XIII Legion 'Ultramarines': Tactics & Structure (Warhammer 40,000 & Horus Heresy Lore)

Being a record of the XIII Legion Ultrarmarines' tactical preferences, strategic disposition, arms & armaments, and unique formations.
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Music: Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas by the Tudor Consort
This video is a non-profit fan-made lore discussion. Games Workshop, Forge World, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer, Space Marine etc are all trademarks of Games Workshop Ltd. Games Workshop does not endorse or support fan-made "lore" videos. All views and opinions expressed in this video belong to Oculus Imperia and in no way reflect the views or opinions of Games Workshop Ltd or it's employees.
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[@filteredjc4653]

The Ultramarines, where every single mission starts with someone saying, 'Now I want this done by the book...'

[@phrosted1]

You neglected to put every in caps

[@ImpudentInfidel]

"...the epitome of a model army." Your ability to drop puns like that without cracking up is impressive.

[@involuntarilychad4048]

Love 'em or hate 'em, 40k just wouldn't be 40k without the Smurfs.

[@arturohernandez5857]

That very true my friend 😊

[@RobouteGuilliman-M41]

Thank you. We strive for excellence.

[@fguocokgyloeu4817]

There's nothing wrong with them, its just grating that with the vast richness of flavors available in 40k, GW only promotes the mayonaisse.

[@ArchArturo]

*Grumbling Word Bearer noises*

[@PopeMetallicus]

​@@ArchArturoSilence, traitor! Once you guys kill off Erebus and Kor Phaeron, then you can sit at our table again

[@thijshagenbeek8853]

"Chapter command has given us a mission Brother-Captain" *Captain opens the book* "One book giving me multi-million different ways to deal with this scenario, I have a hundred warriors so I now have billions of ways to take care of this mission as I see fit. Added to that that I can take pieces of each piece of battle lore and mix and match as combat situations demand" "And people say the book is stupid.."

[@Crowbars357]

“Shut the fuck up Leandros. FOR THE EMPEROR!!” *jumps out of the gunship*

[@TheWarmachine375]

The Ultramarines Legion is so large they can have as many successor Chapters as they make.

[@leondreamer9392]

You know you've become conditioned like Pavlov's Dog when you hear that opening "womp" and you know you're in for some good lore

[@williammiller4768]

The Warborn. Dudes smart enough to say “Hey, you guys, what our allies are doing is really effective. What should we do?” Other Ultra. *shrugs* “Well, let’s do that. If it works for them it’ll work for us.” “Excellent idea, Brother. For Guilliman and Ultramar?” “Yes, Brother. For Guilliman and Ultramar.” “FOR ULTRAMAR!”

[@ChoonMa]

Theoretical: I see an Oculus video, I click the Oculus video. Practical: Yup.

[@jamespeck30]

I think there were approximately 20 Chapter masters, just prior to the Battle of Calth, companies consisted of about 1000 Marines, and a Chapter was about 10 Companies.

[@normtrooper4392]

Amateurs study tactics. Experts study strategy. Masters study logistics.

[@bodricthered]

and the Lord Commander studies personnel.

[@eichler721]

A true master studies all and uses them together to achieve ultimate victory.

[@Azraiel213]

Whoosh, @@eichler721.

[@Pink.andahalf]

The Night Haunter studied stabbing and canbalizing criminals in dark alleys.

[@Tryzanfan]

I have found myself enjoying the Smurf marines and robot girly man a lot more lately. Thank you oculus!

[@Ng-zg4dq]

If the Emperor had made 20 Gullimans we would be invading the tyranids.

[@Azraiel213]

*Severely* underrated comment. 😆

[@user-iy5ww2hj4p]

That mental image is badass oml

[@Akimbo411]

This is Marnius Calgar, chapter master of the Ultra Marines, the man who ripped off a Swarm Lord’s head with his biotic arms. His battlefield role is to hide in the back to farm command points

[@raycearcher5794]

Don't forget he got stabbed in the heart and had his throat torn out and he got better, eventually Calgar's just going to be a head on an otherwise robotic suit of armor.

[@CaptJPurdie]

In the Marvel comics series he rips the head off a lord of skulls and shoots down its neck... and that was a Tuesday o_o

[@g.sergiusfidenas6650]

At some point one has to admit that Perty was always looking for reasons to feel slighted, G-Man copies one of his tactics, cause clearly they work thus deserve to be emulated, and his answer was to send him an scathing letter, if he had loved his tasks and was wary of being replaced he might had something to complain but he hated that stuff, one would think he would had welcomed someone taking those sort of engagements instead of them always being pushed onto him.

