Horus Heresy 3e Review: Secutarii Cohort

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars. The only troops choice possible for a Titan Ordinal detachment. 

Background. 

Developed in parallel to the Skitarii legions, the Secutarii share many of the ancient and near unknowable ways of old Mars. Their purpose is, simply put, to defend the titan legions. This might seem absurd at some level. But there are many threats to titans. The Secutarii are there to take care of would be ambushers and human sized targets that would simply not regularly be targeted by the building-shaking and tank-busting weaponry of the titans. Further, they are there to mop up the human sized remnants of anything the titans blow up. Like the people who are being transported in tanks or the ones taking cover in a bunker that the titan targets. They are also regularly deployed to defend a titan landing zone or just generally help with the titan legions, as required.

Strengths.

The stat line is strong for mortals (even those enhanced by the Mechanicum) with WS=BS=4. 

They come standard with arc lances and mag-inverter shields. The mag-inverter shield gives the shield trait but is also interesting for reducing the charge distance of an enemy by 1. This can sometimes make a difference. The arc lance meanwhile is I+1, S+1 with precision and shock (suppressed) which is tactically excellent, an the AP=3 is excellent here. 

This pair can be swapped out for galvanic casters. Shred and rending at bolter like range with 3 shots is very attractive and can cause damage even though the AP is a measly 6 and the S=3. I'd advise going big here. 

Rad grenades will help with all of the above, but the price tag adds up fast. 

Weaknesses. 

T=3 is a key weakness. The save of 4+ with a 6+ invulnerable is not going to keep them alive too long either. Remember to use shield (mag inverter) or smokescreen (galvanic caster) where needed too.

Builds.

Secutarii Cohort, 20 members, Galvanic Caster (315 points).

The ranged version. 

Secutarii Cohort, 10 members, Arc Lances and Mag-Inverter Shields, Rad Grenades (185 points).

The close combat version.