2nd edition Codex Ultramarines was the first supplement I got for the game, and I ran an Ultramarines army. Their lameness and ‘vanilla’ status was commented on even back then, but special buffs and unique formations do not make an army in my opinion. Not that I’m going to defend current Warhammer fanboi praxis, but there are definitely ways to field ‘vanilla’ armies in interesting and creative ways. These run from the micro-level (customizing individual miniatures) to the macro (incorporating allies, modifications to units from campaigns).

Using the Ultramarines as an example, you might do:

1. A ‘replenished’ force where combat losses were supplemented from the reserve companies, allowing you to both paint on different pauldron trim and company badges, but also unusual formations, like ‘line’ squads that are all Devastators, or squads mostly made up of Scouts but led by full armored, veteran marines.

2. A force from immediately after the First Tyrannic War where elite troops are in basic powered armor only (because the 1st company was wiped out) and mixed in with regular squads. Forces might have Hatred of Tyranids or get a bonus to their strategy level against them, but be otherwise immune to their psychological effects.

3. An armored cavalry force made up entirely of Predators and Razorbacks, with a screening force on bikes or landspeeders.

4. On the opposite end, a force with no armor or heavy support, utilized for boarding space ships or defending space stations. It’s all scouts and tac marines in 5 man squads where each of them has a special weapon instead of a heavy.

5. An army with an HQ and maybe a squad or two of Ultramarines as shock infantry, but is otherwise made up of Ultramar Imperial Guard forces.

6. A patchwork force of Ultramarines and their successor chapters (mostly an aesthetic and lore variation, but there might be some gameplay differences as well).