"How Plausible is your Space Marine chapter?" Topic

How well-thought-out and researched is your Space Marine chapter? Or do you just use one of the pre-created chapters?

Mine got stuck in the warp and went back in time. Ended up fighting a lot of Tyranids (my other GW army). So they became experts at bug hunts (no special rules, though). When they popped out of the warp in 40K, they had evolved and changed a little, so the other chapters were suspicious of them.

Always hated the codexes* I found online where the writer just changed the names of the squads.

* Yeah, that's probably misspelled.

"Codices", not "codpieces".

I had one done in bright yellow with bright green should pads.

They were the Death Budgies. Let the galaxy tremble.

I started making a "Wonder Bread" chapter (white armor with colored dots on it), but now they are repurposed for 5150 with ant heads (from plastic party ants) replacing their old beaky heads and ant abdomens sticking out behind. In garish yellow armor.

I use a pre-created chapter (Raven Guard). I never had the desire to make my own chapter, or write the fluff behind it. Too much of an historian in me. Plus, I always felt that when you told people about it over a game (or not…) it was sort of like telling someone about your 12th Level Elf Wizard in D&D…

Damon.

I'm too easily distracted to stick with one faction… I always mixed my chapters up… squad of blood angels, a squad of dark angels… some Space Wolves over there in the trees… and a few made up chapters to allow for different paint schemes. So it comes out looking more like a group of fantasy knights with varying heraldry.

They're all just clone warriors amped up on combat drugs anyway… all the color and lore is just propaganda-juice for the holovids.
(noticeably, I never read the rules/setting past 2nd edition).

Researched?

My Sledgehammers were based to resemble a Marine regiment. 3 Bns of 3 Co's with the 10th company (HQ) having all the specialist and support units (big company). Did a whole background up for a campaign at the old Last grenadier in burbank. That was for the RT set of rules. They've resided in "stasis" boxs in the garage for the last couple of decades <lol>

Oh, geez. OCD time, eh?

I had a theme and organizational idea for an SM chapter for back when you could customize them a little with benefits and drawbacks, but I wanted a canon chapter name.

So I found one that did not have a background fleshed out, "officially," and made them my own.

The Skull Bearers were a newer chapter, no Terminators yet and no Dreadnoughts. Originated from the Imperial Fists.

They were highly a mobile, desert-themed, close-combat heavy force that never went on the defensive unless it was to concentrate forces before an attack. Rhino's Bikes and Assault Marines galore!!

My leaders were all named and I even had promotions between games for "man-of-the-match" events. After playing them for two years, three of the Sgt's earned Terminator honors, four Scouts became normal Marines, and my Chaplain went up a rank to the highest allowed by the codex.

I even developed backstories for the planets they get their recruits from, two rival planets in the same system; and force organized a small IG contingent around the cultures of the planets to be the Skull Bearer allies (realize this was last codex, when an, "SM w/IG allies," army was legal.)

The new SM codex sapped my will to continue playing SM's. They turned a once personalized and enjoyable army to field into a by-default non-competitive speedbump. I had never cared much for win/lose, I just want a good game and a good time. Under the newer rules, I lost every single time, and more decisively than in the past. So I packed them away, and sold the bulk of them for the Orks I have been playing ever since.

I remember seeing a "Hello Kitty" chapter and two opposing armies in the colours of the AA and RAC. Seemed as plausible as any :)

Ultramarines Sub-Chapter: The Ordo Malleus Tempesta or the Stormhammers for short. From an ice world similar to Valhalla but within the Ultramar system.

Our Setting: The Ultramar Empire is all that remains of the The Empire of Man following the Great War. While fighting off a great Tyranid invasion, the greatest Black Crusade ever assembled, attacked the Empire. Found among the forces of Chaos were Chaos Orks. Humanity triumphed in the end but it left the Empire in ruins. The Golden Throne was shattered and it's remnants scattered across the galaxy. The Ultramarines, the strongest remaining force in the Empire reorganized and founded Third Chapters to replenish the ranks of the Adeptus Astartes. Every new Ultramarines sub-chapter of must undergo a quest to recover a sacred remanant of the Golden Throne and return it to Ultramar to the Newly constructed Temple of the Emperor.

While His Golden Throne and corpse was torn asunder, the Emperor grew stronger. He can speak directly to his faithful and beloved children. So can all the other Primarchs.

Edit: Forgot to mention all of our games are setup for Forge of War and FUBAR-40K.

Space Wolves with a side of Ultramarines. My friend made his own chapter though. Nothing special armour colours, but the markings are what makes it unique.

