Tempestus Scions

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Tempestus Scions, also called Ordo Scions[44] or simply Scions[43] but are commonly referred to as Storm Troopers[3][13] or Stormtroopers[44] in Low Gothic, are the elite shock troops of the Departmento Munitorum's Militarum Tempestus.[1] They are trained to carry out special operations such as deep strike assaults, reconnaissance and infiltration beyond enemy lines. Storm Troopers are the very best soldiers the Guard can call upon, being trained to the peak of human perfection, their combat skills are unmatched by any normal guardsman.[2][3][26]

Overview

Tempestus Scions[15a]

Either as part of an Imperial Guard regiment or as the Militarum Tempestus Scions are used to enact missions that the regular Guardsmen cannot handle and often form an elite core entrusted with carrying out important missions such as spearheading assaults into heavily fortified positions and infiltrating enemy lines. Scions undergo a brutal training regime and are armed with the very best weaponry available to the Guard. Their violent potential is enhanced by rigid discipline as a result of Ordo Tempestus training and they will carry out any order regardless of how inhumane it may be. Fully prepared to give their own lives for the Imperium, Scions are indoctrinated with a sense of obedience and duty that overrides any instinct of self preservation.[1a]

They are often dropped into the thick of combat from Valkyrie Assault Carriers.[2] Once deployed to the field, Scions typically use the Ryza-pattern Hotshot Lasguns and Hotshot Volley Guns. They frequently operate from Taurox Prime armoured vehicles and Valkyrie aircraft.[1a] Scions can also be directly deployed from orbit by use of Vyrtus Class Dropships.[40]

Organisation

A Storm Trooper in action.[2]

Tempestus Scions are the elite fighting force of the Ordo Tempestus, a quasi-independent agency within the Administratum that also includes Commissars.[1e] By virtue of its members having been recruited from the Progena of the Schola Progenium, their Regiments are made up of soldiers from worlds throughout the Imperium.[1c] While individual Regiments are routinely deployed for independent actions, it is also common practice for individual companies or battalions to be sent to war zones and from there have individual Scion squads join Imperial Guard Regiments as required.[1d] A Tempestus company numbers around three hundred Scions.[40]

The regiments to which these elite troops are attached to often regard the inimitable dedication and better equipment of the Scions with a certain amount of animosity, referring to them by such names as 'Glory Boys' and 'Big Toy Soldiers'. Regardless of the opinion of the average Guardsman, none who witness Scions in action can deny their effectiveness.[2][5a][15a]

The Militarum Tempestus has occasionally been known to send Scion squads to permanently assist regiments of the Imperial Guard, particularly those skilled at aerial assault, such as the Elysian Drop Troops and Harakoni Warhawks. Whilst not native to these regiments, the attached Scions will still form up to act as their most elite and deadly troops.[19]

Troublesome Scions who have disciplinary problems or fail to follow orders are grouped together into their Regiment's Eradicant Formations. Composed of individual squadrons, they are given names like First Eradicant and so on. The Eradicant Squadrons are then given extremely difficult missions to accomplish, which fulfills the two goals that Tempestus Scion Regiments have for for the Formations. The first is the successful completion of a mission, which retrains these wayward Scions enough that they are deemed suitable to be able to rejoin their Regiment. The second is that the Eradicants die in battle and either result is seen as a positive for their Regiments. There is also a chance, though, that even after successfully completing a mission, a Scion can still be deemed to be not ready to leave the Eradicants. In that case, the survivors will remain with their squadrons, which will receive replacements for their losses, or they will be merged with other Eradicant squadrons, as they await their next mission. However it is considered unusual and surprising, if a Scion is still an Eradicant after eight months. This is because entire squadrons are frequently wiped out during their missions, with only the squadron's name living on after it is reformed with new Eradicants.[33]

Ranks

Recruitment

Having been orphans raised by the Schola Progenium, Progena are then taken by the Ordo Tempestus to be schooled in its harsh and miserable training camps. While here they are instilled with a strong sense of loyalty to the Imperium, taught superior battle tactics and the use of more advanced equipment than the average Guardsmen.[2][5a] They are homogenised and mentally broken, then rebuilt as perfect soldiers. Many cadets will undergo mental reconstruction that erases memories of their past lives. Once their basic training and mental reconstruction is complete, cadets undergo the Trials of Compliance. This is a trial of diverse nature that tests how cadets can process commands, regardless of how dangerous, inhumane, or complex they may be. Only those who pass the trials may become Tempestus Scions.[1d]

