Horus Heresy 2e Review: Marduk Sedras

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars, generously rounded up to 4/5 stars. I hold mixed views about this characters which arises from similarly mixed rules.

Background.

A very old space marine by any standard. He's seen it all and fought alongside the Emperor himself, the Emperor's Sons, and many others besides, including during the Unification. He asked to remain a master rather than join the central core of the legion is Eskaton of the Dreadwing. 

Strengths.

The warlord trait allows him to take a unit of Inner Circle Knights along with an assault reaction. This, of course, means one less elites slot being used.What really shines here is the Ancient of War rule. Since he's seen it all, he can tell his allies about his experiences. All Dark Angels within 6 inches of him at deployment gain preferred enemy against a chosen faction. This is amazing!

His kit is great: the armour can sweep despite the 4+ invulnerable and you pass dangerous terrain checks. His sword, The Death of Worlds, gives S+5 at AP2 which is amazing, but is also unwieldy. The best bit by far is the ability to cause -1 to invulnerable saves. This is truly unique. Could be good in the right circumstances of course and will instant death many. 

Weaknesses.

The warlord trait gives nothing other than the bonus unit and reaction - its not a "proper" trait in comparison to others. But it gets worse. The unit cannot sweep, while Marduk himself can! I find this such a peculiar contradiction! With this said, it is clear in the fluff it is supposed to be cataphractii armour so will no doubt count as such in the future. Hence no such contradiction. With the Ancient of War rule, also beware of stacking everything in a perfect pie plate formation for the enemy to kill you on turn one. He's also restricted to the loyalists - sorry traitors. 

Overall.

An interesting character that is worth it from the point of view of  the Ancient of War rule alone. Add on his combat potential, plasma burner, phosphex bombs, and the rest, and his is quite the tasty proposition. Just a pity about the peculiar warlord trait and going at I=1 in combat otherwise he'd be absolutely stellar. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Corswain

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are great - he is a tremendous beat stick!

Background.

All of the legions have recognized "names" that their brothers and cousins will instantly know. For the Dark Angels, Corswain's name is one that echos still some ten millennia later such was his skill. 

Strengths.

Honestly, if you want something dead short of a Primarch, then Corswain is your man. And he might even have a shot at some primarchs as well. I like to think of him as a beat stick legion champion. He has the kit to boot: The Blade has both duellist's edge and murderous strike along with being master crafted. His armour is insane for keeping him in the game by providing 3+ invulnerable in close combat and 4+ otherwise (or a regular 2+ save). Mix in that he has WS=7 and precision striking at 4+ and he will get the job done.

Weaknesses.

The first weakness is that if he is your warlord, you get locked into Marshal of the Crown (Death wing). It is not bad, but there are much better alternatives.

He's loyalist only, so a non-starter for traitor lists. 

Overall.

He kills stuff in close combat while staying alive very well. That's literally all he does. He does it to a maximum standard, to be clear. But he doesn't provide army buffs or anything else. A true beat stick in the traditional sense of those words. 

 

Horus Heressy 2e Review: Deathwing Companion Detachment

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good, and very unique within the entire game which makes them a great choice for what they are able to do. 

Background.

Devoted to their legion and sworn to protect their leaders even unto taking the death blow for their praetors. The companions are the longest serving veterans of the Deathwing and come with a variety of unique upgrades. 

Strengths.

The Death Sworn Companions rule is mighty indeed and allows the player to ignore precise shots and strikes, along with the sniper rule, as well as letter the controlling player allocate wounds. This rule alone makes the unit worth taking. 

The Deathwing retinue rule means they only are allowed in play alongside a master of the legion and cannot be taken on their own. This is fine.

It is worth talking about their unique upgrade here as well: the Cytheron Pattern Aegis -- at the expense of dropping a bolt gun. The basic way to use them is as a 4+ invulnerable against shooting, or a 5+ against close combat. But when "deployed" at the end of a movement phase by 2 or more members of the squad, then entire squad gets this benefit along with imposing I-1 at the price of not being able to themselves attack. This is mainly worth it, but also worth thinking about how to optimize for this choice. 

Weaknesses.

A truly unique unit of veterans in the entire game. The WS=5 and W=2 combined with artificer armour is just the icing on the cake, let alone the refractor field for the Oathbearer. They can even take jump packs!

Builds.

