With Rites and the stuff for making new Chapters being out as well as First Founding which has given us access to all the First Founding loyalist Chaptes I'm a bit curious to what people have made of it. Thus I ask the forum: what Chapters you have either made yourself for the game or come across that was not canon?

For myself I'm working on a Chapter of mystics descendent from the Ultramarines who often work with or help the Ecclesiarchy, and I rember that some one played a Chapter called the Dark Falcons in one game which was supposed to be some pretty savage Ultramarine Successors but they didn't get much scene time unfortunately.

After Rites of Battle came out, I played around with the chapter creation section. I came up with a few ideas but only three have shown up in my campaigns so far (NPCs in two Deathwatch and one Ascension). I have more detail for all (relics, stats, etc) but here are the background overviews.

The Steel Lords

A relatively new chapter founded in the 40th millennium and given the task of pacifying the Kargian sector in Segmentum Pacificus. This sector had been blighted by rampant recidivism and lawlessness for many centuries and the rule of law was growing dangerously lax. The Steel Lords take a stern, merciless approach to warfare as befits an Iron Hands successor but focus somewhat more on enforcing discipline than obsessing with their flesh (though they augment themselves more than average chapters). They brought Kargian into compliance with a short brutal series of campaigns, uncaring of their own considerable losses. Any humans who oppose the Emperor incur their most violent wrath. Their ties to the Mechanicus are not as strong as those of their Iron Hands brethren, partially because the Steel Lord homeworld of Omnia VII is a hugely productive hiveworld whose topmost spires are the domains of the chapter. Their war practices are close to the codex though well equipped with all but the most exotic Astartes wargear. Their relations with mortals tend to be fraught as they are an arrogant chapter, used to wielding power over the inhabitants of Omnia VII and the rest of the Kargian sector. They tend to get along best with the Adeptus Arbites, who share their unbending attitude to the rule of law.

In 817.M41, Brother Garl of the Steel Lords captains the Deathwatch dark hunter Class frigate, "The Killing Blow". Both legs and his left arm are augmetic which suits him fine as he puts his command and technical abilities to use transporting killteams efficiently to and from their missions in the Jericho Reach.

Heraldry: Steel Covered Fist Grasping A Tower

Livery: Navy and Steel Quartered

The Omega Knights

Born from Ultramarine stock, the Omega Knights were a chapter of uncertain age though no younger than the 38th millennium. They began as a crusader force and then settled on a benighted medieval world full of fine recruit material in the Segmentum Tempestus. They kept a great deal of their crusading traditions, emphasising the use of the sword and honourable conduct. They insisted upon an elite assault squad in each company, the finest swordsmen of that company the "Paragons", the "1st Paragons" being the best of the best, the chapter master's finest. Most of the chapter's strength was usually involved in keeping the surrounding sectors safe from harm. However, enemies watched and drew the chapter out. Dark Eldar raids began in vast number, drawing out the Omega Knights in great number. Disaster and misfortune harried every fleet but they routed the shadowy raiders wherever they found them. The true target of their enemies was not a few stolen colonists and villagers. The Omega Knights ceased transmissions and it was only decades later that an inkling of the truth was revealed. The Omega Knights' mighty castle fortress was empty, stripped bare of its defenders, geneseed stores and most of their equipment. The mobile fleets could not be found. After investigation, the chapter was declared extinct in 110.M41 and their fortress monastery earmarked for a new chapter...

In 817.M41 a sole Astartes, armour and exposed flesh covered in fine cuts, joined forces killteam Kraken on board the space hulk "Twilight of Kalassa" which was infested with warp spirits and Dark Eldar raiders. He claimed he had been part of a force sent to battle Dark Eldar raiders and had the misfortune of being stunned and captured for their sick gladitorial games. Subjectively, he had felt like a week in their foul city and then had managed to escape. He escaped the hulk with the killteam and was declared uncorrupted, if somewhat battle hungry and bloodthirsty for an Ultramarine successor. This Brother Acton, realising his chapter was dead, swore his oath to the Deathwatch and kept his chapter colours to earn them as much honour as he could before his own inevitable demise. Several months on, he is part of killteam Manticore.

