Astartes

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Astartes
Alias(es)	Super-soldiers; Space Marines 95 170
Species/Race	Genetically augmented humans 95 171
Affiliation	Umbrella; later the Imperium of Man 171 363
Occupation/Role	Elite warriors and humanity's guardians against hostile forces, anomalies, and demons 95 211 282
Status	Active 643
First Appearance	Chapter 95 95

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Candidate	350	Candidates are selected from exceptional fourteen- to sixteen-year-olds and matched to a Legion before receiving its G-Gland.
Proto-Astartes	171	Umbrella's first cohort—forty orphan candidates around fifteen years old—received exclusive G-Gland implants on March 12, 2004, followed by education, military training, and biweekly Super Soldier Serum supplements.
True Astartes	171	After two years of growth, the first proto-Astartes underwent twenty-five final augmentation procedures between May 10 and 30, 2006. Their average height reached roughly 2.5 meters.
Reserve	349	New recruits become qualified Astartes through combat and recruit trials, but generally serve as Reserves for twenty to thirty years before joining a Legion directly.
New-generation adult Astartes	525	Upon adulthood, newer Astartes possess physical capabilities comparable to second-generation Mjolnir wearers integrated with nanotechnology; prolonged exposure to a yellow dwarf star further develops their potential.

Background / History

Sui Bian conceived the Astartes project as a force of “angels” who would protect humanity. The program was built around G-Glands derived from the G-Virus and Super Soldier Serum research conducted by Umbrella scientists, principally William Birkin, Rebecca Chambers, and Alexia Ashford 35 95.

The first forty candidates began augmentation in March 2004. They were divided into ten groups according to their exclusive G-Glands, trained comprehensively, and supplied with serum-derived nutritional supplements during their growth phase 171. In 2006, after final augmentation, each of the ten Primarchs led four Astartes carrying his genetic code, creating Umbrella's first ten super-soldier squads 171.

The Astartes first fought as a covert force. Robert and his brothers infiltrated a rebel camp, rescued abused captives, and destroyed the rebels responsible 99. They later deployed openly during the mall anomaly incident, where Roger's Honor Fist squad arrived by drop pod and eliminated cultists threatening civilians and police 170 171.

As human territory expanded, the Astartes became the military pillar expected to answer threats beyond the capacity of conventional forces. Umbrella disclosed their existence to the public alongside the Primarchs, presenting them as a necessary defense for humanity's survival 240 266. By the mid-22nd century, the ten Legions fielded approximately 1.2 million Astartes, with more than 700,000 additional personnel in the Reserve 363. Their number later approached ten million 621.

Appearance

Adult Astartes are immense, heavily built humans whose size and physiology are further amplified by power armor. The first true Astartes averaged roughly 2.5 meters tall, exceeding 2.6 meters in standard Mjolnir III armor 171.

• Power armor colors, heraldry, and ornamentation vary by Legion; Blood Angels use black-and-red Mjolnir III, while Space Wolves commonly wear grey-blue armor with yellow accents and trophy decorations 192 319.
• Astartes in combat armor can weigh several tons; their impacts can shatter hard surfaces on landing 518.
• Veteran Astartes may wear Service Studs as marks of service: bronze after fifty years, silver after one hundred, and gold after five hundred 363.
• Elite veterans may receive Terminator armor, a heavier and more expensive class of protection than standard Mjolnir systems 363 373.

Physiology

Genetic Augmentation

True Astartes receive twenty-five reconstructive procedures over fourteen days, transforming them beyond normal human limits 350.

• Documented implants include a Second Heart, Third Lung, Ossmodula, Biscopea, fiber-bundle neural replacement, Acid Gland, and G-Gland Storage Glands 171.
• The Acid Gland allows an Astartes to spit corrosive fluid comparable in acidity to Xenomorph blood, providing an emergency means of escaping restraints or killing enemies 171.
• Three G-Gland Storage Glands, implanted in the neck, chest, and abdomen, mature at six-, twelve-, and eighteen-month intervals; harvested glands can preserve or cultivate future Astartes 171.
• Larraman's Organs enable adults to deliberately enter deep sleep, light sleep, or meditation for recovery 282.

Psionic Potential

The G-Glands of the Primarch-led Legions grant Astartes varying degrees of pure Psionic Power, which is not affected by Warp corruption 213.

• Psionic ability differs sharply among Legions and individuals; the Thutmose Legion is composed entirely of psykers 518.
• Psionic power can reinforce weapons, generate barriers, suppress enemies, and support battlefield coordination 213 282.
• Astartes remain vulnerable to exceptionally powerful mental assaults. Asasthiye's pressure field slowed, immobilized, and nearly broke a six-man Astartes team 519.

Sustenance and Recovery

Astartes still require food, sleep, and post-battle recuperation despite their enhanced physiology 282.

• Their nutritional intake greatly exceeds that of ordinary humans and includes a special metal powder 282.
• During warfare or emergency operations, they can fight continuously without rest for extended periods 282.
• Acid Gland secretions can convert nearly anything into sustenance in extreme circumstances 282.

Abilities & Skills

Superhuman Combat Performance

Astartes possess reaction speed, strength, resilience, and combat processing far beyond ordinary soldiers. Their speed and weaponry can appear inhuman even to other power-armored troops 98 363.

• They can rapidly overwhelm demons, cultists, Covenant forces, and other hostile infantry through coordinated firepower and close combat 170 211 272.
• Standard Astartes squads commonly operate in six-man formations, with shield-bearing members leading assaults and other members supplying fire support 639.
• Their training includes historical military study, tactical education, physical combat, and simulated or live-fire exercises 95 282 642.
• Astartes are not invulnerable: Chaos-empowered attacks can disrupt the shields of Ceramite, Mjolnir, and Terminator armor 373.

