badly, lead the scout squads.

So we all agree there are crippled marines and they are put to good use. Would driving a Rhino be that far outside posibility?

Kid_Kyoto wrote:

BluntmanDC wrote:

It doesn't make sence hard wiring a mearine in for life, are you saying that every vehicule has a dreadnaught fitted inside sarcoficus inside? it makes more sence that it is a member of the armoury, it does actually make sence to use space marines as fluff has shown that humans cannot keep up with the demands of space marine orders in a warzone.

Dreads are only for the very best marine heroes, surely there must be tons of other marines and filed initiates who are competant, qualified but no longer fit for the front lines.

So Brother Bob gets blown in half by a plasma cannon but, as a marine, he's still alive. What do you do with him?

You don't have a dread body free for him, and besides y'know he was always just kind of there, not really an arm-wrestle an Avatar kind of guy. So you wire him into his old squad's rhino and he gets to be part of the unit.

At least that's how I see it.

being hard wired into a rhino would make the space marine lose his sanity, the reason space marines can maintain their sanity while in dreads is because for most of the time they are asleep only being woken for the most dire situations. rhinos on the other hand are used regularly, so the effects some on quicker.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:So we all agree there are crippled marines and they are put to good use. Would driving a Rhino be that far outside posibility?

I suppose it wouldn't.

although he would probably still be capable of walking around and stuff. just with heavy Augmetics and stuff.


although the models don't agree with you as the marines looking out of all the hatches belong to the armory.