Chapter 2 - Factions: Space Marines

Space Marines are genetically augmented super-soldiers. Wearing advanced suits of power armour, they have been altered with arcane science to be taller, stronger, tougher and faster than ordinary Humans, making them amongst the most elite warriors in Humanity’s star-spanning Imperium.

Known formally as the Adeptus Astartes, Space Marines are the ultimate shock troops. They are without fear, merciless and utterly relentless. Space Marine strike forces are dispatched on rapid reaction missions throughout the galaxy. They are deployed where speed, precision and overwhelming power are needed, reclaiming invaded worlds, hunting down especially monstrous enemies, crushing rebellion with shock and awe tactics and more besides. Space Marines have defended Humanity for thousands of years from traitors, heretics, vile sorcerers and supernatural monsters, as well from many of the galaxy's ravenous alien species. They are rightly hailed as among the Imperium’s greatest heroes.

In war, Space Marines hit hard and fast, striking at key strategic targets such as enemy leaders, fuel stores, power generators or anything else central to the foe's plans. Some Chapters have become specialists in a particular way of making war, or are experts in fighting certain kinds of enemies. For example, the Raven Guard Chapter are masters of infiltration and ambushes, while the Iron Hands specialise in using powerful war engines. By contrast, the Deathwatch Chapter have a broad range of expertise; they hunt down and destroy aliens of every kind, all of whom the Imperium collectively calls xenos.

Space Marines go to war bearing some of the most advanced weapons, armour and equipment that the Imperium can produce. Such wargear is viewed as a gift from the Emperor, and none more so than the Space Marines' signature bolt weapons, such as the bolt rifle. Space Marines employ all manner of battle tanks, anti-grav war engines, armoured bikes and swift aircraft. Amongst the most unusual vehicles are Dreadnoughts. Inside each of these robotic suits, a terribly injured warrior on the brink of death is wired into the controls. He uses its deadly guns and fists to crush the enemy.