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Would a space marine legion obey another primarch that wasn't their own

for example would the space wolves listen to sanguinius orders, if say russ wasn't there for some reason.... etc.

If another Primarch was given the overall authority, like Logan Grimnar was during the 13th Black Crusade, then of course they would.

Space Marines are, first and foremost, soldiers.

 Psienesis wrote:
If another Primarch was given the overall authority, like Logan Grimnar was during the 13th Black Crusade, then of course they would.

Space Marines are, first and foremost, soldiers.

but would space wolves actually obey Sanguinius, even though he is not their primarch?

I think he answered that question.

If the other Primarch was given authority, yes they would.

It might help if you give us some more context or explanation.

Yes. In this situation, Sanguinius has been given the authority to command all Imperial forces. The Space Wolves are an Imperial force. Would they dare dishonor Russ by refusing to obey lawful orders?

After all, if Sanguinius is given overall command, it is almost certainly by decree of the Emperor. Would the Space Wolves defy the word of the Emperor?

Yes, I believe they would obey Sanguinius!

Currently reading The Unremembered Empire, there are several squads from various chapters that have become separated in the Heresy and found their way to Macragge.

It is clearly stated that Guilliman is an equal of his brothers and they will obey him as their commander.

I imagine there are limits to that, like say Kruze ordering Salamanders to slaughter a city. but at the same time, the primarchs aren't stupid. I suspect they're much more hands off when commanding their brothers forces. typically giving the subordinate commander a result they want. some suggestions but giving them the flexability to apply their own legions unique talents to the situation

I believe he was referring to a hypothetical situation like this:

A small force of SW is on a planet, fighting a losing battle.

Sangy and the BA arrive to help out. However, Sangy orders to the SW to hold X position while the BA go for Y position.

Will the SW obey Sangy? Should they?

The sheer military conditioning may also kick in and recognise a established level of chomand. With in reason but if the order is sane and not too conflict I g what reason do they have to ignore?

A primarch is a primarch, there still senior officers even to another legion. And if the appointed campaign chimandor well is it not military disiplinw to obey. And its imprinted down practically into there very genetic code.

Of course. As of the 41st Millennium, Dark Angels will happily follow the beck and call of Lorgar.

Would WWII American soldiers obey Montgomery? Of course.

The other thing to keep in mind is that - from reading the HH series - the Primarchs are quite literally awe-inspiring. Perhaps a better question might be, 'Would a space marine be able to not obey the command of another Primarch?'

 ChazSexington wrote:
Would WWII American soldiers obey Montgomery? Of course.

stretching it. They likely would not, unless pressed.

Also montgomery is so high up in the chain of command that why would he ever be giving orders to American rank and file. Montgomery would be giving orders to a lower ranked American general and at that point it might be more of a suggestion than an order.

 Wyzilla wrote:
Of course. As of the 41st Millennium, Dark Angels will happily follow the beck and call of Lorgar.

If Lorgar still counted as a Space Marine Primarch .....



The Legions are created to follow Orders. The Primarchs are created to be his Generals.
Maybe SM wouldn't act upon every Order, but anything that wasn't forbidden by their own Primarch shouldn't cause trouble.

Specifically for the scenario of Space Marines Present and a Primarch but 3 different Legions, there is one event where The Lion and his Dark Angels enter a battle between Death Guard and Iron Hands. The Lion orders them to stop as he claims the prize for himself. The Death Guard attempts to resist but isn't good at it. Iron Hands also experience a certain pull to just obey. Maybe a feature the Emperor built into his creation, so his Legions would follow no matter which of his sons is present.

Before the Heresy all the legions followed Horus' orders whether directly or indirectly.
During the Heresy all the traitor legions followed Horus' orders whether directly or indirectly.
After the heresy the remaining loyal primarchs pushed the traitor legions back and pursued them to the Eye of Terror. The Blood Angels, Salamanders, Dark Angels and Iron Hands did not stand around going 'HERP - DERP' whilst licking a wall whilst this happened and so must have followed another primarchs orders.

So yes - other legions would and did follow other primarchs orders.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also there is a short story where a loyal warsmith of the Iron Warriors follows Guillimans orders to hold out against HIS OWN primarch.

SW are a good example that not all legions will follow orders, see Logan Grimnar picking a fight with Grey Knights and the Inquisition for example. In A Thousand Sons though some SW begrudgingly obeyed Magnus the Reds orders but not after challenging him a little first. I think the name of the wolf lord was Alsmodi Skarsen or something like that.

LightKing wrote:
Would a space marine legion obey another primarch that wasn't their own

for example would the space wolves listen to sanguinius orders, if say russ wasn't there for some reason.... etc.

Obey? No.
Respect? Certainly.

During the Great Crusade and Heresy it was not uncommon for legions to work in tandem under combined leadership. Primarchs were well known and highly regarded both as commanders and figureheads, not just of their own legions but of the Imperium at large. There were a few exceptions, of course. I can't Imagine Imperial Fists following Peturabo into battle. But for the most part the Legions were more concerned with conquest and objectives than maintaining the chain of command in the thick of combat.