Horus Heresy 3e Review: Tartaros Terminator Squad (and Tartaros Terminator Siege Squad)

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. As iconic as Cataphractii, but bizarrely split between 2 types of unit. 

Background.

The most advanced form of terminator armour was the Tartaros. It does not sacrifice the mobility of power armour, but instead adds the durability of terminator armour to create something new and formidable. 

Strengths. 

T=5 and W=2 alone make it attractive. The combinations of builds is excellent here, but restricted by the two variants, as below, which is a frustration. But you can work with this. They are just as expensive as Cataphractii though, so take advantage of the lack of Slow and Purposeful. 

Weaknesses. 

In comparison to the Saturnine and Cataphractii armour, the Tartaros variant lacks the 4+ invulnerable save and "only" has a 5+ one. In exchange, you get a better movement rate slightly, and a lack of slow and purposeful. It is a pity that sweeping isn't a thing in 3rd edition to be honest, but you can chase down your opponent at least in this build. 

What makes me slightly antagonised is the fact that there are two different entries for this squad. There is the regular terminator squad in the Libers. Then there is the Siege terminator squad in the legacy list. More than a bit infuriating for folks carrying over builds from second edition. 

Builds. 

5 Tartaros Terminators, 1 Plasma Blaster, 4 Combi-Weapons (200 points).

Take a mixture of plasma, flame, graviton, and melta to your taste on the combi weapons. You now have your terminator-cide squad all set up and ready. [Side note: flamer causes panic; graviton causes pinning; a mix of these is strong in third edition.]

10 Tartaros Terminators, 8 Pairs of Lightning Claws, 2 Heavy Flamers, Grenade Harness (395 points).

Heavy on the lightning claws, but you need a transport solution here. 

5 Tartaros Siege Terminators, 1 Plasma Blaster, 2 Chain Fists, 2 Thunder Hammers, Grenade Harness (205 points).
A personal favourite set up, now moved to Siege variant. 

5 Tartaros Siege Terminators, 5 Reaper Autocannons, 1 Thunder Hammer, Grenade Harness (240 points).
New for this edition - Siege Terminators get as many heavy weapons as they please. Might as well go big on the reaper autocannons here and see what you can do! I actually quite like this concept and am tempted to build a squad like this. But maybe not yet.