Ultramarines – Warhammer 40k Guide

The Ultramarines are the paragons of discipline, strategy and honour in the grim darkness of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Sons of the Primarch Roboute Guilliman, they embody tactical brilliance and unwavering loyalty to the Emperor.

On the tabletop they are the classic balanced Space Marine force, mixing firepower, mobility and resilience. First-time players appreciate their versatility, and painting them is all about rich blues, gold trim and clean, precise detail.

Who Are The Ultramarines?

The Ultramarines are the quintessential Space Marines, the exemplars of what it means to serve the Emperor. Descended from Roboute Guilliman, they are masters of war in both strategy and execution.

Hailing from the civilised worlds of Ultramar, they are not only warriors but also statesmen, administrators and protectors of a realm within the Imperium. Guilliman’s leadership shaped the Ultramarines into one of the most organised and efficient fighting forces among the Space Marines, and his doctrine still guides them in the wars of the 41st Millennium.

For all their reputation for order and discipline, the Ultramarines are relentless in battle and will use ruthless tactics when the situation demands it. They fight with calculated fury rather than reckless abandon.

Ultramarines 40k at a Glance

The Ultramarines are the most famous Space Marine Chapter in Warhammer 40,000, descended from the XIII Legion founded around the Primarch Roboute Guilliman. Like other Codex Chapters they number around a thousand battle-brothers; their influence comes from their history and their many successors, not their size. Guilliman wrote the Codex Astartes, the doctrine most Chapters still follow, so the Ultramarines are the template for what a Space Marine should be. On the tabletop they are the balanced, flexible all-rounder and a strong choice for beginners.

The Ultramarines have more successor Chapters than any other Legion, and their gene-seed is considered the purest and most stable.

What Are Ultramarines’ Army Strengths?

Ultramarines use the 11th Edition Codex: Space Marines, so their strengths are the strengths of the wider Space Marine range, played the “by the book” way:

• Tactical versatility: Space Marines can field almost any style of force, from gunlines to armoured spearheads to elite melee. Ultramarines lean into that flexibility rather than one narrow trick.
• Core army rules: In 11th Edition Combat Doctrines replace Oath of Moment as the Space Marine army rule. Assault Doctrine lets a unit charge after Advancing, Devastator Doctrine gives its ranged attacks [ASSAULT], and Tactical Doctrine lets it shoot or charge after Falling Back; each doctrine can normally be used once per battle, and Captains can activate one for their own unit. See our Codex: Space Marines 11th Edition breakdown for details.
• Roboute Guilliman: The Primarch is a centrepiece unit and, fittingly for the author of the Codex Astartes, has all Combat Doctrines active at once.
• Named characters: Marneus Calgar, Chief Librarian Tigurius, Captain Sicarius and Sergeant Telion give Ultramarines extra options that other Codex Chapters don’t have.
• A deep detachment pool: The codex offers many detachments, and 11th Edition’s Detachment Points let you combine them (see Detachment Points explained). Check the codex and the Munitorum Field Manual for current detachment rules, stratagems and points.

Where Should Beginners Start?

If you’re starting Ultramarines, these units give you a versatile core that suits the Chapter’s style:

• Intercessors: The backbone of most Space Marine armies. Bolt rifles make them solid at mid-range, and they’re reliable objective holders.
• Roboute Guilliman: The Primarch himself, a devastating fighter and a force multiplier for the rest of your army. A big investment in points and painting time, but the definitive Ultramarines model.
• Captain: A Leader who can join squads such as Intercessors and boost them. In 11th Edition, Leaders are attached when you write your list and keep their abilities even if their squad is wiped out (see Leader rules).
• Repulsor Executioner: A heavy grav-tank that combines serious firepower with transport capacity.
• Aggressors: Gravis-armoured infantry with boltstorm or flamestorm gauntlets, built to shred infantry at short range while soaking up damage.
• Librarian: A battlefield psyker who supports your army and hinders the enemy. Tigurius is the Ultramarines’ famous named option.

The Ultramarines Combat Patrol is the easiest single box to start with.

How to Paint The Ultramarines

Painting the Ultramarines rewards precision and attention to detail. Their signature colour is a rich Macragge Blue, set off by gold trim, red weapon casings and white markings for sergeants and veterans.

Colour Scheme Ideas

Noble Guardian (classic)

• Base colour: Macragge Blue for the power armour.
• Shading: Drakenhof Nightshade in recesses and panel lines.
• Highlights: Calgar Blue for crisp edge highlights.
• Accent colour: Retributor Armour for shoulder trims, chest eagles and other details.
• Additional accent: Mephiston Red on weapon casings, lenses and purity-seal wax.
• Highlight for accents: Stormhost Silver on the edges of gold trim and metal weapon parts.