Anti-Demon Warfare

Astartes form part of humanity's frontline response to Warp entities and demonic incursions 199 211.

• The Grey Knights were formed from elite Astartes to specialize in hunting and purging demons 199 282.
• Grey Knights train through high-speed physical bouts, psionic suppression exercises, demon-study sessions, and tactical discussions 282.
• Their Aegis Terminator armor and Nemesis Power Halberds are designed specifically for anti-Warp combat 249.

Leadership and Command

Astartes possess the reaction speed and information-processing capacity to command conventional forces and administer strategic areas 376.

• Battalion commanders can direct Astartes, Auxilia, UNSC personnel, and defensive operations during major crises 373 376.
• Primarchs lead Legions, while veteran Astartes command battalions, companies, and specialist formations 171 373.
• Their battlefield doctrine emphasizes decisive force, coordination with Auxilia, and rapid adaptation to hostile technology or terrain 211 639 642.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mjolnir III Power Armor — Standard mass-produced Astartes armor developed by Umbrella's Sixth Research Institute, Paris, and the Hive; optional shoulder cannons and energy wristblades can be fitted for specific missions 171.
• Mjolnir Mark VI and Mark VII — High-cost armor reserved for elite companies, veteran officers, and battalion commanders 363.
• Terminator Armor — Heavy armor issued to experienced veterans; some Spartan Terminator variants mount shoulder plasma cannons, bolter machine guns, and micro-missile pods 373.
• Bolters and Heavy Bolters — Standard explosive firearms; elite squads are required to carry at least one Heavy Bolter for suppression 211 639.
• Chainswords — Common melee weapons used in close assaults against cultists, demons, and corrupted enemies 199 295.
• Power Spears and Power Halberds — Energy-field melee weapons employed by specialized formations and Grey Knights 249 519.
• Drop Pods and Thunderhawk Transports — Primary insertion craft for rapid deployment into hostile areas 171 211.

Organization

• The earliest Astartes were organized into ten squads, each led by one of the ten original Primarchs and composed of warriors carrying that Primarch's genetic code 171.
• The Astartes later formed ten Legions, each supported by Primarchs, Legion Auxilia, fleets, and specialist forces 298.
• Legion genetic matching influences recruitment and culture; Space Wolves tend toward combat-oriented candidates, while other Legions emphasize different aptitudes 642.
• The Honor Fist, Thutmose, Spartan Legion, Blood Angels, Space Wolves, Raven Guard, Ultramarines, Dark Angels, and Grey Knights are among the documented Astartes formations 171 192 212 282 319.

Relationships

• Sui Bian — Creator, commander, and father figure. He named the first generation Astartes, personally taught them responsibility, and repeatedly intervened to protect them from existential threats 95 518 519.
• Primarchs — Genetic leaders and elder brothers of the Legions; each originally commanded Astartes carrying his own genetic code 171.
• William Birkin, Rebecca Chambers, and Alexia Ashford — Key scientists in Astartes implantation, enhancement, education, and training programs 95 171 282.
• UNSC and Legion Auxilia — Allied conventional forces who frequently fight alongside Astartes, provide support, or rely on their intervention during severe incidents 211 240 639.
• Grey Knights — Elite anti-demon formation created from Astartes candidates selected to counter Warp threats 199 282.
• Adeptus Custodes — Elite Imperial force operating alongside Astartes against high-level threats; their combat capabilities are generally regarded as superior to ordinary Legion forces 521 625.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Founding and education — The first candidates are brought to the Hive, told of their role as humanity's first super-soldiers, and prepared for G-Gland implantation, education, and military training 95.
• First deployments — Robert's team rescues captives from rebels, while the Honor Fist later intervenes against cultists and anomalies at a mall 99 170.
• Deimos demon purge — Magnus and thirty-five Astartes reinforce UNSC survivors, clear demonic forces, and advance into Deimos 211 212.
• Public revelation — The existence of the Astartes and Primarchs is formally disclosed to the public as part of humanity's preparation for interstellar war 266.
• Covenant and Ork campaigns — Astartes assist in fighting Covenant forces, support the successful Ork sterilization campaign, and help secure newly occupied territory 272 349.
• Dianka defense and Chaos war — Spartan Astartes resist traitor Astartes and Chaos forces during the battle for Dianka, though the conflict inflicts severe casualties 371 373 616.
• Asasthiye incident — A mixed Astartes squad investigates a mountain anomaly, is overwhelmed by Asasthiye's mental pressure, and is saved by Sui Bian's intervention 518 519.
• Necron World Engine operation — Astartes and Auxilia board Necron structures during the Spartan Fleet's campaign, enabling human forces to capture the World Engine 639 642.

Notable Quotes

“You are humanity's first generation of super-soldiers, destined to hold back the darkness and shatter fear. You shall be known as Astartes.” — Sui Bian 95

“We are the nightmare of the Warp, the hunters of demons, the Grey Knights who purge the shadows for our Father!” — Grey Knight recruits 282

Trivia

• The phrase used to convey Astartes combat potential is: one hundred can take a city, one thousand can conquer a world, and ten thousand can defeat an entire civilization 35.
• Astartes are known for exceptionally high self-control and loyalty; they are not known to abuse their super-soldier status while on leave 349.
• The project is tightly controlled by the UEG and UNSC, which prohibit unauthorized super-soldier research by private organizations 427.