Raptors are Chaos Space Marines equipped with Jump Packs and close-combat weapons; the counterpart of the Assault class available to loyalist Space Marines. Versatile and fearsome champions for their Dark Gods, Raptors serve as airborne shock troops dropping in on their enemies causing mass destruction and confusion.
Raptors are equipped for close-quarters melee combat. Jump Packs allow them to quickly close in on the enemy, dropping from the sky in a devastating Ground Pound attack. Likewise the Jump Pack can be used to propel into battle or escape heavy or ranged weapons. Striking hard and fast at vulnerable points in enemy lines, this class uses speed and maneuverability to exploit enemy weaknesses on the battlefield.
While walking, Raptor marines suffer some loss of maneuverability compared to Tactical marines. They only receive a run bonus of up to 125%, compared to the Tactical's 150%, and they have no ability to run through their opponents. What is lost in moving on the ground, is more than made up for by their jump packs. A full burn from a jump pack will keep a marine aloft for 3.2 seconds (on level ground) and improve his forward speed by up to 15.6 m/s (250% improvement over walking). At its maximal appogee this will reach a height of up to 18 meters and traverse 50 meters across a level surface. Expending the jump pack's energy across two separate burns, a marine can increase this distance to 58 meters by performing a low-altitude 'hop'. A marine may additionally trigger a Ground Pound attack, which hurtles the marine toward the ground at an astonishing 63.65 m/s.
Raptors are the only class with a loadout selection for a dedicated melee weapon, although they can only wield a pistol along it, though are also the only class with the option to wield a Plasma Pistol as a replacement for the standard Bolt Pistol . The True Grit perk, however, allows wielding a Bolter one-handed, granting higher sustained ranged damage in exchange for a perk slot. Also of note, there is a glitch that allows the Raptor to shoot through some cover, just by standing next to it, although this does not work with the Plasma Pistol's charged shot.
Melee weapon: Chainsword, Chain Axe, Daemon Maul, Power Sword
Ranged weapon: Bolt Pistol or Plasma Pistol (or Bolter with True Grit)
For a brief strategy guide for Exterminatus, check out the Loyalist Assault Marine page.
