Imperium's greatest heros unless you a massive p u s s i e Then they are your executioner... but lets be honest ya woulda died anyway UNLESS YOU WERE A LORD, get 10% off your lordship here : establishedtitles.com/MajorKill

Listening to this, I was randomly reminded of a scene from Hellsreach, where a guardsman makes an observation about the city being a lost cause. The commissar moves to execute him, but before he can even draw his pistol the Black Templar grabs the man by the throat and crushes his windpipe for displaying such cowardice. The commissar is so impressed and pleased that he just immediately salutes.

Average commissar: glory for the first man to die! Charge! Krieg commissar: retreat!

Just remember: In most Imperial Regiments, Commissars execute troops for cowardice. In the Death Korps of Krieg, the Regiment executes the Commisar for the same reason.

The greatest Commissar of them all! Ciaphas Cain! HERO OF THE IMPERIUM! *cue the glorious theme song of CAI-CAI-CIAPHAS CAIN! HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!*

0:26 Ciaphas Cain was aware of the Commissar Stereotype of constantly shooting Guardsmen which only got them fragged and friendly fired. Because of that, he ensured that his forces are treated well through a carrot and a stick method and being an inspiring man who personally leads them to battle and victory. And they love him for it as their HERO OF THE IMPERIUM.

One of my favorite excerpts is there's a scene in one of the books where a Commissar is trying to get an Ogryn on a transport. It's funny to see a Commissar be kind and gentle EDIT: I am aware it's fanfiction. I still like it, and feel like an intelligent Commissar would handle the situation in a similar manner

But remember this, Ibram. It’s not always as obvious as it seems. Winning is everything, but the trick is to know where the winning really is. Hell, killing the enemy is the job of the regular trooper. The task of a commissar is more subtle.’ ‘Finding how to win?’ ‘Or what to win. Or what kind of win will really count in the long term. You have to use everything you have, every insight, every angle. Never, ever be a slave to simple tactical directives. The officer cadre are about as sharp as an ork’s arse sometimes. We’re political animals, Ibram. Through us, if we do our job properly, the black and white of war is tempered. We are the interpreters of combat, the translators. We give meaning to war, subtlety, purpose even. Killing is the most abhorrent, mindless profession known to man. Our role is to fashion the killing machine of the human species into a positive force. For the Emperor’s sake. For the sake of our own consciences.’ -Commisar General Delane Oktar

You know things are bad when the Commissar stars shooting the enemy instead of your squad mates.

The Commissar Cain book series was my very first introduction to this entire franchise when I was in highschool a decade ago, and it's still one of my favorite book series of all time. Honestly I was kinda disappointed many other 40k books don't really share the more black humorous vibes his books has and more quadruple down on JUST the grimdark.

The Lord Commissar from Dawn of War 2 is the Quintissental Commissar. Dude straght up dukes it out with avatars of Khaine and greater demons just to prove his worth.

Gaunt's Ghosts is my absolute favourite. The Ghost's are written so well it feels like they are somehow real. The motivations behind their actions are real, unlike a lot of other stories where it seems someone will turn to Chaos simply because someone says its really great. Be prepared for the Gaunt's Ghosts series to spoil a lot of other Warhammer books simply because in comparison it seems like one was written by a seasoned novelsist and the other by someone just having a go. They are not just my favourite Warhammer books but among my favourite books out of anything.

I always wondered what the other races in 40k thought of the emperor and the primarchs... I thought about it because (i think it was) in "Dark Imperium" one of the Eldar met Girlymann and was disgusted by a comment that Eldrad Ulthran made that the primarchs were in some aspects superior to the eldar

Guardsmen are sandbags, the commisars are a metal chain wrapped around The sandbag wall, keeping it together.

Cain has to be my favorite character in 40k. He just wants a peaceful life away from danger but constantly gets thrown into life threatening situations. As if the emperor personally was memeing on him

other fun things about Yarrick is that he has a laser beam eye specifically because the Orks believe he can kill them with a glance, his command vehicle is a Baneblade, also at the time of the third war of Armageddon he is like 150+ years old. Yarrick is the 40k angriest grandpa who refuses to die because Orks need to die

Every time gaunt executes someone it’s always an “oh shit” moment and he takes it very seriously because ultimately it’s the last thing he wants to do.

The best Commissar "lore" (actually just good fanctiction) by Noman on KZfaq. He made such a heartwarming story about how a Commissar tries to handle his regiment of Ogryns.

