Space Marine Command Squad

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This article is about the the Space Marine unit. For other uses of Command Squad, see Command Squad (disambiguation).

A Command Squad is a specialized unit formed around the Captain of a Space Marine Company.

Composition

The exact makeup of a Command Squad varies depending on the Chapter or the Captain, but a typical Codex Squad is composed of^[1a]:

• A veteran sergeant — fourth in command to the Captain behind the company's two lieutenants;
• An apothecary — equipped with a Narthecium and Reductor;
• An ancient — a standard bearer, charged with carrying the Company Banner;
• A champion — an exceptional close combat specialist, usually armed with a Power Weapon and Combat Shield;
• and one or two additional veterans who are often armed with heavy ranged weapons.

It is not uncommon for Space Marine Command Squads to be mounted on Space Marine Bikes if the commander they are guarding is mounted on one. The command squad may be outfitted with specialist gear such as melta bombs or storm shields, and may take a dedicated transport such as a Rhino or Razorback. Marines selected for a Command Squad are chosen not only for their combat skills, but also an equal measure of tactical and strategic aptitude. A Captain and his Command Squad inevitably go where the fighting is thickest in any battle, so only the luckiest and most experienced warriors survive more than a few battles - and those that do have proven themselves beyond all doubt, and are often nominated to succeed their Captain in the event of his death^[1a].

Chapter Variations

The exact nature and title of a Command Squad varies between Chapters. Some examples include:

• The Terrorblades of the Death Spectres;
• The Pyre Wardens of the Fire Lords;
• The Foeseekers of the Omega Marines;
• The Prognosticars of the Silver Skulls;^[1a]
• The Wolf Guards of the Space Wolves;
• The Ravenwing Command Squad and Deathwing Command Squad of the Dark Angels;

Noteworthy Command Squads

• The Inferno Guard — Salamanders Third Company, Captain Ko'tan Kadai.^[4]
• "The Lions of Macragge" — Ultramarines Second Company, Captain Cato Sicarius^[1b]
• "The Swords of Calth" — Ultramarines Fourth Company, Captain Uriel Ventris^[2]

Images

• 

  Command Squad (10th Ed.)^[7]

• 

  Command Squad (4th Ed.)^[6]

• 

  Command Squad (3rd Ed.)^[5]

Related Articles

• Reclusiam Command Squad
• Space Marine Honour Guard Squad

Sources

• 1: Codex: Space Marines (5th Edition)
  • 1a: pg. 55
  • 1b: pg. 18
• 2: The Chapter's Due (Novel), Chapter Eight, pg. 106
• 3: Games Workshop
• 4: Fires of War (Short Story)
• 5: Games Workshop webstore : Space Marine Command Squad (saved archive, last accessed 16/09/23)
• 6: Games Workshop The 2002 Catalogue, pg. 25
• 7: Warhammer Community: NOVA Open Previews – Codex: Space Marines and the Heroes of the Chapter (posted 30/8/2023) (last accessed 31/8/2023)