[WIP] Sons of Horus, 65th Company

[Dreagher]

That was quite the pleasant read. You really manage to combine the flow of the game with the additional narrative elements quite well.

[Cadmus Tyro]

I run a ten man assault squad with shields and melta bombs (no power weapons) in an infiltrating coils of the hydra list. They get their points back every game (unless I deploy them poorly) and exist to make leviathans cry.....

 

Great report mate.

 

Cadmus

[Vykes]

Glad ya liked it Dreahger, it took a fair bit to work up but I'm a narrative gamer at heart.  So it's all worth the work!  Just gotta work out some of the technical finagling next time. 

 

Man, Cadmus Tyro, y'aint wrong at all there.  It sounds like a great unit to go hunting for those armoured high priority targets.  I figure a small combat team like that could be easy to ignore, just durable enough to get to target too.  Man, gotta figure out how to make Sons of Horus look proper with combat shields.  Gonna have to go bits hunting. Open to any ideas from anyone!

Edited January 23, 2019 by Vykes

[Vykes]

Well, long time no see but got a tiny update at least while I'm taking a break from work and got the net (fuuuuun stuff), working up a nice ol early 65th project and made a FW order for some new parts. But, heresy of heresies, I decided to make an alternate miniature for Tybalt Marr/Champion for the 65th after I picked up a Marine Heroes blind box.

Still gonna do a bit of modifiation work but I'm generally okay with it.

[Vykes]

And a little bit more of a significant update.

+++

'Rancour One-Actual, pull what's left back and fortify around hilltop Kamigila. Storm Crows are inbound.'

“Negative, I repeat negative. They're already through the cordon zone. We cannot hold!”

'You will hold your positions, Centurion Decadron. The sixty-sixth is in support-'

“There is no sixty-sixth left, command! We have no flank and I have no munitions!”

'Calm yourself, Centurion. The sixteenth and seventeenth are enroute. Hold position and send updated markers on safe strike points.'

“We... tell Captain Janipur we're coming to him. Sixty-fifth, on your feet!”
~Hill 224, Callas,978 M.30

+++

Finally got around to getting the Luna Wolves prepped. Got some drop pods to do, probably some contemptors too.

[Arion]

Beautiful Luna Wolves! Great choice of basing to contrast with the primary color. How did you manage to get a hold of the OOP LW transfers?!

[Pearson73]

Those are some clean Wolves, the red works very well on the Terminators.

 

I know the Wolves are most frequently described as wearing MKIV, but I would really like to see some MKII in the scheme, if you have any. The commander figure, lurking near the back looks rocking with the crest and a full squad would be a joy.

[Cadmus Tyro]

They look great mate, I was always tempted to do a Luna Wolves force, I just love the artwork on the cover of “false Gods”. The lack of a decent decal sheet (why Forgeworld? Why!?) and the fact that I would have to build more drop pods puts me off!

 

Cadmus

[Marshal Rohr]

That’s a great Luna Wolves Force.

[Vykes]

Thanks a ton mates, I'll admit I've wanted to do Luna Wolves for a long time now but there was always that lack of a transfer sheet and trying to do the colour white convincingly.  The red was... well I bought a mat, love it, and had nothing to go on it (Blood Angels wouldn't contrast well, Sons of Horus would be a bit christmasy even if it's kinda cool, so I figure this should work and I think it did... took a full pot of weathering powder though.)

 

Hah!  Y'know Arion, mate, that was one of the big hurdles.  I ended up snapping the shoulder sigils off of Shapeways along with the Cataphractii pauldrons and the axes (and I have a big sheet of vehicle sigils.  There were like, 60 pauldron badges for $20-some Cnd).   Heh, it was one of the conditions I had for a friend giving me his closet full of mk. IV armour (he wanted to see a Luna Wolf force). It was worth it, I was actually shocked how good the curvature was to adhere to the pauldrons. 

 

And thanks a ton Pearson, dude.  I'm glad that the red pteruges actually work!  I was worried that it might look either too roman (like distinctly so) or just not too bright a spot colour on terminators.  Man, I'm still trying to get my hands on some mk.II armour but man it's tough, people weren't stockpiling it and the few that I know that did, ended up with White Scars and now it's hard to pry those from their hands -laughs- I'd be one, too. Man, the helmet is the World Eater upgrade helms, so I could easily get that and some mk. III for sure.  