I think Sebastian Yarrick was most evident example of the commissar who don't shot a guardsman and is badass counthing that it was just a old man who survived years of his homeplanet invaded by orks as a child.

We really need an actual regular ass guardsman as a hero with his own series. Not a commisar or seargant or god like Sly Marbo, Just a regualr madlad who managed to survive long enought.

Commissar Cain is so glorious that he even became Mood Kindred with Calgar

Nothing gives me more motivation than seeing my fellow guardsmen getting clapped by my superior officer. For the emperor!!!!

telling the Krieg not to charge into battle. That's a friendly firin'

I’m reading Gaunt’s Ghosts now. Same VA on audible as the inquisitor series by DA. I’d say inquisitor books are slightly better but both are top class.

I remember reading a bit about the commissar, Severina Raine at 3:49. The thing I respect about her most is the fact that she recognizes the fact that, due to her the choices she has to make because of her office, she has painted a target on her back since she executed a Captain who questioned a suicidal charge he was ordered to make. You don't often see this level of self awareness by Commissars as they tend to be a bit "I'm the Commissar and you will do what I say" where she is more "I did what I had to do but I know that there are guardsmen who'll never forgive-and-forget what I did". I wish we saw more of this, like seeing a Commissar have to look over their shoulders and keep an eye on a unit of guardmen who are just waiting for either A) the Commissar to fuck up and they have a chance to exact their own punishment, or B) an opportunity to ensure the Commissar suffers an "accident".

I guarantee once you've read even half the gaunts ghosts books you'll want to do a mini series on them and some of their insane characters.

I find Commissars fun, and I just wish that the table top game still made them worth taking; maybe their 9e codex will rework them to be better than capping a soldier to reroll morale (losses were what already caused that roll), carrying a gun that is only multi-wound when shooting my own guys, or sporting a melee weapon that their squad hopes to never get close enough to use against the enemy. Having said that, I do wish a few regiments, particularly the Cadians, could gave some Officer characters who were as cool as these examples; someone who lives beside their men as one of them, and it has to be possible because, as it is, two of the Big 3 regiments; the Death Company of Krieg and the Catachan Jungle Fighters, don't even use Commissars, either seeing them as unnecessary meddlers,, and getting them shot, or being even more fearless, and actually needing the Commissars to rein them in, instead of force them on. Now that the Cadians are without their homeworld, and obligations to it, they are a more mobile, fleet-based regiment, and I think it would be awesome for a force of them to get something of a modern retelling of Lord Solar Macharius; visiting several worlds, and expanding on the heroics, and glory, possible of mortal men, in a universe filled with superhumans, and the myriad terrible threats that justify them, when the Guard are as muchba horde-army as Orks and Nids. Having prattled all that, I really like Kain and Yarrick; they'll do what they have to, and they'll face odds that would daunt anyone else, but they still retain at least a portion of their humanity, and while they can be uncompromising bolters with legs, that isn't often their first plan, even when time is of the essence.

Reading the gaunts ghosts rn, just got 3/4 through the 4th book, it’s so good

And that's just it. Some commissars are the meme, but they don't last because they get shot by Ork snipers. A good commissar inspires his men, knows when to hold them and when to fold them, and maybe even knows when to let something slide.

I listened to the audiobook 'the survivor' which is Sebastian Yarrick's Origin story. Dude had BALLS even as a child, no wonder people respect the fuck outta him for his exploits. I sure as hell do.

It's all fun and games until you're assigned to the Death Korps.

Normal Commissar: executes guardsmen for cowardice Death Korps Commissar: gets executed for pleading with the guardsmen not to unnecessarily charge to their deaths and die somewhere else

If you acquire your own piece of scottland, you must review your domain in your finest garment!

can you do lore on the high lords of terra, ecclesiarchy, imperial navy, the imperial army/imperialis auxilla, eldar paths, space marine squads?

GO READ GAUNT'S GHOSTS! I WANT TO SEE THAT VIDEO! And the books are really awesome.

I loved the Commissar Cain and Gaunt series so much my first cosplay was that of an Imperial Guard Commissar and I've just been adding to it ever since. Ave Imperator!

I've held my subscription hostage for months to see this video.

The Ghost's series is one of my favorites. I highly recommend it!

