Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey Dakka, I was just considering adding a couple of penal legion/ vet squads in my IG army that I field allied with my BT, with them representing chapter serfs that have made planetfall with the marines to help them in the fight. Would such a thing happen, or would they always stay on the ship?

Marines are very proud so they would most likely be very desperate if they took their serfs along to battle.

Would a Marine Chapter like the BT allow their serfs to be used by the Inquisition (in a retinue)?

Obviously the less than satisfying answer is, "It depends."

Depending on chapter traditions, serfs might be failed aspirants, relatives of marines, hand-picked locals, or a mix of all three. So, while it might be rare to see chapter serfs on the battlefield, it's entirely possible they could hold their own (and maybe more.) Whether the Astartes -want- them there again depends on chapter and situation, but remember that those serfs have jobs to do and kicking ass and chewing bubblegum aren't it.

As for a chapter serf in an inquisitorial retinue, that would depend on that inquisitor's relations with the chapter in question.

I don't think it would make sense for a serf to be in an Inquisitor's retinue. After all, most chapters induct their serfs partially or fully into the Chapter creed. It wouldn't be good to have someone like that hanging with a dude who could order the extermination of a chapter if he doesn't like what he hears.

Plus, the Imperial Guard is a far more diverse and available grounds to draw Inquisitorial meatshields from.

As mentioned "it depends".

Most serfs deployed will fulfil more mundane logistical roles and will NOT fight unless there is absolutely no other choice. Considering that you are playing BT it sounds quite plausible them being crusaders and all, though the humans fighting with them will most likely be human zealots they have picked up along the way instead of serfs.

I like that idea vodo40k, sort of like the tafurs. Do you reckon the BT would let them use their chapter heraldry though?

Chapter Serfs are not intended for combat. They're to fill all the support roles any military organization needs and that the SM are too valuable to waste on filling. They are cooks, mechanics, janitors, drivers, pilots, weapon cleaners, bullet-makers, bullet-counters, radio operators, message runners... all the things that are needed to support a military force, but not directly combat-focused.

The role of Space Marines wouldn't really overlap with those of Chapter Serfs.

Marines are elite forces who excel at surgical strikes. You might have a Chapter like the Ultramarines that maintains a sizable PDF, but ultimately, in situations where you send Marines, regular troops are pulp. Space Marines are used against hard targets, not in open conventional warfare. That's what the Guard is for.

Only in the 40K table top game do Marines fight silly conventional battles on neutral terrain, and fight fair, lol.

Chapters like the Iron Snakes bring along serfs with them to battle - they make them hold ammo, spears, shields, and other equipment that the Astartes might need. Like previously stated though, it depends.

Lucarikx