In theWarhammer 40k, the Adeptus Astartes are the genetically enhanced super soldiers of the Imperium of Man. These superhuman warriors are both feared and respected and represent the last hope for humanity against theendless tide of xenosand daemonic threats infesting the galaxy. Created by the Emperor, using the genetic information of his powerful sons, the Primarchs, each legion, and subsequent chapters, would take on the traits of their gene-sire.
While the Astartes, or Space Marines, are the peak of genetic engineering, they are far from perfect. Many chapters have fallen to Chaos, led by their corrupted traitor Primarchs into heresy. Others have genetic defects in their gene-seed, leading to mutations or madness. Others are cursed with perpetual bad luck, leading to near extinction and tragedy. These Astartes chapters have gone through hell, and sometimes have never returned.
7Lamenters
Outcasts of the Imperium
Never has a true loyalist chapter been viewed with as much suspicion as the Lamenters through no fault of their own. As a Blood Angels successor chapter, the Lamenters have somehow rid themselves of the afflictions of the sons of Sanguinius. However, in its place, they are cursed with deep melancholy and unnatural bad luck, leading to their near extinction on several occasions. While the Lamenters have rebuilt from their tragedies, their legacy of bad luck has tainted them in the eyes of many in the Imperium.
The Lamenters were formed from the 21st founding of Space Marines, also known as the Cursed Founding. The Adeptus Mechanicus, who, in their arrogance, tried to improve on the Emperor’s designs, led the Imperium into one of its darkest chapters. Many of the 21st Founding chapters were deeply tainted, with many falling immediately into chaos, becoming renegades and heretics. The Lamenters, while loyal, would suffer from the same reputation and be shunned by their fellow Astartes. However, the Lamenters have stayed loyal throughout andcontinue to fight for the Emperor.
6Black Dragons
Mutated Sons of Vulkan
The Black Dragons are a successor chapter of the Salamanders and another of the doomed 21st founding chapters, also known as The Cursed Founding. While the Black Dragons have remained loyal to theEmperor and the Imperium, they have suffered greatly at the hands of the Inquisition, who censured them due to their rampant mutations.
Like many cursed founding chapters, the Black Dragons suffer from an unstable gene-seed. This taint has led to mutations in the Astartes, who develop large bone growths from their heads and forearms. While it is rumored the chapter has embraced and even encouraged these mutations, with some covering the bones in adamantium to form deadly melee weapons, it has also led to widespread suspicion from the wider Imperium.
5Space Wolves
The Emperor’s Executioners
The Space Wolves are one of the most iconic Astartes Chapters in the setting. Hailing from the frozen world of Fenris, the Space Wolves are the Vikings of the setting. They’re loud, boastful, and enjoy a feast as much as a fight. While thesewarriors can be savage by nature, they are some of the most loyal defenders of the Imperium and continue to fight for the Emperor and their long-lost Primarch.
However, within their gene-seed is a genetic flaw that is both a curse and a weapon. The Space Wolves have an inner rage that fills them with a berserk fury that can often overtake them. The wolf within them is always howling and can often protect them from the corrupting effects of Chaos. However, this inner wolf may take over, mutating the Astartes into a ferocious monster called a Wulfen. Once changed, the noble warrior is nothing more than a rabid animal that can no longer see a friend from foe.
4World Eaters
Berserkers for Khorne
The Worlds Eatersstory is one of the most tragicin the40ksetting. Their descent into corruption was fueled by their Primarch, Angron’s unending anger and hatred. Angron’s story begins in Nuceria, where he is a renowned and dangerous gladiator. The fledgling Primarch’s owners, in an attempt to control their prize, inflicted a horrific augmentation on him, the butcher’s nails.
This terrible cybernetic implant connected deep into his brain, causing indescribable pain unless engaged in all-out combat. Angron would carry this rage for the rest of his life and beyond into daemonhood. He was a harsh and brutal leader to his Space Marine legion, with failure often resulting in legion-wide executions. His impossibly high standards and resentment led the World Eaters down the path of damnation. They inflicted the butcher’s nails onto themselves, turning from proud warriors to mindless berserkers. Now they know only the rage, constantly seeking blood for their patron god Khorne.
3Blood Angels
Holding The Darkness at Bay
Hailing from the planet Baal, the homeworld of their Primarch Sanguinius, the Blood Angels are one of the original foundinglegions of the Adeptus Astartesand are an icon of the setting. However, they are afflicted with two genetic defects that plague every member of the gene-line. The most notable is the Black Rage, which was inflicted on the Blood Angels at the moment of their Primarch’s death at the hands of Horus.
The psychic backlash of this event caused the Angels to fall into an uncontrollable rage and blood frenzy. This curse still affects the Blood Angels, with every warrior doomed to fall one day into the same savage rage. The Red Thirst is a genetic defect that all the sons of Sanguinius suffer. It manifests in the warriors’ need to consume the blood of their enemies. They hold a deep fury within that can eventually lead to madness if not held at bay. This is most notable in the Flesh Tearers chapter, whose insatiable thirst for blood almost led them to be cast out of the Imperium.
2Death Guard
Bloated and Mutated Monstrosities
The Death Guard was one of the nine Space Marine legions that would follow Horus intorebellion against the Emperorand the Imperium. However, their fall into the hands of Nurgle would damn the legion far beyond any of their worst nightmares, distorting their bodies and minds into monstrous abominations.
From his earliest days battling the overlords on Barbarous, Mortarion, the Primarch of the Dead Guard, hated warp magic and banned it throughout his legion. He prided himself on his strength and immovable resistance. However, this pride would lead to his downfall at the hands of his 1st Captain. Typhus was secretly a powerful psyker and follower of Nurgle.
During the Horus Heresy, he tricked the Death Guard and his Primarch by leading them into the warp after killing every navigator on their ship. This placed them in the hands of Nurgle, who infected the entire legion with terrible diseases and excruciating pain. Unable to stand it, Mortarion pledged himself to the God of Rot, damning his legion to become mutated diseased monsters in service of Nurgle.
1Thousand Sons
Led Down The Path of Damnation
The Thousand Sons legion of Space Marines was cursed long before they fell to Chaos; however, they would find no salvation as their leader’s mistakes would damn the legion forever. Known to include more psykers than any other legion, the Thousand Sons suffered terrible and numerous mutations throughout their ranks. Famed for his knowledge and skill in warp sorcery, the Thousand Sons Primarch, Magnus The Red would attempt to save his sons but would ultimately lead his legion into the hands of Tzeentch, the Chaos god of change.
As Tzeentch’s influence worsened, these mutations increased. To save his brothers, Ahzek Ahriman performed a ritual known as The Rubric of Ahriman to end their suffering. However, this backfired and would turn the legion into mindless automatons, their flesh turning to dust and their souls fusing with their armor. Ahriman now works to undo his mistake, searching for hidden knowledge that may bring his legion back to their former glory.
