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Requesting assistance learning the space marines (nutshell version, please). I do have the list below, so it'll be a bit easier to answer.

So I'm jumping into the grim darkness by way of Kill Team. Meaning an exhaustive identification list thankfully isn't needed (makes it easier to discuss, for example i don't need to learn how to tell a primaris apart). I do have Age of Sigmar and I'm working on building a battle sisters box + into the dark; so i am invested. Don't get me wrong.

The other factions (as far as KT is concerned) are a lot easier to tell the model types apart given the limited options. Easy example is Mechanicus either has infantry Skitarii or spindly Sicarians. Space Marines have 9 different KTs, making navigation through that tricky. Really i want to understand what the differences are before i but a box of them.

So, as recap - here's the types of Space Marines and my understanding of what they are... please help me concisely understand (deep lore can wait)


Intercessor, Assault Intercessor = assault intercessors can run pure chainswords. Beyond that can't really tell

Incursor, infiltrator = they have spikey antannae. Can't super recognize them apart from each other

Reivers = i confuse them with the others, sadly

Tactical Marines in KT are the toolbox squad, loads of loadouts. But i can't super tell the difference if they're holding bolters

... the others i can recognize ...
Heavy intercessors are hefty chonkers
Scouts have lots of cloth
Deathwatch vets have near custodes level bling


So yeah, serious question. Just could use help.

Thanks in advance, bye

Intercessors, assault intercessors: “primaris” and so taller and bigger than Tactical and Scout marines. Taller, knee pads have a big brim. The Intercessors have big bolters, longer than a tactical marine’s bolter or one from an infiltrator/incursor.

Infiltrator/Incursor: “primaris” and so taller and bigger than Tactical and Scout marines. Taller, have slim armor because they are supposed to be sneaky. Have short bolters like Tactical marines. I don’t know the difference between infiltrator/incursor.

Reiver: same as infiltrator/incursor but with knives and pistols instead of bolters.

Tacticals: the “normal”, “old” marines. They are shorter than “primaris” models and have short bolters and can take special weapons and heavy weapons options.

Infiltrators, incursors and reivers are all in phobos armor. Which is the “light” version of primaris armor.

Infiltrators have antena on their backpacks, and normal scopes on their bolters.



Incursors have boxy optical scopes/sensors on guns and backpacks



Reivers have either plain backpacks, or grav chutes (little wing looking things). They either have knife/pistol, or short scopeless bolters. (And as CCS points out below, normally skull masks. Which I think looked goofy on troops so didn’t use on mine)

These are painted as deathwatch. You can tell by the black armor and silver shoulderpad. If the were regular marines, they would be in the same colors and have the same pad as the other phobos squad.

For reference, here is a Lt. With the grav chute on his backpack.

Reivers are easy to spot. They have Skull masks.

Primaris marines:
1) thier helmets have a long snout like face plate.
2) after that it's lergely down to what type weapon they're holding. All members of the squad will have the same weapon sans maybe the sgt.

"Tactical" marines. Aka first born.
1) are shorter than the primaris.
2) their helmets (generally) have a Darth Vader style face grill.
3) can have a mix of weapons within a squad
4) really come in 3 squad types: Tactical = 1 Sgt. 7 bolters, 2 other weapons. Assault = melee weapons/chainswords & pistols. Almost always fielded with jetpack. Devastators = Sgt, up to 4 heavy weapons (can be same or a mix), & between 0- 5 boltguns

Thanks a ton, everyone!

This actually helped me untangle the buying options for kill team considerably. =)

Don't forget about these! Primarasors.