The Star Phantoms are a loyalist Space Marine Chapter that played a crucial role in the Badab War. They’re known for their secrecy, their tragic homeworld, and their grim determination in the face of overwhelming odds.
Origins and homeworld
Founded during the 23rd (Sentinel) Founding around M38, the Star Phantoms were created to reinforce vulnerable Imperial worlds. They first settled on Haakonath, a mausoleum world, but it was destroyed in 120.M40, forcing the Chapter to become fleet-based.
They now operate from their fortress-monastery, the Memento Mori, and recruit from Jahga. Their armour is ash white with black shoulder insets and a golden aquila.
- Founding: 23rd (Sentinel) Founding, circa M38
- Homeworld: Jahga (current), Haakonath (destroyed)
- Fortress-Monastery: Memento Mori
- Colours: Ash white with black shoulder insets and golden aquila
The Badab War
The Star Phantoms committed all ten companies to the Loyalist cause during the Badab War. Their fleet, led by the battle barge Memento Mori, was instrumental in destroying the Ring of Steel, the star fort network around Badab.
They led the first wave of the final assault on Badab Primaris. Two companies fought alongside the Fire Hawks and Sons of Medusa to take the High Guard orbital fortress, while seven companies and Inquisitorial Storm Troopers besieged the Palace of Thorns. Titans of Legio Crucius joined the siege, but the palace held.
On the second day, the Carcharodons sabotaged countless hive reactors, causing the lightning field around the palace to fail. Star Phantoms forces, led by Captain Zhrukal Androcles, broke in. In the lower catacombs, Androcles and his squad met Lugft Huron and his honour guard. Both sides were annihilated, but the dying Androcles fired a point-blank combi-melta blast into the Tyrant, wounding him mortally.
Nearly 200 battle-brothers died in the opening assault alone, a brutal cost that showed their willingness to sacrifice everything for victory.
Aftermath and other engagements
For winning the war, the Star Phantoms were given dominion over the shattered Badab sector. They settled on the ice moon Jahga, landing the damaged battle barge Memento Mori as their fortress-monastery.
After the war, the Chapter was left with fewer than 400 battle-brothers. They also fought in the Macharian Crusade and the subsequent Macharian Heresy, where they annihilated the 17th Terrax Guard and nearly destroyed the Marines Malevolent.
Other engagements include the Massacre of Kormarg, the Death of Haakoneth, and the Scourging of Kerrack. The Inquisition eventually cleared them of heresy, but their reputation for ruthless efficiency and isolationism remained.
- Massacre of Kormarg
- Death of Haakoneth
- Scourging of Kerrack
Organisation and tactics
The Star Phantoms broadly follow the Codex Astartes, but they prefer first-strike tactics like drop pod assaults and long-range bombardment over melee. They’re capable in close combat when necessary, but they’d rather soften up the enemy from a distance.
Their gene-seed is a mystery. Some speculate they descend from the Dark Angels, but both chapters deny this. Their culture is defined by secrecy and a grim acceptance of loss. They maintain a small fleet and rely on hit-and-run tactics, their numbers never fully recovering from the Badab War. Their chapter cult emphasises duty and sacrifice, with little room for glory.
Key facts
- The Star Phantoms are a loyalist Space Marine Chapter founded in the 23rd (Sentinel) Founding.
- They played a key role in the Badab War, leading the assault on Badab Primaris.
- Their homeworld Haakonath was destroyed, and they now operate from the fortress-monastery Memento Mori.
- Their colours are ash white with black shoulder insets and a golden aquila.
- They are a secretive and isolationist Chapter, with a strength of fewer than 400 battle-brothers after the Badab War.
FAQ
Are the Star Phantoms a Dark Angels successor?
It’s speculated, but both the Star Phantoms and Dark Angels deny any connection. The truth remains unknown.
What happened to their homeworld?
Their original homeworld, Haakonath, was destroyed in 120.M40, forcing the Chapter to become fleet-based.