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Is there any fluff reason why Blood Angels would fight against Dark Angels?

If the Dark Angels even suspected the Blood Angels were harboring a Fallen Angel, they would shoot first and ask questions later.

I think BA wouldn't be too happy if DA hunting party interrogated/arrested imperial citizens under their protection with no apparent reason.

If the DA went sniffing around for Fallen Angels in BA territory and used some of their more... enhanced interrogation techniques and disposed of the interrogated citizens, BA would be pretty upset.

Dark Angels have been depicted firing on fellow Astartes, with no provocation, while hunting for the fallen. Blood Angels would not react kindly to that.

Everyone has a reason to fight DA.

Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off).

 Wyzilla wrote:
Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off).

To be fair, the Blood Angels pass around melta weapons as readily as the Dark Angels pass around plasma weapons.

 Orblivion wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off).

To be fair, the Blood Angels pass around melta weapons as readily as the Dark Angels pass around plasma weapons.

Typically not a good idea to bank on a weapon that requires you to get within fifty meters or less of the enemy.

 Wyzilla wrote:

 Orblivion wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off).

To be fair, the Blood Angels pass around melta weapons as readily as the Dark Angels pass around plasma weapons.

Typically not a good idea to bank on a weapon that requires you to get within fifty meters or less of the enemy.

Like the melee weapons that are oh so popular\effective in the 40k universe?

 Wyzilla wrote:

 Orblivion wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off).

To be fair, the Blood Angels pass around melta weapons as readily as the Dark Angels pass around plasma weapons.

Typically not a good idea to bank on a weapon that requires you to get within fifty meters or less of the enemy.

Aren't the Blood Angels famous for getting within fifty meters or less, with just about everything in their chapter? Also, Baal is renowned for have some nice Master crafted gear with all the time, and secret stuff they keep for themselves.


Wouldn't Blood Angels be willing to fight Dark Angels if they thought one of their marines(who unbeknownst to the BA) is a fallen, and that fallen's blood was the key? Or would they be to cool, and just say, " 'ight, we'll find a cure somewhere else..."

 Guardsmen Bob wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:

 Orblivion wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off).

To be fair, the Blood Angels pass around melta weapons as readily as the Dark Angels pass around plasma weapons.

Typically not a good idea to bank on a weapon that requires you to get within fifty meters or less of the enemy.

Aren't the Blood Angels famous for getting within fifty meters or less, with just about everything in their chapter? Also, Baal is renowned for have some nice Master crafted gear with all the time, and secret stuff they keep for themselves.


Wouldn't Blood Angels be willing to fight Dark Angels if they thought one of their marines(who unbeknownst to the BA) is a fallen, and that fallen's blood was the key? Or would they be to cool, and just say, " 'ight, we'll find a cure somewhere else..."

All of the fallen are Dark Angels, there are no others.

I'm assuming this is not a chapter-wide war, and is instead a skirmish between two companies or so of the respective chapters. If I guessed correctly than really the fallen would be the best motivation for the Dark Angels, and their underhanded actions relating to the fallen would be the best motivation for the Blood Angels. You could definitely work in the Blood Angel's search for a cure though. The Blood Angels could be going to planet looking for some specific genetic match, and the Dark Angels could be there to find the fallen. You could even have the fallen be the one who passed the (false) information to the Blood Angels, hoping to make the two forces trip each other up.

 Guardsmen Bob wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:

 Orblivion wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off).

To be fair, the Blood Angels pass around melta weapons as readily as the Dark Angels pass around plasma weapons.

Typically not a good idea to bank on a weapon that requires you to get within fifty meters or less of the enemy.

Aren't the Blood Angels famous for getting within fifty meters or less, with just about everything in their chapter? Also, Baal is renowned for have some nice Master crafted gear with all the time, and secret stuff they keep for themselves.


Wouldn't Blood Angels be willing to fight Dark Angels if they thought one of their marines(who unbeknownst to the BA) is a fallen, and that fallen's blood was the key? Or would they be to cool, and just say, " 'ight, we'll find a cure somewhere else..."

