Skyhunters - Emperor's Children

The fully painted squad of Emperor's Children skyhunters ready for deployment!

The paint scheme here is mainly the Emperor's Children purple that I've been using consistently on all the other models that I have for this legion, edged with gold trim and a large expanse of brutalist black and silver metal down the middle. White accents and appropriately applied decals finish it off. The stands use the creeping vines extensively below the speeders to give the suggestion of varied and overgrown terrain. 

Other little details include the sergeant's power sword in green (taken from the newer Slaanesh chaos space marine range), a variety of heads (including an older chaos space marines plume) and of course the melta guns at the front for tank exploding purposes. Happy with the outcome here - its a squad with purpose and will look good undertaking missions!

Painted Emperor's Children Praetor Tartaros Terminator

Regal purple mixes with exquisite threat in the pose for this Emperor's Children praetor in tartaros terminator armour!

The miniature itself was very easy to put together, and the painting almost did it itself. The purple follows my standard recipe. However, it is almost drowned out by the gold that adorns the praetor himself. Obviously this is a guy who wants to not only own the battlefield, but looks like a mythological figure while doing so. There's also some gemstones and robes around the character which to me feels like Ancient Greece vibes in some ways. And the Laer style sword hints at the early signs of falling to chaos here without actually having sworn feality (potentially). I've picked this out in the same green tones that I've used for the gemstone (which I'm interpreting here as something a bid Eldar in nature). 

Although gaudy and regal, it somehow still works and comes together to still present a threat and a perfection of martial skill ready to take on the enemies of the Imperium. Or of Fulgrim at least. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Tylos Rubio

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good. 

Background.

Rubio was the first to be recruited to the Knights-Errant by Garro in his quest to assemble his team of misfit, yet unquestionably loyalist cousins from across all of the legions. It was during the Betrayal at Calth that he finally agreed to join up, having been forced to use his psychic powers to save his brother Ultramarines against the edict of Nikaea. Ironically enough, Guilliman had just concluded that breaking the edict was necessary to fight the warp space aliens at the same time. But too late for Rubio. He was shunned. And left with little option but to join Garro.  

Strengths. 

The codicier comes with telepathy and divination which is a solid combination. 

Polaris, his blade, is a force weapon with breaching, AP=3 and S+1 which makes him a reasonable combat challenger. The paragon bolt gun is also rather good at range. Enhanced by his powers, these are better still. 

Weaknesses. 

I would prefer an inherent WS=6 instead of WS=5, but WP=10 is welcome. 

Overall.

Rubio is cheap enough for what you get which is why I am giving him 4/5 stars here. He is a "typical" psyker for his level (codicier) and is a solid performer. Great for the Knights-Errant, just a pity he doesn't get classed as Ultramarines like my tag here otherwise suggests!

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Nathaniel Garro

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good. 

Background.

Much has already been spoken of Garro. The former Battle-Captain of the Death Guard. The Captain of the Eisenstein. The person who brought word of Isstvan III to the Imperium. The one who bent his knee of Malcador and became the first of the Knights-Errant. The one who would gather the other unique Knights to his banner.  

Strengths. 

A strong stat line (including WS=6 and 5 attacks) combines with his weapons to make Garro a direct close combat challenge threat. 

Libertas has Duellists edge at 2, and critical hitting supplementing S+1 (for S=5 hits) at AP=2 which is vital for challenges. Eternal warrior also helps him stay in the fight.

At range, his bolt gun is called a paragon bolt gun and fires at S=5 with shred. This is impressive and you need to fire it often. 

Weaknesses. 

The only very mild negative is that Libertas is limited to 1 damage per unsaved wound. 

Overall.

Garro in third edition (Legacies) comes with the Knights-Errant and Loyalist keywords (the former having as much power and impact as the latter - to be clear). He isn't a Death Guard (despite my tag here) and sadly cannot be taken in a pre-Heresy or loyalist Death Guard contingent which makes me sad. He is a solid challenge contender otherwise and a decent high command choice with a more than reasonable points value associated with him. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Ultramarines Nemesis Destroyer Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. Good rules and potential for board control in  multiple small units.

Background.

The Ultramarines possessed many chapters within their structure. Some were dedicated to a very specific type of warfare. The Nemesis Chapter was one such configuration. They feature primarily bolt guns but were otherwise a destroyer sub-division replete with rad grenades. Their bolt guns, however, were manufactured to use experimental ammunition that had a strong influence on the Calth war. 

Strengths. 

