Just What Can a Space Marine Do?

[White_Drake]

I have a vague familiarity with Space Marines from a combination of White Dwarf, these forums, and a spectacular summer spent playing Space Hulk, but what exactly is a space marine capable of just by itself from genetic modification? I've heard quite a lot, most interestingly spitting acid.

[The Glyphstone]

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Creation_of_a_Space_Marine

This LExicanum article details the step-by-step process of turning a man into a Space Marine, along with the capabilities they gain during each step of the process.

[Water_Bear]

What can't a Space Marine do? :smalltongue:

Sorry, I couldn't resist. But yeah, they have a ton of cool abilities that come standard, plus the fact that a decent chunk of them are Psykers.

[White_Drake]

Thanks for the link, I just read it. Those guys are tough.

[Jothki]

Almost anything with a ton of conveniently unmentioned Imperial Guard backup and forwardup?

[Killer Angel]

To die heroically, bringing with them a vast number of enemies.

[Kitten Champion]

Make Games Workshop a hell of a lot of money?

[Scowling Dragon]

Almost as much as accountants (http://youtu.be/tlftyq1_iys?t=2m39s)

[Yora]

Eh kills aleins and doesnt afraid of anything.

[Bulldog Psion]

An interesting description there, and yes, it does sound like they end up pretty tough. :smalltongue:

[GolemsVoice]

They can ride in Metal Boxes!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO3MttgvHUY)

[Eldan]

They can ride in Metal Boxes!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO3MttgvHUY)

You made a spelling error there. It's spelled BAWKSES!

[Brother Oni]

This Lexicanum article details the step-by-step process of turning a boy into a Space Marine, along with the capabilities they gain during each step of the process.

Fixed that for you.

@White_Drake: It's not immediately clear but the implantation process starts very young, since the implants enhance the growth experienced during puberty. An adult wouldn't be as augmented by the process anywhere near as much.

Recruitment at such a young age also helps the indoctrination process - you could say the Space Marines recruit boy soldiers, with all the baggage that entails.

[hamishspence]

The age upper limit may vary from chapter to chapter. Space Wolf recruits are already warriors when recruited (Space Wolf novel). Lukas the Trickster is implied to have been quite a womaniser before joining up (Space Wolf codex).

[The Glyphstone]

Not so much 'child soldiers' as we know them nowadays, but 'young warriors' most definitely. Marines typically recruit from feral, pre-technic civilizations, with tribal social structure and Everything Trying To Kill You environments (including other tribes, oftentimes). The sort of society where even the kids know how to (and do) fight, because everyone else has to as well

[hamishspence]

And even when they recruit from hiveworlds, it's the same sort of society- down in the underhive.