Yes, the Blood Angels commonly deepstrike or jet over to guys who are not absolute equals wielding guns that will one-shot whatever they hit in the center of mass.

Or its a cross-chapter training exercise...

Clearly the Blood Angels looked in a box we told them not to look in. Which not only is damaging to our position and to the war effort but it also...annoys us.

Well a bit of a back story seems to be in order. I am participating in a campaign (500 pts to start, +100 pts every two weeks).

Recently a planet that had been lost for 10,000 years suddenly reappeared. Some of us are writing stories to go along with the campaign. For my BA, the massive psychic blast caused Librarians to have visions which has been determined that a cure for the Black Rage could b found on the planet.

My first game was against Farsight and ended in a draw. My second game was against Dark Angels...and due to the sheer amount of plasma I brought (two cannons, 3 pistols) compared to my opponent (a single cannon)...I think I have a reason.

 Happyjew wrote:
Well a bit of a back story seems to be in order. I am participating in a campaign (500 pts to start, +100 pts every two weeks).

Recently a planet that had been lost for 10,000 years suddenly reappeared. Some of us are writing stories to go along with the campaign. For my BA, the massive psychic blast caused Librarians to have visions which has been determined that a cure for the Black Rage could b found on the planet.

My first game was against Farsight and ended in a draw. My second game was against Dark Angels...and due to the sheer amount of plasma I brought (two cannons, 3 pistols) compared to my opponent (a single cannon)...I think I have a reason.

Sounds like it was an advertising/getting to know your weapon session with the DA lending all their hot firey death to the BAs for a try-out in advance of making a big commission for their MotF

Actually, my BA...looted the cannons (as well as some more ammo), from some DA crates that appeared to b abandoned. Or lost. Either way, we were low on ammo, and there were fresh weapons.

Blood Angels capture a chaos slaw marine who, unbeknownst to them, is a fallen angel. The Dark Angels, request for them to transfer the prisoner and the Blood Angels refuse. Then, some serious sh*t happens.

Fortunately, my opponent put up his story before I did, so the battle was due to a number of factors.

1. The Dark Angels did not want the Blood Angels to investigate a ruins.
2. The Dark Angels could not find a frequency on which to contact the Blood Angels.
3. The Dark Angels shot first.

 Happyjew wrote:

1. The Dark Angels did not want the Blood Angels to investigate a ruins.
2. The Dark Angels could not find a frequency on which to contact the Blood Angels.
3. The Dark Angels shot first.

Well, that's good reason for them to fight. Both are well-known Chapters and not likely to mis-identify the other, but shots have to be answered. They killed Brother Kenny! Bastards!

And it's not like it isn't in character. The DA really really don't want others to find out about their shame (The Fallen) so shooting first makes sense. They can always try to hide it or explain it later, make reparations. And while BA leaders are usually the calmest of them they don't react well to having their men shot at. Taking down the attackers first, then finding out what it was about is prudent. And an excuse to unleash the Death Company (to find honorable death in combat) is never wrong.

Caught them in the hall closet with some Necron strumpet.

 Veteran Sergeant wrote:
Caught them in the hall closet with some Necron strumpet.

It's not my fault. She told me she was 18.

 Wyzilla wrote:
Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood

Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off.

 Happyjew wrote:

 Veteran Sergeant wrote:
Caught them in the hall closet with some Necron strumpet.

It's not my fault. She told me she was 18.

One of the oldest, undying races in the universe...

 AnomanderRake wrote:
Clearly the Blood Angels looked in a box we told them not to look in. Which not only is damaging to our position and to the war effort but it also...annoys us.

Any confrontation involving the Fallen would also involve the Deathwing. So the initial confrontation wouldn't exactly be a fair fight. The Deathwing would just teleport in and slaughter everyone before they even knew they were at war.

Potential Fallen sightings (especially Cypher) would likely draw the attention of multiple Unforgiven chapters, who would also utilize their Deathwing equivalents.

Also the DA aren't exactly slouches at melee combat. They were already using bolter and chainsword before they became Astartes.

