GUILLIMAN THE TRUE HEIR TO THE EMPIRE? WAS HE THE EMPEROR'S CHOICE?

[@Elbuarto]

Guilliman is actually the most overpowered being in the WH40k universe as he possesses the greatest and rarest superpower in the entire setting - common sense.

[@khoichau8088]

Dont forget Khan

[@cheeseburger12]

He, Khan, and Caphis Cain.

[@kingofsapi]

@@cheeseburger12 Cain has that anime MC plot armor as well! Most of his selfish cowardly decisions always worked in his favor and further build his mythical feats in the eyes of the Imperium.

[@AdeptKing]

The Khan has that power too. Also the power of sick burns.

[@khoichau8088]

Sick burn

[@falsebeliever8079]

It occurs to me that Guilliman was more useful as the lord of Ultramar than he would have been as warmaster. Having a region like Ultramar that is internally stable and able to send support outwards to the wider imperium is a priceless boon.

[@gargoyles9999]

500 worlds supporting over a million isn't going to do much unless you go full Krieg

[@Atlashon]

Agreed. Warmaster is a role that Guilliman would have squirmed under. He would have complained and would have gotten depressed because of brutality needed for the job. If Emperor wanted to step down, I think the best would be to simply make him the top ruler, call it President or Archon, if Emperor triggers his brothers too much.

[@lokenontherange]

@@Atlashon Guilliman could kill trillions if he had to. The idea he's some sensitive nancy is bollocks. He, like all the primarchs and all space marines, would do whatever it took to win. Every primarch would be able to be war master from an ethical stance. Horus suited the other parts of the job better than his brothers because he was the most well liked of them while still being someone that imperial commanders could work alongside effectively.

[@sarethuskami5082]

@@Atlashon Agreed. Horus said that Guilliman understood war just as well as Horus did BUT the difference was that Guilliman wishes he did not understand war.

[@GuthanSlayer]

what, guilliman would be perfect for warmaster he would be in his element. hed have made all regions like ultramar instead of what his brothers did which was conqueror and then move on letting someone else deal with the other stuff. The warmaster doesnt have to be on the field of battle like alexander the great. Hes based on ceaser, and caesar veni vidi vici'd ( he came, he saw, he conquered )

[@TheSpicyLeg]

Guilliman isn’t strong because he has the charisma of Horus or Sanguinius. People don’t realize just how remarkable Ultramar was and even is now. It is as close as to a “nice place” for humans to live in 40k. Ultramar even had baseline medical care for people, practically unheard of in the setting. It wasn’t nearly as corrupt as other places.

[@emperorxander666]

Sound like someone coping after losing a game of... Paradox-Billiards-Vostroyan-Roulette-Fourth-Dimensional-Hypercube-Chess-Strip Poker that was turned into an Ultra-Game.

[@maxmagnus377]

Prospero was a pretty idyllic place as well iirc.

[@dittmar104]

Well that’s not one hundred percent right they do have pleasure planet’s all over the place cool stories just don’t happen there

[@shanelewis7052]

​@dittmar104 I know it's 40k but are you saying a pleasurable place isn't a nice one? I mean I doubt they are going full on Slaanesh cultist there.

[@dittmar104]

@@shanelewis7052 you’d be surprised what too much of a good thing can lead to

[@marcustrajan4873]

Surprised you did not reference what the Rune Priest says in Prospero Burns - given your affinity for the Wolves - as he goes through each of the Primarch Wyrds: - One to be the heir to the Emperor's Throne: Guilliman - One to fortify the defences of the Imperium: Dorn - One to guard the hearth: Vulkan - One to watch the distant perimeter: The Kahn - One to command the armies: The Lion - One to control intelligences: Corax - One to be executioner: Russ Notice that the wyrds only cover the surviving loyal sons, which goes to the idea that the heresy was pre-ordained.

[@Kristian.B.Kristiansen]

You absolutely can't trust the third tier psykers of the 6th Legion to know anything. The Heresy is nothing but failures for them.

[@jules9094]

I haven’t read that book but could the heir to the throne have actually been a reference to Magnus and the literally golden throne? Wasn’t he half earmarked to sit on the golden throne before “doing nothing wrong”

[@Atlashon]

@@jules9094 before doing nothing wrong hahahahahahah

[@ArantyrDarkhand]

Exactly... my whole view its that the dumb emperor looked at the future and seen his status has God of humanity and has a god he loses his persona and humanity, and kinda became what ppl believe he is... then he did all the shaneningans to avoid that fate. WHile making it a reality. When he create the Grey Knights show it all in one sentence. PLUS all the oter bullshit he does only show that. One unbreakable shield against the coming darkness. One last blade, forged in defiance of fate. Let them be my legacy to the galaxy I conquered...And my final gift to the species I failed.' Theres few lines of him... that sound not like what the emperor would say, but thats why its what he really meant. The oter one its when he says about time and how its to see the future while talking to Ra i think.

[@TheSpicyLeg]

@@jules9094 Not precisely. The plan seems to be that Magnus was to power the Astronomicon so that Big E can focus on the Webway project and complete it. Once humanity had control of the webway, the Astronomicon would be unneeded as humans would travel via the webway rather than the warp, and furthermore, Big E would be able to cut off the Ruinous Powers by blocking the connection between humans and Chaos. Big E would also be able to block all psykers everywhere, too. There would be no need for anyone to sit the Golden Throne at this point.

[@silversurfer8818]

Guilliman is the world builder, he is more fit to lead humanity than the Emperor himself

[@KaiserAfini]

The Khan managed to create a cosmopolitan society through establishing common ground diplomatically, created a stable and healthy integration of psychers into his culture and possesses common sense. In many ways he has surpassed Big E, even if his domain isn't as robust as Ultramar.

[@Judge_of_Anubis05]

@@KaiserAfini Both the Khan's and Guilliman's warp superpower was common sense and practicality.

[@KaiserAfini]

@@Judge_of_Anubis05 The rarest, most OP power in all of 40K.

[@mr.spuddling4187]

@@Judge_of_Anubis05 their major weakness is their unbridled rage in which emotions take over and common sense flies out the window. To their credit it doesn’t happen often for either.

[@Judge_of_Anubis05]

@@mr.spuddling4187 Scared the shit out of Lorgar though so despite reason going out the window it was still a big plus 🤣

[@trajanfidelis]

I honestly don't think any of the primarchs could truly qualify as a "true heir" to the Emperor. He's just too singular a character.