[@markcoroneos7811]

Precisely. He was so insecure that instead of taking it as a compliment he took it as an insult. Its hard to pick between perty and morty as to who was the most insecure, immature primarch haha

[@lordfrostwind3151]

Yeah, and Perturabo just using putting his own spin on the Luna Wolves terminator company? If I remember right they were the first to deploy them in battle.

[@HaloFTW55]

The irony of one so intelligent not understanding that imitation is a very sincere form of flattery.

[@dominushydra]

I really appreciate efficiency and structure in war tactics that's why The Smurfs are in in my Top 3 favorite Legions.

[@robertstrachan3482]

Yea, they are in my top 9 favorite loyalist legions.

[@mistercmartin]

​@@robertstrachan3482I see what you did there! 😂

[@danisrusski6297]

Yes I also enjoy vanilla pudding with a side of vanilla ice cream, maybe with some vanilla sauce to get some extra flavour and then possibly a sprinkle of vanilla sugar to top it all off. Also I add a few drops of blue food dye just to spice things up. Super varied stuff!

[@dominushydra]

@@danisrusski6297 the fact a Russian hates logistics is base asf 😂

[@johnrambo5795]

​@@danisrusski6297Yes I like vanilla. You can mald all you want

[@Arbiterjim]

Let all the galaxy know the peace and prosperity of Ultramar

[@PopeMetallicus]

Ultramar is basically what the Imperium was SUPPOSED to be

[@danisrusski6297]

@@PopeMetallicus A somewhat functioning theocratic military dictatorship instead of a barely functioning theocratic military dictatorship?

[@PopeMetallicus]

@@danisrusski6297 Obviously minus that bit, Big E wasn't a fan of the whole "church" thing

[@danisrusski6297]

@@PopeMetallicus Totalitarian regimes have their own religions though. Doesn't need to be a standard one like christianity or islam, could also be blind obedience to the government, to Great Leader, to a vague idea of "racial progress" and the aesthetics of science

[@PopeMetallicus]

@@danisrusski6297 fair point. Although the Imperium isn't "totalitarian" in that each world kinda governs itself as it deems necessary. It's an old school empire in that respect, more similar to Rome or Persia. Which lasts about until an Inquisitor inevitably deems your way of life heretical lol

[@gregmandu]

A unique subject for tactics and structure. For Ultramarines were ever the model of efficiency. How the other legions compared to them has always fascinated me. Yet another wonderful record for the datastack.

[@pdxholmes]

As a smurf fan boy who loves to play his Bobby G list, I love lore videos about them. They don't get to get covered a lot outside of GW themselves, being the poster boys...so it's like crumbs to the starving for us Ultramarines fans 😄

[@seand.g423]

You can blame the works of Fatt Hoard for that... If you wish...

[@raycearcher5794]

Now I'm imagining Guilliman with an abacus, working out the exact number of men he needs to take a system based on how many towns it has

[@Deridus]

Truly an amazing tool.

[@carsoncasmirri3874]

“They were a model Astartes Legion” both in universe and in game this is a very accurate description

[@andrew1230981]

Two videos I would like to see are the story of the red helmets of the ultra marines and the last loyal iron warrior, Barabas Dantioch

[@anxioussamurai9017]

I absolutely agree, Dantioch is a legendary badass whose lore is chock-full of incredibly epic moments.

[@HaloFTW55]

The red marked are awesome. A marking for punishment and censure for somebody who is flexible and improvisational in a legion of “by the book” soldiers.

[@davebowman9000]

Guilliman, listening to this, bracing for the record concerning the events of the Shadow Crusade: I can do this. I can relive those memories.

[@TheWarmachine375]

The Ultramarines follow their tactics and structure in accordance to the Codex Astartes written by their Spiritual Liege, Roboute Guilliman!

[@beanosbeanos956]

These videos have really changed my perspective on the ultramarines, never realised how terrifying they were before, breaking down and restructuring everything around them into these like horrifically efficient hierarchical systems where every ounce of value is extracted from everyone and everything

[@MayhapsOmegon]

Hydra Tertius

[@rayplays1443]

Getting to see this hit right as I woke up made my day!

[@aidanhearn4210]

Another flawless archival entry from our most beloved and blessed archivist

[@rogerbrownreacts8528]

Guillaman is actually Alpharius.

[@ralach]

This is a lie

[@danisrusski6297]

No, rowbridge gorillabarn is Omegon

[@ThirdCydonian]

No, you are Alpharius and I am also Alpharius.

