Horus Heresy 2e Review: Blackshields Oath: Only in Death Does Duty End

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️

2/5 stars. The rules are good, but come at a steep price. Some great narrative combinations are possible though. 

Background.

They have sinned. And they must atone. The only way of doing that is through battle. All are sworn to go out this way. 

Rules Evaluation. 

These rules mean that units in this detachment will always pass morale tests regardless of what caused them to take it (NB: this is not pinning or psychic checks - just morale checks). The price for it is steep though: take 1d3 automatic wounds to the unit, but you can save with invulnerables. This is a good rule overall, but those 1d3 unsavable wounds are going to obliterate most units short of a terminator unit, and even then you're going to struggle. At least you won't get shot off the board and routed. Very fluffy overall, but the 1d3 wounds (instead of 1 wound) is a steep price to pay overall to my mind. 

Combinatoric Analysis. 

The Eternal Vendetta: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 4/5 stars. This is such a great combination thematically for me and strongly recommended! You have to think carefully about which legion to take though. And the limited applicability is the only reason it doesn't get 5/5. 

Panoply of Old: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 4/5 stars. Another great combination and one that opens up some nice conversions and bits borrowing. I like it!

The Spoils of Victory: ⭐️. 1/5 stars. This combination just doesn't work well in a narrative manner for me. You are oath-sworn to die, but you also loot the bodies of your enemies having abandoned your oaths? That's a nope from me. 

 

An Eternity of War: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 4/5 stars. This goes really well!

The Flesh is Weak: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 4/5 stars. I really like this one. You've replaced too many organic bits to go back, and you are ready to die. Iron Hands, Iron Warriors, and perhaps some mechanicum aligned units would work nicely here (e.g., those World Eaters aligned with Sarum forge world for example?). 

The Legacy of Nikaea: ⭐️⭐️⭐️. 3/5 stars. You're sworn to die. But you're also psychic. Why not? Sounds good for Thousand Sons, White Scars, and Blood Angels blackshield origins alike. 

The Broken Helix: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 4/5 stars. I like this for some Raven Guard builds. Or maybe you're just cloned warriors and don't feel the good vibes that the Emperor's children once gave you? The combination works for me all the same. 

In Disgrace All Are Equal: ⭐️⭐️⭐️. 3/5 stars. A set of disparate warbands all cobbled together with a common wish to die. Yeah, it could work narratively and I'm not opposed to this combination!

Pride is our Armour: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 4/5 stars. Prideful. Ready to die. Yes - this ticks all the narrative boxes for me, and is a good combination with the right builds I think! Almost 5/5 stars territory here. 

The Taint of the Xenos: ⭐️⭐️. 2/5 stars. Maybe those sins that you are oath-bound to were caused by some Xenos? Its a stretch of the imagination, but can work. 

The Weapons of Desperation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 4/5 stars. Your gang of desperados who are oath bound to atone, but not exactly equipped well! A great combination with a strong narrative for me!