Looking like regular bolt guns, the Mortifier Bolter has a shorter range in exchange for causing panic. These are very useful and can impact a good amount of board control when played right.

There are multiple upgrades available, but the rad missile launcher is nice for being assault, poisoned, phage on toughness, and has AP=3 making it break regular marine formations. 

Phosphex and / or melta for the sergeant is icing on the cake really. The only real decision to make here is whether to tool up further for close combat or not. My instinct is not - keep them as a mid range panic and toughness phage inflicting threat and accompany other units to finish them off if needed. 

Weaknesses. 

They're nothing special realistically: 3+ armour save marines with 1 wound each that cost a bit more than regular marines due to the equipment. 

Builds.

10 Nemesis Destroyers, 2 Destroyer Missile Launchers (195 points).

Take nuncio vox and similar to taste. Upgrade to more members and kit the sergeant out for close combat if you wish (thunder hammer by preference), but my take would be to run multiple of these squads and leave the melee to a more dedicated unit (but equally the bolt pistol and chainswords are good enough against phage inflicted regular marines, so just go for it anyway!). Take phosphex bombs to taste - melta bombs are better elsewhere probably unless you're really taking 2 melta guns? 

Rubble Basing from Unused Bits

If you are anything like me, then your bits box is probably overflowing with cast off bits and parts that you have kept "just in case" and has inevitably accumulated over time. I often have half a mind just to sell a random bag of bits on eBay, but then I don't do it for whatever reason my brain says. 

But this week I broke my habit of endless accumulation of bits in a very specific way. Basing! Okay, this is not a novel idea by any means. I will freely admit that. I like how it has turned out though.

The vibe that I am aiming for here is war strewn rubble. Perhaps even Isstvan inspired at some level. The bits seen here consist of cork (to at least provide one level location for a foot to be attached to on two of the bases), drop pod remnants, chain swords, rhino door, random eagles and eyes of Horus, broken Custodes weapons and shields, Imperial sector cast offs, there's even a marine that I've slice in half, one or two age of Sigmar bits that plausibly look like building works, servo skulls, bits from vehicle accessories frames, unused heavy weapons, bolt guns, and close combat items, and random small accessories bits. And those are just the ones that I remember and see easily. There's lots more besides all cluttered together on these bases upon close inspection, and layered as well. I fear positioning feet on some of these will be a challenge, but that's a problem for the future!

Creeping Vines Use and Basing

Creeping Vines are sold by Warhammer in a boxed set to help with scenery and basing. What is immediately striking about them is the sheer flexibility that they offer. The plastic which is used is very flexible and can be bent into twisting shapes to adhere better to existing scenery. 

The base above shows a flying stand with rubble (cork and actual stones and grit) plus old bits of the plastic imperial sector painted up. Surrounding this, I've twisted the creeping vies to create some foliage and suggest the these ruins have been around for a while and nature is starting to take back over. In hindsight, I probably should have opted for a more brown colour on the trunk of the vines, but the green is good enough here!

The second image shows that vines on the sprue. I painted them like this because it was easier to spray paint them with the undercoat before applying liberal amounts of contrast in red and green to create the final detail. The frame doesn't do justice to the flexibility of the plastic used here. I did accidentally break one of them due to forcing it too hard - so fair warning, don't be like me and just gently bend them! Glue helps them stick in place once the positioning is right. Overall a great product and one that I will certainly be thinking of returning to in the future. 

Liber Astartes and Hereticus Reviews Complete

It has been a long road to get here, but the main entires from both Liber Astartes and Liber Hereticus for 3rd Edition Horus Heresy are now completely reviewed!

The summary page has been updated!

So, the obvious question to readers is this: which volume should get reviewed next...? Please feel free to make suggestions in the comments below. I will cover everything eventually, but I'm currently pondering which book to focus on next. Also, if I've missed your favourite Legacies unit, please also do shout out as I've included a number of them, but not all of them since many models are simply no longer available. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Mastodon Super-Heavy Assault Transport

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️

2.5/5 stars. Rounded down. Slow, but has its place.

Background.

Employed only sparingly during the Great Crusade to breach enemy positions, the Mastodon saw increased use in the days of the Heresy as a fully armed and armoured transport capable of protecting its transported marines even against titans to a reasonable degree.

Strengths. 

AV=14 all round with 20 hull points and a whopping transport capacity of 42 makes the Mastodon impressive. Only the Sokar Stormbird can compare. 

You can carry 4 models that lack infantry or paragon, but can't have greater than bulky of 6 (so yes, you can carry some contemptor dreadnoughts which is pretty unique). 

