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Looks like we're going the way of the guard

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat440161a&prodId=prod2130080a

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat440161a&prodId=prod2130078a

Seems like a misnomer to me. I was under the impression that a vox-caster is a long-distance radio, yet this looks to be more like an SoB-style laud hailer for bellowing blessings and other assorted semi-religious stuff.

[edit] I agree with the following posts that it kind of nudges the Marines more into the "helmetless" corner - that being said, a booming voice carried by loudspeakers and being echoed by the surrounding walls of a fortress-chapel surely feels a bit more inspirational than one carried over and distorted by some crackling ancient radio?

Having an external speaker on a Guard vox unit makes sense as not all Guardsmen necessarily have personal comms. However Marines all have autosenses and internal comms s part of their helmets. Why do they need to shout instructions to each other? Even the character units without helmets are often shown with headsets, and that functinality could easily be incorporated into the helmet collar anyway... foolishness!

I think this is down to coming up with various roles for the different company captains. We've had 4 previously, (Master of the Fleet, Master of the Armoury, Master of Recruits and 1 other (Master of the Watch? Not sure on that last)) It seems we're now getting the rest. (Master of Rites, Master of Marches, Master of Relics all make sense... WTF is with Lord Executioner?) There's also still some missing, going by the codex.

The external speaker could also be there to intimidate the enemy by drenching them in the holy words of the Emperor.

Of course, the model looks absurd, but that's a whole different issue

Yeah I am pretty sure those are just amplifiers, not anything meant for secure communication.

Also, marines will frequently fight alongside other imperial factions, who might not be tied into their com-net.

It's pants on head stupid really.

Marines have had things like that in the artwork for decades. Don't read into it.

Sometimes, you really need everyone to hear how awesome you are.

 Veteran Sergeant wrote:
Sometimes, you really need everyone to hear how awesome you are.

Much like every "GW is stupid" thread?

Because he has a beautiful singing voice. Really boosts morale.

I never really got the point of Vox Casters. Wouldn't headsets be, like, the easiest thing to manufacture in 38,000 years? Even a world like us who can only make heavy stubbers could easily issue soldiers with headsets (Not very durable ones for a good price but give 38,000 years and yeah). Maybe it's purpose is to be like a back up network in case the main one is interrupted but surely we would've invented a much better way of communications by then.

Why such big loud speakers, anyway? In 50 years we could probably fit most modern loud speakers into something the
size of a bottle cap or something. I could get intimidation factor but it seems like a big "Snipe me to get that annoying noise to shut the feth up!". Especially since they don't wear helmets!

Smaller often means less robust. Compare traditional Russian engineering to the stuff churned out in Western or Asian hi-tech factories. Miniaturisation, although partially driven by advances in the materials being used, also requires a much finer machinery - and this is where I would point to the technological recession that has gripped the Imperium, destroying knowledge or twisting it into something mystified and arcane. When Factorum-Techpriest Cognatius can only work with a giant pair of pliers, a hammer, and a simple magnifying glass, filigree handiwork becomes difficult if not impossible. 40k technology, from how I see it, stands at a weird ridge between "highly advanced" and "hideously regressed", resulting in stuff like people having fully functional cybernetic limbs ... that end in extremely crude-fashioned tools. Have you seen the "surgery" equipment for a Marine Apothecary or a Sister Hospitaller? It's like medieval times with lasers and electricity!

Thus, the Imperium builds its things to last, from the gigantic starships to the buildings right down to the guns and other personal equipment. Because that headset on Trooper Ridshert's head has been carried into battle by a dozen other soldiers before him, and will continue to be carried into battle long after its current owner has been turned into a skeleton.

On the issue of vox-casters as backpack radios it's also worth pointing out that they are larger because they are supposed to be more powerful, providing secure communication from regiment to regiment, or even continent to continent or to the Imperial battlecruiser in orbit. Certain features such as an automatic logging device or electronic warfare capabilities could further add to the bulk (and weight).

In the end, of course it's also quite simply a stylistic choice ("bigger is better" + real life references from wars of the past), but one I deem sensible when keeping in mind how the setting was written.

