Warhammer World: Isstvan 5 Drop Site

I was recently able to visit Warhammer World again for the first time in years. It has changed a lot since I last went, and there are lots of new exhibits. 

One of the newer ones is the Isstvan 5 drop site diorama featuring the Salamanders retreating back to what they thought would be friendly legions only to be betrayed. The Iron Warriors have opened fire on them having already sided with Horus in his civil war. 

The sheer scale of the diorama is impressive from the wide angle shot above. Given the crowds, this was the best angle I could get on the total diorama. To the right are the entrenched positions of the Iron Warriors. To the left are the retreating and dying forces of the Salamanders. Some have made it very close to the traitor lines and are engaging thoroughly. Other Salamanders are trying to rally survivors as best as possible. 

The view above gives the Salamanders view looking upward to the hills where the Iron Warriors have dropped in their walls from orbit. 

And here is the opposite view from the Iron Warriors line looking downward into the depression. 

The detail is insane. 

And the layers of dust and wreckage tell their own stories. 

I spent ages at the diorama looking at all the little details and the smaller stories that they are telling where there are brave survivors looking for a way out, and those determined to still take the fight forward. 

Incredible!

Salamanders Disintegrator Squad

One completed Salamanders squad armed with disintegrators!

Sure, the colour scheme for the rifles is certainly non-standard, but I think this is a strength. They are easy to pick out on the table top set against bolt gun toting space marines from the same legion. There's also a certain element of "popping" with the complementary colours. 

The contrast paint has also held up well to highlighting and more recess work with Nuln oil too which I am pleased with. Overall, a very nice addition to my Salamanders and shattered legions forces. I'll try to see how they play soon as well. Which is to say, will they blow themselves up before accounting for another unit or not?! 

Salamanders Test Model with Disintegrator Rifle

It has been a long while since I assembled these marines, but I finally managed to get around to painting them. This is the first Salamanders marine with a disintegration rifle. 

The Salamanders component of the model follows my usual recipe for Heresy Salamanders. This is a white undercoat followed by contrast paint to get the green basis. This is followed up by lighter green for highlights. The shoulders are black. I went for a silver trim here (but probably should have gone for gold, but equally the silver helps them be picked out against other Salamanders). Decals are from the Third Edition boxed set rather than from the specific Salamanders transfer sheet. 

For the rifle, I've opted for gold tones here with Nuln oil washed liberally applied. The recesses I've picked out in blue with some darker piping here and there to round it off. The goal was to make the weapon feel ornate and out of place compared with standard issue bolt guns which invariably tend to be lead belcher silver in my collection. And it certainly works. On the game board you can readily pick out these golden rifles with ease. 

Overall I like the miniature and the rifle. I'm not sure I will field too many of them, but this is the start of expanding the Salamanders allied detachment that I have going which is also a part of the Shattered Legions forces that I have. Its a worthy addition overall and I shall get the rest of the squad finished up soon enough. 

Praetor Challenge: Iron Warriors vs Shattered Legions

Happy New Year!

A new feature for Warpstone Flux this year is the Praetor Challenge! This will largely supersede the Wargames Gallery (but I will keep the tag going all the same). The core idea of the Praetor Challenges is to suggest what you would do in a given tactical situation on (a segment of) the game board. Sounds simple enough right? But you would not believe the disagreements that arise. Not merely from pure mathematics or statistics, but also from fluff (what would Angron do, after all?), duty, honour, or anything else combined. There's no right answer to Praetor Challenges, but there might be optimal plays, and most fluffy plays, and those are the kinds of comments we'd like to see and talk about!

So here is the first of 2026's Praetor Challenges: Iron Warriors facing off against the Shattered Legions!

Iron Warriors:

Tactical squad x7 (Sergeant with Power fist and plasma pistol, bayonets all round, 1 vexilla)
Iron Havocs x3 (all with Lascannons);
Cataphractii Terminators x4 (2 with chain fists and combi bolters, 1 with heavy flamer and power fist, 1 with thunder hammer and combi bolter);

Praetor in Cataphractii Armour (Thunder hammer and combi bolter - unwounded). 

Shattered Legions:
Mor Deythan x3 (2 melta guns, 1 combi melta - spent already);

Salamanders Praetor in Cataphractii Armour (2 wounds remaining; thunder hammer and combi melta - spent);

Salamanders contemptor (twin meltas - 3 wounds remaining);
Salamanders tactical squad x4 (sergeant with power fist; standard marines otherwise);

Iron Hands Heavy Support Squad x3 (Auto cannons x3). 

