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Plague Marine Chaos Space Marine Illustration

Artist: Alexandre Noyer Source: Alexandre Noyer
Plague Marine Chaos Space Marine Illustration
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Published on: July 4, 2024

Plague Marines: Nurgle’s Resilient Harbingers of Decay in Warhammer 40k

Origins and Background

Plague Marines, fearsome agents of Nurgle, the Chaos God of decay and rot, have a dark and tragic origin. Once proud members of the Death Guard Legion, these warriors fell to corruption during the Horus Heresy, a cataclysmic civil war ten millennia ago. Led by their Primarch, Mortarion, the Death Guard became stranded in the Warp, where they were afflicted by a horrific plague that ravaged their ranks. Desperate for salvation, Mortarion turned to Nurgle, who granted them deliverance—at the cost of their humanity. The Legion was reborn as Plague Marines, grotesque beings devoted to spreading Nurgle’s gifts of pestilence across the galaxy.

Characteristics

Plague Marines are notorious for their resilience and immunity to pain, traits bestowed upon them by Nurgle’s “blessings.” Their bloated and diseased bodies are nearly indestructible, capable of withstanding injuries that would annihilate lesser beings. Their power armor, though corroded and encrusted with filth, remains a potent defense against physical and psychic assaults. These corrupted warriors are a terrifying sight on the battlefield, their decaying forms exuding a foul stench and an aura of despair that unsettles even the most hardened enemies.

Weapons and Tactics

Plague Marines carry an arsenal of corrupted weapons designed to spread disease and death. Their bolters, standard Space Marine firearms, are modified to fire disease-ridden rounds that infect their victims. They wield Plague Knives, melee weapons capable of inflicting festering wounds that resist healing. Blight Grenades, filled with virulent toxins, unleash clouds of corrosive gas and filth upon their foes. Some carry Plague Belchers, spewing infectious bile to devastate enemy formations. On the battlefield, they are slow but relentless, advancing with methodical precision. Their resilience makes them almost impossible to stop, while their weapons wreak havoc in close combat, spreading disease and demoralizing enemy forces.

Role in the Lore

Plague Marines serve as the vanguard of the Death Guard Traitor Legion, one of the most infamous forces aligned with Chaos. Their missions often involve spreading Nurgle’s influence across the galaxy, from corrupting Imperial worlds to devastating entire sectors with their plagues. They frequently clash with the Space Marines, Astra Militarum, and other defenders of the Imperium, their grotesque presence symbolizing the eternal struggle between order and decay. In the Warhammer 40,000 tabletop game, Plague Marines are a favored choice for players who value durability and close-range destruction. Their thematic appeal and unique abilities make them a cornerstone of Nurgle’s forces and an enduring menace in the grimdark universe.