Heraldry: Sword through an omega symbol

Livery: Quartered black and red

The Steel Ghosts

A chapter from the most recent founding, the Steel Ghosts are uncertain of their heritage though those with a mind to speculate suspect Raven Guard or White Scars ancestry. They are in perpetual mourning for the lost Omega Knights chapter, having inherited their fortress monastary and a handful of recovered relics. They express their deeply held sorrow by hunting the enemies who threaten the surrounding sectors, but Dark Eldar in particular. The chapter has set itself the difficult task of hunting these foul creatures wherever and whenever they can, using any and all tactics to bring them to battle. The Steel Ghosts most often use surprise attacks, cunning ambuses and sheer speed to run down their foes but do not feel limited to these. They anger at any constraint put upon their flexibility, perceived or otherwise. They study the codex astartes, but it is one tome amongst many they use and not even first amongst equals. They favour more condensed guidelines and individual initiative over specific rules, realising the Dark Eldar will often make a mockery of the details of obsessive planning. When they do catch their favoured prey, the fighting is ferocious and bloody. If the Steel Ghosts find relics or remains of the Omega Knights, they will go to great lengths to retrieve and return these to the Fortress of Unquiet. Their obsession with the honoured dead and unusual battle practices make them suspect in the eyes of many Astartes but they care nothing for such opinions. Their self-imposed duty will be done and none shall stop them.

In 817.M41, Brother Virrin is a Watch Captain based in Watch Fortress Xerxes in an undisclosed location in the Calixis Sector, specialising in guiding killteams to rapid strikes and assassination missions.

Heraldry: A hooded, ragged black spectre.

Livery: Steel lightly painted with light green. In battle, they often use camoflage or even disguise their colours until a deadly strike is possible

As I don't like the Big Four chapters, I created or took quite a few other chapters. Either custom or barely mentioned, they were filled out until the players were happy with them.

Scions of Anteous:

A primogenetor chapter of the Ultramarines, Scions are a stock Codex army that specializes in military intelligence. Targeting enemy command structures, they quickly break down enemy plans and respond accordingly.

Symbol: Sword in front of open book.

Colors: Teal and blue.

Steel Dragoons:

Iron Hands successor chapter famous for their long running feud with the Adeptus Mechanicus over a conquered forge world. Chapter uses their forge world resources to maintain their equipment and vehicles, but do not have any equipment supplied since the schism. Recognizable as the entire chapter uses Mk IV Maximus armor, chapter helps maintain its readiness by trading with friendly chapters.

Symbol: Skull over a cog

Colors: Ash grey and black.

Luminaries:

One of the latest chapters founded, Luminaries are an Ultramarines successor. Strict codex army, Luminaries have access to better laser weaponry because of captured archeotech. Luminaries have a reputation for over compensating, trying to prove to older more accomplished chapters their worthiness.

Symbol: Sunbeam

Colors: Yellow and white.

Screaming Geckos:

An ancient chapter of indeterminate origins, Geckos serve as a battering ram of the Imperium. Chapter is constantly attacking, all their strategies are offensive in nature. Brave almost to the point of foolhardy, numbers and odds don't matter to them.

Symbol: Outline of Screaming Gecko (native wildlife)

Colors: Metallic green and white

Grey Phoenixes:

Relatively new chapter, Phoenixes were originally the Void Krakens until an attempted purging by Ecclessiarchy forces during the Age of Apostasy. After a decades long war, the chapter was all but exterminated. Survivors were allowed to recreate the chapter, but changed the name to show the new force composition. Chapter still bears a great hatred for Ecclesiarchy.

Symbol: Red Phoenix rising

Colors: Grey and Red (quartered)

Marines Militant:

A chapter of mixed heritage, Marines Militant are similar to Ultramarines in composition but Imperial Fists in attitude. Using a Schola Primogem world for recruiting, Marines Militant choose their aspirants from the best and brightest of the Imperium. Disliked because of their haughty attitude, but respected for their martial prowess. Maintains a separate company to train and observe students, keeping the chapter above strength in name only.

Symbol: Double M

Colors: Purple and Black

Have all the chapters on pdf for sharing.

Awesome stuff guys! I hope you won't mind if I borrow those Chapters for future games of Deathwatch?

The Glen: Would you mind sharing those PDF:s?