Oh my god I just had a vision of a whole bunch of people with model castles and armies etc on their plots of land. 😂👍🏻

I need to read and review more of the Gaunt’s Ghosts series. But the Yarrick series is one I will DEFINITELY be checking out because Imperium vs Orcs is always fun to read. The Cain series also sounds like a good time

5 seconds? That's awfully generous from the commissar

I’ve watched a few videos from a few years ago, the one year ago or two years, and there’s such a level increase of how you’re videos are. I’ve been watching for years now so I’ve seen them before, but looking at the growth is awesome! Keep doing you man! Love your videos and hella love the content! Keep the good work up bro!

Jurgen: SIr that would be a Greater Daemon directly in front of us. Ciaphus Cain: Damnit, well we should probably retreat and put as many guardsmen between us and him as possible, but if they Guardsmen see me running that will hurt the crafted, if not inflated, reputation I have built over the years, so I guess my only choice is to run head first at the Dameon and duel it in a fight to the death. Jurgen: (reloads Melta) Very Good Sir....

I don't know what's more terrifying-- knowing a commisar has the power to execute you in the field, for disobeying a very minor order.....or when the Commisar is walking straight towards YOU.

BRO you haven't read the Gaunts Ghost series??? Its TO EPIC TO HANDLE MAN!!! One of my favorite characters died and had me in tears, didn't touched the omnibus for 2 weeks, epic story telling of a commissar coming from the Harakoni guard to form a new regiment when Chaos fucked shit up!! Awesome story about scouts, snipers and sabatuers against Chaos space marines and cultists!! I HIGHLY RECOMEND YOU READ THOSE BOOKS!!!! Ibram Gaunt even got so bad ass he did a naughty thing""with a high ranking women of the Imperium^^ thx for the vid men

None chaos aligned warp entities and magic would be a cool video ngl.

Yes! Read the Gaunts Ghosts books. They were my first 40K series and not much has ever held up to them for me.

The sound quality on that intro music 🤌 Never change the background music, iv been watching you long enough that it genuinely makes me feel nostalgic about times iv had a playlist of majorkill lore videos in the background.

dude, MK, your videos make my day. im making my move to return back to the WH 40k universe after reading the entire star wars catalogue and i have been watching your fantastic videos to refresh myself. thank you for reminding me how awesome the 40k lore is. heres to the new large ass book shelf ive ordered in prep for my new books coming in.

Majorkill, you should do a video explaining the imperial guards command structure

Love the Gaunts Ghosts series so far, I'm on book 5 at the moment and absolutely love how Gaunt behaves around his men and how they all respect and love him for what he's done. Also Toby Longworth does an amazing job bringing these characters to life

Much love from the States, Majorkill your upload schedule must be hell, but I love watching your content every time I get the notification

i always wondered about the comissars actually so this will be interesting

I just got the Gaunt audiobook where he and handful of his troops infiltrate a chaos occupied world. I've read it before but it's even better in audio format.

Gaunt: *exists* Khorne: "You don't understand; I LOVE HIM!!"

"HASN'T READ GAU.."..*Manly faint*

"We all need a bit of motivation in life" as someone who needs to get dressed for work, never has an opening to a video been more appropriate

Seeing you post this vid was awesome. I am currently rereading the Gaunts Ghost's series.

>Trigger-happy commissars usually find themselves the victim of friendly fire Whether you lead through respect or fear, never be hated.

0:00 -00:16 . That be the best sound bite for a hospitality job

"The Schola Progenium is responsible for the upbringing, education and training of orphans, predominantly those of officers and nobles who have died in the service of the Imperium, often those who once served in the Astra Militarum or Imperial Navy."

Regular Commissar: Charge! Death Korp Commissar: Stop charging!

Omg that you've not gotten into Gaunt's Ghost. It's my First intro to WH40k before the Space Marines Battles movels

One of my favorite lines is “If you won’t serve in battle then you will serve in the firing line”

Ibram gaunt the only commissar to be a lord militant general and a war master elect. Not sure how yarrik didnt get greater honours mind but thems the grapes lol

0:24 I love that kind of motivation

There are many Guants Ghosts novels. They are very good. You will have a lot of material to go over once you read them. Can't wait for that video.

Could you talk about how the various factions reacted to the necrons awakening?

Schola Progenium sounds cool. Wouldn't mind seeing a video on that one day

I want to see these guys get vented into space as the imperium falls apart. Though unlikely

Caine always downplays his actions as just self preservation, but the dude is genuinely an amazing leader. He actually cares about his men (even if he will say it’s just keeping fodder around), is a good tactician, has an intimate understanding of what soldiers need to keep their morale up and effective in combat, and is an incredible shot and duelists to top it all off. Intentional or not, he faked it til he made it.

