Changes

Fortunately for the Blood Angels, they were aided by multiple [[Successor Chapter]]s such as the [[Flesh Tearers]], [[Blood Drinkers]], [[Carmine Blades]], and the [[Knights of Blood]]. Yet it was still not enough, and the Tyranids soon launched themselves at Baal itself. The sky above Baal erupted in a firestorm as the vessels of the SpaceMarines slammed their way into the midstof the approaching Tyranids, launchingstorms ofnuclear-tipped warheads. As impressive as thisnaval action was, it was hopeless. Oneby one, Space Marine [[Battle Barge]]s and[[Cruiser]]s were isolated and overwhelmed,battered by organic missiles and envelopedby swarms of smaller bio-ships. It was then that the Tyranids began their landings on Baal and its moons.{{Fn|2}}

The first nineteen waves, each larger than the last, were driven off at great loss by the Imperial forces, with five [[Chapter Master]]s falling in battle. Three of these were in the Battle at the Dome of Angels alone. The Space Marines initially held their own thanks to formidable recomissioned recommissioned [[Horus Heresy]]-era fortifications and weaponry, but the presence of the [[Swarmlord]] himself turned the tide in favor of the Xenos.{{Fn|2}} Dante managed to slay the Swarmlord, but was badly wounded in the process. As Baal was overwhelmnedoverwhelmed, the Tyranids began the process of draining the world and her moons, absorbing even the rad-poisoned desert of [[Baal Secundus]]. With the defenses smashed, the defenders retreated to the Blood Angels ' [[Fortress-Monastery]]. Baal was ready to fall.{{Fn|2}}

It was then that the [[Great Rift]] formed across the greater Galaxy. The [[Baal System]] was overcome by the powers of the [[Warp]] and [[Daemon]]s battled the Tyranids{{Fn|2}}. The Daemons were led by the vicious [[Bloodthirster]] [[Ka'Bandha]], arch-foe of the Blood Angels and [[Sanguinius]]. Ka'Bandha declared that none would have the right to destroy the Blood Angels but him.{{Fn|2}} The arrival of the Great Rift and Daemons prevented additional Tyranids from arriving, but killed every defender upon [[Baal Prime]]. With Baal itself cutoff cut off from the greater Imperium, Chapter Masters Dante and [[Gabriel Seth]] of theFlesh Tearers, fell back, harried on all sides.Only the sacrifice of the Knights of Blood,an excommunicated successor Successor Chapterwho had nonetheless been accepted asallies by Chapter Master Dante, allowedthe survivors to board their vessels andescape, as Baal Prime was overwhelmedby warp-spawned monstrosities. As Seth’sforces retreated, they caught one lastglimpse of the Knights of Blood, hurlingthemselves into the thick of close combatwith mindless ferocity, fully enveloped by

However , as all seemed lost, the fleet of the [[Indomitus Crusade]] arrived, led by the reborn [[Roboute Guilliman]] himself. Guilliman and his newly arrived forces fought a great many battles, liberating Baal. Hive Fleet Leviathan was largely destroyed, though it is a mystery as to what exactly happened to it. A clue lies on the now-barren Baal Prime, where the symbol of [[Ka'Bandha]] was formed with the skulls of dead Tyranid organisms. As for Baal, most of the planet and its moons lay devastated. Guilliman oversaw a rapid rebuilding process for the Blood Angels and their homeworlds, for they were desperately needed elsewhere.{{Fn|1}}