I went with a codex-standard offshoot of the Space Smurfs (Ultramarines). More of a light infantry force since I can't afford vehicles Easy to develope and not dependent on a specific codex that might become obsolete. Of course, I've been building this chapter since the days of Rogue Trader and haven't played a game with them yet

Mine : The Mainiacs were metallic green with random stripes on the legs and apumpkin logo . Same as my first hot rod a 71 mercury cougar with a 351 clevland engine .

Two – one (Imperator Dominion) well thought out

The other – ANGRY MARINES! Not so well thought out, but a lot of fun

Still trying to decide whether I want plausible or something made up. Looking at a 'dirty dozen' motif.

Originally I was strictly the World Eaters then went on the do the Iron Warriors. Lost interest in that chapter and went with the Black Legion and played them ever scince. As far as Imperial Marines I started to paint up the Crimson Fists but have changed to a chapter I call the Sons of America. They are painted in WW II US tank armor color and have the white star with in a circle on the left shoulder and the American Flag on the right shoulder. Their founder Americus discovered old hidden data files regarding a pre-dark age of technology culture that believed in the concepts of liberty, justice, and victory against evil through fire power. While mainly adhering to the doctrines of the Astartes the Sons of America field mostly Tactical Space Marine squads backed up by Dreadnoughts, and Devastator Squads.

Green Dragons. Light green and white armor. Had the whole chapter done for Epic. Even had enough Thunderhawks at one time to carry the whole chapter. : )

Green Dragons. Light green and white armor. Had the whole chapter done for Epic. Even had enough Thunderhawks at one time to carry the whole chapter. : )

Any pics of this? Sounds awesome!

I just used Space Wolves though I haven't played them in six years. I liked the figures. The standard Space Marines are boring, but the guys with viking hair, fangs, axes instead of silly chainswords, and so forth were more interesting.

Well given that I only go with:

Dang it, I just got bugged!
Larry

Here is what I really wrote. I got the bug after I made a small edit on my message and clicked on done:

The Emperor's Wraith. Dark Green armor with yellow markings and three lightning bolts for the Chapter symbol. I went for Dark green as it is easier to maintain and it blends into most backgrounds. Helmets are green (normal) or black (veterans).

It is a straight "leg" formation that eschews the trappings of formal office due to their constantly being on campaign. So no frilly goofiness or skullz (removed with hobby knife if possible) and weapons loadout determines use and function. LOL! Pretty much newer Marines modeled like the old school Beakies.

I very rarely pour any points into the leadership beyond weapons. To me, they are part of the puzzle but not the main piece. I automatically assume I will lose them at some point during the game so I strive more for tactical balance than uber character (a la Warhammer) goodness.

It USED to be an infantry only force and that was the orignal concept when I designed them, but several vehicles showed up on eBay and were too cheap to ignore, so I no longer claim they are an infantry only force. Having said that, I really like the Predator and should add a second!
Larry

I used Ultramarines. Like the colors, liked the fact that they were basic marines with no chapter-specific rules or bonuses. At least they were like that when I played. I also love Marneus Calgar, and I've even considered buying the latest version of him just to paint. 80% of my Ultamarines are RT beakies.

I still have a bunch (30 or so) of old school RT Beakies on the sprue. If I were to start another marine army now, I'd probably do some Salamanders. Buy some lava bases, lots of flamers…Expensive, probably. But thematically cool.

Never did Space Marines only IG and made up the colour schemes based on whatever historical army took my fancy (Zulu War British was one inspiration) Liked the AA & RAC Chapters that appeared in Practical Wargamer though.

My own chapter…
Well , not really mine, but color schemes based on the heavy metal band Machine Head with the MH logo on the shoulder pads.
Lots of Yellow and Black.

Plus, I always felt that when you told people about it over a game (or not…) it was sort of like telling someone about your 12th Level Elf Wizard in D&D…

Oh yeah.

In my last bout of 40k, I stuck with official Chapters (plural, as I'm one of those 2nd Ed "Crusade Army" nuts), but there are a couple squads of my own in the mix.

I never had enough to worry about it. I just used RT Crimson Fists.

I miss the more flavorful IG regiments. Mordians, Valhallans, Praetorians, and Tallarns… never did like the Catachans that much (too Rambo).

How well-thought-out and researched is your Space Marine chapter? Or do you just use one of the pre-created chapters?

Surely if you don't use one of the existing Chapters, and make up your own, by definition it's poorly researched?

When this becomes a poll, please include a selection for "I don't play 40k."

You could even legitimately use the needs more boobies line, because of the Sisters of Battle.