Chaos Marines

*"...we offer praise to those who do,*

*That they might turn their gaze our way,*

*And gift us with the boon of pain,*

*To turn the galaxy red with blood,*

*And feed the hunger of the gods."*

- Excerpt from a poem written by a Cadian god-talker, pre-heresy (from the novel, The First Heretic)

## Race Overview

Ten thousand years ago, during the Emperor's Great Crusade, darkness began to spread among the forces of the Adeptus Astartes. The Word Bearers first fell to the whispers of the Dark Gods after the Emperor himself ordered the destruction of their capital city which was dedicated to his worship. Seeking those worthy of their zealous praise, they fell upon the old religions and began worship of the Ruinous Powers. They moved on to corrupt the Warmaster Horus, taking advantage of his weaknesses and showing him the Primordial Truth. Soon, Horus would bring even more of the Legions under this dark influence, and launch a terrible civil war against the Imperium of Man, known as the Horus Heresy. Although these Heretic Astartes were not able to conquer the Imperium, they dealt it a massive blow that even after all of these millennia, the Imperium still has not recovered. And with the Rift now cutting the galaxy in half, the Chaos Space Marines will threaten the Imperium once again.

The Chaos Marines race represents a Chaos Undivided warband, utilizing gifts from the pantheon of Chaos Gods. They are similar to the Space Marines race with a few differences including an extra focus on melee. They are a strong race with many options for infantry and vehicles including Heretic Astartes of several varieties and foci, daemons, and vehicles with different roles. Their Tier 3 unit, Obliterators, is an excellent squad of Heavy Infantry that automatically switch to different weapons most effective against their targets.

## Playstyle

### Prayers to the Gods

The Chaos Marines have access to a set of Icon Bearers for each of the four Dark Gods as well as one of Undivided. You can only have one deployed at a time, but they provide powerful buffs to units they are attached to. In addition, however, having an Icon Bearer out will also enable your Cultist Squads to pray to the chosen god, providing even more benefits to your army.

### Chaos Renegade Militia

If you choose, you can replace your ability to build Cultist Squads to instead recruit traitorous Imperial Guard squads. These Chaos Renegades are far more capable in combat and have access to an array of weapons, but are not able to pray as the Cultists do. Decide carefully if you want to take this path as there is no turning back. If you do, try to keep a Cultist Squad or two for prayers.

### Daemonic Summoning (Chaos Marines)

Some units may be summoned to any visible spot on the battlefield from their production building, such as Horrors, Obliterators and Mutilators. The greater daemons of the Chaos Marines, the Daemon Prince and Bloodthirster, are summoned by purchasing the appropriate research, then sacrificing a unit (the Chaos Lord or an Aspiring Champion respectively) allowing you to bring these mighty daemons directly to the battlefield where they are needed most.

### Tiering Up

The Chaos Marines primarily increase their Technology Tier through add-ons to their HQ building, the Desecrated Stronghold. The final Tier upgrade is Chaos Energies, which is located at the Machine Pit building.

### Increasing Population

To increase your infantry or vehicle population caps, simply purchase the appropriate researches from your the Desecrated Stronghold.

**Pop Cap Increase**
  **Support (Vehicle) Cap** |  | Vehicle Cap Increase
Desecrated Stronghold

## **Units**

### Campaign Honor Guard Units

Listed here are the Honor Guard units available in Campaign Mode, including special units only available in this mode.

### Survival Reinforcements

Listed here are the units granted to the player while playing in Survival Mode at each Tier.

**Tier 1**

**Tier 2**

**Tier 3**

**Tier 4**
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## Buildings

**Tier 2**

**Tier 3**

**Tier 4**