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.
We always encourage people to shop at local bricks and mortar stores, but if your friendly local book store doesn’t have this available, we have a UK Amazon affiliate link & aUSA Amazon affiliate link for which Woehammer receives a small commission.
Dan Abnett brings the Horus Heresy story to a close in the final (not really) book of the series.
The End of an Era is finally here. The Emperor and Horus are about to clash and find out who wins, who dies, and who gets to sit on a seat of power for over 10,000 years.. oh the suspense!
But it’s not the end of the journey that matters – what started out 20 years ago has spawned a lot of books, and a lot of stories and for that I am certainly grateful… even if Sanguinius’ Death is still raw after so long.
From the Book
The Great Angel, Sanguinius, lies slain at his brother’s hand. Terra burns as reality itself unravels, and the greatest bastion of civilisation teeters on the brink of annihilation.
Desperate defenders gather, banding against the rabid traitor hordes. The Hollow Mountain, host to the pilgrims of Euphrati Keeler, is one of the last redoubts held by the Dark Angels while the unclean host of Typhus lays siege. Malcador the Sigillite sits ablaze on the Golden Throne, trying to buy his master more time. But time is running out…
Guilliman races across the stars to reinforce the Throneworld. Will he return to ashes, where a Warmaster of Chaos has ascended to godhood, or will the Emperor have triumphed? And at what cost?
Review
How do you tell the end of a story that has been told and hinted at through decades of Games Workshop output? Where the picture of Horus and the Emperor is iconic, and where everyone has an opinion on what happened? If you’re Dan Abnett and the Horus Heresy / Siege of Terra team you spread it out… over 3 books!!
But that is now truly at an end and we can settle down and read the story of the final climatic conflict.
Although, I listed to it on audio book… and I’m glad I did. This is long… long! And the fight between the two great protagonists feels even longer as they fade in and out of realities. Fight with gun, sword, and psyhcic powers. And generally tear each other apart. All whilst Gulliaman approaches Terra. The defenders go on the attack (helped by the Blood Angels being ‘slightly’ upset at the death of Sanguinius. And Oll & John Grammaticus set up the strings of fate, so that they can be / were there at the end. All whilst Malcador dies on the Golden Throne.
There’s a lot! And if anyone can make a fight last a while it’s Dan Abnett… but perhaps there was a point here that an editor should have stepped in and said ‘no’.
Verdict
End End rarely justifies the means, and after so many years Dan Abnett was never going to be able to close out a story which was so old, and so drenched in fable and myth… But… he just took long to do it. The fight sequence between the Emperor and Horus Lupercal is – of course – epic. But it is also too long, involving too many changes of scene and style.
There is not enough about the remaining defenders, but a lot about Oll & John – who are after all ‘Abnett’s characters’… But what about the others?
Guilliman is mentioned at the beginning (perhaps the beginning of the end)… but never again as the fleets clash.
I am left with the feeling that this end isn’t an end… that there is more – and too many open threads. And I’m not alone because after the End and the Death… there is another book – ! Era of Ruin which will tell us yet more. So the End, isn’t even the end.
It’s not a bad book by any means, and I don’t know how to finish a series of such depth but this just took too long. Three novels, could easily have been two and Abnett could have included more from the other characters we have followed throughout the Heresy and less on the fight. But… it’s still a bestseller. And it is an essential addition if you want to finish the story. Let’s face it – if you’ve got this far, you will want to finish.
We always encourage people to shop at local bricks and mortar stores, but if your friendly local book store doesn’t have this available, we have a UK Amazon affiliate link & a USA Amazon affiliate link for which Woehammer receives a small commission.
Necromunda is back on my reading desk, and this time it’s Denny Flowers from the 2nd Novella Series. With our ‘hero’ Caleb Cursebound.
