Horus Heresy 2e Review: Solar Auxilia Rapier Battery

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. Who doesn't love the quad launchers!

Background.

This is a portable heavy weapon. The rapiers are essentially and all-terrain rugged weapons mount, and they come with the requisite gunners needed to operate the tech. There's nothing fancy here. These are simply the guns that won't tire and advance and reposition happily. 

Strengths.

There are four weapons to choose between here.

The multi-laser is baseline and adequate at S=6. 

The Gravis heavy bolter battery is sweet at a longer range and heavy 8, albeit at the price of S=5. However, the twin linked should not be overlooked here either.

The laser destroyer is plain bonkers. Its ordnance 2, and will kill stuff. If it hits. 

The quad launcher is great and can be upgraded with incendiary shells, shatter shells, or splinter shells in addition to the frag shells baseline. There's lots of different effects here, but I'm a fan of the splinter shells thanks to their rending. 

Weaknesses.

Not many weaknesses realistically. The BS=4 competes with the best, and of course this can be increased within your tercio. 

Builds.

3 Rapiers with Laser Destroyers (180 points).

The tank destroyers.

3 Rapiers with Quad Launchers, Splinter Shells (195 points).

Upgrade to shatter shells for +30 points.

3 Rapiers with Gravis Heavy Bolters (105 points).

So much firepower here. And the points cost is very reasonable indeed. There's a wealth of firepower coming out of this that is going to land wounds nicely. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Solar Auxilia Tarantula Sentry Battery

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. Criminally under-rated by most - or perhaps very over rated by me. Same thing really. I could almost give them 5 stars. That is, if I ever saw an entire army based on maximum Tarantulas. I'm still waiting. 

Background.

Do you remember the movie "Aliens"? The special edition? They deployed some of these beasts and they stopped so many aliens it was embarrassing. Then they ran out of ammo. And things got more interesting. There's no real difference here except that they don't run out of ammo! 

Strengths.

They are cheap heavy bolt guns, or las cannons, or hyperios missiles. Take your pick. I genuinely love them all. And I'm really not sorry about my love for tarantulas. 

I regard them alongside Vindicators as being the most criminally under-used in 30k by everyone able to take them. 

Critically they have both Fearless, and Firing Protocols in the FAQ - remember these rules! 

Weaknesses.

BS=2 is not great. But this is where your BS+1 gift from other parts of the Tercio come in to play. The fact that you have to target the nearest thing is also a little sad, but they are automated. You just have to get used to positioning them appropriately. But more than this - hear me out - they can actively control lanes on the battlefield. This (as an Alpha Legion player) never gets old for me. They are a denial unit that doesn't really strike that much fear, but what it gives you is board control when you need it. Don't overlook this. I've won games because of tactical positioning of these things. I've forced heavy tanks to take other routes rather than be exposed to las cannons that they don't want to waste fire power on. I've then taken care of those tanks by other means whilst holding where I needed to elsewhere. They're insanely good once you start thinking of them as board denial units, rather than stupid non-moving low-BS lascannons. 

Builds.

5 Tarantulas, Lascannons, Searchlights (205 points).

I know you're going to look at the price tag and think otherwise. But 10 las cannon shots per turn for this amount of points is solid enough to consider. The search lights will help and all you need to do is figure out which "lanes" on the board you want to control with them. Or maybe just put them on top of buildings. They're really good. 

5 Hyperios Tarantulas, Searchlights (130 points).

Insanely cheap. They have heavy 3 each, and skyfire. You control the skies with these. Make no mistake. This is a force to be reckoned with. Expand to 9 Sentry guns if you're playing a larger game and this will be such a serious counter to other armies that you will end up laughing even if you have no friends left.

9 Tarantulas, Searchlights, Augury Scanners (205 points).

Maximum heavy bolter action. This unit really discourages troops in a board controlling way. Each is shooting out 8 shots at S=5 every turn. That makes 72 shots per turn. Simply disgusting. Do you see why I like tarantulas yet? They are really under the radar for almost every player, but could actually be an entire tactic in and of themselves. Please don't overlook tarantulas any longer!

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Solar Auxilia Artillery Command Section

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5/5 stars but rounded down here. Worth taking and reasonable rules for the cost.

Background.

Who are you going to call when you need a firing solution for your big guns? Probably the Artillery command section. Happily, they can also defend should things get a bit ... dicey?

Strengths.

For me, the real benefit of this unit is the option to take a cognis signum. Take it. 

The command vox and the vexilla are probably going to be standard as well.

