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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
→Culture and combat doctrine
*[[File:SSharksSymbol.jpg|35px]] [[Carcharodons]]{{Fn|29}} <small>(Speculated)</small>
==Culture and combat doctrine======Tactics====[[Image:M1860546 RavenguardOpener.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Raven Guard]]The Raven Guard are known for hitting weak points in enemy defenses hard and they perform lightning strikes upon locations of tactical importance to cripple their enemy. The Raven Guard disdain the notion of recklessly charging into enemy ranks. This differentiates their tactics from those of the [[Blood Angels]]. The Raven Guard rely heavily on their [[Scouts]] for pinpointing enemy positions and to scout for good drop sites. In recent years, this preference for stealth, disruption, and assassination missions has seen them heavily use [[Vanguard Space Marine]] formations.{{Fn|55}} Because of their hit and run tactics and sowing confusion in enemy ranks, the Raven Guard also make extensive use of [[Assault Squad]]s as well as any other formation that uses [[Jump Pack]]s.{{Fn|55}} The [[Tactical Squad]]s of the Raven Guard are often deployed via [[Thunderhawk]]s or [[Drop Pod]]s. The favourite weapons of the Raven Guard [[Space Marine Commander|Commander]]s are the [[Lightning Claw]]s and it is a common sight that their command squads also come equipped with these weapons in addition to their [[Jump Pack]]s.{{Fn|2}} Raven Guard Captains are fiercely independent, and it's incredibly rare for the chapter to fight as a whole. Individual companies are completely autonomous and are quick to lend their aid to Imperial commanders across the Galaxy, with or without the sanction of their Chapter Master.{{Fn|2}} Such behaviour has led to some to question the Raven Guard's soundness, but most recognise that such fluidity of command proves the presence of formidable discipline, not its absence.{{Fn|4a}} [[File:TauVsRavenGuards.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Raven Guard assaulting T'au position]]Core to Corax’s teachings was the '''Trifold Path of Shadow''', often rendered in pictorial form as a short-bladed trident or triple-bladed lightning claw.{{Fn|36e}} The first path of shadow is Ambush,{{Fn|36e}} the second Stealth,{{Fn|36f}} and the third Vigilance.{{Fn|36g}} Mastering one Path, he taught, brought the possibility of victory; mastery of two rendered triumph likely, and accomplishment in all three made the foe’s defeat all but inevitable. From the beginning, the Chapter’s battle companies were based on this Trifold Path. Companies 3 through 5 each specialised in one branch, and a battle-brother’s promotion to the 2nd came only when true mastery was attained. Such promotion is far from guaranteed. Even amongst Corax’s sons, there are few who can replicate his skill so completely, and many battle-brothers live out a life of war in the same Battle Company, peerless in their own path, but never truly able to grasp the fathomless depths of the others.{{Fn|36e}} Due to their specialised combat style, the Raven Guard makes less use of heavier vehicles and tanks (such as the [[Land Raider]] and [[Predator]]) than most chapters.{{Fn|3}} However, they conversely make heavy use of [[Land Speeder]]s and gunships, and due to their extreme tactical autonomy and genetic instability nearly every deployment with see an [[Apothecary]] of some sort included. As a result, the Raven Guard maintains more Apothecaries and [[Helix Adept]]s than most chapters.{{Fn|43a}}
===Shadowmasters===
[[Image:RGvsTau.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Raven Guard battle the [[T'au]]]]
Corspake is a form of sign language taught to all members of the Raven Guard. This allows them to communicate on the battlefield without having to risk themselves to exposure by speaking or using [[Vox]] technology. Notable signs include The Crowfane; the Feast of Bones;
the Empty Chime; even the Murder Call, which calls for vengeance against the slayer of a great hero. The 2nd Company is known for its prodigious use of Corspake, and none can rise to the rank of Shadow Captain without mastering it.{{Fn|36m}}
==Tactics==
[[Image:M1860546 RavenguardOpener.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Raven Guard]]
The Raven Guard are known for hitting weak points in enemy defenses hard and they perform lightning strikes upon locations of tactical importance to cripple their enemy. The Raven Guard disdain the notion of recklessly charging into enemy ranks. This differentiates their tactics from those of the [[Blood Angels]]. The Raven Guard rely heavily on their [[Scouts]] for pinpointing enemy positions and to scout for good drop sites. In recent years, this preference for stealth, disruption, and assassination missions has seen them heavily use [[Vanguard Space Marine]] formations.{{Fn|55}}
Because of their hit and run tactics and sowing confusion in enemy ranks, the Raven Guard also make extensive use of [[Assault Squad]]s as well as any other formation that uses [[Jump Pack]]s.{{Fn|55}} The [[Tactical Squad]]s of the Raven Guard are often deployed via [[Thunderhawk]]s or [[Drop Pod]]s. The favourite weapons of the Raven Guard [[Space Marine Commander|Commander]]s are the [[Lightning Claw]]s and it is a common sight that their command squads also come equipped with these weapons in addition to their [[Jump Pack]]s.{{Fn|2}}
Raven Guard Captains are fiercely independent, and it's incredibly rare for the chapter to fight as a whole. Individual companies are completely autonomous and are quick to lend their aid to Imperial commanders across the Galaxy, with or without the sanction of their Chapter Master.{{Fn|2}} Such behaviour has led to some to question the Raven Guard's soundness, but most recognise that such fluidity of command proves the presence of formidable discipline, not its absence.{{Fn|4a}}
[[File:TauVsRavenGuards.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Raven Guard assaulting T'au position]]
Core to Corax’s teachings was the '''Trifold Path of Shadow''', often rendered in pictorial form as a short-bladed trident or triple-bladed lightning claw.{{Fn|36e}} The first path of shadow is Ambush,{{Fn|36e}} the second Stealth,{{Fn|36f}} and the third Vigilance.{{Fn|36g}} Mastering one Path, he taught, brought the possibility of victory; mastery of two rendered triumph likely, and accomplishment in all three made the foe’s defeat all but inevitable. From the beginning, the Chapter’s battle companies were based on this Trifold Path. Companies 3 through 5 each specialised in one branch, and a battle-brother’s promotion to the 2nd came only when true mastery was attained. Such promotion is far from guaranteed. Even amongst Corax’s sons, there are few who can replicate his skill so completely, and many battle-brothers live out a life of war in the same Battle Company, peerless in their own path, but never truly able to grasp the fathomless depths of the others.{{Fn|36e}}
Due to their specialised combat style, the Raven Guard makes less use of heavier vehicles and tanks (such as the [[Land Raider]] and [[Predator]]) than most chapters.{{Fn|3}} However, they conversely make heavy use of [[Land Speeder]]s and gunships, and due to their extreme tactical autonomy and genetic instability nearly every deployment with see an [[Apothecary]] of some sort included. As a result, the Raven Guard maintains more Apothecaries and [[Helix Adept]]s than most chapters.{{Fn|43a}}
==Organisation==