The training Scions receive usually begins after they have already completed their primary education at the Schola Progenium, ensuring an individual knowledgeable in Imperial lore as well as Imperial history. However, on rare occasions a senior official (such as an Inquisitor) can use their authority to have an adult undergo Scion training. Such a selection usually happens only after some act of outstanding courage and dedication, along with whatever the senior official's own agenda happens to be. Such candidates are examined carefully by the Drill Abbots for developed martial skills, a deep faith in the Imperial Creed and a strong mind capable of resisting the horrors of the 41st Millennium. Even if the candidate already has years of combat experience, they will be treated by the Drill Abbots no differently than if they were a new recruit, the traditional progena will consider them as an outsider only granted the honour of training with them due to their patron.[6]

Equipment

The Scions standard equipment is superior to regimental Guardsmen and generally includes Carapace armour (superior to the standard Flak armour in use by regimental Guardsmen) as well as the Hotshot Lasgun (sometimes referred to as a Hellgun), a higher powered lasgun which incorporates a targeter. They are equipped with both frag and Krak grenades as well as the option to carry Melta bombs. Scions can also be issued special weapons including Flamers, grenade launchers, Meltaguns, plasma guns and Hotshot Volley Guns. Scion leaders can also have access to other advanced weapons such as power weapons, Bolt weapons and plasma pistols. An even greater variety of specialised equipment can also be deployed by scions depending on the nature of a mission, some of these include grav-chutes for preforming aerial insertions and Chimeras or Taurox Primes for ground transportation.[2] The masked helmets of Tempestus Scions are typically used in inhospitable environments. These helmets are also able to pipe nutrient gruel and oxygen directly into the helmets.[42]

Tempestus Scions deployed in the Third Aurelian Crusade were given three types of equipment or "Kits":[14a]

  • Assault Kit: Equipped with overcharged Hotshot Lasguns that increased range and reduced reload times, but at the cost of getting wounded easily.[14a]
  • Anti-Armour kit: Equipped with Melta Guns and Melta Bombs.[14a]
  • Recon Kit: A lightweight set of equipment, allowing Scions the ability to sprint and infiltrate.[14a]

Tempestus Scion Variations

Tempestus Aquilons

Main article: Tempestus Aquilons
A Tempestus Aquilons squad[37]

Elite Scions who exclusively go into battle wearing Grav-Chutes are called Tempestus Aquilons and are armed primarily with Hot-Shot Lasguns[37] as well as Melta Carbines and Plasma Carbines.[39] They are drawn from Schola Progenium recruits that display self-sufficiency, intuition, raw aggression, free thought, and improvisation.[37][39]

Famous Scion Formations

Main article: List of Militarum Tempestus regiments

Famous Battles involving Tempestus Scions

Notable Tempestus Scions

Storm Trooper Equivalents

Several Imperial organisations, particularly the Imperial Guard, are known to employ Scions or in-house Scion equivalents. They tend to be noted as being trained in a similar fashion, being hardened veterans, and having equivalent skill and discipline.

Regimental Storm Trooper Equivalents

Experienced and well-equipped Imperial Guard regiments will often produce their own elite special operations forces on par with, or at least comparable to, Storm Troopers of the Ordo Tempestus. One notable similarity between most, if not all, is that they tend to wield hellguns or other high-quality weaponry.

Kasrkin

A Kasrkin.[16a]
Main article: Kasrkin

Kasrkin are the elite of the already highly trained Cadian Shock Troopers, dedicated utterly to the preservation and security of Cadia with an ethos of duty and honour both impressive and intimidating. Pronounced "Kas-er-kin", these elite soldiers are picked up while serving as Whiteshields in the Cadian Youth Armies, then sent to a number of military academies modeled on the Schola Progenium. More than a match for Imperial Scions, Kasrkin squads are allocated to Shock Trooper companies to provide a cutting edge in battle as well as conducting special operations.[7] Whereas the standard Scions can be looked down upon in envy by Imperial Guardsmen, the standard Kasrkin is admired, particular in their own regiment, for their cool-headed composure during combat.[8] They are well versed in destroying the enemies of the Imperium (especially the forces of Chaos) and will lead the charge in the defense of Cadia. To be a Kasrkin is to hold a position of honour which is recognised by all Cadians. While still Storm Troopers, Kasrkin operate with their own unique pattern of Hellgun and Carapace armour.[16]

Death Korps Grenadiers

A Death Korps Grenadier.
Main article: Death Korps Grenadiers

Although comparable to Scions, Grenadiers are fully part of their regiment, having been recruited into the regiment at the time of its creation along with the rest of the Guardsmen. Those individuals who prove themselves to be superior soldiers are given special training and equipment that can be equal to a Scion and formed into their own squads. Unlike Scions though, Grenadiers do not deep-strike or infiltrate, instead fighting alongside their fellow Guardsmen.[5b] Grenadiers often make up part of the ranks of the more elite and shock oriented regiments, most notably the Death Korps of Krieg. These guardsmen are highly respected by their regiments and are often sent to where the fighting is at its thickest.[5f]

