The Brazen Claws are a Second Founding successor Chapter of the Iron Hands, known for their quartered blue and red armour and a grim history that includes losing their homeworld to daemons. They matter because their story shows how a loyal Chapter can be pushed to the brink, and because their later fate is one of the more ambiguous threads in 40k lore.
Origins and homeworld
The Brazen Claws were created during the Second Founding from the Iron Hands Legion. They’re a Codex-compliant Chapter, meaning they follow the standard organisational structure, and they display their company colour on the chest eagle.
Their original homeworld was Talus IV. In 955.M41, a horde of daemons destroyed the planet, forcing the Chapter to flee as it fell to Chaos. Since then, they’ve been a fleet-based Chapter.
- Founding: Second Founding, from the Iron Hands
- Homeworld: Talus IV (destroyed)
- Colours: quartered blue and red
- Current status: fleet-based
The crusade of vengeance
After Talus IV fell, Chapter Master Caul Engentre led the Brazen Claws into the Eye of Terror to seek revenge and regain their honour. The crusade was a disaster. Over twenty years, they suffered heavy losses for little gain, and roughly 60% of the Chapter died.
Some Captains abandoned the crusade to rebuild, others died in pointless battles on daemon worlds, and several companies turned to Chaos. Engentre eventually ordered a return to the Imperium, but as the survivors were boarding their ships, traitor Brazen Claws ambushed them. The outcome of that battle isn’t clear.
Later battles and the 13th Black Crusade
Despite the Chapter’s apparent fall, Lord Castellan Creed insisted they still fought for the Imperium. The Brazen Claws set out to defend Cadia during Abaddon’s 13th Black Crusade, but Cadia was destroyed before they arrived. Instead, they bled Chaos forces near the Cadian Gate.
After the Great Rift opened, they defended several Imperial worlds, including Gudrun and Lapis VII. Three full companies were later present at Vigilus, taking part in the quarantine of Dontoria.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 544-546.M32 | The War of the Beast |
| 416.M37 | Sarum Ambush |
| 223.M39 | Battle of Falax |
| 900.M41 | Crusade of Steel |
| 955.M41 | Talus IV destroyed; crusade into the Eye of Terror begins |
| 999.M41 | 13th Black Crusade |
Are the Brazen Claws traitors?
Sources disagree. One describes the Chapter as having “fallen”, but it’s not known if all of them turned to Chaos. Creed’s belief that they remained loyal, and their later actions defending Imperial worlds, suggest at least part of the Chapter stayed true.
The ambiguity is part of what makes them interesting. You can field them as loyalists, or lean into the idea of a shattered Chapter with traitor elements.
Key facts
- Second Founding successor of the Iron Hands
- Homeworld Talus IV was destroyed by daemons in 955.M41
- Roughly 60% of the Chapter died during a 20-year crusade into the Eye of Terror
- Fought in the 13th Black Crusade and later at Vigilus
- Their current loyalty is ambiguous in the lore
FAQ
Who are the Brazen Claws?
They’re a Second Founding successor Chapter of the Iron Hands, created during the break-up of the Legions. They’re known for their quartered blue and red armour and their tragic history.
What happened to their homeworld?
Talus IV was destroyed by a daemonic horde in 955.M41. The Chapter fled and has been fleet-based ever since.
Are the Brazen Claws Chaos Marines now?
It’s unclear. Some sources say the Chapter has “fallen”, but others show them fighting for the Imperium after the Great Rift. Several companies definitely turned traitor during the crusade into the Eye of Terror.