From the Book
Caleb Cursebound, the Underhive’s ninth-most-dangerous man, and his ratskin partner Iktomi are in hiding, having deposed the tyrannical lord of a Necromundan noble house. Pursued by relentless bounty hunters, the pair descend to the remote mining settlement of Hope’s End, the last place anyone would think to look. They soon learn, however, that all is not well in Hope’s End; the people are being terrorised by a powerful Orlock gang, and in desperate need of a hero. Caleb cannot resist the opportunity to prove himself, but there are those who would see his reputation forever tarnished…
Review
Caleb Cursebound is a rogue extraordinaire. But, he has a problem. He is on the run, and he likes to play as a Hero. Not the best combination in the dark of the Underhive of Necromunda.
After a drink or two (or three) in the tavern of his new hiding place – Hope’s End – he promises to remove a powerful gang of Orlocks from a nearby mine… and when he wakes up the locals remember his promise.
All the while his pursuers – bounty hunters – are getting closer… although also mysteriously ending up dead. Does Caleb have a guardian angel… or something much scarier stalking him and his Ratskin partner – Iktomi.
With the great ‘Wanted: Dead’ in the first Novella series I was looking forward to this one as well. And Danny Flowers did not disappoint. Caleb does have some competencies but also has a lot in common with Caiphas Cain of Warhammer 40k. He is another epitome of the acccidental Hero.
It all unravels quickly and Caleb learns that you can’t please everyone in the Hive all the time (or even some of the time). And often blood (or House loyalties) run deeper than water… although sometime not.
Warhammer 40k is at it’s best when writing about human characters with human flaws. And Caleb certainly joined those ranks… even if he is only still there because of Iktomi.
Verdict
As a writer you can’t waste time in a Novella and every scene and chapter has to have a place. That makes them great fun to read and I often finish a novella wanting ‘more’. Either more of the character, more of the setting, or more of the adversary!
This definitely hits that spot, and is a fun addition to the Necromunda fiction produced by Black Library.
We always encourage people to shop at local bricks and mortar stores, but if your friendly local book store doesn’t have this available, we have a UK Amazon affiliate link & a USA Amazon affiliate link for which Woehammer receives a small commission.
Necromunda is a classic gaming system and – despite some changes between editions – remains mostly with its roots in old editions of Warhammer 40k. The support from the Specialist Games Studio is also superb with new gangs and models released regularly.
And the stories are great fund also – including this older gem by Mike Brooks from the Novella Series that Black Library produced some years ago.nto a Book Review A Line in the Sand by James Barr.
From the Book
In the teeming hives of Necromunda, from the highest peaks to the lowest depths, life is a constant fight for survival. When an ambush in the Underhive goes wrong, and a Guilder gets killed, an Escher gang suddenly find themselves outlawed. Now the hunters have become the hunted, and everyone is after their blood – enforcers, bounty hunters, even other gangs. With their leader dead, Jarene has to take control and save the lives of herself and her sisters in arms, as well as restoring the honour of their gang. For the fateful ambush was no accident, and the true culprits need to face justice.
Review
Jarene’s gang is (mostly) entirely dead. Caught in an ambush by Goliaths after the death of a Guilder. She has two choices, hide forever or avenge them.
But Necromunda isn’t a Hive that allows people to disappear if the Guilders are after them and so despite her best efforts she is forced to prevent the danger… but who can she trust?
When writing Warhammer 40k novels, I always enjoy reading about things that aren’t from the tabletop. (Or at least not common on the table top). Mike Brooks does a great job here of describing the Underhive, the tunnels, passages and creatures that reside. And the peril of just existing.
The ambush and destruction of the Escher gang is a great start as this would often be the end of a story in Necromunda the game. But here it is a starting point. He captures the rivalry between the Houses of the Hive, but also the competitions with the Houses themselves. So Jarene is left with the fundamental question – who can she trust.
Verdict
As a Novella it is short, but that results in Mike Brooks ensuring the pace is kept high – and there are no spare chapters in here. It is a great story, that brings Jarene’s struggle to the reader in quick, sharp vignettes. As she lurches from one crises to another, as there is no respite in the Hive.
