Horus Heresy 3e Review: Herald

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are good. 

Background.

With wars such as the Heresy spanning the entire Galaxy, the leaders at the top of the food chain (Primarchs, etc.) could not be everywhere at once. As a result, even those that wielded artifacts of these leaders became venerable and induced fervour in the masses. 

Strengths. 

The herald comes as standard with the Icon of Allegiance. With this, he can score additional Victory Points (called honour points until the very end phase of the game wherein they convert) every time he personally wins a challenge, or his squad does the same. This is an incredibly strong way of accumulating bonus points, but clearly you have to play aggressively. The drawback is that all honour points are lost if you are removed from the table or become disgraced -- a fine balance.

The stat line is reasonable with WS=5 and W=3 along with 4 attacks. He comes with a power weapon as standard, but this can be upgraded. Fear (1) is also very helpful.

Weaknesses. 

Getting sniped with precision shots is always a risk, but one that is likely worth taking overall given the 2+/5++ saving throw. 

The lack of customization is an issue outside of terminators. Note though that some legions have ways of doing this (e.g. World Eaters can replace those power weapons with Caedere weapons which is a good move in all probability). 

Builds.

Herald with Power Fist (90 points). 

Probably the best build if you are not going with a power weapon. 

Herald with Jump Pack and Power Weapon (130 points). 

A much better proposition than foot slogging. 

Herald on Jetbike with Plasma Cannon (165 points).

Could be very good with the correct unit around him. 

Herald in Cataphractii Terminator Armour with Thunder Hammer (140 points). 

Finally - customization!!! This is strong. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Overseer

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. A great way to escort Auxilia friends!

Background.

Sometimes the legions decide to incorporate some mortals in their strategies. They might be a way to earn favour with mortal forces and bring honour to them. It might be the case that the mortals have gained a ceremonial honour. Perhaps they are bringing extra forces to simply bolster their own. In all cases, an Overseer from the space marine legions is put in charge of them on the battlefield.

Strengths. 

As Master of the Auxilia, your Overseer can join a Solar Auxilia Unit without causing any reduction in Leadership or Cool. This is very nice. The Overseer also brings his WS=5 and BS=5 to the fore and has Fear (1) to boot which is impressive.

Weaknesses. 

I wish this unit had access to opening up a new slot in the organization chart without having to have a brand new detachment of Auxilia - this is a flaw compared to Second Edition. 

Otherwise the unit is pretty cheap overall and a sporting way to bring Fear to the table. 

Builds.

Overseer with hand flamer (90 points). 

Cheap and cheerful really. Add a vexilla to taste and you're good to go really. 

Fundamentally though, you will need to decide if you want to be static (usually yes for an Auxilia gun line), or have a bit more movement (in which case a vexilla and/or melta bombs start to look attractive). Take the maul or lash according to which miniature you have purchased realistically. 

I'm gutted that my conversion is no longer playable. Hence from now on that weapon shall be a counts-as bolt pistol - eek!

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Siege Breaker

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars. Rounded down. Solid enough rules, but better with the attachment it unlocks.  

Background.

Do you see that building over there?

We do not want to see that building over there.

Who do you call?

The siege breakers. They can wreck everything and apply excessive force to a precise area to do so. 

Strengths. 

Reasons to take a Siege Breaker:

You get the Storm Battery auxiliary detachment unlocked (rapiers and arquitors). Invest in this. 

You get the combination of cognis-signum and an augury scanner. This helps with the detachment! 

You get to play with a thunder hammer and phosphex bombs. 

If the above doesn't interest you, then you have the wrong command choice. Invest in the detachment and it is worth it. 

Weaknesses. 

Purely play style dependent realistically. Arguably slightly expensive to have a thunder hammer for such a ranged character. 

Builds.

Siege Breaker (115 points). 

Without any upgrades the Siege Breaker is totally viable so long as you are investing points into the auxiliary detachment. 

Siege Breaker with Jump Pack, Melta Bombs (140 points).

A slightly more combat orientated character. Honestly, I prefer the naked version since you probably want to stay close to your unlocked detachment. I feel exactly the same about the mounted versions. Sure, they get to scoot around and potentially help out other units, but what's the point: better to be with your unlocked detachment.

Siege Breaker in Cataphractii Terminator Armour (130 points). 

This has to be the favoured build in my opinion just from a durability point of view. Take it. 

15 Rampagers, Caedere Weapons of all types to taste, Champion with Lightning Claws (365 points).

The maximum squad for foot slogging like a wall of weapons across the battlefield. 

Dreadtober 2025! Pitiful Beginnings.

It is that time of year again: Dreadtober!!

This year, I am pledging to complete an Iron Warriors Contemptor Dreadnought.

To my shame, this dreadnought comes from the SECOND EDITION Horus Heresy boxed set. You remember that one, with the beak armour, the land raider, and so forth? Yeah. I've not done much with the dreadnought from that. 

Here is my literal progress so far - in time for the Friday Update.

No. 

Seriously. 

This is actual progress. 

It is out of the box. It is not going back in. It is going to be on the shelf annoying the rest of the family until this is complete. So go ahead and judge me, but I have the willpower to get this pulled off! 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Rampager Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars. The rules are average. 

Background.

Fitted with the butcher's nails, and selected for their sheer savagery even within the World Eaters legion, the rampagers were a group of warriors too far gone, or those that chose to funnel their rage through feral weapons and enhance their martial gifts. In short then: nasty shock assault troops for the front lines. 

Strengths. 

Impact in strength gives them a bonus when charging in which is great to have. On top of this, they all come with some Caedere weapons.

Please refer back to the World Eaters Legion Rules entry for some thoughts on the Caedere weapons. In short, in third edition they are all viable. I like the Falax blades for sheer attack volume, barb-hook lash for phage, meteor hammer for strength and damage, and the excoriator as an inbetween option. In short then, they are all viable (and there may still be a preference for falax blades as per second edition due to the attack volume, but in third, its not as crystal clear first place all of the time every time). 

Vanguard (3) is also impressive along with the modified stat line the reads like a veteran, even if will power and intelligence are distinctly average. 

Weaknesses. 

Remember that with the Legacies update, you get bolt pistols for free as well. Hence you also have some ranged. 

Note that the points cost can climb to terminator squad levels very easily, but also note that these are more like veterans that you are paying points cost for. They just have a routine and regular 3+ save as the real weakness. And the lack of jump packs in third edition is a massive issue. 

Builds.

10 Rampagers, All with Falax Blades (245 points). 

The sheer volume of attacks at S=5 on the charge is impressive and can dice more regular squads. 

15 Rampagers, Caedere Weapons of all types to taste, Champion with Lightning Claws (365 points).

The maximum squad for foot slogging like a wall of weapons across the battlefield.