Editing Silver Cataphracts (section)

=Legion Doctrine=
[[File:SilverCataphracts2.jpg|200px|thumb]]
''I'm out of ammo? I draw my sidearm. Empty? My grenade. No grenade? I charge.

-A Cataphract Saying


The Silver Cataphracts doctrine was designed to maximize damage upon the enemy, minimize their own losses, and be as quick as possible in the process. To this effect, the Legion incorporated strategies and tactics others would deem beneath them. Normally the Cataphracts would unleash artillery, then follow up with a rapid deployment of infantry supported by armored vehicles. Artillery would then switch from pure saturation to organized, responsive support for the main push. The use of [[Whirlwind]] vehicles facilitated this, as the rocket platforms are capable of both rapid deployment and long range barrage. Other mobile elements such as the effective [[Storm Eagle|Storm Eagle Assault Gunship]] fills the dual role of fire support and transport. Sometimes even planetary bombardment would be used in conjunction with active surface invasion, if it was deemed necessary. 

This reliance on artillery would make the 15th appear cowardly to their brethren, but it allowed them to deal devastating damage to their foes before even being seen. True controversy came with their integration of the Imperial Army in their combat actions. Gaps in an infantry assault would be plugged with regiments of Armymen. These forces would be used as a buffer from counterattacks, allowing the Cataphracts to regroup as their allies took the brunt of the damage. Sometimes certain Legionnaire commanders would have the attached Army forces push alongside Marine elements in a full frontal attack. This would invariably lead to systemic damage across the formations, but allow the Cataphracts to bring to bear even more numbers. 

Even without artillery, or Imperial Army forces, the Silver Cataphracts were formidable foes. Due to a complete lack of self-interest the Marines would not falter even when it was certain defeat was in sight. The regimented, strict lives designed to remove any trace of the individual kept them focused on matters at hand. If a brother fell, no one would pause, or even so much as respond. The elitist nature of the Legion pushed Marines to better themselves, as it was about the only honor and status they could keep. How effective you were on the battlefield almost determined everything. 


==Legion Organization==
''"Why did this have to get so damn complicated?"''

'''Veshnyak, 3rd Army Group Commander'''


Due to the nature the Silver Cataphracts, they prided themselves on being organized and orderly in warfare. Several formations deviating from the normal layout were produced, based on actual effectiveness rather than neat division. The main fighting unit was the Army, led by an Army Commander. Army Commanders had to prove themselves personally to the Primarch in games of skill and intelligence. This was done to show they had the ability to think ahead, and improvise. Army Commanders who would further prove themselves would then be reevaluated again, and if they were found worthy, would be promoted to an Army Group Commander.

There was only ever two Overseers of Operation, but towards the beginning of the Heresy a rumor persist of a third Overseer planned to be promoted. This never came to fruition to the difficulties of organizing anything during the Hektor Heresy. The Overseer was the single most important Marine in the Legion. They were responsible for leading the Legion as a whole if the Primarch was disposed personally leading the Legion. They were also responsible for ensuring Imperial Army Regiments were attached to Silver Cataphracts formations.

Though the relationship between the Cataphracts and their Army allies was tense, the Rosskan Strelky never faltered in their responsibilities. Commonly the Strelky Regiments would be permanently integrated to certain formations, rebuilt even after total destruction. This would allow for a sense of consistency to permeate certain Army formations of the Legion. An unintended side effect of this organizational preference for the Strelky would create veteran forces adept at working side by side with Astartes forces. 

===Specialist Ranks===
'''The Witchborn'''
-----
[[File:Rosskan Witchv3.jpg|thumb|right|180px|A young Witch of Rosskar, apprenticed to Galash]]
Alexandri realized what Psykers were and how to use them immediately after taking control of his Legion. Through his purges of the Rosskan Covens the Primarch had complete familiarity with the capabilities of Psykers. The Argent's capable Psykers were shamed by the knightly order, but one of the few groups readily embraced by their gene-father. Reorganized into specialist units, the '''Witchborn''' proved their loyalty thrice fold. The few surviving Witches on Rosskar were recruited by these Astartes warlocks, trained by them to augment their own sorcerous strength. The Council of Nikaea banned this practice, with the Witches sent back to the homeworld while the Witchborn were disbanded as a formation.