The Iron Warriors have finished their movement phase. What should they do next for shooting and charging / close combat? The Shattered Legions have 2 reactions in hand. Critically, the tactical squad is already sat on an objective (the necron scenery). What is the right play? The optimal play? The fluffy play? Or just a mad play?

Over to you in the comments, Praetors!

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Cassian Dracos Reborn

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. A fluffy choice!

Background.

How often do you get to play the original commander of a legion? Almost unheard of. Just ask Angron what he did. Vulkan was a bit different. After the final battle that Cassian undertook, he was horrifically injured. But along came Vulkan in time to craft him a majestic dreadnought skin the likes of which has never been repeated. At Isstvan, it took an orbital lance to stop him and he lay vitrified in glass for a long period before he was once again released (and hence: reborn). He is not altogether as sane as he once was though. 

Strengths. 

The stat line alone of this dreadnought is nearly like a Primarch, minus the usual perks. S=T=7 with W=8 is very impressive. 

The ability to use the Scrap Code infection is very reasonable. 

Yet it is in close combat where Cassian will truly shine with 2 Gravis power fists pumping away. The drakenscale helps keep him alive, and he also gets battlesmith which helps a lot. 

Weaknesses. 

Cassian lacks in Willpower and Intelligence. This makes him vulnerable in these departments. Willpower=6 in particular could be a significant issue.

He also explodes when dead. 

Overall.

High points cost overall, but also a high command for the Salamanders Legion which makes Cassian a very interesting choice, albeit with some advanced characteristics compromised. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Pyroclast Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. Solid! (Or perhaps liquid - liquid flame). 

Background.

When your Primarch has moral objections to Destroyer Squads, this is what happens. You decide to cleanse everything in pure flame instead. And with fire projectors that were specifically designed by said Primarch just for that purpose. Because death by fire is far more humanitarian than death by radiation fire I suppose?

Strengths. 

Two wounds each and armed with the Pyroclast Flame Projector (and a bolt pistol). The Projector is a template weapon with S=6 and panic, but can be shot in a focussed mode to give a melta like profile as well. This makes it incredibly flexible in terms of light tank hunting, and destroying embedded enemy troops. 

They also have some Drakenscale to help protect them and come with a native 6++ invulnerable save in addition to the baseline 2+ save. 

Weaknesses. 

Slightly pricey, but perfectly good. This squad should really have access to things like Vexillas, but in common with previous editions, it does not. 

Builds. 

5 Pyroclasts, Warden with Forge Crafted Power Fist (205 points). 

Needs a transport solution, but is otherwise good to go. Drop the Forge Crafted if you are short on points. 

10 Pyroclasts, Warden with Forge Crafted Thunder Hammer (360 points).

The fully upgraded squad. Really strong and powerful to pair up with a Praetor or similar. Nasty when fresh out of a transport to say the least. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Firedrake Terminator Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 stars. Arguably some of the best terminators around. 

Background.

Discipline, self sacrifice, the Promethian Cult, a singular focus, and the elites of the legion combine to make arguably one of the best units in the game. I despise facing off against full thunder hammer and storm shield set ups. And it is because of this that I really respect them.

Strengths. 

2+/4++ is excellent. No two ways about it. 

The shields come with Drakenscale which lowers the Damage characteristic from lots of special sources. And don't forget the shield trait itself which will make them even more survivable. 

Shining here is Vanguard (4) which is very impressive. 

And with the Legacies update, you also have the full range of upgrades available once again. 

Weaknesses. 

Do you even care about Slow and Purposeful?

Builds. 

5 Firedrakes, all with Forge Crafted Thunder Hammers and Drakenshields  (250 points). 

The naked squad. Very effective. And cheaper than the previous edition. 

5 Firedrakes, 3 Combi-Meltas, 1 Forge Crafted Heavy Flamer, 2 Chain Fists (310 points).

A different build for a different purpose and can be effective, but I think basic terminators would be better potentially?

5 Firedrakes, 4 Combi-Flamers, 1 Forge Crafted Heavy Flamer (320 points). 

Should be slightly cheaper in my opinion, but still a neat option focussing on fire! 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Vulkan

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 stars. Well earned. He is an absolute underrated monster of the Horus Heresy. 

Background.

Vulkan is the good guy. The humanitarian. The perpetual. And amazingly a match for many of his brothers, whilst also being a consummate craftsman. Whilst his brothers played war leaders and planetary unifiers, he was more than happy to be a teacher and protector. He carried this over to his legion and sought to minimize the casualties he caused. This, of course, way not the way of some of his brothers. He was well liked by most of them all the same. And a giant of a man to boot. 

