Heroes of the Astartes: Commander Dante Dante's age Dante is currently given as approximately 1,100 years old2, however, earlier articles state he has been in command of the Blood Angels for 1,100 years1. This would make him several centuries older than 1,100 at least, as few Chapter Masters would be appointed with less than 200 years experience, especially amongst an exceptionally long-lived Chapter such as the Blood Angels.
- Name: Dante
- Rank: Commander, Lord of the Blood Angels
- Chapter: Blood Angels (First Founding)
- Homeworld: Baal Secundus, Baal System
- Recruited: c.900.M40
- Died: -
Service History
Dante has served the Blood Angels and the Emperor for more than 1,100 years and has seen as much or more combat as any living Loyalist Space Marine. He is known across the galaxy as a fierce warrior and peerless tactician. In particular he is noted for his ability to spot and exploit to the fullest even the slightest mistake an enemy general may make. Dante is frequently found in the midst of the hardest fighting on the battlefield once his forces have been committed and accompanied by a Veteran Honour Guard he is often seen at the forefront of a Blood Angels attack.
Fearless, driven and ever seeking to press on, Dante may not be the most skilled strategist in the history of the Adeptus Astartes but he has one outstanding quality - he has never been defeated. The combination of fiery oratory, tactical genius and his own superlative combat skills have seen Dante and the Blood Angels win campaign after campaign since he took command of the Chapter.
Unfortunately however we have only a few very limited accounts of his actions, these are listed below in chronological order:
- 941.M41: The Armageddon Intervention: Commander Dante took charge of the Armageddon Intervention at the urging of the Chapter Masters of the Ultramarines and Salamanders Chapters. These warriors deferred to Dante on account of his superior experience and skills.1 Also known as the Second Battle of Armageddon this campaign saw Dante lead the three First Founding Chapters, together with Imperial Guard and Armageddon PDF forces against the Ork Waagh! of the infamous Ghazghkull Thraka. After much hard fighting, particularly around and within Tartarus Hive, Dante was able to force the Ork Warlord to retreat. The Blood Angels paid a heavy price for their success in this campaign with Brother-Captain Erasmus Tycho and much of his 3rd Company falling during the final assault.4
- ? M.41: The Alchonis Campaign: No known information, appears to have occurred in the recent past given that numerous Blood Angel warriors still alive at the beginning of the 42nd Millennium are veterans of the campaign.2/3
As a Chapter Master, Dante is equipped with some of the finest wargear in the Imperium. Several items are closely associated with Dante and Lordship of the Blood Angels:
- The Death Mask of Sanguinius: The Blood Angels are noted for their beautiful, yet deadly, appearance on the battlefield, the Death Mask of Sanguinius is one of the finest examples of the skills of their artisans. The Death Mask is an amazingly lifelike golden mask which is incorporated into Dante's helmet, believed to be modelled upon the nigh-perfect features of the Blood Angels Primarch Sanguinius. It glows with a holy light in battle causing foes to flee in terror and inspiring the Blood Angels to ever more valorous deeds.
- Inferno Pistol: An ancient weapon based on melta technology this pistol is one of the few remaining examples of its kind. Finely crafted and wondrously decorated, Dante's Inferno Pistol is capable of cutting through almost anything he might face on the battlefield.
- Conversion Field: In the time of 40K 2nd Ed. Dante carried a conversion field into battle to protect himself1, this has since been replaced by Artificer Armour and an Iron Halo (3rd Ed.)2
- Jump Pack: Like many of his brethren, Dante is often borne into battle by a jump pack in order that he can meet his foe in hand to hand combat as quickly as possible.
Dante on the Tabletop
Commander Dante first received a model with the release of Codex: Angels of Death in 1996. Designed by Jes Goodwin the model remains unchanged to the current year (2008).
Model: Commander Dante
Related Topics
References - 1Codex: Angels of Death (40K 2nd Ed.)
- 2Codex: Blood Angels (40K 3rd Ed.)
- 3Blood Angels: Deus Encarmine (Black Library {Novel})
- 4The Battle for Armageddon (Black Library)
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The Bolter and Chainsword > Librarium > The Apocrypha of Skaros > Heroes of the Astartes: Commander Dante