The Heresy would change everything. The Witchborn were placed with greater importance than ever before, with whatever Witches who could be called up on short notice sent to Terra. This would prove invaluable against the Traitor's Psyker might and summoned Daemons. Reports have supposedly said that some Witchborn summoned up their own Daemons to combat the others, relying on winged beasts to serve them. If this is true, it could damn the entire Legion. However Galash and all of the Witchborn and the Witches would somehow disappear at the beginning of the Scouring. It has been theorized that Alexandri hid them throughout the galaxy, or within his own Legion, to save them from prosecution. Whatever the case, the fate of this formation has never been found out. 

'''The Huscarls'''
----
Due to the lack of Assault Marines in the Legion, Byk of the Sacred Band took it upon himself to forge ahead with an elite core of capable close combatants. Wielding massive adamantium tower shields and crackling power axes, the '''Huscarls''' saved the Legion many times when their usual tactics would fail them. Rigorously would the Huscarls train, battling themselves in sometimes day long sparing matches in which they would use fake practicing axes but wear full equipment otherwise. They were both the backbone of the Legion. A line to fall back upon, or pin the enemy in place while they were ripped to shreds by their brothers.

The Huscarls preformed best when inserted onto the battlefield via mechanized transport or by aerial means. Without this their combat effectiveness greatly diminishes. During the Hektor Heresy, their presence saved multiple ships from Traitor boarding actions. 

'''The Cosmonauts'''

Void Warfare specialists 

'''The Reformers'''

Think Dark Angels Dreadwings. 

'''Organization Breakdown'''
-----
The following is an overview of all Legionary divisions during the Great Crusade and Heresy. These formations acted mostly independent of one another during the Great Scouring, however.

*Joint Strategic Battlegroup (Entire Legion, all Imperial Army Regiments Available), led by a Grand Officer of the Legion.
*Army Group (30,000 Marines, Seven Hundred Regiments of Imperial Armymen), led by a Group Commander.
*Army (15,000 Marines, Three to Four Hundred Regiments of Imperial Armymen), led by an Army Commander
*Battalion (7,500 Marines, One to Four Hundred Regiments of Imperial Armymen), led by a Junior Army Commander.
*Battle Company (1,000 Marines, One Hundred Regiments of Imperial Armymen), led by a Captain.
*Company(500 Marines, Four Companies of Imperial Armymen), led by a Lieutenant.
*Assault Squad(50 Marines, Ten Platoons of Imperial Armymen), led by a Praporshchik(Senior Sergeant).
*Battle Squad(10-20 Marines, Five Platoons of Imperial Armymen), led by a Sergeant.


The Army would be a common formation, spread out among several Expedition Fleets working in concert with one another. The Army Groups were formations designed to tackle particularly daunting enemies. Such as sector spanning stellar empires that would require significant portions of the Silver Cataphracts to attack. The Legion would try to stay together as much as possible when deployed, as Alexandri never wanted his forces to be weakened by being flung across the void.

==Legion Equipment==
''If it's broke, don't talk about it.''

-Cataphract Motto


The Silver Cataphracts prefer ranged weaponry above all else. Some Squad Sergeants of the Legion prefer to forgo the usual armament of melee weaponry, choosing instead to use a simple bolter. The Captains almost never engage their foes in pitted close combat either, focusing all their attention on leading and directing the Marines under their charge. Huge vox-modules can be seen attached to each Captain, along with a vast array of grenades and pistols. The pistols are of many kinds and types, each suited to different foes commonly encountered. Specialized auto-stubbers for the unamored, plasma pistols for heavy foes, and Inferno pistols for the truly remarkable opponents. 

It is the responsibility of the individual Marine to keep his equipment maintained. Some are even able to make small modifications to it with a supervision of a Techmarine. Many have created small improvements, usually pertaining to individual's preferences. It was encouraged by Legionary Officers to allow their soldiers to loot anything they desired from vanquished foes. This was done to bolster the array of arms to bear, as well as lessen logistical strain on the Legion as whole. It is common for Silver Cataphracts successor Chapters to loot equipment from the battlefield, in accordance to their old Legionary traditions. 

This usually leads to minor amounts of xeno-tech to be added to the armoury, which is only tolerated because normally the Cataphracts can be trusted to always hand them over if the Inquisition desires so. As long as this unspoken understanding exists, they are able to keep their spoils. For a time.