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The power claw Yarrick carries was carried by Warboss Ugulhard, before Yarrick killed him 1-1. That feat alone makes Yarrick a good contender for 'Best Fighter'.

I want to say St. Celestine becasue she never truely dies, she was a sister repentia, Led assaults and was severly wounded, went back to fight front lines next day. got mortally wounded, ressurected as the living saint. Yarrick is a badass too, even having a freaking laser eye on top of the Power Klaw

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
The power claw Yarrick carries was carried by Warboss Ugulhard, before Yarrick killed him 1-1. That feat alone makes Yarrick a good contender for 'Best Fighter'.

Killing a random Warboss makes you the best fighter in the setting?

How interesting.

My snakebite grotherder is now officially the biggest badass in the setting then..oh wait, he's not

I had a grot take kharns last wound does that make him the best fighter?

I don't think st celestine should be considered just because she never dies. If she was the best she never would of taken fatal wounds in the first place

Jayo'r wrote:
I don't think st celestine should be considered just because she never dies. If she was the best she never would of taken fatal wounds in the first place

If she never dies, they're not fatal wounds then, are they?

Since we are arguing 'best close combat fighter', I prefer to look at skill at arms being more important than any odd special abilities.

My humble opinion is that Yarrick wouldn't make the final cut. He's good! Any ork worth his salt will agree he knows how ta fight, even Ghazghkull considers him his 'friend/favorite enemy' (orks use the same glyph for those two concepts). But just look how they behave now: Yarrick is enraged and wants Ghazghkull's head at all costs, whereas the big G beat him already, knows how to fight the commissar and lets him go to have a good challenge ahead - that's the behavior of a fighter that's already won in spirit. Also the only time Yarrick ever beat Ghazzy was as a commander when throwing armies at each other, remember, we're checking who's the best close combat fighter! My conclusion: Ghazzy is better.

The ork's psychic resonance (believing Yarrick is tough) won't change that, it does not bend reality enough to make Yarrick invincible or such. The orks believe they're ultimate fighters and survivors, yet they die and lose battles still, hm? Ork psychic resonance is a relatively minor effect, gives a bit of luck here, piece of engine will hold together a tinge better if the trukk is painted red, it makes a shoota a bit more reliable... Won't stop a bullet, or make a tube and springs act like a gun. (Orks are good engineers actually, just uncaring about things looking neat)

Now for another contender, I give kudos to those that named Garviel Loken. I'm also a fan of the guy and the novels where we saw him... But again I must humbly vote against him: He beat Lucius once, then Lucius simply got -better-. Much better, beat-Loken-in-10-seconds better. And strictly in the sense of combat skill, Lucius never stopped improving and seeking the greatest battles to test his swordsmanship, and he's done that since before the Horus Heresy! I name him as a definite contender for 'best fighter' (outside the divine category) as he is arguably the best swordsman in the Horus Heresy epoch - back when space marines came in legions of many thousands and primarchs roamed the stars! I'm not even -considering- his odd chaos blessing, just considering his merit on pure skill with a sword. If Lucius were to face the likes of Draigo, (in fiction, not on tabletop) my money would be on Lucius winning due to sheer breadth of experience.

Now Kudos to who mentioned Drazahar: Master of Blades. Yes, an Eldar phoenix lord of blades that earned his title after a 17-day duel and hundreds of years of fighting -does- sound like the sort of close combat master that could face the likes of Lucius and... I'm not sure who else deserves a spot in such exalted company, even Ghazghkull and most marine big names would likely just be danced around by the likes of them... Kharn maybe?

If were talking about skills then it is Lelith. No special armour, no special weapons, no drugs, just pure skill.

 Spacecat wrote:
The orks believe they're ultimate fighters and survivors, yet they die and lose battles still, hm? Ork psychic resonance is a relatively minor effect, gives a bit of luck here, piece of engine will hold together a tinge better if the trukk is painted red, it makes a shoota a bit more reliable... Won't stop a bullet, or make a tube and springs act like a gun. (Orks are good engineers actually, just uncaring about things looking neat)

Ummmm... the orks dont think they are ultimate fighters... they just thinking they are dead stompy and they try to prove to everyone that they are da best.

 Void__Dragon wrote:

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
The power claw Yarrick carries was carried by Warboss Ugulhard, before Yarrick killed him 1-1. That feat alone makes Yarrick a good contender for 'Best Fighter'.

Killing a random Warboss makes you the best fighter in the setting?

How interesting.

