Raven Guard

Raven Guard - Masters of Shadows and Guerrilla Warfare

Raven Guard is one of the most mysterious and effective Space Marine Chapters in the Imperium. Dating back to Primarch Corvus Corax, the Chapter is known for its mastery of guerrilla warfare, stealth attacks, and the perfect use of shadows to eliminate key targets. The Raven Guard are not a Chapter that relies on frontal assaults - instead, they opt for subtlety, speed, and precision. Their every move is carefully considered, and their strength lies in the elements of surprise and precision, making them extremely effective on the battlefield.

This Chapter specializes in infiltration tactics and surprise attacks, allowing them to eliminate the enemy before they have a chance to react. Their motto could be: "The best fight is the one that ends before the enemy sees us." What sets the Raven Guard apart from other Chapters is their ability to adapt and operate in a disciplined, silent manner. Their warriors become one with the shadow, literally disappearing before the enemy's eyes to strike precise blows at the enemy's most vulnerable points.

Raven Guard History and Origins

The Raven Guard was founded by Primarch Corvus Corax, one of the most astute and tactical leaders in the history of the Imperium. Corax grew up on the harsh world of Deliverance, where he learned the guerrilla warfare techniques that would become the foundation of his Legion's doctrine. During the Horus Heresy, Corax and his Raven Guard fought on the side of the Loyalists, though they suffered massive losses at the Battle of Istvaan V, where they were massacred by the Traitor Legions.

After the Horus Heresy, Corax sought to rebuild the Chapter, but the effects of experiments to speed up the creation of new Space Marines led to tragic deformations in the Legion's ranks. Overcome by guilt, Corax left Deliverance and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the Chapter in the hands of his commanders. To this day, his fate is unknown, but his spirit and philosophy still guide the Raven Guard.

Raven Guard Customs and Colors

The Raven Guard cultivate subtlety, precision, and strategy. Their warriors are trained to operate stealthily, eliminating targets quickly and without unnecessary casualties. Assassination, infiltration, and psychological warfare are their primary tools. Unlike more aggressive Chapters, the Raven Guard avoid direct confrontation, preferring quick, precise attacks that disorient the enemy.

The Raven Guard's colors are deep black, which helps them blend into their surroundings and operate from stealth. Their symbol, the white raven, reflects their agility and ability to strike unexpectedly. Raven Guard warriors also wear helmets adorned with masks, which aid in camouflage and strike fear into the hearts of their enemies. Their armor, while based on standard Space Marine weaponry, is often tailored for specialized infiltration and sabotage tasks.

Raven Guard Weapons and Tactics

The Raven Guard utilize a wide range of weapons that support their guerrilla warfare style. Long-range weapons and cloaking devices are key to their ability to surprise their opponents. Their standard equipment includes:

• Stalker Bolter Rifles – precise, long-range bolters, ideal for eliminating targets from a distance.
• Stealth Armor – advanced cloaking systems that allow Raven Guard warriors to move undetected.
• Thunderhawk Gunships – Raven Guard often use fast ships for rapid air attacks, landing behind enemy lines.

These techniques and technologies allow Raven Guard to conduct operations throughout the galaxy, even in the most hostile terrain. Their ability to infiltrate and sabotage allows them to carry out actions that sow fear and chaos within enemy ranks.

Notable Raven Guard Leaders and Characters

Notable Raven Guard leaders and characters include:

• Corvus Corax – Primarch of the Raven Guard, whose tactical mastery and ability to wage guerrilla warfare shaped the entire chapter. His current whereabouts are unknown, but his spirit still guides the Chapter.
• Kayvaan Shrike – Current Chapter Master, known for his lightning-fast attacks and tenacity in combat against the enemies of the Empire.
• Shadow Captain Korvydae – Commander of one of the Raven Guard's most important strike forces, known for his surprise attacks behind enemy lines.

Raven Guard Strengths and Weaknesses in Game

Strengths: Raven Guard specialize in guerrilla warfare and infiltration. Their ability to disappear from the enemy's line of sight, surprise attacks, and mastery of the art of assassination make them exceptionally effective at eliminating key targets. Their tactics are particularly useful when fighting against numerically superior armies, as they can deliver precise blows that weaken the enemy.

Weaknesses: The Raven Guard are less effective in direct combat against larger enemy forces, especially once their element of surprise is neutralized. Their preference for infiltration can be difficult to apply in more open, frontal battles, where their fighting style may not have an advantage.

Raven Guard in Warhammer 40,000 - Masters of Shadows and Precision Strikes

The Raven Guard is a Chapter distinguished by its stealth and ability to eliminate enemies from the shadows. With guerrilla warfare tactics, assassination, and psychological warfare skills, the Raven Guard remain some of the most unpredictable and fearsome foes in the galaxy. Their mastery of the art of shadows means that their every appearance on the battlefield strikes fear and uncertainty in the hearts of the Imperium's enemies.

This category contains only models and miniatures designed specifically for this faction. Other, universal models can be found in the Space Marines