Following the Fall of Cadia, Minka Lesk is back to defend the Imperium… but no longer on Cadia. She’s now on Malouri, fighting Traitors on an island fortress.
From the book:
Cadia, ten thousand years a stalwart bastion against Chaos, is broken. Its collapse at the hands of Abaddon and the Thirteenth Black Crusade has fractured the Imperium of Man, and in its wake spreads the seeds of heresy, lies, and insurrection. It falls to Cadia’s survivors to fight on, bloodied but unyielding, in the name of the Emperor.
On the world of Malouri, traitorous forces have retreated to the impregnable island fortress of Crannog Mons. After years of stalemate warfare, the task of breaking the siege is given to Minka Lesk and the Cadian 101st, who find themselves fighting a meat-grinder mission that threatens to devour them. In the midst of slaughter, sacrifice, and brutal attrition, a question must be answered: what does it mean to be Cadian in a galaxy without Cadia?
Minka Lesk’s Cadian’s are tasked with taking the island fortress of Crannog Mons (in traditional Warhammer 40k style, via the land). But she’s also dealing with others regiments in the Astra Militaruim. After a behind the lines altercation, Minka finds herself left behind with her squad when the supporting regiment retreats early… And she finds out that friendly fire ain’t friendly!
Hill brings us the third in his Minka Lesk series, and she is now fighting off-world after the Fall of Cadia. By book 3 we already know the character, which allows for more story telling and less background. And the new planet allows Hill to put Minka Lesk into a situation where she can have rivals within the Imperium,. as well as her more traditional enemies – the traitors.
In many ways this brings it closer to a Sharpe novel, and without the need to tell of a key event in Warhammer 40k lore, the author is able to add peril, and add their own colour to the story.
Verdict
Astra Militarum novels are some of the best Warhammer 40k from the Black Library… That’s probably why there are so many of them (Gaunt, Minka, Caiphas) . In a world of the warp, demons, and long dead dynasties, the humble human still has to survive – and these stories are great to bring you into the world of Warhammer 40k.
This is their strength – but sometimes a weakness as well. Throughout this book I was left feeling why they were attacking the fortress from the ground, and not air or space. Or even just Exterminatus. And it was difficult to get over that.
The story is fun, the characters are well written and the story flows… but I just struggled with the basic premise. It’s still a fun read, but definitely wouldn’t be on my must read list for Warhammer 40k novels.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
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This is the top three 40k lists for the Warhammer Fest that took place in England on the 29th and 30th of April. It involved 359 players vying to be crowned champion in a 9 game tournament.
As we head into 10th edition and beyond we wanted to start providing a source for lists that are being used successfully in tournaments around the world. The size of the 40k community and the sheer number of events means we won’t be commenting.
Before I jump into the Top Three Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.
If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?
Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.
The Top Three 40k Lists
Pre-Game Stratagems: March of the Ancients, Hero of the Chapter x2, Warlord Trait, Scion of the Forge Starting Command Points: 0
Rogal Dorn Battle Tank [15 PL, 320pts]: Armoured Tracks, Castigator Gatling Cannon, Heavy stubber, Knight of Piety, Stat Damage (Rogal Dorn) 2 Meltaguns: 2x Meltagun 2 Multi-meltas: 2x Multi-melta Oppressor Cannon and Co-axial Autocannon: Co-axial Autocannon, Oppressor Cannon
Dedicated Transport
Chimera [5 PL, 85pts]: Chimera Heavy Flamer, Lasgun Arrays, Stat Damage (Chimera) Heavy Flamer: Heavy flamer Chimera [5 PL, 85pts]: Chimera Heavy Flamer, Lasgun Arrays, Stat Damage (Chimera) Heavy Flamer: Heavy flamer
Total: [120 PL, 8CP, 2,000pts]
Arks of Omen Detachment (Aeldari – Craftworlds) [63 PL, 1,248pts, 4CP]
Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Fast Attack
Craftworld Selection *Far-Flung Craftworld*: Masterful Shots, Swift Strikes
Librarian [6 PL, 105pts]: 1) Mind Worm, 3) Righteous Repugnance, Boltgun, Force sword, Jump Pack Primaris Chaplain on Bike [8 PL, 135pts, -2CP]: 1. Litany of Faith (Aura), 6. Canticle of Hate (Aura), Chapter Command: Master of Sanctity, Litany of Hate (Aura), Stratagem: Relic, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, The Vox Espiritum, Warlord, Wise Orator
This is the top three 40k lists for the Grand Clash 2023 event that took place in the Canada on the 22nd and 23rd of April. It involved 47 players vying to be crowned champion in a 6-game tournament.
