The Legion For You: Part Two, Electric Boogaloo!

[Biscuittzz]

Long time lurker, infrequent poster here. With the Release of BaC and BoP I'm very much jonesing to get into the heresy. I've narrowed it down to a few legions, and am torn between a couple of different things. I've tried to sort everything into categories based on these four criteria:

1. I like hard hitting, alpha striking forces that go straight for the throat.
2. I also really like mass infantry grinding the opponent down till nothing is left.
3. I really like to have at least some melee elements in my lists (or at least things that can multi-task i.e. Veterans, Tacticals w/ extra ccw, Leviathan Dreads).
4. I like armies that fight dirty/have an ends justify the means attitude (be it underhanded tactics, "forbidden" weaponry, etc.)

With that in mind in the legions I've narrowed it down to are these, I'm just having trouble picking one (and I really need to stick to one, or I'll never get anything done):

1. Night Lords, Sons of Horus, World Eaters, Dark Angels
2. Death Guard
3. Night Lords, Sons of Horus, World Eaters, Dark Angels
4. Night Lords, Death Guard, World Eaters, Dark Angels

As you can see there's a lot of crossover between the categories. I'm not afraid of complex paint-schemes, I would like an army I can easily expand out to run multiple different RoW. I've been agonizing over choosing a legion for months now, and I simply cannot decide on my own. If anyone can help lend me some insight or point me in the right direction, please do! Thanks in advance frater!

 

Raven Guard are probably one of the premier hard-hitting, go for the throat legions in 30k. Are you omitting them for a reason such as no loyalist or just didn't know? Sure, our RoW is called Decapitation Strike. Can't get more 'go for the throat' than that. We basically target the enemy HQ, then divide and destroy the isolated remains of opposition, while retaining the 40k traits of stealth, infiltration and general sneakiness.

 

#2 is Death Guard's stick to swing. But possibly also Salamanders if you're interested. Honourable mention to Iron Hands, Imperial Fists and Iron Warriors too.

 

RG are also able to fight dirty with under-handed tactics so fill #4 quite well too. #3 may be a stretch as we're not melee specialists per se but we do have some effective units in Corax, Dark Furies and improved assault marines.

[Shinn]

Getting into 30K as my girlfriend surprised me with both BoP and BaC. I've narrowed it down to two loyalists legion(unless you all think there might be a better loyalist legion for what i like.)

 

Dark Angels and Ultramarines are what i've been looking at. DA Mainly because thats what I use primarily in 40K and I love their fluff.

 

My biggest want is to stay fluffy to the legion I choose. My play style is very Infantry based. Adding in vehicles i'd like the play style to flow well together aka I dont want it basically be one or the other. I'd rather win through tactics rather than having more bigger toys.

[Biscuittzz]

Getting into 30K as my girlfriend surprised me with both BoP and BaC. I've narrowed it down to two loyalists legion(unless you all think there might be a better loyalist legion for what i like.)

 

Dark Angels and Ultramarines are what i've been looking at. DA Mainly because thats what I use primarily in 40K and I love their fluff.

 

My biggest want is to stay fluffy to the legion I choose. My play style is very Infantry based. Adding in vehicles i'd like the play style to flow well together aka I dont want it basically be one or the other. I'd rather win through tactics rather than having more bigger toys.

 

I only see one loyalist legion in your options 

[Doctor Perils]

She's a keeper that one  ;) If  I could make a suggestion, if she's giving you a board game (or in this case two), ask her if she'd like to join in on the fun :)

 

Dark Angels haven't yet got full rules, I don't know if that can change your opinion? Otherwise, both seem reasonable for a "tactical" based legion force.

 

Also, don't only restrict yourself to "loyalist legions", as it's always possible to use a loyalist splinter faction of a traitor legion, or to use shattered legions or blackshields. In other possibilities, Iron Hands, Iron Warriors and Death Guard all have a strong infantry and mechanised infantry themes.

[Shinn]

Are the DA rules possibly close by or still far out? She does play in fact i've yet to score a victory against her. ;) I'm trying to stick to Loayalist as all around me seem to be the Traitor Legions.

[Erren]

It depends on how you define close, I guess. They and Blood Angels supposedly share the next, but who knows when that will be. Inferno should be at the printers by now and I would imagine that IA14 will be soon if it isn't already. One would hope that BA/DA wouldn't have the same rules balancing issues that 1K Sons, SW, SOS, and Custodes reportedly did. So maybe Book 8 is out by XMas 2017? We'll know more in February at the HH Weekender.

