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So I'm new to this forum stuff and decided to give it a go.

Anyway I'm a fanfiction writer and I've been thinking about creating my own Space Marine Chapter. I've found a good reference site for the rules and such. It's a page off of the 40k wiki called 'How to make a fanon Space Marine Chapter'.

But I've been wondering about something; would it acceptable for a Space Marine Chapter to outfit its Assault Squads with Bolters with attached chainblade bayonets? I don't mean the whole squad, more like the new members outfitted with them while the more experienced battle brothers are armed with bolt or plasma pistols with a chainsword or other power weapons.

In my mind, this is how the squad is broken down:
Sergeant with bolt/plasma pistol and melee weapon of choice.
Corporal (my Chapter may use this to designate an assistant squad leader) armed with a flamer or plasma gun with a chainblade.
Four battle brothers armed with bolt pistol and chainsword or other power weapon.
Four battle brothers armed with bolters with attached chainblades.

In theory this would give the squad a little more damage at range without sacrificing to much close range damage potential. Like I stated above, the newer members of the squad would be armed with the bolters, similar to how the new brothers in a Devastator Squad are armed with bolters.

Like to hear your thoughts.

If you play open or narrative play and your foe is ok with this then by all means make up whatever unit and wargear options you like. No need to ask the forum for permission.

If this is something you want to bring to tournaments or when facing unprepared players, then no. Then you would use existing options.

As for the idea. I think assult marines with regular bolters are cool

As long as they follow the rules of being armed with a normal bolter and chainsword they're Your Dudes. Do what you want.

Google Carcharodons Astra.

Chain bayonets were a thing in the very first space marine plastic kit.

If you're looking for a crunch way to represent them, Death Company with Bolters and Chainswords are your best bet.

Another option is 30k, where bolter/bolt pistol/chainsword (or bolter/bolt pistol/chainaxe, for some Legions) is the default loadout for Veterans and an available loadout for standard Tactical Marines.

I've always wanted simple Tactical Marines with jump packs, obviously eschewing the heavy weapons. I even did a bunch when I was building models I wasn't planning on using for 40K proper.

If you figured out the points cost and made them appropriately, go on. However, the only thing to consider: some people won't play against them, not tournament legal, and if you ever get bored of them, people are unlikely to buy them as they can't use them either.

 Elbows wrote:
I've always wanted simple Tactical Marines with jump packs, obviously eschewing the heavy weapons. I even did a bunch when I was building models I wasn't planning on using for 40K proper.

If you figured out the points cost and made them appropriately, go on. However, the only thing to consider: some people won't play against them, not tournament legal, and if you ever get bored of them, people are unlikely to buy them as they can't use them either.

You could even get jump packs for your devastators back in RT. I think the idea of jump pack tactical squads and devs is pretty cool. Jump packs for repositioning instead of closing to assault faster.

Yep, there's actually no logical reason why you wouldn't want all of your troops to have access to jump packs (other than cost, and perhaps weight if that's an issue in a transport situation). I know they're used to differentiate more heavily the differences between the squad types.

 Elbows wrote:
Yep, there's actually no logical reason why you wouldn't want all of your troops to have access to jump packs (other than cost, and perhaps weight if that's an issue in a transport situation). I know they're used to differentiate more heavily the differences between the squad types.

With devastators now having backpack add-ons to carry ammunition, etc. there would be a downside to having a jump pack.

And they can't ride in most transports.

Why ride when you can fly? I'm merely pointing out that I agree bolter-jump marines should be a thing.

 Elbows wrote:
Why ride when you can fly? I'm merely pointing out that I agree bolter-jump marines should be a thing.

Given that we've had several editions where C:SM assault squads could have plasma guns that prevented them from charging not giving them bolters was ridiculous.

Plasmaguns + bolters makes sense - kite around shooting.
Meltaguns + pistols&chainswords makes sense - crack open transports and then charge the occupants.

Or they need to have access to weapons that actually let them take on anything tougher than basic mooks.

Yeah death company are the main way to do this with current rules. Or, if you don't want them to have jump packs, SW Grey Hunters can also use bolters and chainswords.

 Elbows wrote:
Why ride when you can fly? I'm merely pointing out that I agree bolter-jump marines should be a thing.

They totally should be. I have 10 death company modeled like that! They are pretty fun.

I am 100% down with bolter ASM. Quite frankly it should be a legal build. Good thing there's always open play.