 

Cadmus Tyro, totally feel ya man.  I loved the False Gods artwork (tempted to see if the White Scars helmets look enough like those lorica style helmets),  I'm still rightly irritated that both the Luna Wolves and Emperors Children decal sheets are gone (and FW sheets are soooo goood). Heh, I don't have a single standard drop pod to my name so I decided Luna Wolves would be that!  Admittedly, man that's limiting. 

 

Thanks Marshal Rohr, man I've wanted to do this for a while now!  

 

But now I have the question of 'What next'?  Orbital Drop armies are really reaaaaally limiting and keeping with the Luna Wolf themed look is pretty tough.  I can see 2 contemptors in my future, but what else works?  Thoughts or suggestions?  I could use em! 

Edited March 10, 2019 by Vykes

[Hungry Nostraman Lizard]

You have one of my favorite threads on here. The gorgeous hobby work, modeling and painting; the wonderful fluff excerpts. All brilliant!

[Pearson73]

I reckon the White Scars helms would work well to recrezte the armour style we see on the covers of the books, perhaps the World Eater helms too.

 

In terms of additional units, I think Terminators, veterans and Seekers are all good choices, as they exemplify the Wolves' strategy of a single overwhelming blow to the head of the enemy. Seekers fit for obvious reasons; Terminators as they have the survivability to drop right in the middle and just keep ploughing through (plus the ones above look great) and veterans because the Wolves are the Warmaster's own (I'd love to see more of the veterans you created earlier, based off the artwork).

[Cadmus Tyro]

So, SoH are pretty well suited to the orbital assault RoW. Firstly maloghurst essentially allows you to take the benefit of two RoW (as you can take veterans as troops), thus mitigating the issue of your basic troop choices.

 

Secondly, the death dealers special rule further encourages you to get up close with special weapons (+1 BS shooting with a plasma gun, yes please!). So a combi weapon armed veteran squad will output more damage and fill your basic troops slot! Don’t forget your re-rolls to reserve when you roll a 1 as well.

 

So, personally, I would build an OA list around veterans (I’m pretty sure locasta tactical squad was a veteran squad). Perhaps add in a podding leviathan or two. I would also be tempted by justaerin in a dreadclaw, or just a regular terminator squad all with chainfists for those tough vehicles.

 

IMHO it’s all about keeping your drop pod count up to have as much coming in turn one as possible. The more you invest in other units the less you have available for your alpha strike.

 

Cadmus

[Vykes]

Y'know Cadmus Tyro, that is a pretty good point.  Working on Pearson said, having some vets (machine killer vets in particular) might well be worth it due to just how little Anti-tank there is in here ( I do love my Death Dealer Plasma support squads).  Maloghurst is definitely a good potential lord it I'm not using Loken, (and might just be fun to have a version of him when he was just figuratively The Twisted and not literally).  Organizationally it'll be a pretty big help too given that it opens up 9 man+HQ/Apothecary squads that legionnaire squads can't have*.

 

Hmm, I'm definitely down for more Terminators given the 16th's penchant for having been at the forefront of adoption for the Terminator program.  I do have 2 big questions then: Lightnings with krakens flying cover, and what about Deathstorm pods?  Both seem reliably useful for cracking open various hardened targets. 

 

The other potential is allied forces, such as Emperors Children with Rapier Laser Destroyer batteries, I suppose.

 

Aye Pearson, I think I'm right on board with more vets and more terminators, seekers too if I can figure out a way to model them with the limitation of the kits out there (Recon squad based seekers are definitely a possibility).  I do love the World Eater Heads, and there's gonna be more vets for the 65th in Sons of Horus or Luna Wolf varieties soon enough. Thanks mate. 

 

And thanks a ton Hungry Nostraman Lizard!  I'm just glad this little corner is useful for someone other than me writing down my little meanderings.  Hopefully there should be even more soon enough with ECL around the bend, and a 30K league starting in a few days.  

 

*Aaand for my little digression, I think you're quite right on Nero Vipus' Locasta squad, Cadmus Tyro, mate!  Admittedly, the Luna Wolves of 10th company all seem to be organized more or less in the manner of veteran squads as they had dedicated special weapon gunners in their 10-man teams for the tactical units.  Of which, they had 14 squads including assault and a terminator unit. They always just seemed light on any other named support as they were mostly an orbital/gunship light company.  