[Viridia]

Having a bit of trouble, honoured frater. Truth be told, I've always liked the Night Lords after reading ADB's take on them, and I was inspired to try and do a NL Breacher-based army after looking at IHF's Malphaz drawing many long aeons ago. :P But lately, I just can't seem to find the inspiration to sit down and do them. I still love the Legion, but I can't quite seem to get behind them as an army to paint at the moment.

 

I've been umming and arring over other Legions for a good few months now (years in the case of the Luna Wolves!). I thought I'd present what interests me about them, because last time I didn't do this, since I'd already settled on IF's as my first army. So, in no particular order, what could well replace the Night Lords in my project backlog, if not my heart.

 

XIII - First army I ever collected was the Ultramarines. There's a huge nostalgia factor here, and I like the classical depiction of them as proto-Romanesque, so much so I did end up borrowing it for the Belligeri. I love the blue, and I think they've got some very nice traits for play, though few of their special characters and units beyond Ventanus interest me. Truth be told, if I did go for Ultras, it would be as a traitor splinter, since I love playing with character twists like that, which would be an exiled cadre of Warborn castoffs and extremist Nemesis Chapter members.

 

XII - What ADB did for the NL, he certainly did for the World Eaters too. I love the original colour scheme, the whole idea of the Legion breaking themselves in their father's image because they want to understand him, and the fact that it's a loyalist (possibly) army of chainaxe wielding psychotics who aren't the Carcharodons or Flesh Tearers.

 

V - Chris Wraight managed to do the exact same as ADB, this time for the White Scars, and I know I'm not the only one. The chance to build an army that fits with the cultured nomad identity intrigues me. At the same time, I love the white colour scheme, I find it very relaxing to paint as part of a Menite collection for Warmachine, and I like their legion traits and some of the wargear they get like power glaives and the cyberhawk.

 

XVI - I'd be more than happy to run a Luna Wolves company, because it was they who were our first peek into the world of the Horus Heresy in detail for the first time. Again, like the Vth, a nice clean white colour scheme, the SoH traits are hard-hitting. I have considered running such a company as a shattered legion with WS to represent a pre-Heresy combined operation.

 

XVII - Gal Vorbak and Ashen Circle are possibly some of my favourite special units across 30 and 40k. I'm a fan of how ADB portrayed their fall, and I do like the idea of something like Zardu Layak combined with TLOTSS rite to allow for both of those units to be taken as troops. Grey is, not surprisingly to those who know me, actually one of my favourite colours for Astartes, but since I'm using grey and yellow for my Imperial Fists, I would probably move towards a hybrid grey and red scheme for them.

[Scribe]

Frustrations abound!

 

I couldnt make a post on my phone, figured it was some of the buggy behavior we have seen on mobile.

 

Now I cannot add a thread on my PC!! 

 

Anyway...

 

I thought I had read about rules in 30K to represent a Rogue Trader? Am I crazy? I've looked through the books 4-6 that I thought had it, but I cannot find it?

[Slips]

Frustrations abound!

 

I couldnt make a post on my phone, figured it was some of the buggy behavior we have seen on mobile.

 

Now I cannot add a thread on my PC!! 

 

Anyway...

 

I thought I had read about rules in 30K to represent a Rogue Trader? Am I crazy? I've looked through the books 4-6 that I thought had it, but I cannot find it?

Imperial Cult/Militia, Planetary Governor Entry. Should have what you need.

[Scribe]

OK I'll take another look, thanks!

[Rites of War]

Hi guys,

 

I need to start an new army for 2017 and have just run into a brick wall with ideas.

 

I have a small Iron Hands army and an Imperial Fists army that's nearly finished.

 

Starting next year I'm going to be building something new. Every time I decide what to do something changes my mind on which Legion to run.

 

I want to do a mixed Legion/Mechanicum force so I can include oath bound robots.

 

My original plan was Iron Warriors with Iron Circle and a Prevarian but now I'm wondering if I should go with Salamanders ?

 

Fire, Robots and Hammers seem like a cool idea.

 

I'll be starting out with about 500 points for ZM.

 

Any one care to help me out or throw out any ideas

[Doctor Perils]

Hi guys,

 

I need to start an new army for 2017 and have just run into a brick wall with ideas.

