Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Scorpius Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars. The rules are average. 

Background.

A Whirlwind tank under any other name - and rightly acknowledged in the background fluff for 30k. Here the Scorpius is designated as one such whirlwind tank specifically designed at the instigation of the Space Wolves in order to combat a particular strain of xenos. Regardless of the name, these tanks fire a high rate of missiles. 

Strengths.

Do you like the idea of lots of missiles raining down on your enemy? Then the whirlwind (or scorpius) is for you. You get a large S=8 pie plate that gains pinning and rending if you are stationary. It does have barrage as well which is nice.

The real strength to my mind is the late game. I've seen people use these to "mop up" the remains of enemy units that have otherwise destroyed a player's forces and therefore tilted the game back in their favour. Of course, there's no guarantees here at all. 

Weaknesses.

I think Heavy 1 kind of sucks here. But that's life. I am not a great fan of this tank, but it can and does have its role - most obviously against non-space marine armies. I'm still not quite convinced of the points cost though and its not a tank for me personally. But hey. Your mileage may vary. 

Builds.

Scorpius with Dozer Blade (125 points)

Sort of basic, and in some scenarios the dozer blade is not strictly needed.

Scorpius with pintle mounted havoc launcher, 1 hunter-killer missile, search lights (145 points)

A stationary backline tank. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Land Raider Spartan

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 stars. Iconic and strong. Yet remains fluffy and an all round acceptable choice for most players. 

Background.

Less common than other land raiders thanks to the expense of production, the Spartan nonetheless sees extensive use in all legions. In essence, it is a large transport carrier, while retaining all the benefits of a land raider's ranged arsenal. 

Strengths.

No less carrying capacity than a whopping 26. Simply amazing. Plus it has all the original land raider benefits that include but are not limited to armour values of 14 all round, being an assault vehicle, las cannon sponsons, and here it also has a great 6 hull points. The laser destroyer upgrade (for free) can give AP=1 and change to ordnance which might be a nice idea once in a while. I tend to prefer the original las cannon arrays simply for the extra range.

Players will regularly want to upgrade it with a flare shield as well to make it even more survivable. Although rude, I think that players need to expect this, or in casual games tell your opponent in advance and be nice about it. 

Weaknesses.

None really. Hence it gets a full 5/5 stars from me. 

Builds.

Spartan, Lascannon Array Sponsons, Flare Shield (400 points).

This is the build that every army needs to keep in the back of their minds when list building. You need a way to deal with this. 

Spartan, Laser Destroyer Sponson, Hull (Front) Mounted lascannon, Pintle mounted multi-melta, Flare Shield (445 points). 

A bit of a maxed out build. The front las cannons make up in terms of range for the sponsons shorter range. The multi melta is in the regime of "why not". Take a hunter-killer missile to taste?

Iron Warriors Las Cannoneer

Part of a lascannon heavy support squad for the Iron Warriors force, this particular marine was a bit of an experiment as I was not sure what to go for in regards of the colours for the lascannon itself. In the end I've gone for a rather shiny silver colour, brought together with Nuln oil. 

The lenses were a bit fiddlesome, and in hindsight, I might have painted them before gluing it all together, but never mind. The hazard stripes are also an area that I need to improve on a touch. Or perhaps I just need to steady the hand a touch more! Some decals have been applied to the shoulder and the shin which round off the model nicely.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Vindicator Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars, rounded up; just about. I have a soft spot for the vindicator having fielded them in many tournaments. In Horus Heresy they remain incredibly powerful.

Background.

A somewhat short ranged dedicated siege tank, the Vindicator saw use in both cities and other close range fire fights by all legions. They are well capable of destroying enemy tanks to smithereens and are generally able to pose a strong threat to many things in the game.

Strengths.

With S=12 and AP=3, the demolisher cannon is superb given it also has rending, sunder, and Brutal (3). Its a pity it is not AP=2 to be honest, but we can't have everything.

The alternative load out is the Magna Laser Destroyer. This is Ordnance 3 at S=9 and AP1. It can take on anything in the game! Exoshock and twin linked are simply amazing here. 

Weaknesses.

Not quite as good as older editions of 40k in some ways - a smaller pie plate and worse AP for the demolisher cannon combine with rear armour of 10 to make for some slightly worse outcomes here. The Laser Destroyer is a very viable option though. 

Builds.

Vindicator with Demolisher Cannon and Dozer Blade (125 points).

