THE EMPEROR'S FINEST
Long ago, the Emperor needed soldiers to help him in his great
crusade to reunite humanity after
the terrible Age of Strife. The Emperor knew
that he required something better than his
normal troops if there was to be any chance of
succeeding, thus the Space Marines were born.
Genetic manipulation was used to make the Space Marines stronger, faster, and tougher. At the same time, extensive surgery was performed to implant special organs to make them absolute masters of the battlefield.
The Space Marines have become the ultimate human soldier, though it could be argued that they are no longer still human. A Space Marine is well over seven feet tall and easily able to crush a man's skull with his bare hands. Space Marines can fight for days at a time, heal wounds in minutes, and survive the most treacherous conditions. With his constant training, boltgun and power armour, the Space Marine is the most feared warrior throughout the galaxy.
THE SPACE MARINE CHAPTER
Having become too large and unmaneuverable for the tasks assigned to them, the tremendous Space Marine Legions of the Emperor were broken down into more manageable and harder-hitting armies. The Space Marine Legions became Space Marine Chapters - smaller, sleeker, and much more powerful.
A Space Marine Chapter is more than just a self-contained fighting force. By now, most Chapters are millenia old, and each has its own history, traditions and heroes. Today, there are over a thousand Chapters in existance, from the noble and unyielding Ultramarines, to the intense, fierce, and not entirely trustworthy Blood Angels. Though they may differ in organization and methods, the one thing they all have in common is their absolute loyalty to the Emperor of the Imperium.
THE SPACE MARINE ARMY
Though each Space Marine Chapter is relatively small, they are easily able to defeat armies many times their size. They do this with superior weaponry, armour, vehicles, and tactics. While the Imperial Guard are about as subtle as a sledgehammer, the Space Marines carry out missions with all the skill and precision of a surgeon's scalpel.
SPACE MARINE SQUADS
Space Marine Captains have many different types of troops and vehicles to choose from in assembling their forces. From the ever versatile Tactical Squads to the rapid-strike Land Speeders, Space Marines always have the right tool for the job.
Tactical Squads
Each and every Space Marine is so well trained that they have little difficulty pounding the enemy into the dirt no matter what the situation. Because of their flexibility, most Space Marines fight in Tactical Squads. Tactical Squads are generally equipped with bolters and grenades, but some members of the unit may use more exotic and heavier weaponry, such as missile launchers and flamers.
Assault Squads
On some occassions the Space Marines need to get to blows with the enemy quickly, that's what Assault Squads are for. Armed with close combat weapons and jump packs, Assault Squads can get into hand-to-hand combat blindingly fast! Plus, their jump packs let them move over the battlefield with ease. These troops are an absolute nightmare for the enemy, especially when they start to close in on you!
Devastator Squads
With the Tactical Squads moving forward, and the Assault Squads attacking at the very heart of the enemy force, even Space Marines need a little heavy support now and then. Devastator squads consist of Space Marines armed with some serious firepower - Lascannons, Heavy Bolters,
Plasma Cannons, and more. These Space Marines concentrate on taking out vehicles and war machines, leaving the Tactical and Assault squads to do their jobs without worrying about getting blown to pieces by enemy tanks.
Scout Squads
Before a recruit can properly join his battle brothers as a full-fledged Space Marine, he must earn his place by becoming a Space Marine Scout. Scout Squads operate far in advance of the Space Marine battleline, providing intelligence and sabotaging the enemy's supply lines and
communications.
Space Marine Scouts will often sneak forward before the battle starts and wait for the enemy to arrive. From these positions, the Scouts can either launch an all out assault, trying to break the enemy quickly, or stay in cover and start picking the enemy off one by one with their sniper rifles.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Terminator Squads
When things start to get difficult, or there is a particularly dangerous mission that must be accomplished, the Space Marine commander will call upon his very best troops. Space Marines who have been in countless
battles and shown exceptional bravery and skill are taken from their regular units and assigned to the Chapter's First Company.