The classic Ultramarines look: noble blue armour, rich gold and a touch of red for contrast.

Primarch’s Legion (darker)

• Base colour: Kantor Blue for a deeper, more subdued armour tone.
• Shading: Nuln Oil for stark, battle-worn recesses.
• Highlights: Alaitoc Blue for edge highlights.
• Accent colour: Brass Scorpion for trims and emblems.
• Additional accent: Abaddon Black on weapon casings and small details.
• Highlight for accents: Runefang Steel on brass edges and weapons.

A grittier, darker take that suits a Horus Heresy-era or veteran force.

Cerulean Paragon (brighter)

• Base colour: Calgar Blue for lighter, more heroic armour.
• Shading: Drakenhof Nightshade, applied as a recess shade so the light blue stays clean.
• Highlights: Fenrisian Grey for edge highlights.
• Accent colour: Leadbelcher for silver trims and weapons (an easy swap for the discontinued Mithril Silver).
• Additional accent: Khorne Red for lenses, purity seals and insignia.
• Highlight for accents: Stormhost Silver on metallic edges.

A brighter vision of the Chapter, with light blue armour and silver rather than gold trim.

Ultramarines Painting Techniques

• Smooth layering for armour: Base coat Macragge Blue, then layer Altdorf Guard Blue or Calgar Blue on the raised areas. A thin Guilliman Blue glaze helps blend the layers.
• Edge highlighting: Use Fenrisian Grey or Ulthuan Grey on the sharpest edges: shoulder pad rims, knee pads and the tops of armour plates.
• Gold detailing: Base the trim and eagles in Retributor Armour, shade with Reikland Fleshshade, layer Auric Armour Gold and finish with a fine Stormhost Silver highlight.
• Weapon glow effects: For plasma or power weapons, start from a bright white core and glaze outwards with light blue to suggest energy.
• Purity seals and scrolls: Paint parchment Rakarth Flesh and highlight with Pallid Wych Flesh, with red wax and tiny dark script marks.
• Finishing: A matte or satin varnish protects the model; a little gloss on lenses and gems makes them pop.

Ultramarines Lore and History

The Ultramarines descend from the XIII Legion and are arguably the most influential Chapter in the Imperium. Their Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, authored the Codex Astartes and shaped the structure of the modern Adeptus Astartes. Guilliman was unusual among his brothers as both a supreme military commander and a statesman, building the Realm of Ultramar into an empire of 500 worlds.

The Ultramarines’ history is one of great achievement and devastating loss. During the Horus Heresy the Word Bearers ambushed them at Calth, a treacherous attack that included the corruption of Calth’s sun. Guilliman rallied his forces and established Imperium Secundus, a contingency empire in case Terra fell. After the Heresy, his Codex Astartes divided the Legions into Chapters, setting the template most Space Marine Chapters still follow.

In the current era, Roboute Guilliman has returned after ten thousand years in stasis, restored through the efforts of Archmagos Belisarius Cawl and the Aeldari followers of Ynnead. As Lord Commander of the Imperium he launched the Indomitus Crusade to stabilise the Imperium after the opening of the Great Rift. He is dismayed by what the Imperium has become, its fanaticism and stagnation far from the rational empire he once helped to build, but he fights on to hold the line against the galaxy’s many threats.

Ultramarines in 11th Edition

Ultramarines remain the quintessential all-rounder. In 11th Edition they use the Space Marine codex’s army rule, Combat Doctrines, which replaced Oath of Moment. Roboute Guilliman stands out by having every Combat Doctrine active at once.

The wider rules changes matter too. A unit can only benefit from one stratagem per phase, cover now imposes -1 to hit against ranged attacks instead of improving saves, and you build your army from Detachment Points rather than a single detachment. See our 11th Edition rules changes guide. Their named characters, including Tigurius, Sicarius and Telion, give Ultramarines options other Codex Chapters lack. Check our Warhammer 40k faction tier list for current competitive standings, and the codex and Munitorum Field Manual for exact rules and points.

Collecting Ultramarines

Ultramarines are one of the most accessible Chapters to collect. The Ultramarines Combat Patrol is an ideal starting force, and Space Marines painted in Ultramarines colours appear in most Warhammer 40,000 starter boxes.

After that, you can expand in almost any direction. Bladeguard Veterans offer elite melee, Hellblasters bring plasma firepower and Suppressors provide fast anti-infantry support. Roboute Guilliman is the ultimate centrepiece model, while Tigurius, Calgar and the Victrix Honour Guard add more character options. Because Ultramarines are so common in starter sets, second-hand models are easy to find.

