Changes

The '''Codex Astartes''' is the doctrine of the [[Space Marine Chapter]]s, governing all aspects of Chapter organisation and battlefield tactics. For any given tactical situation, the Codex has hundreds of pages devoted to how it may be met and overcome. The wisdom of thousands of Imperial warriors has contributed to the Codex, and details on everything from unit markings to launching a full-scale planetary assault are contained within its pages.{{CME}}

In the aftermath of the Horus Heresy, the [[Emperor]] had been incapacitated, and the Space Marines' numbers had been decimated by defections to [[Chaos]] and battle losses. With the Emperor confined to the [[Golden Throne]] the [[High Lords of Terra]] found themselves the new leaders of the Emperor's domain. Both the High Lords and surviving Primarchs became paranoid of the possibility of such events repeating themselves. The armies of the Emperor once again scoured the galaxy seeking out all forms of heresy and removing even the slightest chance of rebellion. The Ultramarines were left as the largest loyal legion, and Guilliman assumed the title of [[Lord Commander of the Imperium]].{{Cite ThisCME}} Concerned that once again their could be a threat from such a terrible force each Legion was to be divided into smaller Chapters and a new set of regulations would be created to govern them.{{Fn|9}}

The Codex Astartes was a code developed by Guilliman. This tome would contain everything a member of the Astartes would need to know to function. From recruitment to organization to tactics and beyond the Codex Astartes became a sacred text to the majority of the Chapters.{{Fn|10}} One of the most significant changes under the new Codex was the newly founded Chapters. Where the Legions could number more than 10,000 strong the Chapters would be limited to about a thousand. Each original Legion would be divided as many times as needed into successor Chapters. This division would come to be called the [[Second Founding]] seven years after the Horus Heresy{{Fn|11b}}, in 021.[[M31]]. The remaining thousand bodies in the original Legion would also survive as a new Chapter of the same name. While these newly created Chapters claimed their founders origins, such as their Primarch, they would also come to develop their own culture and customs.{{Cite ThisCME}}

[[Image:CodexOrganisation.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Pre-[[Primaris Space Marine]] Codex Astartes Space Marine Chapter organisational chart.]]{{CME}}

Likewise, the [[Dark Angels]] and their successors, while dividing into chapters, have remained united in their single-minded pursuit of the [[Fallen]].{{Cite ThisCME}}

This means the number of squads in a perfectly compliant chapter are now 44 ''[[Battleline]]'', 18 ''[[Close Support]]'', and 18 ''[[Fire Support Squad|Fire Support]]'', in addition to 10 squads of veterans and 10 squads of scouts and [[Vanguard Space Marine]]s, spread across the chapter's companies as detailed below.{{CME}}

The '''1st Company''' is the most powerful company, consisting entirely of [[Space Marine Veterans|Veteran Space Marines]]. In addition to having access to the Chapter's rarest and most advanced technology, the 1st Company is the only one trained in and equipped with [[Terminator Armour]]. The veterans of the 1st are attached to other Space Marine strike forces rather than the entire formation fighting as one. When serving with other formations they serve as peerless mentors and heroes of legend as well as the most experienced shock troops.{{Fn|20a20b}}

There are several types of Squads fielded by the Veteran Company. These include [[Terminator Squad]]s, [[Sternguard Veteran]] and [[Vanguard Veteran]] Squads, and [[Bladeguard Veteran Squad]]s.{{Fn|20a20b}}

The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Companies are known as '''Battle Companies''', as they generally form the main battle force deployed for engagements. These are highly flexible formations that are the principle fighting forces of the Chapter. Each Company is led by a [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]] with two supporting [[Space Marine Lieutenant|Lieutenant]]s. Support staff includes a [[Company Champion]], and [[Company Ancient]] and [[Company Veteran]]s, the most experienced and peerless warriors of the Company. In times of war the Battle Company may also be accompanied by one or more [[Chaplain]], [[Librarian]]s and [[Techmarine]]s. In addition to their command duties, each Company Captain also has [[Master (Space Marine)|a number of titles and duties]]. Examples include the 2nd Company Captain holding the title of the [[Master of the Watch]], the 4th as the [[Master of the Fleet]], and the 5th as the [[Master of the Marches]].{{Fn|20a20x}}