But yea, any potential conflict would start over the Fallen. The scenarios above are all pretty plausible.

 EngulfedObject wrote:

 AnomanderRake wrote:
Clearly the Blood Angels looked in a box we told them not to look in. Which not only is damaging to our position and to the war effort but it also...annoys us.

Any confrontation involving the Fallen would also involve the Deathwing. So the initial confrontation wouldn't exactly be a fair fight. The Deathwing would just teleport in and slaughter everyone before they even knew they were at war.

Potential Fallen sightings (especially Cypher) would likely draw the attention of multiple Unforgiven chapters, who would also utilize their Deathwing equivalents.

Also the DA aren't exactly slouches at melee combat. They were already using bolter and chainsword before they became Astartes.

But yea, any potential conflict would start over the Fallen. The scenarios above are all pretty plausible.

I don't think that the Dark Angels are still drawing recruits from the Order in 40k. 30k holds little or no ground here.

 dusara217 wrote:
I don't think that the Dark Angels are still drawing recruits from the Order in 40k. 30k holds little or no ground here.

I meant that in the sense that melee combat has always been a part of who they are. They might not be out hunting the Great Beasts anymore but that doesn't mean they've thrown away their ability to fight in melee. They're very big on tradition and rituals after all, for it gives them purpose! And what are we without purpose?

Also the whole a combat circle is stronger with an inner circle to strengthen and guide it is based on their tradition in melee combat.

As a chapter the BA are more specialized in melee combat but that doesn't mean the DA aren't capable of melee engagements. Plenty of them wield power swords and there's also the Deathwing Knights. They're a very flexible chapter. Even their symbol is a sword.

Serg Rush wrote:

 Wyzilla wrote:
Equipment wise Dark Angels are easily superior. Plasma weapons are the number-one threat to Power Armor and can even chew up or destroy Terminator. Plus unlike bolters or meltas, their range is significant and they continue to eat away at that which they hit until their energy finally dissipates. The only thing the Blood

Angels have going for them are Dante and Mesphiton, who could be kindly removed via orbital bombardment.

If they ever did come to blows, I'd almost always place bets on the Dark Angels. Plus revealing the Black Rage to other parties could be very devastating to the Blood Angels and all of their successors if the Dark Angels really wanted to go under handed (and considering it's the DA, all bets are off.

The blood angels like to deep strike and use drop pods. Send more then the da can deal with. Meltas to the face. Move in and punch da survivors in the face.

Not mention jump packs your plasma may have range on our melta spam, but we are going to close that gap quick. Then you know what you can do after firing meltas? Assault. Ba vs Da in close combat is a blood bath. Ba all day long.

Thats not even including sanguinary priests. Oh you have plasma. I have feel no pain. Not as reliable as you think.

You claim you have weapon superiority. How is a gun that blows up in your face superior? Oh yeah. Ba have grav to.

Ba heroes would tear through Da heros without breaking stride.

In game commentary. Using a orbital bombardment to remove a character is a noob move. 2+ look out sir. I lived. Not to mention Dante has eternal warrior.

But lets go beyond the guns. Be have the best tanks in any space marine chapter. You have bikes. You arent even the best at using bikes. Dont get me started on ba air superiority. Where is all your plasma now?

 Wyzilla wrote:
Assault Marines are nigh worthless in an actual battle given their usage of chain weapons and short range pistols. The only ones that might be somewhat useful is the suicidal Death Company, what with completely throwing self preservation into the wind and thus constantly tanking hits until they finally bleed to death or get shot through the brain or spine. But outside of attacking Orks or Guardsmen, Assault Marines are nonsensical and merely fodder for the enemy's guns, and especially won't be useful as the Dark Angels will be the aggressor in any situation, which removes the Blood Angel's deepstrike advantage entirely.

But bumrush melee charges are always suicidal, see how effective the charges across the no man's land in WWI were in the face of LMG's.

But they are clearly very useful/effective within the setting of 40k, every faction except Tau use melee combatants regularly and in fact most "heroes" of those factions prefer melee.