Lamenters

The Lamenters are a Space Marine Chapter in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. They are a genetic successor of the Blood Angels, formed during the Great Crusade. They are best known for chronic misfortune in action, a fate that has earned them their name and forever linked them with the Blood Angels’ broader curse. Across campaigns the Lamenters suffer heavy casualties and surprising reversals even when tactical plans are sound, leading to a reputation for sorrowful endurance rather than swift victories. Their heraldry and culture emphasize mourning and remembrance for fallen brothers.

Historically, the Lamenters have endured a long series of tragic events in nearly every major engagement. While capable of effectiveness in battle, their campaigns frequently end in losses, disasters, or costly stalemates. The cause of their misfortunes is depicted as a hereditary burden from the Blood Angels lineage, a perturbing fate that tests the Chapter's resolve and faith.

Organizationally they follow the Codex Astartes and maintain a standard Space Marine structure, including a Chaplaincy that voices their mournful creed. The culture is somber, with rites of funerary remembrance serving to honor the dead and to steel the living against further loss. Their tactical doctrine tends toward perseverance, defense, and disciplined assaults rather than reckless aggression, with an emphasis on survival and honor after defeat as much as during victory.

In tabletop and fiction, the Lamenters appear as a codex-era Space Marine chapter used to illustrate the theme of misfortune within the Blood Angels sphere. They are featured in various novels, game supplements, and model ranges, frequently depicted as steadfast, if unlucky, guardians rather than flashy conquerors.