I've taken out tournaments with this build. Love it. Take two more of this for a single unit costing 345 points. Such a sweet deal.

Vindicator with Magna Laser Destroyer and Dozer Blade (145 points).

It is tough to know which variant to take sometimes. So maybe take one of each in a unit and go tank and terminator hunting?

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Land Raider Proteus Explorator

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. Great for fluff, and for messing around with reserve rolls. 

Background.

The explorator hails from even before the great crusade. It is primarily used for exploring hostile and difficult terrain. Of course, it would later find good use in many of the legions. Particularly the outrider ones, and those associated with mobility such as the Raven Guard and the White Scars. I could easily imagine the Alpha Legion and Death Guard liking these as well for similar reasons.

Strengths.

This is a land raider like the proteus carrier. However, it swaps out being an assault vehicle for a smaller carrying capacity in favour of having scouts and the explorator augury web. The re rolls of your own reserve rolls are excellent here. But the temptation is always to make your opponent subtract one from theirs. In the right build, it can be powerful and I would suggest a focus on reserve rolls of your own here unless you have a specific opponent. The dozer blade is just the icing on the cake.

Weaknesses.

It is not an assault vehicle. With a carrying capacity of 8, it is also pretty cramped in there. I like to use these with support squads to be honest. 

Builds.

Land Raider Proteus Explorator, Vox Disruptor Array (275 points).

Many people don't exactly like the vox disruptor array, but it blends nicely with this unit if you are using it against opponents who like to deep strike. In all honesty though, the naked version of this unit is equally great and provides superb flexibility.

Land Raider Proteus Explorator, Hull (Front) Mounted Las Cannon, Pintle Multi Melta (295 points).

The anti-tank explorator. I actually like this build more than I should. Park a unit of melta gun support squad inside and enjoy?

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Land Raider Proteus Carrier Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars, rounded down. Simply iconic.

Background.

The Land Raider has been with us from almost the start. Through the Rogue Trader era to present day, this vehicle is a mainstay of the space marine legions and chapters. In 30k the same remains true and this particular unit sees deployment all over the galaxy on both sides of the civil war, and probably beyond.

Strengths.

AV=14 all round, coupled with a transport capacity of 12, a good movement rate and the equally iconic las cannon sponsons. This is also an assault vehicle for your smaller squads and low terminator count units to pour out of. 

Weaknesses.

It is a land raider. Deal with it. 

Builds.

Land Raider Proteus Carrier, 1 hunter-killer missile (225 points).

You can do without the missile to be fair. But I like this simple built a lot. 

Land Raider Proteus Carrier, Hull (Front) mounted Lascannon, Pintle Multi-Melta (255 points).

The anti-tank tank personnel carrier. Does it all really. Save the searchlights for a rhino though I guess.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Kratos Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars, rounded down. Although there is only one turret mounted weapon I like, there's a lot to like about it!

Background.

Many will suggest to you that the Kratos is the new tank on the block. It is. But I'd like to point out that it has been mentioned in the background fluff before second edition arose. It is classed as a line breaker tank - although slow, there's little it shouldn't be able to push through!

Strengths.

We have a choice of 3 main turret mounted weapons (but don't forget to fire the co-axial autocannon first whatever you choose). The battle cannon is okay, but it simply doesn't shine. It tries to be a swiss army knife, but it kinda feels like a let down overall, even with a variety of shells it can fire. The volkite cardanelle is an odd choice. Yeah, it is at S=7 with lots of shots, but you honestly won't need it. The best choice out of the three is the Melta Blast Gun. Take this choice over the others since there's nothing in the game that you wouldn't shoot it at. 

The flare shield option deserves a special mention in the strengths here. With AV=14 all round, this makes the Kratos almost an effective AV=15 vehicle. Take it as a matter of necessity. Even if you argue with me that this is the Kratos "no friends" option, the fact that you're taking a Kratos means you're already there probably, so nothing lost. 

Weaknesses.

It is fractionally slower than other tanks. There's only the Melta Blast Turret that you will want to take as well. But beyond that, who cares. My only real criticism is that the tank should / might have been considered for a Lords of War slot rather than Heavy Support? Shrug.

Builds.

Kratos, Melta Blast Gun Turret, Flare Shield, Dozer Blade (360 points).

This is the baseline build. 

Kratos, Melta Blast Gun Turret, Sponson Las Cannons, Hull Mounted Las Cannons, Pintle Mounted Multi-Melta, Flare Shield, Dozer Blade (430 points).

