This is a set of rules I have wanted to make for a long time, mainly because I want to convert the associated models. They are mentioned a few times in Graham McNeill's Ultramarines series at various times.
They may seem overkill at first, but bearing in mind they clock in at 60 pts per model, yet only have toughness 4 and 1 wound, and they could as easily be a crippling loss as a game winner
TERMINATOR HONOUR GUARD SQUAD
“Gleaming bronze doors swung open as he approached and two massive warriors of the First Company, clad in holy suits of Terminator armour and carrying long bladed polearms stepped through, their weapons held at the ready.
Even Uriel's armoured physique was dwarfed by the bulk of the Terminators and Uriel nodded respectfully to the veterans as he passed, emerging into the cool air of the vestibule.”
Honour Guards in a Space Marine Chapter exist to guard the Chapter’s Standard and Chapter Master in battle. However, in some Chapters, there exists and even more elite coterie of warriors; those who dedicate themselves utterly to the protection of their Chapter Master, both in battle, where they will not leave his side, and without, where they will guard the Chapter Master’s quarters or person.
Those chosen for this role will relinquish all other roles within the chapter and are released from all other duties and responsibilities, spending their time either guarding their Chapter Master, or training together, that they might operate as a completely cohesive unit in battle. The Chapter Master will often train with them, and any opponent who faces them may as well be facing one opponent, so well established is their cooperation.
These elite Honour Guards will be drawn from those who are Veterans of the Chapter’s First Company, and will always be clad in their Terminator Armour, the plate allowing them to be unconcerned with their own protection so they can concentrate on the safety of their Master. To this end they will also be granted the boon of the Iron Halo.
They are armed with massive power weapons, relics of the chapter which they learn to wield with the speed and finesse a normal Space Marine would be gifted to have with a sword. These are augmented with wrist mounted storm bolters.
A fallen bodyguard will not be replaced by his successor until the new recruit has completely earned the trust if his fellows and Master, and if a Chapter’s Master falls or is gravely wounded, his Terminator Honour Guard will almost always all have perished in his defence before it would be possible for their Master to be harmed. When this happens it may be years or even decades before another chosen few take up the mantle of the Terminator Honour Guard.
Few are the Chapters able to field these sublime warriors. The Ultramarines are one such chapter, and their chosen warriors replace the helms of their Terminator armour with gold to highlight their status. They are known even amongst the sons of Guilliman as exemplars of the Space Marine ideal, and warriors from their ranks, garbed in ceremonial bone white armour, chased with gold, even guard the Temple of Correction, where the form of Roboute Guilliman is held in stasis.
TERMINATOR HONOUR GUARD SQUAD …………………………… 300 Points
You may take include one Terminator Honour Guard squad for every Chapter Master in your army.
This unit does not count against your HQ allowance.
WS5; BS4; S4; T4; W1; I4; A2; Ld10; Sv2+
Unit Composition:
•5 Terminator Honour Guard
Unit Type:
•Infantry
Wargear:
•Terminator Armour
•Storm Bolter
•Relic Blade
•Iron Halo
Special Rules:
•And They Shall Know No Fear
•Combat Tactics
•Counter-attack
•Warriors Without Peer, Pride Without Equal
•Inspirational
Dedicated Transport:
•May select a Land Raider of any type as a dedicated transport (see Heavy Support for points costs).
Options:
•May include up to five additional Terminator Honour Guards +60 pts per model
•Any model may replace his Relic Blade and Storm Bolter with a Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield free
Warriors Without Peer, Pride Without Equal: The Terminator Honour Guard have trained for decades as a unit to perfect the protection of their Chapter Master and they will brook no other to lend their aid, for even the best of the Chapter will likely interfere with their unconscious synchronicity. The Terminator Honour Guard will start the game with the Chapter Master joined to their unit. He may not leave the unit during the game, and no other models may join it.
Inspirational: Witnessing the martial expertise and unmatched valour of the Terminator Honour Guard will inspire any battle brother to fight to the utmost of their potential. Any Space Marine unit within 12” of the Terminator Honour Guard treat them as a Chapter Banner, and also gain the Counter-attack rule.