[Cadmus Tyro]

As I said, the more you add to the force without the “drop pod assault” rule, the less you have for your alpha strike. That 500pts you spent on a compulsory HQ, Troops and three rapiers is one less drop pod full of veterans arriving turn 1. Although I like the fluff behind the idea personally, I’d go for a delegatus and run the “sky hunter phalanx” RoW as an allied detachment (in a big game) very fluffy for the 3rd and would give you some much needed turn two mobility.

 

I think BS5 tank hunter veterans are a reasonable anti-tank option on turn one. For turn two anti-armour you have a few choices:

 

1) kraken lightning - fairly reliable on paper, I would only worry about anti air interceptor fire, but you destroyed that sicaran Arcus turn one right? Your re-roll to reserves improves the chances of it turning up at least! Although it will reduce the number of pods arriving turn one.

 

2) chainfist terminators in a dreadclaw - effective, but expensive. They add towards the pod count but a canny opponent will prioritise them as a target. They also will have zero contribution to the game the turn they arrive (reducing your alpha strike potential)

 

3) melta bombs - veterans have very cheap access to squad wide meltabombs, add tank hunter and you are in business. Turn one they unload their combi/special weapons into a suitable target (so they contribute to your alpha strike). Turn two, they are a massive threat to any vehicle in charge range, the main disadvantage is turn two mobility. Personally, I think this fits the fluff the most, the unsupported self reliant spear tip. It would play havoc with your opponents target priority.

 

In the end though, rule of cool wins the day!

 

I like the idea of death storm pods, for their points cost they put out a reasonable level of firepower. They are really useful if you have some spare points and need to make that 8 pod list into a 9 pod list.

 

Something else to consider (and it feels wrong somehow) is the new termite rules, as they technically fulfill the deep strike criteria for OA but are considered separate to the drop pod assault rule. So it would technically give you another unit arriving turn one with your pods. But I imagine this loophole will likely get FAQ’d at some point.

 

Finally, with regards to the heads, I think you risk looking too WS by using their upgrade heads, especially with the red spot colour you have already. I always thought the world eaters head upgrade was fairly close to the False Gods artwork, but you might run into the same issue and be mistaken for the 12th, I’m not sure which is worse.....

 

Anyway, I enjoyed contemplating that, Im really tempted to do Luna wolves and EC now!

 

Cadmus

[Vykes]

Aye, I'm definitely on that page when it comes to maximizing the number of drop pods.  Just trying to figure out how to work it too (and a III legion force is always glorious.  Great thought on a Sky Hunter Phalanx ROW with deligatus too.  That actually fits really well.)

 

1.) Lightings: I'm of a similar mind, and I worry about the Arcus and even missile heavy support squads with auspex which has been showing up.  Kraken should have a decent run if it can stay in the air, take out a Spartan-chassis threat hopefully before it can be a problem on bottom of T2/top of T3.  But yeah, they really require neutralizing anti-air T1 and while I think melta squads should be able to manage that with a T1 drop on vehicles, if there's redundancy it'll be a problem. Given that games are usually 2,500 pts here, that's not remotely uncommon.  

 

2.) Chainfist Termies: I like the idea of them in a dreadclaw (even if I was trying to shy away from them as the 65th uses them later on in my SoH).  If it's a dedicated transport it's a thing, but I'm not using up too many fast attack slots, so having it as a non-dedicated transport should allow for at least some late game mobility and heat blast is at least a 'thing'.  If going full expense mode, some combi-weapons and Orbital Stike's deepstrike allowance can at least make it interesting with some other terminators, though surviving might be tough enough of course. 

 

3.) Melta Bombs: I like it, I really really like it.  Melta bombs are cheap (not outrider cheap, but cheap) some weapon break downs or even swapping the support squads meltas in to them would be perfectly fine, and it gives that option of 9 man squads too.  I was trying to think of a way to turn legion squads into vet squads and keep the Orbital ROW and I'd completely skipped over Maloghurst as an option (Horus if I want to go full Great Crusade style eventually).  I think this'll definitely do it but that does lead to the question of T2+ mobility.  It's pretty tough to solve that without something like Dreadclaws.  More over, while Glory Squads were thought to be Command Squads, tempted to see if I can make some more crested and cloaked vet groups with combi-weapons now.  

