Sons of Horus - 3000pts Long March

[The Ironic Warrior]

Hello everyone

 

Time to submit a list for comments and feedback, so "Rate my List" and any suggestions you have would be grand. Looking at this as a starting force for getting back into Sons of Horus:

 

RITE OF WAR: The Long March

 

HQ:

• Chaplain (Cataphractii Armour, Power Axe, Combi-Bolter) 120pts
• Master of Signals (Artificer Armour) 105pts
• Mortificator (ArtificerArmour, Refractor Field, 3x Corus Dreads with Plasma Cannon, Chainfist and Extra Armour) 575pts

ELITES:

• Legion Apothecary 55pts

TROOPS:

• Justaerin Terminator Squad (5 man, 3x Chainfists, 2x Lightning Claws, 5x Combi-Meltas) 330pts
• Justaerin Terminator Squad (5 man, 3x Chainfists, 2x Lightning Claws, Dreadclaw) 395pts
• Justaerin Terminator Squad (5 man, 3x Chainfists, 2x Lightning Claws, Dreadclaw) 395pts
• Veteran Tactical Squad (10 man, 10x Combi-Meltas, 2x Power Swords, Artificer Armour/Power Fist for Sergeant, 10x Melta Bombs, Machine Killers) 330pts

FAST ATTACK

• Termite Assault Drill (2x Twin linked Bolters) 80pts

HEAVY SUPPORT

• Deathstorm Drop Pod 115pts

LORD OF WAR

• Horus the Warmaster 500pts

 

 

The combi-melta vets ride in the Termite with the Apothecary and Master of Signals for a turn 1 alpha-strike on a key target, followed by a bombardment from the MoS and then can charge in turn 2 to threaten something else. BS10 during turn 1 effective thanks to Death Dealers and The Long March.

 

Justaerin in Dreadclaws drop turn 1 and flat-out to where they need to be ready to jump out (if they survive) in turn 2 to charge whatever they need to.

 

Horus and the combi-melta Justaerin plus the Chaplain arrive turn 2 to neutralise another key target, and generally be spooky.

 

Deathstorm arrives whenever because needed 3 drop pods for the Justaerin in the Dreadclaws.

 

What do you think, any suggestions/changes/criticism of the list?

 

[The Scorpion]

Your force is nor playing to the strengths of the RoW. It suffers from being too elite in a RoW designed for mass infantry.

 

You have lots of Justaerin, but Cataphractii can hardly benefit from "Crusader" or "Fleet", only "Relentless". However, that bonus won't come into play unless you deepstrike in your own DZ. And beacause most of your force is deepstriking, you're missing out on "The Warmaster's Portion" bonus you get in turn 1. Only the termite vets get to enjoy the Long March to the fullest.

 

By comparaison, "The Black Reaving" allows the Justaerin to deepstrike on their own (no deadclaw tax and units can be 10 strong) and gain "Rage" when charging ennemies already engaged in combat. You don't need to take the chaplain (beacause the Master of Signals becomes compulsory), and instead of the Mortifactor (who cannot deepstrike with the dreads) you can take a Damocles Command Rhino (who can turn 3's into 4's, and 2's into 1's that can be rerolled with "edge of the spear")

 

Your list seems decent, but the Long March is a poor RoW for it.

Edited May 12, 2020 by The Scorpion

[Lautrec the Embraced]

Why is this called The Long March when most of your lazy guys land already in enemy deployment zone? Only the poor Ancients have to walk all the way there. They should rename this RoW as "the Short March"...

 

In all seriousness, it looks awesome. Very hard hitting and mobile. It's got very unique feel to it and really shows what Tip of the Spear looks like.I think you sir are good to go with that list - you might struggle with some things (like flyers or some well protected armoured ceramite vehicle. Did I mention flyers?) but the sheer aggression combined with huge threat level of your units should prevail.

