The Raptors: Masters of Stealth and Adaptation
Located at the northern edge of Segmentum Solar, the Raptors Chapter is one of the most secretive and adaptable Space Marine Chapters in the Imperium. Their unique approach to warfare and unwavering commitment to their mission have earned them a reputation as masters of stealth and deception.
Early History and the Indomitus Crusade
The Raptors were among the first Space Marine Chapters to respond to Roboute Guilliman’s call to arms during the Indomitus Crusade. Chapter Master Lias Issodon led the Raptors in providing strike forces for three Crusade Fleets: Primus, Secundus, and Tertius. These fleets proved invaluable in scouting and guerrilla operations as the Crusade pushed into the greater galaxy.
Notable Campaigns
The Raptors have participated in numerous campaigns throughout their history, including:
- The Great Scouring (M31)
- The Origo Blockade (701.M36)
- The Caberiad Wars (M39)
- The Sancta Angelis Campaign (339-370.M39)
- The Fourth Quadrant Rebellion (775-780.M41)
- The Badab War (901-912.M41)
- The Taros Campaign (998.M41)
Homeworld and Recruitment
The Raptors are secretive about their homeworld, Tarrengast, located in the Sutter Spiral Nebula. They maintain multiple recruiting worlds in and around the nebula, as well as secret sites to train their aspirants. The Chapter often recruits from active warzones and newly conquered or liberated worlds, due to their high loss rate among aspirants and scouts.
Gene-seed and Organization
The Raptors’ gene-seed is less stable than that of many other Chapters, resulting in a longer adoption period for aspirants and higher loss rates. The Chapter follows the broad organizational patterns of the Codex Astartes, but maintains a high degree of flexibility in their deployments and structures. Each company operates independently, fighting across the breadth of the Imperium.
Combat Doctrine
The Raptors prefer ranged hit-and-run tactics over close quarters fighting, but encourage independent thought within all levels of the Chapter. This allows for the most appropriate application of resources and tactics for a given mission, including the use of warzone-specific camouflage and ad hoc unit composition.
Equipment
The Raptors make extensive use of their 10th Company and disperse their Vanguard marines and Scouts amongst their task forces. They frequently utilize unorthodox and guerrilla tactics, as well as working closely with local forces. The Chapter is known to oversee the creation of ad-hoc mixed units and the use of hand-picked kill teams of brothers equipped for various battlefield roles.
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