The Emperor's Hands by David Sharp
David Sharp is the creator of Craftworld Mor-Seth, a brilliant Themed Army Idea. This time around, he's created a sinister strike force of Space Marines. 

Background
The Emperor's Hands are an extremely ruthless Space Marine chapter which operate as a secret police force, the feared enforcers of the Imperial Cult, and the scalpels of the Inquisition. Every civilized world in the Imperium knows and fears the name of the Emperor's Hands, yet only the bravest and most secure in their faith dare to whisper their name for fear of retribution. The Emperor's Hands are the "men in black" who teleport in, exterminate the enemy, mindwipe any witnesses, and teleport out.

Philosophy
We are the hands of the Emperor. We carry out His divine will, we make sure that others do the same, and if they don't....

HQ
The Emperor's Hands are currently led by the only former Inquisitor to be inducted into the Space Marines, the ruthless and efficient Jerrod Flask. He leads all of the Hands' battles, as he distrusts even his subordinates. Flask is the equivalent of a Space Marine Commander. He carries a stormbolter and a lightning claw, and always wears his helmet to avoid being targeted by snipers and heretics.

Other HQ choices are as per Codex: Space Marines.

Elites/Troops/Fast Attack/Heavy Support
As per Codex: Space Marines. The Hands have no patience for the inevitable battlefield failings of "newbies" and thus do not use Scouts or Scout Bikes. 

Modeling and Painting
The Emperor's Hands wear all black, with red edging. Their symbol is a hand (use the Crimson Fists symbol) and they use only the most simple of squad markings. The Hands wear the newest armor and carry exceptionally well-maintained bolters and weapons. Paint them up as if they were ready for an inspection.

General Tactics
The Hands almost never fight in stand-up battles; their usual objective is to kill a heretical leader or to capture/destory an alien artifact. The Hands always teleport in, surround their target, capture or annihilate it, and pull out as quickly as possible. 

Optional Rules
Fearless: The Emperor's Hands automatically pass any Leadership-based tests, including Morale checks, that they are required to make.

Teleport: The Hands have access to advanced teleportation systems and may always Deep Strike into battle (as per the Drop Pods rule in Codex: Space Marines) even in scenarios that do not ordinarily allow Deep Strike. 

If both these optional rules are used, increase each model's point cost by +5. Thus, each Tactical Squad member of the Hands will cost a base of 20 points. 

Related Pages
Craftworld Mor-Seth: Another Themed Army Idea from David Sharp
Other Space Marine Themed Army Ideas
 

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© Copyright David Sharp, February 2001. Used with permission 
 

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