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Reivers2

A group of Ultramarines Reivers in combat.

A Reiver, who is usually part of a Reiver Squad, is a close support combat specialist unique to formations of Primaris Space Marines who is tasked for rapid infiltration and lightning assaults. Where the Intercessors are the battleline heavy infantry of the Primaris Astartes, the Reivers are elite assault specialists given special training and wargear.

Reivers are masters of terror tactics, breaking from stealth in a cacophony of bolter fire, grenade detonations and guttural, vox-amplified roars. Whole enemy units are scythed down in a burst of sudden fury and shocking violence before the Reivers fade back into the shadows.

The Mark X Phobos Power Armour worn by Reivers has been modified to display a skull-faced helm, to possess enlarged left-side pauldrons to enhance their protection in melee situations and to run completely silently.

ReiverDeathwatch

A Deathwatch Reiver seconded from the Blood Angels unleashes his Bolt Carbine on the xenos foe.

Reivers are armed primarily to engage in close combat, and all make use of Combat Knives, heavy Bolt Pistols and a more compact, carbine variant of the Mark II Cawl Pattern Bolt Rifle known as a Bolt Carbine. Reivers can also stun enemy infantry with Shock Grenades or deploy deep behind hostile lines via Grapnel Launcher or Grav-Chutes.

Skull-helmed terror troops that strike from the shadows with devastating force, Reivers embody the most frightening and inhuman aspects of the Adeptus Astartes. They are masters of stealth, slipping deep behind enemy lines or dropping secretly onto planets solar weeks in advance of any other Imperial forces. However, unlike more conventional scouting forces who withdraw once their task is accomplished, Reivers drop their shroud of secrecy when the moment to strike is at hand. Then they launch their assault in shocking and terrifying style.

All of the Reivers' highly specialised equipment is tailored towards their unique strategic role. Their Mark X Phobos Power Armour boasts auto-dampened servomotors and virtually silent power plants, ensuring that they can approach to within arm's reach of the enemy without being heard. Their death-mask helms incorporate elaborate suites of auto-senses, vox-thief and auspicator arrays, prognosticator spirits (artificial intelligence targetting routines) and other techno-arcana. These allow them to see in multiple spectra over great distances, track audio and life signs of enemy sentries, and rapidly predict patrol routes and the like to ease their infiltration duties.

Some Reiver Squads use Grav-Chutes to drop silently into hostile territory, guiding their descent with the streamlined fins on their armour. Others traverse even the most treacherous terrain using grapnel guns and high-tensile adamantium climbing lines, allowing them to approach through territory that their foes have discounted as wholly impassable. In these ways do Reivers attack from unexpected quarters, the better to shock and disorient.

When the Reivers strike, they do so in whatever way will best spread terror and panic through the enemy ranks. Hurled clusters of Shock Grenades pump out savage cacophonies of mind-shredding sound and bewildering sprays of hololithic imagery intended to terrify and confuse. The Reivers' vox-modulators transform their battle cries into monstrous roars, while their Heavy Bolt Pistols boom and monomolecular Combat Knives slash through flesh and bone. The strike of a single squad of Reivers is enough to collapse an entire battle line, convincing the foe that a far larger force besets them, or eliminate key command elements to leave the enemy reeling.

Role[]

Reivers

A Reiver Squad of Primaris Space Marines of the Ultramarines Chapter wearing lightweight Mark X Phobos Power Armour.

In the Codex Astartes, Roboute Guilliman has been very clear about the role and importance of close support squads. A well-coordinated and perfectly-timed assault can break the back of any foe, cracking open their lines and sending the remnants of their army fleeing. To make such breakthrough attacks, the designated troops must be fast, aggressive and hard-hitting.

All Space Marines are experts of the rapid strike, but Primaris Marine Reiver Squads take such skills to the next level. They are specially trained and equipped to launch brutally effective and unexpected assaults. They do so with a sudden fury and shocking violence, for the Reiver Squads fulfil the role of terror troops that sow fear and confusion amongst their foes.

Each member of this Primaris squad is outfitted in Mark X Phobos Power Armour. The suit's lighter-weight ceramite and streamlined design allow for greater mobility, and its servo-motors are engineered to be completely silent. Above all else, Reiver Squads depend on stealth and secrecy to accomplish their missions.