My only critiscm is of Black Library – when these were first relesed the series was great value, with 10 books costing £30, but they are now only available electronically at £5 which seems high. Equally it is a shame they changed the format from paperback to hardback for Novella Series 3 later – but that is a different gripe.
If you are looking for a fun Necromunda story or just love Escher gangers then this is a great story – and a must for the collection.
We always encourage people to shop at local bricks and mortar stores, but if your friendly local book store doesn’t have this available, we have a UK Amazon affiliate link & a USA Amazon affiliate link for which Woehammer receives a small commission.
Following a successful painting year last year where I completed a Horus Heresy force (Blood Angels) and a Legions Imperialis horde (Solar Auxilia) this year I have challenged myself to get a 2,000 point army of Blood Angels for Warhammer 40k.
Blood Angels
I have always collected Blood Angels. However as I don’t play 40k very often I only had one completed army… And it is all firstborn. So 2026 is the year I finish a more up-to-date Blood Angel Army.
This also forms part of the Woehammer Slow Grow challenge and the Woepoints challenge which is great for keeping me motivated.
So, in January I have finished… 2 Brutalis Dreadnoughts
Pictures
How do they play?
Blood Angels are traditionally a ‘ABC’ (Always Be Charging) Legion. But in 10th Edition they can struggling to destroy vehicles in close assault. And so the Brutalis is a great addition to the legion to fill this gap.
Two of them may be a little excessive for a small force and I would intend to use 1 at 1,000 points and only add the second later to keep the balance of assault versus shooting right in a Blood Angel army.
However, I haven’t played Blood Angels for so long that this is all theory hammer and the wise words of ‘BA Commander’ who knows a lot more than me on the subject.
Paints Used
Blood Angels are red! And so I picked up lots of Colour Forge Sanguine Red for the undercoating and gave both models an even undercoat (on top of Black). I then kept the rest of the model simple with Black Weapons, some gold items picked out and of course transfers… lots of transfers.
I use the Micro Sol & Micro Set for mine and it makes it so much easier.
However, I have been unable to give the models a full Matt Varnish coat due to the cold English weather so there are still a few streaks of varnish showing around the transfers. These will disappear with a coat of varnish in good weather… so roll on July!
The basisng is something I’ve been torn on for a while. Ideally I wanted a Baal red desert base but… it just doesn’t work well on the tabletop for red models. So I’ve stolen borrowed an idea from YouTube!
This takes some more time than I would usually spend on bases, but the contrast to the red is very nice. So that’s Vallejo Rough White Pumice, Zandri Dust, Ushabti Bone, Seraphim Sepia and a Screaming Skull very light highlight. Check out the video for a great explanation of the process.
So that’s How to Paint Blood Angels Brutalis Dreadnoughts — graphic below.
Buying a Box?
These were in the Leviathan box (which is why I have 2), so you may find them cheaper second hand or on Ebay. However the kit is also a permanent fixture in the Games Workshop catalogue. That all means – ask at your local FLGS or use our affiliate link with Element Games. They are £52.00 RRP.
Battleforce boxes are back after their successes since 2020. These are a fantastic way to get into a new army or even add to an existing one, but what’s inside them and what is the saving?
Prices in 2024 were around £150 each so with the October price rise, I expect these to be £160 each (Updare, they are £155 each). In the meantime I thought our readers would like to know the value of the toys… so see below against each box:
Battleforce Boxset
Cost
RRP
Emperor’s Children – Blissbound Warband
£224.00
£160.00 (Est)
Voltann – Cthonian Prospect
£227.50
£160.00 (Est)
Tyranids – Crusher Stampede
£219.00
£160.00 (Est)
T’au – Farsight Cadre
£211.00
£160.00 (Est)
Space Marines – Iron Halo Strike Force
£223.50
£160.00 (Est)
Chaos Space Marines Hellforged Warband
£217.50
£160.00 (Est)
Astra Militarum – Krieg Siege Platoon
£204.00
£160.00 (Est)
There’s a range of value in each box with Krieg having the lowest value; which considering the Space Marines includes a half-set in theirs is a little disappointing.
