Gladius Strike Force

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Ultramarines

This article is about the the Space Marine Strike Force. For other uses of Gladius, see Gladius (disambiguation).

A Gladius Strike Force, also known as a Gladius Task Force, is a Strike Force often utilised by Space Marines, particularly associated with the Ultramarines 5th Company.^[1]

Overview

Gladius Strike Forces favour tactical flexibility through a wide range of troops. As such, they are typically used by the Ultramarines, although other Chapters are known to utilise the formation as well.^[1][2]

A Gladius Strike Force will consist of multiple Battleline Squads alongside Close Support Squads and Heavy Support Squads, supported by armoured vehicles. This combination makes the force particularly effective when combined with the tactics of the Codex Astartes, which dictates that combat doctrines should be used, to first punish the enemy with long-range firepower from the Fire Support Squads, then attack with shorter-range Battleline Squads, before engaging with Close Support Squads for a killing blow.^[2]

The Strike Force was named in honour of the Ultramarines 5th Company.^[1]

Trivia

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

• The Codex: Space Marines (10th Edition) has rules for a "Gladius Task Force" as an in-game detachment.
• As far as Strike Forces go, the Gladius is the most generic and unspecialised.

Sources

• 1: Codex Supplement: Ultramarines (8th Edition), pg. 16 - The 5th Company
• 2: Codex: Space Marines (10th Edition), pgs. 106-107 - Gladius Task Force