Chaos Space Marine Raptor - Chaos Space Marine Raptor: This is the Chaos Space Marine Assault unit, for the Loyalist Space Marine Chapter see the Raptors.Chaos Space Marine Raptors are the dedicated assault infantry of the Chaos Space Marine Traitor Legions. Raptors consider themselves to be elite shock troops similar to the warriors who comprise the Loyalist Space Marine Assault Squads, although they are far more egotistical and self-centred.As Raptors are used to strike at the weakest point in an enemy line, this tactical usage has been expanded into an outright philosophy dedicated to the concept of preying on the weak, making them vicious hunters.The cruel terror troops known as Raptors consider themselves the elite of the Heretic Astartes warbands. Their murder squads epitomise what has become of the Assault Marines of the Traitor Legions.Though they were once rare and highly valued Imperial troops, the Raptors have fallen to their own pride and lust for violence. They now roam the galaxy as merciless hunters, relishing the fear they cause as they plummet screaming out of the skies.Within the Space Marine Legions of old, Jump Pack troops were relatively rare. Horus knew well the value of the surprise attack, and such was his military genius that the arrival of his Assault Marines was the turning point in dozens of critical battles.They would be held in reserve until the enemy exposed a weakness in its battle line, whereupon entire Jump Pack companies would plunge into the fray, breaking the foe's defences wide open with Meltagun, Flamer, Bolt Pistol and chainsword.Perhaps it was their habit of preying on lesser warriors that led to the slow corruption of the assault companies that sided with Horus. Over time, those of their number who ventured into the Eye of Terror grew to love the exhilaration of soaring through the skies a little too much.They became addicted to the thrill of looking down upon the warriors beneath them, and as the rudimentary Machine Spirits of their Jump Packs also became corrupted, these corrupted warriors melded with their wargear until the power of true flight became theirs.Now there are Raptors whose blood is high-octane fuel that runs through body and wargear alike, whose eyesight is so sharp they can pick out prey from several Terran miles distant, or who can strike from above with the force of a meteor.The Chaos-tainted power armour of a Raptor reflects his predatory nature, usually mimicking the appearance of a vicious bird of prey or swooping Daemon.Altered Vox-casters protrude from helmet and battle-plate, amplifying the raw hatred of their war cries and better enabling their wearers to terrify their enemies into submission before the final strike.The Raptors' predilection for sadism and psychological warfare is a dark reflection of the Assault Marine's traditional role. Simple killing is no longer enough.The Raptors want not only to tear apart their prey, but to instil terror in them beforehand -- they will go to great lengths to see their grovelling prey's face distorted with fear before the final blow is struck.Wherever the Raptors prowl, ghostly voices and horrific threats are broadcast into enemy communications networks, the skies are haunted by daemonic faces, and evil shrieks echo through the night so that their sleep-deprived quarry is driven to the edge of madness.Needless to say, the Night Lords, a Traitor Legion infamous for their terror tactics, attract a great many Raptors to their banner.Raptors are seen as preening, self-indulgent egotists by many of their brethren, but their unquestionable skill in battle means that Champions of Chaos will gladly enlist them nonetheless.There is no battle line or garrison that cannot be demoralised and subsequently shattered by a pack of Raptors. Only once the prey is at its most vulnerable will the Raptors take their grisly prize.