Well there're several things about the context that are worth mentioning; firstly, at the start of the Second War for Armageddon, Yarrick was an aging Commissar due to retire, posted to Hades Hive out of antagonism by Von Strab, the Governor of Armageddon who decided that Armageddon could deal with the approaching Ork threat. When the Orks invaded the Imperials lost ground until the Orks reached Hades Hive, where Yarrick was bringing the garrison & Imperial forces up to scratch, inspiring them, training them & preparing them. At Hades Hive they achieved the first major victory of the Second War. During that battle this aging Commissar fought the Warboss Ugulhard 1:1. Ork Warbosses aren't just some pansy opponent to kill. They're the biggest, strongest, toughest, meanest, most capable fighter of all the Orks in their warband and amongst the most powerful in the Waaaaaaaghh!. Ugulhard cut off Yarricks arm with the Power Claw but using a chainsword, and despite that major wound he'd taken and all the others in the defence of Hades Hive, he killed the Warboss. This isn't some Space Marine who performed that feat, but an old human Commissar.

When you put it into context like that, do you still just think that he did a 'meh' feat?

For a basic human, an old man, not an augmented super-human or xenos, he's a pretty good contender I think considering the benefits every other non-human or super-human example has to start with.

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:


When you put it into context like that, do you still just think that he did a 'meh' feat?

For a basic human, an old man, not an augmented super-human or xenos, he's a pretty good contender I think considering the benefits every other non-human or super-human example has to start with.

Bah! Malcador the Sigillite endured the torments of the Golden Throne, and even stood up after getting sent flying by Lorgar during the Burning of Monarchia

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
firstly, at the start of the Second War for Armageddon, Yarrick was an aging Commissar

He still is, it's not like he's in better physical shape now than he was during the 2nd War.

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
When the Orks invaded the Imperials lost ground until the Orks reached Hades Hive, where Yarrick was bringing the garrison & Imperial forces up to scratch, inspiring them, training them & preparing them.

What does this have to do with his close combat prowess? This merely shows that he is a good commander.

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
During that battle this aging Commissar fought the Warboss Ugulhard 1:1. Ork Warbosses aren't just some pansy opponent to kill. They're the biggest, strongest, toughest, meanest, most capable fighter of all the Orks in their warband and amongst the most powerful in the Waaaaaaaghh!. Ugulhard cut off Yarricks arm with the Power Claw but using a chainsword, and despite that major wound he'd taken and all the others in the defence of Hades Hive, he killed the Warboss.

How many other people in the entirity of 40k have killed warbosses? Yes they're pretty tough, but killing one isn't a unique achievement and doesn't make you the best fighter in 40k.

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
This isn't some Space Marine who performed that feat, but an old human Commissar.

When you put it into context like that, do you still just think that he did a 'meh' feat?

For a basic human, an old man, not an augmented super-human or xenos, he's a pretty good contender I think considering the benefits every other non-human or super-human example has to start with.

No, it's not a 'meh' achievement when you put it into context. But we're not looking for the most surprising victory in all of 40k, we're looking for the best fighter in all of 40k. If an armless grot kicks a Space Marine to death, does that make it the greatest fighter in all of 40k because of the context?

I haven't said he is the best fighter, just a possible from the human race. If you want we can throw Marbo in as well.

The Yarrick killing the Ork warboss is one example we have of Yarrick handing out the Emperor's Justice to an Ork Warboss 1:1 which even an Astartes would have had trouble doing. Point is he's old & he's kept on kicking backside. Can you think of a better contender from the Imperial human side of things? Or should it just be candidates from the Xenos & superhumans and screw regular humans because they're obviously too weak?

 Rampage wrote:

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
When the Orks invaded the Imperials lost ground until the Orks reached Hades Hive, where Yarrick was bringing the garrison & Imperial forces up to scratch, inspiring them, training them & preparing them.

What does this have to do with his close combat prowess? This merely shows that he is a good commander.

Err, context as to what was going on? Not everyone has read the background on the Wars of Armageddon you know.

I am so happy that not once was Chuck Norris ever referred to in this thread before I mentioned him.

Well, as most fighters have their redeeming traits and every technique has its own strengths and weaknesses, why don't we break down into some categorizations right?

For sheer brutality:
Angron takes this guys, there's no contest. Sure, Kharn is good but the boss literally wrote the book on being brutally killy.

