The 19th legion to be created, Raven Guard are masters of stealth, sabotage, fast attacks, and assassinations. When the Gods of Chaos swept the infant Primarchs Corvus Corax landed on the mining moon Lycaeus, orbiting the planet Kiavahr. The core of Lycaeus' population lived underground in mines, and were slaves. Kiavahr was under the rule of the tech guilds and anyone who committed any offense (whether murder, speaking out against the rulers, or stealing) were stripped of all rights and sent to Lycaeus. After several generations there was now a large population being born, living, and ultimately dying on Lycaeus. But once the baby Corax arrived the population quickly hid him away believing he was the one who would free them. Corax is Kiavahr for "Deliverer". As Corax grow he was taught anything anyone would teach him. From political ideals, combat, and weapons making; the only thing he did not learn from all his fathers and mothers was his amazing power. Once young Corax was discovered by the Tech guilds soldiers, or so he thought, for he discovered he could bend light around his body, turning invisible.
With his new found power Corax spied on the Tech Guild's guards, teaching himself the value of stealth and in turn teaching his people new skills. As he became adult Corax lead a revolution, quickly taking Lycaeus, and renaming it Deliverance. His final move to crush the Tech Guilds and free all of Kiavahr was one of horror that he never forgave himself for; a full on nuclear strike. To this day Kiavahr has a high mutant population due to radiation from the strike and the planets massive forges polluting the planet, it is believe that all of this with the the future experiments done by Corax has lead to genetic problems with the Raven Guard geneseed. With thousands dead and the arrival of the his father the Emperor with the 19th Legion, Corax now ruled Kiavahr and Deliverance and was given command of the 19th Legion; which he named the Raven Guard. After the beginning of the Heresy and the deaths of most of his Legion from the Drop Site Massacre Corax received the knowledge to create a new Raven Guard Legion, but with the Alpha Legions betrayal Corax learned his greatest lesson: The Raven Guards true strength was in their unstoppable will to fight.
With the Second Founding Corax split his Legion into four Chapters; Raven Guard, Black Guard, Revilers (survives of the Drop Site Massacre who learned how to fight traitor Marines), and the Raptors (the survives of the genetic experiments with enhanced abilities). Now all Chapters who are Sons of Raven follow his teachings and his belief, they are not the destroyers of kings but the liberates of the oppressed. Giving everything they have and then some to free humanity from those who believe they are better.
Now lets talk about Raven Guard in game. Like all from Codex Space Marines they come with two chapter tactics; Strike from the Shadows and Winged Deliverance. First Strike from the Shadows. All models in the detachment gain Scout (unless Bulky or Very Bulky); hello Outflack and Scout move! As well in the first game team turn all units have Stealth (unless Bulky or Very Bulky). Now for Winged Deliverance. Jump infantry gets to use their jump packs in movement and assault phase. So they move 12 inches and then assault 12 inches, with Hammer of Wrath. HA HA! And to make it better, re-roll failed wounds caused by their Hammer of Wrath. Yay!
For you fluffy players Vanguard is your new best friend. When entering into battle, Shadow Captains (leaders of the Raven Guard) are followed by their personal trainees, The Company Wing. Five to Ten Marines armed just like their Shadow Captain. Now if you don't want to arm them all the same that's ok because its not the wargear you want them for, its the rule Heroic Intervention. First Vanguard ignore penalties from disordered charges, and Vanguard Sgts automatically pass the Initiative tests when he makes a Glorious Intervention. What is that you ask? If your Shadow Captain is in a challenge and is taking a beating, the Vanguard Sgt gets to push him out and fight for him. Perfect bodyguards.
Another unit you should love in Raven Guard, SternGuard. With Chapter Tactics Raven Guard they can now either Outflank or perform Scout moves. Combi Weapons that show up on someones flank, epic. Dont want to spend the extra points on Combi-bolters or any great weapon, cool. You still get the Sternguard bolter ammo, poison 2+ or ignore cover bolter rounds.
If you want fluffy there's two units you'll need; Scouts and Assault Squads. Raven Guard love getting into the thick of fighting and with the Chapter Tactics Assault Squads move 24 inches when they can assualt, and bash in with Hammer of Wrath. As for Scouts; fluff wise a scout will spend twice as along in 10th Company so they can learn all the skills Corax would want them to, rule wise they have scout, infiltration, move through cover, and can take camo cloaks to add to their cover save. Teams of Scout Snipers with cloaks can be annoying to deal with...... trust me, I play a Raven Guard player often those scouts of his never go away.
So when playing Raven Guard use speed and cover to lay waste to your enemy.
Next up is Commander of the 10th Company, Korvydae. Armed with a Jump Pack/Thunder Hammer combo he grants Hit and Run to his unit. He makes one Assault Squad troop but you must take one scout squad. He can be found on Forge Worlds site with rules in Imperial Armour 8 Raid on Kastorel-Novem.
Where there it is, Raven Guard. Space Goth Ninjas kicking ass across the Galaxy.
Raven Guard. Siiiigh, i love those sneaky bastards. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the armies I am thinking of doing for HH, i am waiting to see what models they are getting, and how Corax will look like.
Plus it is a real challenge to paint black and make it look interesting.
I love painting space marines. Off all sorts. At the moment i am painting a small Blood Angels force, and plan on doing some Space Wolves after that :)