The Future for the Scythes

Since the launch of the new Space Marine codex and all the specific traits system, I'll be able to legally play the Scythes like they should. A collection of survivors, lacking equipment and trusting only in eachother. Also having acquired Dawn of War, the computer RTS game, I have used the inbuilt painting program to make a reasonable copy of my Scythe colour scheme. The following is my tactical banner I use in the game to claim 'Strategic Points', I'll capture a photo of the digital Scythes waging war shortly.

The banner which many a digital ork has died trying to remove.

The new codex Traits rulings have allowed me to flavour the Scythes. Although some traits are described with a different intention, their effect, such as lack of equipment, discipline and hatred of xenos has lended well to matching the underdog, decimated and determind chapter I have developed from the GW fiction.

To play the Scythes of the Emperor, ensuring limitations an so on, I chose the following traits;

Significant Divergence (the chapter has almost been wiped out..)

Advantages;

Suffer Not The Alien to Live : Understandeably, the Scythes hate Tyranids, so for the cost outlined on page 44 of the Space Marine Codex, the gain the Preferred Enemy rule outlined in the Universal Special Rules of the Warhammer 40,000 Rulebook.

Trust in your Brothers : The few Scythes left have only survived through camaraderie, martial prowess and weapon skill, so for the costs outlined on page 44 of the Space Marine Codex, they can gain the True Grit and Counter Attack rules outlined in the Universal Special Rules of the Warhammer 40,000 Rulebook.

Disadvantages;

Aspire to Glory : The Scythes fleet broken, Sotha overrun and the survivors hounded by the Tyranids causing them to scatter across the Eastern Fringe. Without a doubt, the Scythes lack the Terminator suits, Dreadnaughts and special trophies and relics that were contained within the Fortress on Sotha. I felt this was the most appropriate drawback to take, considering the loss of materiale and support elements the Scythes would have suffered.

Faithful Unto Death : Fits the Scythes perfectly. The lack of specialist equipment and support is perfectly suited to the refugee chapter and their survivors.

All this lends to Kill Team games, Combat Patrol games and special scenarios as they recover remains of their brothers, Icons and other Chapter items as they slowly band together and rebuild the chapter.

In this regard, I am aiming to have the Scythes as a Fleet based chapter from this point on in their history.