Everything else is subject to taste. I can see a defensive role for this unit, but really, that +1 BS is going to serve you much better than anything else. 

Weaknesses.

T=3. All the same problems that other mortal units have and some commonalities with the other human troops. 

Builds.

5 Troops, Command Vox, Auxilia Vexilla,Cognis Signum (95 points). 

This is the standard build to my mind. Hide them safely behind some screens and grant +1 BS where it matters. 

10 Troops, Command Vox, Auxilia Vexillia, Cognis Signum, Augury Scanner, Refractor Field, Power Weapon (155 points).

A more expanded unit meant to get stuck into some surprise defensive work. The main surprise is when they survive against infiltrating Astartes.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Solar Auxilia Leman Russ Assault Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
2.5/5 stars. Rounded up but only just. Expensive.

Background.

Slower moving. Heavier weapons. Shorter ranged. Executioners. Incinerators. They mount weapons typically seen in the space marine legions rather than the regular army. 

Strengths.

The demolisher cannon is great. To be honest, so is the plasma cannon and the macro-saker. Can't really go too wrong depending on the battle field role that you have in mind. 

I like the cheap extra Leman Russ tanks that you can add here, and those are worth the cost. 

Weaknesses.

AV=10 to the rear is a significant issue here.

The points cost for the initial tank is also not worth it, so you should make up for this fact through buying MORE tanks. 

Builds.

3 x Leman Russ, Plasma Cannon, auto cannon on hull, dozer blade (585 points).

Same price for different primary weapons here of course. I like the dozer blade due to the shorter range on the weapons and the probably real need to move into position. I can see a case for a front mounted las cannon, perhaps a pintle multi laser, and hunter killer missile. But honestly the points cost doesn't quite justify it against the strike squadron which is where I'd be more tempted to place the missile. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Solar Auxilia Leman Russ Strike Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3.5/5 stars. Rounded up. Beware of the rear armour value, otherwise fantastic. 

Background.

These are the vanquishers, executioners, and exterminators variants of the noble Leman Russ Battle Tanks. Named after the primarch thanks to his fury, I can't help but think there should have been some Angron Tanks somewhere. Or at least Horus Tanks. Or Sanguinius Tanks. Or Ferrus Manus Tanks. Let alone Perturabo Tanks. Seriously people. Does no one like those other primarch? Even charismatic Horus?

Strengths.

The Leman Russ is solid. The price point here is worth it. There are multiple upgrade options. Fundamentally, the "naked" version works, but for no additional points, the quadruple las cannon is excellent. I'd really be tempted by the Vanquisher battle cannon though. Can't beat the co-axial autocannon to my mind. And it is a cheap upgrade. AV=14 on the front is icing on the cake.

Weaknesses.

Beware of your facing and orientation with the Leman Russ. The rear AV=10 is a serious concern that can lead to being very exposed by the more cunning legions and foes. 

Builds.

Leman Russ, Two Turret Mounted Gravis Lasannons, front multi-laser, hunter-killer missile (160 points). 

An excellent laser tank!

Leman Russ, Vanquisher battle cannon and co-axial autocannon, front autocannon (155 points). 

Very little not to like here!

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Solar Auxilia Armoured Command Section

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️
2.5/5 stars. Rounded down. Solid, but not worth the points cost. 

Background.

Tank commanders! They regard themselves as being the creme-de-la-creme, but the regular line troops are not so secretly laughing at them. 

Strengths.

Fundamentally, the Leman Russ tank is a good choice. The battle cannon comes as a fixed standard, but the heavy bolt gun can be upgraded to different things (but honestly, you don't need to do that - even if multi lasers seem tasty - which they are), and you can also get a handy pintle mounted gun if you want one - this is largely personal choice territory. 

The key things that this tank can take that the regular tanks cannot are the flare shield (plausibly a solid option) and the cognis-signum (almost an automatic include depending on your set up for the tercio). 

Weaknesses.

There is no real reason for having a 50 points increase in the Leman Russ price tag for next to nothing. Sure, you get BS=4, but that's about all there is to write home about. BS=4 is not worth 50 points. Not sorry. And you're stuck with the battle cannon. 

Builds.

Command Section, Cognis-Signum (220 points). 

Not worth the points overall in my humble opinion. This is just the build that I would go with - no more, no less - if you wanted to take one. Its a fluffy choice. 

Wargames Gallery: Civil War

No one is certain whose side each other is on any longer. The Alpha Legion fights itself as it is coiled around its inner paradox and wheels within wheels turn before Omegon can issue the order to stay at the Emperor's side. 