*six [[Battleline Squad]]s{{Fn|20a20x}}*two [[Close Support Squad]]s{{Fn|20a20x}}*two [[Fire Support Squad]]s.{{Fn|20a20x}}

The Codex, however, makes provisions for there to be twenty squads, for when squads from the reserve companies are attached. Additionally, a Company's squads can be split in two, forming combat squads. Each Company is in turn split into two demi-Companies, each led by a Lieutenant. The Companies go to war with their own arsenal of wargear and specialist equipment including [[Phobos Armour]], [[Gravis Armour]], [[Centurion Warsuit]]s, [[Invictor Walker|Invictor Warsuit]]s, [[Land Speeder]]s, [[Rhino]]s, [[Impulsor]]s, [[Razorback]]s, [[Space Marine Dreadnought|Dreadnought]]s, and [[Space Marine Bike|Bike]]s. An entire company can fight in stealth if there is enough Phobos Armour to equip them all. The Company Captain can request additional vehicle assets from the armoury in the form of Battle Tanks and aircraft.{{Fn|20a20x}}

Even the squads themselves can be broken down into a variety of roles should their Captain require it. Should 3 brothers be detached from their fire support squad to form an [[Eliminator Squad]], the remaining seven can be formed into a [[Hellblaster Squad]], pilot Invictor Warsuits, or fulfil a number of other roles including operating vehicles. Should the strength of a Battle Company be deemed insufficient, he will request support from one of the Reserve Companies, the formation of which depends on the mission. For instance, if he expects he will need fast-moving forces to rapidly secure ground or counter agile enemies, he will request Close Support Squads.{{Fn|20a20x}}

Rather than formations of mixed squad types, Reserve Companies contain squads of the same strategic disposition.{{Fn|20a20x}}

*the 6th and 7th Companies each maintain 10 [[Battleline]] Squads{{Fn|20a20x}}*the 8th is made of 10 [[Close Support]] squads{{Fn|20a20x}}*the 9th is made of 10 [[Fire Support]] Squads{{Fn|20a20x}}

The Reserve Companies also embed additional specialities to provide the Chapter with the resources to fight campaigns. The 6th and 7th Companies undergo extensive training in vehicle piloting, the 8th specialize in storming defenses, and the 9th excel in providing devastating salvos of fire.{{Fn|20a20x}}

Typically squads within the Reserve Companies will fight alongside a Battle Company, though on some occasion - particularly in a larger campaign - they might fight as a whole. Each Reserve Company has a leadership similar to a Battle Company, with a Captain, two Lieutenants, Chaplain, Apothecary, Ancient, and Company Veterans. Just as with the Battle Companies, the Captain of each Reserve Company also normally has an additional title and duties.{{Fn|20a20x}}

After graduating from the 10th Company, the first destination for a new Space Marine is the Reserve Companies. In the 9th they hone their understanding of wider strategy in the application of heavy firepower, in the 8th they learn the value of rapid assault and the importance of constant movement, while in the 6th and 7th they prove to their brothers and commanders that have assimilated these teachings. After mastering their aspects of war and have demonstrated enough worth will they be promoted to the Battle Companies.{{Fn|20a20x}}

The '''10th Company''', also known as the '''Scout Company''', is the first destination for any new [[Neophyte]] of the Chapter once they have moved passed the [[Aspirant]] stage. There are no regulations dictated in the Codex as to the number of Neophytes a Chapter may have and the recruitment rate is not fixed and methods differ between Chapters. The Neophytes of the 10th have yet to earn the [[Black Carapace]], the final implant that allows them to operate their [[Power Armour]] efficiently. Officers of the 10th all closely observe the members of the Company and teach them the way of the [[Bolter]] and blade. They also learn how to pilot Bikes and Land Speeders as well as concepts such as tactical withdrawals, target prioritizing, stealth, reconnaissance, and sabotage. Using these lessons they form the intelligence branch of the Chapter that undertake a variety of missions such as picking off sentries, cutting down enemy patrols, supply disruption, and battlefield reconnaissance. In war, they undertake these hazardous missions to measure their strength and ascertain who truly has the skill required to be a true Space Marine. Much like those of the Reserve Companies, members of the 10th are usually assigned to other Companies in war and rarely go to battle as a whole unit.{{Fn|20e20c}}