Psyker/Fighter skills:
Mephiston. Draigo is an overpowered, grey-colored ultrasmurf, gay loving virgin servant of the Ecclesiarchy, blessed by the pen of he-who-must-not-write-another-40k-codex who fails to remember the fact that if he just passed through the Eye of Terror he could finally go home. Dumbass. Mephiston on the other hand is suffering the Blood Angel's Flaw and still finds the time to be ultra-killy. S10 hits!!!

Shooting:
Gundam Wing Angel with Double Buster Rifles. What do you mean there's no such thing as the Gundam Codex? Aren't Zakus the same as Space Marines?

Being the best in all a fighter could be:
The Emperor. The Swarmlord may be the best of all the Tyranids in everything but the Emperor will squish him flat and wait in front of a Hive Queen just so he can kill the Swarmlord again. Squish. Nids are for Kids.

The Adeptus Custodes can take on all enemies. They're so strong they just sit down staring at each other until someone comes to fight them. They then move a pinky and the enemy dies. Or was that the Emperor?

It's kind of impossible to rate things like this. If a daemon was the best fighter in the galaxy, but was beaten by a Grey Knight because of the advantage Grey Knights have over daemons, then that Grey Knight was killed by a Dark Eldar, that wouldn't necessarilly make the Dark Eldar a better fighter than the daemon.

 Durza wrote:
It's kind of impossible to rate things like this. If a daemon was the best fighter in the galaxy, but was beaten by a Grey Knight because of the advantage Grey Knights have over daemons, then that Grey Knight was killed by a Dark Eldar, that wouldn't necessarilly make the Dark Eldar a better fighter than the daemon.

Then that Dark Eldar falls off his Ravager and gets killed by a rock

 Pilau Rice wrote:

 Durza wrote:
It's kind of impossible to rate things like this. If a daemon was the best fighter in the galaxy, but was beaten by a Grey Knight because of the advantage Grey Knights have over daemons, then that Grey Knight was killed by a Dark Eldar, that wouldn't necessarilly make the Dark Eldar a better fighter than the daemon.

Then that Dark Eldar falls off his Ravager and gets killed by a rock

Or he kills Lucius and becomes Lucius himself

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
I haven't said he is the best fighter, just a possible from the human race. If you want we can throw Marbo in as well.

The Yarrick killing the Ork warboss is one example we have of Yarrick handing out the Emperor's Justice to an Ork Warboss 1:1 which even an Astartes would have had trouble doing. Point is he's old & he's kept on kicking backside. Can you think of a better contender from the Imperial human side of things? Or should it just be candidates from the Xenos & superhumans and screw regular humans because they're obviously too weak?

Seeing as this thread is about 'who is the best fighter in all of 40k?' What is the point in throwing in someone who you yourself admit isn't the best fighter? You keep bringing up context, and yes, what Yarrick did was pretty badass, but we're not looking for 'the most surprising kill given the circumstances' we're looking for the best fighter.

Off the top of my head on the Imperial Human side of things, yes I can actually, Iron Hand Straken, but that is irrelevant as I can't reasonably claim that he's the single greatest close combat fighter in 40k.

No, it shouldn't mean that we should exclude all humans just because they're human, but if there are many Superhumans and Xenos that are better close combat fighters than the rest of bog-standard humanity has to offer, why should characters like Yarrick and Straken be included as candidates, the best Xenos and Superhuman fighters are clearly far better.

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:

 Rampage wrote:

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:
When the Orks invaded the Imperials lost ground until the Orks reached Hades Hive, where Yarrick was bringing the garrison & Imperial forces up to scratch, inspiring them, training them & preparing them.

What does this have to do with his close combat prowess? This merely shows that he is a good commander.

Err, context as to what was going on? Not everyone has read the background on the Wars of Armageddon you know.

And what part of that quoted context shows or backs up the assertion that Yarrick is the best fighter in 40k? I also seriously doubt that there will be more than a handful of people on this forum that have no idea what the Wars for Armageddon were.

The Emperor rocks 1 on 1 battles! Energy bolts that erase you not only from the living world but also from the Warp!

 Admiral Valerian wrote:

 Pilau Rice wrote:

 Durza wrote:
It's kind of impossible to rate things like this. If a daemon was the best fighter in the galaxy, but was beaten by a Grey Knight because of the advantage Grey Knights have over daemons, then that Grey Knight was killed by a Dark Eldar, that wouldn't necessarilly make the Dark Eldar a better fighter than the daemon.

