Read on Twitter
I've been getting a lot of Qs regarding making a Space Marine Chapter "cool."
Don't do that. Don't choose a super-serious name, dark colour scheme, and make them badass.
(Okay, obviously you can. And if you want to, you should.)
But the setting has a distinct tone & vibe.
Don't do that. Don't choose a super-serious name, dark colour scheme, and make them badass.
(Okay, obviously you can. And if you want to, you should.)
But the setting has a distinct tone & vibe.
I think the point (if there even is one) is more to make something that, to 21st Century eyes, looks a bit wacky, and showing that it's credible in the insanity of 40K.
Chapter names are on the nose. Heavy-handed. A little silly. Some are naked literary references.
Chapter names are on the nose. Heavy-handed. A little silly. Some are naked literary references.
I didn't choose a baby-blue Chapter of Space Marines with a trident as a symbol because that inspired me with its badassery. I chose them because they were a generic example of an average nobody Chapter.
To show why the average Chapter is just as interesting as the famous ones.
To show why the average Chapter is just as interesting as the famous ones.
Space Marines themselves, their very concept, is what's vicious and vile and interesting about them. The hyperreal heraldry and oddness are clashing elements feeding into the wild vibe of what they really are.
You don't need to double down on coolness for the sake of coolness.
You don't need to double down on coolness for the sake of coolness.
Beyond that, I always say the same two things when it comes to making your own Chapter:
Tenet #1: “You’re unique. Not better.”
Tenet #2: “It doesn’t matter who your daddy is.”
Please excuse me while I link back to the interview I did on Goonhammer: https://www.goonhammer.com/an-interview-with-aaron-dembski-bowden/
Tenet #1: “You’re unique. Not better.”
Tenet #2: “It doesn’t matter who your daddy is.”
Please excuse me while I link back to the interview I did on Goonhammer: https://www.goonhammer.com/an-interview-with-aaron-dembski-bowden/
In addition to being maybe my fave interview ever, there's a whole section where we talk about Chapter creation in a bunch of detail (including the misguided "I don't like Ultramarines Successors" take).
It's easier to link it here than reply to every message.
Good luck, gang!
It's easier to link it here than reply to every message.
Good luck, gang!