Marines Militant

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2IFwM9bT8zYMDk3MDdhYmEtNWJlOS00NDQxLTgwYTEtZjIyNjdmYzE0ODM0/edit

Screaming Geckos

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2IFwM9bT8zYNTc1NWMwMTUtODIzYy00MjM4LWFmYTYtNmJhMGFiODI3NWYz/edit

Wrath of Corax (forgot about this one, Raven Guard successor with a focus on ship to ship combat)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2IFwM9bT8zYUzZKUlVSLU5Sd3V6RVpRWlpuWVZ1Zw/edit

Scions of Anteous

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2IFwM9bT8zYNzk2OWRiMWMtMjUwMC00ZjYzLWE5MGYtZDcwNmJmNTkzMTgx/edit

Grey Phoenixes

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2IFwM9bT8zYenJOMFhhNkhSbkNqZ3ZUWmNKbVdLdw

Luminaries

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2IFwM9bT8zYdkxaMEowcFdUQUN6OVZFNU95bldaUQ

Steel Dragoons

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2IFwM9bT8zYbGFlMEF3NU1RSmVMWGtqR1BJcUhYQQ/edit

These chapters were shared on a similar thread when Death Watch first came out, they seemed balanced but I haven't read them in ages.

Silver Skulls

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZF23OUKvnvQbOX7JpVh0b8Qa3mWvQcR3m3gdtC-pXNk/edit

Death Spectres

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7HOZHlKXcURYjAzYmQxOTQtNzFiYy00ODEyLWIzOGQtOTcwZWU5ZjJhNWI0/edit

Rainbow Warriors

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7HOZHlKXcURYTQ2NTUwNDktNDgyOC00NjY2LWE3MTItNzE4ZWU2MzJkYTU2/edit

Space Sharks

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7HOZHlKXcURMDBhMjZiYTQtNTk4Yy00MmUzLTg3ZTgtODhjNzgxNzZmNGNj/edit

Oblators

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7HOZHlKXcURYmE1Y2RiMTYtYTQ4NC00YjI4LWJmZjAtZDRjYWQ4ZGIwZjI0/edit

Deleted double post

Gurkhal said:

No problem. I'll fire up some more detail online.

EDIT: Google doc link for Steel Lords. Will fire more up later.

Steel Lords: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qVdZ6rBhVSw3CjhOsMrRo9yeQLjCp77B0BzQ6uwKuak/edit

Decessor said:

Draw up the marine in the bolter and chainsword marine painter. Gives us a better image of the chapter. Plus its fun.

The Glen said:

I think I already have those but thanks anyway.

Decessor said:

Google docs won't show me the Steel Lords.

Looks like I can't edit. Anyway I don't want to forget to thank for all the great links.

I had links to five more from before but the links are dead (Blood Ravens, Brothers of Blood, Angels of Vengeance) or been replaced (Salamander, Iron Hands). Have the Emperor's Pointy Sticks but they are not a serious chapter, played just for laughs. Their solo mode "Break the 4th Wall" lets them spend fate points to look up rules in any book.

The Glen, good suggestion. I've added a picture and the description from this thread to the Steel Lords writeup.

Gurkhal, it should be working. I've had a few people confirm they can use the link.

Knights of the Chalice (Blood angels Successors)

Colors: Dark red with silver trim

Symbol: Golden chalice in front of crossed silver swords on red field

specialties: Close Combat, Retrieving Imperial Relics

26th founding Chapter

Based on the forested Medieval world of Lomorak, the Knights of Blood have made a decent name for themselves in the few hundred years they have been active. On a routine mission to clear out dug-in chaos cultists on the planet of Thall VII the fifth company encountered warriors of the thousand sons attempting to desecrate a blood chalice as part of a larger dark ritual. After the loss of many battle brothers at the hands of the fallen the Blood chalice found it's way into the hands of the sons of Sanguinius once again. So enraged by this attempted desecration of Imperial artifacts, Chapter Master Gareth took an oath to never again let the dark powers get their hands on such holy imperial relics. Since that time the chapter has rescued countless artifacts from the hands of the enemy, no matter their race. and although the chapter shows promise, the dark curse of Sanguinus still haunts them as much as it does their parent chapter......

As Sons of Sanguinius The Knights of the Chalice prefer close quarters combat, preferring to use any manner of swords and shields over other weapons as a tribute to their home planet. High Ranking officers have even rarely been known to be honored with a helmet of Rare Mk3 armor, to better resemble the knights of their homeworld.

VileJester said:

That sentence should say The Knights of the Chalice and not Knights of blood. I didn't catch it in time to edit it. And the part about the helmets should say High ranking sergeants and not officers.