[@LordCommander-ui2fw]

I can see you're logic. Personally, I do think that the Primarchs may have been meant to rule as a council as opposed to just one being anointed as heir.

[@robc6391]

I have to agree. Plus an heir implies that the sovereign is supposed to retire or die and I do not think the Emperor was thinking about retirement, let alone death. I know Rho likes to see this idealized Emperor who cares and loves his "sons" but I have a hard time imagining a being of his stature, power and distance from ordinary human beings even capable of actually loving any single individual the way we understand love. He just seems like an obsessed individual focused on a single thing (whatever his endgame actually was/is) and plans that most of us cannot even comprehend. Just the thought of a "bloke" that lives thousands of years, sees billions come and go, empires rise and fall but somehow he likes things he cooked up in a lab. It just does not fit at all.

[@Tropicoboy]

Well guileman has done the best job at preserving and growing an empire but he deffinititly cant stand up to the sheer versatility of the emperor

[@Tropicoboy]

@@robc6391 I see he felt sorrow and pain because he was losing tools and tools were breaking.

[@gumbercules3925]

Agreed. They each have a role to play. Guilliman the administrator, sanguinious the figurehead, horus the warmarshal, etc

[@SirBlade666]

I think there is a big difference between a warleader and an imperial successor. One is a specialist and the other a generalist. And of all the Primarchs we know about, Guilliman is the least specialized, a jack of all trades, just like the Emperor was. The only thing he seems to lack is real psykic potential.

[@lolbots686]

And even then thats debatable,every primarch was psychic in some kind of capacity,some more then others For sanguinus he had effective telekinesis,foresight and luck manipulation Dorn can make the warp actually die around him Jaghatai is a speedster and likely has powers pertaining to it And for guilaman? Id say my bet is on him being extremely perceptive,kind of like the lion While not as powerful,it likely makes sense And considering he has the emporors sword,who knows he might get the ability to say manipulate the swords flames as a sort of ranged attack. Probably nothing crazy tho

[@OutspokenSeeker]

I disagree about Guilliman being the least specialised. I think out of all of them, he was the best at general governance. Logistics was Perturabo’s thing, but Guilliman was the best at handling tedious administration. I think if anyone was the least specialised, it would be the Lion. Simply because like the first Legion, they are the templates the others were built from. The Lion might not be suited to rule, or to handle administration, or perfect a building. But he was skilled in every way a general should be. His brother’s exceeded him in specific area’s but the Lion seemed to be what the Emperor wanted in a well rounded general and fighter. He might not have been the best, but he was still more than good enough to give him a decent chance against any of his brothers in a war or a duel.

[@GuthanSlayer]

@@OutspokenSeeker What? tedious administration? i dont understand where people get this view of guilliman being some pencil pusher, and that hes only good at being that. He was highly adaptable in war, his army's always supplied, quickly making him able to do conquer planets quicker, and also another reason he had the most marines because he could outfit them all and was smart enough to not only conqueror the planets but also quickly bring them into empire making him able to recruit from them if needed . In 40k He basically writes the art of war. Ya he is a great bureaucrat, hes also a great general, he is a statesmen, like julius caesar ( who is is modeled after )

[@TheSpitfire2207]

@@GuthanSlayer he doesn't shy away from a scrap either, infact he seems almost a little too keen to get into it.

[@OutspokenSeeker]

@@GuthanSlayer I’m not saying that Guilliman is only good at administration. What I said was that he was the best at it. Where Rogal Dorn could build you a city, Guilliman could find ways to run that city more efficiently than any of his brothers. Of course Guilliman is more than that though. He is also a war leader and a fighter. But I don’t think that he is the jack of all trades general.

[@mphoramathe1801]

There's something to be said about the emperor referring to Vulcan as the creation he was most proud of. He would be the least likely to want to rule and most likely let humanity rule itself

[@beardfistthegoldenone7273]

My 2 favorite Primarchs are Vulkan and Roboute. Demigods sure, but incredibly human characters. And their sons don't like to murder civilians...

[@Oliver-bt3nv]

I think if the emperor chose His heir it would be Vulcan. Because he is very human and would be the only one Not wanting the throne

[@P.W.N.ed_9000]

@@Oliver-bt3nv the line of succession if all primarcs were still loyal would be sanguinius,Horus, Gilman,Rogal,Dorn, then Ferris or Vulcan.

[@ArantyrDarkhand]

Vulkan its my favored toghter with salamanders and flame thowers. But hes not made to rule hes made to advise. Hes to good of a person(for 40k standards).

[@Marcher1977]

​@Oliver-bt3nv you don't want someone ruling you that doesn't want to rule.

[@WR288]

Guilliman is Caesar Augustus in space from his blond hair, upbringing, the smurfs’ Roman trappings and his tendency for building empires. He’s by far the most qualified to lead a galactic government.

[@logangrimnar3800]

I was told Caesar was black, but they made him Aryan because they didn't like black people.

[@LeCharles07]

Yet Caesar Augustus led the decimation of the Roman empire. If that's "qualified", I'm Cleopatra.

[@alexiel4406]

@@LeCharles07 there was no Roman Empire before Octavian, he literally made it😅 he is widely known as the greatest emperor and ruler of Rome only contended by his adopted uncle, Caesar. Octavian reformed Rome, brought prosperity to it and started the PAX The decimation you speak of is in reference to his rise to power? If so that’s was inevitable after Caesars death and Octavian definitely made up for it by a lot

[@uriel005]

He's got his flaws though and they are showing in the current setting. I have a feeling the situation with Calgar is going to blow up spectacularly and he can't see it. Sure he's managing a million other things but he's missing the obvious that is right in front of him and I think that more than anything else is going to come to bite him in the ass. If I had to place my bets Calgar is probably going to die trying to prove himself to his primarch when he really doesn't need to and its going to come at an incredibly innoportune time.

[@-nyte2063]

@@alexiel4406 what about trajan he was pretty well recieved.

[@dagdamor1]

One grimdark theory is that one of the Lost Primarchs was the closest person to an heir as could be achieved. And that the Emperor buried his memory so thoroughly that his brothers don’t even realize what they lost. At least one of them was incredibly impactful. You don’t leave that big of a mark upon Horus, Alpharius, Jaghatai, Guilliman, Sanguinius, Russ, and Dorn all at once without being pivotal in some way, probably in many ways.

[@TheSpicyLeg]

I always wondered if that was a mistake. Because while every Primarch had a fan in another of his brothers or some impressive feature , none of them are so universally respected. It’s like the writers wanted to tease us but didn’t realize they were overselling.