 

I have a small Iron Hands army and an Imperial Fists army that's nearly finished.

 

Starting next year I'm going to be building something new. Every time I decide what to do something changes my mind on which Legion to run.

 

I want to do a mixed Legion/Mechanicum force so I can include oath bound robots.

 

My original plan was Iron Warriors with Iron Circle and a Prevarian but now I'm wondering if I should go with Salamanders ?

 

Fire, Robots and Hammers seem like a cool idea.

 

I'll be starting out with about 500 points for ZM.

 

Any one care to help me out or throw out any ideas

One of the benefits to the Iron Warriors is that they can take more cortex controllers, which is better for the bots. The Iron Circle look massively cool, but they cost a lot of points and I'm not sure if they may be too big for zm.

 

Appart from mech allies, have you got any other criteria? Whether painting or fluff related?

[Rites of War]

One of the benefits to the Iron Warriors is that they can take more cortex controllers, which is better for the bots. The Iron Circle look massively cool, but they cost a lot of points and I'm not sure if they may be too big for zm.

Appart from mech allies, have you got any other criteria? Whether painting or fluff related?

Painting wise I have schemes for both armies I can use in mind.

 

The Iron Warrior one probably fits the Mech allies better (IW Castellax from the end of Book 3).

 

Fluff wise it's a straight up choice between Loyalists and Traitors. I've not done a traitor Legion before so it does appeal. The extra access to Cortex controllers also lends itself as you said.

 

Will be trying out the IW paint scheme today hopefully and have done a few test models for Sallies.

 

 

 

 

 

Fluff wise

[Joe]

How were the Space Wolves organised at the time of the Great Crusade/Horus Heresy? As far as I understand, they still divided into the various Great Companies, but I can't find much more information about that. I seem to remember seeing the Blood Claw emblem in the Burning of Prospero set, but the Legion transfer sheet uses stylised variations of the basic squad markings at the time.

[greensentinel7]

Another long time lurker/occasional participant here:

 

I picked up a BoC and BoP box a month or so back, and I have wracked my brain, searched my inner workings and driven my hobbyist friends to exhaustion combing over my Legion choices and I have narrowed it down to the following three:

 

Alpha Legion

 

Emperor's Children

 

Iron Warriors

 

My group of friends and I are starting a 30k slow grow league with the new year, and I am the last straggler to pick his Legion (We have Imperial Fists, Raven Guard, Iron Hands and Sons of Horus for the group currently).

 

My question is simple. Of these three Legions, which one is more friendly to a long time 40k player/hobbyist to get into 30k?

Edited December 16, 2016 by greensentinel7

[Aramis K]

What do you like about those three Greensentinel? I'd always go with fluff as basis for picking legion as they can all adopt most styles of play. This tactics guide is pretty good on how they each play to their strengths: https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Warhammer_40,000/Tactics/Space_Marine_Legion_List_(30k)

 

Go with the character or colours you like, but even then you can find your own take.

[Zond]

I return to seek the advice of the venerated Praetors. I have started my extremely colourful Thousand Sons dreadnought heavy force primarily for fluff and colour palette reasons. However it's now time to think a little more about how the Legions play and start a force based around games.

 

I'm looking for a force that controls the game with its presence. This led me to think about Raven Guard and White Scars for stealth and mobility shenanigans but also Death Guard and Salamanders for that grindy, enduring presence that demands an answer. The latter two are admittedly slow and maybe don't have as much control of the game state. It has dawned on me whilst typing this post that Alpha Legion may be able to fit the role well due to being extremely adaptable.

 

Luckily I seem to continue to like at least some aspects of all Legion background so not having a favourite definitely helps. Any advice would be appreciated.

[BattleBrotherJohn]

So for a long long time the Imperial Fists have been my army of choice ( despite various things I might have mentioned in this very thread - Word Bearers !!   What the  was I thinking ??  ).

Then today I was struck cruising my local groups facebook page and was stopped in my tracks by a mashup of plastic marines and fantasy Khorne warriors.

 

Techno Barbarians .

 

Suddenly all my Mad Max was a wargaming army fantasys came flooding back.

 

So I am thinking Milita and Cults army list - all Feral Warriors and Gene crafted lunatics.

 

Oh dear , back to the drawing board.