Decessor said:

Link is working now. Thanks.

VileJester said:

Looks very nice. Thanks for sharing.

I prefer, for the most part, to take Chapters who haven't really been fleshed out at all and fill them out.

Blood Ravens - docs.google.com/open

Brotherhood of a Thousand - docs.google.com/open

Exorcists - docs.google.com/open

Hospitallers - docs.google.com/open

Marines Malevolant - This is not mine, but I love it - docs.google.com/open

Mentor Legions - Stats aren't mine, but the lore is - docs.google.com/open

Sons of Antaeus - docs.google.com/open

Mkall said:

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

Myself I take the complete opposite direction and always create stuff from scratch since I'm always afraid that GW will release and official version that will make my work obselate.

The Mentor Legion and Marines Malevolent links are dead.

The Glen said:

fixed the sharing properties. Please try again

Also I'm in between Chapters at the moment, anyone got any sugerstions?

What kind of marine do you want to play? I try and keep a list of the best custom chapters from the forums, most of my players don't like the options in DW.

The Glen said:

I like finding Chapters that aren't Codex-complient, or at least are vague enough that they can be built up in an interesting way - like what I did with the Brotherhood of a Thousand. It's not so much what I want to play, but what I want to see made available - hence why I keep posting my creations in these type of threads. I like to see my work spread through the community.

I kind of want to tackle the Black Dragons or the Steel Confessors next, time will tell if that's indeed where I head.

Perhaps Carcaradons might be to your liking? It's possible one got isolated from their nomadic fleets and decided to serve with the Deathwatch for a time. And they are mentioned as having served in First Founding.

Still to do Omega Knights and Steel Ghosts.

Just grabbing unusual chapters from Lexicanum:

Aurora Chapter: Heavy focus on vehicles, possesses 3x the amount as any chapter.

Crimson Castellans: Half the chapter went renegade

Hawk Lords: Tactics are more like air cav than traditional space marines

Invaders: Specialize in planetary conquest, rather than just limited engagements.

Knights of the Raven: On penance crusade for hostile actions taken against another chapter, fighting tyranids as well.

Raptors: Have thrown Codex Astartes out the window and handle each conflict in a way they think is best at the time.

Stone Hearts: Heavily tattooed, after each battle add a new one.

Praetors of Orpheus: Most technologically advanced chapter, rumors of secret deal with AM.

Doom Warriors: Due to defect, can't sleep. Very moody and morose, one of the least merciful chapters.

About 80% of the chapters are nothing but name alone, half of those have a paint scheme but that's it. It's all open book from then on out. I did add several of your chapters to my codex allowed book.

The Glen said:

Those looks interesting. You don't happen to have some write-ups lying around?

With everyone posting lists of their custom Chapters I feel that I should also contribute with the Chapters that I am currently in the process of developing with help from the Rites of Battle book. These will of course just be the names and a very short description but I hope that I will some day be able to post more complete write-ups.

Argent Knights (Ultramarines) - Specialized in close combat and very itchy in regards to honor and favors the chainsword and power sword as the most noble weapons with which to engage the enemies of mankind even while it don't shrink away from using other equipment as the situation demands. Its is a very proud Chapter and unlike most others it allows it bearers to carry personal arms as well as the Chapter arms.

Palatian Guards (Ultramarines) - A Chapter which kind of models itself very closely on the Ultramarines, following the Codex and being a role-model for both normal humans and also other Space Marines.

Brass Fists (Imperial Fists) - Specialized in armoured warfare and also founded as a counter to the ever growing threat of the Orks. To this day the Chapter has become somewhat proficient in both slaying greenskins as well as conducting armoured operations and it possesses a vehicle pool which is larger than most other Chapters but not extremely large.

Nightmares (Unknown) - A Chapter that has come to specialize in terror tactics and psycological warfare and with a certain morbid culture. It is certain that it is specialized in putting the fear of the Emperor in human foes but it also conduct dealings with the Ordo Xenos and the Adeptus Mechanicus in order to learn about the psycology of various Xenos life forms and so assail their alien minds as well.

Sons of Kerysos (Unknown) - Specialized in defensive combat and also a Chapter in which the Battle-Brothers elect their officers and instead of a Chapter Master they have a Chapter Archon who sits for ten years. Free discussion and debate on tactics, strategies and poltics are encouraged within the Chapter as well as low level initiatives.

