Shock trooper ranks and roles

## Shock trooper ranks/classes

Originally the Shock trooper was designed to serve as a leadership figure to the troopers who were ranked below them. However this only lasted for the duration of the Chosen crusade. When the new War machine had moved from the containment camps of Earth and onto the battlefields of galaxies, it was found that the tasks between shock troopers and troopers were so different that it was uncommon for them to even be in the same space as each other. Shock troopers developed anti-social personalities due to the huge difference in experience between Shock troopers and regular infantry troopers that they began to isolate themselves to only their shock brethren who were much more relatable. At that point not long after the Chosen Crusade, the ranks of Shock troopers were split into a class system rather then a system of authority. Each class has its own role in the Core of shock infantry, harnessing their own arsenal of weapons, tactics and chain of command. Although each rank/class is completely different from the other, they still technically hold a hierarchy as shock troopers are pushed up through the different classes similar to a progression system. Meaning a Ranger (first Shock trooper rank) has less experience and authority then a Titan (the next rank above) even though they do two separate things and never really operate together.

## Ranger

The Ranger class Shock trooper is the first rank/class of the Core of Shock infantry. Rangers are the lightest and most mobile variant of the Shock troopers, using the Light Orbital Troop Transport (LOTT) as their primary source of transport, the Ranger serves primarily as heavy air assault Infantry. Rangers are deployed by air, dropping feet first into the heart of combat. The Rangers' ability to deploy rapidly in any location via air, equipped with the War Machine's finest weaponry, augmentations fueled by glory and hunger for battle makes them a devastatingly fearsome unit. Whether it be to surprise the enemy behind their own line, rapidly reinforce front line skirmish detachments or cause rapid devastation to hostile offenses, ***the Ranger leads the way.***

## Titan

Although the Titan class Shock trooper is the next step above the Ranger class Shock trooper, they are complete polar opposites. Unlike their Ranger brethren, who specialise in highly mobile shock and awe, the Titans adopt tactics and doctrine similar to a bulldozer. Titans stand taller, donning a much heavier and reinforced frame of muscle and bone mass. Titans are deployed on the front line along side the infantry, used to draw fire away from more vulnerable friendly assets the Titans attack their enemies head on without fear. Storming their lines, flushing out fortifications and breaking any defensive positions that stand to oppose them forcing the enemy to route in fear. The Titan is armed to the teeth with many enormous weapon systems delivering huge blankets of superior fire power onto the enemy. Unlike Rangers who use much lighter variants of their shock armour systems, the Titans haul massive amounts of armour covering the majority of themselves, allowing them to push forward into enemy fire without taking a step backwards. In summery a Titan calls shock trooper is a heavily armoured bulldozer who will start at one end of a battlefield and end up on the other side leaving nothing but a trail of death and destruction.

## 2ND Warden

The warden class Shock trooper is a battle hardened veteran, who holds the honorable role of protecting and escorting purity. Standing taller and bulkier then any other shock trooper, the Warden class shock trooper matches the size of a pure Talon officer in his own combat armour. The warden is outfitted with the best armour systems and weaponry that is on offer in the Shock troopers armoury; in order to protect his commander in all situations they may find themselves in. The rank/class itself is addressed as 2nd Warden, however the 1st Warden (rank above 2nd) belongs to the same class, the difference being the importance of the assets they are protecting. A 2nd Warden will be assigned to Talon officers with the rank of Paladin and below, to protect them in combat and also escort them whenever it is required. Wardens are kept away from their shock brethren spending most of their time with Talon officers. Wardens are a well respected group, each of them carrying countless campaigns and experiences of unimaginable brutality, they are truly venerable. The Wardens are a fearsome unit, towering over all non-pures below them they are often left alone by others as one would be a fool to interact with such an intimidating figure. When put along side a hulking Talon officer in his armour, the Wardens and their Talon commander become an unstoppable force, a team of heavy hitters feared by not only the enemy but their own subordinates. The Warden will protect Talon purity until death.

## 1ST Warden

Belonging to the same class as the 2nd Warden, the 1st Warden is a venerable shock trooper. Surviving through decades of unimaginable brutality that the battlefield delivers the 1st Warden is a monumental figure of strength and glory. Unlike the 2nd Warden, the 1st Wardens are charged with the protection and escort of senior Talon officers, those who hold the rank of Captain and Colonel or any senior administrative position. The position is addressed as 1st Warden, although shock troopers as a core do not interact with one another it would be foolish to ignore a command given by a Warden as most times he very well may be speaking on behalf of the commander he protects. The 1st Warden is the final step in achiving the pinnacle of a non-pure's service, the ascension into the Legendary Talon Sentinel.

## Sentinel

*They need not no rank nor banner, for the very sight of these armoured behemoths are enough for everyone friend or foe to know exactly what they are...*

 A true behemoth of the War machine, the Sentinel is the absolute pinnacle of a non-pure's service to the Empire. Described as "The ascended" the Sentinel fully surrenders his body to the service of the war machine, indoctrinating it into a metamorphic machine of bone, flesh and stalbrilium. Decorated in the finest armour impenetrable by most who dare to oppose him or whom he serves. The Sentinel towers over even some Talon armoured vehicles, who even dare call themselves the hammer of the war machine. The rank of Sentinel is granted to those who simply cannot die, who has outlast all of his commanders tenfold, fought in countless crusades, slaughtering countless foes and carrying the glory of a hundred thousand troopers. It is at this stage that one is no longer a solider, instead he is a weapon of mass destruction whose sole purpose is to is to destroy the enemies of the Talon Empire until he his finally killed. The sentinel dons an enormous set of armour, he body is forfeit to his armour to the point where the Sentinel is unrecognizable and unable to ever leave his armour. After the sentinel has been ascended his body and mind becomes one with his armour, resulting in him no longer being able to age. Thus the Sentinel is a literal immortal warrior who will fight and kill until he himself is killed in the name of the Talon Empire, the most honorable death that one could wish for. To die as a sentinel is an honor even recognized by the pure Talon race themselves.

*The rank of Sentinel is the most honorable title that can be given by a non-Talon. It is a very rare rank that is only awarded to Shock troopers who perform an extreme heroic act, to the point where the Shock trooper is considered an Imperial war hero.*

## Core of Shock infantry roles (Common)

### All classes

* **shock trooper:** A standard shock trooper belonging to a Storm Squadron, all equipment and tasks dependent on the respected class.
* **Storm Leader:** A veteran of his class, commands a Storm squad belonging to his class *(e.g Ranger Storm Leader)*

### Sentinel

* **Sentinel:** Standard Sentinel rank
* **The Chosen Champion:** The Chosen Champion is the most decorated non-pure solider in the entire Talon Empire. He is chosen by the Lord General himself to represent his Chosen race as his Champion. There is no higher title nor honor then one of the Lord's Chosen Champion. This position is held by ***Chosen Champion Grim.***