Meanwhile the latest Daemon Primarch gets to bring along some of his mates, and the Tyranids leave all their little guys behind.
I may pick up the Astra Militarum, but it will definitely hurt my Woepoints pledge, and a lot depends on that final RRP which we will update when we know.
These are best ordered from your FLGS especially if they can get them in, and make a few pounds, dollars, euros from them in the expensive Christmas period.
Alternatively, if you regularly use Element Games, you can pick them up there… using our affiliate link (for which we receive a small contribution to the site)
So what do you get inside and how much would it cost you normally?
Emperor’s Children – Blissbound Warband
Warhammer Community / Games Workshop
Unit
Cost
Fulgrim, Deamon Primarch
£105.50
6 Flawless Blades
£76.00
6 Noise Marines
£42.50
Total
£224.00
RRP
£160.00(Est)
Saving
£64.00(Est)
Votann – Cthonian Prospect
Warhammer Community / Games Workshop
Unit
Cost
Brokhyr Iron-master
£35.50
Ironkin Assistant & 3 E-COGs
inc above
3 Brokhyr Thunderkin
£38.00
2 Cthonian Earthshakers
£35.50
10 Cthonian Berserks
£80.00
Kapricus Defender
£38.50
Total
£227.50
RRP
£160.00(Est)
Saving
£67.50(Est)
Tyranids – Crusher Stampede
Warhammer Community / Games Workshop
Unit
Cost
Neurotyrant & 2 Neuroloids
£69.50
Screamer-Killer
inc above
Tyrannofex
£42.50
Haruspex
£54.50
Maleceptor
£52.50
Total
£219.00
RRP
£160.00(Est)
Saving
£59.00(Est)
T’au Empire – Farsight Cadre
Warhammer Community / Games Workshop
Unit
Cost
Commander Farsight
£42.50
Riptide Battlesuit
£74.00
Broadside Battlesuit
£40.00
3 Crisis Battlesuits
£54.50
8 Drones
inc above
Total
£211.00
RRP
£160.00(Est)
Saving
£51.00(Est)
Space Marines – Iron Halo Strike Force
Warhammer Community / Games Workshop
Unit
Cost
Space Marine Captain
£27.00
Company Heroes
£42.50
5 Sternguard Veterans
£40.00
5 Hellblasters
£20.00
Ballistus Dreadnought
£44.50
Redemptor Dreadnought
£49.50
Total
£223.50
RRP
£160.00(Est)
Saving
£63.50(Est)
Chaos Space Marines – Hellforged Warband
Unit
Cost
Lord Discordant on Hellstalker
£49.50
Venomcrawler
£49.50
2 Obliterators
inc above
5 Havocs
£40.00
10 Legionaries
£42.50
Chaos Rhino
£36.00
Total
£217.50
RRP
£160.00(Est)
Saving
£57.50(Est)
Astra Militarum – Krieg Siege Platoon
Unit
Cost
Lord Commissar
£29.50
Krieg Command Squad
inc above
20 Death Korps of Krieg
£65.00
Combat Engineers (Team)
£29.50
2 Artillery Teams
£80.00
Total
£204.00
RRP
£160.00(Est)
Saving
£44.00(Est)
So what do you think good value or not? Will you be picking up a set?
When 10th edition Warhammer 40k was released, Peter told us what he would do with Orks in the new edition. Despite being a primarily Age of Sigmar site, this has proven to be a popular article and so (eventually) I am expanding the series.
As with all these articles, there are some affiliate links for Element Games (UK) and Amazon (US) if you want to buy them. But Bricks and Mortar first! You’ll miss your FLGS if it shuts down.
