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.

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Cerberus Heavy Tank Destroyer

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. A mobile neutron laser battery to be feared!

Background.

When the legions needed a mobile neutron laser battery, they mounted it on a land raider and applied lots of radiation shielding to prevent people dying from the exotic radiation. Even so, the crews of these vehicles rarely last more than a decade before some "re-building" is required. Despite the horrific toll that it incurs, the legions' calculus makes this tank destroyer more than worth fielding. 

Strengths. 

The neutron laser battery is one of the most potent available. It has 3 shots at S=10 that each cause 3 damage at AP=2. To add to its tank destroyer role, there's also armourbane. Ordnance on D is helpful as is shock.

Beyond this, it is AV=14 (with 13 on the rear) and a solid 12 hull points. 

I'd probably take las cannon sponsons here as well. 

Weaknesses. 

Overload is built in and it moves at 10 inches. 

Naturally, it also explodes.

Builds.

Cerberus with las cannon sponsons (420 points).

Although hunter killer missiles are available, they probably won't quite be worth it here. 

Wargames Gallery: Iron Warriors (Bitter) End Game!

It isn't looking good for the Iron Warriors. 

This is near the end of the game. The Iron Warriors have an un-wounded dreadnought comtemptor with las cannon and a fist, along with 4 tyrant siege terminators left. 

The Alpha Legion meanwhile has a crashed (out of action) eagle, from which the remains of a tactical squad (4 members) and centurion have emerged. They are supported by a tartaros terminator squad closing in (axes and one thunder hammer, one plasma the rest with combi-bolters), and a squad of recon marines with counts-as nemesis bolt guns on a gantry up above the rest. 

What is the target priority for the Iron Warriors? Where is their fire to be directed, and where do they charge in?