Seems like this "Imperium is the good guys" comes from not knowing the difference between "protagonist" and "hero"/"good guy"

@MarcusCVance I think of the 40k world as a world that more or less makes traditional western morality impossible which is why it’s interesting to us.

@Ambavalent2964 Most 40k books kinda disagree.

@MarcusCVance wtf are you talking about? Yes it’s a brutal awful world where demons can sprout from the head of anyone, which makes living thy neighbor challenging.

@Ambavalent2964 Does it? Two of the most popular characters in the setting have the job of killing anyone in the military who doesn't conform, but they're nicer than the usual people with that job and that benefits them.

@MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 You mean shooting traitors before they kill the entire regiment? A humanity that constantly is under threat of subversion from literal rape demons cant really afford to be trusting

@CaptainCola54 @MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 Are traitors simple soldiers who run in fear from an overwhelming force of trans human warriors? Are they traitors for trying to leave a situation where they'd be overwhelmed by billions of xenos aliens who's only goal is to consume?

@StompaofDaWord @MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 Thats also not good. A panicking fleeing army is dangerous for everyone involved

@CaptainCola54 @MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 So just die and waste resources vs a retreat which saves manpower and can pull enemies into a prepared defense? Over and over we have people shot dead because they have the notion to retreat which is a useful tactic and only demoralize the troops further

@StompaofDaWord @MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 A panicked retreat means less enemies are killed, ground is for sure lost as well as equipment and most likely everyone dies getting ran down by whatever their fighting

@CaptainCola54 @MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 So in your scenario the Imperium still loses, it loses manpower, morale, and weakens the defense line in that area while still not making kills that matter Retreat means saving manpower to a defense line that is ready and resupported and you can cut down any enemies that follow.

@StompaofDaWord @MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 Also an army is useless and will accomplish nothing if the army doesnt have to follow orders and can just decide theyre going home any time it gets scary or difficult.

@CaptainCola54 @MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 How does shooting people in impossible situations help anyone? There's countless examples of this in Lore where it doesn't do anything but piss the soldiers off and frag the Commisars

@StompaofDaWord @MarcusCVance @Ambavalent2964 Theres countless examples where it also works both in lore and in real life. It signifies that it is unacceptable to flee your position and get all your friends killed because you won't be saving your life running away