 

Wild Card 1:) Termites.  Hmm, while it does 'feel' wrong in a straight Orbital Assault List, it could very well be a big asset in an allied detachment like EC, World Eaters, or something wonky like Alpha Legion.  Still a cool concept if I can figure out a really fluffy thing for Luna Wolves -ponders that- 

 

Wild Card 2:) Death Storm feel like they might be decent against predator squadrons and Vindicator Destroyer clusters, both of which I know see a fair bit of play with the Xth and XIIIth here. Hmmm.

 

Aye, as for the aesthetics it's definitely tough.  The White Scars are interesting but problematic to some degree, but the World Eaters could do with a bit of work.  While looking through the FW upgrade heads, what struck me is that a very VERY good head is actually in the Thousand Sons mk. IV upgrade set if the top most crests were shaved down.  Otherwise, yeah a lot of the Visions stuff is more or less reserved for the later SoH versions, (and that sweet delicious Iron Warriors set of heads which are just too perfect).  Wonder if there's any close third party heads. 

 

Centre row

  

Hah, glad to be a nuisance with tossing up the idea again -laughs- All the best and thanks mate!

[Varyn]

Such a great thread and so inspiring.

 

As Cadmus mentioned, Maloghurst is a great fit for an orbital assault force, although you could quite feasibly have lots of dreadclaws without using the orbital assault RoW, 3 in fast attack, plus some dedicated transports for terminators, reavers* and dreadnought drop pods etc. You could also add in a damocles to get reserves on 2+ re-rolling 1's. 

 

If you go down the orbital assault route then there are so many good choices for SoH/LW, plasma support squads, heavy flamer squads, machine killer veterans, combi-plasma seekers!

 

*whilst reavers aren't necessarily very thematic for luna wolves, they are also troops with Maloghurst which makes them worth a look, lots of opportunities for modelling something interesting to represent Luna Wolves.

 

Any chance of some more close ups?

Edited March 16, 2019 by Varyn

[Vykes]

Aye, I had been thinking 'loyalist' so Maloghurst and named characters in general rarely pop into my head (Byproduct of 3E that I never quite shook off) but it's honestly a terrific fit (though I'll also almost certainly do a Great Crusade Horus just because). I will need to find out a pre 63-19 miniature for him, maybe see if any of me mates have one of those now OOP masters of rites or something like that.

Aye, I like Dreadclaws (I have 2 and planning on 3 for my later SoH 65th) and their utility is kinda incredible. A Kharibdys might also be a potential for larger landings, too. I'd be even tempted to go the Storm Eagle route, but I think 5 between 2 armies is proooobably... close to enough (I'll admit I love the things).

Heavy Flamer squads are pretty likely, plasma is gonna be a yes I think, but I'm really liking the notion of machine hunter vets. What's the usual number for more or less certifying assassinating hard targets? I've seen 6-8ish with combi-melta bandied about quite a bit (And with some world eater upgrade helmets I think I can make them look distinct enough).

Y'know, I kinda like Reavers as makeshift 'elite' assault troops that we see a lot. They're more punchy than assault squads (even if they weirdly lose the option for melta bombs which hurts). I'm definitely thinking another group of 10. I'm tempted to do up just 5 with banestrike bolters just because jump pack bolter marines have always been an aesthetic I adored (even if they're kinda massively overpriced).

Sure, I can getcha some close ups. Few are a bit blurred and washed so I'll get another picture soonish.

2 Commanders, Centurion Arphax Morrs and "Mistah Notloken" (Centurion Decadron)

Melta Support Squad: Iron Bane (Old Legacy)

Terminator Squad Hallite

1st Tactical Squad Guardians of Ellyrius

(1 of 4 in the company thus far)

1st Reavers Squad Kaesar's Own

This is one I'll take again

File leaders of the 65th Luna Wolves thus far: Cpl. Synach, Sgt. Haemos, Sgt Ariah, Sgt. Rahmus, Cpl. Tynnes

(Corporals are just gonna be secondary demi-squad leaders, if I need to land more or join the squads to be bigger they're subservient to sergeants and thus just rank and file. I do plan on making some more specialist sergeants too)

And now for the 65th later on: 2 new neaaaarly done preds (just gotta jem a few lenses) Once destined for the scrap pile after a mate stripped 'em badly. I haven't a clue what to call 'em. I really do think I need a 3rd.