Combat Patrol Blood Angels
Like the other boxes the Combat Patrolbox is filled with goodies and makes for fantastic savings when you’re starting out in collecting an army for 40k. They are RRP of £100 (US/UK), but most FLGSs provide a discount on this.
Inside the box you get:
Blood Angel Captain (£26) 10 x Assault Intercessors (£40) 6 x Sanguinary Guard (£74) Blood Angel Upgrade Sprue
That’s a total of £140 if you were buying these kits separately, meaning you get a saving of £40.00. Plus the upgrade sprue.
Total So Far
This is 490 points towards our target of 1,000 points.
Getting to 1,000 points
To get the Blood Angels Starter Army to 1,000 points we’re going to add a few extra units that’ll give you something different to paint and increase your speed towards the enemy.
This gets us to 975 points, and if you are worried about Tactical Squads disappearing in a future edition just swap them out for an Intercessor Squad.
Codex Costs
As everyone who buys from Games Workshop knows, once you’ve got the models you’ll need the Codex. For Space Marines that normally means two are required. And Blood Angels are no exception, so you’ll need Codex: Space Marines (UK/US), and Codex Supplement: Blood Angels (UK/US). Total £57.50 (Ouch!)
Total so far at RRP: £318.50 (not cheap, but remember this is Space Marines, and the second-hand market is worth looking at either locally or on Ebay)
An HQ choice is mandatory, included in the Combat Patrol, and gives you a nice model to lavish your new painting scheme on. Paint the Tactical Squad or Intercessors first to get a scheme you like though. Don’t expect miracles from him, but he’ll be able to attack smaller units and hold up larger ones.
Tactical Squad
Tactical squads are great for holding objectives, and their bolters can kill many opponents with low or limited saves. If you are concerned about the old armour disappearing in the near future, you can use Intercessor Squads for these instead.
Assault Intercessor Squad
Iconic Blood Angels (and included in the Combat Patrol box) these guys are great at assaulting the enemy and throwing out a volume of attacks. They can force the enemy to react by getting near them, but they are slow… so…
Rhino
The Intercessors get a Dedicated transport to get them to the enemy quicker, and get killing sooner. Don’t expect it to survive a direct hit from Lascannons, but the speed here is essential to get the most out of the Intercessors.
Baal Predator
Iconic! A close assault predator which will rip through enemy troops. Don’t expect it to hurt other tanks though so you need to be a little careful with deployment and moving. Keep it near the Rhino and you’ll be able to break through a lot of what will stand against you at 1,000 points.
Dreadnought
Whilst I have chosen the ranged Dreadnought here to provide some anti-tank firepower, any Dreadnought can be used in this force. Ebay (UK/US) is a great place to pick up Dreadnoughts as they are often in starter sets. This is also a way to save some money.
Sanguinary Guard
6 Sanguinary Guard form your hammer. With their Jump Packs they will get to the enemy quickly alongside your Rhino and Baal Predator and their or spears can rip into the enemy on the charge.
Another iconic unit and another painting scheme to learn as well.
WHAT NEXT?
If expanding the Blood Angels Starter Army to 2,000 points I would definitely pick up another Combat Patrol box set, and augment the Sanguinary Guard with Jump Pack Assault Intercessors.
Another Iconic unit is the Death Company, and they are great if you want to try painting and highlighting black.
Alternatively, if you like the way the tanks play pick up a Land Raider Crusader as another transport vehicles and put the second unit of Assault Intercessors in it.
I hope you enjoyed this Blood Angels Starter Army article. How would you build a 1,000 point list from the Combat Patrol Box? There may well be aspects of the codex or units that I have not included that you think should be, so why not let us know in the comments below.
When 10th edition Warhammer 40k was released, Peter told us what he would do with Orks in the new edition. Despite being a primarily Age of Sigmar site, this has proven to be a popular article and so (eventually) we are expanding the series. Now feels like the right time with a flood of codecies arriving now.