@Majorkill , Gaunt serie is even beyond what u can expect... those taniths are strong.

listening to gaunts ghosts on audible justy now .. faking awesome ! best guard regiment is based on scotland as is right and proper .

Last time I was this early, Commissar Yarrick at 2 hands

currently almost on the last book of gaunts ghosts, can confirm once you get into it, it's awesome

Moral of the story, be brave and fight with courage or die trying. That's the Imperium of man. Which makes them interesting.

What if the emperor didn't go on his great crusade to unite mankind. Would humanity survive or would they fall to xenos and chaos?

This is the first youtube ad that actually tempted me

Always love the title sponsor, great source of pride as a Scotsman

Gaunts Ghost books are just amazing, highly recomend them, though they are a bit older and space marines kinda look like toy soldiers, but still great books.

Great video, really liked this one

A commissar doesn't give you extended metaphors concerning your mother and her spousal loyalties. That's the drill abbot's job. The commissar is the guy who gives pithy advice and threats along the lines of "Forwards!" and "COWARDICE BEGETS RETRIBUTION"

Loved the bit about Yarrick where he is one of the very few humans who actually inspired fear , or whatever resembles fear in the mind of the Orks. They would respect the fierceness of a Space Marine or Tyrannid, but Yarrick was viewed as indestructible and had an evil eye that could kill an ork with a glance. Yarrick heard of this so had his bionic laser eye fitted.

Ci Ci Ciaphas Cain hero of the imperium!

ahhh nothing like a dose of Warhammer from majorkill for my birthday

@2:02 "Abandon reason, know only war.." :D

Mate you missed uploading this while I was in the gym, I was wating for you

Always wanted a video about this

You should come by the gallery sometime Lord Majorkill. I'd love to show you one of my newest exhibits, the missing fingers of that Commissar Cain. The rest of him will be added soon...

Lord Majorkill!? You don't have to flex that hard mate. X)

A new video makes me watch every video

Funfact, and contrary to the memes, Death korps comissars are more akin to ambassadors, and main job being to round the edges of the DKOK near the civil autorities or the other regiments.

It is more or less dependent on the individual in question as well as the regiment they’re attached to for example an OG by the book commissar would more or less wipe out the entire gaunts ghosts in a single engagement by their own commissar vs the more level headed ibram gaunt who’s more or less a commander as well as their commissar, to say commissar gregg from the fall of cadia who kills a guy because he was helping someone else and his gun was destroyed, or at the complete opposite the one and only caiphus Cain who’s more or less a guardsmen himself who despite his heroic status is actually a lazy coward, however because of the years of experience as well as knowing that the grunts are more happy to have their commissar fall onto a bayonet or die from enemy sniper fire from a friendly push, he goes above and beyond to protect those around him just to save himself and again it’s dependent on the commissar and regiments for example a commissar attached to the death korps of Krieg have a dick problem over the fanatical nature of the Kriegsmen

Sebastian Yarrick is my favourite character in the entire setting ! Although I must admit I am a little biased because my name is also Sebastian ...

"so any way, I started blasting..." a Commissar's first day at work.

"Drive me closer, I want to hit them with my sword"

The Tanith first and only !!... literally my favourite series of books at the moment Not just warhammer I mean these are starting to edge out the discworld in my list of books I will re read without whinging

Crazy that you made this video just as I've finished the second book of Gaunt's Ghosts. I''m often intimidated by Warhammer 40k Lore-- at times it can be really dense and just so grimdark that it feels comedic. If you have time, please try and fit in some Gaunt's Ghosts into your audiobook rotation. It's one of the only series that I've been able to, well, actually finish instead of putting down after a few hours. Warning, however, the first two books of Gaunt's Ghosts are oddly homoerotic. There's like, three women across both those books, and Gaunt spends like ten whole pages admiring the stubble on one of his soldier's faces. At some point someone accuses gaunt of porking his boyish adjunct. But I'm gay so maybe I'm reading into it.

Besides Lord Militant Ibram Gaunt, former Colonel-commissar of the Tanith First & Only, there are also the great commissars Viktor Hark and Nahum Ludd in the Gaunt's Ghosts. On a other note, Commissar Severina Raine gives a female perspective on Guard and Duty.

Cain: The Funnest. Gaunt: The Imperial Guardest. Yarrick: The Warhammer 40,000est.