As we head into 10th edition and beyond we wanted to start providing a source for lists that are being used successfully in tournaments around the world. The size of the 40k community and the sheer number of events means we won’t be commenting.
Before I jump into the Top Three Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.
If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?
Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.
The Top Three 40k Lists
Iron Hands Successor (Custom Chapter, Master Artisans, Whirlwind of Rage) Unbound Army (Faction) 0 CP, 1997 pts, 130 PL
HQ
Primaris Lieutenant [65 pts, 5 PL, -1 CP] – Neo-volkite pistol – Master-crafted power sword and Storm Shield – Rites of War, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord Primaris Techmarine [70 pts, 4 PL, -1 CP] – Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter – Target Protocols
This is the top three 40k lists for the London Open that took place in the UK on the 14th and 15th of April. It involved 143 players vying to be crowned champion in a 5-game tournament.
As we head into 10th edition and beyond we wanted to start providing a source for lists that are being used successfully in tournaments around the world. The size of the 40k community and the sheer number of events means we won’t be commenting, at least for now, but simply providing a resource of formatted lists you can search.
Before I jump into the Top Three Lists, I wanted to remind everyone of our friendly Discord server where you can join in the conversation with the Woehammer crew and suggest articles or series for the website.
If you like what we’re doing, why not join our Patreon and help keep it going?
Also if there’s a one day or two day tournament you’d like us to cover drop us a comment on this post and we’ll have a look at it for you.
The Top Three 40k Lists
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Imperium – Adeptus Astartes – Dark Angels) [129 PL, 2,000pts, 1CP] ++
Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Elites
+ Agents of the Imperium +
Acolytes [1 PL, 10pts]: Ordo Malleus . Acolyte: Chainsword, Laspistol
+ HQ +
Primaris Captain [5 PL, 80pts, -1CP]: 5. Decisive Tactician (Aura), Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter . Heavy bolt pistol, Master-crafted power sword and Relic shield
Ravenwing Talonmaster [9 PL, 160pts, -1CP]: Rites of War, Stratagem: Warlord Trait, Warlord
Bladeguard Ancient [6 PL, 90pts, -2CP]: Chapter Command: Chapter Ancient, Pennant of Remembrance, Steadfast Example, Stratagem: Hero of the Chapter, Stratagem: Relic of the Chapter
War Dog Executioner Squadron [16 PL, 310pts]: House Korvax . War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber . War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber
++ Total: [105 PL, 2,000pts, 3CP] ++
++ Arks of Omen Detachment (Chaos – Chaos Knights) [99 PL, 2CP, 1,860pts] ++
Arks of Omen Compulsory Type: Lord of War
+ Lord of War +
War Dog Brigand Squadron [9 PL, 170pts]: Bound Vassals (Vextrix), Infernal Household . War Dog Brigand: Diabolus heavy stubber, Tzeentch – Cursed Rune of Fate
War Dog Brigand Squadron [16 PL, 310pts]: Bound Vassals (Vextrix), Infernal Household . War Dog Brigand: Diabolus heavy stubber . War Dog Brigand: Diabolus heavy stubber
War Dog Brigand Squadron [8 PL, 155pts]: Bound Vassals (Vextrix), Infernal Household . War Dog Brigand: Diabolus heavy stubber
War Dog Executioner Squadron [25 PL, -1CP, 480pts]: Bound Vassals (Vextrix), Infernal Household . War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber, Helm of Warpsight, Stratagem: Corrupted Heirlooms . War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber, Tzeentch – Mirror of Fates . War Dog Executioner: Diabolus heavy stubber