Grey Knights, those esoteric psychic warriors, raised at the end of the Heresy as the final bullwark against Chaos. Grey Knights date back to the origins of 40k (in rouge trader) getting their first army list in 2nd Edition and a full plastic range in 5th edtion. It’s still with us today.
Grey Knights are bar none the fastest army in the game. Their Army Rule, Teleport Assualt, lets you pick up 2 units (at 1000pts) at the end of your opponents turn and deepstrike them in your next movement phase. They have two (2) detachments, Teleport Strike Force and Warpbane Task Force. We’ll be building around the Warpbane Task Force folr the rerolls.
As with all these articles, there are some affiliate links for Element Games (UK) and Amazon (US) if you want to buy them. But Bricks and Mortar first! You’ll miss your FLGS if it shuts down.
Combat Patrol Grey Knights
The Combat Patrol is filled with goodies and makes for fantastic savings when you’re starting out in collecting an army for 40k. They are RRP of £100 (US/UK), $238 (AUD), but most FLGSs provide a discount on this.
Source: Games Workshop
Inside the box you get:
1 x Grey Knights Librarian (NA separately) [£25] 1 x Nemesis Dreadknight [£44] 5 x Grey Knight Terminators/Paladins [£37] 5 x Strike Marines (build as Purifiers) [£42.50]
That’s £148.50 bought separately with a couple of caveats, the Grey Knight’s Librarian can’t be bought separately. However you can use a Space Marine Librarian, it should be on a 32mm base though. And Strike Marines are only packaged in tens.
Halving the discount because you only get 5 Strike Marines we still have a saving.
Total So Far
There’s no way around this, Grey Knights are a very elite force. This is already 665 points our of the 1,000 pts.
Getting to 1,000 points
To get to 1,000 points we only need another 2 boxes
With Grey Knights you are paying for that mobility, they have had a lot of point increases during tenth edition.
Codex Costs
As everyone who buys from Games Workshop knows, once you’ve got the models you’ll need the Codex. Grey Knights are listed as Space Marines (everywhere) but unlike other chapters they have their own codex (to be released). For now though you only need an index, available free from Games Workshop
Total so far at RRP: £186.50 – only Custodes is this cheap to get started with.
The Army List
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FACTION KEYWORD: Imperium – Grey Knights
DETACHMENT: Warpbane Task Force
TOTAL ARMY POINTS: 1000pts +
WARLORD: Char1: Brotherhood Librarian
ENHANCEMENT: Radiant Champion (on Char1: Brotherhood Librarian)
As an alternative to the Warhammer app, which I’d recommend if you can access it, I’ve used New Recruit https://www.newrecruit.eu/ to build the list.
Grey Knights Librarian
Source: Games Workshop
You need a HQ and you have the choice of 2, the Librarian or the Dreadknight if you build it as a Grand Master Dreadknight. For now we’ll just talk about the Librarian, I don’t recommend making him the Warlord in our list though. The Grey Knight’s librarian is more potent than a standard Space Marine Librarian.
Grey Knight Librarian’s have an ability called Vortex of Doom, a psychic attack, in your shooting phase that can do up to 2D6 Mortal wounds. But he can also kill himself. Here I would suggest adding the Librarian to the Terminators for protection.
I’ve used the more recent Librarian in Terminator Armour image because the model in the Combat Patrol is no longer available. If you decide to field more Librarian’s he’s a good basis. I recommend not building him with the storm bolter and adding a holster so you can choose his ranged weapon. And he should be on a 32mm but no one seems to notice.
Grand Master Dreadknight and Dreadknight (GMDK and NDK)
Source: Games Workshop
Your heavy hitters. With reroll ones to hit and full rerolls when in Hallowed Ground they are very efficient. Currently Hammers are the best melee weapon and in Warpbane a combination of Psycannon and Psilencer are best. I like to still mix my weapons and have the Heavy Incinerator on at least one. As always with these sorts of models I recommend magnetising the melee weapons.