The list is not without flaws - the Short March is not utilized to its best but on the other hand - it doesn't have to be, it doesn't have strict restrictions so any bonus you can get is already a win. But you pay a lot for those 5 man units that can just evaporate under a Blast from Medusa General lack of ranged firepower besides orbitals and plasma cannons also hurts. But it looks very fun, so I do think you should go with it. It's risky but isn't this what Tip of the Spear should be?

 

Very few things I noticed:

 

- I'd give to one combi-melta to Chaplain instead of Terminator. The ballistic skill increase might not be a big deal but you may lose one terminator before you use combi-melta while I assume that Chaplain at this time will still be aluve and kicking. No point in losing that 10 pts for nought.

 

- Even thoug MoS is hardly a fighter, he does have Centurion stats and one more points in WS, A, and I. He should be the one carrying a sword instead of one Veteran. I know, it costs +5 pts but it usually comes with +78% increase in effectiveness on a higher Initiative.

 

- Have you considered mixed loadout on Dreads? You lack anti-marine firepower (meltas and orbital blasts don't count, they are anti everything) so a few plasma blasts are not bad and are fairly cheap but for me they are not too effective.

Edited May 12, 2020 by Lautrec the Embraced

[The Ironic Warrior]

Thanks for the feedback guys, certainly lots to take in so gonna break down the replies to each point best I can!

 

Your force is nor playing to the strengths of the RoW. It suffers from being too elite in a RoW designed for mass infantry.
 
You have lots of Justaerin, but Cataphractii can hardly benefit from "Crusader" or "Fleet", only "Relentless". However, that bonus won't come into play unless you deepstrike in your own DZ. And beacause most of your force is deepstriking, you're missing out on "The Warmaster's Portion" bonus you get in turn 1. Only the termite vets get to enjoy the Long March to the fullest.

 

The list is certainly very elite-focused, but that is the aim of the list, trying to maximise the potential of the elite elements as best as I can. The Cataphractii do not benefit from that as you have pointed out, and the Relentless bonus is nice but not necessary with a very agressive list like this. The veterans being the only ones benefiting is a fair point, I'll get to that in a moment.

 

By comparaison, "The Black Reaving" allows the Justaerin to deepstrike on their own (no deadclaw tax and units can be 10 strong) and gain "Rage" when charging ennemies already engaged in combat. You don't need to take the chaplain (beacause the Master of Signals becomes compulsory), and instead of the Mortifactor (who cannot deepstrike with the dreads) you can take a Damocles Command Rhino (who can turn 3's into 4's, and 2's into 1's that can be rerolled with "edge of the spear")

 

Justaerin deep striking with the Black Reaving is good in theory, but the worries of scatter mishaps are very real, plus this means they will either be T3 charging and risking a dodgy mishap or later charges with a safer bet. A solution might be a nuncio-vox on the veterans, but they'd need to survive long enough to use it. The Mortificator isn't planning on deep striking, he's gonna be outflanking his dreads into position thanks to Horus for some heavy support up-front, but I can see the problem. The risk to the Justaerin out in the open is also a worry, but a big squad of 10 deep striking is definitely durable and terrifying to deal with!
 

Your list seems decent, but the Long March is a poor RoW for it.

 

 

It was originally Black Reaving, but after realising I had to take an extra FA choice to fit the pods I switched to make use of the T1 benefits to the Veterans. Back to the drawing board methinks though...

 

Why is this called The Long March when most of your lazy guys land already in enemy deployment zone? Only the poor Ancients have to walk all the way there. They should rename this RoW as "the Short March"...

 

They took the long march around the edge of the board to get into outflank positions
 

In all seriousness, it looks awesome. Very hard hitting and mobile. It's got very unique feel to it and really shows what Tip of the Spear looks like.I think you sir are good to go with that list - you might struggle with some things (like flyers or some well protected armoured ceramite vehicle. Did I mention flyers?) but the sheer aggression combined with huge threat level of your units should prevail.

