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Ok, so Warhammer 40k is filled with a lot of ambiguous scenarios. Despite it, It is my favorite sci fi universe.

Anyway, every single time I see a picture of a SM, he's standing mighty, with a bolter in one hand and a sword in the other but I can't help but notice how bare their wastes are. Zero ammo pouches, zero. Sometimes they have a grenade or two, but that's it. ?? They kill hundreds of enemies yet all they came with was a loaded bolter and a sword (or some kind of melee weapon)? The pictures I believe are just to make them look pretty I guess.

Now Captain Loken of the Horus Heresy series, I once read a battle where it mentioned he possessed 8 bolter sickle mags. Going by the average sickle mags, they carry 30 rounds. That's about 240 rounds. Half those bolts will probably be used as suppressive fire, no doubt. This leaves 120 left. They will be used as accurate shots and considering a SM's aim, (and a captain at that) he'll most likely land 105 of those left over bolts with a 90% fatality rate. Does that sound alright for a SM? Or should they carry a few more mags?

The equipment I believe a normal tactical marine should carry into battle includes:

•A bolter
•13 bolter mags (4 3-clip pouches with sickle mags plus one in the gun)
•A bolt pistol with 2 backup mags.
•A combat blade
•2 frag grenades
•2 krak grenades

Any opinions or comments, please let them flow.

Always found it humorous that the ten man cadian kit had tactical pouches for everybody as well as grenades whilst sm just have backpacks.


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And there are guard bits for backpacks as well.

I understand why you think that. The old background indicated that an entire game only represented about 90 seconds to 4 minutes on the battlefield. 240 rounds is probably enough for two minutes

Think of all his dead comrades as well, he could just pick up a full discarded clip.

 The Home Nuggeteer wrote:
Always found it humorous that the ten man cadian kit had tactical pouches for everybody as well as grenades whilst sm just have backpacks.


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And there are guard bits for backpacks as well.

And lasgun mags carry like, roughly 150 shots. Grab five mags and and a couple grenades they're good to go. Really three is good enough. SM's get a gun and backpack -_-

There are probably company serfs running around feeding them ammo as well.

PastelAvenger wrote:
Think of all his dead comrades as well, he could just pick up a full discarded clip.

For some reason, you reminded me of the russians when they fought at Stalingrad. Half of their soldiers were given a clip and instructed to follow somebody who already had a rifle and wait for their eventual death because they didn't have enough weapons and ammo.

But luckily, SM's are much more fortunate. They got plenty of ammo and weapons, if only GAMES-WORKSHOP WOULD DISLPAY IT PROPERLY! Lol

For one, you're forgetting that C/SM kits come with ammo pouches, just that they're over-sized and clunky and a pain in the ass to paint. Also, the art is stylized and isn't consistent, it's nothing more than a pretty picture to look at.

Astartes are constantly referenced having webbing with ammo pouches on them. Plus Power Armor is magnetized, so ammo pounches with iron in them would work like a fridge magnet. The only realistic art of Space Marines I've seen is this one from the Space Marine Codex.



The Ultramarine looks like he's got all kinds of s*** strapped onto the small of his back.

I think the artwork wants to mirror the miniatures to one degree or another and the minis really can't mount that many mag pouches without making posing them awkward. The new Tac squad kit doesn't give that many pouches either.

I think a flimsy lore justification for this is that Space Marines are primarily shock troops that go in, dakka down the key enemy positions and book it to the next area. They wouldn't as many mag pouches because their craft (Rhinos, Drop Pods, Thunderhawks etc) would resupply them. It falls apart when you consider that gak can hit the fan really quick and they'll end up stuck without support frequently. Since they didn't bother bringing spares they end up having to fight people with their CCWs and fists.

Does it bother anyone else that Space Marines only come with straight mag pouches? That would be such a pain in the ass to get pouches in and out of. Unless Marines only have one or two banana mags and the rest are straight ones.

What equipment would they take? I could see the following.

3 Frag and 3 Krak Grenades.

Boltgun

Bolt Pistol

Combat Knife

10 Spare Magazines

A cleaning kit for their Boltgun.

Emergency water and rations.

THere are several pieces of artwork in Imperial Armour books that show Marines with their full gear. The one that immediately springs to mind is the Raven Guard Scout from Raid on Kastorel-Novem.

 TheCustomLime wrote:
I think the artwork wants to mirror the miniatures to one degree or another and the minis really can't mount that many mag pouches without making posing them awkward. The new Tac squad kit doesn't give that many pouches either.

I think a flimsy lore justification for this is that Space Marines are primarily shock troops that go in, dakka down the key enemy positions and book it to the next area. They wouldn't as many mag pouches because their craft (Rhinos, Drop Pods, Thunderhawks etc) would resupply them. It falls apart when you consider that gak can hit the fan really quick and they'll end up stuck without support frequently. Since they didn't bother bringing spares they end up having to fight people with their CCWs and fists.

Does it bother anyone else that Space Marines only come with straight mag pouches? That would be such a pain in the ass to get pouches in and out of. Unless Marines only have one or two banana mags and the rest are straight ones.

