Greetings,
A quick note on veteran squads in the Imperium.
Veteran Squads are meant to be more of an break off from the army. Sure, they can pack quite a punch, have better stats and acces to lots of nice equipment. But veteran squads allow you to create a squad that really stands out from the rest of the army.
Space Marines in total: Veterans most likely have scars, either ritual or battle scars, most marines wear these with pride, showing that they are veterans. (Though some chapters see scars and such as mutilation or even worse. In example is brother captain Tycho of the Blood Angels, who has a half paralysed face, hence he wore a master crafted mask, covering the scarred side of his face.) Also, veterans have more purity seals then others. Perhaps out of honour, perhaps out of superstition. Afterall, extra faith is always welcome in the galaxy of the forty first millenium. And their armour and weaponry are far more decorated with golden designs, aquilla's and chapter markings, alongside battle honours and victories.
Individual chapter notes:
Ultramarines: Ultramarine veterans have the normal armour like all their brethren, but their helmets are white, denoting that they are members of the prestigious 1st company.
Dark Angels: Dark Angel veterans are most likely induced into on of the layers of the inner circle and are allowed to wear bone white robes over their armour.
Blood Angels: Blood Angel veterans are most likely induced into the assault squads and honour guard squads. Assault squads have yellow helmets and the honour guard squads golden, denoting the honour bestowed upon them for guarding an important character or burial shroud.
Space Wolves: Space Wolves veterans are most likely induced into the ranks of the long fangs, where they're patiance is most usefull, as they don't charge the enemy just like that anymore. They have been tempered by the years of combat.
Crimson Fists: Veterans of this chapter most likely have both their gauntlets painted red, denoting that they have had both their wrists slit in the ceremony of mixing blood.
Black Templars: Black Templar veterans most likely carry more purity seals, do not have to adopt neophytes and are allowed tofight alongside the Marshall. Important: Black Templar veterans are commonly reffered to as Sword Brethren.
The Imperial Guard. Most Imperial Guard veterans that survive long enough and are willing to give it another go in the killingfields are most likely veteran sergeants and the personal of an Officers personal command squad. (Men such as medics and standard bearers.) But it may occur that an Imperial Guard regiment has been in combat for prolonged times and as an result, the few survivors that remain are some of the meanest Guardsmen around. These men are regrouped into squads and distributed amongst regiments to bolster the regiment. They can also perform recon and hit and run operations.
Imperial Guard veteran squads: Guard veterans are recognized by their uniforms, which can be a motly mix of uniforms or highly ornamental. Veteran sergeants most likely carry officer wargear (Such as plasma or bolt pistols, carapace armour or in the really rare cases a powerweapon or even an power fist), which they acquired over the years of combat. Troopers may have replaced or ditched their lasgun for other low tech weapons, such as the shotgun, autogun or a pistol plus close combat weapon. Veterans are also more likely to receive bionic enhancements, should their wounds require such an treatment.
But, the winning factor with Imperial Guard veterans has to be that they make for great themed squads! I'm thinking of theming my Hardened Veterans squad after the famous Colonial Marines team from 'Aliens' Sure, it's not that original, but they've got some really cool characters. (Hicks, Vasquez, Apone, Drake and ofcourse 'Game over man!' Hudson.)
I'll post a rundown of the squad lateron.
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Forge World has been posting new marine creations! Haven't you seen the MK. IV Predator! And the reason it's Tau city out there it's because:
1. The Tau could use some extra vehicles, sentry guns and aircraft.
2. Fire Warrior has been released, so go figure.
And my instinct tells me that soon something new for the Imperial Guard should come about, cause afterall, Forge World started out with giving the men in flak more vehicles. So something tells me that we'll get more tanks or aircraft!
Lt. Brookman