Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-92.97.77.182-20130321145115/@comment-23939797-20140807005643

72.93.39.135 wrote: SanguiniousLives. Let me brake down your post. First on them having been the most dangerous, then them in the modern setting, then opinions.

1- What makes you say that because they don't charge strait on, and were/are masters of asymmetric warfare, they were the most dangerous??? It is understood that the Luna Wolves were the most effective (dangerous) conquerors in the Great Crusade with Horus's "sever the head and the body will fall" playbook (Not ALegion). The Night Lords, World Eaters, B Angels, and Space Wolves were considered the most dangerous in close quarters (Not ALegion). Thousand sons in terms of psychers (Not ALegio). The Alpha Legion did not have a quarter the fire power or fleet the Iron Warriors or Ultramarines had. So they weren't the most dangerous in that regard either. Also they never were high in number (true we don't know their exact number) but they didn't come close to the 4 (Ult, IrW, LunW, WrdB). So again they were not able to overwhelm anybody like these other legions were, again not the most dangerous.

Conclusion- The Alpha Legion was not the most dangerous legion, to say they were the most dangerous is to say that they were the most powerful or the most dreaded, they were neither. To argue this further you must bring reason, and compare and contrast skills above a 6th grade level.

2- In the modern setting Abaddon is the most feared Chaos Lord. He is Warmaster and he alone can command all the traitors. The Black Legion is the largest and most powerful, if the Alpha legion was larger we would know it. In the 13th Black Crusade the Alpha Legion answered his call and were under his authority. You can say they were pretending. But they took orders from Black Legion no questions asked and you know it. Some Alpha Legion may think they are clever and are playing both sides but we have nothing to show for their successes (exept you talking). In any remote success they were piggybacking on Black Legion, Word Bearers, or Death Guard (Varks). They can't even hold a home world let alone take down the Imperium, which you suggest they can do at any time! What remains of the Legion today is hard to say. Their numbers should be low even after a couple of boosts from stolen gene seed. Some original Legionaries may still regard themselves as loyal thus them staying away from the Eye of Terror, but the new marines likely see themselves as servants of Chaos. Some collaborations with the Word Bearers would confirm that there are Alpha Legion, original Legionaries too, that are frankly Chaos now. A schism might be taking place.

Conclusion: Alpha Legion is the weakest traitor legion today. If not the smallest still the weakest. Black Legion is by far the mightiest, second place is a close call between I Warriors and W Bearers, then others, then Alpha Legion.Whatever the case they are likely going fast extinct due to these complications (thus cultist horde) and being leaderless.

3- I do not regard this legion highly. You can like then that's fine just don't put them in a place were they are not. Besides they are space marines. Do their "work quietly" and want to be underestimated? This does not make them stronger and their current standing in the galaxy shows that it had not delivered results, thus not smarter. They are cowardly in my opinion. Plus how can you say they were more dangerous that the World Eaters. Say that to me with a straight face.

Argue with me with reason and with canon! The Alpha Legion was more dangerous than the World Eaters :|

Now, to address your points.

1: Their power came--and still comes--from unpredictability. History has shown time and time again that superior military force does not mean superior military effectiveness. Of course Horus conquered more, he had 50,000 more Marines and half the Imperial Army, to boot! Basic logic (sixth grade level--learn how it works) dictates that an army whose enemy has no idea where they will strike next is more effective than an army who can always be counted on to do the same thing!

2: Abbadon gets the most fear from the Imperium, but he also gets the most bolter rounds. The Alpha Legion, being much smaller than the Black Legion, probably couldn't survive what the Black Legion can, but they are smart enough to avoid being hated as much.

3: Well, it could make them very strong indeed. While the Imperium understimates them and so takes only minimal actions against them, they build up their forces.

Well, these are my conclusions. Sorry for any typos or breaks from canon that I have made, as I am fairly new to this and these forums don't have spellcheck.