Horus Heresy 2e Review: Questoris Knights Household Ranks

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (individual rankings follow for each upgrade - this is just a rough average).

4/5 stars. The rules provide some excellent flavour to knight armies and should be used by all players at least in part.

Seneschal. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The boss. The head of the house. Massively experienced. And a big price tag. This provides increased WS and BS which can be very important, but also a warlord trait that permits reactions within a local radius and gains a bonus shooting reaction. Great stuff! Suggested Knight: Lancer.

Arbalester. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gain BS, and roll an additional scatter die when you have to and choose which result you want. This upgrade is almost a no brainer for longer ranged knights. Suggested Knight: Asterius, Knight Questoris (especially melta).

Aspirant. ⭐️

Not truthfully recommended due to the negatives on WS, BS, and movement. Has utility if you are short on points, willing to give your opponent a bigger chance, or generally want something fluffy. Otherwise avoid. Suggested Knight: None!

Aucteller. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gain WS. Also gain further WS and A when engaged in a challenge with certain other units (knights, monsters, primarchs, and so forth). This is also a no brainer for your dedicated melee knights that you will get to the front lines very quickly. But you have to get there first. Suggested Knight: Knight Questoris, Acheron, Lancer

Dolorus. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gain WS and can sweep. A really solid upgrade for melee knights. Suggested Knight: Castigator

Implacable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gain a hull point. Attacks against you can't cause more than 1 hull point of damage. Even exoshock! Useful for when you want a survivable knight. Suggested Knight: Unclear. 

Preceptor. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gain BS. Help out your armiger buddies by giving them improved Ld within a small radius. Can be very useful in the right circumstances. Apply it to a ranged knight and it will be good. Suggested Knight: Knight Questoris

Uhlan. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gain a ridiculous movement boost, as well as character, outflank and scout. Well worth it for the shock of turn 1. Suggested Knight: Lancer, Atrapos

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Questoris Acastus Knight Asterius

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars. The rules are average.

Background.

The machine spirit is said to be all consuming fire and rage. It is therefore of no surprise that only the veteran pilots in a household will bond with this type of knight. Doubly so given that it is a very long range knight and lacks any glory in melee given its armaments. It remains exceedingly rare in any given household. 

Strengths.
I'm going to talk about the secondary armaments first here. The volkite culverins on the front are a reasonably good weapon for finishing troops off. But to do that, the knight probably wants to opt for the Karacnos mortar battery to fire first. This beast might only be AP4, but with S=6 and a range a special rules that most notably include fleshbane and radphage (let alone shell shock and pinning, plus it ignores cover), this has the potential to be a squad killer overall. 

The main weapons here are the two twin linked heavy conversion beam cannons. At maximum range, these weapons have an eye watering S=12 and AP=1 coupled with a large blast. Truthfully, this is an anti-titan (and anti-knight) weapon at long range. As such, you will want to be targeting enemies at the longest range possible. But the issue here is the minimum firing range to obtain S=12 is 42 inches. The strength decreases as you go below. Still above 18 inches, it is a S=9 cannon, but the AP of 4 is an issue. Up to 18 inches is a paltry S=7 which just doesn't justify the points cost. 

Weaknesses.

I will freely confess to being a fan of the conversion beamer. The main issue with it is that it is most suitable to big game boards. i.e., Apocalypse game boards. Therefore this knight is not really recommended outside of such games. More than this, the points cost of this knight is within shouting distance of a scout titan which might serve you better depending on the scenario.
 

Builds.
There are no builds to speak of here. The points cost is probably just about worth it, but only when you know you will be firing at long range for most of a game. 

To Whom Does the Blood Belong?

Finally finished painting most of the Lernaean Terminator squad for the Alpha Legion. This particular battle brother seems to have splatters of blood streaking down an otherwise freshly washed and ironed cloth hanging between his legs. The main question is whether this blood is his own, or that of his enemy. And if the latter, which enemy was it? So many questions!

Reasonably satisfied with the paint job here even if the photograph doesn't quite do it justice. The colours are nice and crisp, and the base has come out exactly how I wanted it to, including the tuft of grass that has been squashed by the steel plating falling on to the ground. I will have to photograph the whole squad together at some point!

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Questoris Knight Atrapos

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars. Rounded down. The rules are great!

