Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-6767898-20130227013545/@comment-7855563-20130406005602

Going back to Calth is a good idea. Before, during, and after, the battle, the Ultramarines had to show that, while they didn't like it, they could re-invent and adapt their way of war to combat any enemy. However, after the Horus Heresy and Guilleman's death, the Ultramarines became complacent with the Codex Astartes, and began to follow it rigidly. They believe that because their Primarch wrote the Codex, it is the perfect way to fight wars. It is this rigidness that has created a few problems. Guilleman welcomed open thought, but was uncomfortable with a large degree of it, as he agreed in the censure of Sergeant Thiel for creating theorticals on fighting Adeptus Astartes. But even then, it was welcomed.

The battle of Macrage is not a good example of the Ultramarines rigidness to the Codex Astartes, as before the battle they had never encountered an enemy such as the Tyranid. The rigid following of the Codex was the only practical they could employ, until they discovered the weaknesses of the enemy, and the theoriticals to fight them: aka the Tyrannic War Veterans.

I have been wondering myself about the purity of the Ultramarines gene seed, as every other First Founding legio shows mutation or corruption of some sort. It is curious how the Ultramarines seem to show no mutation or flaw what so ever. And as for the theory about the gene seed being the source of pride, it is misplaced. All Space Marines have an immense pride and snobby attitude: they are the most elite warriors in the galaxy. Why shouldn't they have pride?

Finally, the Imperium's stagnation comes from the ten thousand year long slog of political, spiritual, and cultural bureacracy. The Imperium of Man was supposed to be lead by the High Council of Terra, the Emperor of Mankind, and the Primarchs. However the Horus Heresy destroyed two of the three leading groups, and left the High Council, which are a group of cowardly bureacrats whom have no other concern except for the upkeep of their power.