The maximum upgraded model. Have a search light on some other model for goodness sake. Take a hunter killer missile to taste?

Painted Siege Tyrant Squad

After what seems like too long, I have managed to complete painting the Siege Tyrant squad to a good table top standard.

I could probably go a bit further with these miniatures to be honest. There's a lot of counter shading that I could do and armour extreme highlighting coupled with scratch deep blends. But they're done as they're going to get since I'm hardly aiming for Golden Demon with these and its already been a slog to get them to this standard!

I will be using these in two ways. Both as part of my newer Iron Warriors force, and as a rewards of treason / coils of the hydra unit for my much larger Alpha Legion army. I'm happy either way with them!

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Sicaran Omega Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars, rounded down. The rules are good, but the points cost is heavy.

Background.

The Omega is designed to quickly intercept the more lumbering siege tanks of enemies. But the real beauty of it in the background was the ease of production that saw "lesser" forge worlds like those directly attached to the space marine legions being able to rapidly produce them. 

Strengths.

There are two modes of fire for the primary Omega plasma array. The first is sustained fire which is Heavy 8 and S=7. This is impressive and it comes with breaching plus twin linked. Honestly, this is amazing, but the AP won't bother terminators. The second is only heavy 2, but switches this up for S=9 with rending and the plasma burn rule along with getting hot. Combined, these modes can take on and pose a threat to almost anything with an armour value on the tabletop. 

Weaknesses.

With AP=4, this tank is not a threat to terminators except by rate of high strength fire in the sustained mode. Better off with literal plasma blast templates if that was your original thought. I am a bit torn on the points cost of this vehicle as well. I'd like to have better armour if I'm honest for the kinds of points cost that is being paid. For this reason, its getting a middling number of stars from me. I honestly wouldn't include it in my army lists as it is too high of a risk even though I've witnessed it turn around games for other players. I guess your mileage may vary? 

Builds.

Sicaran, Omega Plasma Array, Sponson Lascannons, One hunter-killer missile, Searchlights (250 points).

Rapidly deployed and able to get in range with all the weapons no problem. You will probably only have one turn in which to fire this tank before it comes under enemy suppression. Make it count.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Sicaran Venator Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars, rounded down. The rules are good.

Background.

Lessons learned during the Great Crusade accelerated the idea of needing BIG GUNS at FAST SPEEDS against some xenos breeds. Thus was born the Venator. 

Strengths.

This is the classic anti-tank variant of the Sicaran chassis. It mounts the impressive neutron beam laser on its centreline. This is not only Ordnance 2, but also has concussive and shock pulse to add up to a reliable anti-tank answer. 

Weaknesses.

Once more, not many weaknesses are present, but you need to think carefully about positioning as this beast will become a target very quickly. 

Builds.

Sicaran, Neutron Beam Laser, Sponson Lascannons, 1 hunter-killer missile, Searchlights (220 points).

Take a second one at a slightly reduced cost just to be sure your tank target dies. The lascannon sponsons are almost no brainers here in terms of the build thanks to the nearly matched strength. The hunter-killer missile is to taste. And the searchlights are to not waste any time. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Sicaran Punisher Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars, rounded down. The rules are good.

Background.

Built explicitly to deal with large mobs of xenos, or even conscripted soldiers, the relatively short range of the punisher rotary cannon is nicely offset by the fast nature of the chassis on which it is mounted.

Strengths.

Undoubtedly the sheer volume of firepower coming out of the punisher rotary cannon is scary. A whopping 18 shots makes this a scary prospect for any infantry unit facing it. 

Weaknesses.

Not many weaknesses to be honest. Although if we're speaking between friends, I don't like the aesthetic of the model as much as other variants. 

Builds.

Sicaran, Punisher Rotary Cannon, Heavy Bolter Sponsons, Pintle-Mounter Heavy Bolter (200 points).

Consider for just one moment the sheer amount of shots per turn that this beast is pumping out. 18 from the main weapon, and 4 each from the sponsons and pintle to generate a total of 30 shots per turn. It is a ludicrous rate of fire, and all perfectly matched in terms of range, with the heavy bolters having only one less strength than the main weapon. A pair of these sicarans is just terrifying to infantry squads. You're not making any friends here, but the low armour values do render it more vulnerable than land raiders and your opponents will be itching to use reactions on it. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Sicaran Arcus Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars, rounded up. The rules are good, but cost like a land raider without the armour. 