These Space Marines are the only ones equipped with the incredible Terminator Armour. This venerable piece of ancient technology transforms a normal Space Marine into a walking tank! With their impenetrable armour and potent weapons, a Terminator squad of Space Marines is practically unstoppable.
Dreadnoughts
When mortally wounded, some especially
heroic Space Marines are placed in the
mechanical body of a Dreadnought, in this
way the injured Space Marine can continue to
serve the Emperor and his Chapter.
Dreadnoughts are an awesome sight to behold on the battlefield. Their heavy armour lets them simply ignore incoming fire, shrugging off hits like raindrops. As they advance, Dreadnoughts will cut loose with their powerful weapons. The Blood Angel Dreadnought at left is equipped with a multi-melta and a powerclaw/storm bolter combo. The Multi-melta can turn an enemy tank to slag in seconds, while the powerclaw/storm bolter will deal with anyone foolish enough to get in its way!
SPACE MARINE
BIKES AND
LAND SPEEDERS
Space Marines prefer to strike
fast and hard, often defeating an
enemy force before it even really
knows what has happened.
Assault Squads are perfect for
getting to the enemy quickly, but if they don't get proper support from other
fast-moving squads, like Land Speeders and bikes, the Assault Squad could be
easily overwhelmed (Okay, not so easily, we are talking about Space Marines
after all.).
The Land Speeder is perfect for fast strafing attacks on enemy infantry and vehicles. Built with anti-gravitic engines, the Land Speeder is easily able to get to the flanks and rear of the enemy and can simply cruise over terrain that would be impasseable on foot. The Land Speeder can be equipped with many different weapons so you can tailor it to your needs, whether you have tanks to destroy or infantry to roast, the Land Speeder can do it all.
Unfortunately, the Land Speeder can be rather fragile, one good hit can send it crashing to the ground. This is where the Space Marine Bikes and Attack Bikes come in. These vehicles get squads of Space Marines into action quickly, and with a good amount of firepower. The bikes are equipped with twin-linked bolters, while the Attack Bike can be fitted with a heavy weapon. Assault Squads, Land Speeders, and bikes at the forefront of a Space Marine army often spells doom and utter defeat for their opponents.
HEAVY
FIREPOWER
Of course, the Space
Marines have access to
other vehicles besides
Land Speeders and bikes.
Sometimes you just have
to call in the big guns, and
the Space Marines are no
exception.
The Rhino and the Razorback are the Space Marines' standard transports. The Rhino can carry a full squad of Space Marines right to the where the fighting is thickest. The Razorback can also be used as a transport, but it sacrifices some space to mount additional weapons in the turret. So, after the Space Marines disembark, it will stay around and lend support to the Space Marines as they advance.
From the Predator tank to the awesome destructive power of the Land Raider, the Space Marines have several tanks to choose from depending on the job they need done. Predators will wipe out enemy vehicles and war machines, while the Whirlwind uses its missiles to barrage the enemy as they advance. Space Marine Commanders need to select just the right blend of troops, vehicles and tanks to win the day!
DRAWN FROM A MILLION DIFFERENT
WORLDS
Drawn from the million inhabited worlds that make up the
Imperium, the ranks of the Imperial Guard are truly
immeasurable. Not even the Adepts of Tirol know where
every battalion and regiment have been stationed after nearly
ten thousand years of constant conflict. This is the true army of
the Imperium unlike the elite strike forces of the superhuman
Space Marines or the pious warrior women of the Sisters of
Battle. Built upon the sweat, blood and bones of men, the
mechanized punch of countless tanks, and an iron will, the Imperial Guard is
sent to fight the thousands of wars the Imperium wages each day.
Each Imperial world is expected to raise its own defense forces to protect the planet from alien invasion, insurrection or citizen revolt. As part of its Imperial Tithe each planet is also required to supply troops from its defense forces to be inducted into the Imperial Guard.