Two void shields help keep it all alive nicely. The siege melta array is nice enough with a large blob at S=10 but obviously short range, and the turret skyreaper is fine with S=7 and skyfire. 

Weaknesses. 

The movement rate of 10 is a problem for a transport, unless you don't mind moving slowly, which admittedly many people might. 

This is the sort of unit that you need to build around. Not only your army list, but also your battleplan. 

Builds.

Mastodon, las cannon sponsons, heavy flamer sponsons (620points).

We have to take two lots of sponsons, so the selection here corresponds to what is sold (I acknowledge you get all variants) but its always pictured with this combination and I don't see any reason to disfavour it. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Sokar Stormbird

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars. Rounded down. The rules are fine overall.

Background.

An ancient design that pre-dates even Great Crusade and harks back to the Unification of Terra, the Stormbird is ungainly in flight, unsightly in appearance, but gets the job done. Where the job is defined as forcing a landing zone or forward position.

Strengths. 

This is fundamentally a transport vehicle. And a big one at that. 

It can carry 52 standard occupants and this includes larger models (up to 2 that lack infantry or paragon), with the restriction of nothing at Bulky (6) or above. It can also carry a rhino (which is at 12 on the bulky scales). 

AV is 14 all round with a solid movement of 16 and a juicy 22 hull points. Topping this off are two void shields as well. 

For weaponry, it has las cannons on the hull, twin heavy bolt guns (two on the turret and one on the rear) as well as six hell strike missiles. These are nice to be clear, but not quite at the same level as you'd get out of the turbo-laser on the thunderhawk.

Weaknesses. 

Exactly the same as second edition in terms of my critique. This is a great craft, but the points cost is a significant deterrent here. It certainly is one for the collectors and is ALWAYS well regarded on the table top for the sheer audacity of fielding it and the rarity with which it is seen. I actually like it a whole lot, but wow - the real world financial cost combined with points cost in game makes this a rare one to see in person. And given I tend to play at lower points levels games, I guess I just don't see it much!!

Builds.

Sokar Stormbird (850 points).

Take the gravis heavy bolters if you want them - they will provide much closer fire power for you. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Thunderhawk Gunship

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars. The rules are sound.

Background.

Combining void warfare alongside regular atmospheric attack vectors, the thunderhawk is a nice all rounder for a Lords of War choice. It effectively fills in the gap between the larger stuff that the Imperium uses, and things like the Storm Eagle. It was a late Crusade development and saw use by both sides in the Heresy.

Strengths. 

AV=13 with 18 hull points is reasonable but not impervious for a Lords of War choice. Where it shines is the transport capacity of 32 though. This is for larger models as well as infantry. But only 2 models that are not infantry or paragon (and no vehicles). Too bad also if you are Bulky 7 or more. 

The centre line turbo laser destructor is excellent, of course. In short: S=12, AP2, D=6 with a small pie plate and armour bane. The other weapons are several heavy bolt guns, a las cannon, and hellstrike missiles. 

Weaknesses. 

The thunderhawk has had a glow up from the previous edition! Much needed. It is no longer AV=12 but AV=13 with more hull points. It regained superheavy. Its points cost has come down too. I still don't like the new flyer rules that much in this edition, but they are functional and the thunderhawk will serve well enough!

Builds.

Thunderhawk (685 points).

There are no upgrades to discuss. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Falchion Super-Heavy Tank Destroyer

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

Background.

Sharing the same chassis as the shadowsword and others, the Flachion was developed during the great crusade to take down the largest of foes and assorted monsters. Of course, its role as a titan destroyer only came later with the outbreak of the Heresy, but it proved no less effective.  

Strengths. 

The Falchion mounts a Neutron Wave Cannon. This beast has a 120 inch range and two shots at S=12. the AP=2 and damage=4. Armourbane marks it out as a anti-vehicle, anti-titan tank, and there is also ordnance on damage which is mind blowing. It causes stunned as well in case you need that. In essence then, this is a weapon that can potentially inflict 16 damage per turn. 

You get las cannon arrays on the sponsons which can also contribute and you can upgrade for free to laser destroyers or gravis heavy bolters. But you might as well stick with the original armaments. 

Weaknesses. 

The stat line has AV=12 at the rear which is an issue like others of its kind. Again, here my advice is to park it near to a board edge and let the range take care of your enemy knight or titan. The HP=18 will help keep you alive for a little while at least. The points cost is high, but the worth is solid. 

Builds.

Falchion (650 points).