The GMDK and NDK both have very good but different abilities. The GMDK gets full rerolls (hit, wound and damage) against monsters or vehicles in the fight phase once per game. The NDK gets an even stronger rule, Advance and charge, Fall back, shoot and charge. Your opponents will not like these
Grey Knight Terminators
Source: Games Workshop
For a 1000pt list Terminators might be overkill at 200pts but they are one of the best things to pair with the Librarian. Build them just like the box are with the banner (ancient), incinerator and Narthecarium. The combination means that they are OC3, 3 wounds that can return a model each turn. With the Librarian they are rapid ingress threat that can’t be ignore, walking forward to delivery Vortex and a devestating charge (with Lethal wounds).
Better yet you can pair them with the Purifiers for a 6″ inch charge or just to get rerolls.
Grey Knight Strike Squad
Source: Games Workshop
You’ll only need 5 of these guys and you don’t need the heavy weapons. Here to make your home sticky and then hold out until late game. They have a 2+ save and solid melee so are more of a threat than many opponents will realise.
Grey Knights Purifier Squad
Source: Games Workshop
Strike marines with more heavy weapons (2 per 5) and a psychic attack (Purifying Flame). I think they are a must have (in small numbers) for Warpbane, the area within 6″ of them is Hallowed Ground. That means deepstriking them somewhere and being able to drop 6″ from the foe. They are capable of surprising output (they can, with luck, kill a WarDog in melee) and they have a 2+ save making them hard to kill. Because they get rerolls I’ve used the Psycannon to boost them into tough infantry (Terminators, Sanquinary Guard) but the incinerator is just as valid.
WHAT NEXT?
If I was going to expand into a full 2000pt army I would pick up another Combat Patrol because you can use 10 Terminators and 2 Librarians. After then you need to decide if you are going to go shooting heavy (Dreadknights) or Terminator heavy or maybe explore troop options with Razorbacks.
Me personally, I would look at another 1 x Librarian, 2 x Dreadknights (NDKs) and 1 x Strike Squad Box. The new Strike Squad I’d build as Interceptors and the squad from the 2nd Combat patrol as Purifiers. Of course there are other options like Kaldor Draigo or Castellan Crowe to explore.
I hope you enjoyed this Grey Knights Starter Army article. How would you build a 1,000 point list from the Combat Patrol Box? I’ll revist the article when our codex drops (I didn’t mention that this is my main army). There may well be aspects of the codex or units that I have not included that you think should be, so why not let us know in the comments below.
On it’s release I bought the starter set for Legion Imperialis and the Space Marine Infantry have been in a partial state of painting since.. so this week I started (and finished) them. So back to our occasional series: How to Paint Legions Imperialis Blood Angels.
Legion Imperialis
Legion Imperialis is a small scale (ie tiny models) where you can: “Play out huge, cinematic games set in the Horus Heresy, where the full might of the Space Marine Legions clashed in world-shattering internecine conflict.”
it is the spiritual successor to Titan Legions, Space Marine and Epic 40k.
Blood Angels
There are already a lot of possible armies to play in Legion Imperialis although 18 of them are Space Marines! I have chosen to paint mine as Blood Angels as this is my army in Horus Heresy (28mm) and Warhammer 40k.
They are known for their close combat abilities but for this I have painted up the troops in the Legion Astartes: Infantry box set – except the Contemptor Dreadnoughts. In Legion Imperialis the Blood Angels can (sometimes) fight twice in close combat.
Pictures
8 Tactical Legionairres
2 Plasma Tactical Support Legionaries & 2 Missile Launcher Heavy Support Legionaries
2 Legion Terminators & 2 Assault Marines
2 Legion Command
Blood Angel Infantry
How do they play?
Legion (Space Marine) armies in Legion Imperialis have some tough options and some great infantry. The Tacticals are very difficult to move from buildings (although destroying the building is a great option), whilst the Missile Launchers have two firing modes giving great versatility.