 

Thanks! I think given the feedback from Scorpion I may have to rethink it a little bit; got lots of food for thought! Yeah I am debating getting a Xiphon for exactly that task to be honest...

 

The list is not without flaws - the Short March is not utilized to its best but on the other hand - it doesn't have to be, it doesn't have strict restrictions so any bonus you can get is already a win. But you pay a lot for those 5 man units that can just evaporate under a Blast from Medusa General lack of ranged firepower besides orbitals and plasma cannons also hurts. But it looks very fun, so I do think you should go with it. It's risky but isn't this what Tip of the Spear should be?

 

If ever I run The Long March for events I'm gonna name it Short March - totally nicking that idea
 

Very few things I noticed:

- I'd give to one combi-melta to Chaplain instead of Terminator. The ballistic skill increase might not be a big deal but you may lose one terminator before you use combi-melta while I assume that Chaplain at this time will still be aluve and kicking. No point in losing that 10 pts for nought.

 

The BS difference isn't a factor - they're all hitting on 2's thanks to Death Dealers but the re-roll to hit on 6 may make a difference, I'd just have to deal with.......ODD POINTS
 

- Even thoug MoS is hardly a fighter, he does have Centurion stats and one more points in WS, A, and I. He should be the one carrying a sword instead of one Veteran. I know, it costs +5 pts but it usually comes with +78% increase in effectiveness on a higher Initiative.

 

Yeah that's reasonable, I'll throw one on him especially in a "suicide squad" like that...
 

- Have you considered mixed loadout on Dreads? You lack anti-marine firepower (meltas and orbital blasts don't count, they are anti everything) so a few plasma blasts are not bad and are fairly cheap but for me they are not too effective.

 

To be honest, not settled on a loadout for them I'm happy with beyond all the same weapon because I have yet to embrace the glory of remembering they can split fire

Edited May 13, 2020 by The Ironic Warrior

[The Ironic Warrior]

Alright, new list based on the feedback I've gotten so far...

RITE OF WAR: The Black Reaving

HQ:

• Chaplain (Cataphractii Armour, Power Axe, Combi-Bolter) 120pts
• Master of Signals (Artificer Armour, Refractor Field, Power Sword) 130pts

ELITES:

• Legion Apothecary (Artificer Armour) 55pts
• Legion Apothecary (Jump Pack) 60pts

TROOPS:

• Justaerin Terminator Squad (10 man, 5x Chainfists, 5x Power Fists, 10x Combi-Meltas) 600pts
• Assault Squad (20 man, 4x Power Swords, Meltabombs, Artificer Armour/Power Fist for Sergeant) 470pts
• Veteran Tactical Squad (10 man, 8x Combi-Meltas, 2x Meltaguns, 2x Power Swords, Artificer Armour/Power Fist for Sergeant, 10x Melta Bombs, Machine Killers) 340pts

FAST ATTACK

• Termite Assault Drill (2x Twin linked Bolters) 80pts
• Xiphon Interceptor (Ground Tracking Auguries) 215pts

HEAVY SUPPORT

• Leviathan Siege Dreadnought (Dreadnought Drop Pod, Cyclonic Melta Lance, Siege Drill, Phosphex Discharger, Armoured Ceramite)

LORD OF WAR

• Horus the Warmaster 500pts

The Veterans, AA Apothecary and MoS ride in the Termite to inconvenience something scary Turn 1, along with the Leviathan to cause problems in the enemy deployment zone.

Justaerin, Chaplain and Horus arrive T2, no scatter means balls-to-the-wall aggression and pinpoint combi-melta strikes. Tasty.

Assault Marines can either Outflank, or run up the board, or even Deepstrike depending on the mission. Apothecary with Jump Pack for added protection.

Xiphon is there to protect from aerial threats, neutralise pesky armour and satisfy The Black Reaving requirements.

All Hail The Warmaster making Vets and Justaerin troops choices! Thanks again for the cracking feedback so far gents!

Edited May 13, 2020 by The Ironic Warrior