Despoiler Squad

This article is about the Space Marine squad. For other uses of Despoiler, see Despoiler (disambiguation).

Space Marines Portal

a Blood Angels Despoiler Legionary

Despoiler Squads were specialized close-combat infantry formations of the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.^[1a]

Overview

Frequently employed during boarding actions or trench clearing operations, Tactical Squads would sometimes forgo their standard Bolter in favour of a Bolt Pistol and Chainsword, allowing for greater manoeuvrability in tight confines.^[1a]

Consisting of up to nine Despoiler Marines led by a Sergeant, on the battlefield, Despoiler squads engage the enemy line directly, carving a bloody path through entrenched foes, shattering their morale and slaughtering all who do not flee.^[1a]

Wargear

Standard Issue :

• Chainsword^[1a]
• Bolt Pistol^[1a]
• Power Armour^[1a]
• Frag Grenades^[1a]
• Krak Grenades^[1a]

Legion-Specific Variants

• The Dark Angels' Stormwing were masters at making use of the Despoilers on the battlefield.^[1b]
• The Sons of Horus had their own elite formation of Despoilers called the Reaver Attack Squad.^[2]

Images

• 

  MK III Despoiler Squad^[3]

• 

  MK IV Despoiler Squad

See also

• Assault Squad

Sources

• 1: Liber Astartes (2nd Edition):
  • 1a: pg. 45
  • 1b: pg. 154
• 2: Liber Hereticus, pg. 292
• 3: Warhammer Community (02/03/2023) (last accessed 03/05/2024)