Horus Heresy 3e Review: Coronus Grav-Carrier

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars. The rules are average for the points cost. 

Background. 

I personally have always liked the grav-craft since they were first depicted in Rogue Trader. The Coronus carries on this tradition by having the grav-craft be in use by the Legio Custodes. The wider background shows that the craft was an upgrade to the Jocasta design employed in the Unification Wars. Of course, the other grav-craft are based on the Coronus design and have improved it whilst maintaining the goal of being fast an able to deploy into zones that other vehicles might find tough.

Strengths.

As a heavy transport, it has a carrying capacity of 14 which is reasonable overall. But remember that your regular Custodes has Heavy (2). 

The movement rate is 12, which is okay. The armour is 13 with 11 on the rear and 8 hull points which means it is mid-range in terms of survival. 

On the plus side, it does have auto-repair at 3+ and is an assault vehicle with deep strike as standard which is excellent. The armaments are also very reasonable with a turret Arachnus blaze cannon (amazing with S=9 in concentrated mode!), and a twin lastrum bolt cannon which is S=6 but with only AP=4. 

Weaknesses. 

I would really like to have seen the movement rate be higher. In second edition it was 16, so this is quite a bit of a loss in my opinion. The access point is on the rear, which is also where the AV=11 armour is located. 

Don't take it for deep striking purposes if you already have an Arae Shrike elsewhere in the army as you will compete against yourself for getting your army on the board. Instead, think of it as an enhanced and very much upgraded rhino for your Custodes. I'd actually begin with it on the board to make best use of the blaze cannon!

Builds.

There are no builds to discuss.

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Kharybdis Assault Claw

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars. Rounded down. The largest drop pod!

Background.

The mother and father of drop pods. The Kharybdis is a mighty large drop pod that has an impressive carrying capacity. The background explicitly notes that it is well used as a surface-to-orbit assault vehicle to exact vengeance against enemy space craft crew. It is also useful for scouring the battlefield by using its short range weapons and undertaking a scorched earth style policy.

Strengths. 

With a transport capacity of 22, this is a drop pod with serious carrying ability. Armour of 12 all around and 8 hull points is impressive. 

The claw comes with a Kharybdis missile launcher which although is short range can cause some pinning and has a good fire rate and strength value. Nice in conjunction with the innate BS=4 value. 

You can also swap out the carrying capacity for a single Walker model with up to Bulky=7. In other words, this is your leviathan transport solution. 

Weaknesses. 

The points cost is very high. Just below par with some land raiders. 

Builds.

There are no builds or options to discuss.

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Dreadclaw Drop Pod

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars. Rounded up. A flexible drop pod!

Background.

Unlike other drop pods, the Dreadclaw was designed to be a return vehicle. It was initially designed for void warfare. Those claws on the side dig into a target space craft while melta cutters get to work in order to create an access point for the marines aboard to gain access. It has also found use as a fully functional low altitude vehicle capable of strafing enemy lines with ease.

Strengths. 

A carrying capacity of 12 combined with the ability to take bulky contents such as a single dreadnought (up to bulky = 6 - hence up to a regular contemptor, but not leviathan or higher).

It has a movement rate of 15 which is very respectable and armour of 12 all around and 5 hull points.  

It is classed as a flyer and also transport. Hence my view is to use it to drop off your cargo, and then bumble around getting in the general way. 

Weaknesses. 

BS=4 but nothing to fire with?! 

Also in this edition, no landing clearing with heat blasting sadly. Groan. 

Builds.

There are no builds or options to discuss.

You pay a flat 115 points and get a very flexible drop pod. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Dreadnought Drop Pod

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars. It is a drop pod. For dreadnoughts.  

Background.

This does exactly what you think it does and is entirely analogous to the regular legion drop pod. They both have the same purpose afterall: dropping into place a unit - in this case a dreadnought - and being recoverable after the battle. 

Strengths. 

You get to transport a single dreadnought who has bulky less than 7. That's it. That's really all there is to it. It is an orbital assault vehicle and has impact reactive doors. Armour of 12 all around and 5 hull points feel a bit redundant at this point. 

Weaknesses. 

BS=2 but no bolt gun to shoot with? Surely this is Errata territory?

Builds.

There are no builds or options to discuss.

You pay a flat 100 points and get a drop pod designed to carry dreadnoughts. End of. 

Horus Heresy Review: Spartan

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 stars. An enduring icon. 

Background.

Less common than other land raiders thanks to the expense of production, the Spartan nonetheless sees extensive use in all legions. In essence, it is a large transport carrier, while retaining all the benefits of a land raider's ranged arsenal. 

Strengths. 

An amazing carrying capacity of 26, 14 armour value all round, and a whopping 10 hull points. Las cannon arrays for sponsons, and a more humble twin heavy bolter to the front. 

Laser destroyers are tempting for the better strength and AP. The Gravis heavy bolter is maybe weaker but could be fluffy given the fire rate. 

Replacing the heavy bolter is to taste and I can see a case for the heavy flamer up close and personal, and the twin las cannon will help with more tank hunting. The pintle weapons can reinforce the role as well. Search lights and hunter killer missiles are entirely optional and to taste. 

Weaknesses. 

We are in 5/5 territory due to how often it is fielded, its value, and how often it is played. All players need to have a solution to a spartan ultimately and despite the points value you will see them fielded. 

Builds.

Spartan with laser destroyers, front twin las cannons (410 points). 

A great option for lasering your way across the battlefield and disgorging your passengers at the opportune moment. Take a pintle Multi Melta for extra close up work. 

Spartan with gravis heavy bolter batteries (400 points). 

A dakka style spartan. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Land Raider Carrier

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. Iconic in its own way. 

Background.

The Land Raider has been with us from almost the start. Through the Rogue Trader era to present day, this vehicle is a mainstay of the space marine legions and chapters. In 30k the same remains true and this particular unit sees deployment all over the galaxy on both sides of the civil war, and probably beyond.

Strengths. 

Movement rate of 10 combined with a transport capacity of 12. Naturally, it has an armour value of 14 all around which will keep it protected, and 8 hull points.

Sponson las cannons and a front mounted twin heavy bolter round out the armaments. Of course, it is also an assault vehicle and has auto-repair which is good. Don't forget about the smokescreen option too - it is easily over looked. 

In terms of options, the heavy flamer is an interesting swap to make. The front mounted las cannon is attractive for lots of las action. The pintle options are reasonable: havoc launcher for general duty, heavy bolter for more shots but might not be worth the points, heavy flamer is reasonable, and a multi melta is expensive but depends on if you are explicitly tank hunting at closer range. Combi weapons are okay too. I wouldn't bother with the search light, but the hunter killer missile is to taste. 

Weaknesses. 

It is a land raider. Deal with it. 

Builds.

Land Raider with Front Las Cannon (275 points). 

Cheap enough to be very attractive. Add a pintle multi melta to taste for extra tank hunting, and maybe a hunter killer missile if you are feeling lucky. 

Land Raider with front heavy flamer, pintle heavy flamer (275 points). 

Lots of heavy flames being thrown around for when you are up close.