The Terminators and Assault Marines play best into the Blood Angels special rule. Fight twice (sometimes). And the Deep Strike for the Terminators is a great way to get them near the enemy. But be careful – Deep Strike is dangerous in Legions Imperialis.
But, if you are expecting this to take a lot of points… then think again. Infantry is cheap in LI… so all this is a little less than 200 points. The suggested game is 3,000 points so there’s a lot more to get.
Paints Used
Blood Angels are red – even in Horus Heresy. So I’ve gone for a scheme using Mephiston Red as the base. This makes a little more towards 40k, than to 30k (where they should be a little more vermillion). However I have followed the same paint scheme as my Horus Heresy 28mm army.
When painting infantry in Legion Imperialis I do – where possible – paint on the sprue. And so I have done this for all these models.
Starting with an undercoat of Black, and then drybrush the entire sprue Leadbelcher. It’s then time to pick out the armour, and for my Blood Angels this meant Mephiston Red. As they are Legion (Space Marines) there is a lot of armour so the models are very red!
I then pick out the details – Abaddon Black for the cloths, Retributor Armour for elites & leaders, and Apothecary White for the Apothecary.
The bases are simple and two tone. They are painted with Balthasar Gold and Mechanicus Standard Grey. Given a wash of Agrax Earthshade. And then the Grey is redone with a highlight of Administratrum Grey.
So that’s How to Paint Legions Imperialis Blood Angels — graphic below.
Buying a Box?
This is a permanent fixture in the Games Workshop catalogue now. The box above is a ‘Legion Astartes Infantry’ box set. It also includes 4 Contemptor Dreadnoughts (not painted above). That all means – ask at your local FLGS or our affiliate links with Element Games, or Frontline Gaming (USA). They are £31.50 RRP.
There are a few characters beyond the Primarchs that loom large within the Horus Heresy. The Emperor, Malcador and Valdor are three of them. And Chris Wraight takes us back to the beginning of the Imperium and the role of Valdor in it’s birth.
From the Book
Constantin Valdor. It is a name that brings forth images of heroism, honour and peerless duty. For it is he who commands the will of the Legio Custodes that most esteemed and dedicated cadre of elite warriors. He is the Emperor’s sword, His shield, His banner and he knows no equal. Clad in shining auramite, his fist clenched around the haft of his Guardian Spear, he is the bulwark against all enemies of the throne, within or without.
Nearing the end of the wars of Unity, Valdor’s courage and purpose is put to the test as never before. The petty warlords and tyrants of Old Earth have been all but vanquished, and the Emperor’s armies are triumphant. What now for the nascent Imperium and what fate its forgotten soldiers, its Thunder Warriors and armies of Unity? A new force is rising, one which shall eclipse all others and open the way to the stars. But change on Terra is seldom bloodless and for progress to be ensured darker deeds are necessary.
Review
Valdor has always been part of the story of the Imperium, but the Horus Heresy has allowed Chris Wraight to give him a lot more background here, and – crucially – background of the Birth of the Imperium.
This is a story from a time in the Warhammer 40k lore of which not much is written. The Emperor has conquered Old Earth, but not all the denizens of the planet are convinced this is a good idea… and the Emperor doesn’t do weak or bloodless.
I was recommended this book some time ago and added it to my To-Read pile on Goodreads. … Why did I wait? … It’s a great addition to the story of the Imperium and in particular that thorny transisition from Thunder Warriors to Space Marines.
Thunder Warrior – John Blanche / Games Workshop
I don’t often say a book is essential reading, but Chris Wraight has got a story here that fits this bill. And he writes well, as well! Go out there and buy it, now!
We always encourage people to shop at local bricks and mortar stores, but if your friendly local book store doesn’t have this available, we have a UK Amazon affiliate link & a USA Amazon affiliate link for which Woehammer receives a small commission.
