Wargames Gallery: Emperor's Children Betrayed

In the ruins of Isstvan 3, loyalists fight to the last against their erstwhile brothers and cousins.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Dracosan Armoured Transport

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️

1.5/5 stars. Rounded up. Simply too expensive.

Background.

Used everywhere by the Solar Auxilia, even those in the employ of Rogue Traders. It is an armoured tank that is capable of transporting a full section in to battle where they are needed, and can be upgraded with some serious counter punch where required.

Strengths.

AV=13 on the front is very nice to have, but the ubiquitous AV=11 on the rear remains in place. The real boon here is the capacity of 22. This is simply excellent. Being perfectly honest, this carrying capacity is the primary - and only - reason that you will be tempted to take this transport tank. 

The front mounted gravis las cannon is nice - to be clear. But I'd sooner have the option of removing that to lower the points cost. 

Weaknesses.

Being blunt - the tank is too expensive in the points department. The "naked" version needs to be a lot less. You will probably want the flare shield, and occasionally the dozer blade. The pintle weapons are nice to have as well. Upgrading to the demolisher cannon makes the tank incredibly pricey and reduces its biggest strength - the carrying capacity - by more than half. 

Builds.

Dracosan, Flare Shield (200 points).

Look at the points cost here. It is silly for a transport. Compare and contrast to a rhino! The Solar Auxilia need the equivalent of a rhino that pays a small premium for extra carrying capacity - not this. Take a dozer blade to taste.

Dracosan, Flare Shield, Demolisher Cannon (250 points).

Not really a transport any longer. Its a proper tank that just happens to have (a small) transport capacity. It will be a priority target for your opponent though and unlikely to last too long. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Solar Auxilia Rifle Section

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️

2.5/5 stars. Rounded down - but only just. Shoot fast, die quickly. Great for the points value when played well. But very squishy. You will need a lot of maximum sized units for this choice!

Background.

These are the mainstay troops of the Solar Auxilia. They are recruited from all over the Imperium of Mankind and are armed with some of the (surprisingly) best weapons that the Auxilia has to offer. 

Strengths.

The rifle is the star of the show here. At 30inch range, the volley shot clocks in at heavy 2, strength 3. And at 18inch range, one shot at strength of 6. Both these modes are great. Combine this with the close orders and you have an excellent basis for a unit that moves tactically and shoots rather nicely. Keep things at that 30inch range and you have a great chance with this unit.

Weaknesses.

Did I say excellent basis for a unit? Yes. But they're only human. Their leadership is weak. Their toughness is 3. They have to pack closely together and will therefore die in droves to pie plates and template weapons. Don't even think about close combat. Just take lots of rifles - that is the only way you're going to do well.

Builds.

20 Rifles, Vox interlock, Auxilia Vexilla (120 points).

This is the only viable build realistically. Forget close combat upgrades for the sergeant. Take the Augury scanner to taste (you should have that elsewhere though to be candid). You're done. Keep firing at 30inch range and avoid anything getting close. And pie plates. Avoid pie plates for the love of the Emperor. 

Last of the Old Slann - on eBay

I think I've located the last of my Old Slann in my bits box and collection. Since I've hardly used them in literally decades, they've gone on to eBay for auction. Each a collectors item in their own right, I'm bundling them up for a single sale. Plenty of rares from the 1980s here (at the risk of showing my age). Hopefully they can find a new home!