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Games, books, and animated films have depicted the various space marine chapters over the years depicting the grimdark struggle and history of the 40K universe. Though weakened by the events of the Horus Heresy and under constant threat from all sides, the brave struggle of the many space marine chapters has continued to inspire hope amongst the beleaguered fighters within the Imperium and fans of the faction. Though the question must still be asked, in terms of military power, resources, and influence, which space marine chapter is the strongest?
6 Imperial Fists
Descendents of the 7th legion, the Imperial Fists are renowned for their knowledge of siege defense and warfare. As fierce adherents to the Codex Astartes and imperial doctrine, the Imperial Fist chapter prides itself in its organization and loyalty to the Imperium. With no fixed home, the Fists are mostly based on Terra itself (man’s homeworld) and their mobile fortress-ship, The Phalanx. The Fists and their successor chapters also have developed a culture whereby every couple of years, the space marines of the respective chapters will gather and renew their bonds and oaths of friendship.
Highly regarded by many lords and leaders within the Imperium, the Imperial Fists enjoy quite a bit of prestige and good treatment. They are the shield that guards the realms of man as they are still renowned as humanity’s best defense against an impending invasion. Though they have lost their Primarch, Rogal Dorn (some presume he is still alive), the Imperial Fists continue to protect and assault the enemies of the Imperium and will do so down to the last man.
5 Space Wolves
Descendents of the 6th legion and masters of warfare revolving around assaults and search-and-destroy objectives, the Space Wolves have a unique culture that sets them apart from most other space marine chapters. Firstly, the Space Wolves are thought to have an unstable gene seed (genetic material needed to make badass superhuman space marines), resulting in a mutation known as a ‘Canis Helix’, a defect that gives them ‘werewolf’ abilities such as heightened aggression, senses, and to become a space marine wolf (a Wulfen) Pretty cool eh?
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Those who become Wulfen can turn back and those who find it difficult to do so can be calmed by special Wolf-Priests of the order. The Space Wolves chapter features multiple unique units and technologies that are inspired by Nordic culture and werewolves. Their fortress-monastery is known as ‘The Fang’ which boasts superior manufacturing capabilities, meaning that Space Wolves don’t experience shortages of weapons and power armor.
The chapter is perhaps the only legion to openly defy and war with the Inquisition and Grey Knight Order (something you don’t do!) and come out of that conflict victorious and stronger than ever. Their Primarch, Lehman Russ, who is considered one of the greatest fighters amongst the Emperor’s sons remains missing and his current fate is unknown.
4 Black Templars
Experts in close-quarter combat and known for their religious zeal and doctrines, the Black Templars are another powerful contender for the strongest space marine legion and are descendants of the 7th legion. Having established closed ties with the Ecclesiarchy (essentially the Catholic Church of 40K) with representatives on the council and boasting very large numbers, (more so than most other standard space marine chapters) the Black Templars can exploit and overcome doctrines (like the Codex Astartes) that limit space marine numbers and power.
Seen as liberators and conquerors, much of the Black Templar’s military prowess and strengths lie in mass assaults and planetary invasions, increasing their numbers and influence the more planets they take over. Powerful, popular, and evergrowing, the Black Templars are a force to be reckoned with, even by rival and conspiring forces within the Imperium.
3 Dark Angels
Considered one of the more powerful and mysterious space marine chapters, the Dark Angels are descendants of the very 1st space marine chapter with many of their original members having fought beside the Emperor before the Horus Heresy. Whilst most other space marine chapters had to be split, the Dark Angels chapter remains intact and whole. They specialize in plasma weaponry, subterfuge, and their specialized formations that focus on quick tactics and experimental firepower.
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The Dark Angels seek to repent in the eyes of The Emperor and for the traitorous elements that have plagued their chapter’s past. Despite their homeworld having been destroyed and their Primarch currently incapacitated on their mobile fortress known as ‘The Rock’, the Dark Angels still wield considerable power as they have been entrusted with and retain a lot of ‘lost’ high tech dark age technology that was used during the Emperor’s early crusades.
2 Blood Angels
Another chapter that specializes in close-quarter combat, the Blood Angels are also known for their aerial assaults and shock tactics, being descendants of the 9th legion. The Blood Angels have a distinct genetic defect known as the ‘Red Thirst’ that triggers a condition known as the ‘Black Rage’ which drives the afflicted space marine into a warlike frenzy. Unlike their Space Wolf cousins, Blood Angel marines experiencing the Black Rage cannot tell friend from foe and will fight and kill anything within range. This psychotic condition was triggered when the Blood Angel Primarch, Sanguinius, was killed by the traitor Horus, at the climax of the Horus Heresy.
Those marines who have become afflicted are reformed into a squad known as the ‘Death Company’ and are deployed into fierce, isolated battle zones to earn a noble warrior’s death. Despite such a drawback, the Blood Angels are also known to age slower by resting in sarcophaguses (legit vampires really) or by drinking blood in moderate amounts.
Recently, the chapter master Dante was able to repel a Tyranid hive fleet with the help of the sudden appearance of a ‘Great Rift’, as well as Roboute Guilliman and his Ultramarines. In the aftermath of the battle, Guilliman designates Dante as the new Regent of the Imperial Nihilus, comprising multiple sectors and planets. What that essentially means is that chapter master Dante is now second only to Primarch Guilliman in name and power.
1 The Ultramarines
Not just a fan favorite or mere ‘poster boy’ for Games Workshop, the Ultramarines have earned their right as being one of the strongest space marine chapters within the Imperium Of Man. Descended from the 13th legion, the Ultramarines are known for their great versatility, bravery, and empire building/overseeing. Being a first founding chapter, whose gene seed encompasses over 50% of chapters, the Ultramarines can call upon many more minor chapters in times of need.
The Ultramarines are also in possession of over 500 planets within their sphere of influence and were given a tax exemption by the Emperor himself. With such influence and resources, the Ultramarines can raise a large force and replenish their numbers quickly, as seen when their homeworld was ravaged by Hive Fleet Behemoth. With the return of Roboute Guilliman, the only loyal Primarch still active and now the de facto ruler of the Imperium, the Ultramarines space marine chapter only stands to gain power and influence during these dark times.
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