5 Companions, all with Terranic Great Swords, 2 Cytheron Pattern Aegis (195 points).

There are lots of ways of configuring this unit. I like the great swords for their sheer audacity. The two aegis are for the initiative drop when required - it won't always be needed and you can keep these guys alive for a while due to being able to allocate wounds. Getting expensive for 5 models though, but worth it still. Take a legion vexilla to taste. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Dreadwing Interemptor Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good, but you are competing for an elites slot for these guys. 

Background.

When you want a job done, and that job is no less than the complete and utter annihilation of the problem, these are your men. They leave no trace of anything behind, and won't probably even remember themselves. The Lion's ultimate sanction all told. 

Strengths.

Do you like plasma? What about plasma burners? How about an upgrade to a plasma incinerator which is just like the above but with a torrent? If so, this is the squad you are going to adore. 

Beyond this they also get stubborn, counter attack, and bitter duty which helps them on some occasions. 

Weaknesses.

The elites slot is already full. You may struggle to get this squad in there, but could do if you focus. You also don't need a full squad, but 5 bodies still only has 5 wounds and thus they are not durable when combined with their regular 3+ power armour save. You will really want a transport to get into position and then unleash. Good luck though, this squad will be a priority target if your opponent knows what they are facing off against. 

Builds.

5 Interemptors, 1 plasma incinerator, Praefectus with artificer armour and 1 phosphex bomb (150 points).

There are multiple ways to configure the unit, but I feel a low body count is best. Even a "naked" squad will serve well, but I suspect the optimal use is an alpha strike / plasma-cide tactic which argues for keeping the points cost low. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Inner Circle Knights Cenobium

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good, but there's probably only a couple of orders that you are going to take. 

Background.

There are wheels within wheels, and there are orders within the Dark Angels. The Inner Circle Knights Cenobium are those orders militant within and dedicated to unique martial skills. 

Strengths.

The plasma casters that they carry as standard are effectively flamers with breaching, but what is really cool are the standard terranic greatswords. These terminators come as standard with 2 wounds and WS=5, but the preceptor has an amazing WS=6 which blows away much of the competition. 

Not only can they take the hexagrammaton upgrades, but they get their pick of Orders as well. 

Augurs of Weakness: Get a bonus against AV=11 or higher. You will want Iron Wing and some hammers here. But note there are better tools in the box for tank hunting than these guys - this is a bit of a waste.

Icons of Resolve: Ld+1 when charged is not worth taking. Skip this.

Slayers of Kings: Re-rolling of 1's to hit against WS=5 or higher or in a challenge is hilarious. Take with death wing. Don't forget Terranic Greatsword bonus. Take this almost every time!

Hunters of Beasts: I'm a bit neutral on the worth of re-rolling to wound rolls of 1's against T=5 or higher. I mean, if you know you're facing lots of beasts, then yes sure. But otherwise probably not quite worth it.

Reapers of Hosts: A+1 against they have base to base contact with more than one enemy is cool. Take it if you're not wanting Slayers of Kings. Great against horde armies, of course.

Breakers of Witches: re-rolls against deamons, psykers, and corrupted is highly situational. Of course, if you know you're against daemons of the ruinstorm, it is a no-brainer. Thousand Sons will hate you for it too. As will plenty of Word Bearer armies, and certain Sons of Horus builds. 

Weaknesses.

Lots of points cost here, and they can not sweep!

Builds.

5 Inner Circle Knights Cenobium, 1 Legion Vexilla, Preceptor with Grenade Harness (290 points).

There's honestly not many other builds to consider. Add extra bodies to taste. Swap out a greatsword for a thunder hammer (perhaps 1 only) if desired otherwise retain those greatswords all round.

What Colour Should Iron Warriors Plasma Be?

Chat - help me out with a hobby question! I'm painting up a support squad armed with plasma guns for my Iron Warriors force. Question arising: what colour should the plasma be for Iron Warriors?

The miniature is a work in progress and categorically not complete, as can be seen from the image - no judgments on that please. But I've reached an impasse as I can't quite decided between the more obvious blues, greens, or even reds for the plasma coils. What do you think? I'd also like to have an internal "glow" where there are whites within the recesses and the colour burns out on the raised areas. A bit of a painting challenge, but I'm game. Just need to address the question of the colour first though. Recommendations welcome (as well as any tutorials that you think might help - or help other readers)!