[@sokratikas]

@@TheSpicyLeg funnly enough,out of them ferrus was the universally respected one as far as we know. Perturabo apparently trusted him enough to tell him of his predicament of seeing the eye of terror,and he was a valiable candidate for the position of warmaster. Horus thought so highly of him that he thought he would have won easly had ferrus been on his side(ironically he says this while he was holding his skull hamlet style). He was baisically the big brother you knew if you had by your side everything would be just fine. It's a shame we know very little of his lore in the great crusade before he died in the heresy

[@ArantyrDarkhand]

@@TheSpicyLeg Horus was the only one Respected by all of then.

[@TheSpicyLeg]

@@ArantyrDarkhand Yes, that was my point. Horus was universally respected, but it gets diluted if the lost Primarchs were also universally respected. Similarly to the idea that Horus was not the first to be found by Big E, but rather Alpharius was, but it was hidden for some reason. It weakens Horus’s betrayal somewhat.

[@jajordan2106]

The difference in Horus and Guilliman's believing astertes could rule is that Horus dismissed humanity as a whole, Guilliman dismissed those who were ineffective, corrupt, or soem form of harm to the overall imperium whenever possible and didn't always replace them with marines.

[@gwilym1991]

I feel Guilliman is the perfect 'hand of the king' type person. Fulgrim even says before he kills Guilliman that it all rests on him. He's the best person to lead the Imperim in 40k because it's a mess of beuracracy and political backstabbing, but if any Primarch is the 'Heir', it is either Horus or Sanguinius and really my money would be on Sanguinius. If he'd survived the Heresy, the galaxy wouldn't be grimdark. Guilliman is also humble enough to JUST be a logistician and co-ordinator as evidenced by when he advocated Sanguinius ruler of Imperium Secundus.

[@GrumbleGrimbus]

Perhaps not an Emperor successor, but maybe a Malcador successor

[@aguspuig6615]

Thats a really good idea i think

[@nordhulfr]

The possibility is that, as much as Horus was best fitting to be the Warmaster - the supreme leader of the armies of the Imperium, in the eyes of the Emperor, Guilliman was the best one for the role of the "Peacemaster" - the governor of the Imperium int the times of peace.

[@Lordbaronvontexx]

I think guilliman was more like a fail safe or backup plan, his first instinct after calth was imperium secundus which I think is indicative of his role in the emperor's plan

[@pedropierre9594]

I would had picked Guilliman to build and keep my empire, he has that nerd in em

[@mikkovalle7944]

Imperium secundus had it right. Sanguinius at the throne, the lion as its "Warmaster" and guilliman as its civilian administrator. I would love to see this theme expanded from there, without any of the primarchs left out, Except the two lost ones.

[@pedropierre9594]

@@mikkovalle7944 Honestly i think that works as well, since we know people like to look up to someone beautiful rather than someone that is pristine in their job, ( sanguinius instead of Guilliman) and the Lion being warmaster fits because his martial morals are unbreakable as well as Guilliman being an Administrator since he is perfection in that regard.

[@KevinJohnson-cv2no]

Sanguinius was never "at the throne", dude couldn't be the boss of anything to save his life lol he has no rulership acumen; he was the figurehead and throne-warmer for Secundus but almost all decisive power still rested in Guilliman's hands. Guilliman knew that claiming the throne for Secundus for himself would *seriously* put his loyalty in the eyes of his fellow legions into question, so he was waiting for literally any other loyalist primarch to hand the "title" to; Lion came through the warp first, but he doesn't fully trust Lion, so it went to Sang. Also, no one cares about beauty lil bro lol; the greatest men throughout history who inspire others the most are the likes of Napoleon, Caesar & Alexander, etc; not pretty-boy jimmy who got a lot of play. Actions go down in history and accrue loyalty from the hearts of men, not a cute face lol

[@pedropierre9594]

@@KevinJohnson-cv2no im not reading all that but if you don't know about imperius secundus shut the trap

[@darththesungod3578]

For me you have to look at Monarchia. Guilliman was chosen to handle the task. The Emperor Could have chosen Horus to do it, but he knew Horus had a jealous side( we see it when the Emperor finds Russ). Horus would have seen it as an honor and the rightful thing to do. Guilliman saw it as duty. What better person to raise a city than one who spends his life building them. He alone would understand how devastating it would be to lose a city that he had spent his whole life building. How degrading it would be to kneel before another legion on his home world. There was no joy in the act. He's a builder not a breaker. He would understand tho, the gravity of situation and how it would make him look to his brothers. Finally at the core of it the Emperor wanted to redeem Logar, just as Guilliman would see it as a second chance to build and that from the ashes something better could be made. Everyone says Guilliman is the logical and calculating world builder. I see a primarch who cares the most. He's empathetic towards others and can relate to even the lowest human because he understands the plight of people. He spends his entire life trying to build things better for all humanity. He is the Emperor. If the Emperor hadn't shown up, Guilliman would have continued expanding Ultramar, kept bringing a better quality of life for everyone with him. Horus was warmaster because the Emperor knew of his jealousy and to put anyone else there would cause strife. Guilliman is the heir, he rules over the jewel of the Galaxy in Ultramar. He even founded Imperium Secundus, not out of jealousy or pride, because he knew the Galaxy needed a symbol to flock too and know they are safe. Again he is empathetic to others, not because he was designed that way, because he was raised that way.

[@grorichard1397]

The Emperor had the ability to appear to anybody in an idealized way, which becomes especially apparent in his interactions with the Primarchs themselves and with others about the Primarchs. While the Primarchs considered him as their father and he appeared to them that way, when he talked ABOUT the Primarchs to others (his Custodes, Malcador or the Mechanicus) that appearance changed completely. It's what makes the Emperor so special and kindof a meta-character. There really isn't any way to pin down his true motives since he appears in a different light to everybody and we're just reading their perception of him, which changes from individual to individual. Which is also the reason why no Primarch could ever be his true heir.

[@MrFredstt]

Exactly. Or how the Mechanicus' perception of him is very cold, logical, and machine like

[@brockwilkie6022]

I don't disagree overall with what you are saying but he seems to be playing the Custodes and Malcador as well. The plan was that Primarchs were just to be the ultimate weapons and so the is how the Emporer talks about them to Malcador. I think they were originally were supposed to be but some of them shall we say, grew on him and he might have considered keeping some around as a result post planned heresy. But others, Angron, he would have no issue getting rid of when the time came.