Footsloggers and Dogfaces
The one thing that supplies the fuel to run the massive Imperial
Guard war machine is men! Millions upon millions of Imperial
citizens are inducted, drafted or forced into service within the
ranks of the Imperial Guard.
Imperial Guard infantry troops are often considered the lowest of the low - footsloggers, dogfaces and cannon fodder. However, the swarming units of infantry combined with the oppressive might of the Guard's armored battalions and special troops have allowed them to continue to hold the galaxy in the steely grasp of Humanity to this day.
ABOUT FACE - YOU PUKES!!!
Imperial Guard Infantry regiments are vast structures comprised of thousands of
troops. To keep track of these sprawling forces, the Imperial Guard has a very
rigid and inflexible command structure which ensures that plans are followed
and orders are carried out. This rigidity extends all the way down to the squad
level of deployment. Unlike most other armies of the 41st Millennium which
have variable squad sizes, Imperial Guard Infantry Squads are always
comprised of ten men.
The problems of arming and equipping an army of millions upon millions of men are solved in the Imperial Guard by issuing each guardsmen a standard kit consisting of the trustworthy and deadly lasgun and protective flak armor. Cheap to manufacture and reliable in combat, the lasgun can lay down a curtain of fire which can chop enemy squads to pieces in seconds.
Promising marksmen in the Imperial Guard Infantry will often be given further training in the use of other more specialized weapons such as the flamer or flesh-melting plasma gun (shown above left). In addition, units may also include Heavy Weapon teams armed with even more powerful ordnance such as the tank-busting lascannon shown right.
ROLL CALL!
While all of the Imperial planets are required to supply warriors to serve in the
Imperial Guard there are several worlds whose regiments have become famous
for distinguished service in the armies of the Imperium.
Catachan Jungle Fighters
Born on a Death World where there are a thousand different
ways to die every day, the Jungle Fighters of Catachan serve
well in the Imperial Guard as the battlefield is often a kinder
place to be than their homeworld.
Cadian Shock Troops
Stalwart and determined, Cadian Shock Troops hail from a
world poised on the edge of the Eye of Terror where the
forces of Chaos and invasions from the alien forces of the
Eldar are an all too common occurrence.
Tallarn Desert Raiders
The baking hot deserts of Tallarn breed men who's endurance
and drive is matched on few other worlds in the Imperium.
These harsh conditions make the inhabitants of Tallarn ideal
subjects for induction into the glorious forces of the Imperial
Guard.
Mordian Iron Guard
The dark world of Mordian is a place of strict military regimes
and martial law. The unique conditions of the planet breed civil
unrest and outright revolt. However, the Mordian Iron Guard
stands as a shining bastion of law and order on a world of crime
and corruption.
This is only a sample of the millions of different worlds which supply troops to the Imperial Guard. One could mention the cold-hearted Ice Warriors of Valhalla or even the courageous regiments of the Praetorian Guard, but regardless of where the men of the Imperial Guard are recruited from, they all follow the strict discipline that life in the armies of the Imperium enforces.
AN OFFICER AND A
NOT-SO-GENTLEMAN
Commanding officers form a vital part of the strategic and
tactical forces of the Imperial Guard army by coordinating
the actions of platoons or companies within the regimental
HQ. Imperial Guard armies are commonly led by Captain
(A Valhallan Captain is shown right) or Commissar although
especially large forces may be lead to battle by a
high-ranking Colonel.
Like the rest of the Imperial Guard army, Command Squads follow a very inflexible organizational structure. From the highest to the lowest it is the imposition of order within the Imperial Guard which allows this sprawling force to function coherently. Imperial Guard Command Squads always consist of an officer and four Imperial Guardsmen equipped to the highest available standards to protect their commander's life should it be threatened by enemy troops or insurrection within the ranks themselves.
Commissars are zealous and ruthless officers who live for nothing but utter devotion to the Emperor as a member of the Imperial armed forces. Always seen leading squads of Guardsmen across the battlefield, Commissars fight at the forefront of the battle where their inspirational presence and tremendous bravery serves to drive the men under their command forward.