Strengths. 

His stat line alone with WS=S=T=W=7 is very impressive. Add on the Salamanders trait and he is not going down easily at all. 

His wargear consists of The Furnace's Heart as his side weapon which unfortunately causes panic (my only real negative) as does his flame projector, Dragon's Breath Gauntlet. Both have a high strength and are great. But the real star of the show is Dawnbringer - his hammer. Too heavy for anyone but a primarch to even lift, the arguably strongest primarch picks it up in one hand and gets S=9 AP=2 and D=3 output as well as critical hits and armour bane. This is magnificent. 

The Undying Fire gives Vulkan a gambit to regenerate lost wounds. It is basically a free +1d3 wounds. Hence you're not really facing a Primarch with W=7, you are facing W=7+1d3 when played correctly. This is super strong. 

As Sire of the Salamanders, if 4 troops fill the battlefield slots with forge crafted weapons then you get all Primes. And until the end of Turn 1, you ignore modifiers to your advanced characteristics across the army. Again, this is very strong.  

Weaknesses. 

Having a unit panic on you when you approach them just because you shot out some flame might not be the best move you can make. 

Overall.

In the high bracket for points cost, but it is fully justified. The arguably strongest Primarch can take care of most things in the game short of some of his brothers (and even then he will likely win through sheer endurance) and lords of war. It is just that panic from his flame weapons that might be an issue. But despite that, I am more than confident awarding 5/5 stars to Vulkan. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Salamanders Legion Rules

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 stars. Possibly over powered in third edition! 

Background.

Since we reviewed the bad guy poster boys for Third Edition, the next legion had to be the good guy poster boys. In all of the legions in the Horus Heresy (and Warhammer 40,000 for that matter), the Salamanders stand out as actually caring and giving a hoot about the world around them and wanting to give back and make it better. Through self sacrifice mainly. But also spending time with families on their home world. And things like that. Unfortunately, this is the grim dark and in the Heresy, they were brutally betrayed on Isstvan and became a shattered remnant of what they were: a legion named for the fire breathing apex predator of their Primarch's home world. It is arguable that without their actions subsequently that the Imperium would not be in the position it found itself in. 

Armoury. 

The third edition has some extensive options for the Salamanders including a unique prime advantage. 

Duty Before Death is the prime advantage which grants a basic feel no pain roll. This is nice, but perhaps not the best choice given their Tactica. 

Drakenscale sets D=1 for flame, plasma, melta, and volkite for commanders and champions at a reasonable points cost. Although not quite an auto-buy, it is very tempting and should be taken in almost all cases.

Forge Crafted Weapons cover power weapons, power fists, and thunder hammers for a points increase to make the weapon line better. Power weapons benefit from AM+1, power fists from D+1, and thunder hammers from AM+1. These are almost certainly worth taking. 

Forge Crafted Flame Weapons are similar upgrades, but for hand flamers, flamers, and heavy flamers. They get D+1. The points cost associated is certainly worth paying. 

Tactica. 

Promethean Endurance puts the Death Guard to shame. Wound tests fail on natural 1's and 2's. This is mind blowing and very powerful. But it gets better. Blood of Fire means they never suffer panic from flame weapons either. Combined, you have an insanely strong legion here even if you run basic tactical squads. 

Gambit.  
Duty is Sacrifice gives you a focus bonus of 1, 2, or 3, at the expense of taking the same number of wounds at AP=5, D=1. Worth playing if you know what you are doing and feel like you will save those wounds. Risky in the extreme if you are low on wounds. But if you need that focus, so be it. 

Additional Detachments. 
Immolation Covenant gives extra armour so long as they are predators or vindicators alongside support squads which is very nice. A couple of tanks here and flame units could be excellent. 

Advanced Reaction. 
Selfless Burden reacts to an incoming charge to give WS+1, S+1, and A+1. But then you suffer a 1 in 6 chance of suffering a wound per unit member at D=1 and no AP. A more than reasonable trade off. 

The Salamanders overall are a very powerful legion and this can often be overlooked. The Promethean Endurance in particular is what pushed me over the edge to give 5/5 stars to the legion. 

Disintegrator Squad

We're now calling them disintegrator squads. Sorry, I don't make the rules, that's just the way it is herein!

Any how, here are the members of the disintegrator squad of 5. There's 4 standard rifles, and one heavy disintegrator. These marines will become part of my Salamanders shattered legion detachment. I'm very happy with how they turned out! One head is from the resin upgrade set which I rather like. 

