The Swarmguard

It's been over 2 weeks since the new Marines Codex was released and so this post is a bit overdue, but here it is, the Swarmguard codex entry!

The Swarmguard

The Swarmguard are a Chapter of Codex adherent Space Marines and as such a Swarmguard army is selected from Codex: Space Marines.

The Swarmguard Chapter Tactics

The Swarmguard are, at the moment, comprised of volunteers and otherwise borrowed members of the various other space marine chapters brought together for a single purpose; to end the current threat of Hive Fleet Leviathan and prepare the forces of the Imperium for the threats posed by Hive Fleets that have yet to enter the galaxy. A great many of the current members have served in the Deathwatch and many more are veteran Tyranid hunters in their own right. Though they may not be descended from the same Primarch, the Marines of The Swarmguard fight as true brothers united by a common cause and form an incredibly deadly weapon to be wielded against the Tyranid menace or indeed any alien threat.

The Devourer Shall Starve: Two units in this detachment may be given one of these special rules: Monster Hunter, Preferred Enemy (Tyranids). Note that you may not bestow any of these rules more than once.

Tyranic War Veterans: All Veterans (including veteran sergeants and Honor Guards) in this detatchment may take hellfire rounds for their boltguns for free. This does not include storm bolters, or bolt pistols.

Strength in Diversity: If the opposing army is not Chosen from Codex: Tyranids, once per turn a single unit from the Swarmguard detachment may use the Chapter Tactics of another chapter, chosen from Codex: Space Marines.

Chapter Master Vindictam

Vindictam first enters the Imperial record in the reports of Inquisitor Normand of the Ordo Xenos. In M41.993 Normand was closely following the movements of Hive Fleet Kraken, helping to organize planetary defenses on multiple worlds. On these many worlds Inquisitorial spies were placed among evacuated populations to guard against possible corruption. One of the more curious reports received by Normand was a tale of a lone Astartes bearing no discernable insignia defending settlements and cities on imperial worlds besieged by the tyranids. The tales told of a hero turning the tide of battles against impossible odds, securing the escape of the surviving populations, sometimes acting alone, sometimes supporting imperial guard regiments and on rare occasions fighting alongside other Astartes. This would have been unremarkable to the Inquisitor if it had not been for the fact that multiple spies placed among populations from entirely different worlds had overheard similar stories. Inquisitor Normand resolved to find this man and after months of searching finally encountered the warrior in an incident that saw the space marine saving the Inquisitor’s life from the bladed arm of a Tyranid Warrior.

This Space Marine had been waging his own private war against the Tyranids for what could be decades or even centuries now, but such was the inquisitor’s way with words that he convinced the lone warrior that he could do more good within the ranks of the Deathwatch and thus Vindictam became a permanent member. He has since refused to speak about his past and so it is unclear what Chapter Vindictam originally comes from or what his real name is, as Vindictam was a name he gave himself, said to be derived from a long dead Terran language. The prevailing theory amongst the members of the Deathwatch is that he is probably the last remaining member of a Chapter destroyed by Tyranid invasion long ago

Though Vindictam’s career in the deathwatch was short he would go on to earn the respect of many of his battle brothers through heroic deeds and his knowledge of how to fight the Tyranid menace. But not everyone was taken with him, as Vindictam was prone to throwing himself into harm’s way, sometimes recklessly. Though they recognized this was born of selflessness rather than glory seeking, many of those he worked with were not partial to his form of heroics and were outraged that he would jeopardize the mission with such acts. He did, however, earn enough notoriety through success to be given command of his own Kill Team. Vindictam always placed the safety of imperial citizens as a high priority and this sometimes made achieving mission success much more difficult. Some viewed this as a weakness, but others embraced his ideals. He was particularly liked by the battle brothers seconded from the Salamanders as their chapter was well known for being protectors of the people. But even those who did not fully agree with his methods could not argue with the results he achieved and so would still willingly follow him into battle.

