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.