Only now I need to purchase some more White Scar spray paint to get the undercoat done. Hopefully I have more than enough Warp Lightning contrast paint left to get them up to a good standard - the contrast paint works wonders for the Salamanders in my opinion!

Mark II Armour Marine with Heavy Disintegrator

The first miniature that I've built out of the Saturnine boxed set is a Mark II armoured marine with a heavy disintegrator!

I really like the retro feel of these space marines. The disintegration weapons only add to that vibe. The models were really easy to build overall. There are a few issues that are very, very minor such as a gate on the mold being situated on the shoulder join, and some obvious flash that needed scraping off - most notably on the arms. Everything here though is otherwise millimeter perfect overall and I couldn't be happier with the simplicity of the build and the overall look that the marine has. Only one minor quibble is where to attach the bolt pistol holster as the side clamps on the legs get in the way of this a little bit more that I would have hoped.

The overall intent here is to build a small five man veteran tactical squad with disintegration weapons for 24 inch ranged support where needed. I think this squad will be Salamanders (and I will use the prime slot in the Apex detachment to bring in my dreadnought here as well - very convenient). This is a great way to have a primary detachment or allied detachment of Salamanders in my forces. Looking forward to completing the build and getting the entire squad ready and fit for purpose. 

End of 2nd Wargames Gallery: Alpha Legion Surprises the Salamanders

Coming out of nowhere, the Alpha Legion exploit gaps in the Salamanders formation despite taking heavy losses themselves to break up their lines and try to force them away. 

Taking surprisingly heavy losses for declaring a charge, the terminators close in on the tactical squad after Exodus (sneaking in at the background / top left) takes out their leader with some precise shooting. 

But all is not lost for the Salamanders. Their praetor in terminator armour stands firm against a champion from the Alpha Legion and the remnant of their command squad. His thunder hammer really does the job whilst the invulnerable save keeps him alive. This sub-battle is won by the Salamanders. 

Overall though, the picture is bleak for the Salamanders. After the turn pictured, there's really only the Praetor and the Contemptor left for the Salamanders, and the Alpha Legion have their terminators, Exodus, and their sniper squad (top right) still going. Victory ultimately goes to the Alpha Legion in a well executed plan despite losing their own HQ early on. 

End of 2nd Wargames Gallery: Salamanders test the Iron Without

Continuing the End of 2nd Wargames Gallery, this is the turn of the Iron Warriors against the Salamanders (in an apparent prelude to third edition perhaps?!). 

The Iron Warriors pour out of the Land Raider and make ready to charge into the Salamanders Praetor and assorted Isstvan survivors. The Salamanders have a handy reaction on their side though and will shoot back at full strength before the Iron Warriors make their lines.

Whittled down by one terminator, the Iron Warriors make quick work of the squad, but the Praetor stands firm and counters with his thunder hammer and (after more than this turn) is the sole survivor of this encounter. 

A larger scale overview of the situation can be seen in this second image. There's an Iron Warriors plasma support squad pumping volleys into a dreadnought which is about to exchange fire with an ordinary tactical squad. 

The tactical squad doesn't stand a chance and is readily partially eliminated and routed. 

Toward the end of the game the Iron Warriors support squad is the only one remaining whilst (a very burned and battered) dreadnought and the (rather sliced up) Praetor remains for the Salamanders after destroying the Land Raider. The game ends up a tie overall. 

Wargames Gallery: Contemptor Clash

For reasons that I swear made total sense at the time, two contemptor dreadnoughts that lack any melee armaments engage in close combat. 

In imagination, the combat was won by the best dancer since all of the damage was presumably done through sheer application of weight, the odd blast going off, and mostly kicks. 

For the curious, the Salamanders dreadnought won the battle against the Alpha Legion dreadnought. But only just. And it took a while. 

Wargames Gallery: Former Allies

The Emperor's Children champion soars ahead to confront his former ally in the Iron Hands. The Salamanders are close, but not close enough to join in. Can he defeat his former ally before the Salamanders can join in? 

[Spoilers: yes]

Wargames Gallery Showcase: Shattered Legions

The image below showcases my (very modest) Shattered Legions forces to date. 

I find myself in a bit of a quandary about what to do next in the absence of the new rulebook! Hopefully that should arrive sooner rather than later though. I have a bunch of Iron Hands that I have assembled, but I don't know if to configure them as a Veteran Squad, or a regular heart of the legion tactical squad just yet. 