[@MrFredstt]

@@brockwilkie6022 There's so many theories as to why he treated some sons like shit and others he treated better but this could be very plausible too. He knew the heresy would happen and figured it'd be a convenient way to get rid of the primarchs as planned but then as time went on some of them grew on him

[@grorichard1397]

@@brockwilkie6022 I agree. I don't think Big E actually gives a damn about anything than his plans. Which makes it so interesting that he chooses to appear so favourable to anybody he meets (almost like what a demon or an evil god would do). He's a cutthroat piece of work that's very much "the end justify the means", but at least there's no indication that he does it for himself. It's all for humanity as far as I've read. Guilliman could never fill his shoes. He even blackmailed Sanguinius and threatened to destroy Imperium Secundus if the Angel allowed the Lion to attack some rebels on his homeworld from orbit, pretty much going back on his word completely because of "his worlds".

[@pauledwards9493]

Guilliman, though not perfect, has the ability to join people in a collective way to build and strengthen. Something the imperium needed, otherwise it would fall.

[@huwtindall7096]

Think you're right Horus was the goldenson but in the unremembered empire Bobby G pushes Sanguinius to be the new Emperor. He's the one people love and will follow. In all honesty none of the Primarchs can replace Big E as they are all elements of him. Question is, which element of the Emperor is MOST important in a figurehead for the Imperium? Bobby G could still be running things behind the scenes with Sanguinius inpsiring the populace.

[@brockwilkie6022]

100%

[@renaissancepress247]

One Big Question - would the Empire of Man even still be one Empire without the threat of Chaos? Would the Orks really be enough to hold them together? Perhaps the empire that stands, the empire that Chaos is dedicated to ending, only exists because of Chaos. 🤔

[@theangryjeff]

I love this comment

[@BDL3035]

There would always be some threat to point a finger at (xeno or warp-born)

[@CodexQuinn]

@@BDL3035 If humans are good at one thing, its finding a reason to hate something, lol.

[@AvACyberSecurity]

Plus in First Lord of the Imperium, we learn all this was known if not planned to chose Horus and know him fall to chaos. The Unremembered Empire also shows a good picture of Sanguinius being Emperor as a figurehead, and yet Guilliman still having that organisational first Lord role.

[@timsmith5335]

I think you are missing a key point. The arch traitor was WAR MASTER. The Emperor foresaw an end to all of the war. After that the war master was never meant to be in charge. I think that’s then when Roboute would’ve been appointed Regent or lord commander. For a time at least until he could give full leadership to regular people.

[@Atlashon]

This was sort of obvious from all the books I’ve read so far. If there was one primarch that was safe from the “what-happens-after-the-crusade” paranoia, it was Guilliman. Hell, choosing Roboute for glassing Monarchia is all the evidence you need about what Emperor thought about the future template of Imperium. I mean he didn’t choose Dorn or Lion, who’d be happy to do it. He chose Roboute who was extremely disturbed by the destruction. He was gonna give the reins of administration to him. No doubt about it.

[@MrFredstt]

You make a great point about Monarchia. The Emperor purposely chose the Ultramarines to show Lorgar what a legion SHOULD look like and how a primarch should behave. He wanted Lorgar and his legion to walk away from that event learning that they should change themselves to be more like Guilliman and the Ultramarines

[@HammarPwnsYourFace]

The heresy had to happen. E. Stated to Malchador that it came earlier than expected during his chess match w Malchador in master of mankind book. My guess is that he had a chance to move more to his side before the war and because ot was early. He had to settle for half/half.

[@TK199999]

Uhh....I thought its established lore that who ever became Warmaster would turn on the EoM. So Malcador and the EoM picked the best choice who could be beaten in civil war. But good enough not seem like he was picked by the EoM to fail. Even though part of the reason the neverborn call Horus the Sacrificed or Sacrificial King was partly because of this. That both the EoM and the Dark Gods always intended Horus to fail and die. In some fluff Chaos even mention that the four hardest if near impossible Primarch's to turn, Sanguineous, the Lion, Dorn and Guillemin. Would have the best chance of winning the Hersey over Horus.

[@MrFredstt]

You're correct

[@superdrew907]

Sorry @ethandavies8227 Why would the Emperor come down so hard on Magnus, if Malcador and Big E knew that whoever was being promoted to Warmaster was gonna fall into Chaos? By Malcodor's own confession, they planned for, if not actively pushed the Primarchs to compete against each other and manipulated them to the point that they were all competing for the attention and approval of their father. I myself am conflicted morally and ethically over the Emperor's actions and decisions. I'm a big fan of the Emperor he's quite a character however over the last couple of years as the lore was being refined and updated and so forth I really started critically thinking and questioning the Emperor's true motivations actions and decisions. . . Was he indeed anything other than a genuinely extraordinary charismatic dictator with a god complex, playing god, willing to kill anyone or anything that didn't bend the knee and submit to his will? He used his sons as tools to be discarded when they no longer served his purpose. Does that sound like the character of a benevolent ruler who has anyone's best interest other than his own at heart? The Character of a man who truly loves his family will put their interest before his own, he will sacrifice his needs, wants, and desires for his family. I guess the real question is. . . Did the Emperor love anyone besides himself? I don't think the Emperor had any intention ever of having an heir or stepping down from power and why would he if he thought he was gonna live forever? Compliance is just a fancy word for slavery. How many peaceful people/civilizations were brutally crushed simply because they wanted to govern themselves or peacefully believe in a creator something greater than themselves?

[@bobbyrabii6119]

None were the heir, the emperor wanted mankind to rule itself(obviously with himself in the background). Hence his statement to Lorgar, “It is the Imperium of Mankind”

[@bikibaws]

I like how they reestablished that Primarchs are galaxy needle movers and makes you realize how powerful most factions were before and despite the massiveness and firepower they have in 40k, they're still watered down versions of themselves. Just thinking of another loyal son or Valdor returning to form a tag team with GMan, while possible, you can't help but see it as a little too much of a boost for the Imperium but in a cool way because I'd like to see it.

[@Darkestdarkify]

There should a be a video on loyalist primarchs returning as traitors and vice versa

[@freakboy220]

Well there's not much choice. Jaghatai Khan would be going too fast to get anything done. Rogal Dorne would be building forts all the time. Leman Russ is busy sniffing out the tree of life. Ferrus, Vulkan, Corvus and Sanguinius are dead and Lion El’Jonson's is sleeping and forgot to set his alarm clock.

