Horus Heresy Review: Mortus Poisoner Squad

Background.
Within the Death Guard, the Mortus Poisoners were a cadre belonging to the Destroyer companies. Their point of differentiation from their brothers was to carry more, and more toxic chemicals on to the battlefield than even the Death Guard would usually prefer. Accordingly, to be assigned to the Poisoners was something of a condemnation and a sentence passed for disobedience, censure or similar. The members were inevitably sentenced to a slow demise thanks to their munitions.

Strengths. 

The access to the flamers with the chemical components is the real attractive feature here. Indeed, multiple hits from either flamers or heavy flamers will spell the death of many units pitched against them. Add in some Phosphex bombs, and this squad is going to be rather deadly in combination with other parts of the Death Guard army. The counter attack rule is just the icing on the cake really. 

Weaknesses.

These marines are still marines. Worse, without upgrades, they are regular bolt gun wielding marines in hardened armour and a rad grenade. Sure, they will still cause carnage, but they just beg to be upgraded further. And this is what is totally recommended here. 

Builds. 

5 Poisoners, 5 flamers with chem munitions. (125 points).  

Something of a distraction squad, but also very effective mobile infantry and an effective entry level squad. Purchase a rhino and go hunting for opponents within cover. 

5 Poisoners, 4 Flamers and 1 Heavy Flamer with chem munitions, Master with power scythe and 1 Phosphex bomb (170 points).

Building on the squad above, this squad adds in a heavy flamer and extra capability from the Master to increase its deadliness value. Very good hunting material here. Take melta bombs to taste, although they are not cost effective here arguably.

10 Poisoners, 4 Flamers and 2 Heavy Flamers with chem munitions, Master with power scythe, artificer armour, and 2 Phosphex bombs (300 points).

A squad for a larger army overall. Take a rhino or other insertion method and get to work. You should probably consider melta bombs here to add to the fun. 

15 Poisoners, 3 Heavy Flamers and 12 Flamers with chem munitions, Master with power scythe, artificers armour, and 3 Phosphex bombs (420 points).

Find a way to insert (read: deep strike) and sit on an objective. Shoot at anything that comes to close, or be a distraction Carnifex to taste. Very good value melta bombs if desired. Might want to cut back on the flamers to exchange them for some bolt guns instead if you need to have a bit more range whilst objective camping?

Back to Bases: Be'Lakor

As bases go, Be'Lakor takes some beating. This then, is the start of one of my projects for the next few weeks and probably months. 

Of course, I have the old miniature of Be'Lakor still in my collection. He is now heavily converted with some pincer arms to give off a bit more of a Slaaneshi vibe. I have regularly used him over many years in a variety of daemon and chaos space marine armies in a variety of guises. Not only as himself, but also as a daemon prince, a generic greater daemon, and more recently as a 30k daemon. 

The new miniature - and it is not so miniature - is nothing short of a beauty. It is not without good reason that it was identified as one of the miniatures of the year when it was released. It is also one that I have wanted to have in my collection since I saw it, but only really had the opportunity when I nicely asked Santa if he would deliver it. I think I must have been a good boy after all. 

With the base now assembled, I'm looking forward to getting the rest of this legend assembled. More later on this project!

Retrospective and the Year Ahead

The past year was not a good one for the Hobby for me personally. The reasons for this range from months of home schooling through to contracting the virus myself. With time being short, it was also hardly one for playing any games.

I have a number of miniature projects on the boil at the moment though. These include but are not limited to Corax painting, The Changeling, and Be'Lakor. My shattered legions forces are almost completed as well and ready for a battle or two. 

In the coming year, Games Workshop has already teased a number of previews. I'm excited for the coming Avatar of Khaine, along with other Eldar releases. Looks like Dark Eldar Wytches as well, and a Wardog. I'm tempted to say Tyranid Gargoyles too, but maybe a Lictor. Perhaps, just perhaps, Maugan Ra as well? 

The continued drip feed of rules for Horus Heresy is still nice to have and I will be reviewing them as and when they come along. Posts might be intermittent still due to the pandemic and real life taking priority. Thanks for the understanding :)