Vindictam’s most famous mission occurred just as the first tendrils of Leviathan entered the Galaxy. He and his team were sent to investigate a possible genestealer infestation on an imperial world that was exhibiting warning signs similar to those seen before the onset of Hive Fleet Kraken. Upon further investigation Vindictam found something truly horrifying, the genestealers were not alone; an ancient hive ship had been seeded on that planet millennia ago and it was ready to be reactivated. The planet did not have the military might to repel the Tyranids should the ship become fully functional, and with the resources it would gather from an easily conquered planet it would surely take the rest of the system and grow to be a grave threat. Vindictam led his team into the heart of the reawakening ship and dismantled many of its essential parts before finally personally slaying the Norn Queen and escaping with the remaining five members of his squad. It is these same five who today form Vindictam’s personal Honor Guard.

Vindictam was, however, becoming slightly dissatisfied with his assignments against other alien races, feeling that the inquisition was not putting in enough resources into what he knew to be the greatest threat to mankind and the galaxy as a whole. This would change with the onset of Hive Fleet Leviathan. Vindictam had been petitioning for command of a task force dedicated to dealing with the Tyranid threat for a few years now, but had not been taken seriously until now. After the issue of the carta extremis to Inquisitor Kryptman the leadership of the Ordo Xenos knew they would need to take drastic action to combat the now very serious threat posed by Leviathan. At these meetings the name Vindictam was brought up several times along with his proposals for a force dedicated solely to combating the Tyranid menace. It was Inquisitor Normand that suggested that Vindictam be taken seriously, and even went a step further putting forth the idea that a new chapter be created. This idea sparked a great debate; the founding of a chapter outside of a founding ordered by the High Lords of Terra was almost unheard of, however Normand’s tongue was a formidable weapon on its own. He was able to convince them that a Space Marine Chapter and the resources it could bring to bear united against a single foe was our best chance for survival against this extragalactic threat.

When it came time to decide who would be named Chapter Master and tasked with the responsibility of raising the chapter to full strength the choice was clear. Inquisitor Normand bestowed the honor unto Vindictam personally after the order for the new chapter’s creation was accepted by the High Lords of Terra. With this, Vindictam began the recruitment process, seeking out first and foremost the members of his most famous Deathwatch Kill Team. Since the chapter would need to be raised to full strength as quickly as possible he visited the existing Space Marine Chapters in turn, attempting to gain strength by way of volunteer or bargain. His largest contributors remain the Ultramarines and the Blood Angels, not only in the number of troops gifted to him, but because they provided two great heroes to aid in the fight against the Tyranid menace: Epistolary Leon Alexios (now Chief Librarian) of the Ultramarines and Chaplain Lucien Cynfael (now Master of Sanctity) of the Blood Angels.

Chapter Master Vindictam 250 points

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6	5	4	4	4	5	4	10	2+

Special Rules: And They Shall Know No Fear, Independent Character, Chapter Tactics, Eternal Warrior, Monster Hunter, Hatred (Tyranids), Orbital Bombardment.

Monumental Presence: Vindictam is the stuff of legend, a mysterious figure that is seen by many to be a representation of the strife of those destroyed by Tyranid invasion. His presence on the battlefield inspires the troops to a greater level of ferocity in battle. As such any unit which Vindictam has joined gains the Hatred (Tyranids) special rule when fighting Tyranids and gains the Stubborn special rule against any other foe.

Private War: Vindictam spent countless years of his life fighting Tyranids and has faced down every manner of creature that could be thrown at him in his personal struggle to protect those in need. His years waging a private war against the Tyranids has made him fiercely independent, to the point where he feels it necessary to always face the toughest challenges alone. As Such Vindictam must accept any challenge made by an enemy character directed at a unit to which he belongs. His years of experience fighting the horrors of the Tyranid menace also grant him the Monster Hunter special rule.

Inquisitorial Ties: An army led by Chapter Master Vindictam may take one Deathwatch Kill Team (Sternguard Veterans with Preferred Enemy (Xenos*)) as a troops choice.

Wargear: Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield, Artificer Armor, Frag and Krak Grenades

*Xenos refers to units selected from Codex: Orks, Codex: Tau Empire, Codex: Eldar, Codex: Dark Eldar, and Codex: Tyranids.

Leon Alexios

Leon Alexios was an Epistolary of the Ultramarines Librarium, known for being the personal favorite and protégé of the Chief Librarian Himself. Leon was unusual in that he had no knowledge of his psychic gifts, however was able to flay an Astartes alive during his induction trial. That kind of latent power greatly interested Chief Librarian Tigurius as he saw the potential to mold Leon in to an extremely powerful psyker and so took him under his wing as an unofficial apprentice.

