[Help to design] In the 41st millenium there is only...

[KjetilKverndokken]

Originally Posted by ed_209a

Based on my limited 40K tabletop and novel experience, I would advise putting the rulebooks back on the shelf, and concentrate on the universe's fluff.

In a galaxy of trillions of humans (and billions of Imperial Guard), there are probably less than 50 thousand Space Marines. They have the best training, best biomods and best equipment the Imperium can provide. They are considered barely ready after nearly a decade of grueling training. And the 40K rules tell us they are only 3 times as effective in battle as a IG conscript with a kevlar jacket and a laser rifle?

I think Space Marines would only be called in when the IG can't solve a problem by simply throwing more men at it. Just from the numbers, it makes sense to throw a battalion of IG at a target rather than call a single space marine.

I would make the Space Marines truly monstrous, and then never let the players see them up close. A tactical squad of Adeptus Astartes don't attack, they happen, like a tornado or earthquake.

Have the PCs survive a battle only because their sector was on the edges of the objective. One day their officers get jumpy and nervous for some reason. Several days later, they see a single landing craft come down in the distance. The next day, the battle is won. Grizzled senior NCOs are overheard whispering "Astartes" among themselves.

(Really, the entire IG garrison would probably be wiped out before the SMs arrived, but it is a RPG...)

Imperial Armor 5-6-7 Siege of Vraks is what I'm gonna base the campaign on, a few of the stories will involve the players as Dark Angels and Red Scorpions chapters. (I do recommend them for die hard military fluff)

The SM as totally invincible is just propaganda, they are hard as hell, but most fluff supports that they will fall under heavy assaults from any force - thay are tactical assault teams that are best used for special missions where speed and tactics are being used.