What equipment would they take? I could see the following.

3 Frag and 3 Krak Grenades.

Boltgun

Bolt Pistol

Combat Knife

10 Spare Magazines

A cleaning kit for their Boltgun.

Emergency water and rations.

Sounds appropriate. Emergency rations would depend, because I believe SM power armour is fixed with nutrient stabilizers. They're wired and connected to the marine and inject nutrients in his bloodstream and can supply him for a week at least. I'm am not 100% positive but there you have it. I didn't think about boltgun kits but I suppose taking a servitor with you everywhere you go to care for your weapons would get tiring lol. And most marines who carry chain weapons bring a container of gas to refilll in case they run out. So really, it depends I guess. But it is safe to assume that a SM's waste would be pretty stacked with supplies and equipment.

The reason I would think they carry around emergency rations and water is to supply themselves in case they are surrounded with no resupply drops available for extended periods. Same for a cleaning kit because not having one doesn't end well if you are going to be fighting for any length of time.

 TheCustomLime wrote:
The reason I would think they carry around emergency rations and water is to supply themselves in case they are surrounded with no resupply drops available for extended periods. Same for a cleaning kit because not having one doesn't end well if you are going to be fighting for any length of time.

Very true. The vagaries of the far future can be very dangerous and unpredictable, but not for the SM.

"He will bring the foe to battle at a time and manner of his choosing, never himself caught unready or ill prepared for the task at hand." -Roboute Guilliman as laid down in the Apocrypha of Skaros.

Eh, Astartes don't need emergency rations really. They can practically live off concrete if things get dire.

Better to have and not need than need and not have. There could be some situations ((irradiated death worlds, arid deserts and toxic wastelands) where having fresh rations would be better. Besides that you'd be better off with them since you can pack them full of calories.

But I thought the gene seed implants allowed Space Marines to resist toxins rather than be able to obtain nutrition from otherwise inedible objects.

 Wyzilla wrote:
Eh, Astartes don't need emergency rations really. They can practically live off concrete if things get dire.

Actually, SM's still follow the rules for almost all sentient forms. They need edible foods. A SM litterally cannot extract any kind of food source from concrete. I...hope you were joking, or being sarcastic, lol. But they would probably just bring emergency nutrient stims.



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 TheCustomLime wrote:
Better to have and not need than need and not have. There could be some situations ((irradiated death worlds, arid deserts and toxic wastelands) where having fresh rations would be better. Besides that you'd be better off with them since you can pack them full of calories.

But I thought the gene seed implants allowed Space Marines to resist toxins rather than be able to obtain nutrition from otherwise inedible objects.

Well, it's impossible to eat concrete. Concrete has no protein, sugar, nutrients, nothing. No living thing can make any edible use of it and that won't change.

There is a gland that all SM's possess that attacks and eliminates any threatening toxins, allowing them to digest some of the most poisonous foods and be perfectly fine. Geneseed implants does a lot more than that of course, I was just verifying your statement.

I was always fascinated by the Imperial Fists splash page guy.

I agree though, I would like to have some more gear with the kits, or better yet find some suitable alternative. Actually the Scout kits come with some alright looking tactical bits, I'm sure with patience one could achieve the desired effect.

 Lord Tarkin wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Eh, Astartes don't need emergency rations really. They can practically live off concrete if things get dire.

Actually, SM's still follow the rules for almost all sentient forms. They need edible foods. A SM litterally cannot extract any kind of food source from concrete. I...hope you were joking, or being sarcastic, lol. But they would probably just bring emergency nutrient stims.



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 TheCustomLime wrote:
Better to have and not need than need and not have. There could be some situations ((irradiated death worlds, arid deserts and toxic wastelands) where having fresh rations would be better. Besides that you'd be better off with them since you can pack them full of calories.

But I thought the gene seed implants allowed Space Marines to resist toxins rather than be able to obtain nutrition from otherwise inedible objects.

Well, it's impossible to eat concrete. Concrete has no protein, sugar, nutrients, nothing. No living thing can make any edible use of it and that won't change.

There is a gland that all SM's possess that attacks and eliminates any threatening toxins, allowing them to digest some of the most poisonous foods and be perfectly fine. Geneseed implants does a lot more than that of course, I was just verifying your statement.

I coulda sworn there was some book somewhere where Astartes chowed down on rocks, but for the life of me I can't remember it. At the very least, they can eat pretty much any organic matter in the universe, but yes, pure protein snacks would still be useful. IIRC actually going by Ravenwing, Thunderhawks keep protein drinks on-board for quick refreshment, doubling also as they neutralize the acidic state that builds up in an Astartes' mouth.

Hmm, eating rocks. That would be a bit more than interesting....but yes, a SM can make use of almost all organic life. And they never have to worry about poison considering the toxins are slaughtered by their immune system. I fully believe you about the Thunderhawk refreshments. It makes sense. Nothin like a last minute meal before the heat of battle

Actually, how Marines are able to go so long without eating amazes me. They are huge, they must have a metabolism like a raging furnace.

