Name: Mark Dewis
Game System: Warhammer 40,000
Army Type: Space Marines
Army Name: Jade Warriors

When and why did you start collecting this particular army?
I forget the exact date, but it was around the time the current Land Raider was released, I think. 2001? Anyway, I had been playing my Orks for a little while and was looking to start a second army. Space Marines seemed like a good alternative, but I wanted to play it pure codex. Early on, I got the idea of collecting a Drop Pod army - and this was back in 3rd edition when Drop Pod armies weren't really very good. The Japanese angle came shortly after. I've also followed a strict policy of only adding plastics - no metal in the army at all. All Codex, All Drop Pod, All Plastic was my original mantra. Though I couldn't resist the 4th edition chapter trait system, and someday they will get a Land Raider.

What particular things about the army do you like?
Marines are very easy to play. It's a very forgiving list. My particular twist on it actually made things a bit more difficult, though, or did so until the changes in 4th edition. It's an easy army to set up, and good at breaking an opponent's setup if things go to plan.

What things do you not like about the army, or the way it plays?
Things often don't go to plan. It also has some problems with heavy units, as there are issues with dropping units that can't move and fire since they will never get to attack until turn 3 at best. I do have some Devastators in my broader army, but usually deploy them as "already dropped".

Has your view about the two previous questions changed over the course of your time playing with them?
I've learned a lot of hard lessons about drop forces over the years. One thing that always seems to bite me is splitting the force into "ground" and "drop" (having some units already deployed). The ground force usually gets hammered while the pods are off-board, then the pods get mopped up. Better to have everyone come in at the same time.

What is your style of play with this army?
Basically it's dictated by the drop pod theme. I have nothing on the board in the first turn, and likely only 2-3 on the second. The 4th edition drop pod rules give me great reliability about where to place them, though, as I can use enemy units to prevent drift a bit.

Which are your favourite units to play with?
The Dreadnaughts. But they are new. I've always had a soft spot for my old ninja scouts, since they were the first models done for the army, and have often done very well.

What are your favourite units/Characters to have modelled or painted?
That would be the ninja scouts. They are converted from Tau Fire Warriors, back before plastic scouts existed. I also have a fondness for my Librarian model, which I based on a Japanese sculpture.

What are your plans for this army in the future?
I hope eventually to collect a full Marine army, including some non-drop units like Land Raiders. In my background the Jade Warriors are drop specialists, but they still maintain a smaller force of heavy vehicles for consolidation work. At the moment, I need to finish my Dreadnaught, add a second one and put together my new Terminators. Some Assault Marines have been long desired, although they don't arrive by pod as such anymore. More Landspeeders are always welcome, too!

What about this army stand out from others of its type?
In terms of general Marine forces - they arrive in pods! But in regards to other drop pod forces, probably not. I've never seen another one locally. The Japanese theme gives me a strong visual hook.

What background and theme have you created for this force?
I have quite a lot worked out about the Jade Warriors. They descend from a White Scars Shaman who embarked on a spiritual journey and ended up on the planet Xen, where he founded/joined the order of the Xen Monks (records are confused on this point and much of his story). He founded the Jade Warriors there and it became their homeworld. The Shin assassins also call Xen home, and they have a close working relationship with the Jade Warriors, providing stock for recruitment and training for their ninja scouts.

Xen is nearly a water world, with many mountainous islands. It has a high level of technology - a minor forgeworld in fact - but lacks many natural resources and relies on imported raw materials from other worlds in its system and nearby worlds. This has meant that it has avoided much of the industrial pollution typical of its type. It's sun is a type F with a distinct greenish hue; green solar disks have become an important part of Jade warrior iconography.

Because of the harsh geography, the Xenites find it difficult to operate tracked or legged vehicles, and prefer anti-gravity, ocean or rail. Bikes are popular in urban areas and there are many biker gangs among the disaffected youth of the hives.

The Jade Warriors follow fairly closely to the Codex Astartes in most things, but weight their organisation toward their preferred drop pod operations. They also have a very different approach to their scouts - instead of using the scout teams as training for novices, they are mostly made up of professional assassins from the Shin order operating as Imperial auxiliaries under Jade warrior command. The actual novices undergo rigourous traning with the Xen order in remote mountain retreats, though they also serve a short time in the ninja scout company before they become full battle brothers.

The Jade Warriors also do not have Chaplains and Librarians as such; both roles are filled by Warrior Monks, elite battle brothers whose knowledge of the mind, body and soul is such that their feats can seem magical.

See Marks Space Marine Chapter Founding Competition entry here.