They may seem overkill at first, but bearing in mind they clock in at 60 pts per model, yet only have toughness 4 and 1 wound, and they could as easily be a crippling loss as a game winner
TERMINATOR HONOUR GUARD SQUAD
“Gleaming bronze doors swung open as he approached and two massive warriors of the First Company, clad in holy suits of Terminator armour and carrying long bladed polearms stepped through, their weapons held at the ready.
Even Uriel's armoured physique was dwarfed by the bulk of the Terminators and Uriel nodded respectfully to the veterans as he passed, emerging into the cool air of the vestibule.”
Honour Guards in a Space Marine Chapter exist to guard the Chapter’s Standard and Chapter Master in battle. However, in some Chapters, there exists and even more elite coterie of warriors; those who dedicate themselves utterly to the protection of their Chapter Master, both in battle, where they will not leave his side, and without, where they will guard the Chapter Master’s quarters or person.
Those chosen for this role will relinquish all other roles within the chapter and are released from all other duties and responsibilities, spending their time either guarding their Chapter Master, or training together, that they might operate as a completely cohesive unit in battle. The Chapter Master will often train with them, and any opponent who faces them may as well be facing one opponent, so well established is their cooperation.
These elite Honour Guards will be drawn from those who are Veterans of the Chapter’s First Company, and will always be clad in their Terminator Armour, the plate allowing them to be unconcerned with their own protection so they can concentrate on the safety of their Master. To this end they will also be granted the boon of the Iron Halo.
They are armed with massive power weapons, relics of the chapter which they learn to wield with the speed and finesse a normal Space Marine would be gifted to have with a sword. These are augmented with wrist mounted storm bolters.
A fallen bodyguard will not be replaced by his successor until the new recruit has completely earned the trust if his fellows and Master, and if a Chapter’s Master falls or is gravely wounded, his Terminator Honour Guard will almost always all have perished in his defence before it would be possible for their Master to be harmed. When this happens it may be years or even decades before another chosen few take up the mantle of the Terminator Honour Guard.
Few are the Chapters able to field these sublime warriors. The Ultramarines are one such chapter, and their chosen warriors replace the helms of their Terminator armour with gold to highlight their status. They are known even amongst the sons of Guilliman as exemplars of the Space Marine ideal, and warriors from their ranks, garbed in ceremonial bone white armour, chased with gold, even guard the Temple of Correction, where the form of Roboute Guilliman is held in stasis.
TERMINATOR HONOUR GUARD SQUAD …………………………… 300 Points
You may take include one Terminator Honour Guard squad for every Chapter Master in your army.
This unit does not count against your HQ allowance.
WS5; BS4; S4; T4; W1; I4; A2; Ld10; Sv2+
Unit Composition:
•5 Terminator Honour Guard
Unit Type:
•Infantry
Wargear:
•Terminator Armour
•Storm Bolter
•Relic Blade
•Iron Halo
Special Rules:
•And They Shall Know No Fear
•Combat Tactics
•Counter-attack
•Warriors Without Peer, Pride Without Equal
•Inspirational
Dedicated Transport:
•May select a Land Raider of any type as a dedicated transport (see Heavy Support for points costs).
Options:
•May include up to five additional Terminator Honour Guards +60 pts per model
•Any model may replace his Relic Blade and Storm Bolter with a Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield free
Warriors Without Peer, Pride Without Equal: The Terminator Honour Guard have trained for decades as a unit to perfect the protection of their Chapter Master and they will brook no other to lend their aid, for even the best of the Chapter will likely interfere with their unconscious synchronicity. The Terminator Honour Guard will start the game with the Chapter Master joined to their unit. He may not leave the unit during the game, and no other models may join it.
Inspirational: Witnessing the martial expertise and unmatched valour of the Terminator Honour Guard will inspire any battle brother to fight to the utmost of their potential. Any Space Marine unit within 12” of the Terminator Honour Guard treat them as a Chapter Banner, and also gain the Counter-attack rule.