Disposition as follows. 

Left: 5 jump pack legion command squad marines and 1 thunder hammer praetor;

Top Right: 4 heavy support armed with missile launchers, with 1 master of signals in the rear;

Lower Right: 2 support squad armed with melta guns;

Centre: 5 regular tactical troops and their sergeant engage a Terminator Praetor. 

Confused? I am. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Divisio Aeronautica Thunderbolt

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3.5/5 stars. Rounded up. A solid flier.

Background.

Designed to fulfill a range of missions, the Thunderbolt is a heavy strike fighter that is able to take on a lot of different and varied opponents. It is rugged and well liked by the men and women of the Solar Auxilia and beyond. 

Strengths.

I like the combination of the 4 autocannons and the 2 lascannons on the front. These can be upgraded with missiles if you feel like it, but even a naked version is great. 

The armour and stat line is solid enough. AV=12 on the front is reasonable without being game breaking, but the movement rate of 22 will get you where you need to be and firing lots of weapons. 

The Divisio Aeronautica Air Superiority special rule is worthy of a distinct mention here. The flier can be put into a special type of reserves and come into play via an advanced reaction which leads to your flier coming in on a board edge and firing. This can be great when executed against an anticipated deep striking enemy (or similar). You just have to make it work for you in the same way that you will need to make those front facing centre line weapons also work for you. 

Weaknesses.

BS=3 is a slight issue here, but you have enough shots on the flier to make it work. 

Builds.

Thunderbolt, Diffraction Grid (150 points). 

Easy on the points value, and good on the battlefield. Take three of them and be happy. Upgrade with missiles to taste - they are a good addition, but you can also live without if short on points. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Divisio Aeronautica Primaris-Lightning

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

2.5/5 stars. Rounded up. Lots of point to make it worth playing, and then its probably too many points.

Background.

A new addition during the Great Crusade. The Primaris Lightning is an attack craft. Hard to produce and tricky to fly, the magi proclaimed that it was due to weak flesh. This, of course, resulted in it not being well used. I fear the rules encourage the same. 

Strengths.

Really fast, with a movement rate of 26! The two centre mounted las cannons are very attractive and this is a flier that you should be able to line up for some shots eventually. 

Weaknesses.

You will honestly want to upgrade to the Ramjet Diffraction Grid. But that adds quite a bit to the points cost.

While we are being honest, you will probably want some of the very tasty missiles on offer here as well. This will also add to the points cost.

Once you see the total points cost, you will be put off. That's the main weakness here. Not that this craft isn't serviceable, but that you're not going to want to fly it. Just like the background fluff. 

Builds.

Primaris-Lightning, Diffraction Grid, Kraken Missiles (215 points). 

Very expensive for an AV=11 front armour flier. Position it well and you could get some good use out of it. The Sun fury missiles are enticing too. But then the price gets too high for both types. Even so. This might be fluffy once in a while and the model does look cool at least. 

Wargames Gallery: Iron Warriors in the Ruinstorm

Lost deep within the Ruinstorm, without backup, without communications, without much hope. The loyalist Iron Warriors tackle the terror of the daemons of the Ruinstorm with grim resolve and duty. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Arvus Transport

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️

1.5/5 stars. I've rounded down, sorry. Unarmed and barely dressed, its a crash waiting to happen.

Background.

This is a shuttle. It is generally used to ferry passengers from ship to ship, or from planet to ship, and back again. It certainly is fluffy and sees plenty of use in the galaxy. I can see why the Auxilia would also use it. Just about. 

Strengths.

It flies? 

It deepstrikes. There, I have a positive. 

Then I'm struggling. 

Weaknesses.

Capacity is limited to 12. For this army that's a real issue.

It is unarmed. This is not unexpected given the civilian and other uses it has. And yes, I will freely admit its fluffy in that regard.

It got out of bed, but forget to change out of pajamas/nightdress. AV=11 at best with 2 hull points means that its going to get shot out of the skies very quickly. Sure, that movement rate of 20 is very nifty, but you're going to have to bring your top game to prevent it being a smoking wreck on the shoreline very quickly. Its taking up a fast attack slot that would be better used for other selections. And the points cost is not quite worth it either. Sorry folks, I can't justify this one much outside of fluffy reasons. Even so, I'd love to see loads of them on the battlefield one day. Anyone able to show me some pics of such an army? Genuinely would love to see it. 

Builds.

Arvus Transport (75 points). 