Background.

Exceedingly rare. The Atrapos is typically a gift for a blood debt, or a spoil of war. They are designed to be enemy knight killers and it is considered a major honour to pilot them, although such outings are only at the command of the head of the household him or herself.

Strengths.
The Atrapos is a knight killer - and monster slayer - mounted on a Cerastus body. Thanks to the macro extinction protocols rule, its weapons are counted as twin linked when firing at knights, titans, and super heavy analogues. 

The singularity cannon is an extreme form of graviton weaponry. Occasionally you will get a vortex result out of this, and sometime you will also hurt yourself. Regardless, the large blast with haywire makes sure that you are going to cause some mighty damage here. Meanwhile the phase cutter is armour bane for close combat at S=10 and AP1. Ouch.

Weaknesses.

No real weakness other than the requirement to get up close and personal with this knight. The flank speed here is your ally.
 

Builds.
There are no builds to speak of here. The points cost is worth it, and the potency of this knight should not be doubted when played to its strengths. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Questoris Knight Magera

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars. Rounded down. The rules are great!

Background.

Rare to unknown for many households, the Magera is a marvel of a forgotten age. It is piloted by only the worthy, or those who have won the right in battle or duels. Bonding with this machine is as much an honour as it is deadly: the leaking radiation will eventually damage the pilot regardless of any matter of prestige. 

Strengths.
Although sharing the same weaknesses as the Styrix in the stat line (low I and A), the lightning cannon is worthy of a good examination. With S=7 and AP3, this is a marine killer. Although there's only 1 shot here, it is a large blast and comes with added rules like rengins and exoshock (let alone shred) which makes it viable across a large array of targets from lighter tanks to tankier infantry. This is backed up by the phased plasma fusil which also has the AP3 line.

The knight can take the standard reaper chain sword, but I feel the upgrade to the siege claw is well worth it here. 

Weaknesses.

I actually like this knight!
 

Builds.
Magera, Lightning Cannon, Siege Claw (410 points).

Well worth the points here. Take out marines or transports from range (don't forget the irad cleanser if within range). Charge in with the claw and take care of more vehicles. 

Lernaean Progress

I've made quite a bit of progress on painting the Lernaeans over the weekend. This marine is just one example of many. 

To state up front: they're not finished yet.

Tasks left to do include, but are not limited to: fine highlights, gun lenses, base shading and highlights as well as finishing, decals, blood for the blood god technical paint accents, and doing something with those white clothes between the legs. 

But regardless of all of those tasks, I'm pleased with the progress made so far considering how many I've been processing in parallel as part of the painting process!

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Questoris Knight Styrix

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars. Rounded down. The rules are average.

Background.

The Styrix apparently did some really nasty and bad stuff during the Age of Strife. Accordingly, their machine spirits are perfectly capable of reducing even the iron will of the typical noble householder to madness that forces them to conduct massacres. They are therefore held in low regard and a bit of a stain of dishonour. 

Strengths.
Back to the regular questoris knight profile here, except for I=2 and A=3. In exchange, we have a volkite chieorovile gun. This has a good number of shots at high strength, but lacks the vital AP3 against space marines. This is more than made up for by the reaper chainsword of course. 

I see a reasonable battlefield role here as whittling down numbers before charging in an finishing a space marine blob. Against mechanicum and other lesser armoured beings, they will do exponentially better. 

Weaknesses.

I want to like this knight, but if I'm being brutally honest, there might be similar [Castigator] and alternative [Basic Knight] choices.

Builds.
Styrix, Volkite Chieorovile, and Reaper Chainsword (380 points).
The classic design.

Styrix, Volkite Chieorovile, and Siege Claw (405 points).

Graviton gun the light tank, blast with volkite, charge in and finish with the claw. Can probably take care of the transported units next turn. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Acastus Knight Porphyrion

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good.

Background.

What is the machine limit that a single human mind can safely interface with? Apparently it is the Porphyrion, after which you will need more minds to take care of the scout class titans. This is a different class of knight altogether compared to the ones thus far visited. It is not only rare, but often taken to be the symbol of a household and few are ever seen.

Strengths.
Two magna las cannons, two autocannons, and an iron storm missile pod. This beast is a long ranged threat that does not necessarily need to move for most of the game. 