Currently, the Scout Company wields a variety of formations besides the basic Scout Squads and [[Scout Bike]] formations. It also fields a force of 100 Vanguard Space Marines that may take to the field as [[Vanguard Infiltrator|Infiltrator]]s, [[Incursor]]s, [[Suppressor]]s, [[Eliminator]]s, and [[Reiver]]s as well as piloting [[Invictor Warsuit]]s. Unlike the Scouts, these Vanguard Space Marines are a standing and permanent force within the Company and represent the elite special operations arm of the Chapter.{{Fn|20a20b}}

Each Chapter has its own unique colour scheme and Chapter Badge; however, Codex Chapters all follow a common heraldry system, though there are many slight variations from the system below.{{Cite ThisCME}}

Each Company has a unique colour that its members wear, commonly on the shoulder plate rims{{Fn|15b}}, but some chapters use chest eagles, bolter cases, knee pads, helmets, or other parts of a Space Marine's [[Power Armour]]{{Cite ThisCME}}:

* 2nd Company: Yellow {{Color sample|size=15|yellow}}{{Cite thisCME}} or Gold {{Color sample|Gold|Yellowsize=15|}}{{Fn|15b}}

The left shoulder plate of a Space Marine in Power Armour always shows the Marine's Chapter Badge. The right pad shows the squad badge, this shows the type of squad the marine belongs to and the number of his squad. [[Veteran Squad]]s use a stylised version of the [[Crux Terminatus]] similar to a Cross Pattée, Tactical Squads use an arrow, Assault Squads use four perpendicular arrows pointing outwards and Devastator Squads use an inverted V. Space Marines in Terminator Armour wear the [[Crux Terminatus]] on their left pad, and their Chapter Badge on their right pad.{{Cite ThisCME}}

*[[Space Marine Captain|Captains]] wear the heraldry of their company, sometimes embellished with their own personal heraldry{{CME}}*[[Librarian]]s wear blue armour, irrespective of what chapter they belong to, and wear their Chapter Badge as normal. (This practice is now widely ignored, even among the more standard chapters.){{CME}}*[[Chaplain]]s wear black armour, irrespective of what chapter they belong to, and wear their Chapter Badge as normal.{{CME}}*[[Techmarine]]s wear red armour, irrespective of what chapter they belong to, and wear their Chapter Badge as normal.{{CME}}*[[Apothecaries]] wear white armour, irrespective of what chapter they belong to, and wear their Chapter Badge as normal.{{CME}}*[[Space Marine Sergeant|Sergeant]]s wear the same heraldry as their squad, but carry the squad's banner, which displays the Chapter Badge and the squad's number, plus a red skull (the symbol of a sergeant). Sergeants often paint their helmets red, or in some cases wear a red skull on their helmet instead.{{CME}}*[[Space Marine Veteran Sergeant|Veteran Sergeant]]s wear the same heraldry as their squad, but carry the squad's banner, which displays the Chapter Badge and the squad's number, plus a red skull (the symbol of a sergeant). Veteran Sergeants often paint their helmets red and add an additional white stripe or laurel wreath.{{CME}}*[[Terminator]]s: veteran battle-brothers who make use of the [[Tactical Dreadnought Armour]].{{CME}}

*{{Endn|10}}: [[Grey Hunter (Novel)]], {{Cite ThisCME}}

*{{Endn|20}}: [[Codex: Space Marines (9th Edition)]] **{{Endn|20a}}: pg.16**{{Endn|20a20b}}: pgpgs.20-21**{{Cite thisEndn|20c}}: pg. 82**{{Endn|20e20x}}: pg.82{{CME}}