Painting Ultramarines

Ultramarines blue is perhaps the most recognisable colour scheme in Warhammer. Macragge Blue gives excellent base coverage, Calgar Blue is a good layer and Fenrisian Grey makes for crisp edge highlights. A Drakenhof Nightshade wash in the recesses adds depth.

Gold trim on shoulder pad rims, chest eagles and ornamental details provides the contrast that makes Ultramarines look regal. White helmet markings for veterans and sergeants, red weapon casings and the Ultima symbol complete the look. Their clean, disciplined scheme is great practice for fundamental painting skills. For a full walkthrough, visit our Ultramarines painting guide.

Related Armies

If you enjoy Ultramarines, you might also like these armies:

• Imperial Fists — Fellow First Founding loyalists and the disciplined backbone of the Space Marines.
• Dark Angels — Another storied First Founding Chapter with deep lore and versatile army lists.
• Stormcast Eternals — Often considered the Age of Sigmar equivalent of the Ultramarines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Ultramarines?

The Ultramarines are the most famous Space Marine Chapter, founded from the Legion of the Primarch Roboute Guilliman. Guilliman wrote the Codex Astartes, the doctrine that governs most Space Marine Chapters, and the Chapter is based in the realm of Ultramar.

Are Ultramarines good for beginners?

Yes. Ultramarines are one of the best Space Marine Chapters for beginners. Their balanced playstyle rewards sound tactical decisions without requiring specialist strategies, and they have more starter sets, painting guides and lore than almost any other Chapter.

What are the strengths of Ultramarines?

Ultramarines are tactically flexible and can use the full Space Marine range, plus unique characters such as Roboute Guilliman, Marneus Calgar and Tigurius. In 11th Edition Guilliman has every Combat Doctrine active at once, which suits the Chapter’s “by the Codex” style.

What are the weaknesses of Ultramarines?

Ultramarines lack a strong specialisation compared to some other Chapters. They are good at everything but don’t lean as hard into one area as, for example, Blood Angels do into melee.

Who is Roboute Guilliman?

Roboute Guilliman is the Primarch of the Ultramarines and the current Lord Commander of the Imperium. He was restored after ten thousand years in stasis by Belisarius Cawl and the Aeldari Ynnari during the Gathering Storm. Alongside the Lion El’Jonson of the Dark Angels, he is one of the few loyalist Primarchs known to be active in the current era.

What is the Ultramarines homeworld?

Macragge is the Ultramarines’ homeworld and the capital of Ultramar, the realm of 500 worlds that Roboute Guilliman built. The Chapter’s fortress-monastery, the Fortress of Hera, stands on Macragge. It survived the Tyranid invasion of Hive Fleet Behemoth, one of the defining battles in the Chapter’s history.

Who is the Chapter Master of the Ultramarines?

Marneus Calgar is the Chapter Master of the Ultramarines and Lord Macragge. He is one of the greatest Space Marine commanders in the Imperium, famous for defending Macragge against Hive Fleet Behemoth. Since Roboute Guilliman returned, Calgar serves under his Primarch, who stands above the Chapter as Lord Commander of the Imperium.

What are some Ultramarines successor Chapters?

Well-known Ultramarines successors include the Novamarines, the Genesis Chapter, the White Consuls and the Doom Eagles. Guilliman’s gene-seed has been used in more Foundings than any other, so the Ultramarines have more successors than any other Legion, and most follow the Codex Astartes closely.

Do Ultramarines have their own codex?

No. Ultramarines use the 11th Edition Codex: Space Marines, which covers all Codex-following Chapters, and their named characters such as Roboute Guilliman, Marneus Calgar and Chief Librarian Tigurius are part of that book. Check the Warhammer 40,000 app for current points.

Image Attribution

Image 1 – Ultramarines Honour Guard (https://www.deviantart.com/joazzz2/art/GMod-SFM-Ultramarines-Honour-Guard-716549994) by Joazzz2 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)

Image 2 – Ultramarines (https://www.goodfon.com/games/wallpaper-download-1920×1080-war-warhamm-ultramarine-warhammer-40-000.html) by apafios (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

Image 3 – Ultramarines urban conquest (https://www.goodfon.com/fantasy/wallpaper-download-1920×1080-warhammer-40-000-ultramarines-urban-conquest-space-marines-v.html) by maria345 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

Image 4 – Primaris captain in phobos armour (https://www.deviantart.com/jawzy83/art/Primaris-Captain-in-Phobos-Armour-803231365) by JaWzY83 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)

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Book review: Know No Fear Review — our review of the massacre at Calth.