Introduction
Imagine a warrior, clad in black, his armor a stark contrast to the golden heraldry of his brethren. He charges into the fray, a whirlwind of chainsword and fury, his eyes burning with a terrifying intensity. This is a member of the Blood Angels Death Company, a tragic figure forever haunted by the ghosts of the past. The Blood Angels, once hailed as paragons of virtue and martial prowess, are forever burdened by a darkness lurking within their very genes. This darkness manifests as the Black Rage and the Red Thirst, twin curses that threaten to consume them entirely. The Death Company represents the culmination of this struggle, a sanctuary for warriors teetering on the brink, and a terrifying weapon unleashed upon the enemies of humanity. The Blood Angels Death Company embodies the tragic struggle against the Black Rage, a force that transforms their greatest warriors into berserk killers haunted by the death of Sanguinius.
The Essence of the Black Rage
The Black Rage is not merely a fit of anger; it’s a psychic echo, a reverberation of the most traumatic event in the Blood Angels’ history. When their Primarch, the Great Angel Sanguinius, fell at the hands of Horus during the Siege of Terra, the psychic shockwave resonated through the Blood Angels lineage, embedding itself within their genetic code. This event replays itself in the minds of those afflicted, a constant barrage of visions of Sanguinius’s demise.
The Psychic Echo of Sanguinius’ Death
The psychic wound manifests as uncontrollable visions, vivid memories of the Horus Heresy, and a relentless feeling of loss and betrayal. The affected Blood Angel experiences the death of Sanguinius as if it were happening to them personally, a torment that pushes them to the edge of sanity. They relive the battle, the betrayal, and the final, fatal blow, each time with the same crushing weight of grief and anger.
Symptoms and Progression
The symptoms of the Black Rage are gradual, yet relentless. Initially, the Blood Angel may experience bouts of intense sadness or anger, seemingly unprovoked. They might become withdrawn, isolating themselves from their brothers, lost in their own internal world of suffering. As the condition worsens, the visions become more frequent and intense, blurring the line between reality and the past. Sleep offers no escape, only a relentless replay of the Primarch’s final moments. The psychological impact is devastating, eroding the warrior’s sense of self and replacing it with a burning desire for vengeance, a rage that knows no bounds. Eventually, the marine succumbs completely, becoming a feral warrior lost within the maelstrom of the Black Rage.
The Birth of the Death Company
Faced with the grim reality of the Black Rage, the Blood Angels did not succumb to despair. Instead, they sought a way to channel this destructive force, to transform it into a weapon against their enemies. Thus, the Death Company was formed. Its purpose is two-fold: to offer a controlled outlet for those consumed by the Black Rage and to unleash their fury upon the battlefield. It’s a grim solution, acknowledging that these warriors are lost to the Chapter in all ways but combat, but a necessary one.
Purpose
The Death Company provides a sanctuary, albeit a temporary one, for those afflicted. It allows them to fight alongside their brothers, to serve the Emperor, even as their minds unravel. The Blood Angels recognize that these marines are still loyal, still capable of inflicting immense damage upon their enemies, and that their sacrifice, however tragic, can contribute to the Chapter’s overall goals.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Death Company is a somber affair. Chaplains, particularly the Reclusiarch, play a vital role in identifying marines succumbing to the Black Rage. Through careful observation and psychological assessment, they determine when a warrior has crossed the line, when the visions have become too overwhelming, and when the rage has become all-consuming. Once identified, the marine is subjected to rituals and ceremonies designed to prepare them for their final duty. These rites serve as a farewell to their former life, a symbolic acceptance of their fate.
The Armour and Markings
The transformation is marked by a physical change as well. The marine’s armor is repainted black, a stark reminder of the darkness within. Red markings adorn the armor, often representing honor badges or past achievements, now ironically displayed on the armor of a doomed warrior. These markings serve as a testament to the lives they once led, a poignant reminder of the heroes they once were before the Black Rage took hold. Different Blood Angels successor chapters may have slight variations in their Death Company armor, reflecting their own unique traditions and beliefs.
Tactics of Unbridled Fury
On the battlefield, the Blood Angels Death Company is a force of unbridled fury. They are deployed as shock troops, assault units, and berserkers, unleashed upon the enemy lines to break through fortifications and sow chaos. Their tactics are simple but effective: overwhelming aggression and a complete disregard for personal safety. They charge headfirst into the fray, driven by the rage and the desire for vengeance, their chainswords a blur of motion.
Unleashed Fury
They care little for tactics or strategy, their minds consumed by the burning desire to destroy the enemy. They fight with a ferocity that inspires both awe and terror, their black armor a symbol of death and destruction. Their disregard for personal safety allows them to take risks that other units would never consider, often turning the tide of battle through sheer force of will.
