Horus Heresy 2e Review: Phoenix Terminator Squad

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

Background.

As the honour guard to Fulgrim himself, the Phoenix Terminators were an elite cadre within the Emperor's Children. As might be expected, they have pushed martial excellence to a higher level than most and were about to pull off feats that others might only dream to aspire to.

Strengths.

Two wounds each with an extra pip in WS makes these terminators very attractive for close combat. Armed with power spears, they are striking at S=6, and they come with all the standard Emperor's Children rules to boot about going at a higher initiative, as well as being able to select what type of blows they will use with the power spear. The bonus to combat resolution is great here. 

More than this, they can be bought as a personal retinue for any praetor, or even Fulgrim himself. 

Weaknesses.

Not many in all candour - they are Tartaros terminators so the player will need to think about how to get them into combat to maximally exploit their skills. 

Difference to First Edition.

Very much improved!

In first edition, they didn't see much use. In second edition, I feel they are a lot more competitive thanks to the extra wound in the stat line, stubborn, access to a legion standard, and other bits and bobs. They have been massively improved and the points cost is now much more attractive. We will see them more on the battlefields from herein.

Builds.

There are not too many builds to consider. The only options are more bodies (sure, if you have the points and transport room!), whether to get a surgical augment (all variants are viable, so take to taste), and a grenade harness (take it). Hence the build below is probably what you will see.

5 Phoenix Terminators, Surgical Augments, Grenade Harness, Legion Standard (250 points).