ReiverSquad2

In a burst of light and thunder, the Reivers of the Ultramarines spring their attack -- nearby enemies reel in shock in the brief moments before their death.

To aid them in their role, some Reiver Squads are equipped with Grav-Chutes, allowing them to be air-dropped to the battlefield from fast-moving transport craft. Using directional fins, the Reiver Squad can glide to their destination from high altitudes and pull out of steep descents when deploying from high-velocity aircraft, hugging terrain contours while flying dangerously low.

Without the fiery contrails of Jump Pack-equipped drop troops or the blinding Warp energies of teleportation, Reiver Squads can descend unnoticed behind enemy lines before silently getting into position. Reivers can also use grapple guns to scale vast heights and cross from building to building. Whatever their method, Reivers are unparalleled in their ability to be in exactly the right place at exactly the right time, ready to burst forth and attack their foe when they least expect it.

SW Reiver

A Reiver of the Space Wolves Chapter

There is nothing that can prepare an enemy for the savage suddenness with which the Reivers attack. Emerging from some unforeseen angle, the members of the Reiver Squad launch themselves into battle amidst the raucous noise and explosions of their expertly-thrown Shock Grenades.

The time for silence is over, replaced with a cacophony of sounds that batters the enemy -- wave-amplified blasts of specially modified Bolt Carbines, the keening of slicing Combat Knives, and the augmented guttural roars of the warriors themselves.

Moving quickly, shooting and slashing at superhuman speeds, the Reiver Squad annihilate their targets. Such an unpredictable assault also unnerves those nearby, for the strike is enough to set even well-trained, professional soldiers on the back foot.

Against less disciplined troops, the Reiver Squad is more devastating still -- the ferocious destruction of one enemy group can set off a chain reaction of panic that ripples down the line as the roaring Reivers move to bring down their next target.

BA Reiver vs Chaos Marine

A Reiver of the Blood Angels Chapter

Many Chapters have incorporated Reiver Squads into their attack plans, perhaps none more successfully than the Raven Guard and the White Scars. At the opening strike against the heavily fortified palace of the corrupt planetary governor of Troxx, the Raven Guard had their Reiver Squads emerged just as the Drop Pod assaults began.

Within moments, kilometres of trench lines were cleared of rebels, with those manning secondary and tertiary defence lines abandoning their posts as well in a panic that swiftly turned into a bloody rout.

As for the White Scars, their hit-and-run attacks have become even more ferocious with Reiver Squads arising to ambush any foes attempting to reorganise their shattered defence lines.

Unit Composition[]

  • 4 - 9 Reivers

Wargear[]

Sources[]

Gallery[]

