The Complete Guide to the 9 First Founding Space Marine Chapters

August 22, 2026

If you are new to the Warhammer 40,000 universe, you have probably encountered the Space Marines.

With their iconic power armor, legendary weapons, and thousands of years of history, the Space Marines are some of the most recognizable warriors in Warhammer.

But did you know that Space Marines are divided into different Chapters, each with its own history, traditions, colors, and fighting style?

Many of the most famous Chapters can trace their origins back to the original Space Marine Legions created during the Great Crusade.

In this guide, we take a look at the 9 loyalist First Founding Space Marine Chapters, their Primarchs, and what makes each one unique.

Whether you are a new Warhammer fan, a longtime collector, or simply trying to decide which Chapter you like best, this guide is a great place to start.

So, which Space Marine Chapter is your favorite?

What Are Space Marine Chapters?

The Space Marine Legions were originally created by the Emperor of Mankind and led by the Primarchs during the Great Crusade.

After the Horus Heresy, the loyalist Legions were reorganized into smaller Chapters under the principles of the Codex Astartes, most famously associated with Roboute Guilliman.

The First Founding Chapters are the direct successors of those original Legions and are among the most important factions in Warhammer 40,000.

Each Chapter has its own:

Armor colors
Symbols and heraldry
Combat style
Traditions
Home world or recruitment culture
Heroes and legendary characters

That is what makes collecting Space Marines so much fun: even though they are all part of the Imperium, every Chapter has its own identity.

1. Ultramarines

Primarch: Roboute Guilliman

Colors: Blue and gold

The Ultramarines are arguably the most recognizable Space Marine Chapter in Warhammer 40,000.

Originally led by Roboute Guilliman, the Ultramarines are known for their discipline, organization, and strategic thinking.

Guilliman also wrote the Codex Astartes, which became the foundation for how many Space Marine Chapters were organized after the Horus Heresy.

The Ultramarines are often presented as the classic image of a Space Marine: disciplined, heroic, and loyal to the Imperium.

Why Collect Ultramarines?

Iconic blue Space Marine armor
One of the best-known Warhammer factions
Strong connection to Roboute Guilliman
Excellent starting point for new collectors
Huge range of characters and units

Best for: Fans who want the classic Warhammer 40K Space Marine experience.

2. Blood Angels

Primarch: Sanguinius

Colors: Red and gold

The Blood Angels combine beauty, nobility, and tragedy.

Their Primarch, Sanguinius, was one of the most beloved of the Emperor's sons. His angelic appearance and noble character made him an icon of the Imperium.

However, the Blood Angels carry a genetic curse known as the Red Thirst and Black Rage.

This gives the Chapter a unique identity: beneath their beautiful armor is a constant struggle against their own nature.

The Blood Angels are also famous for their devastating close-combat abilities.

Why Collect Blood Angels?

Beautiful red and gold armor
Strong connection to Sanguinius
Rich and tragic history
Powerful melee warriors
Distinctive characters and designs

Best for: Fans who enjoy heroic characters, dramatic stories, and elegant armor.

3. Dark Angels

Primarch: Lion El’Jonson

Colors: Dark green and black

The Dark Angels were the First Legion created by the Emperor.

They are heavily inspired by medieval knights, combining ancient traditions with advanced Space Marine technology.

The Chapter is also famous for its secrecy.

The Dark Angels have a complicated history involving the destruction of their home world of Caliban and the mysterious Fallen.

Their Primarch, Lion El’Jonson, is one of the most formidable warriors among the Primarchs.

Why Collect Dark Angels?

Knight-inspired aesthetic
Dark green armor
Deep and mysterious lore
Connection to Lion El’Jonson
Unique characters and units

Best for: Fans who enjoy knights, mystery, and darker Warhammer lore.

4. Space Wolves

Primarch: Leman Russ

Colors: Gray, blue, and metallic tones

The Space Wolves are perhaps the most unusual of the First Founding Chapters.

Their culture draws heavily from Viking and Norse traditions, while their home world of Fenris is a brutal and dangerous place.

Led originally by Leman Russ, the Space Wolves are known for their fierce independence, strong warrior traditions, and aggressive combat style.

They are also famous for their wolf-inspired imagery and unique units.

Why Collect Space Wolves?

Viking-inspired culture
Wolf-themed designs
Strong close-combat identity
Unique armor and units
Connection to Leman Russ

Best for: Fans who love Vikings, wolves, and aggressive warriors.

5. Imperial Fists

Primarch: Rogal Dorn

Colors: Yellow and black

The Imperial Fists are the ultimate defenders of the Imperium.

Their Primarch, Rogal Dorn, was known for his discipline, determination, and defensive genius.

The Chapter is particularly famous for fortification and siege warfare.

During the Horus Heresy, the Imperial Fists played a crucial role in the defense of Terra.

Their bright yellow armor makes them one of the easiest Space Marine Chapters to recognize.

Why Collect Imperial Fists?

Iconic yellow armor
Strong defensive theme
Connection to Rogal Dorn
Important role in Imperial history
Great visual contrast in a collection

Best for: Fans who prefer defense, discipline, and classic military aesthetics.

6. Iron Hands

Primarch: Ferrus Manus

Colors: Black, silver, and metallic tones

The Iron Hands have one of the most distinctive identities among the First Founding Chapters.

Their philosophy can be summed up by the phrase:

“The Flesh Is Weak.”

The Iron Hands believe that the human body is inherently weak and that mechanical augmentation can make warriors stronger.

This philosophy is reflected in their heavy use of cybernetics, machinery, and advanced technology.

Their Primarch, Ferrus Manus, was himself famous for his metallic hands.

Why Collect Iron Hands?