[@Carnage1138]

Question for Oculus Imperia Word Bearers when?

[@TheSpicyLeg]

Whenever he can hold down the nausea.

[@rwagingsloth9528]

The ultramarines wouldn't have such a love/hate relation with the fanbase if not for a single author going a bit....wild...with the lore. they're actually a great legion, with good stories and interesting characters outside of aforementioned authors writings, but even in those there's some good tidbits. just ignore some of the more grand feats accomplished

[@willdunn8846]

Personally I find the ongoing view that the Ultras are the default / vanilla aesthetic chapter very eye rolling and groan worthy. Like come on, they’re space Romans. The most vanilla looking chapter is the Imperial fists.

[@mduckernz]

@@willdunn8846 I mean it's not for no reason. They're literally used in all the major promotional material for "generic space marine", and have been for a good long while now.

[@rwagingsloth9528]

@@mduckernz agreed, I've only been into the lore for 7~ish years. I don't recall a time when the boys in blue weren't dominating the spacr marine spotlight. Though the Black Templar fans are vocal enough that they're also pretty recognizable imo

[@Pink.andahalf]

Wait, if they had 250 chapters of 10,000 Marines a piece, that means they had 2.5 million, not 250,000. That math doesn't check out.

[@milosstojakovic7586]

Yeah, he made an error. It was 22 Chapter Masters and 250 Company Captains.

[@anonymousguy720]

They do have 250 chapter masters after the codex astardes was put into place

[@milosstojakovic7586]

@@anonymousguy720 No, they don't due to Heresy loses. Plus, this is Crusade era we're talking about.

[@alexmacdonald1998]

Yeah, he added an Xtra zero I think. Company = 100 chapter = 1000 Chapters are vaguely analogous to a half battalion irl. Some chapters, like Luna wolves, seem to operate as combined arms brigades. Like us army Some, like death guard, operated as corps, much like napoleon Era France Some like emperors children, were regimental like Victorian British Amusing enough, the ultramarine system is pretty close to a Mongol horde with its decimal system

[@milosstojakovic7586]

@@alexmacdonald1998 Crusade era aka Legiones Astartes era Companies were 1.000 marines and Chapters were 10.000 Marines.

[@dhuh6760]

Where even the legion of Dorn is composed of warriors, Guilliman leads *soldiers*.

[@Char1iBr0wn]

250 Chapter Masters, each commanding 10,000 Astartes? With each Captain commanding 1,000? You have to have your maths off there @Oculus Imperia. Because that would number the Ultramarines at 2.5 million Space Marines.

[@therealneal9980]

Damn it, you’re pushing me further towards my traitor Ultramarines idea for 30K

[@thewayfarer8849]

Collating all the good Ultramarines art is as soothing as the voice. Steeping them in the mixture of knightly and Greco-Roman imagery puts you in the space of the Legion in Know No Fear. The memes are just that, like the Fists, the XIII are only vanilla due to marketing. In story they are actually very far from 'normal', Ultramar very unintended, the Legion constantly second guessing and trying to undo their admitted arrogance is a pretty interesting thing to read. In the HH, no joke, they always adapt to getting their assess kicked. I think Forgotten Sons shows this best. They weren't the best, considered the best, but they never gave up the material discipline any more than the XVth did pursuing arcana.

[@auroralee]

I'm really not a fan of Guilliman or the Ultramarines in the Heresy era or Indomitus (though Guilliman is growing on me as his character comes to grapple with the galaxy hes been thrust into). But giving credit where it's due... the Ultramarines developing the Fulmentarus Terminators as a response to the Tyrant Siege Terminators of the IV Legion; literally just trying to be better than everyone at everything. And then Perturabo commenting essentially, "This is why everyone thinks you're a d*ck" is just some absolutely petty Boy Scout behavior, and I love it. "Teacher! He's copying my homework!!!!"

[@Azraiel213]

It's absolutely insane to take offence at other branches of your own military taking your innovations on board and yet it's such a Primarch reaction to have, *especially* when it's Perty getting butthurt.

[@BluJean6692]

I trust Oculus to be fairly unbiased, but it never hurts to call your boss a "genius" after all lol

[@Azraiel213]

I mean, Guilliman's special Primarch power is always being the smartest guy in the room.

[@seansartin8866]

Always look forward to your heresy lore videos, thank you again for all of this.

[@jeremyortiz2927]

And the hint of a future video. Outstanding! 👏

[@karlarden6260]

Praise be, for Oculus has returned!