[@lolgisticalofficer233]

Vulkan is just waiting on his respawn timer. And Corvus is still in the Warp.

[@richardwitt2334]

Corvus is alive and well he's also hunting Logar

[@kandrs7445]

@@lolgisticalofficer233 I think it's that the waagh blast of the generator explosion, and his untold ability to use his essence to tame and use the power of the Waagh blasted him slightly out of time. By the time he respawned, at least a month passed. He materialized in space... and promptly died. Then resurrected moments later to die again, drifting deeper into the void. And that's been happening for 9 thousand years. Anytime he was sensed by any device, he died so quickly that he was assumed to be a glitch. How's that for grimdark?

[@tatemichael4325]

Vulkan is 100% alive, and arguably, was the Emperor's most trusted son.

[@Matt_of_the_mountains]

Vulkan lives! Stomp stomp

[@joshfinch7041]

Maybe saw a line where lord of ultramar was the best choice logistically since he had so much under his belt by the time big E found him?

[@nikolaidetrick7593]

Perfect timing, Rho! I just started my lunch break and the vid dropped.

[@AceofWickedSpades]

What about the Emperor’s game with Malcador? Emps knew anyone he chose for the position of Warmaster was going to fall to chaos. Perhaps that is what barred Guilliman from being put in a position as Warmaster?

[@CarmineARK]

a counter argument for what you said at 9:30. the normal humans have been ruling the imperium for the last 10k years and look at the state that its in, planetary governors working for their own self interest, condemning planets to die because they simply lost value, backstabbing, betrayal, all of this is rampant in the normal imperium. its logical to set level headed astarties in postions of power that will act for the greater good of the imperium but it has been made clear that quite alot of normal humans are simply not fit to rule the imperium, and people like the astarties are needed to help rule.

[@tylergangwer1809]

Has the Emperor ever personally possessed and brought back from death and completely healed any other primarch?

[@brockwilkie6022]

yeah but he was never left with just one to work with in the same way lol

[@mikeylejan8849]

Roboute would be the best guy to run an empire, Sanguinus would be the figurehead, and Horus is the diplomat.

[@ОлегБочаров-щ8к]

I'm not really sold on idea of Guilliman being an heir, but I have to say this: Firstly, about the choice of the Warmaster. Let's ask a question - what does it reflect in Emperor's view on primarch? My take is as follows: The Emperor needed someone in his stead. The main function of this "someone"is to coordinate the efforts of the forces in the Crusade to ensure it's successful complition without complications. Since the most dangerous and immediate external threats were eliminated or suppressed, I suppose almost any primarch except the most specialised or deviant ones (like Curze, an example of both highly specialized and deviant primarch) would've been sufficient in terms of actual organisational and military talents, but yeah, it's obvious one should choose among the greatest generals. The second crucial requirement was to be able to archive compliance with your orders from many different forces of the Imperium involved in the Crusade, most notable - the other Primarchs and their Legions. From what I see, that's all there is to it, choosing the one who will fit these criteria the best. And while Guilliman and Horus were both exceptionally good military leaders and strategist, the former at the time did not possessed the skills, or, perhaps even, the mindset, that would've allowed him to develop better standings with his brothers and to play political game with his peers successfully. And I don't believe it to be caused by some core flaw in his personality, it was simply a product of his previous experience. He really changed over the course of Horus Heresy and his subsequent resurrection. He gained better understanding of his brothers, of his flaws. He became more grounded, bitter and he is willing now to fight tooth and nails to ensure humanity's prosperity. I think the current Guilliman would've been more than suited to be a Warmaster in the Emperor's eyes. My second argument is about Guilliman's feelings towards being used and similarities with the Emperor. I don't see the Emperor as someone cold. On the contrary, he is a man of passion - judging from what we know. To be a leader you ought to be passionate. And his, and his son's main passion is the dream of saved humanity. This is what unites them, different primarchs had different reasons to follow Emperor, some were forced to (Angron), some were bound by word (Mortarion, Lion), many joined because they were swayed by his charisma, but I think Guilliman was the one who followed Emperor explicitly because of his vision of the future. He shared the dream and for me seemed to be more driven by it than any of his brothers. I think it's the similarity Kor Phaeron noticed. And, since they are both driven by this dream and understand necessity of its fruition, they are ready to go to great lengths to pave the way to it. Thats is the main point for me of the passage describing Guilliman's feelings towards this revelation - he is pained by the hypocrisy and manipulation, but, ultimately, he understands - he embraced the lie because it was needed, and repeated it to everyone who asked. This is also a similarity with the Emperor - they are able to make sacrifices when they are necessary. Perhaps, if we'll give Gulliman couple tens of thousands years he'll grow to be spitting image of his dad.

[@cheeseburger12]

I think the Emperor was more like the Lion- he had his secrets and didn't tell his sons about the warp. But I think he liked to think of himself as more like Bobby G. And it makes sense that Bobby G would be a better heir then the Lion.

[@MrPiccolop]

From a true Night Lord lover and groupie of Talos Valcoran I'd have to admit it will uld have to be Gulliman. But he just doesn't have the emperor's psychic prowess so I'm not sure.

[@biolog5251]

I would asume that if you had to pick one primarch to return to fix the imperium as it stands in 40k, that the emperor chose guilliman for a good reason. He is the one to fix such issues, cant solve all those problems with the Lion

[@brockwilkie6022]

yeah those High Lords that were originally just fired until they rebelled...you know the Lion would have just killed them outright immediately. Both because of their failure AND because he would have known what would have happened when they were fired and so the most efficient way was to just kill them right away. Guilliman knew what would happen as well but chose to proceed the way he did so they they ended up showing everyone they needed to die in the end, then, in the end, everyone would see that Guilliman was correct. The Lioin would NOT be that patient lol

[@cdb5961]

I think whoever was named warmaster would face the full court press by chaos. Perhaps the emperor knew this and spared a more useful tool for a rainy day.