No options. Just the pajamas/nightdress version. I wish you lots of luck - very genuinely. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Aurox Transport

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3/5 stars. Cheap and cheerful. Won't last long, but might get you where you need to be.

Background.

This is the Solar Auxilia equivalent of the rhino. Mass produced and modular this is an armoured personnel carrier that sees use across the galaxy in all sorts of terrain and conditions. 

Strengths.

The major attraction here is the points cost. It really is genuinely priced nicely and competitively. But for those points, you basically get what you pay for. The movement rate of 15 is nice enough, and the transport capacity of 10 is adequate without being brilliant. 

Weaknesses.

AV=11 at best. AV=10 at the rear. This vehicle will melt fast if it comes under fire. 

The transport capacity is lacking as well. On the bright side, if you disembark all at once in a small blob you still get to fire all the same despite it lacking an assault ramp - which is actually kinda an advantage I'd suggest. 

Builds.

Aurox (30 points). 

Yes, I'm going for the naked version here as my preferred build. Sometimes the search lights will be useful if you have other vehicles that can take advantage. The pintle mounted weapon options are adequate, but you're probably not realistically going to make too much use of them. 

Wargames Gallery: Emperor's Children Betrayed

In the ruins of Isstvan 3, loyalists fight to the last against their erstwhile brothers and cousins.

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Dracosan Armoured Transport

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️

1.5/5 stars. Rounded up. Simply too expensive.

Background.

Used everywhere by the Solar Auxilia, even those in the employ of Rogue Traders. It is an armoured tank that is capable of transporting a full section in to battle where they are needed, and can be upgraded with some serious counter punch where required.

Strengths.

AV=13 on the front is very nice to have, but the ubiquitous AV=11 on the rear remains in place. The real boon here is the capacity of 22. This is simply excellent. Being perfectly honest, this carrying capacity is the primary - and only - reason that you will be tempted to take this transport tank. 

The front mounted gravis las cannon is nice - to be clear. But I'd sooner have the option of removing that to lower the points cost. 

Weaknesses.

Being blunt - the tank is too expensive in the points department. The "naked" version needs to be a lot less. You will probably want the flare shield, and occasionally the dozer blade. The pintle weapons are nice to have as well. Upgrading to the demolisher cannon makes the tank incredibly pricey and reduces its biggest strength - the carrying capacity - by more than half. 

Builds.

Dracosan, Flare Shield (200 points).

Look at the points cost here. It is silly for a transport. Compare and contrast to a rhino! The Solar Auxilia need the equivalent of a rhino that pays a small premium for extra carrying capacity - not this. Take a dozer blade to taste.

Dracosan, Flare Shield, Demolisher Cannon (250 points).

Not really a transport any longer. Its a proper tank that just happens to have (a small) transport capacity. It will be a priority target for your opponent though and unlikely to last too long. 

Horus Heresy 2e Review: Solar Auxilia Rifle Section

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️

2.5/5 stars. Rounded down - but only just. Shoot fast, die quickly. Great for the points value when played well. But very squishy. You will need a lot of maximum sized units for this choice!

Background.

These are the mainstay troops of the Solar Auxilia. They are recruited from all over the Imperium of Mankind and are armed with some of the (surprisingly) best weapons that the Auxilia has to offer. 

Strengths.

The rifle is the star of the show here. At 30inch range, the volley shot clocks in at heavy 2, strength 3. And at 18inch range, one shot at strength of 6. Both these modes are great. Combine this with the close orders and you have an excellent basis for a unit that moves tactically and shoots rather nicely. Keep things at that 30inch range and you have a great chance with this unit.

Weaknesses.

Did I say excellent basis for a unit? Yes. But they're only human. Their leadership is weak. Their toughness is 3. They have to pack closely together and will therefore die in droves to pie plates and template weapons. Don't even think about close combat. Just take lots of rifles - that is the only way you're going to do well.

Builds.

20 Rifles, Vox interlock, Auxilia Vexilla (120 points).

This is the only viable build realistically. Forget close combat upgrades for the sergeant. Take the Augury scanner to taste (you should have that elsewhere though to be candid). You're done. Keep firing at 30inch range and avoid anything getting close. And pie plates. Avoid pie plates for the love of the Emperor. 

Last of the Old Slann - on eBay

I think I've located the last of my Old Slann in my bits box and collection. Since I've hardly used them in literally decades, they've gone on to eBay for auction. Each a collectors item in their own right, I'm bundling them up for a single sale. Plenty of rares from the 1980s here (at the risk of showing my age). Hopefully they can find a new home!