Remember, the *entire* Imperium is modern-day Detroit on a galactic scale.

And what do we know about Detroit?

That's right, boys and girls, those poor people are living in Mad Max times.

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:

 Veteran Sergeant wrote:
Sometimes, you really need everyone to hear how awesome you are.

Much like every "GW is stupid" thread?

I'm not really sure what you're getting at.

Not everything that is loud is awesome. Definitely not most of the GW or Mat Ward hate threads.

Psienesis wrote:Remember, the *entire* Imperium is modern-day Detroit on a galactic scale.

And what do we know about Detroit?

That's right, boys and girls, those poor people are living in Mad Max times.

Bulky Robocop and ED-209 are very fitting references here, too.

The best way to use it? Long-distance interrogations!

The techmarine applied his blessings to the vox-caster. "It is ready, Brother Asmodai."

Asmodai's mask bobbed a bit. "You are sure the Fallen will hear it?"

"Indeed."

The Master Chaplain cleared his throat and pointed to the Techmarine.

"This long-distance interr-erm, dedication goes out to our lost friends and brothers in the hope they'll come home soon. And now, here's Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai with his rendition of the Ancient Chant of Lost Brotherhood."

Asmodai stood up and put the microphone to his mask. Then the incense braziers on his backpack fired off a series of smoking pyrotechnics.

"AAAAAAANNNNND IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-EEEEE-IIIIIIIII--EEEE-YIIEEEEEYIIIIIIIII WIL ALWAYS LO-OOOOVE YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUU OH WHOA WHOA WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU-HUUUUUUUUU"

The entire crowd scattered in fear except for one man, curled in the fetal position and weeping for the assault on his ears.

"There he is. Retrieve him," Asmodai said.

 PaperworkNinja wrote:
The best way to use it? Long-distance interrogations!

The techmarine applied his blessings to the vox-caster. "It is ready, Brother Asmodai."

Asmodai's mask bobbed a bit. "You are sure the Fallen will hear it?"

"Indeed."

The Master Chaplain cleared his throat and pointed to the Techmarine.

"This long-distance interr-erm, dedication goes out to our lost friends and brothers in the hope they'll come home soon. And now, here's Interrogator-Chaplain Asmodai with his rendition of the Ancient Chant of Lost Brotherhood."

Asmodai stood up and put the microphone to his mask. Then the incense braziers on his backpack fired off a series of smoking pyrotechnics.

"AAAAAAANNNNND IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-EEEEE-IIIIIIIII--EEEE-YIIEEEEEYIIIIIIIII WIL ALWAYS LO-OOOOVE YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUU OH WHOA WHOA WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU-HUUUUUUUUU"

The entire crowd scattered in fear except for one man, curled in the fetal position and weeping for the assault on his ears.

"There he is. Retrieve him," Asmodai said.

If there was truly anything to deserve an exalt it was this

My ANG-106 AM from thirty years ago was smaller and I could talk to the other side of the planet on a good day... LOL Sometimes they take this Neo Gothic stuff a little to far...

Ed

I don't see what's wrong with the big vox caster. If Space Marines want to have a private chat they have their personal vox links. This looks to me more like something meant for yelling challenges at the enemy or playing inspiration words for one's own side.

Also, don't forget that if this was some nifty miniaturised gadget it would stop being Imperial as we know it. Imperial stuff is all about being big, loud and intimidating (yes, even their speakers). In fact, if anything I'm disappointed that the Master of Rites' vox unit appears to be flying. He should have it mounted on his back to look as over the top as possible.

...anyways. I'm going to agree with the OP. GW has slowly been increasing the number of HQ choices that do more than simply beat things up in close combat. It really wouldn't surprise me if SM got more support choices in their new codex.

That said, my guess is that the models you're looking at are likely going to be upgrades to the command squad (like the apothecary), or add ons (like guard advisers) that will pass out buffs to units nearby.

I can't say I disapprove, though. I like synergy-based HQ, and like the idea of the imperium as a whole having sort of a theme of command bubbles, whether its guard orders, DA bolter banners, or whatever these new models will do.