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Okay so ig are the hammer, and the astartes are the fist. So why so many factions? From what I gather the sw are an accident. And the Ba are cursed. So who is more crucial to the imperium?

Its more like.
Who is more valuable to the sector. the imperium is far from completely unified.

Not quite, OP. The Astartes are more commonly referred to as 'the scalpel of the Imperium, rather than a fist, simply because they're used in a far more precise manner compared with the slow attrition warfare of the Imperial Guard.

There are so many 'factions' because each Primarch had their own legion which were later split to prevent any massed losses to chaos.

As for which is more crucial, I doubt either are more useful than the other. The Imperium could live on (barring the potential imminent tyranid / ork supremacy) without both of those chapters, but not the guard.

...There isn't any such thing as 'who is more crucial to the Imperium'. The Imperium is beset on all sides by foes, they don't really care who mans the barricades as long as it's more angry chainsword-waving bodies in between them and the bad guys.

There are so many factions because some clever bugger decided that if you decentralize military leadership the military as a whole is less likely to try and overthrow the government since the military is busy fighting itself for prominence.

SW are the Arm

BA are the pinkie ( not good for anything )

WolfBrother916 wrote:SW are the Arm

BA are the pinkie ( not good for anything )

thats a little stupid, the blood angels are verry useful. they make all the other chapters feel better about themselves

Tis was a joke......

aapch1 wrote:Okay so ig are the hammer, and the astartes are the fist. So why so many factions? From what I gather the sw are an accident. And the Ba are cursed. So who is more crucial to the imperium?

I wouldn't say that the Wolves are an accident, on the contrary it seems that the Emperor intended them to be the way they are to be his executioners. BA are definitely cursed though.

The Space Wolves were meant to be Legion breakers should something happen to them. But they weren't meant to handle a mass defection. Look how effectively they broke the Thousand Sons.

aapch1 wrote:Okay so ig are the hammer, and the astartes are the fist. So why so many factions? From what I gather the sw are an accident. And the Ba are cursed. So who is more crucial to the imperium?

From a fan of blood angels i say ba are better. Yes while they may be cursed theyre still not lost. People who get the black rage and red thirst are still useful to the legion as they are put in the death company and are sent on insane suicide missions say before the main SM element gets there. And not only that when they are in there "cursed" state they are immune to pain and are basically unstoppable killing machines. Also i like them a lot because of sanguinius. He was a true hero, and leader. Calm, collective, inspiring, honorable ect. And that has been past down to his sons.

Brother Thomas - All Blood Angels have the Red Thirst, it is part of their longevity. Having it does not condemn them to the Black Company. The Black Rage is different and when they develop it they are sent to the Black Company to fight until they are slain.

Sorry i got it mixed up. I am aware they all have the red thirst as ive read the blood angels omnibus and ... i forget the name of the main character but every time hes in battle he has to fight off 'being lost to the red thirst' which makes his vision turn reddish and if he lets it take hold of him i assume he goes into the black rage

psychosis vs stupidity

BA- noble, heroic, stoic. They know they are cursed, and continue on protecting the imperium untill they can no longer.

SW- ferocious, savage, unstoppable. They protect the imperium, in their own way. If you disagree with how they think things should be done, watch out.

Personally, I'd not really be surprise if SW make an appearance in the next Codex: Chaos Renegade chapters.

Space Wolves have seemed to be just this side if chaos from their beginning. Blood Angels have been cursed since their Primarch went toe to toe with the Warmaster.

aapch1 wrote:Okay so ig are the hammer, and the astartes are the fist. So why so many factions? From what I gather the sw are an accident. And the Ba are cursed. So who is more crucial to the imperium?

What the feth are you talking about?

Thats like making a comment of comparing the United States 1st Infantry Division to the 1st Armor Division and asking why are their so many organizations dedicated in the US for national defense and following that up with who is more important in the fight against Germany during World War 2.

And I have no idea where you came up with the idea the SW are an accident

Both factions are equally vital to the Imperium.

Both the BA and the SW have better than normal close combat skills, and both have specialized units that the other SM chapters simply don't have.

I also think either one could eventually become Chaotic
SW are almost reminiscent of World Eaters
BA have a thing for blood...(Khorne, anybody?) even if it is representative of Sanguinius' sacrifice.

also, going into a blind frenzy is a little suspicious to me...

You all make valid points... little did you know you were helping me make a decision on which army to choose > blood angels here I come hehehehe