Painted Mor Deythan 1/6

How has it been so long to get this squad painted up? Ah yes, Covid. Regardless, this is the first of the 6 squad members that I've painted up in the Raven Guard colours for my Mor Deythan squad. 

The painting follows my typical approach with Raven Guard colours. The black here is almost solid black and slightly glossier than what I've done previously with Iron Hands. However, this is very much accented with white colours that stand out more and help the model go "pop" better. With that said, I did very much want a weathered and forlorn look for this squad as narratively they are part of the drop site massacre and the legion's subsequent fight for survival before being rescued. For this reason, the exposed whites have been dulled down and made to look grimy with some Nuln Oil and the highlights are muted. The greaves are similarly weathered with the sands of the planet's surface. Also of note is an attempt at some gun muzzle heating on the combi-melta gun. I will try this on the other models in the squad and see how it works out. I might go over this again later. Regardless, I'm pleased with the general colour scheme of the model and the Raven Guard livery in general. More squad members yet to come!

Plastic Sicaran

I think that I am more excited than I should be about the plastic Sicaran! This is a tank that I have wanted to get in my collection for a long while (perhaps Alpha Legion, perhaps some new project). I was on the verge of getting it just before the pandemic struck, but never did. Now that the announcement has arrived that a plastic version of it will be forth coming, I think I'm all but locked in to the idea of getting at least one of these beasts into my collection!

Love the sculpt and build of this tank overall, and the fact that it is now in plastic and looks just as good as the resin version is deeply attractive. Plus I suspect that it will be much easier to magnetize. 

I'm also really gratified by the Horus Heresy focus that is happening in general in the community web pages right now. The painting schemes and the background for the legions on a daily basis is a great move and one that I've been an avid fan of. The extended painting videos especially are a great move here and really open up a lot of ideas and options. So tempting to start a new legion to be honest!

Horus Heresy Reveals From Warhammer Fest 2022

What an amazing set of reveals it has been for the Horus Heresy game over the past day, and indeed weeks! Got to say that I am impressed by the variety and extent of the releases that are being planned. Long rumoured, the shift to plastic for a wide variety of the Forge World components is impressive. Top of my shopping list though will be the rules set and these pair of books.

I think this is a relatively fair way of doing things and not entirely unexpected. Although I may have preferred one source book for the Astartes, this does look very good and will bring together the 9 volumes of the previous source materials from the black books under a pair of releases which is a good move. I am pondering if I should conduct a "Phase 2" or "Version 2" review of all the new units or not? Thoughts welcome - it would be a grand undertaking over a long period of time and may not end up dramatically different to previous reviews, so I need to think it over. 

The new Kratos tank in plastic is also interesting to see. So whatever happens I believe that there will be a need for players out there to at least have a set of review materials for that in one place, and with depth. 

Genuinely looking forward to seeing what this new edition will bring with it!

Horus Heresy Review: Raven Guard Deliverer Squad

Editorial Note. With the announcement of the new rules for the Horus Heresy, I will regardless finish all the reviews of all units from the previous edition for completeness sake. We already know that these units were retrofitted for the new edition hence their inclusion is assured come what may.

Background.

The Deliverers are the remains of the Terrans within the legion and trained with the Luna Wolves under Horus himself prior to Corax being found. Finding reward with the Justaerin they were subsequently shunned by Corax since terminators did not truly fit in with the Raven Guard's new modus operandi. Not honoured like they used to be, some declared for Horus in the wars that followed whereas others stayed with Corax, if only to die a worthy death and prove their worth to the Raven Lord.

Strengths. 

Two wound terminators for the Raven Guard are a reason to cheer alone! The fact that they come with a teleportation transponder is nothing short of miraculous given that only the Night Lords truly compete in this particular area. 

Depending on what side of the conflict they are fielded, the Delivers either count as +1T for instant death (Loyalists), or gain hatred of Corax (Traitors). Corax in all cases will 18 inches away from them when on the same side during deployment (I guess he really didn't like them). 

They come with the usual stubborn and implacable advance special rules otherwise.

Weaknesses.

Not many. Even less if they are loyalists and worried about instant death. Arguably they don't get storm shields or equivalent, so they're not competing with the Salamanders here. What they are competing for are precious Elite slots in the army roster.

Builds.

5 Deliverers, 1 Multi Melta (300 points).

A nice scary unit to deep strike into place and be multi-purpose.

5 Deliverers, 1 Heavy Flamer, 4 Raven Talons (325 points).

Chop up enemies after landing. Camp on objectives. Plenty of choice.

10 Deliverers, 2 Reaper Autocannons, 4 Combi-Plasmas (533 points).

More expensive here, and mid-range. 

15 Deliverers, 3 Multi Meltas, Chieftain with Raven Talons, 5 Combi-Meltas (795 points).

Far too expensive! But in an Apocalypse game, entirely viable. 

Horus Heresy Review: White Scars Dark Sons of Death Squad (Karaoghlanlar)

Editorial Note. With the announcement of the new rules for the Horus Heresy, I will regardless finish all the reviews of all units from the previous edition for completeness sake. We already know that these units were retrofitted for the new edition hence their inclusion is assured regardless.

Background.

The Dark Sons focus on the "unmaking" of enemies who have fallen so far as to deserve both physical destruction and spiritual oblivion. They are regarded with unease by their battle brothers and adorned with appropriate talismans and wards. 

Strengths.

As well as being able to be a Librarian's (Stormseer's) retinue, once per game they can gain fleet and rage which is a nice touch for one of their invocations. Their more unique rule is the Ritual of Unmaking is to automatically fail sweeping advances in exchange for units with models with 6 inches to take a Ld test or suffer -1WS until the end of next turn. Honestly, I don't think this is too powerful, but it is flavourful in the sense of inducing fear in the enemy. I'd sooner be sweeping come what may. 

The jump packs are a great feature here though, along with the plentiful options.

Weaknesses.

I think I would have sooner have seen this unit with similar rules to the Thousand Sons brotherhoods, but it is what it is. Fundamentally, these are still 1 wound jump pack marines, but given that they tote rad grenades, they make for a tremendous asset for the White Scars. 

Builds.

15 Dark Sons, 3 Melta Guns, Champion with power fist, Melta Bombs (425 points).

A bit of a maximum squad, but one that would be rather powerful and a vehicle plus crew hunter.

10 Dark Sons, 2 Hand Flamers, Champion with Hand Flamer, artificer armour and power weapon (290 points).

Flamers all round, or just sit on an objective.

5 Dark Sons, all with Power Glaives, 1 Plasma Pistol, Champion with plasma pistol and artificer armour (235 points).

Plasma distraction carnifex, with power glaives. 

Wargames Gallery: Raven Guard on the Beach

The remains of a shattered Raven Guard squad slogs across the beach to reach a forgotten ancient tecnology cache that could help them flee this world.