Edited March 16, 2019 by Vykes

[Pearson73]

Great use of the pigments to weather the Predators, have you considered posting a tutorial for your weathering?

 

Nice to see some close ups of the Wolves too.

[Vykes]

Thanks mate, those preds were destined for the chopping block so glad I could pull them back to the fold and make 'em work.  The T-55-esq preds are nice to see in the heresy even if I like their harsher mars counterparts. 

 

Hmm, a weathering tutorial, I definitely could if that's something anyone would find useful.  It definitely isn't hard and I could do that up pretty quick I think. 

[Varyn]

I'd certainly be keen to see a weathering tutorial.

 

Thanks for posting the close up pictures, they really look great. You so rarely see Luna Wolves and you have done a fantastic job with yours. The predator paint job is really good, the shade of green is perfect. 

 

If I could redo my sons of horus I would go for a paler green and probably build them as a drop pod army.

 

I use machine killer vets in an anvillus and I usually take a minimum of 7 (6 combi's and a melta gun) that seems to get the job done for most targets, although AV14 with armoured ceramite can be tricky. 

[Vykes]

-laughs- Hey then I can absolutely do a weathering tutorial (Heh, I juuuuust finished some bikes or I'd have put one up today).  It sure ain't hard and weathering is always a ton of fun.  

 

Ah thanks mate, I'm pretty chuffed on how the wolves turned out.  I wish I could think up some more thematic options to give them (one reason for going the orbital route is it's cheaper than the Stormbird route, and that's about all they were ever shown to have.  Creative for that, I am not.)

 

It's crazy that most of the real colour differentiation for the tanks comes with the weathering process, turning it deeper because of the ocher pigments. So I'd be happy to do one up.  Glad it covered up some horrible gluing, smashed bits, and baaaad baaad scars from not shaping the resin and trying to force it closed with brute force and superglue... -eye twitch- Least when I get the last one to make up the squadron I can do it properly. I do love the lighter green, but Lord Ranulf's colours are aaaabsolutely beautiful, so I waffle a lot on which I like.  But, vallejo makes a great green base for the 16th and consistency is great.  You can always do vets a different shade of green! (it's what I did because I wanted that deeper Cthonic). 

 

Is the extra melta gun just for the off chance of needing that subsequent shot?  I'm tempted to work up units of 6-8 like that for outflanking augury proteus raiders. AV 14 scares me, there's not a lot but melta-bombs that seem to be able to handle them on the infantry side of things.  

[Varyn]

The melta-gun is included because it's how I built the unit many moons ago! I think for maximum points efficiency all combi's is probably the way to go.

 

Which vallejo green do you use for the base?

 

I agree with melta bombs for serious anti tank duty, terminators with chainfists are also a good option for AV14, if only the outflanking proteus was an assault vehicle!

[Vykes]

I'm tempted to see about it, melta guns are weird as they're a full 50% more and that's just odd.  Still tempted to do it and maybe go with some interesting upgrades to make them distinct.  I have a full melta support squad but it usually feels like overkill. 

 

Valljeo green base is Light Green blue, and the highlight colour is Pale Grey Blue... it's frustrating how many times  I've gotten the two mixed up needing to buy them at the store.  The darkest shadow colour is Army painter Wizard Orb, frankly it doesn't show up that much after I wash the light green down. 

 

Aye, melta bombs seem to be it, and thanks to Cadmus Tyro I'm really reaaally considering groups of 10 assault troopers with combat shields for running anti-armour duty.  Chainfist termies are absolutely exquisite when you can get them to target... oh how I wish the phobos was capable of taking an augury.  Proteus have to do and they can't take a terminator squad which sucks (admittedly they can take the triple las option)... I guess you could take a terminator command squad? 

[Lord Commander Eidolon]

Very excited to see some Lunar Wolves cropping up, I think if A) I didn't have way too much to already paint and B) the lack of a transfer sheet I'd have had a crack at a few squads, I could have justified it as an allied contingent to my Emperor's Children,

 

It is staggering how quickly you've built up a sizeable force - I spend way too long on my models, especially because I feel EC needs lots of spurious detailing! I thought doing Death Guard would be easier, but doing dirty marines just means doing clean ones then messing them up, it takes longer than my pristine EC!

 

I like the idea of drop pods as the Luna Wolves spear tip, I've been spending far too much time playing the Legions card game and enjoy the SoH decks!