Solar Lions (Unknown) - Was founded recently on the basis of a prophecy in which the Chapter would be needed to face a great evil that would assail the Imperium. With the arrival of the Tyranids the Chapter has decided that the Hive Mind is the enemy they were founded to fight and so has devoted as much energy as it can to combat the Tyranids whereever they can be found.

Hounds of the Emperor (Unknown) - A Chapter which is specialized in ruthlessly and mercilessly hunting down specific targets and run it into the ground. On several occasions it has given chase to Astartes renegades or Chaos warbands and sometimes pursued them for decades before finally catching up with their prey. They are bloodthirsty and driven to extremes to fullfill their hunts.

Devourers (Unknown, but rumored to be Blood Angels) - A Chapter with a geneseed that is degenerating faster than their Apothecaries can hope to do anything about it and is more or less dead by now as the Brothers have been transformed into howling monsters. The few survivors who have so far managed to evade the fall into inhumanity has pledged themselves as Black Shields to the Deathwatch.

Ascendants (Ultramarines) - Mystics who have ties with the Ecclesiarchy and often support the Ecclesiarchy in its Wars of Faith or otherwise aids them when possible in repayments for the aid given by the Ministorium to the Chapter during its millenia long exodus after the loss of its first homeworld. Many a brave Frateris Milita warrior which impressed a present Ascendant was brought into the Chapter and many are so to this day.

Star Patriarchs (Unknown, but Ultramarines or Imperial Fists have been suggested) - Kind of specialized in commanding other Imperial forces and even more so with overseeing the rebuilding of worlds ravaged by war and plauged by anti-Imperial insurrection. Unlike many other Chapters it is somewhat used to dealing with the poltical manuvering of various planetary nobles and the Adeptus Terra.

Dark Jaguars (White Scars) - A young Chapter which has come to befriend the Space Wolves, fought with it on several occasions and actually taken that Chapter as its role model before the White Scars themselves or the Codex Astartes. Its has now in many ways abandoned the Codex Astartes and specialized in stealth and infiltration tactics.

War Questors (Unknown) - A Chapter of unknown founding which is dedicated to fending off the raids of the Traitor Legions and other renegades and in particular obsessed with the Black Legion. The Chapter has no Chapter Master but instead four leaders are formed into a council that decides the course of the Chapter. It is very concious of nurturing a humble attitude in itself and sees pride as the greatest sin. Its favored tactic is to deal a single massive blow that will send the enemy reeling and allow for further attacks that can smash the enemy organization and morale.

Angels of Destruction (Dark Angels) - A young Chapter of the Unforgiven filled with righteous fury and a wrath that tells of destroyed nations and smoking ruins. The wrath that is brings down on the enemies of mankind has sometimes been described as excessive although none doubt the zeal with with the Angels of Destruction sets themselves upon their enemies and that its zeal and hatred burns as bright as a thousand suns.

Space Vultures (Raven Guards) - A Chapter which found itself in conflict with the Adeptus Mechanicus and paid the price when the Priesthood of Mars ceased its aid to the Chapter some centuries ago. Since that time the Chapter is on a fast track to losing its power with no new Tech-priests, no supply of new materials. To a certain degree the Chapter has managed to adapt itself by scavaging battlefields and attacking renegade Marines in order to steal their equipment but its only a temporal solution. Its Chapter Cult is both secret and something which will make many Space Marines give the Chapter a wide berth.

Iron Hawks (Iron Hands): A Chapter of the Iron Hands which in most regards seems to follow the Codex Astartes. In for some time it has been nurturing a grudge against the Eldar which is has been facing off now and then but it is also very much concerned with the weakness of the flesh that infects so much of the Imperium.

Emperor's Heralds (Blood Angels) - A young Chapter which is fleet based and unlike most Chapters spends most of its time beyond Imperial space in an effort to both attack potential enemies before they can become a threat and to spread the Emperor's light to new human worlds and so ready them to be incorporated into the realm of the God-Emperor. Naturlally it has close contacts with the Ecclesiarchy

Chimeras (Unknown) - Not much yet but it is probably going to be hinted to be of a mixed geneseed, but I've no details ready yet.

All of those are canon chapters, I just jotted down a few quick details. I'm working on two right now, Angels of Purgation and Argent Legion but haven't gotten to the finer points.