[@waynemarkstubbs]

Oculus is inconsistent about how many maines were in a 'chapter' - at one point he mentions 250 chapter masters, suggesting 1000 marines per chapter. At another he states that 20 chapters constituted 4/5 of the legion's strenth, suggesting a chapter is 10000

[@cameronbarbier3268]

Fabulous work as ever Oculus, really best in class content.

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

Excellent work Historator. Ave Imperator!

[@Chet2378]

Great content as always!

[@KarlRosner]

Cant wait for Word Bearers VS Ultarmines. VIRGINITY FIGHT! *Mortal Combat Music*

[@roberthowe3377]

When Guillimane returned to the Imperium he more than made up for any mistakes due to Horus's betrayal.

[@RobouteGuilliman-M41]

Thank you. I try.

[@seand.g423]

Including regarding Him upon The Throne as an actual _parental figure_ instead of barely even a physical parent...

[@sotiriospeithis6659]

Nice

[@Bornst3ll3r]

New chaos video when brother?

[@jeffreygreen8668]

How the frak did that HydraHead comment 14 bloody hours ago‽ 😅😅😅

[@Deridus]

KZbin is a Alpha Legion front *CONFIRMED!*

[@piotrd.4850]

Hydra Dominatus! :D (Patrons and Members see first, and there's operative among them?)

[@jeffreygreen8668]

@@piotrd.4850 Mate, trust me, I was the first on this record, as soon as it was released, and there was a post from an Alpha from 14 hours before *that*… Pesky XXth…

[@MrLookatmyhat]

100k special when?? Also, new video!

[@OljeiKhan]

On the one hand i refuse to engage with or even acknowledge the existence of those who shall not be named until other chapters are shown/highlighted in trailers etc. On the other hand it's Oculus. My chapter's favourite historitor. This will take some time to decide.

[@mattiasniska7199]

Finally! Thank you!

[@Nugnugnug]

"The epitome of a model army." Was that a pun?

[@mmallory22]

Can’t wait to get to the Betrayal at Calth proper, as the first books I read they really set the tone for 40k

[@cuddlestheadorable1153]

"Sucks to suck Perty, nice terminators btw lol!" Guilliman, proobally.

[@White-failure]

Perty talking about guilliman being separate from his brothers is just rich.

[@servit0r]

I just wish there was another Legion called the OmegaMarines

[@aidanhearn4210]

You mean the Alpha Legion?

[@bodricthered]

The Ultramarines... The legion you get with a functional adult in charge...

[@lordcrabby197]

Yes finally the God emperor has answered my prayers. The boys in blue. For ultramar indeed!

[@rebirth5362]

Videos for the video throne!

[@KillerOrca]

10:40 Im convinced that's a Minecraft replica of a Gloriana class.

[@GraniteGhost778]

You know it occurs to me, that the Ultramarines may be the closest in nature to the Custodes in terms of their ability to be both warriors and officials.

[@RandomCommentDue]

Prior to the Heresy/Betrayal at Calth, Guilliman literally had the legionaires start taking up politics lessons to be administrators once the Crusade wrapped up. (Funny enough while he was doing that; the Traitors used as an early rallying cry a claim the Emperor was stealing their "right to rule" with focusing on mortals governing mortals)

[@auroralee]

Also making use of skilled individuals who, through some capacity, aren't able to serve as full Astartes but operate with more protecting the Imperium from internal threats. The Vigil Opertii reminds me a lot of how older Custodes leave the safety of the Imperial palace once their age prevents them from performing their duties to the highest standards of Holy Terra's guards. But they continue to pass on information and intervene to prevent forces abroad from threatening Holy Terra itself.

[@michaelcaricoo]

Finally a return to the glorious XIIIth

[@jamescarter8693]

The skills of war-making it's the statement or part of a sentence that you just spoke when I left side of the comment show. I love you both. I appreciate you both. H, each has something very special and they call luten the loremaster Well, it is, however so are you and so are many many more and well? I think we all should argue just. Guy who knows our skills? Though I am. English is not very well suited to my mind. Or is it the english I have no idea ideas are now shot

[@Ozcogger]

Lorgar and Kor Pheron really could have used this Video before they went to Calth.

[@FrostPDP]

"Epitome of a model army," eh? I like the pun!

