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Hello everyone

I'm starting a space marine chapter (yeah, I know... “another one”) and I was wondering if I could use both latin and gothic numbers (one for squad, one for company) on my minis without raising (too much) more than an eyebrow
Or maybe some other numbers alternatives (celtic, sumerians...)
I don't like the idea of using the company colours as the codex states it (especially purple for the 7th).

Also, would it be “right” to mix squads from different companies? As i understood, it's not appropriate to have land-speeder, bikes and/or jetpacks in the same company.
But Since i just started buying/collecting stuff from ebay, i don't have a full squad of only one type.

Thanks in advance for any kind soul that would enlighten me

I mean, first is the obvious answer - they are yours do as you will.

But in terms of mixing language and alphabets it is perfectly fine and would make sense within the 40k universe. Perhaps one is an honorific to their homeworld and the other is Imperial gothic or representative of a certain campaign etc...

As for mixing squads - definitely. If you read through the narratives in the SM books, they very rarely fight as entire battle companies unless facing Apocalypse level events like a sudden Hive Fleet arrival.

Often the fighting force will be designated by the ranking Captain's company, but may very well be made up of squads from other companies.

First, Welcome to Dakka and the Space Marines.

There are a ton of variant markings, even in codex adherent chapters. No reason you can’t do whatever you want. Most task forces sent out by a chapter are going to pull from multiple companies. So if you want to mix it up you can. But don’t feel you need to.

It’s actually fine to have jump packs/speeders/bikes all in the same company. While some of the reserve companies specialize in them, the battle companies mix and match as needed. By the time marines sere serving in a battle co, they are trained to take the field using whatever is needed. Although classically it’s the assault marines that utilize these toys. For the longest time, my battle company had a shelf deployment for it’s assault marines of 10 jump packs, 4 bikers, and 3 speeders. These days, it’s just 20 jump packs on the company shelf, with the other stuff on the swap shelf.

Thank you both for your answers, now my painting path is more clear
I was considering using only one kind of number and use it in the company colors, but it's really ugly and [sparkle mode on] completely mess my beautiful color scheme [sparkle mode off] (where the rainbow unicorn icon ?)
another question: Is a squad number written in stone or is it defined for each event the company will face ?
ie: if i pick my 5th squad of 2nd company and put them in my 4th company where there's already a 5th squad, should they still sport the 5, or change?

i can always remove the decal later, you'll say...

As far as I know...

Each marine has an assigned spot. Until he is reassigned. So Brother Bob might be assigned to the 9th company, 4th squad. So even if his squad is detached to fight along side other forces, Bob is still going to be part of the 4th/9th co. Now we can tell by the fact that bob’s in the 9th company, he’s in the reserves. Eventually he is going to transfer to the 8th, and then the 6th or 7th. Each time he’ll get a new squad. After he’s cycled though the reserve companies, and is fluent in all forms of warfare, he will be assigned to a battle company. Where he will serve until he dies, or transfers to the 1st company with the veterans. There may be lateral transfers in the battle companies, I’m not sure. I know there is precedent for their captains at least to move to other companies.

Each company has 100 men, in 10 squads. (plus the command element). They may take the field in assorted combinations, or with elements from other companies. But each squad has it’s own members and position.

Important question, which chapter are you doing or are they your own homebrew?

Anyway, what he said... so your Squad III of 4th company wouldn't actually switch/move into the 5th company... but they could still be fighting together in the same strike force.

For example:

Captain Machiavi of the Blood Angel's 3rd Company is the highest ranking Captain in the current force... the force would generally take his name or Company name and possibly an expedition title.

Most likely he'd have a majority of squads from his, the 3rd company with him, Tactical squad III of the 3rd Company is one... he could also have some squads from the 6th Reserve company for example, so Tactical squad III of the 6th Company - these guys now fall under Captain Machiavi's command but still belong to the 6th company and wear 6th company icons etc.

A lot of chapters use icons and colors to differentiate company and squad as well.

It's an homebrew chapter, Descendant of Salamanders.
Still working on the fluff and the name.
Orange and green scheme, guns in yellow. Veteran and sergeant markings on guns and swords. Sergeants will have backpack banners (except for assault squads).



I should make a census of what i have so far (units and bits), but i know i have a bunch of bike, a few jetpacks and 3-4 landspeeder.
I want to deploy anything i have, but i want to explain (paint-wise) why that squad is there.
I have a bunch of terminators too, so i'd go for my main company being the 1st with extras from other companies, hence my question.

I have a new one (apparently, I'm on a roll )
I bought some stuff on ebay and got some space wolves bits. Can i use them (find a backstory to explain it) or is a space marine too proud to use something that comes from another chapter ?
i don't want to waste time painting those if it's a heresy.
maybe i should trade them for regular ones.

If you are doing your own chapter, especially not one based on the Ultramarines, you have a lot of flex. Nice scheme by the way.

I know there is some very old fluff about chapters swapping gear, so there is historic precedent. And it makes sense if you want it to. If a contingent of your chapter fought along side the wolves in some campaign, I could see some of the troops swapping gear, or being granted talismans/seals/trophies from the wolves as a sign of brotherhood and thanks.

 Nevelon wrote:
If you are doing your own chapter, especially not one based on the Ultramarines, you have a lot of flex. Nice scheme by the way.

Thank you

 Nevelon wrote:
I know there is some very old fluff about chapters swapping gear, so there is historic precedent. And it makes sense if you want it to. If a contingent of your chapter fought along side the wolves in some campaign, I could see some of the troops swapping gear, or being granted talismans/seals/trophies from the wolves as a sign of brotherhood and thanks.

i was thinking using the excuse “we found it in a space hulk”, but they're not thieves, i guess they would give it back to the rightful chapters, since all chapter seems to be so nostalgic with relics and stuff
But yeah, your story is better... I could mix both, in fact: So happy to get back stuff, the “doggies” could have rewarded my honest guys with part of the loot

Anyway, i'm gonna take the next step : stripping the minis and painting them. Since i'll use numeric decals for company and squad marking, i'll do that later and ask the nice people of dakka² to help me organise my company.

Well first -- awesome start!

So yeah like Nevelon said if it's a homebrew you aren't shackled to any strict Codex restrictions.

Background -- note that the Salamanders have almost no successor chapters. They lost big numbers is the Heresy and their homeworld is a tough place with a very small and dwindling population to draw from. That said, there is always room to for some imagination.

I'd say maybe like an uncharacteristic period of climate stability, two decades(?), caused a sudden population boom and the High Lords of Terra seized the chance to forge more Astartes with the Salamander gene-sead; etc etc...

As for the Space Wolf gear... it's tough to say, because the Salamanders are known for their forges and their brilliant construction of war machines and weapons. But they did lose almost everything at one point so they might be more willing to take what they can get (though that is common Chaos practice, well Chaos and the Minotaurs).

Perhaps their first major engagement was coming to the aid of a Space Wolf expedition yadda yadda...

A little bit of "Post Digging"

I finally answered all my previous questions.
The result can be seen here (or in my sig).

Happy hobby to all