Unique cybernetic aesthetic
Heavy focus on technology
Dark black and metallic armor
Strong connection to Ferrus Manus
Very different from traditional Space Marine designs

Best for: Fans who love machines, cybernetics, and darker Space Marine aesthetics.

7. White Scars

Primarch: Jaghatai Khan

Colors: White and red

The White Scars are masters of speed.

Led by the legendary Jaghatai Khan, they developed a highly mobile style of warfare based around rapid attacks and maneuverability.

Their culture is heavily influenced by Central Asian and Mongolian warrior traditions.

Unlike Chapters that rely on heavily fortified positions, the White Scars prefer to strike quickly and keep their enemies off balance.

Why Collect White Scars?

Fast and dynamic fighting style
Motorcycle and vehicle-focused identity
Unique cultural influences
Striking white armor
Connection to Jaghatai Khan

Best for: Fans who love speed, bikes, and highly mobile armies.

8. Raven Guard

Primarch: Corvus Corax

Colors: Black and dark gray

The Raven Guard specialize in stealth, infiltration, and precision attacks.

Their Primarch, Corvus Corax, was a master of guerrilla warfare.

Rather than simply charging directly into battle, the Raven Guard prefer to attack from the shadows, strike vulnerable targets, and disappear before the enemy can respond.

Their black armor and raven imagery reinforce their stealth-focused identity.

Why Collect Raven Guard?

Stealth-focused theme
Black armor
Unique infiltration tactics
Connection to Corvus Corax
Different from traditional Space Marine armies

Best for: Fans who prefer stealth, tactics, and covert operations.

9. Salamanders

Primarch: Vulkan

Colors: Green and black

The Salamanders are known for their compassion and craftsmanship.

Their Primarch, Vulkan, was one of the most humane of the Emperor's sons. He believed that Space Marines should protect ordinary people rather than simply pursue military victory.

The Salamanders are also legendary craftsmen and are particularly associated with fire and powerful flame-based weapons.

Their green armor and draconic imagery give them a distinctive appearance.

Why Collect Salamanders?

Unique green armor
Strong connection to Vulkan
Famous weapons and craftsmanship
Humanitarian philosophy
Fire and dragon-inspired designs

Best for: Fans who want a Space Marine Chapter with both strength and humanity.

First Founding Chapters at a Glance

Chapter	Primarch	Main Theme	Iconic Colors
Ultramarines	Roboute Guilliman	Strategy & discipline	Blue
Blood Angels	Sanguinius	Nobility & sacrifice	Red
Dark Angels	Lion El’Jonson	Knights & mystery	Dark Green
Space Wolves	Leman Russ	Vikings & close combat	Gray
Imperial Fists	Rogal Dorn	Defense & fortification	Yellow
Iron Hands	Ferrus Manus	Technology & cybernetics	Black
White Scars	Jaghatai Khan	Speed & mobility	White
Raven Guard	Corvus Corax	Stealth & infiltration	Black
Salamanders	Vulkan	Protection & craftsmanship	Green

What About the Other First Founding Legions?

The original First Founding included 18 Space Marine Legions, corresponding to the 18 known Primarchs.

However, not all of those Legions remained loyal to the Emperor.

During the Horus Heresy, nine Legions turned against the Imperium and became the foundation of the Traitor Legions.

These included:

Sons of Horus
Emperor’s Children
Iron Warriors
Night Lords
World Eaters
Death Guard
Thousand Sons
Word Bearers
Alpha Legion

Many of these forces later became associated with Chaos and are now represented by the Chaos Space Marines and their various factions.

If you want to learn more about the Primarchs themselves, check out our guide:

[https://www.forfigure.com/collections/primarch]

Which Space Marine Chapter Should You Collect?

There is no single “best” Chapter.

The best Chapter for your collection depends on what kind of characters, stories, and designs you enjoy.

Choose Ultramarines if you like:

Classic Space Marines, strategy, and the traditional image of the Imperium.

Choose Blood Angels if you like:

Heroic characters, tragic stories, and beautiful red armor.

Choose Dark Angels if you like:

Knights, secrets, and mysterious lore.

Choose Space Wolves if you like:

Vikings, wolves, and aggressive warriors.

Choose Imperial Fists if you like:

Defense, discipline, and military fortifications.

Choose Iron Hands if you like:

Machines, cybernetics, and dark industrial designs.

Choose White Scars if you like:

Speed, motorcycles, and highly mobile combat.

Choose Raven Guard if you like:

Stealth, infiltration, and tactical warfare.

Choose Salamanders if you like:

Craftsmanship, fire, and protecting humanity.

Building Your Warhammer Space Marine Collection

One of the best things about collecting Warhammer 40K figures is that you don't have to choose just one faction.

Some collectors build their display around a single Chapter, while others collect characters from different factions and eras.

You might start with your favorite Chapter and gradually add:

Primarchs
Chapter Masters
Captains
Dreadnoughts
Terminators
Vehicles
Chaos Space Marines
Other legendary characters

The important thing is to collect the characters and designs that you personally enjoy.

At ForFigure, we are passionate about bringing Warhammer fans and collectors closer to the characters they love through officially licensed JoyToy Warhammer collectible figures.

From iconic Space Marines to Chaos forces and legendary Warhammer characters, our collection is designed for fans who want to bring the Warhammer universe to their display shelves.

Final Thoughts

The First Founding Chapters are an important part of what makes Warhammer 40,000 so unique.

The Ultramarines represent discipline.

The Blood Angels represent sacrifice.

The Dark Angels represent mystery.

The Space Wolves represent the warrior spirit.

The Imperial Fists represent defense.

The Iron Hands represent technology.

The White Scars represent speed.

The Raven Guard represent stealth.

And the Salamanders represent humanity and craftsmanship.

There is no wrong choice.