War Dog Stalker Squadron [16 PL, -2CP, 290pts]: Bound Vassals (Vextrix), Infernal Household . War Dog Stalker: Character (Traitoris Lance), Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Helm of Dogs, Reaper chaintalon, Stratagem: Relic, Warlord . War Dog Stalker: 3. Warp-haunted Hull, Character (Tyrannical Court), Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Reaper chaintalon
War Dog Stalker Squadron [25 PL, -1CP, 455pts]: Bound Vassals (Vextrix), Infernal Household . War Dog Stalker: Character (Tyrannical Court), Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Favour of the Dark Mechanicum (Vextrix), Reaper chaintalon, Undivided – Blessing of the Dark Master . War Dog Stalker: Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Slaughterclaw . War Dog Stalker: Daemonbreath spear, Diabolus heavy stubber, Reaper chaintalon
War Dog Karnivore Squadron [8 PL, -1CP, 140pts]: Frenzied Invaders, Iconoclast Dreadblade . War Dog Karnivore: Diabolus heavy stubber, Stratagem: Corrupted Heirlooms, Veil of Medrengard
In my summary post of 2021 I promised that we would be posting more tactica and army lists in the coming year. What better way to start that than with a kit I received for Christmas?
So the first question is what should you build? As with all tank kits I personally feel they’re way to expensive to build as a single kit with set loadout so like with all my other kits I will be magnetising the kit to make both the Manticore and the Deathstrike – I’ll post a how to once I’ve figured it out myself! 🙂
Manticore
Courtesy of the GW 40k app and Warhammer+
The Manticore is almost a standard go to unit for competition Militarum lists, with board wide range not needing line of sight and 2D6 shots hitting at S10. You only have four rockets per game, but on average a single rocket can deliver 3 hits and will wound T5 targets on 2+. But you’re probably not going to want to expend your ammo on troops, but the enemies much loved tanks however are a different kettle of fish. This will wound most tanks on 3+ meaning out of your seven shots, two to three will wound on average, with one or two of those likely to get through the targets armour after the -2 AP. With D3 damage per hit which can be improved to a flat 3 damage if you give Tank Aces: Full Payload, this will mean you’re taking on average between two to three wounds off your target in the turn (or 6 with Full Payload).
Target Toughness/Save
Av Shots
Hits
Wounds
Unsaved
T6+ with 3+ Save
7
3.5
2.3
1.5
Up to T5 with 3+ Save
7
3.5
2.9
1.9
Now that doesn’t sound ground-breaking, but remember that’s average, if you’re rolling well and you have Full Payload equipped the tank will do a further three wounds for each unsaved hit, that’s some serious punch.
The drawback is the Militarum ballistic skill, with 4+ only half your shots may hit your targets. You can improve this, firstly with an additional five points you can purchase an Augur array which will allow you to re-roll a single failed hit roll per battle for that Manticore, well worth the points if successful.
For one CP you can also use the Direct Onslaught stratagem from Psychic Awakening: The Greater Good. This allows the Manticore to add 1 to its hit roll if it can see it’s target.
I would take two Manticores in any list where I’m looking to include them. Keep them out of sight and just use them to bombard enemy high toughness targets. You’re taking two for redundancy options as your opponent will soon destroy them once he realises what they can do.
Make sure you include the 5pt Hunter-Killer missile for the single S10 shot that’s AP-2 and can do D6 damage (or flat 6 if you have Full Payload equipped). Worth the points! I then choose the Heavy Flamer and Stubber for defensive purposes in case anyone decides to charge it.
Manticore (160 points) – Augur array – Heavy Flamer – Heavy Stubber – Hunter-Killer missile