Weapons and Equipment
The weapons favored by the Death Company reflect their style of combat. Chainswords and bolt pistols are common, allowing them to engage the enemy in close combat with brutal efficiency. Power weapons, such as power swords and axes, are also frequently used, providing extra punch against heavily armored opponents. These weapons are chosen for their effectiveness in close-quarters combat, for their ability to inflict maximum damage in a short amount of time.
Leadership and Control
Controlling the Death Company is a challenge. Chaplains, acting as their shepherds, attempt to direct their rage, to focus their fury on the most important targets. However, even the most skilled Chaplain can only exert limited control over these warriors. The Death Company is a volatile force, prone to unpredictable actions, and their effectiveness often depends on their ability to unleash their rage at the right moment. Despite this difficulty in commanding these fallen warriors they make an excellent addition to any Son of Sanguinius’ army
Notable Figures and Battles
The annals of the Blood Angels are filled with stories of Death Company heroes, individuals who fought with unparalleled courage and ferocity, even in the face of their own impending doom. These warriors often achieve a grim fame, becoming legends within the Chapter, their deeds inspiring both awe and sorrow.
Individual Heroes
Consider Brother Corbulo, not the Chief Apothecary, but a member of the Death Company who held back an entire horde of Orks single-handedly, buying time for his brothers to escape. Or Captain Tycho who fought bravely until eventually being consumed by the Red Thirst and joining the Death Company before being slain by Orks. Their stories are a testament to the enduring spirit of the Blood Angels, their unwavering commitment to the Emperor, even in their darkest hour.
Key Battles and Campaigns
The Death Company has played a pivotal role in numerous key battles and campaigns throughout the history of the Blood Angels. From the defense of Baal against the Tyranid Hive Fleets to the countless engagements against the forces of Chaos, the Death Company has always been at the forefront of the fighting. Their impact on these conflicts is undeniable, their ferocity often turning the tide of battle, their sacrifices ensuring the survival of the Chapter.
The Red Thirst and the Faint Glimmer of Hope
The Black Rage is often intertwined with the Red Thirst, the insatiable urge to consume blood. This thirst, another curse of the Blood Angels lineage, is exacerbated by the Black Rage, driving the afflicted warriors to even greater levels of savagery. The Red Thirst amplifies their aggression, turning them into blood-crazed berserkers, their only desire to quench their unholy thirst.
The Red Thirst
The Red Thirst makes the Death Company even more dangerous, both to their enemies and to themselves. The desire for blood can overwhelm their senses, leading them to attack indiscriminately, even turning on their own allies in their frenzied state. This makes it even more difficult to control them, to direct their rage effectively.
Hope for Control/Redemption?
The potential for redemption, however slim, remains a topic of debate within the Blood Angels Chapter. There have been rare instances of Death Company marines managing to regain some control over their condition, to momentarily suppress the Black Rage and the Red Thirst. These instances are few and far between, but they offer a glimmer of hope, a suggestion that perhaps, one day, a cure might be found.
However, the prevailing view is that the Death Company is a one-way journey. Once a marine succumbs to the Black Rage, there is no return. They are lost to the Chapter, their only purpose to fight and die in the Emperor’s name. The idea of redemption is seen as a dangerous illusion, a distraction from the grim reality of their fate.
The Death Company in 40k
The Death Company are a terror to behold on the tabletop of Warhammer 40,000. They’re fast moving shock troops who are more than capable of tearing apart hordes of enemies in a single turn. They can come with jump packs or be put into dedicated transports such as a rhino or a land raider. They have many buffs in the game that include extra attack strength and invulnerable saves.
Rules Overview
Lemartes, the Guardian of the Lost, is a Death Company-specific character who is an invaluable addition to any Blood Angels army. He buffs the hit rolls of any Death Company units nearby, making them even more deadly. You can even include Death Company dreadnoughts in your list such as a Furioso Dreadnought allowing you to have a powerful dreadnought that is fast and aggressive.
Conclusion
The Blood Angels Death Company is a tragic testament to the enduring power of the past. Born from the psychic trauma of Sanguinius’ death, these warriors are forever haunted by the ghosts of the Horus Heresy. They represent the culmination of the Blood Angels’ struggle against the Black Rage, a force that threatens to consume them entirely.
Recap
Their existence is a grim necessity, a way to channel the destructive power of the Black Rage into a weapon against the enemies of humanity. But it is also a constant reminder of the darkness that lurks within the Blood Angels’ hearts, a shadow that can never be truly escaped.
Lasting Legacy
The Death Company endures as a powerful and enduring symbol of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, embodying both the heroism and the tragedy that define the Blood Angels Chapter. Their story serves as a reminder that even the noblest of warriors can fall victim to the darkness within, and that even in death, there is still a purpose to be found. Clad in black, consumed by rage, they descend into the fray, a final act of defiance against the inevitable, forever etched in the annals of the Blood Angels.
