Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-6589306-20130815104932/@comment-174.5.229.119-20161125203746

Spartans are not physically weaker than a Space Marine. I don't know why you would think their Training is worse either. for Spartan IIs like Master Chief anyway. They began training at 6 years old, and their training encourages them to use a much broader range of tactics than Space Marines. But anyway, this is about Elites.

Space Marines have the armour advantage, whereas the Elites have numbers, I mean they don't need augments to be badass. I can see the Space Marines having at least a bit of an intelligence advantage. Both of their weapons are stronger than they are in games. Enough plasma fire would eventually burn through their armour, probably 1-3 headshots or 5-6 lucky body shots or 15 average shots dropping a Marine, but even scouts would get some protection at least. Elites basic armour would likely get shredded,(Bolter vs. Carapace...?) but at least they have energy shields down to a basic trooper.

I see it going like this. The marines would probably kick ass in the first few engagements, sweeping away patrol forces with only a few casualties. Maybe 1 for every 20 killed. Space Marines are the Bane of basic Infantry after all.

The elites would have to adapt their strategies and make use of coordinated strikes, heavy weapons, and stealth. Fuel Rod Guns, Energy Swords, Plasma Grenades, Beam Rifles, and vehicles would become like gold. Minors with Plasma rifles would mostly serve as a distraction and minor threat, but far from useless. Elites are also known to be able to lift 1000 pound Spartans easily with one hand, and are around as strong as a armoured Spartan and likely Space Marines too. If orks can even dent Marines in close combat then Elites certainly can.

In conclusion. Space Marines favour agressive tactics. The Elites success would completely depend on their ability to field enough strong weapons, and avoid wasting precious bodies and effective weapons on pointless last stands and other stupid honor related things. Marines and Elites are both technologically advanced, but still kind of stupid and arrogant at times. Elites basic troops would have a very hard time, but at least they HAVE basic troops whereas every Space Marine is a huge investment. Since both armies have valuable resources that they can't afford to throw away (Marines and armour piercing weapons) the war could swing dramatically one way or the other from use of effective strategies.