Blood Angels are my Chapter of choice for three main reasons: 1.) The Lore: Outwardly they project an air of nobility and sophistication, but their minds are haunted by the savageness of the Red Thirst and the madness of the Black Rage. This duality determines every aspect of their character, from their Sanguinary Priests being afforded the same status as their Chaplains, to their (fairly) rigid adherence to the Codex Astartes until they reach their breaking point (at which point they change from angelic protectors to nightmarish berserkers). 2.) The Combat Style: Take to the skies, move with the utmost speed, then strike the enemy down at close quarters. Every Space Marine Chapter emphasizes speed in order to win their victories, none more so than the Blood Angels and their Successor Chapters. The only chapter that could potentially give the Blood Angels a run for their money would be the White Scars, but I'd still have to give the edge to the Blood Angels since they prefer aircraft and jump packs to bikes. Even their ground vehicles are either carried in by aircraft or are fitted with supercharged Lucifer-Pattern engines. 3.) The Artistic Style: In the lore the Blood Angels are known for being peerless artists, and this transfers quite well onto the tabletop. Red, black, and gold are really great colors for turning heads and nothing catches your opponent's eye more than a group of dark Death Company Marines getting closer and closer or shining Sanguinary Guard deep striking, all while gazing over your sea of red Space Marines.
Because the Dark Angels weren't only the 1st Legion. They were the ONLY Legion when they were created. The 1st 5000 brave souls that became Astartes to lead men out of the Age of Darkness. All from the Lion's geneseed. Glory to the 1st Legion. Repent, for tomorrow you die. Where the Space Wolves have ferocity, the Ultramarines logistics, the Imperial Fists blind loyalty, The Raven Guard stealth, The Salamanders humanity, The Iron Hands technology, The White Scars fast attack, and the Blood Angels blind retribution, The Dark Angels have cold calculated tactical supremacy. We are what the Emperor bred us to be, humanity's eternal Angels of Death.
The Space Marine is so freaking iconic. I mean even people who have never heard of 40K know EXACTLY where those shoulder pads come from. Plus, the more lore I read, and the more games I play, the more I love the spece mureens. Just so darn COOL. As I read more and more of the lore on the various wikis about each and every chapter, I realized that if I could choose a chapter, I would always choose the Space Wolves. I've never liked the Ultramarines' obsession with the Codex Astartes. I like how the Space Wolves almost ignore it, and still do BUTTKICKINGFORGOODNESS. Also who doesn't love space vikings? OK, ok. The REAL reason I adore the Space Wolves is because beards.
The concept of the Necrons are interesting, but I find it hard to like a faction that is so damn overpowered in table-top at the moment... Same goes for the Grey Knights; the idea of an awesome anti-demon strikeforce is frickin' awesome, BUT when most of their units can manifest psychic/warp -powers, extremely high armor saves and ridicculous damage output for such a low cost, it's a bit too much to be able to like them...<.<
My exact reason I love them and the Salamanders, they actually go out of their way to help the common citizenry. Also like that they aren't blind fanatics they think for themselves and speak their minds.