Background.

This variant of the Sicaran is Guilliman's fault. He wanted a highly specialized weapons system and it better be quick as well. So he mounted it on the Sicaran and loaded it out with appropriate missiles.

Strengths.

The missile system is an interesting one. There's a choice between the baseline Arcus warheads which are fab at S=8, AP=2, twin linked with 5 shots. This really is a default choice that will not fail. The Skyspear warheads turn the tank into an anti-flier tank, but with S=7. Still twin linked though, so that helps. The Pyrax warheads suffer from Heavy =1 which is not quite made up for from the large blast template. You are better off with a vindicator and I don't regard this build very well as you should have other tools in your armoury that ignore cover. Waste of points. The Neutron-flux warheads are interesting for the breaching and neutron flux rules and are viable. 

Weaknesses.

Not many weaknesses, but I won't be taking the Pyrax warhead variants.

Builds.

Sicaran, Arcus Warheads and Skyspear Warheads, Sponson Lascannons (240 points).

No excuse to not take the lascannon sponsons here. I like the arcus and skyspear enough to take both (although the Arcus alone remains very viable). Just be aware you are getting into land raider points cost territory here and have nothing like the armour. Are you sure a land raider is not a superior choice any longer? You need to evaluate this carefully: you're gaining speed for less armour. This will be a recurring theme for the Sicaran herein. Take hunter killer missiles, helical targeting arrays, and search lights to taste.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Sicaran Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good.

Background.

A collaboration between Ferrus Manus, Roboute Guilliman, and the Mechanicum, the Sicaran was deployed only just before the Heresy broke out, but swiftly became adopted by the legions. It is a high speed tank capable of laying down an impressive rate of fire and makes it dangerous against other light tanks, bikes, and fliers alike. 

Strengths.

Fast with movement of 16 means that the Sicaran can keep up with many other units in the game, and sometimes do better than others which prioritize speed. But it also brings with it the accelerator autocannon which on its own in impressive with 8 shots, rending, and exoshock. 

Weaknesses.

Realistically, there are not many weaknesses here. Even the rear armour is 12 in value (like the sides) so it prevents the classic rhino problem about worrying about the rear. Sure, its still vulnerable to anti-tank weaponry, but that's about it.

Difference to First Edition.

An extra hull point.

Builds.

Sicaran, Accelerator Autocannon, Lascannon Sponsons (200 points).

The question of whether to take heavy bolter sponsons or lascannon sponsons depends largely on points you have to spend. In my opinion, the lascannons marry up better with the main turret for shooting pesky light tanks, and elite terminators in a pinch than the heavy bolters do. I'd be tempted by the pintle-mounted multi melta and the searchlights, but the hunter killer missile is likely misplaced here. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Predator Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5/5 stars. The rules are almost perfect for the points cost that you are paying. I'm a fan.

Background.

Trading the transport capacity of a rhino for added armour and firepower, the predator is a well known and well used variant of the old chassis. They can come armed in a variety of manners, and this reflects their battlefield role.

Strengths.

Whichever battlefield role you want to choose, the predator probably offers something for you. Anti-tank, anti-infantry, esoteric, and mid-range choices besides provide all sorts of options here. 

Weaknesses.

For what you get, the predator is almost without notable weaknesses. You just need to consider how you are balancing it against the rest of your army and what the enemy might plausibly bring. Having four in the squadron remains a viable option in second edition, but don't expect too many friends - take a balanced list instead. 

Difference to First Edition.

Almost the same.

Builds.

Below is merely a sampling of possible builds. There are plenty more combinations beyond what I provide here, but I wanted to simply cover the most common bases. 

Predator, Gravis Lascannon, Sponson Lascannons (160 points).

Anti-Tank.

Predator, Autocannon, Sponson Heavy Bolters, Havoc Launcher (135 points).

Anti-Infantry.

Predator, Volkite Macro-Saker, Sponson Volkite Culverin (155 points).

Alternative anti-infantry.

Predator, Plasma Destroyer, Sponson Heavy Flamers (145 points).

An interesting close range to mid range option. Take the flamestorm cannon for dedicated anti-terrain action. 

Predator, Heavy Conversion Beam, Sponson Lascannons (155 points). 

Back-field anti-tank at longest range. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Heavy Support Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good. 

Background.

Big guns never tire, and neither do these Astartes! Bringing portable heavy weapons to the battle can be critical as they can get where armoured tanks cannot, and as such every legion maintains a strong cohort of weapons and trained marines ready to take on all kinds of threats. 

