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I wasn't sure whether I should post this here or in the background section.

The pages for some of their bolter patterns associate them with certain marks of armour (tigrus with MKIV, for example). Is this the same as with armour marks, where it's not particularly set in stone, or would it be dumb to see a totally different pattern of bolter with a given armour mark?

I was debating buying betrayal at Calth, but I love the classic umbra bolter with chain-bayonets.

Thoughts?

It more has to do with the dates when a Bolter was issued. When the Mk. II was the standard issue armor the Phobos pattern bolter was the standard issue as well. But this changed over time as patterns of bolters went in and out of use. By the time of the Heresy the Tigrus was the standard issue to new recruits as was the Mk. IV (Or at least it should have been. YMMV depending on the Legion). Thus, patterns of bolters tend to be associated with certain marks of armor. But there was no actual rule mandating that. A marine got whatever pattern of bolter that was on hand and this would include older patterns as well. You could see Mk II marines with Tigrus or even Godwyn pattern(!). So, yes, MK. IV marines can use Umbra pattern bolters.

Nah, pick whatever pattern you want. They'd use whatever they had on hand, and that could mean different things depending on how well or poorly supplied they were. I run Phobos with my Mk.4s.

Yeah, there is a progression in bolter types just like there is in armour marks. But like with the armours, there is probably going to be Legions or individual marines prefering one type of bolter over another. And during the Heresy, they will just grab whatever bolters are available. Just like with armour marks, it is not uncommon for different marks or types to be mixed up.

The beauty of Horus Heresy is that Legions were so big that its entirely possible to have complete mixes of all types of equipment. Choose what armor marks and bolter mix that you like best.

I personally love the Umbra Ferrox Bolter with chain bayonets and MKIV power armor. I have squad of 20 outfitted just like this.

http://i.imgur.com/0W1PqvQ.jpg

 pdawg517 wrote:
The beauty of Horus Heresy is that Legions were so big that its entirely possible to have complete mixes of all types of equipment. Choose what armor marks and bolter mix that you like best.

Eh... not really that big, though. The 40 (and 30) K setting suffers from what I call the "missing 0" syndrome. The whole thing would work much better if they bumped the legions upto, say, an approximate million in strength. 40K Chapters become 10,000 strong, with ten 1000-marine companies/battalions, with ten 100-marine platoons/squadrons.