Then that Dark Eldar falls off his Ravager and gets killed by a rock

Or he kills Lucius and becomes Lucius himself

I would still pick the rock over Lucius

 Admiral Valerian wrote:

 Pilau Rice wrote:

 Durza wrote:
It's kind of impossible to rate things like this. If a daemon was the best fighter in the galaxy, but was beaten by a Grey Knight because of the advantage Grey Knights have over daemons, then that Grey Knight was killed by a Dark Eldar, that wouldn't necessarilly make the Dark Eldar a better fighter than the daemon.

Then that Dark Eldar falls off his Ravager and gets killed by a rock

Or he kills Lucius and becomes Lucius himself

Lucius was blessed by Slaanesh. That should be enough to kick him out of the running. Blood for the Blood God!!!

The problems with questions like is the're not defined to "in game" or "fluff" or even for the sake of argument how much GW charges you to buy their models. i.e Titans and greater demons
In Fluff terms: Draigo
In Game: Lysander

 Rampage wrote:
Seeing as this thread is about 'who is the best fighter in all of 40k?' What is the point in throwing in someone who you yourself admit isn't the best fighter? You keep bringing up context, and yes, what Yarrick did was pretty badass, but we're not looking for 'the most surprising kill given the circumstances' we're looking for the best fighter.

Off the top of my head on the Imperial Human side of things, yes I can actually, Iron Hand Straken, but that is irrelevant as I can't reasonably claim that he's the single greatest close combat fighter in 40k.

No, it shouldn't mean that we should exclude all humans just because they're human, but if there are many Superhumans and Xenos that are better close combat fighters than the rest of bog-standard humanity has to offer, why should characters like Yarrick and Straken be included as candidates, the best Xenos and Superhuman fighters are clearly far better.

Yes Straken was an example I thought of later on, but Marbo just popped into my mind earlier.

Angron or a Necron who has yet to rise.

If we're not talking rules, and just on merits of bad-ass'itude, Kayvaan Shrikes pretty awesome.
His thunderhawk goes down and instead of crying about he and his squad lead a two year campaign behind enemy lines crippling a huge Ork Waaagh.

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:

 Rampage wrote:
Seeing as this thread is about 'who is the best fighter in all of 40k?' What is the point in throwing in someone who you yourself admit isn't the best fighter? You keep bringing up context, and yes, what Yarrick did was pretty badass, but we're not looking for 'the most surprising kill given the circumstances' we're looking for the best fighter.

Off the top of my head on the Imperial Human side of things, yes I can actually, Iron Hand Straken, but that is irrelevant as I can't reasonably claim that he's the single greatest close combat fighter in 40k.

No, it shouldn't mean that we should exclude all humans just because they're human, but if there are many Superhumans and Xenos that are better close combat fighters than the rest of bog-standard humanity has to offer, why should characters like Yarrick and Straken be included as candidates, the best Xenos and Superhuman fighters are clearly far better.

Yes Straken was an example I thought of later on, but Marbo just popped into my mind earlier. I like seeing basic human possibilities rather than just Astartes or Xenos - as humans are one of the weakest races in 40k I have far more interest in them & their capabilities than some, I'd say boring myself, Xenos or super-human, so I will naturally look towards the humans first. Just my views, my opinion, that is all.

And you are entitled to it. If this was a thread about, 'who is the greatest fighter in the Imperial Guard' I'd think that you were on the money.

 Sparks_Havelock wrote:

 Rampage wrote:
And what part of that quoted context shows or backs up the assertion that Yarrick is the best fighter in 40k? I also seriously doubt that there will be more than a handful of people on this forum that have no idea what the Wars for Armageddon were.

It says nothing about him being a great fighter & I didn't say it did, I just threw it in there for context as to what was going on & as a tiny piece of narrative - don't like narrative, then I'm sorry, I like putting it in my posts so deal with it. And yes there are people who don't know about the Wars for Armageddon in the same way I know almost nothing about the new Horus Heresy stuff.

This entire thread is about who is the greatest fighter, if it has nothing to do with Yarrick's fighting capabilities then does it really fit in with the thread. I like narrative, if I didn't I wouldn't be in the 40k Background Forum. However, I wasn't sure that it was relevant to the thread hence my confusion.

Anyway, this is getting more off topic now, so I'm going to leave this here. Feel free to reply if you'd like but I won't be responding to it.

Aun'va will mess you up...

A Bloodthirster has got to be up there.

Well, it's obviously a Tau Gun Drone

Hmm.. the best fighter... Well, Khorne is the God of Murder and war...