[@joncarson3060]

Yes

[@sarethuskami5082]

A few points that I would like to make. 1) It's ironic that Lorgar said Guilliman was an open book when just a few books later, he realised that he never knew him. 2) Are you sure that Lord-Commander came AFTER Horus rebelled ? I would have thought it was before as Dorn said the position was Guiiliman's originally ? 3) Regarding the Heir? You are correct that the Big-E would prefer Humans to rule themselves BUT .... that was in an ideal scenario where the Big-E could stand down as Humanity could govern themselves. In the Non-Ideal scenario? When the Emperor was side-lined or stopped mid-way ? That is when the Big-E would need an Heir... Edit : One important point I would like to make. There is a difference between Guilliman during 30K and 40K. Big-G in 40K is BECOMING like the Emperor, see how he is making compromises and 'lying / using ' people like the Emperor , see how Big-G understands WHY the Emperor made the decisions he did and is making the same. I would argue that 30K Guilliman is an ECHO of a YOUNG and INNOCENT version of the Emperor. 40K Guilliman ? He is becoming an ECHO of the MATURE version of the Emperor.

[@MrFredstt]

Breakdowns of Guilliman and how he's changed in the past 10 years just makes me like him even more

[@OktayKus1993]

Remember Even when some GW authors did undermine some of the Emperors Achievements that old lore keft in mysteries , the Master if Mankind is the greatest Empire bilder. Knowing , calculating what to do at wich moment and what Ressourcen move to use for any task or goal to build the Imperium

[@trigunblades]

all i got to go on is the dawn of fire series when it comes to guilliman but the way he is written in those and dark imperium he's the most human of them especially when it comes to anger. If not for the nails in angrons head id say guilliman more represents the emporers rage then anything.

[@dakotalange2858]

Can you do a video over how each primarch would’ve run the imperium in the emperors stead

[@MrFredstt]

Oh boy. Imagine Angron trying to rule the Imperium

[@metallixro]

My boy Robbie G gets a lot of "hate" for being the poster boy Primarch of the poster boys marines but lets get real he would be uncontested for the role of empire leader aka EMPEROR by all his brothers ;) Other Primarchs would contest each other for other roles like Warmaster but none of them got the brains to run a million worlds Empire.

[@euanbeveridge5489]

Loving the channel. Your videos have gotten me back into the hobby after a 20 year haitus. Keep up the good work.

[@yearofthedragon3476]

My thinking is that Horus was made Warmaster because of his super charisma. This would make it easier to sell the emperial truth to the world's they were trying to bring in to compliance. This would be the most efficient way, and the emperor was apparently in a hurry to get everything done. This, of course, excludes the likelihood that the emperor planned for the half the primarks to rebel anyway in some step in an insane plan to obtain god hood.

[@jordanthorne1755]

Hey Wolf you forgot that the Emperor, while figuratively,playing his future chess game discussing the future of the imperium with Malcador, that he knew whoever became Warmaster, would fall to chaos. Mystery solved. I wish I could site it, but the info is out there.

[@jonathanvargasmachucavera1840]

Very good video! excellent content, thank you very much!

[@1701Emperor]

I honestly doubt the Emperor ever planned for any one else than himself ruling the Imperium.

[@ruinerblodsinn6648]

I believe the emperors knew that nothing lasts forever, not even himself. Remember that beautiful poem by Shelley.

[@radish45]

Yeah the idea of seeing which primearch is worthy to inherit humanity is interesting

[@hiredgoon93]

Guilliman really is the Emperor's true heir. He is a builder. He raises humanity up and thats important. Hes also already proven he can run an empire.

[@ericmumper6821]

Vulkan was not alone of all his brothers in hating war. Lorgar also did not want to be a general.

[@Geraduss]

Or Perturabo, he didn't want to wage war either.. its partially what broke him.

[@MrFredstt]

Surprisingly many primarchs didn't actually like having to go to war

[@redeye7506]

I believe, that all the primarchs were created with the purpose to rule togeather, once the great crusade was over, the emperor would go into the webway continuing his work, while the brothers were left to rule and build the galactic imperium. Robute would handle the galactic logistics, down building the infrastructure, perterabo building its defenses, russ squashing rebellion, etc. Magnus would sit on the golden throne in the emperors absence helping the emperor keep chaos at bay, each of them having their own important role.

[@thomasgomez6218]

I think the fact that Guilliman does reject the Emperor’s initial plans for the primarchs is evidence that Guilliman was the best choice to lead the Imperium. Most primarchs like the Lion, Vulcan, and perhaps Sanguineous who were loyal would’ve simply accepted it and acted humble to the idea that their father used them. But Guilliman is a rare case when he’s literally living in his own worst nightmare. Religion has become a staple in the imperium, Chaos overwhelms real space, all his brothers are MIA, dead, or evil. His own sons and nephews of the imperium are echoes of the proud and stouthearted soldiers he once grew, now more religious and superstitious, sometimes even falling into chaos themselves. The imperium literally falling apart. And finally Daddy never really loved him. Yet despite all that Guilliman fights on, he understands this reality and instead of disappearing into the warp he decides to push back against the enemies of the imperium and build a new empire, one that takes the best of both worlds and renews itself in its own light, or darkness. Guilliman was not the first choice, but damn he is the best choice for what is happening in the current setting.

[@Niall001]

Heir? No. But singularly placed to run an empire. He was the most obvious, most balanced, replacement for the emperor.

[@____________838]

And now I’m trying to imagine Horus with a toupee…

[@alanhoff89]

"[..] but, and there is a big butt here [..]" Big butty Gulli

[@BillD5244]

Guilliman awoken to an Imperium in tatters, Ultramar had fallen in its glory. Their people were suffering under the Imperial Creed and lost sense of reason. The astartias were removed from the Creed and could not be made to kneel to the church, so it makes sense to put the marines in control till things could be cleaned up

[@ultramarinechaplain88]

Love the old background music. Been missing for awhile

[@Sparkero-]

If we are at this topic, I have to bring up the lost primarchs, which atribute of the emperor cant be found in the primarchs and could be part of the missing ones ?

[@Katthewm]

What if Dorn and Perturabo were friends?

