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Howdy Dakka. I'm looking to start my own chapter here soon and I'm running into some issues hammering out the details. So, I look to you folks to give me ideas.


Here's what I've got so far:

1 - They're going to be heroes. Not the guys who show up, blow up a spaceport, kill some heretics, and then leave. These guys are going to idolize knightly behavior, none of that crap about sacrificing folks for the greater good; an idea I stole from reading about the Salamanders.

2 - I haven't decided on what codex to use. Not much help, I know. But I'm hoping that with some discussion I can make a decision.

3 - In terms of equipment I like the idea of their elites being SS/TH/CC terminators, not much in the fast attack department, dreadnought heavy, and assault vehicle heavy. I know that's rather broad, so if we can get it down to three out of four, I'd be ok with that.

4 - Paint scheme I'm thinking primary of red, secondary is going to be black, tertiary is green. Modeling wise I'm going to be using a different kite shield/tower shield in place of the kit(s) stormshield, so if anyone has any ideas for replacements I'd appreciate it. Additionally, I'm going to try to add robes to a lot of the models, so DA models are going to be required I think, but what I'm going to do for helmets are akin to the BT EC heads, or the standard champion heads from the command squad kits.

5 - Fluff wise I'm open to suggestions. I haven't decided who their progenitor chapter is going to be (suppose that depends on what units I decide to use), but I've entertained the Salamanders, Imperial Fists, and very obliquely - the Space Wolves. If these choices don't make sense, feel free to tell me although I'd prefer an alternate.

I'm not sure if this is enough information really, if anyone wants to add anything, that'd be most awesome. The project is in it's baby stages, so if radical changes need to be made, I'm open to them.

The Vanilla Marine codex using Vulkan He'Stan. He has great synergy with Hammernators making the Hammers Master Crafted. So Salamanders would be the ideal progenitor chapter since He'Stan is a Salamanders character (you can call him something else though). He also twin links all your flamers, heavy flamers, and melta weapons so the Dreadnought with those weapons can be even scarier.

I'd be considering Vulkan actually, hmmm...Another series of reasons why he's the better choice! Thanks.

They sound like an Imperial Fist successor to me, if I were you, I'd make use of the BT upgrade sprue as well as the DA ones.
I'd say either C: DA for TDA spam, or C:SM for a more fluid play style.
If you REALLY like the knightly ideals for your chapter, then C:BT is there, but it is very very old.

Now, modelling wise, the BT sprue has a couple of the knightly heads you like, as does the SM Command Squad, the Venerable Dreadnought comes with three brilliant helmets and Forge World have a few nice ones with their Legion Squads. Third party sites will also be useful.

EDIT: had to change CA to C: DA, that bloody Ork...

If you want them to be heroic, go with a more regal paint scheme. Go with gold as a secondary colour, something that stands out.

For alternative shields, there's these. http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Space_Marines/Space_Marine-Infantry-and-Accessories/BLACK_TEMPLARS_TERMINATOR_STORM_SHIELDS.html

Make sure you give them a reason for being saviours and not executioners. My chapter is more caring for the populace because they come from worlds with low populations, meaning they put high value on the usefulness of civilians. Someone needs to build there weapons and run their ships.

For a second HQ you may like Lysander to go along with Vulkan. Use Vulkan's chapter tactics to make all Hammers master crafted and have Lysander be your melee beatstick. he could even be your Warlord to represent your chapter master.

@SSBuca: See I'd been hovering between IF and DA, if only because of their backstory (DA more for the look). BT work with what the Templar/Knightly order aesthetic, but reading about their history sort of makes them zealots rather than selfless heroes.

I'll poke around at some codexs, thanks for the ideas.


@Nobody: That's a far better idea, thanks! As for the shields I hadn't considered those, which is weird considering I'd been on FW looking for something different. The fluff is going to support their ideals, or rather vice versa, but it'll be difficult in such a Grim-dark universe as 40k to have genuine good guys. Going to have to make it believable.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
@Templar: And I'd forgotten about Lysander completely, he fits into what I'd like to do for the guy in charge of the 1st company, or perhaps the chapter. Good looking out.

If you are looking to run both terminator heavy and dreadnought heavy I'd suggest vanilla codex and a Master of the Forge HQ (lets dreads be elites or heavy). That way you can fit 3 termi units and 3 dreads into your basic FOC.

It looks like paging through the C:SM is what's needed here. I appreciate the suggestions and ideas everyone.


As for the background, I understand making them 'white knights' would probably net me a great deal of criticism. Now, while I don't really CARE about anonymous people flaming my work or ideas, I would like something that's reasonable as a backstory for my guys.

So far:

-Descended from the Salamanders
-Heavy Support and heavy Elite choices are commonplace
-Geneseed mutation? I hadn't considered anything.
-Based on a planet? Fleet based? Unsure of where to go here.
-Trying to convey a constant state of warfare for the chapter as they respond to every call they can. Should that reflect on the armor, weapons, and vehicles?

-Based on a planet? Fleet based? Unsure of where to go here.
-Trying to convey a constant state of warfare for the chapter as they respond to every call they can. Should that reflect on the armor, weapons, and vehicles?

I'd say you answered your own question with your next one. Conveying a constant state of warfare would be easier if the Chapter was fleet-based, since it'd be able to respond faster and would generally recruit on the fly.