No upgrades, and no worries. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Fellblade Super-Heavy Battle Tank

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

Background.

A variant of the Baneblade that features an advanced accelerator cannon. This in turn was only possible due to the Great Crusade that conquered new planets for the Emperor and returned such technologies back to the hands of Terra and humanity more widely. 

Strengths. 

The central accelerator cannon is impressive. It has a range of 100 inches. I'm just going to write that again: 100 inches. One shot, but with large blast (or slightly smaller depending on the shell). The HE shell is at S=8, AP=3, and 2 damage with the large pie plate, and the AE shell goes at S=12 with AP=2 and D=3. These are incredible numbers. Stun comes with the HE, and ordnance on D for the AE shells. Impressive. 

But there is more! You get a heavy bolter, a demonlisher cannon, and two sponson mounted las cannon arrays (which can be upgraded for free for the laser destroyers or gravis heavy bolter arrays, but all are viable). 

Weaknesses. 

The stat line has AV=12 at the rear which is an issue. But if you park it on a board edge, then presumably you don't care. The HP=18 will keep you alive long enough to do damage. The cost is high here though, but probably on balance worth it. 

Builds.

Fellblade (650 points).

The non-upgraded version is just fine!

Emperors Champion Conversion for Word Bearers

This is a conversion concept that has been bubbling away in the back of my mind for quite some time - which is to say years. I originally wanted to do it with the older sculpt of the Emperor's Champion, but the newer Primaris version really pushed me over the edge. 

One of the core problems with this conversion is to think how it might plausibly slot into Horus Heresy without looking like it is out of kilter with all the other miniatures. The pose actually helps with this. Standing on the rock should make the miniature look taller or more imposing and therefore this helps disguise the Primaris issue at source.

I have shaved off the guards at the top of the knees to make the miniature look more in keeping with Heresy era space marines. Gone also are the shoulder pads and replaced with a set of mark 4 shoulder pads. The helmet has been similarly replaced as although the sculpt was really good, I didn't like the cross on the side of the cheek and couldn't be bothered to green stuff it over. Moreover, the sculpt wasn't strictly Heresy either even if I could get away with it.

The backpack was an item that I really wanted to retain though. Those ribbons of oaths were something I rather liked. But ultimately the backpack itself screams Primaris. Here I have replaced it with an older Chaos Space Marines sergeant back pack which is much more suited. 

In the left hand I have positioned some works of Lorgar! This is from the older Chaos Space Marine Terminators range that I had lying around. The Imperial Eagle has also been shaved off the rosary beads in the left hand to leave the hand free to hold open the book at the desired page. 

The final miniature is one that I am quite happy with even though he still has a mild height issue compared to his Heresy brothers. I'm certain it will fit in though once painted up. I will use him as either a legion centurion or praetor. Clearly, he is traitor aligned. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Glaive Super-Heavy Special Weapons Tank

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars. The rules are fine. 

Background.

The Glaive (a.k.a. Fellglaive) mounts a primary volkite carronade which costs a lot in terms of resources according to the background, but is totally justified against certain xenos that the Great Crusade needed to vanquish. It found use in all legions, but perhaps never in great numbers. 

Strengths. 

The central weapon here is the Volkite Cannonade. You get a whopping 12 shots, S=8, AP=3, and 2 damage. Deflagrate as well, of course! This is powerful, but might not be good enough to take down a heavy terminator squad through sheer weight of shots. 

The fellblade chassis is nice, but does have AV=13 on the sides which is a mild issue. Making up for this is the impressive 18 hull points. 

The sponsons gets you las cannon arrays, laser destroyers, or gravis heavy bolters. Any of these are very reasonable. And the pintle weapons might also be attractive here as well, especially the havoc launcher. 

I also want to state very clearly that I think this tank has the rule of cool about it. I want to like it much more than I actually do. 

Weaknesses. 

The points cost is a major detractor in comparison to other Lords of War options. And the AP=3 isn't good enough for taking down Fire Drake terminators. It will, however, absolutely tear apart mechanicum, and imperial army troops opponents to be very clear. 

Builds.

Glaive, with Havoc Launcher (655 points).

Not worth over thinking this one. Any sponsons are viable, but I am a fan of the havoc launcher for the complementary range.

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Typhon Heavy Siege Tank

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The big sister of the vindicator!

Background.

The Typhon really is very much like an up-scaled vindicator. Invented with the collaboration of Perturabo of the Iron Warriors, this is a rapid deployment solution to siege breaking. And a powerful one to boot.

