The Blood Angels are among the most revered and tragic Space Marine Chapters in Warhammer 40,000. Known for their noble warrior ethos, unmatched ferocity in battle, and the terrible flaws of their genetic heritage, the sons of Sanguinius have shaped the Imperium’s history for millennia. While the Blood Angels themselves are a legendary force, their legacy extends far beyond their own ranks, carried on by numerous successor chapters from later foundings.
The Blood Angels: Noble Yet Doomed
Founded during the Great Crusade, the Blood Angels were led by their Primarch, Sanguinius, one of the most beloved figures in Imperial history. His angelic appearance and compassionate leadership made him an icon, but the chapter was cursed with the Red Thirst and the Black Rage—genetic flaws that afflict their warriors with an uncontrollable bloodlust and visions of Sanguinius’ death at the hands of Horus.
Despite these challenges, the Blood Angels remain a disciplined and artistic brotherhood, blending savagery with a deep appreciation for beauty and culture. Their tactics emphasize speed, aerial assault, and elite close-combat prowess, making them a terrifying sight on the battlefield.
Successor Chapters: The Blood Angels’ Gene-Line in the Later Foundings
Like all First Founding Legions, the Blood Angels were divided into smaller chapters during the Second Founding, with the Flesh Tearers, Angels Encarmine, and Angels Sanguine among the most well-known of their immediate successors. However, in later foundings, their genetic lineage continued to shape the Imperium’s defenders—often with increasingly unstable results.
Notable Later Founding Successor Chapters
1. Blood Drinkers
A chapter that has managed to restrain the worst of their genetic flaws, the Blood Drinkers follow the Codex Astartes more rigidly than their parent chapter. They maintain an eerie level of control over the Red Thirst, making them one of the more stable successors.
2. Flesh Tearers
Founded in the Second Founding but relevant due to their grim fate, the Flesh Tearers exemplify the Blood Angels’ darker nature. Their brutal combat style, complete lack of restraint, and increasing struggles with the Black Rage have led many within the Imperium to question if they can continue as a viable chapter. Led by Gabriel Seth, they fight against extinction as their numbers dwindle.
3. Angels Vermillion
Little is known about this chapter, but whispers suggest their curse is even worse than that of the Blood Angels. They are rumored to drink the blood of their enemies—perhaps even their allies—to keep their affliction at bay.
4. Lamenters
A tragic chapter cursed with seemingly endless misfortune. The Lamenters were created in a later founding as part of an effort to stabilize the Blood Angels’ gene-seed, but instead, they became a chapter doomed to suffer catastrophic losses. Most recently, they were nearly wiped out in the Badab War, where they sided with the Astral Claws, only to be betrayed and nearly destroyed.
5. Knights of Blood
Declared Excommunicate Traitoris by the Imperium, the Knights of Blood were a Blood Angels successor chapter that completely succumbed to their gene-flaws. They were hunted down as renegades despite still fighting against the enemies of mankind.
The Curse Continues: The Primaris Blood Angels
With the introduction of Primaris Space Marines by Belisarius Cawl, the question of the Blood Angels’ curse has taken a new turn. Many successor chapters have received Primaris reinforcements, and while these warriors exhibit greater resistance to the Red Thirst, they are not immune. The Primaris Death Company, filled with those who succumb to the Black Rage, is proof that Sanguinius’ legacy remains as much a burden as it is a blessing.
Conclusion: The Eternal Struggle of the Blood Angels and Their Kin
The Blood Angels and their successors are among the most fascinating factions in Warhammer 40,000, balancing their noble aspirations with the constant threat of their own flaws. Whether it’s the disciplined Blood Drinkers, the savage Flesh Tearers, or the tragic Lamenters, each chapter carries the legacy of Sanguinius in their own way. As the Imperium continues to wage war across the stars, the sons of the Angel will forever struggle against their inner demons while defending humanity with unmatched fury.
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