Primaris Space Marine Forces
Command Primaris CaptainPrimaris LieutenantVanguard LieutenantPrimaris Ancient
Specialists Primaris Apothecary (Helix AdeptApothecary Biologis) • Primaris LibrarianVanguard LibrarianPrimaris Chaplain (Judiciar) • Primaris Techmarine
Veterans Bladeguard VeteranVeteranVeteran IntercessorVeteran Assault IntercessorSternguard VeteranTerminator (Assault Terminator)
Battleline Intercessor (Heavy Intercessor) • Vanguard Infiltrator
Close Support InceptorReiverIncursorAssault IntercessorJump Pack IntercessorOutrider
Fire Support AggressorDesolation SquadEradicatorHellblasterVanguard EliminatorVanguard SuppressorInfernus SquadFirestrike Servo-turretHammerfall Bunker
Combat Walkers and Vehicles AstraeusRedemptor Dreadnought (Brutalis DreadnoughtBallistus Dreadnought) • RepulsorRepulsor ExecutionerImpulsorGladiator (Gladiator ReaperGladiator ValiantGladiator Lancer) • Raider Pattern Combat BikeInvader ATVInvictor Tactical WarsuitStorm Speeder (Storm Speeder HailstrikeStorm Speeder HammerstrikeStorm Speeder Thunderstrike)
Aircraft OverlordDrop Pod
Space Marine Forces
Chapter Command Chapter MasterMaster of the KeepMaster of SanctityChief LibrarianMaster of the ApothecarionMaster of the ForgeMaster of the WatchMaster of the FleetMaster of the ArsenalMaster of the MarchesMaster of the RitesMaster of RelicsChief VictuallerLord ExecutionerMaster of RecruitsMaster of ReconnaissanceMaster of the SignalChapter AncientPrimaris AncientChapter ChampionHonour Guard
Company Command Command SquadReclusiam Command SquadCaptainPrimaris CaptainLieutenantPrimaris LieutenantCompany AncientCompany Champion
Specialists Librarian (EpistolaryCodicierLexicaniumPrimaris LibrarianVanguard Librarian) • Chaplain (ReclusiarchPrimaris ChaplainJudiciar) • Apothecary (Primaris ApothecaryApothecary BiologisHelix Adept) • Techmarine
Veteran Squads Veteran Marines (Sternguard VeteranVanguard VeteranVeteran IntercessorVeteran Assault IntercessorBladeguard Veteran) • Terminator SquadTerminator Assault Squad
Battleline Squads Tactical SquadIntercessor Squad (Heavy Intercessor Squad) • Infiltrator Squad
Close Support Squads Assault SquadAssault Intercessor SquadJump Pack Intercessor SquadInceptor SquadReiver SquadIncursor SquadSuppressor SquadBike SquadOutrider SquadCenturion Assault Squad
Fire Support Squads Aggressor SquadDesolation SquadDevastator SquadHellblaster SquadEradicator SquadEliminator SquadInfernus SquadCenturion Devastator Squad
Neophyte Squads Scout SquadScout Bike Squad
Light Vehicles Assault BikeAttack BikeScout BikeRaider Pattern Combat BikeInvader ATVLand Speeder (Land Speeder StormLand Speeder TempestLand Speeder TornadoLand Speeder TyphoonLand Speeder VengeanceLand Speeder ProteusDarkshroud) • Storm Speeder (Storm Speeder HailstrikeStorm Speeder HammerstrikeStorm Speeder Thunderstrike)
Combat Walkers Dreadnought (Castraferrum DreadnoughtSiege DreadnoughtHellfire DreadnoughtIronclad DreadnoughtVenerable DreadnoughtMortis DreadnoughtChaplain DreadnoughtLibrarian DreadnoughtFurioso DreadnoughtDeath Company DreadnoughtRedemptor Dreadnought (Brutalis DreadnoughtBallistus Dreadnought) • Wulfen DreadnoughtDoomglaive Dreadnought) • Nemesis DreadknightInvictor Tactical Warsuit
Armoured Personnel Carriers RhinoRazorbackDamocles Command RhinoRhino PrimarisRhino AdvancerImpulsor
Main Battle Tanks Predator Destructor (Predator AnnihilatorBaal Predator) • Land Raider (Land Raider PhobosLand Raider CrusaderLand Raider RedeemerLand Raider AchillesLand Raider PrometheusLand Raider Terminus UltraLand Raider AresLand Raider ExcelsiorLand Raider Wrath of MjalnarLand Raider Angel InfernusLand Raider Solemnus AggressorLand Raider Anvilarum) • Deimos Vindicator Laser DestroyerRepulsorRepulsor ExecutionerGladiator (Gladiator ReaperGladiator ValiantGladiator Lancer) • Astraeus
Artillery WhirlwindVindicatorStalkerHunterWhirlwind HyperiosLand Raider HeliosThunderfire CannonFirestrike Servo-turret
Aircraft/Air-Deployed StormtalonThunderhawkThunderhawk TransporterShadowhawkStormravenStorm EagleFire RaptorStormhawk InterceptorCaestus Assault RamDark TalonNephilim JetfighterStormfangStormwolfCorvus BlackstarOverlordDrop PodHammerfall Bunker
Rare, Relic or Retired Vehicles Contemptor Pattern DreadnoughtDeredeo Pattern DreadnoughtCerberus Heavy Tank DestroyerLeviathan DreadnoughtJavelin Attack SpeederJetbikeDeimos PredatorDeimos RhinoSabre Tank HunterLand Raider ProteusKratos Heavy Assault TankMark IIb Land Raider PhobosMalcador Assault Tank (Malcador Annihilator) • Sicaran Battle TankSicaran VenatorSicaran Punisher Assault TankSicaran Arcus Strike TankSicaran Omega Tank DestroyerSpartan Assault TankTyphon Heavy Siege TankFellbladeFalchionMastodonDeimos Whirlwind ScorpiusXiphon Pattern InterceptorStormbirdKharybdis Assault Claw
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