Steel Legion Storm Troopers

Much like the Death Korps Grenadiers, the Storm Troopers of the Armageddon Steel Legion are fully part of their own regiment and homeworld.[5c] The only noticeable difference is that they are instead split into "Divisions", this allows them to assist different companies of regular guardsmen during high-risk missions or on important campaigns. Steel Legion Storm Troopers pride themselves on being their regiment's finest soldiers, and whilst distant from regular guardsmen, they are still shown a great deal of respect within the Legion, whose rank and file members rightly consider them to be the "best of the best". Steel Legion Storm Troopers are armed with powerful Hellguns that are attached to notably heavy, thrumming power generators. They are also known to wear the Legion's iconic re-breather masks and don thick, ochre coloured trench-coats over their Carapace Armour.[22]

Other Regimental Equivalents

Name of formation Regiment Notes Sources
Antari Rifles Examples include the Duskhounds squadron, of the 11th Antari. [31]
Atraxian Guard Paramount Atraxian Regiments [23]
Harakoni Warhawks [5e]
Volpone Tenth Brigade Royal Volpone [20]
Terrax Guard [5d]
Grenadiers (multiple) Name used to denote Storm Trooper equivalent elite homegrown formations in many regiments. [5b]
Cobalt Wall Paragons (Mordian Paragons) Mordian 2201st (Mordian Iron Guard) Equipped with Hellguns [18]

Inquisitorial Storm Troopers

An Inquisitorial Stormtrooper.

The Inquisition maintains a number of fortresses throughout the galaxy, both secret and known to the inhabitants of the Imperium. The Inquisitorial Storm Troopers have the duty to protect and provide security to these fortresses and the Inquisitorial Black Ships, they can also be called upon to assist an Inquisitor on active assignment. They are recruited from the Schola Progenium as well as certain families with a tradition of service to the Inquisition. Their training is equal to the Storm Troopers of the Astra Militarum, furthermore they undergo rigorous purity and incorruptibility tests prior to their induction, making them preferable for use in Ordo Malleus and Ordo Hereticus forces when the number of Grey Knights and Battle Sisters may be insufficient. Inquisitorial Storm Troopers also have more choices of armament than their Imperial Guard counterparts; they can utilize a Rhino instead of a Chimera as transport, and a squad's Veteran Sergeant can choose items from the Daemonhunter and Witch Hunter armouries. A powerful counter-assault combination often involves a Storm Trooper squad, whose Veteran Sergeant is armed with a Thunder Hammer, being transported into battle within a heavily armoured Rhino.[9][10][17]

Kill Squad Troopers

Used to enforce execution warrants or when extreme prejudice is required, Kill Squads are comprised of the special forces of Planetary Defence Forces and represent some of the most dangerous formations that can exist within the organisation of planetary Enforcers. The troops that comprise Kill Squads are often trained to the same elite level as most Imperial Storm Troopers, particularly on wealthy and technologically advanced Imperial planets. On some worlds, where the rule of the Planetary Governor is dictatorial and harsh, Kill Squad Troopers are the hated embodiments of their tyranny. Kill Squad Troopers are often equipped with a lighter form of "Enforcer" pattern Carapace Armour, along with a Photo-Visor helmet. Their usual armament is an Autogun, with a Stub Automatic pistol as a sidearm.[21]

Non-Imperial Storm Troopers

Shock Trooper of the Severan Dominate[13]

The secessionist Severan Dominate utilises its own version of Storm Troopers, known instead as Shock Troopers.[13] Other Heretic Tempestus Scions who have defected from the Imperium exist.[32] Some even joining the forces of alien factions, such as the T'au Empire.[34] The Traitor Militia of House Vandis was known to utilise Storm Troopers during the Second Aurelian Crusade.[41]

Images

Miniatures

  • Tempestus Scions Squad (7th Edition)[38]

  • Tempestus Scions Command Squad (7th Edition)[38]

  • Storm Troopers with hotshot lasguns (2000)

  • 2nd Edition Stormtroopers (1996)[28]

  • Heretic Scions[32]

Related Videos

Trivia

TriviaScrollTrans.png

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.

Inspirations

The name and fighting style of the Storm Troopers (later rebranded as Tempestus Scions) were likely inspired by the World Wars era Imperial German fighting force of the same name (see: Stormtroopers (Imperial Germany)). Other inspirations may include other groups that served as shock troops that lead commando-style raids.

Their initial appearance in 2nd Edition features them wearing military uniform berets, seen across various military units during and after the World Wars era. Notably in paratroopers and other airborne infantry and other famous commando groups, like the green berets. These military berets are carried on into the design of their 6th edition rebranding as Tempestus Scions.

