Horus Heresy 2e Review: Vorax Battle-Automata Maniple

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars. The rules are distinctly average, but might be sub-par on a bad day due to the points cost.

Background.

Got too much famine going on in the Forge World? Send in the Vorax for a little bit of population culling - that'll cure it. Grim and Dark. Got mutant vermin issues? Same. Got rogue machine problems? Vorax will search and destroy for you. Got a war going down? Well, same thing once again really. 

Strengths.

The stat line is adequate with a good movement rate T=5 and 3 wounds combined with a 3+ saving throw. The WS=BS=4 is space marine competitive at least. 

The movement is enhanced by the combination of fleet and scout rules, plus the hammer of wrath can really set combat up nicely. The lightning gun itself might be close range, but can do a reasonable duty thanks to rending. I'd certainly be tempted by an irad-cleanser here though. That'll help with the power blade arrays to do some dicing. 

Weaknesses.

I can't quite decide if the price tag is worth it or not. Maybe just. I wouldn't bother with the Paragon of Metal upgrade though. 

Builds. 

3 Vorax, one with an irad-cleanser (205 points).

We have to take 3 models in order to get the cleanser. I think this is worth considering given what they could be hunting down in a game. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Ursarax Cohort

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

2.5/5 stars. I've generously rounded up to 3 stars. The rules are somewhat below average. They're a bit lacking without the power fist upgrades which takes their price tag up into the range where you wonder if there's a better unit. 

Background.

Thralls, rather than servitors, these beings are purposed as a close combat unit in service of the magos. Formed from human remains of selected people, they retain just enough ability to make good tactical decisions, but need regular grim-dark neural anesthetics to cope which they periodically get. Grim. 

Strengths.

Nice Utan jump packs allow them to get where they need to be quickly and although the WS=4 is very average, their toughness (5) and wounds (3) should allow them to survive long enough to initiate a combat if you think carefully about positioning.

Weaknesses.

S=4 here is an issue, hence the power fist upgrades are all but mandatory here. The feel no pain roll is almost not worth writing about. 

Builds. 

3 Ursarax, each with two power fists (190 points).

The only build that is viable. However, the points cost here is steep and slowly creeping to not-really-worth-it territory. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Arlatax Battle-Automata Maniple

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars. The rules are kinda average. 

Background.

Prone to malifica more than other robots, the Arlatax was produced in significant numbers by Xana and other Forge Worlds. They are in essence shock assault troops with excellent specs, but widely distrusted by many a Mechanicum force. 

Strengths.

The Utan jump booster provides the Arlatax with the means to get where it needs to be quickly. Combine this with the very healthy stat line and you have a recipe for a hard hitting assault unit. The plasma cannon is an excellent addition here and the hammer of wrath only adds to this.  

I would strongly consider applying Paragon of Metal to this unit. The points cost overall is worth it for this unit (Paragon of Metal or not).

Weaknesses.

The lack of ultimately reliable AP=2 is an issue here, and they remain on a 3+ save. The latter is offset nicely by T=6 though - these robots will stick around.

Builds. 

Arlatax, 1 Arc Scourge, Paragon of Metal (205 points).

A bit nasty to say the least! You didn't want friends, right? 

Of course, if you drop the Paragon of Metal and Arc Scourge, and add another model or two, they're still going to be effective, but not quite outstanding. 

Hours Heresy 2e Review: Triaros Armoured Conveyor

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good. 

Background.

The secrets of this armoured transport are guarded well by the Mechanicum. So well, in fact, that not even the space marine legions have access to the arcana that gave them birth. They serve many roles from hermetically sealed environments, through to ramming, and being able to transport a large number of troops.

Strengths.

This is not a rhino.

With AV=14 on the front, glare shields, and a whopping capacity of 22, this is a transport tank with a kick. Combine together a bunch of these and you have one hell of a spear tip to get your troops where they are needed.

Weaknesses.

AV=12 on the sides and rear is a slight issue, so consider the ways in which you are going to position your transports for maximal effect. 

Builds. 

There are no particular builds to consider here given that there is a flat cost and only one optional upgrade: hunter-killer missiles. The choice to take these missiles is a personal one depending on how you've constructed the rest of your army. Given they are cheap anyway, and the tank is expensive and well defended, the missiles can readily be taken as a bit of extra fire power!

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Castellax Battle-Automata Maniple

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good. 

Background.

Thought of by some as a potential internal threat should Mars ever go against its agreement with the Emperor, the Castellax were a mainstay of both siege warfare and shock troops for the Mechanicum. This worry never arose thanks to the Heresy and they were never made in sufficient numbers ever again to pose an internal threat, but their potency was never much doubted thanks to the sheer aggression of the internal machine spirit.

Strengths.

In simple terms, these robots are like dreadnoughts for the Mechanicum. They are weaker than their space marine cousins, to be clear, but still rather nasty. The stat line has W=4 and T=6 which is nice, but the WS=3 is a concern for those robots that you want in combat. The ability to configure for both ranged and melee is a really nice boon here. 

Weaknesses.

We've mentioned WS=3, but the price tag is one of you get what you pay for regardless. Hence even though they probably won't win a fight with their space marine cousin dreadnoughts, they are cheaper and they are also in the troops selection of the army list making them a very tempting choice.

Builds. 

1 Castellax, Darkfire Cannon (115 points).

I really like the Darkfire cannon thanks to the critical AP=2 component among other strengths. This build is a long range monster killer. 

1 Castellax, Siege Wrecker (110 points).

Brutal (2) is amazing here and makes up for deficiencies elsewhere. Get them into combat quickly. Take a multi melta if you must, and perhaps take a Paragon of Metal if you've not got it elsewhere?

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Scyllax Guardian-Automata Maniple

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars, rounded down. The rules are good and make for a tough addition to many army lists. 

Background.

If you drew a Venn diagram of cyborgs, robots, and servitors, then the Scyllax might sit at the intersection and be a bit mistrusted by large parts of the mechanicum for their icky origins. There are claims that over time they gain something of self-awareness despite their minimal organic components. Their purpose is as a Magi's bodyguards and a melee unit. 

Strengths.

The Scyllax Combat Array allows the player to choose between two modes. The first has shred at AP5, the second drops shred but amps up to S=7 and AP=2 at the price of being cumbersome and unweildy. This is a nice combination and can fit most circumstances. Adding to this is the rad furnace which reduces the T value of enemies locked against them which is splendid. 

Weaknesses.

They are a support choice, and the Ld is not fantastic, and with WS=3, they might struggle against enemy terminators. But when they do hit, they will be slaughtering their enemies and this makes for an attractive proposition without being totally outrageous. The kraken bolter is middle of the road, but can certainly make some headway against enemies as well. Overall then a worthwhile unit given the points cost and well worth taking, but not over-doing it with. I'd be tempted by some flamers to be honest.

Builds. 

4 Scyllax, 1 Flamer, 1 Graviton Gun (130 points)

I like this set up as the flamer can help deter charges (take more if desired) and the graviton gun synergizes nicely (as would the irad-cleanser). Take more models to taste to expand the special weapons and the kraken replacements as desired (I'd personally opt for a few flamers at most).