Strengths. 

The dreadhammer siege cannon is the star of the show here. A 5 inch blast is reasonable and it comes at S=12, AP=3, and S=3. Breaching helps, as does stun to certain enemies. Ordnance for extra damage is the icing on the cake. It will literally destroy enemy fortifications, and much in between. 

AV=14 (13 on the rear) will keep it in play along with the 12 hull points. In some ways, it is like the up close and personal version of the Cerberus but designed for a large blast rather than pin point lasering. 

Weaknesses. 

Spectacularly risky short range of 24 inches on the dreadhammer is always fun despite the first half of my sentence here. 

Builds.

Typhon (400 points).

I'd actually go with the non-upgraded version here. Maybe a pintle based havoc launcher to taste for extra anti-infantry duty.

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Cerberus Heavy Tank Destroyer

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. A mobile neutron laser battery to be feared!

Background.

When the legions needed a mobile neutron laser battery, they mounted it on a land raider and applied lots of radiation shielding to prevent people dying from the exotic radiation. Even so, the crews of these vehicles rarely last more than a decade before some "re-building" is required. Despite the horrific toll that it incurs, the legions' calculus makes this tank destroyer more than worth fielding. 

Strengths. 

The neutron laser battery is one of the most potent available. It has 3 shots at S=10 that each cause 3 damage at AP=2. To add to its tank destroyer role, there's also armourbane. Ordnance on D is helpful as is shock.

Beyond this, it is AV=14 (with 13 on the rear) and a solid 12 hull points. 

I'd probably take las cannon sponsons here as well. 

Weaknesses. 

Overload is built in and it moves at 10 inches. 

Naturally, it also explodes.

Builds.

Cerberus with las cannon sponsons (420 points).

Although hunter killer missiles are available, they probably won't quite be worth it here. 

Wargames Gallery: Iron Warriors (Bitter) End Game!

It isn't looking good for the Iron Warriors. 

This is near the end of the game. The Iron Warriors have an un-wounded dreadnought comtemptor with las cannon and a fist, along with 4 tyrant siege terminators left. 

The Alpha Legion meanwhile has a crashed (out of action) eagle, from which the remains of a tactical squad (4 members) and centurion have emerged. They are supported by a tartaros terminator squad closing in (axes and one thunder hammer, one plasma the rest with combi-bolters), and a squad of recon marines with counts-as nemesis bolt guns on a gantry up above the rest. 

What is the target priority for the Iron Warriors? Where is their fire to be directed, and where do they charge in?

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Dark Angels Excindio Battle-Automata

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars. Rounded up for rule of cool and conversion possibilities!

Background.

The dread silica anima are not dead. Known only to the Emperor and the Dark Angels, these artificial intelligences are not Mars-born, but left over from ancient Terra and born of malice with similar intent. They have been somewhat neutered by the Ironwing, but still lack restraint and could potentially turn on the Dark Angels as much as they wilfully eliminate their enemies. These are the Excindio: Dark Age AI nightmares.

Strengths. 

Death from the dark age of technology and banned artificial intelligence. They can be equipped with all kinds of weapons. 

The combi bolters can be swapped out for graviton guns (strong), plasma guns (reasonable), and irad cleansers (strong). 

They can also be equipped with several different main weapons. The Athanax phosphex canister launcher is great with pinning, poisoned and phage on toughness - its almost an auto-pick. The Tyrhenius nerve induction shredder has an incredible number of shots for poisoned at 2+ causing panic - also great. Magaron atomantic pulse cannon is almost like a las cannon, but one less strength and armourbane. Good at picking off rhinos and similar. The Cytheron graviton flux projector gives you a template with shock, pinning, breaching at S=7 - well worth considering for close combat. Or another irad cleanser (strong as well!).

The claws are great in and of themselves with breaching, AP=3 and 2 damage, and reaping blow. Ouch.

Weaknesses. 

The are artificia. You will probably need a kill switch as well. 

The main problem here is that they can turn on your own forces. When wounds reach 4 or less, they just choose the nearest thing. They don't care, and actually like causing mayhem. 

Builds.

Excindio, Cytheron and irad Cleansers (220 points).

Closer combat. 

Excindio, Magaron Pule Cannon, Plasma Guns (230 points).

Longer range, and more anti-tank. Take hunter-killer missiles to taste. Deadly in combat still though!

Excindio, Athanax phosphex canister launcher (195 points).

Shorter range and cheaper. Take the nerve induction shredder as a replacement for the canister launcher to taste for the same points cost.