New Space Marine Mechanic Thread - Ultimate Apocalypse Mod (DOW SS) for Dawn of War

Please do note that I have posted a comment beforehand about this topic, only to later realize that the forum is a much better choice

I have an idea where you can call in "allies" from non codex compliant chapters while playing Space Marines. It would be very similiar to the different company types the imperial guard can specialize in, but instead of focussing upon a unit type you would choose a different role of sorts. If you researched the Space Wolves say, you would gain access to long fangs, their own brand of librarian, and the like. Blood angels could have Sanguinary Guard, or perhaps the Sanguinor as a late game relic unit. The idea is basic, but the execution could be done many different ways. You could perhaps require a certain building, or attachment to produce the units. Perhaps you could choose more then one chapter at once, having each chapter have relatively few unique units. Now this may be a incredibly horrible idea, it may be great. But I do think that it could add some variation on a game to game basis, and some decision making on the part of the player.

Edited by: 90908

Id love to see a difference in space marines according to what chapter you choose, but i doubt it will happen. Choosing modest numbers even 4 chapters with 2 unique units each would mean they would have to implement 8 new units. Besides even choosing a patron god with chaos doesnt restrict the use of the other god specific units (always feels a bit wrong using khorne berserkers as a follower of tzeentch).

Maybe something like chaos mark system would work though, being more about subtler changes. Dark angels having better morale, blood ravens having access to two librarians, a small discount on melee or ranged troops and, as you suggested, having some difference in librarian abilities

I like the idea of the Chaos mark system applied to the Space Marines, though I think applying this to dozens of different chapters isn't going to work, rather, I think a certain strategy research would be better.

One mark could be for utilizing fast attack, such as assault marines and bikes, one could be for fortifcation or deep striking, etc. The only issue I have with this is that Space Marines cover every role and other factions are overly specialized in one field, space marines can adapt to every situation against any army as it is and then giving them even more bonuses to specific strategies will leave them being even better at those tactics than the armies that specialize in them. This is more of a complaint about the Space Marines themselves though and their fluff. just I think they'll end up being even more powerful in the game and everyone would end up playing Space Marines because they can do everything.

What if when you take a specialization you also gain a disadvantage in another area? If you chose Black Templars for example, you perhaps lose some ranged damage on infantry units. This is balanced out by the great melee units of the Templars

Edited by: 90908

That sounds interesting, is that possible though? I mean Engine-wise

Well, you could have it as an upgrade, which can take away and add damage and armor values, abilities too as far as I am aware.

Maybe depending on the chapter you gain that chapters weakness as well. I know one or two chapters didn't use librarians. Templars don't use devestators, Bloodangels were all close range fighters (so extreme range items I believe were not used by them). I know one chapter (forgot the name atm but they were talked about in deathwatch rpg books, and they are a prominent chapter) used these liek massive claymores for all their marines, so they all sorta were great at melee, even if it was a sheathed weapon and used only when entering melee. Salamanders were heavy on melta use (and made their own meltas).

Crimson_Wolf wrote: Maybe depending on the chapter you gain that chapters weakness as well. I know one or two chapters didn't use librarians. Templars don't use devestators, Bloodangels were all close range fighters (so extreme range items I believe were not used by them). I know one chapter (forgot the name atm but they were talked about in deathwatch rpg books, and they are a prominent chapter) used these liek massive claymores for all their marines, so they all sorta were great at melee, even if it was a sheathed weapon and used only when entering melee. Salamanders were heavy on melta use (and made their own meltas).

That makes sense, means that you don't simply choose a chapter and become more powerful, just means you are more specialized. Also, Black Templars can use devastators, but are not particularly fond of them. Usually they just add a heavy weapon to there standard squads.