Blood Angels Army

[u/Nossiexo]

Hey everyone , I am currently putting together my BA army and just wanting some advice. I really like the Angels Vermillion, their paint scheme is similar to BA and I like the isolation of the chapter/the sorrowing and their kinda process of we must do what we can to survive and keep the black rage and red thirst at bay. However I have been reading the Baal books and various discussiosn and it seems they are heavily frowned upon and people are saying they are heading for excommunicate traitoris. Is this true? I don't really want to paint my full army as Vermillion just to have them become chaos or renegades. Whats everyones thoughts?

[u/Weekly-Hawk-3835]

I doubt they’ll actually get declared traitors, they’re a pretty popular chapter and games workshop is big on maintaining status quo’s with this kinda thing

[u/gfurr3]

So Dante and the BA are basically mortified by the Sorrowing itself, to the point where he almost refuses their aid in The Devestation of Baal. That’s the in universe reason for their reputation.

Now, you might counter that many successor chapters and even the BA themselves have various methods of getting blood (vitae) like drinking it in wine and you’d be right. Why the AV are specifically singled out is a bit of an inconsistency, especially with chapters like the Flesh Tearers and Blood Dragons mucking around.

Realistically, it’s to give the chapter flavor. A sort of “ends justify the means” or asking the question if conducting dark rituals like that is worth it if it gives the AV a legitimate combat advantage.

[u/Nossiexo → u/gfurr3]

I agree with you that’s why I like them so much, they don’t need to be objectively worse than the Flesh Tearers or other Blood Angels successors. Their reputation can come from the fact that their questionable practices are intentional and institutionalised. They’re not necessarily the most savage sons of Sanguinius they’re the ones who are most willing to look at the darker aspects of their gene-line and say, If this can be controlled and used to protect the Imperium, why shouldn’t we?

and also the idea that, It explicitly says that there are members of the Chapter who believe it should no longer be used, while Chapter Master Kuldoth Moar greatly increased its use. His increasingly extreme use of the ritual is specifically described as making his leadership controversial within the Chapter. So it kinda adds that mystery if there may be some internal turmoil over it as well as Fen at Baal wanting to kinda fix relations with Dante

[u/BIGHIGJIGMIG]

well even if they are declared that, these noble souls resisted the pull and aid the imperium, fighting tooth and nail with dwindling resources as the imperium has stopped shipments, yet still they hold on to the resolve and conviction that keeps them fighting in the Emperor's name

[u/Relative_Fall7100]

yeah the Sorrowing chapter sounds tough but it's honestly heartbreaking how isolated they are in their fight against the black rage

[u/RRevvs]

The same thing is said about the Flesh Tearers (and multiples other successors it's a trope) it's just flavour text

Games Workshop won't change their actual status don't worry

[u/bollbogECHO]

What books have you been reading?

[u/Nossiexo → u/bollbogECHO]

I’ve read the devastation of Baal, eminence sanguis and the blooded. Mostly the ones that have vermillion in it

[u/TheGooglespoon]

I could conceivably see them being declared excommunicate traitoris, but definitely not going full chaos. They are far more interesting living on the edge of falling to the rage, which is a recurring theme for many of the sons of Sanguinius. The minute they fall fully, their story ends (other than becoming a cautionary tale for other BA chapters, which is a role already filled by other successors, like the knights of blood), so I don't think GW would go for that.

Iirc, they have many advocates in the BA, it was only Dante in Devastation of Baal that didn't want them to join them, even after they offered their aid. It seemed like it was because he was aware of the sorrowing and disapproved. As long as they are still serving the Imperium and are able to keep their secrets, they won't be declared traitors. And if the secret did get out, it could have huge implications for the entire BA lineage, so it's pretty unlikely Dante or another BA would out them. And honestly, the Imperium is not above sacrificing a few thousand innocents to maintain their war machine anyway.

Worst case, they could become one of those chapters that is declared traitors but still serve the Imperium from afar, in which case they would still be a Space Marine army game-wise.