Commissars also ensure that the Imperial doctrine is being followed and that other Imperial Guard officers are serving the best interests of the Imperium. Commissars will not tolerate cowardice within the ranks from either officers or enlisted men. Those who turn tail and run in the face of combat are subject to the Commissar's wrath and the justice of an immediate battlefield execution.
AUXILIARY FORCES
The Imperial Guard utilizes a wide
variety of forces to handle the various
types of tactical situations and terrain
that it must fight on. In addition, the
Imperial army recruits several elite
units which are small in size but pack
an impressive wallop on the
battlefield.
Imperial Guard Rough Riders are Guardsmen who are recruited from worlds where the use of horses on the battlefield is still a dominant practice. The most famous of these cavalry units are the fearsome Rough Riders of Attila (shown right). In battle their powerful assaults and rapid movement around the battlefield can surprise opponents who expect the Imperial Guard to just stay back and shoot.
Planets whose gravity or radiation has mutated the once pure genetic material of their human inhabitants have not been overlooked by the Imperial Guard when it comes to obtaining prospective recruits. Ogryns (shown left) have evolved on barren, high gravity worlds into huge hulking beasts.
Devoted to Emperor and willing to lay down their lives without a second thought (or a first thought for that matter), they act as monstrous shock troops on the battlefield, ripping enemy troops limb from limb and decimating entire units with their ripper guns.
In contrast the diminutive Ratlings, serve as excellent snipers in the Imperial Guard army. Their excellent marksmanship and ability to work themselves behind enemy lines tends to make up for the fact that most humans find them repellent and unhygenic.
Sentinel squadrons consist of one to three lightly-armored mechanized walkers crewed by a single Guardsman. Armed with a powerful multi-laser, Sentinels are ideal as reconnaissance platforms or as mobile heavy weapon support for infantry and tanks.
Sentinels are often used for scouting missions where stealth, speed and firepower are needed at a premium.
THE MAILED FIST
The forces of the Imperial Guard utilize the greater variety of mobile artillery and
vehicles than any other army in the 41st Millennium. Imperial Guard armies
contain legions of troop transports, artillery platforms and tanks of all shapes
and sizes supported by swarms of infantry, support staff and artillery. When the
full force of the Guard is brought to bear against the enemy, it strikes like a
mailed fist, punching through opposing battle lines and scattering troops as if
they were children's blocks!
The Chimera is the Imperial Guard's most common armored troop carrier and infantry support vehicle. Able to carry an entire ten man squad and one other passenger, the Chimera is perfect for deploying infantry quickly.
As well as being a reliable and well-armored transport, once its passengers have disembarked, the Chimera's turret-mounted multi-laser is capable of laying down a field of suppressive cover fire which will keep enemy heads down while they get into position.
There are several other variations on the versatile Chimera chassis which are used by the Imperial Guard to fulfill various missions including the enormously powerful Basilisk mobile artillery platform and the explosive might of the Griffon heavy mortar.
The rugged Leman Russ is the main battle tank of the Imperial Guard and makes up the bulk of the army's mobile attack force. Whether deployed in an acidic swamp or airdropped into the freezing temperatures of a sub-zero ice planet, the Leman Russ functions equally well no matter what the terrain or conditions.
The Leman Russ's armament can vary tremendously but the inclusion of a turret-mounted battle cannon is the standard configuration. The side sponson mounts may also be modified to accept a variety of heavy weapons to lay down cover support for infantry troops and to stave off attacks from enemy assault units bent on the tank's destruction.
THE EMPEROR DEIFIED
The Adeptus Ministorum, or Ecclesiarchy as it is
commonly known, is the official church of the Imperium.
This massive organization is dedicated to spreading the
worship and veneration of the Emperor as a living god
throughout the galaxy.
