The Space Marines from Warhammer 40,000 are genetically modified super soldiers who share little in common with humans aside from their rough shape. Accordingly, their equipment is also several sizes larger and not intended for humans. However, a common citizen of the Imperium could wear Astartes armor, though it would not be a good idea.
Armor is a central part of a Space Marine’s equipment. It consists of thick ceramite plates that are resistant or even immune to many projectiles. The popular laser rifles in the Imperium might not even penetrate them.
However, the armors not only provide protection, they are literally connected to the Space Marine. In the creation of an Astartes, additional organs are implanted, including a special skin: the carapace or “Black Carapace”.
The carapace acts as a built-in interface in the Space Marine that can directly connect to the armor, effectively “coupling” it with the Astartes. The soldier has a direct connection to his armor, making it literally a part of him. This allows for:
- the direct monitoring of the armor’s condition
- immediate commands to any built-in equipment
- modifications like displays in the helmet
- connections with weapons so that ammunition, heat, and damage can be monitored directly
It is precisely this carapace that is the reason why only Astartes can wear such armors. At least almost, as there are a few exceptions – such as the similarly bred Custodes, who wear different armors. But for now: What happens if a human gets into this armor?
With the right armor, even hundreds of Tyranids are no problem:
Like a child in oversized clothing
The simple and sober answer is: nothing. The human may be half the size of the Astartes and would fit in the armor like a child in a too-big chair. Nothing would happen.
In the worst case, if the armor were to weigh down on the human for whatever reason, he would be crushed in it. Without the connection to the ceramite, a human simply could not move the armor.
In a theoretical case where the armor closes, it would likely be difficult to impossible to get out again. The human would starve. If anyone were to think of directly connecting the armor via a neural link with the human – for whatever reason – this person would likely die (relatively painfully) from a synaptic overload. But again: only in the worst case.
However, it is different if a human climbs into the armor of one of the traitorous brothers of the Space Marines who have fallen to Chaos. Because the armors of Chaos work a little differently.
Special case: The corrupted armor of Chaos
In itself, the armors of the Chaos Space Marines are the same as their brothers’, just much older models, as they mostly date back to the time of the Horus Heresy over 10,000 years ago. However, the Warp has an effect on everything, even on lifeless matter.
Accordingly, the armors of the traitors change, developing mutations, or can even be possessed by demons. And this is where it gets interesting:
If a human gets into corrupted armor, theoretically nothing happens at first. Depending on which of the Chaos gods it is “dedicated” to, however, there can be dire consequences. In most cases, the almost living armor would probably just devour the human.
In at least one case, however, a human was literally overtaken by a possessed armor. The slave Larana Utorian was to clean the armor of a Khorne Berserker when the armor spoke to her. She dons the armor, which miraculously fits, sells her soul to Khorne, and dies in agony as she is “reborn” as an avatar of Khorne. An excerpt from the corresponding novel “Storm of Iron” can be found on Reddit.
There is power armor for humans, but almost only women wear it
This does not mean that humans are limited to lame armors, as there are also power armors for “normal” humans, but they are not used widely.
Human lives are cheaper than the ceramite of the armor, which is why the army would never be equipped with such things. Only a few high-ranking members of the Inquisition, the most dangerous organization of the Imperium, wear such armors – as do the Adepta Sororitas.
The Sororitas are an order of women who fanatically serve the Emperor. Although they are “only” humans, their faith gives them powers similar to Space Marines, and they also wear appropriate armors, albeit in an adapted form.
Power armors of the Adepta Sororitas typically do not have a neural connection with their wearer, which means that many advantages – aside from superior protection – are lost.
Some Sororitas use implants to mimic the carapace connection of the Space Marines, achieving similar results. In the same way, the still-serving Dreadnoughts are embedded in their coffins. Others even connect with their equipment through a special implant via “thoughts”.
Of course, this all comes with dangers, as such connections pose a tremendous strain on “normal” humans. However, such concerns are something for people who do not have absolute trust in the Emperor… and that’s what makes the Sororitas so special: Chaos followers want to know why one should play the fanatical order of women in Warhammer 40,000. Fans explain: They feel the most like 40k.