[Doctor Perils]

That's what allies are for ;)

[CaptFlashheart]

So, I'll add myself to the list of those needing help choosing a 30k force.  I have had my Betrayal at Calth set half built for a year now, and am no closer to choosing.  I have narrowed things down to 4 armies that interest me:

 

Dark Angels.  They are my 40k space marine army, and the one I am most familiar with the fluff.  I love the overall look and feel of them on a model level.  I also really like their lore (I do lean more toward Luther though).  I had picked up some of their torsos, heads, and shoulder pads along with a Special Edition Praetor at Dragon Con this past summer, but have held off for some reason.  The downside with them is that they are my largest 40k army, and I think it might be fun to try something a little different. 

 

Emperors Children.  Really love some of the models, and the purple is a nice change.  I have always thought the sonic weapons were pretty cool, but that is about it.  I know little of their overall tactics. 

 

Raven Guard.  This is more the army that in concept I think I would love.  Infiltrate and hit hard.  Some very cool models as well, and I do like their fluff.  Downside, Black armour. 

 

Night Lords. I originally wrote them off, due to my perception that they were no more than reckless mercenaries with no real purpose. However, like a little earworm that keeps coming back, I can't stop thinking about running them.  Konrad's origin story is interesting, and they might be a nice balance to my Dark Angels.  Especially since the more I read in the Warhammer world (Just getting started with the Heresy novels), I find myself liking the Imperium less and less. 

 

My play style:  I don't have a lot of 40K games under my belt, but do see a pattern to my play (it might change with more time).  I have 2 small armies, Dark Angels and Dark Eldar.  The DE are squishy, but a hell of a lot of fun to play.  I typically don't commit right away, usually taking a turn to see what my opponent is doing.  I'll throw out a small force to shoot at distance, then try to deep strike or move in fast in with the main force.  By turn 3 though, I usually end up in melee mode.  Not much help, but a start. 

 

Thank you for reading.  I appreciate any thoughts or suggestions,

 

Flashheart

[Gorgoff]

Read the rules of Emperor's Children. They should satisfy you playstyle.

[Mackenzie]

So I am stuck between BA and SoH. I have a pretty large (~15kpts) BA army for 40k, so I like the idea of building up thier nemesis. But, if I am going to get some of the cool FW models like Sicarans, Xiphons, or a Mastadon I would really like them to be able to pull double duty in HH and with my regular 40k army. I am also not loving the thought of painting tons of legionaries in the same BA color scheme I have been painting for years. What does B&C think?

[Gorgoff]

So.... go for SoH then.

Do it, brother.

Don't think.

Just do it.

[HolyVanguard]

Santa has been very nice and left me a copy of Betrayal at Calth and Burning of Prospero in my stocking and has rekindled my love for the Horus Heresy. Now the inevitable Legion indecision begins.

 

I've always loved Librarians. I know they're not as strong or as prevalent in the Heresy but who doesn't love genetically engineered warp enthusiasts (Nikea attendees excluded). Normally this would mean I'd be a shoe in for the Thousand Sons, or from perusing the rules the Word Bearers, but I don't want that to be the only thing I've got going for me and I'm not too keen on demons everywhere.

 

My group so far has Imperial Fists, Emperor's Children, Sons of Horus, Iron Hands and Night Lords so I'd like to avoid them if possible.

 

I'm looking for a Legion that doesn't mind a bit of the psyker action but is primarily melee based. Purely from the novels that makes me think of Space Wolves, White Scars and Dark Angels. I quite like the Ultramarine sword and shield Roman discipline look but I'm not sure Guilliman was all too happy with mind bullet marines. Just trying to find some guidance on how to marry up fluff with playstyle, and any thoughts appreciated. :)

[CaptFlashheart]

Read the rules of Emperor's Children. They should satisfy you playstyle.

 

Thanks.  I am happy to hear your suggestion that the EC would fit my style of play.  The EC were the first Legion I was interested in playing for 30K, but I have been exploring other options before getting too involved. 

 

There hasn't been too much interest in 30K in my area until just recently, so I think there is still a bit of a learning curve to go.   I am not super familiar with all of the rules, but do have the Red Legiones Astartes book.  I am also saving a bit before placing an order with Forge World (trying to save on shipping), so haven't picked up any of the Black books yet.   The plan is to pick up one or two books, plus some of the more detailed models when the time comes.  

 

Thanks again,

 

Flashheart.