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The Decapitators (my White Scars successor chapter) have an unorthodox organization. Instead of using scouts, new Marines serve as mounted infantry (in APCs) until they graduate into a Warrior Lodge, at which point they become Bikers (although some become Assault Marines, which isn't relevant here). To join a Warrior Lodge, they must adopt a totem animal; each Lodge has a totem animal, and they signify this by strapping an appropriate skull to the front of their bike. They also learn a slightly different fighting style, which on the tabletop boils down mainly to what special weapon they will use.

The question is this: which special weapon best exemplifies which totem animal?
Special weapons: Plasma, Melta, Grav
Totem animals: Wolf, Ram, Bull

Thanks for your input! Also, feel free to leave comments about why you voted the way you did.

hmm, only one that really has the slightest fit for me is Grav as Wolf (as Wolves fight as a pack to take down larger creatures a Grav gun takes down larger, more well armoured beasts)

Thanks for the feedbackt! I know that none of them will be perfect, but I was thinking more about how they would actually operate than the type of energy that their weapon uses.

For example:
Wolves could prefer Plasma weapons, as it is a biting weapon that can take all comers.
Rams could prefer Melta weapons, as they deliver a single powerful shot from a small package.
Bulls could prefer Grav weapons, as they use weight and mass to bring down the foe.

I know it isn't perfect, and that's fine. I'm not really looking for something like Aspect Warriors, where each Aspect perfectly fits a fighting style. I just happen to have three different skulls that look badass on the front of a bike and three special weapon type I want to use. Also I like the idea of Warrior Lodges and totem animals.

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I have attached an image of the Bull squad (WIP), just to give you an idea of what I am working towards.

 shamikebab wrote:
hmm, only one that really has the slightest fit for me is Grav as Wolf (as Wolves fight as a pack to take down larger creatures a Grav gun takes down larger, more well armoured beasts)

I had a similar thought here for wolf. Bulls struck me at straightforward raw power; unsubtle, but brutal. So melta seemed the best fit. Ram was just the third option, so got plasma.

No option for flamers? Not that I'd blame you, I think they are a waste on bikes. Also, what about attack bikes? MM bikes get the same skull as the rest of the squad, or the one you end up going with for melta? HBs? What about when they are fielded as a squad in their own right, not attached to a normal bike squad?

I like the way your bikers look, cool concept.

Nice concept, I quite liked this rationale:

Wolves could prefer Plasma weapons, as it is a biting weapon that can take all comers.
Rams could prefer Melta weapons, as they deliver a single powerful shot from a small package.
Bulls could prefer Grav weapons, as they use weight and mass to bring down the foe.

I'm sure there are other ways to interpret it, but I'd say this is just as valid as any other combination.

Thanks, I'm flattered! I've thought about some potential problems with creating Warrior Lodges, and I plan to limit units to make a very focused and fluffy Chapter. Read on if you want more Decapitators background material.

Decapitator's Do:
... field infantry squads. They are by default 6-man, get one flamer, and ride in a RB. Sometimes larger squads are fielded, but they will either take a rhino or split into CS. In this case, one CS takes a HB or ML by default, and is deposited in a supporting role (i.e. - camps an objective). Other configurations are possible, but uncommon.

... love Atk Bikes. I'm not planning on fielding HB Atk Bikes, especially not as a full squad, so their Lodge is not a concern at this point. If I field them attached, they would associate with whatever Lodge they were attached to (i.e. - that Lodge might field occasional HB Atk Bikes). MM Atk Bikes would be in the same Lodge as melta bikers, fielded alone or attached.

... field Assault Marines. Feathers and bird skulls, lead by jump Librarian. Sometimes ride in Stormraven.

Decapitator's Don't:
... field Scouts of any kind, Drop Pods (except for bringing in reserves, so never in combat), Dreadnoughts, Devastators, Centurions of any kind, or Thunderfire Cannons.

... commonly field Sternguard or Terminators (they really like riding bikes). When they are used, they are always mounted.

... "strip down" their tanks (like WS fluff). They value tanks as mobile gun platforms and siege-breakers (especially Predators and Vindicators).