Regardless, the image shows a complete Raven Guard and Salamanders tactical squad, a double melta gun contemptor for the Salamanders along with a terminator character; a More Deythan squad, and vigilator for the Raven Guard, and a freshly painted Iron Hands praetor. 

The gaming mat and terrain accessories are from Game Mat EU for the curious. 

Wargames Gallery: Salamanders Contemptor Onslaught

The Iron Warriors look on grimly as the Salamanders' contemptor enters firing mode on the unit in front of him - there are no reactions left to be executed other than to stand there and take the shots. 

Wargames Gallery: Salamanders Defence

The bitter remains of a Salamanders expeditionary force defend their objective; part of a larger Forge World necessary to prosecute the war for the Loyalists. They remain in the dark about the fate of their Primarch. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Firedrake Terminator Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 stars. See - I sometime do award 5/5 to some units on the odd occasion! Here, this is a somewhat unique unit in the game thanks to the thunder hammer and storm shield set up they can take (among others). The points cost is high, and I almost didn't give full stars to the unit due to the cost. The honest reason I gave full stars here is because I simply hate facing off against them! 

Background.

Discipline, self sacrifice, the Promethian Cult, a singular focus, and the elites of the legion combine to make arguably one of the best units in the game. I despise facing off against full thunder hammer and storm shield set ups. And it is because of this that I really respect them. (Also on the odd occasion proxied them for a Rewards of Treason unit in true Alpha Legion style as well - not sorry). 

Strengths.

Much has already been said of this unit. They are WS=5, double wound, and 2 attacks base terminators in cataphractii armour. They come with power weapons and combi bolters as their base set up, but can be upgraded in a number of ways, the most popular of which I've already repeatedly noted above! 

In addition, they can be used as a retinue, and have a wonderful re roll to hit of pure 1's in close combat which makes them a greater force to be reckoned with. Take a land raider to taste and you have the makings of a genuine death star unit with amazing staying power that "It Will Not Die" only enhances.

Weaknesses.

Apart from the somewhat expensive points cost (points sink?) this is an amazing unit. 

Builds.

5 Firedrakes, Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields all round (325 points).

The build that I don't like facing off against, as well as the Rewards of Treason target for the same reason. Add more members to taste and take that land raider (or deep strike if possible). Master craft the squad leader's weapon if desired.

5 Firedrakes, 3 combi-meltas, 1 heavy flamer, 2 chain fists (310 points).

A bit of a tank hunting variant with some ranged fire power. Master craft a chain fist to taste. 

5 Firedrakes, 4 combi-flamers, 1 heavy flamer (280 points).

For those that just like lots of fire. Use the baseline power weapon (possibly as a power axe?). Great as a cover unit for something else behind them and for making enemies scramble out of cover. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Pyroclast Squad

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are solid and the squad functions very well for what it does.

Background.

Getting rid of the destroyer squads was a good move for our humanitarian hero, Vulkan. But his Salamanders still needed something to do a bit of end of days style cleansing with, so he forged the pyroclasts. Their role is one of cleansing. With fire - or more accurately a weapon of Vulkan's own devising. 

Strengths.

Two wounds each is very nice here along with It Will Not Die, and an invulnerable save against the very things they bring to the battlefield (fire, fire, and a touch of fire. Or melta, volkite, or plasma as well). I like the melta bombs here a whole lot more than I should as well. The 2+ save is, of course, great.

The flame projectors that they carry have two firing modes that can be used - one is a template with fire at S=6, the other is a melta gun variation. They also double up to perform close combat duty very nicely. 

Weaknesses.

Having to select every member in the squad firing in the same mode (template vs melta) might seem like a weakness, but it really isn't. Similarly the limited range of upgrade to the unit may also seem problematic, but the squad is already fairly optimized that you will just use the thunder hammer most of the time and call it a day I guess. And in all honesty, the price tag is not much of a negative compared to the humble support squad either for what you get for it. Pity other upgrades like a Vexilla is not available. 

Difference to First Edition.

Two wounds. The melta bombs come as standard now as well. 

Builds.

5 Pyroclasts, Warden with Power Fist (195 points).

The basic build. You will need either the power fist or thunder hammer to be fully effective. Take a transport to get where you need to be. Master craft a weapon to taste.

10 Pyroclasts, Warden with Thunder Hammer (350 points).

Can't really go too wrong, but I prefer smaller units for this squad I think. That said, put a praetor in here that is close combat orientated and you have a recipe for a nasty unit straight out of a land raider.