[@Nephlyte348]

The fact that Guilliman stepped aside to Sanguinius during the Imperium Secundus situation seems like proof that he recognized and accepted his role as an administrator and strategist not as figurehead. Judging his actions now against a universe pre-Heresy or where the Heresy hadn’t occurred is ridiculous since the Imperium is in shambles currently due to inept, corrupt, greedy individuals and religious zealots. He could be less heavy-handed but how would that work in a crisis?? The overall question though seems unfair since all the primarchs were essentially aspects of the Emperor. No one of them alone would be an appropriate successor. You’d need them all playing particular roles TOGETHER to be able to fill the Emperor’s shoes. But also, Horus might have been the only choice for Warmaster responsible for leading the other Primarchs and Astartes but no way he’s the “true heir.” He fundamentally did not jive with the Emperor’s vision or views on humanity. He would never have willingly sat back and let humanity govern itself, acting merely as their guard dog/protector. He would wonder why he should turn over the Imperium he fought for and his brothers bled for to lesser beings…

[@aganaom1712]

None of the primarchs are able to preside over the imperium in the same capacity as the emperor did. Of all the primarchs, 3 at a minimum working in perfect concert with one another would be required for the imperium to endure eternal. Which leads me to suggest that 5 would be ideal for the imperium to see eternal glory Horus- to sit on the throne and lead with his brothers advising Guilliman- to manage and maintain the imperium's resources and keep it's government organized Dorn- to fortify the homefront and build the infrastructure his brothers need Sanguinis- to stand at the imperium's gates Corvus- to listen within the imperium and keep his brothers in contact with each other

[@myself2noone]

Hmm, I could see that in a poetic sense. Logar wants to place himself in opposition to Guilliman. One has the Emperor's face and the other has the Emperor's soul. I'm not sure I see it though. Guilliman seems to be his adopted parent's kid more so than anything else. It seems like it's just salt from a salty man

[@GRBoi1993]

I do actually believe this. He may not be the best fighter, but he’s one of the best generals, THE best statesman, and has the perfect temperament for running an empire (not too harsh, not too detached, not too compassionate). No he’s not a future Emperor of Man, but he is the perfect Regent. Even before Horus’ betrayal, I still believe that. Horus miiiiight have been the Imperial figurehead, but Dorn and Guillaman both are the administrative and strategic geniuses. Sanguinius actually could’ve rivalled Horus to the figurehead position. Frankly I believe that, even without chaos, some of the primarchs were destined to revolt. Kurze and Angron come to mind.

[@MrFredstt]

Kurze and Angron for sure were just a matter of time regardless of Chaos. Hell, Kurze and his legion were basically already rebels shortly before Horus turned traitor

[@jeffersonhenrichs3362]

Hes the best at administration. And wars are won or lost on logistics. After the war? He probably would have made some version of the senatarum under Malcador.

[@uriel005]

Funnily enough if I were the Emperor I'd put Vulkan at the top of my list. Not because of the whole niceness/humanness he has which are nice bonus'. But he's also stable and the fact that he doesn't want such things is a big plus in my book. Then there's his perpetual nature giving him a bit more leeway in the risk department than his brothers. He's also on the lower scale of risk seeking. He also of all the primarch's probably has the most technical know how beyond even the likes of Ferus and Perterabo with his ability to manufacture his artifacts which probably puts him in the best position to continue a lot of the non-psyker projects that the emperor was working on and if he had the support of Magnus as an advisor in those matters along with the Sigilite I think the Imperium could be cooking with gas. He's also relatively well liked by his brothers which doesn't hurt.

[@A2K.556]

Big E would have chosen Malcador IMO. They were on pretty much the same exact wave length in their vision, and perhaps most importantly Malcador is human which is what Big E wanted.

[@FuriousWojtek]

So the Emperor can see the future, and this means he had to of seen the Horus Heresy coming and that he would lose half of his sons to the Ruinous Powers. This likely means he knew whoever became War Master would ultimately become the head traitor. This is why The Emperor never choose someone like Sanguinius or Guilliman to be War Master.

[@tedhodge4830]

No, but it is to everyone's benefit that he is the only primarch available for the job.

[@AdeptKing]

Leading an empire is Guilliman's thing, I don't think any of the other loyalists could measure up in that regard. He might be subpar as a warrior compared to many of his brothers but as a ruler and a general he was likely the best or close to the best.

[@gargoyles9999]

Other Primarchs might be better fighters or speakers but that power is nothing compared to having the Imperium running even slightly more efficiently. Imagine if Guilliman increased the productive output of the Imperium by just 1% spread that across a million worlds and think if the army that was just raised. Being really good at swinging a sword doesn't mean much if an extra 50 regiments land in front of you

[@ethandavies8227]

I think a big problem with the Hours being the obvious choice is that, the Emperor and Malcador knew that whoever became Warmaster would fall to Chaos. Going off of this logic then surely Horus would have been a sacrifice moreso than his personal choice?

[@superdrew907]

Sorry @ethandavies8227 Why would the Emperor come down so hard on Magnus, if Malcador and Big E knew that whoever was being promoted to Warmaster was gonna fall into Chaos? By Malcodor's own confession, they planned for, if not actively pushed the Primarchs to compete against each other and manipulated them to the point that they were all competing for the attention and approval of their father. I myself am conflicted morally and ethically over the Emperor's actions and decisions. I'm a big fan of the Emperor he's quite a character however over the last couple of years as the lore was being refined and updated and so forth I really started critically thinking and questioning the Emperor's true motivations actions and decisions. . . Was he indeed anything other than a genuinely extraordinary charismatic dictator with a god complex, playing god, willing to kill anyone or anything that didn't bend the knee and submit to his will? He used his sons as tools to be discarded when they no longer served his purpose. Does that sound like the character of a benevolent ruler who has anyone's best interest other than his own at heart? The Character of a man who truly loves his family will put their interest before his own, he will sacrifice his needs, wants, and desires for his family. I guess the real question is. . . Did the Emperor love anyone besides himself? I don't think the Emperor had any intention ever of having an heir or stepping down from power and why would he if he thought he was gonna live forever? Compliance is just a fancy word for slavery. How many peaceful people/civilizations were brutally crushed simply because they wanted to govern themselves or peacefully believe in a creator something greater than themselves?

[@andrewkennedy9134]

Good video as always, thanks. I disagree with your reasoning for Horus.....I think the key to the Emperors vision for Horus is in the title he gave him. He called him Warmaster......but in the books, we see that the Emperors vision was for an Imperium of Man that eventually would not need to go to war. That he did not give the Emperor the title of Regent, Heir or Lord Commander was a clear indication of him not seeing Horus as the heir. ' I do not think the Emperor viewed any of the 20 as heirs. They were specialist tools for respective jobs....Magnus for the Astronomican, Guilliman for the administration and organisation, Dorn the Protector, Mannus, Perturabo and Vulkan the builders....Sanguinius the conscience and heart etc. It would be humans that took over as heirs eventually....but the Emperor did not see that happening for millenia, hence why the need for the Primarchs in the interim. Malcador would never take the role....he is an advisor, a right hand, a back door statesman, not a ruler. Guilliman was always intended for Lord Commander I think...but not an heir. I think he does most reflect the Emperor as he is the ultimate pragmatist and will always find a way to achieve his goals....that was the strongest aspect of the Emperor I think. But great video as i say....keep em coming!

