Place 1: Dark Angels
The Dark Angels are the first order of Space Marines ever. Their gene-seed is considered the purest and the one that has decayed the least over time. Their Primarch, Lion El’Johnson, is known as the best strategist of the Imperium with outstanding combat characteristics – and for his rivalry with Leman Russ, the Primarch of the Space Wolves.
Johnson’s military knowledge is said to be surpassed only by Horus, the traitor, if at all. Accordingly, his Dark Angels are the best strategists among the Space Marines and an almost insurmountable enemy in war.
In battle, the Dark Angels rely on a combination of various tactics. This doctrine often culminates in a quick strike followed by a devastating, united attack after reconnaissance.
Space Marine 2 has come up with something regarding the Dark Angels:
Each part of the operation has the right composition of specialists with corresponding weaponry. What sets the Dark Angels apart from all other orders the most is their quasi-flagship: “The Rock.”
The Rock is basically a planet with a Warp drive. After the destruction of their home world Caliban, the Dark Angels took the remnants of the planet’s fortress and created their new mobile home world from them. This flying fortress can even pulverize the mighty fleets of the Eldar.
In a direct conflict, the Dark Angels are an opponent against whom almost no one can stand – unless they can overwhelm the Space Marines with sheer numbers.
By the way, Space Marines are not the first humans that the Emperor has genetically altered and bred into super soldiers. Before them, there was already a prototype
with a tragic end: Warhammer 40,000 had already bred superhumans before the Space Marines, but they were too problematic