Leon followed Tigurius on many of his expeditions to study relics and artifacts of great power. When an artifact thought to be older than the dawn of man itself was discovered Alexios insisted he be allowed to accompany Tigurius in its study. Leon, having been left alone for a time, disobeyed Tigurius’s orders and made direct contact the artifact, unwittingly destroying it and exposing himself to its arcane energies in the process.

Leon was brought back to Macragge and examined thoroughly by the apothecaries and the Librarians. No spiritual taint could be detected; however a change took place in his flesh. The hand with which he had touched the artifact emanated the same energy as the artifact and his cellular structure appeared to die and regenerate at incredible speeds. Leon later discovered that if he focused he could use his fingertips to tear open small unstable holes into the warp. In Light of these developments Tigurius asked that the Chapter master postpone his punishments for disobeying orders and endangering a mission, in order to study his changed physiology.

2 years later, a Battle Barge, previously unknown to the records of the Ultramarines appeared over Macragge, and an Astartes claiming to be a Chapter Master requested audience with Lord Calgar. The meeting lasted days, and Lord Calgar called in both Master of Sanctity Cassius and Chief Librarian Tigurius as advisors. When the negotiations were over and done Calgar called Leon to come before him and proclaimed that the time was here to make amends for his past transgression. He told Leon that he was to join the ranks of the Chapter known as The Swarmguard and serve as their Chief Librarian until his service was no longer required, at which point he might return to the Ultramarines absolved of his sins.

Chief Librarian Leon Alexios 170 Points

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5	5	4	4	3	4	2	10	2+

Special Rules: And They Shall Know No Fear, Chapter tactics, Independent Character, Psyker, It Will Not Die

Master’s Apprentice: Is a Mastery level 2 Psyker but may know up to 3 psychic powers from the disciplines available to Space Marine Librarians.

Wargear: Terminator Armor, Force Glaive, Psychic Hood

Mark of the Old Ones: Leon Alexios’s unarmed hand counts as a Melee weapon with the following profile

Range	Strength	AP	Type
-	user	2	Melee, Fleshbane

Lucien Cynfael

Lucien Cynfael was a Chaplain renowned in the Blood Angels for his overwhelming ferocity in battle, and his unmatched skill with a blade. Such was his skill with a blade that he could trade blows as an equal with the likes of Commander Dante himself. And such was his fervor on the field of battle that he and his men he would become an unbreakable wall of carnage that even the most battle hardened would turn their gaze from.

During the Battle for Baal Cyfael proved that even the bio monstrosities of Hive Fleet Leviathan would not stay his wrath and proved that he could effectively lead men into the heat of battle with the Tyranids with no sign of faltering. He won the attentions of Chapter Master Vindictam After leading his assault unit into a rampaging Carnifex, and coming out victorious. Cynfael and his retinue held the line alongside Vindictam and his Swarmguard for months until the last of the Tyranids had been eradicated, winning each other’s respect through deeds on the field.

Following the victory celebrations on Baal, Commander Dante began to select units to second to the Swarmguard in thanks of their aid in the defense of his home. Knowing it would be necessary to send a Chaplain with these troops in case of the onset of Balck Rage, Cynfael petitioned Astorath to recommend to Dante that he be sent to Vindictam. Dante agreed to let him go, knowing he would do the Chapter great honor against the Tyranid menace. Vindictam welcomed him with open arms and named him Master of Sanctity shortly thereafter.

Master of Sanctity Lucien Cynfael 150 Points

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6	4	4	4	2	5	4	10	3+

Special Rules: Chapter Tactics, Independent Character, Zealot, Rage

With Dante’s Blessings: For the aide pledged by Vindictam in the defense of Baal, Commander Dante as well as the whole of the Blood angels and their successors are supremely grateful. Returning the favor is seen as the only Honorable course of action. An army containing Cynfael that takes an ally detachment from Codex: Blood Angels may count Cynfael as an HQ choice for both the ally detachment AND the main detachment.

Wargear: Power Armor, bolt pistol, Frag and Krak Grenades, Rosarius, Crozius Arcanum, Jump Pack