Chaos Raptor
This article is about the Chaos jump infantry unit; for the Space Marines chapter, see Raptors (Chapter). |
Raptors are the dedicated jump infantry of the Chaos Space Marines.
Overview
They consider themselves as elite shock troops, although they are very egotistical and their use to strike at the weakest point in an enemy line has given them the concept of preying on the weak, making them vicious hunters. Much like Terminator Armor is considered a rarity in Chaos Space Marine warbands, acquiring Raptor Jump Pack suits are considered a prized relic and badge of honor. Often the armour of a Raptor is modified with amplifiers and vox casters to emit terrifying sounds used to disorient their enemies, making them easier prey. They always wear their stylised jump packs which are identifiable by their arched intakes and thrusters.4
Raptors sometimes are armed with flamers or meltaguns to aid in different situations. Whatever they are armed with, Raptors descend upon positions and deal death and destruction wherever they land. Many other Chaos forces see them as egotistical and self-indulgent, which often stirs up rivalry. Raptors don't always interact with other members of the warband, giving them a greater air of arrogance. Champions of Chaos still see their merit in combat and some even stoke up rivalry to get rid of the weakest of their force, leaving a more hardened core.4
The Night Lords, due to their specialty on terror tactics and shock assaults, are known to employ large numbers of Raptors.[8]
Raptor Cults
Raptor warbands frequently operate in Cults, usually consisting of the original Raptors that fought for Horus but now have been twisted into something more monstrous by the Gods of Chaos. Much like Khorne Berzerkers and Plague Marines, these Raptor Cults worship one of the Gods of Chaos, but which exactly remains unclear. It is speculated that rather then Khorne, Nurgle, Slaanesh, or Tzeentch, Raptor Cults may worship one of the minor Gods of Chaos. But whoever they worship, as time has passed Raptors have become even more corrupted, their mutated by a strange force of Chaos so that it no longer bears a resemblance to Imperial counterparts.[6]
Known Raptor Cults
- The Bleeding Eye
Images
Raptor miniatures from Games Workshop
See Also
Sources
- 1:Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 1st Codex), p16
- 2:Codex: Chaos Space Marines (3rd Edition, 2nd Codex), p32
- 3:UK WD231: Harbingers of Doom - Chaos Space Marine Raptors
- 4:Codex: Chaos Space Marines (4th Edition), p34
- 5:Lord of the Night (Novel)
- 6: Index Astartes IV - Harbingers of Doom
- 7: Games Workshop
- 8: Codex: Chaos Space Marines (6th Edition) pg.48