[@vextay7199]

This is honestly the most ive heard about the neophytes

[@joshbrooks120]

Thanks

[@lordfrostwind3151]

Im working on the idea of the what the post Great Crusade Imperium without the Horus Heresy would have looked like. I think the Emperor would have established several legions to model the same administration the Ultramarines did except over the various Segmentum of the galaxy. I called these the Warden or Garrison Legions and i figure six legions, Ultramarines (Ultima Segmentum), Dark Angels (Obscurus Segmentum), Word Bearers (Pacificus Segmentum), Raven Guard (Tempestus Segmentum), Imperial Fists (Segmentum Solar) and Thousand Sons (Webway). I choose these for positioning, relative strength, and stability of geneseed, for Thousand Sons because their gifts would be essential to the planned Webway colonization, and the Raven Guard because of their temperament in dealing with the citizens of the Imperium in comparison to the more obvious choice of the Death Guard.

[@user-ub1cr4eh3l]

This one is for my friends

[@myself2noone]

Honestly Perty saying "this is why no one likes you" seems to be a huge case of "glass houses."

[@shouldb.studying4670]

I like the way you pronounce Robot Girlymans name 😊

[@trajanfidelis1532]

Hydra Dominatus

[@tigeriussvarne177]

Courage and Honour

[@xenored13]

Yeah new video. 🎉

[@njerumugo6891]

Great

[@MalleusDaemonum]

Ahoy! Oculus, when will you turn your amazing talents to cover the first war of Armageddon, the months of shame, and the grim and noble warriors of the Grey Knights!?

[@briochepanda]

Okay, so you might be vanilla ice cream. But if you can't make a good vanilla, then what business do you have making ice cream?

[@leroy232]

Is the ship shown at 10:00 a minecraft render?

[@catosicarius3262]

My Bois

[@JumpsyTurvy]

Your use of heretical technology as heard through vox has been noted. 11:59

[@ChroniclesofAzazel]

Got to love the Smurfs - flashiness is overrated anyway. Diligent defenders and stalwart heroes get the job done!

[@ropable]

Ultramarines: the actually-professional SM chapter

[@tjdj314]

Anyone else miss hearing butt stuff kaiju or however it was spelled

[@KaiserMaxim]

Its well known that if all the legions were like smurfs or fists, there would be no heresy.

[@Dctstampede88]

Not a big fan of the poster marines. But excellent video regardless!

[@fasteddythecat]

They’re 🍀 Lucky

[@kasperhenriksen4054]

Who you gonna call? Rebirth Sillyman!

[@JD-td6oh]

The emprahhhhhhhhjhj… the thirteenthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh… thank you big og OCUlus.. Hope your using protection with that damn inquisitor

[@beardfistthegoldenone7273]

I needed this today, thank you Occulus.

[@shriekingband7869]

Find ultramar fascinating - both a flawed meritocracy and an authoritarian state. Good listen!

[@benjaminwhite3292]

Meritocracy and Aristocracy have the same meaning simply in different languages

[@MaxLib]

Is this the Barry Lyndon AI voice?

[@yaelz6043]

Remember, any number given to you in 40k needs to be multiplied by a thousand. The british are about as good at math as they are at dentistry.

[@joshuafischer684]

"Ah yes, a battle line stretching a thousand miles... 250,000 guardsmen should be enough."

[@wanderingpaws3111]

I just realized "Epitome of a model army." Was that a joke or pun?

[@shaunzaarrae3727]

MOAARRRR

[@milosstojakovic7586]

You said 250 Chapter Masters, it is incorrect. There was 250 Company Captains and 22 or so Chapter Masters since Crusade era Companies were 1.000 Marines strong and Chapters were 20.000 Marines strong.

[@aidanhearn4210]

Only note: It's pronounced Phal-shin. Falchion. Not Falcione

[@piotrd.4850]

Not in High Gothinc ;)

[@TheEdemund]

There is something wrong :) 250 chapters x 10 000 astartes = 2 500 000 total ?

[@Its-Just-Zip]

Another point of GW maths dumb stuff. 250 chapters of 10k marines each is 2.5mil not 250k.... That 10k is considering that a company is 1k and there are 10 of those per chapter. Edit: if Occulus' use of 250 was a gaf and its supposed to be 25, that would add up Outside of that nitpick, I do love the lore tidbit of how the 13th uses failed aspirants. It's both utilitarian and also not batshit insane like the idea of killing them all off (looking at you deathgaurd, with the exception of Garrow)

[@dueinuremom5082]

Guiliman doesn’t really understand naval warfare and focuses on boarding actions? This mf really is the Roman primarch.

[@mduckernz]

Yeah, can get a tad too on the nose at times huh ;) ?