Strengths.

The choice of which heavy weapon to take is the main strength, and this choice will almost dictate what kind of role the unit will have. Get those lascannons to spell doom for enemy tanks. Those heavy flamers are often overlooked, but in a rhino they can be surprisingly effective. Take nuncio voxes, vexillas, and augury scanners to taste.

Weaknesses.

They're just regular marines with big weapons. 

Difference to First Edition.

Pretty much the same. But much cheaper. 

Builds.

I won't provide every possible combination, but suffice to say that any heavy weapon option is viable and has a battlefield role. 

5 Heavy Suppport, Lascannons (150 points).

Anti-Tank at large range. Maybe use a Master of Signals to accompany.

5 Heavy Support, Missile Launchers (125 points).

Flexibility on light anti-tank, or ranged anti-infantry.

10 Heavy Support, Plasma Cannons (275 points).

Make no friends.

10 Heavy Support, Volkite Culverins (225 points).

The volkite rule is to max out and here is no time to make an exception.

5 Heavy Support, Multi-Meltas (150 points).

Take a rhino and go tank hunting.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Deredeo Dreadnought Talon

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good. These are long range fire power support dreadnoughts and have to be treated as such to work well.

Background.

A fusion of mechanicum and Terran might. The Deredeo is a weapons platform strapped onto a dreadnought design. It combines fire power, staying power, and a slightly goofy looking aesthetic to my biased eyes which results in good outcomes all the same. 

Strengths.

Undoubtedly the strength of the unit comes from the weapons it carries in combination with T=7, W=6 and BS=5. 

The real question is what side arms to use, and which missiles. Coupled with the helical targeting array, this beast is a solution to air superiority attempts by opponents as well.

Weaknesses.

Forget close combat. This is not the dreadnought you are looking for. Accordingly, do not waste your time swapping out the twin linked heavy bolters for twin linked heavy flamers. They just aren't worth the deterrent. Stay out of close combat - leave that to other dreadnoughts. Sure, they will be just about okay in a fight, but you're not paying the points for that!

Difference to First Edition.

The dreadnought has obviously lost its armour values in comparison to first edition, but much else remains similar and familiar.

Builds.

Deredeo, Hellfire Plasma Cannonade, Aiolos Missile Launcher (225 points).

This is the de facto anti infantry build and the only one where I'd be taking the Aiolos. The plasma can double up to threaten lighter tanks as well. The autocannons are a bit less reliable due to their AP. Similar can be said of the Volkite Falconet. 

Deredeo, Arachnus Heavy Lascannon Battery, 4 Boreas Air Defence Missiles (225 points).

The best anti-tank, and anti-air option. Note the points cost is the same as the anti-infantry option above.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Legion Leviathan Dreadnought Talon

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 stars. They are awesome. They also have a role in defining the whole setting along with their contemptor cousins. Well worth the points, but don't overdo it with Fury of the Ancients rite of war if you want any friends left. 

Background.

When you have the resources to create an Imperial Knight, but want to keep a dying space marine alive instead and combine him with astonishing firepower or close combat potential, the Leviathan is the outcome. Their incumbents paid the price for this tough, glowing brightly but burning out fast; whilst the Mechanicum looked on uneasy at their creation. 

Strengths.

Superb stat line including T=8 and W=7. Nicely customization as well. 

Weaknesses.

I=4 is about the weakest thing that I can think of here, although Movement=6 is a very close second.

Difference to First Edition.

Lots of changes to dreadnought rules compared to First Edition, but these bad boys are pretty game defining to be honest and here in second edition they're also slightly cheaper than they used to be. Unless you are playing with close friends, you might want to limit the number of them you include in your army list. Just my polite advice -- take it or leave it. 

Builds.

Leviathan, 1x Siege Drill, 1x Siege Claw (275 points).

The super scary close combat monster. The main issue with this build is the comparatively slow movement rate (in comparison to your presumed targets). A drop pod is probably necessary. 

Leviathan, 2x Storm Cannons (290 points).

Mid range rather than long range (unlike some of its cousin's contemptor builds), but the fire power here is genuinely scary. 

Leviathan, 1x Siege Drill, 1x Melta Lance (295 points)

Mixed threats, and my personal favourite build! Take phosphex dischargers to taste. The volkites are probably not quite worth it to be honest. I don't mind the siege claw either - it is amazingly good, but here the build is anti-tank. The grav flux bombard isn't a bad option either, its just the melta lance is more dangerous!