Founded by the fanatical Fatidicus, the Adeptus Ministorum continues to preach the edicts and ideals of the Imperial Creed wherever Imperial citizens may thrive. Transgressions against the church are considered heresy and no sin is too small to be punished in the dark future of the 41st Millennium.
For nearly ten thousand years, the Ecclesiarchy has guided and focused the faith of countless billions of Imperial citizens. Through the efforts of its Missionaries, Preachers, and Confessors, it has ensured the continued worship of the Emperor as a divine being which holds the very fabric of Imperial society together.
THE SISTERHOOD
The Battle Sisters of the Orders Militant make up the military arm of the
Ecclesiarchy. Made up entirely of warrior women, the Sisters of Battle are
utterly dedicated to the protection of the Imperium from any threat. Trained
from birth and equipped to the highest standards, these zealous servants of the
Ministorum can be found fighting alongside other Imperial armies or pursuing
their own Wars of Faith across the galaxy.
Each of the Orders Militant is lead by a Canoness. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day activities and spiritual well-being of the Order, the Canoness commands the Sisters of Battle army in combat. As well as being a devastating combatant in her own right, the Canoness can be accompanied by a bodyguard of elite Celestians who can be found using their superior skills where the fighting is thickest.
The bulk of the Sisters of Battle army is formed of Battle Sisters squads whose deep faith in the Imperial Cult provides them with the steadfast determination they need to combat any foes whether they be alien heathens or apostate humans.
Battle Sister Squads are led by a Sister Superior who is normally the most experienced Veteran in her unit. Similar in many respect to the Tactical Squads of the Space Marines, Battle Sister Squads are equipped and armed with the boltguns and power armour. Each Battle Sister unit may incorporate a number specialists armed with flamers, meltaguns, or even a heavy weapon.
Each of the Orders Militant bases its uniforms on the garments worn by the original Daughters of the Emperor cult from which the Adepta Sororitas was developed. The Order of the Ebon Chalice and The Order of the Blood Rose display the colors of the original convents whose names they share. All of the Orders Militant use the three main colors - black, white and red in the design of their uniforms.
In addition to eradicating threats from outside the Ministorum, Sisterhood forces are often employed as an internal policing force within the Ecclesiarchy. Woe be unto the Cardinal or Confessor who strays from path of the Emperor's grace as these steel-willed warrior women can easily remove any church official from power on their own or combined with the mailed fist of the Imperial Guard.
BATTLEFIELD SUPPORT
Sisters of Battle armies also contain other units which fulfill
various tactical roles on the battlefield. Among these are
Retributor Heavy Weapon Squads, the lightning-fast
Seraphim, and the heretic melting might of the Immolator
Tank.
A small number of Battle Sisters are trained in the use of heavy weaponry. Known as Retributor Squads, the favored armament of these deadly troops are heavy flamers and multi-meltas. The blast and intense heat produced by these powerful weapons destroys the enemies of the Sisterhood with the cleansing flames of the Emperor's wrath!
Those Battle Sisters who show exceptional talent for close combat are inducted into the assault squads of the Seraphim. Here they begin to receive the intense hand-to-hand combat training that will turn them into the avenging angels of the battlefield. What makes them so feared is that they are equipped with jumppacks and two bolt pistols! While most assault troops are armed with a pistol and close combat weapon, the veritable hail of fire the Seraphim can produce is truly staggering.
THE RHINO
The reliability, well-armored
protection, and speed of the
Rhino Armored Personnel
Carrier (commonly referred to
a Rhino) has led to its
adoption as the transport
vehicle of choice for both the
Adepta Sororitas and Space
Marine armies.
The ability to transport up to ten Battle Sisters across rapidly and with relative safety makes this stalwart tank the perfect vehicle for deploying troops all across the battlefield.
Whether it is transporting the slow moving Retributor squads into position, or moving the Battle Sister cadres to the front lines, the Rhino has served the Sisters of Battle well.
