Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000) For space marines as science fiction characters in general, see space marine The Space Marines, also known as the Adeptus Astartes, are enhanced human beings with new organs placed into them that make them better fighters than a normal human. Space Marines are divided into Chapters, with approximately 1,000 members when the Chapter is at full strength. The Chaos Space Marines have unlimited maximum numbers, as they are divided into Legions, not Chapters. The Space Marines are called in during an extreme emergency. One could make a comparison between the Space Marines and various knightly orders in medieval Europe. For example, the Black Templars Chapter bears more than a passing resemblance to the Knights Templar. There is a large fanbase for the Space Marines. The good points are that they are tough individually, but they are expensive points-wise. They have a generally well-received back story. Quite a few of the more popular Chapters are close-combat oriented, as close combat can make or break a game in Warhammer 40,000 (enjoyment to some, a flaw to others). Space Marine Weapons and Equipment As the elite fighting arm of the Imperium, Space Marines are equipped with some of the best weapons the Imperium has. Boltguns The standard weapon of the Space Marines is the boltgun, also known as a bolter. A bolter is a heavy gun that fires rocket-propelled rounds with mass-reactive explosive payloads. Bolters are made in both pistol and rifle form, as well as the machinegun-like heavy bolter. Terminator Armor is often equipped with a double-barrelled storm bolter. Assault Cannons Assault cannons are the Miniguns of Warhammer 40K; They are more powerful than the Heavy Bolters. Flamers Flamers are Basically Flame Throwers that shoot Napalm. They come in Three forms; One-handed, two-handed and Heavy-Flamers. Lascannons Unlike the Imperial Guard, the Space Marines don't make as much use of laser weapons. The major exception to that rule is the Lascannon, a heavy laser weapon capable of blowing holes in tanks with a single shot. Plasma Weapons The Space Marines make good use of the tempermental plasma weapons, in pistol and rifle form. Heavy plasma cannons are also widely used, particularly by the Dark Angels chapter. The Imperium's plasma weapons have poor cooling, and thus build up dangerous levels of heat with continuous operation. Rocket Launchers Rocket have a capacity to fire two types of missiles, krack and frag. Krack is a simple rocket that can take out a single unit while frag uses a template and can thus take out multiple units. Power Armor Possibly the most prominent feature of the Space Marines is their armor, a heavy suit of powered armor that enhances a Space Marine's already superhuman strength, as well as allows them to easily withstand fire than could kill a normal human. Terminator Armor Tactical Dreadnought ("Terminator") Armor was originally developed for boarding missions, and sports heavy forward armor. The First Company of each Space Marine Chapter uses Terminator armor extensively, and only those Marines who earn the crux terminatus are permitted to wear it. Dreadnoughts Valiant Marines who fall, but do not die, in battle are often interred in Dreadnought Armor, a twenty-foot-tall walking tank, equipped with life-support systems to maintain the Marine indefinitely (at least one Dreadnought's occupant fell during the Horus Heresy and still lives in the 41st millennium) and an array of weapons. Like Terminator Armour, the Dreadnought is heavily-defended against frontal assaults. Rhino A fast troop transport, a Rhino can hold up to ten Marines in cramped conditions. The Rhino generally mounts a single storm bolter and is lightly armored. The chasis of the Rhino is very durable, and serves as the basis for other Space Marine vehicles. Razorback A Razorback is a variant of the Rhino that sacrifices troop capacity for firepower. Razorbacks are typically armed with twin-linked Heavy Bolters or Lascannons, and are excellent for adding firepower to smaller squads. Predator The Predator is heavily-armored variant that, rather than act as a transport, is instead a light tank. Armed with either an Autocannon or twin-linked Lascannon. It can also have Heavy Bolters or Lascannons mounted on side mountings. Whirlwind Being a mobile force, the Space Marines have little need for artillery. However, when it is called for, they can utilize the Whirlwind, which is armed with a long-range missile launcher, and can bombard enemy positions in preparation for attack. Vindicator When attacking fortified positions, Space Marines use the Vindicator, which fills nearly the entire chassis with the massive, snub-nosed Demolisher Cannon, capable of blasting through the thickest walls. This weapon has proven so effective that the Iron Warriors Traitor legion makes it a point to scavenge these for their own use whenever possible. Land Speeder Incredibly fast, the double-seat Land Speeder ground-effect vehicle is used to attack enemy fortfications and heavy weapons from the air. Land Raider The Land Raider is to the Rhino what a Humvee is to a Jeep; equipped with superior armor and weaponry, the Raider can also mount a turret-based heavy weapon and act as heavy support to the Marines it carries into battle. Land Raider Crusader the Land Raider Crusader is the same as the normal raider but has diferent weapons such as twin linked asullt canons hurracaine bolters wich are afectivley nine bolters straped together on each side mounting. Space Marine chapters First Founding Chapters The First Founding Chapters are the heirs of the original 20 Space Marine Legions. Of the original legions, nine turned to the forces of Chaos, and two are either destroyed or lost. Loyalists Blood Angels Space Wolves Ultramarines Raven Guard Dark Angels White Scars Salamanders Iron Hands Imperial Fists Miscellaneous Space Marine Chapters Traitors (Chaos Space Marines) World Eaters Death Guard Thousand Sons Emperor's Children Night Lords Alpha Legion Iron Warriors Luna Wolves/Sons of Horus/Black Legion Word Bearers Successor Chapters After the Horus Heresy, it was determined that the Legions were too powerful, and they were broken up into Chapters. Subsequently, the Imperium created new Chapters of Space Marines, using gene-seed sampled from existing ones. Many of these successor chapters still keep the memory of their progenitor legion or chapter, and maintain their methods of operation and battle. Examples of Successor Chapters include: Angels of Vengeance Black Templars Blood Ravens Crimson Fists Deathwatch Flesh Tearers Howling Griffons Lamenters: an unfortunate chapter of Space Marines who took part, on the losing side, in the Badab War, before being devastated by the Tyranids. Rainbow Warriors Raptors Relictors Scythes of the Emperor: a Chapter of Space Marines who were all but destroyed by the Tyranids. Their armour was black and yellow, with a yellow scythe symbol on the shoulder panels. Sons of Guilleman Scions of Dorn Storm Lords Vultures White Consuls Unknown origin There are two other chapters of unknown origin in addition to the first founding chapters and their successors, these are: Grey Knights Legion of the Damned External links Bolter and Chainsword - Space Marines discussion board Liber Astartes - Space Marine chapter listings Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. 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