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40K: Future Blood Angels Narrative Teaser

4 Minute Read
Mar 14 2017
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Black Library is teasing some hints for the future of the Blood Angels – and it doesn’t sound good!

The Black Library has a pretty set schedule – it takes time for them to churn out all those books and they like to have everything planned out months, if not years in advance. They also like to promote a narrative that supports the products that are coming out around the same time as their book releases. For example, this month is “March of the Titans” – well, guess what’s on deck for next month?

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That’s right – Adeptus Titanticus. Now, that could just be a coincedence (uh-huh) or maybe they really do have a plan. That said, a new book listing has popped-up on Amazon and this one has to do with the Blood Angels and the Tyranid threat:

via Amazon

The Devastation of Baal (Space Marine Battles)

The popular Space Marine Battles series is relaunched with an epic novel that sees the whole Blood Angels Chapter in action, fighting a desperate rearguard battle to defend their home world from the predations of the tyranid hive fleet Leviathan.

After a brutal campaign in the Cryptus System fighting the alien tyranids, Lord Dante returns to Baal to marshal the entire Blood Angels Chapter and their Successors against Hive Fleet Leviathan. Thus begins the greatest conflict in the history of the sons of Sanguinius. Despite a valiant battle in the void around Baal, the Blood Angels are unable to stop the tyranids drawing ever closer, but their petitions for reinforcements are met with dread news. The Cadian Gate, the Imperium’s most stalwart bastion against Chaos, has fallen. In their darkest hour, no help will reach the beleaguered Dante and his warriors. Is this truly then the Time of Ending?

Now, this is not the first time Amazon has spoiled parts of the narrative or book previews. Last year, the 12-book series the Beast Arises was spoiled pretty early on. And that arc revolved around the orks and the birth of the Deathwatch. Later that year we got Deathwatch: Overkill, The Genestealer Cult and Deathwatch.

On top of that, Black Library just released a new Dante Novel, showcasing his history, and a Mephiston novel. Why do you suppose they are planting seeds for the Blood Angels now? Why do you think they are covering the history of two of the Blood Angel’s mightiest heroes?

From the text we also see two big call-outs:

  • A reference to the Cadian Gate falling and the Blood Angels being on their own
  • Another reference to “The Time of Ending”

Games Workshop has repeatedly come out to say that the Gathering Storm is not the “End Times” for 40k. This is of course referring to the End Times of Warhammer Fantasy and we all know how that played out. They have also come out and said that they are shaking things up and laying the foundation for the next 30 years in the Warhammer 40000 universe. With 8th Edition on the horizon, it’s a pretty safe bet to say things are definitely getting shaken-up.

Roboute Guilliman, Lord Commander of the Imperium, Primarch of the Ultramarines, Imperial Laurel recipient and all around “Good Guy”

That said, the statement itself is pretty shaky – “Is this truly then the Time of Ending?” sounds like a great way to leave yourself some wiggle-room. It’s ambiguous enough that no one can say for certain one way or another. But, if the pattern holds true, I would expect to see some Blood Angels news in 6-8 months…Or maybe, JUST MAYBE, the Tyranids might get some attention.

It’s a Hybrid Tyranid-Blood Angel Space Alien Vampire fleet coming to eat the galaxy! Everyone RUN! RUN for your lives!!!! Chaos SAVE US!!!

It’s not the “End Times” – it’s “The Time of Ending” – see, it’s completely different!

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Author: Adam Harrison
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