A variation of the Rhino which is only used by Sisters of Battle armies is the inferno-spewing Immolator. Armed with a twin heavy flamer weapon pod known as the Inferno Cannon, one blast from this massive weapon is enough to send even the bravest troops running for cover. In addition the Immolator can also transport six Battle Sisters in its cargo bay, giving this fearsome vehicle a unit-shattering one-two punch that few others can withstand.
HEROES OF THE IMPERIUM
Though the Space Marines, Imperial Guard, and the Sisters of Battle are the
main forces of the Imperium, there are others that war against the enemies of
mankind as well. These Heroes of the Imperium often accompany the armies of
humanity, lending their prowess and skills where needed. These individuals
include high ranking officials of the Inquisition, members of the Ecclesiarchy, and
even whispered individuals from the Officio Assassinorum - The Assassins!
THE ENDS ALWAYS JUSTIFY THE
MEANS
The most powerful Imperial Agents actually belong to
one of the smallest and most elite organizations in the
Imperium, the Inquisition. The mandate of the Inquisition
is to stop any and all threats to the Imperium and
mankind. Inquisitors will use any means necessary to
eradicate these threats including Exterminatus, the virus bombing of a planet,
which totally destroys all life upon it.
Inquisitors are free-roaming troubleshooters whose actions are not bound by any restrictions or laws. If the mission cannot be accomplished by guile and cunning, then the Inquisitor will result to brute force. On the battlefield, the Inquisitor can assume command of any Imperial forces which he deems necessary to snuff out the threat at hand. The greater the perceived threat, the more force that will be brought to bear under the Inquisitor's watchful eye.
While no world or planetary governor is above suspicion by the Inquisition, it is the psyker that commands the majority of its attention. The terrible threat of renegade psykers in the 41st Millennium means that Inquisitors are often called upon to deal with Chaos cults or even daemonic invasions from the shadowy darkness of the Warp.
PRAISE THE EMPEROR,
FOR HE IS OUR SALVATION
The Missionaries, Preachers and
Confessors of the Adeptus
Ministorum (the holy church of
the Imperium) can be found on
battlefields all across the galaxy
inspiring the loyal troops of the
Emperor with their own acts of bravery and fighting skill.
Preachers and Confessors use the holy word of the Ministorum to motivate Imperial defenders with inspirational oratories and righteous action. Missionaries are hardened survivors whose duty requires them to spread the Imperial creed while honing their combat skills in some of the galaxy's most inhospitable locations.
Although more likely to be seen leading units of Imperial Guardsmen or Sisters of Battle, than the warrior cults of the Space Marines, these Imperial Agents combat heresy and Chaos all across the Imperium.
FEAR ME, FOR I AM YOUR APOCALYPSE
Sometimes a dagger in the dark is more effective than a
thousand swords at dawn. This saying is the motivation
behind the agents of the Officio Assassinorum. The Officio
Assassinorum is divided into different temples, each one
trains is assassins in a specific way of eliminating its target.
The Vindicare temple focuses on marksmenship and patience. Armed with the Exitus Sniper Rifle, the Vindicare Assassin will wait for days until the target finally appears. Eliminating another threat to the Imperium with a single unerring shot. Though their methods are straight forward, it is the incredible skill of the Vindicare Assassin which instills fear. No Chaos Cult leader, or rebel governor ever knows if out in the darkness there is a bullet with their name on it!
Callidus Assassins specialize in infiltration and disguise as their methods for contacting their targets. The use of the shape-altering drug, polymorphine allows these cunning killers to change their appearance completely so that they may get within striking distance of their designated victim.
Assassins of the Eversor temple specialize in terror tactics and the complete destruction of the target and his support structure. Fueled by a deadly combination of drugs, bio-engineering and psychotic fury, the Eversor Assassin is an insane and unstoppable combat monster!
The final and most mysterious sect of the Officio Assassinorum is the Culexus temple. All Culexus Assassins are born with a one-in-a-billion genetic defect, a unique and horrifying aura which repulses and confuses all creatures around them. The resulting chaos of their presence allows the assassin to hunt down and destroy its prey.