The Dark Angels are the First Legion of Space Marines, created by the Emperor before any other. They’re defined by secrecy, knightly traditions, and a ten-thousand-year hunt for the Fallen, their own traitorous brethren. That shameful secret drives everything they do.
Origins and the Lion
The Dark Angels were the I Legion, the first Space Marines ever made. Their primarch, Lion El’Jonson, was scattered from Terra as a baby and grew up on the death world of Caliban, raised by the knightly Order. When the Emperor found him, the Legion was reunited with its gene-father.
Caliban was a forest world plagued by monsters, and the Order that raised the Lion became the core of his Legion. Their early colours were black, and their symbol was a winged reaper. After the Horus Heresy, they adopted dark green, with the Deathwing in bone white and the Ravenwing in black.
The Fallen and the Unforgiven
During the Horus Heresy, half of Caliban’s garrison turned traitor. When the Lion returned, a battle erupted that shattered the planet. The Lion vanished, and the surviving traitors were scattered through the warp. These are the Fallen.
Hunting the Fallen became the Dark Angels’ obsession. They and their successor Chapters call themselves the Unforgiven, working together in secret to capture and make the Fallen repent. This hunt sometimes puts them at odds with their duties to the Imperium.
How they fight
The Dark Angels are a combined-arms Chapter, but they’re famous for two specialised formations. The Deathwing are Terminator-armoured veterans who hunt the Fallen and form the Chapter’s deadliest strike force. The Ravenwing are fast-attack specialists on bikes and speeders, often scouting or running down fleeing enemies.
They also favour plasma weaponry, a nod to Caliban’s technological heritage. On the tabletop, they get unique units and characters, but they share most of the core Space Marine roster.
Leadership and the Rock
The Chapter is led by Supreme Grand Master Azrael. Their fortress-monastery is the Rock, a mobile asteroid that was once part of Caliban. It’s both a base and a prison for captured Fallen.
In recent lore, Lion El’Jonson has returned to the galaxy. His reappearance has reinvigorated the Unforgiven, though it hasn’t erased their shame. The Dark Angels now fight with renewed purpose, but their secrets remain.
Key facts
- The Dark Angels are the I Legion, the first Space Marines created by the Emperor.
- Their primarch is Lion El’Jonson, raised on the knightly world of Caliban.
- They hunt the Fallen, traitorous Dark Angels from the Horus Heresy, as the Unforgiven.
- Their fortress-monastery is the Rock, a mobile asteroid made from Caliban’s remains.
- They’re known for the Deathwing (Terminators) and Ravenwing (fast attack).
- Lion El’Jonson has returned in recent lore, reinvigorating the Chapter.
FAQ
Who are the Fallen?
The Fallen are Dark Angels who turned traitor during the Horus Heresy. They were scattered through the warp when Caliban was destroyed. The Dark Angels have hunted them for ten thousand years.
What makes the Dark Angels different from other Space Marines?
They’re the First Legion, so they have a longer history and a unique secret shame. They also field specialised formations like the Deathwing and Ravenwing, and they’re known for their secrecy and knightly culture.
Who is the current leader of the Dark Angels?
Supreme Grand Master Azrael commands the Chapter. But their primarch, Lion El’Jonson, has recently returned, which changes the dynamic significantly.