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I've got a bunch of marines and terminators, whose sarges have mini-banners sticking up from their backpacks. These are opposed to the ones who have the big unfurl-y banners on sticks that they hold in their hand, and which I have taken to understanding are for Sacred Standards, Company Banners, etc.

Am I missing something? Are those just decorative?

Yep. Just decorative pieces to reinforce the "Knights in spess" theme SM got going on.

 TheCustomLime wrote:
Yep. Just decorative pieces to reinforce the "Knights in spess" theme SM got going on.

Because knights were known for carrying ridiculously large banners on their backpacks
But he is right though, they are just decorative pieces to reinforce the Gothic sci-fi-fantasy feel of the Space Marines and the Imperium.

Well, those are not getting re-glued next time they pop off then. they break so frequently, and I'm not a huge fan of them, so if they aren't usable as stand-ins for any rules-related item, they get no love from me.

I think, in addition to the other bits, they're there to make it easier for your opponent to tell whose in charge of the squad from a distance.

They generally had the squad number or Sergeant name/squad name, but in general it's so you can tell the sergeant at a glance - also according to the Codex Astartes a Sergeant has a red helmet to distinguish him. If I recall the old pages from Codex: Ultramarines, the Squad Leader (who leads the 5-man squad when you break them up into Combat Squads; he has the stats of a normal Marine) is meant to have one too (in addition to an Iron Halo insignia to designate him as the 2nd in command, versus a skull that's the insignia of a Sergeant) but that's not been a thing since 2nd edition as far as insignia goes.

WayneTheGame wrote:
If I recall the old pages from Codex: Ultramarines, the Squad Leader (who leads the 5-man squad when you break them up into Combat Squads; he has the stats of a normal Marine) is meant to have one too (in addition to an Iron Halo insignia to designate him as the 2nd in command) but that's not been a thing since 2nd edition as far as insignia goes.

Yup. They used to be pretty mandatory for Blood Angels, who had no armour markings to distinguish Sergeant and Squad Leader - only the colour of the back banner.

Thats interesting that they would be for identifying the sergeants, i guess they work in that way. Also sergeants also can go the red hemet thing, or the no-helmet thing if they're tough guys. They're also usually the guys holding fancy pistols and chainswords in the tac marine sets.

Yep, I think the banner acts as a "rally point" the rest of the squad can easily discern in the heat of the battle.

Because transponders and HUDs and stuff are sooooo XXIst Century...

They also make sure your enemy knows exactly who to shoot at. Kind of silly, really. But hey this is 40K after all, home of all things silly.

Quoting for the RT-era “Space Marine Painting Guide”

From the section on Banners:
…
Finally, each marine carries his own banner, stored in his backpack. Although these are most often used on ceremonial occasions, they may also be flown of the battlefield. It is common for one marine per squad to fly his Backbanner, usually the Sergeant. Officers and specialists, except for techmarines, are less restricted, and most will fly their banners as a matter of course.

The Backbanners’ designs vary even within a single Chapter, although there are some common links: Sergeants and normal marines usually bear a facsimile of their Company Banner, while higher officers usually display their own personal heraldry. Specialists (Medics, Chaplains, Techmarines, and Librarians) often display a variation of their own identification badge.

Those squads that are particularly noteworthy may be allowed to display all of their Backbanners during battle, and on very rare occasions, an entire detachment may do the same.
…

May the armour’s shade protect your body.
May the weapon’s hue help slay those that doubt.
May the banner’s livery proceed before you.
May you illuminate the darkness with the Emperor’s light.

--The Litany of Decoration, taken from the Index Astartes

That has probably been retconned pretty badly, considering RT was a while ago...

In the 6th ed codex it says "sergeants display banners at their discretion" when back in 2nd both the sergeant and a combat squad leader would have banners showing their heraldry. It's wholly optional, but I really like the look of them.

 BrotherHaraldus wrote:
That has probably been retconned pretty badly, considering RT was a while ago...

You kids these day have no appreciation of the classics. You think your fluff is safe from changes and retcons? GW changes what’s “true” and “cannon” more often then I change my socks! Whole factions, races, and battles are added or removed on a whim.

RT era fluff has been good enough for me since it was first penned back in the 80’s, and it’s good enough for you young whippersnappers! Now you kids keep that racket down, it’s time for my meds and nap.


/curmudgeon

...ffs. It's spelled "canon". Cannons go boom boom, canon is what saves us from OC fanwankery and fan-fiction 'shipping.