Horus Heresy 2e Review: Palatine Blade Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 stars. The rules are great.

Background.

The best swordsmen of the Emperor's Children were able to join a rather exclusive duelling society within the legion that existed outside the usual very rigid chains of command. Thier members would fight at the discretion of the legion's lords and on the field were a pure example of excellence to which others would aspire. 

Strengths.

The stat line here has a bonus pip in WS, BS, and two wounds combined together with artificer armour. This makes them very competitive. 

The base rules give the counter attack and the skill unmatched rule which is a strong boon here. Bolt pistols all round are acceptable, and the charnabal weapon is a very reasonable sword to have in their possession, but they can - if desired - swap them out for phoenix weapons, as well as get a surgical upgrade.

Weaknesses.

Taking up an elites slot in an already crowded field is problematic and probably the only reason why we won't see as many on the battlefield as their rules might otherwise suggest.

Difference to First Edition.

Improved overall. The major negative is that they have lost access to jump packs. I feel gutted for those of you who had these in your collection. Making up for this they have gained counter attack and skill unmatched along with the bonus wound. This more than makes up for it, but players will now have to think about how to get into combat. Rhinos, drop pods, and termites as standard readily solve this problem.

Builds.

10 Palatine Warriors, Surgical Augments (330 points).

Something of a baseline squad. Take a termite or drop pod and charge in to battle.

10 Palatine Warriors, Phoenix Power Spears, melta bombs for the Prefector (370 points).

Compare the points cost against Phoenix Terminators before taking this squad - its still going to do well though!