Hobby Update: Siege Tyrant

A small hobby update today: a singular Siege Tyrant. 

This one is done in traditional Iron Warriors colours of silvers and greys mixed in with the yellow and black hazard stripes. The work is not one hundred per cent complete just yet. I need to go over the highlighting once more and blend in some of the colours a little better. But as a work in progress, I'm pretty pleased and its certainly more than battlefield ready!

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Hvarl Red-Blade

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good.

Background.

Many legions have members who feel like they don't quite belong. Or maybe got the wrong geneseed implant. Hvarl is one of those numbers to my mind - he's a secret World Eater. But only in my head. Really, he just likes chopping heads off. And, erm, collecting them. And then singing and boasting about it to his company mates. And encouraging his company mates to do the same. And only finding joy in the din of combat. But yeah. Still totally belonging to the Space Wolves.

Strengths. 

Hvarl is a praetor who grants preferred enemy of everything via his warlord trait to his unit along with a bonus assault reaction. He also dishes out 3 scout special rules which is handy and comes with Hearth-Spitter, an armourbane axe which is nice. 

The stat line is praetor level in tartaros armour coupled with a small slew of other special rules like fear, counter attack, and inexorable. 

The real icing on the cake is that he hauls around a heavy bolter for fun. 

Weaknesses.

Not much. He is basically a pre-built praetor with hand extra rules. 

Overall.

Very happy with him and he is a great character when you want a praetor who is not Russ. The counter attack helps him slot in very nicely with grey slayer packs which is where I feel he belongs. He's such a strong choice when Russ isn't around.

Difference to First Edition.

Very similar. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Geigor Fell-Hand

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars, rounded up. The rules are good enough and will shine at lower points value games.

Background.

It might be second edition, but I still have trouble not calling him "Gregor". Sorry! Geigor is a Thegn of the Space Wolves who has a bit of a history with the Thousand Sons. When fighting alongside them, he lost his war pack and thought to himself that he had been betrayed by his allies. At Prospero, he therefore went a bit zealous with the orders from the Warmaster to execute them all.  

Strengths. 

Geigor has a praetor like stat line combines with reasonable upgrades (e.g. refractor field) as the Fell Hand - an upgraded frost claw. 

Beyond this, he has the Crown Breaker warlord trait which grants preferred enemy to independent characters as well as feel no pain when locked in combat. The movement reaction bonus is great. 

The addition of counter attack makes him a great addition to any Grey Slayer or Grey Stalker pack. 

Weaknesses.

A regular praetor is arguably better due to customization ability. He's otherwise a bit bland as per first edition. That said, I don't mind at all. 

Overall.

Worthwhile for lower points value games. 

Difference to First Edition.

Gone is the 3+ save and he comes with a 2+ artificer armour save now. This is a massive improvement. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Grey Stalker Pack

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. Solid adaptability. 

Background.

The Terran Legion of the old Space Wolves fills the Grey Stalker packs and is somewhat looked down upon by the more Fenrisian elements of the legion. They're not as well integrated as Russ might like, but nonetheless have evolved into something unique other than pure tactical squads under his rule. 

Strengths.

Skirmish and much the same as the Grey Slayer Packs, the come with bolt pistol and chainsword as standard, along with counter attack, relentless and heart of the legion. What sets them apart is their varied load outs which is more reminiscent of 40k than 30k -- I find this aspect particularly interesting!

Weaknesses.

Tactical squads are cheaper. As with the Slayer packs: you need to make the most of the close combat nature of this squad such as counter attack and the weaponry load out. Take those rhinos and land raiders. 

Difference to First Edition.

New!

Builds.

10 Grey Stalkers, 1 Melta Gun, 1 Plasma Gun, Huscarl with Power Fist and Artificer Armour (200 points).

I really genuinely like this build. It is very familiar to the sorts of chaos space marine builds I used to play in 6th and 7th edition (not sorry!). Take melta bombs to taste.

10 Grey Stalkers, 5 Power Weapons, Huscarl with artificer armour and thunder hammer (205 points).

Close combat duty for charging out of transports. Take 2 extra power fists for laughs or tackling dreadnoughts. 

10 Grey Slayers, 2 Flamers, 2 Hand-Flamers, Huscarl with Hand Flamer, Artificer Armour, and Power Fist (200 points)

Burn time.