On top of this, the stat line is very impressive with 14 on the front, no less than 9 hull points and an innate S=10 coupled with a still respectable movement rate of 12. 

Weaknesses.

You take the risk of a catastrophic explosion here, and the I=A=3 isn't good at all. But what do you care? Sit back and take lots of shots all game.

Also, you can only ever take one of these full stop. This is, of course, sensible game design. This said, the points cost alone is a significant issue here as well. It is on the borderline of being worth it if one thinks about taking a few whirlwind style tanks and other batteries of lascannons somehow -- your playstyle and mileage may vary. 

Builds.
Porphyrion, Magna Lascannons, Hull Lascannons, Hyperios Whirlwinds (655 points).
I've upgraded the autocannons to lascannons here to better match the high strength output. The Hyperios warheads are deliberately selected for the anti-air role. Of course, you can keep the non-upgraded version just as readily as it will output more shots over a larger area which will kill plenty of mechanicum and Imperial Guard units. But if you're facing marines, then I think the above is a better option. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Knight Acheron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good.

Background.

Deployed as a sign to the enemy that they intend extermination, these knights are sinister and and spell utter death and cleansing flame. Their pilots tend to be either those of iron wills, or those damaged souls that relish the massacre, such is the machine spirit of that contained within. Few elect to pilot them. 

Strengths.
The flame storm cannon has ordinance and shred making it of utility in a number of scenarios. But the real beauty here is the reaper chainfist at S=10, AP2 and with shred. 

Take advantage of flank speed and charge headlong into the fray. You are wanting to be targeting dug-in enemy formations and tanks here. Especially transports!

Weaknesses.

AP4 on the flame is not going to kill space marines outright. But it is still useful against those pesky cover saves. 

Builds.
There are no builds to speak of. Instead I will note here that the base points cost is reasonable for what you are getting.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Knight Castigator

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars. Rounded up. The rules are solid.

Background.

The Castigator is typically piloted by those venerable scions of a Household who can be relied upon to hold the line and to conserve ammunition when required. The machine spirits of these machines are stoic but no less able than the more impetuous ones in other knights. These knights are favoured by households who face multiple and lesser foes.  

Strengths.
The high movement rate and flank speed are your friends here. The bolt cannon spews out an impressive 18 shots per turn which anyone will find daunting. At S=6, they will certainly do damage, but the AP is not enough to counter space marines - you are literally relying on the rate of fire here to do the work for you. 

Let's do a small amount of mathhammer at this juncture against space marines. At BS=4, 12 out of those 18 shots will hit their targets. 10 out of those 12 will wound. And (rounded down) 3 will kill. Its not enough really, but when followed up by a charge and the tempest warblade whirling around, it could certainly cause a rout. And therein is the key. Get into position. Expend your ammo, and charge right in. The tempest's S=10 and AP2 will certainly add to your tally and cause a Ld test (or wipe) against a smaller space marine squad. But against Imperial Guard or Mechanicum equivalents, this combination is simply golden. 

Weaknesses.

This knight has its place in the roster and it very effective. It might not win every time against a blob of 20 marines in one round, but you might as well try it! I've seen blobs tied up for several rounds against the might of this knight and it is highly effective.

Builds.
There are no builds to speak of. Instead I will note here that the base points cost is reasonable for what you are getting.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Knight Lancer

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars. Rounded down. The rules are very good.

Background.

The Cerastus Knight comes in several different configurations. The Lancer is the best known. They race ahead of their forces to engage enemy champions in single combat and are regarded as impetuous, yet simultaneously held in high regard. 

Strengths.
Strictly better than the Questoris Knight, the Ceratus has a greater movement rate of 14, a higher strength of 9, and one more attack. 

The Lancer comes with the Shock Lance and Ion Gauntlet Shield combination. Heavy 6 on the shock lance is really good, but it is at very close range. The S=7 and AP3 are still great, but concussive makes it even tastier. In close combat the S=10 and AP1 are just phenomenal. That's before we mention the added rules of reach and exoshock. It sits in an incredible sweet spot. 

Weaknesses.

Get your positioning and timing right and you will love playing with the Knight Lancer. Get it wrong and you will quickly be eliminated. 

Builds.
There are no builds to speak of. Instead I will note here that the base points cost is reasonable for what you are getting.