2.5/5 stars, rounded up to 3 just about. The Thousand Sons' Crimson King is very expensive and you will struggle to optimize which psychic powers to attempt every single turn. Candidly: he is not quite worth the points cost.
Background.
Unique among his brothers for his unrivaled psychic potency and potential, it has long been held as truth that Magnus met his Father long before their physical encounter. Driven by a desire to not merely liberate humans from oppressors, but to literally bring light of reason to his conquests, it is this flaw and thirst for knowledge that would ultimately be his downfall. Of all his brothers, I feel that Magnus got the second most raw deal (behind Angron) and unlike almost all the traitors, his fall could well have been averted but he left the Emperor with little choice to make an example in an analogous way to the Word Bearers. Did he do wrong? Yeah. He did. But with the best of intentions. And thus the path was laid.
Strengths.
The warlord trait here grants adamantium will to the army which is a healthy boost. He also reduces wounds from perils of the warp by 1 (minimum of 1). The additional reaction in the assault phase is okay.
As the Arch Sorcerer, Magnus knows all the disciplines in the core book and can also use the minor arcana in the same turn too and automatically passes tests for these. His baleful eyes also grants line of sight for psychic powers for anything in range which is solid.
His stat line is very reasonable and he comes with deep strike as standard and his armour reduces destroyer hits by 1 wound to a minimum of 1 which is a nice surprise. His blade is a force weapon, of course, but so is the psyfire serpenta which is an amazing assault 3 AP=2 weapon through which he channels his raw power.
Weaknesses.
He is a psychic superstar. Play him as such and have fun. Just beware of match-ups against his brothers. He is likely to lose to most, if not all of them. Even Alpharius will have a sporting chance against Magnus. Sorry guys. Knowing which psychic powers to activate every turn is also a nightmare writ large. Get ready with lots of die though, and don't forget the pistol.
His biggest negative is the points cost. Its simply too much for what he can do.
Overall.
An army booster, a psychic terror, and a deep striking terror. Choose your targets and psychically blast them apart and force weapon them otherwise. But with candor, he is not worth the points cost.
Difference to First Edition.
Not as good. Like most of the Thousand Sons army, he feels a bit nerfed.
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