[@unmitigateddisaster3793]

Something people miss with the Emperor's parenting style is that they are viewing it from a modern lens. He's from like the dawn of civilization and throughout almost all of history children have been viewed as extensions of their parents wills. Children were tools meant to carry on the family name, legacy, and preserve and expand upon the work of their parents. Throughout all that time parents have loved their children just as much as they do now, and they were even more important to their legacy, as things such as bloodline, lineage, and family meant a great deal more then.

[@tomdolan9761]

Guilliman has already built a functional sub empire of 500 worlds so he’s an organized builder as opposed to most of his brothers who are conquerors

[@KharnDaLoyal]

Maybe this was already said. But do you think emps abandons angrons gladiators as a punishment for declining him?

[@grimb8kn748]

To me the thing to remember is what makes a good commanding general is often very different than what wakes for a good head of state so to speak. I can totally see Big E picking Guilliman to succeed him with the understanding that in Big E’s mind that would be AFTER the fakest was conquered.

[@Dontreallycare5]

I would contend that Guiliman was indeed the heir apparent to the throne of the Imperium itself, but that position was never meant to be inherited so the Primarchs instead competed for the next highest position of Warmaster - but being warmaster and being the Imperial Regeant are two fundamentally different roles that require different skillsets. Being the Warmaster is a job that requires the person to manage the egos of the various other generals effectively so they can most effectively accomplish short and mid-term goals. Being the Imperial Regent means building infrastructure for the long-term post-crusade fate of humanity - and that means dealing with the Webway Project one way or another. Magnus was never going to be capable of directly organizing and running the Webway Project . . . . so the only real alternative would have been to create diplomatic relationships with the Eldar directly. In my opinion, uniting with a humbled Eldar remnant was likely always "plan B" . . . . I just doubt Big E realized there was going to be a fucking 10k year loading period between plan A going to shit and actually launching plan B lmao

[@julienstam]

I agree that Horus was always the Emperor's choice but there was a lot of undeserved favoritism between the Emp and Horus. He wasn't the best choice, The emp just had a crush on him. The angel was always the best choice. Horus himself admitted it at one point in the early books of. H.H.

[@sanguiniuswarhammer4669]

A deep dive into the dark age of technology. Come on Rho, make this happen!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lorenburnham821]

Oculus imperious has a couple of good videos on drake age technology and men of iron

[@Ozzy08018]

Guilliman is the only Primarch that can actually understand the administration needed to keep the Imperium functional.

[@xafflictedx2966]

Is it not fair to assume the emperor knew all the events that would unfold even till now, his choices made based on the best possible outcome for humanity and that no matter who he chose he already knew the ending?

[@ffejpsycho]

My Credits are on good ol' Number 11 being the original intended Heir to end 'em all! At least, until The Emperor had him all ended!

[@magnithorsson2154]

Rogal Dorn and Guilliman as Consuls of a Terran Republic....a man can dream

[@SarcasticChef83]

Vulcan and Guiliman are by far my favorite primarchs.

[@dakotalange2858]

What about alonius pious if he survived what role do you think he would’ve had in the imperium the new warmaster?

[@Ronin-42]

To my understanding the Emperor knew whoever he selected to be warmaster would be turned to chaos eventually. I guarantee you that's the only reason he or the Lion weren't initially chosen over Horus. There's no doubt in my mind that if you replaced Horus with Guilliman, the traitors would've taken Terra.

[@CryingCreeperMLG]

This is what I love about the Lost Primarchs and why I wish more people wondered vocally about them. I fully believe that one of the lost Primarchs had intense political skill, so as to rule the Imperium when the fighting was over and the Emperor was done, and the other had incredible medical talent, such as that would have been able to potentially save the Emperor from his internment in the Throne. I think these because I absolutely love the idea that the Imperium is in the state its in because the Emperor never got to use all of his Primarchs during the Crusade/Heresy.

[@paleh0rs3]

G man more a support class kinda guy i think. If horus never turned and he had to take over i think as much as he felt better at leading g man would rather support horus than ever do so. He may have been the lord of ultramar but it was so set up it could run with him not being to involved unless things were dire

[@NTclaymore]

Personally I think It was always ment to the Sanguinius. A Figurehead with no desire to rule. Horus to handle deplomacy and to keep everyone happy. Gulliman to do the background work. The Emperor imo never intended to stay Emperor. I think he ment to fade into the shadows again after the great crusade. The only one to take his place is Sanguinius. He was designed to be the figurehead but to have no desire to rule. Thats my opinion. Also Praise the Lion!

[@justlolit]

Logistics, tactics, production and technology wins wars. Not how good with a sword you are.

[@matthodge9355]

I think your argument that being the warmaster is a sure fire way of becoming the successor is highly flawed. The warmaster role was to continue the crusade, bring more worlds to compliance, if the Emperor thought he was going to survive through this process completing his experiment while he let his charismatic war dog finish gathering more worlds in to the imperium, it makes perfect sense to leave Guilliman to rul over Ultramar, continuing to learn the nuances of governing, improving societies establishing trade routes etc etc. Horus may very well have stayed as warmaster after the succession, doing what he does best leading the legions being that great hero the imperium needed. Possibly he was not looking for a successor but to have the primarchs be a governing council a bit like the House of Lords above the high lords of Terra. As for Guillimans attitude at coming back and taking control away from mortals, of course he did, he knew what his father wanted, and the way the imperium is seems pretty far from that.

[@MrSassyEddy]

If your one gripe is horus being picked as warmaster, I cant rememeber which book it was but when Malcadore and the emperor played chess who ever is picked as warmaster always falls to chaos. So not being picked as warmaster for Dorne, Guilliman, and Sanguinious is a point in their favor.

[@Makorze]

If the Emperor was aware of what his future would be (and there is evidence he did) then he might have been aware of what becomes of the Primarch he chose as Warmaster. This raises other questions. If the heresy needed to play out a very specific way then the Emperor may have chosen Horus for that as any other primarch might have either been TOO successful (for example Sanguinius) or defeated too soon (Angron and Kurze would have had a hard time convincing others to join, resulting in far more loyalists).

[@alwalker3479]

There is only ever one answer to who is the Emperor’s successor, Alpharius

[@sergantsnipes16]

There wasn't supposed to be one as they all fill a certain role. Although I will say that Imperium Secundus actually would have been pretty good from a ruling stand point