In 2014 onward, Games Workshop made a push to protect their intellectual properties through more distinct names and designs that could be clearly trademarked. The rebranding from "Storm Troopers" to "Tempestus Scions" is one example of this shift. This trademark-centric renaming also distinguished them from other intellectual properties, such as the Stormtroopers of the Star Wars franchise. Tempestus means storm in Latin, and scion is an heir of typically wealthy or noble lineage.

Development History

Pre Tempestus Scions (Storm Troopers)

Initially known as "Storm Troopers" in Codex: Imperial Guard (2nd Edition), they were described as an unusually large Imperial Guard regiment of the highest quality; orphans of guardsmen from across the Imperium trained at disparate Schola Progenium facilities. The Storm Troopers of this elite regiment comprised entirely of veterans would be divided into squads or companies to support other regiments or Imperial forces. In 3rd Edition little changed aside from gaining carapace armour and having their Hotshot lasers (hot-shot lasguns),[3] now being called hellguns.

  • Storm Trooper (2nd Edition)[3]

  • 2nd Edition Stormtroopers (1996)[28]

  • Storm Troopers with hotshot lasguns (2000)

  • Storm Trooper (Only War RPG)[26]

Post Tempestus Scions (storm troopers)
  • In 2014 Codex: Militarum Tempestus (6th Edition) was released, and the Storm Troopers would be rebranded as the "Tempestus Scions" and turned into their own faction. This update made them a more distinct force with a new look, wargear, vehicles, and more detailed organisation structure. No longer a single Imperial Guard Regiment, they are now instead part of the Ordo Tempestus; a specialised force within the Departmento Munitorum.[1]

  • Tempestus Scions (6th Edition)

  • Tempestus Scions Squad (7th Edition)[38]

  • Tempestus Scions Command Squad (7th Edition)[38]

See also

Sources

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Tempestus Scion Forces
Command Commissar • Militarum Tempestus Command Squad
Troops Tempestus Scions • Tempestus Aquilons • Servo-Sentry
Vehicles Taurox Prime • Valkyrie


Imperial Guard Infantry
Command Company Command Squad • Platoon Command Squad • Scion Command Squad • Tank Commander • Regimental Advisors • Commissar • Primaris Psyker • Tech-priest Enginseer • Priest • Ogryn Bodyguard
Specialists Master of Ordnance • Breacher • Scout • Medic • Vox-Operator • Weapons Specialist • Sharpshooter • Operator
Troops Infantry Squad • Heavy Weapons Team • Special Weapons Squad • Armoured Fist Squad • Veteran Squad (Spectre Squad) • Engineer Squad • Scions Squad (Kasrkin) • Canids • Penal Legion Troopers • Ogryn Squad • Ratling Squad • Psyker Battle Squad • Rough Rider Squad • Field Ordnance Battery • Jump Trooper • H-Grade Combat Servitor • Cyber-Altered Task • Servo-Sentry


Forces of the Inquisition
Inquisitors Lord Inquisitor • Ordo Xenos Inquisitor • Ordo Malleus Inquisitor • Ordo Hereticus Inquisitor • Ordo Minoris Inquisitor
Acolytes Interrogator
Assassin Death Cult • Callidus • Culexus • Eversor • Ordo Sicarius Initiate • Vanus • Venenum • Vindicare
Chiurgeon Excoriator • Sister Hospitaller • Torturer
Desperado Bounty Hunter • Scum
Familiar Cherubim • Psyber-Eagle • Servo-Skull
Hierophants/Fanatics Banisher • Crusader • Drill Abbot • Enlightener • Hexorcist • Oblationist • Priest • Questkeeper • Redemptionist
Mystic Astropath • Daemonhost • Diviner • Navigator • Sanctioned Psyker • Warp-Seer
Sage Autosavant • Lexmechanic • Malefic Scholar • Reclaimator • Sister Dialogous • Servitor • Tech-Priest
Seeker Arbitrator • Cult-Stalker • Enforcer • Judge • Mortiurge
Warrior Chrono-Gladiator • Crusader • Imperial Guard Veteran/Death World Veteran • Inquisitorial Stormtrooper • Inquisitorial Pyroclast • Penal Legionnaire • Pistoleer • Tempestus Scion • Combat-Servitor • Gun-Servitor
Other Retinue Arco-Flagellant • Mutant • Penitent • Rogue Trader • Space Marine • Xenos
Ordo Militants Deathwatch • Grey Knights • Sisters of Battle
Vehicles Chimera • Land Raider • Land Raider Crusader • Land Raider Redeemer • Razorback • Rhino • Valkyrie
Fleet Inquisitorial Black Ship

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