 Ashiraya wrote:
Actually, how Marines are able to go so long without eating amazes me. They are huge, they must have a metabolism like a raging furnace.

SM's have incredible metabolisms. Not only that, but their armour has nutrient stims. As I explained earlier in the post, it shoots nutrients and protein and all that neccessary stuff straight into their bloodstream. These stims can last a marine an entire week, and even after it runs out marines can go 2-3 days without a meal. Unlike us humans, they dont care for the taste of hot wings or philly cheesesteaks, as long as they are able to perform in combat, thats all they care about. As inconvienient and uncomfortable it would be for us having nutrient stims pumped into our bloodstream for an entire week, a SM couldn't give a s***....literally, haha

 Lord Tarkin wrote:

 Ashiraya wrote:
Actually, how Marines are able to go so long without eating amazes me. They are huge, they must have a metabolism like a raging furnace.

SM's have incredible metabolisms. Not only that, but their armour has nutrient stims. As I explained earlier in the post, it shoots nutrients and protein and all that neccessary stuff straight into their bloodstream. These stims can last a marine an entire week, and even after it runs out marines can go 2-3 days without a meal. Unlike us humans, they dont care for the taste of hot wings or philly cheesesteaks, as long as they are able to perform in combat, thats all they care about. As inconvienient and uncomfortable it would be for us having nutrient stims pumped into our bloodstream for an entire week, a SM couldn't give a s***....literally, haha

Even without the armor, they can go a long while without eating. There was a short story in the Space Marine omnibus where the Crimson Fists found their Scout Company Captain/Sergeant (can't remember which) with his scout marines on an Ork planet. They'd gone for something like half a year or more without food. They were emaciated skeletons, but most of them were alive.

In the Army we dumped our packs and only carried ammo, weapons, knife and water when going into combat. I imagine its the same thing.

But lack of lots of ammo pouches is troublesome.

 Wyzilla wrote:

 Lord Tarkin wrote:

 Ashiraya wrote:
Actually, how Marines are able to go so long without eating amazes me. They are huge, they must have a metabolism like a raging furnace.

SM's have incredible metabolisms. Not only that, but their armour has nutrient stims. As I explained earlier in the post, it shoots nutrients and protein and all that neccessary stuff straight into their bloodstream. These stims can last a marine an entire week, and even after it runs out marines can go 2-3 days without a meal. Unlike us humans, they dont care for the taste of hot wings or philly cheesesteaks, as long as they are able to perform in combat, thats all they care about. As inconvienient and uncomfortable it would be for us having nutrient stims pumped into our bloodstream for an entire week, a SM couldn't give a s***....literally, haha

Even without the armor, they can go a long while without eating. There was a short story in the Space Marine omnibus where the Crimson Fists found their Scout Company Captain/Sergeant (can't remember which) with his scout marines on an Ork planet. They'd gone for something like half a year or more without food. They were emaciated skeletons, but most of them were alive.

Exactly. That's quite a story there, but yes, such is the fortitude of a super human. They are too good for food haha


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 MWHistorian wrote:
In the Army we dumped our packs and only carried ammo, weapons, knife and water when going into combat. I imagine its the same thing.

But lack of lots of ammo pouches is troublesome.

You served in the U.S. army?

Stranded on an Ork planet?

There is literally no excuse for going hungry as a Space Marine under those circumstances! Orks are edible!

Hmm maybe roast first, char grilled ork with as side dish of gretchin and squig for desert.

Yummy lol

I think the most tactical space marine pic is the Raptor one. BTW why do space marine bullets look so oversized in the clips? It looks like they only carry like 7 rounds in a mag.
http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100731095626/warhammer40k/images/4/4c/Raptor_Taros.jpg

Space marines don't need any of that malarkey. There are frequent ammo dumps throughout every level conveniently placed for whenever space marines run low on ammo. There are also frequent alternative weapon caches fir them to use.

And they don't need med kits. They just need to execute their enemies in a rather amusing and gratuitous fashion and they regenerate.

This post is in jest, for the record.

One of the Space Marine implants is a Pre-Stomach, that breaks down inedible materials to make them consumable. A second organ in the back of the throat alerts them to genuinely inedible or deadly material. Between those, acidic saliva and the Oolitic Kidney to break down almost all poisons, they can practically eat anything. I'm sure their body could find a use for the minerals present in concrete too.

 Deadshot wrote:
One of the Space Marine implants is a Pre-Stomach, that breaks down inedible materials to make them consumable. A second organ in the back of the throat alerts them to genuinely inedible or deadly material. Between those, acidic saliva and the Oolitic Kidney to break down almost all poisons, they can practically eat anything. I'm sure their body could find a use for the minerals present in concrete too.

No, I promise you they cannot eat concrete. The preomnor organ allows a marine to eat dangerous and poisonous food sources but it doesn't say they can magically produce nutrition from otherwise unedible foods...such as concrete. It's just impossible, it cannot be done.