In this post I will dive deeper into this for those who are new to the Heresy. It will not only help you make a solid legion list, but also make a great platform to build on later. But first..
What is in the Betrayal at Calth box?:
It's easy to see from the pictures the actual models and sprues inside but what exactly do you get? Well, lets make one hell of a list..
- 30 x Mk IV Tactical Marines
- 5 x Cataphractii Terminators
- 1 x Contemptor Dreadnought
- 1 x Praetor in Cataphractii armor (with combi melta and chainfist)
- 1 x Consul (Modelled as a chaplain but you are certainly not limited to that).
- 30 x "Umbra" Pattern Bolters
- 30 x combat knives
- 3 x Plasma guns/blasters
- 3 x melta guns
- 3 x flamers
- 3 x heavy bolters
- 3 x missile launchers
- 3 x power swords
- 3 x power fists/lightning claws
- 3 x melta bombs
- 3 x Legion Vexilia
- 5 x pair of Cataphractii Lightning Claws
- 5 x Cataphractii combi-bolters
- 5 x cataphractii power fists
- 5 x cataphractii chain fists
- 1 x Cataphractii Grenade Harness
- 1x Cataphractii Heavy Flamer
- 1 x Dreadnought Kheres Assault cannon
- 1 x Dreadnought Multi-Melta
- 1 x Dreadnought Power fist (with combi bolter)
First off what is great about this kit (besides it's affordability) is that the basic marines are utilitarian. In 30k, there are different kind of Tactical squads, from your basic 10-20 man blob of bolter tactical marines, to your more Elite (and obviously an Elite choice) Veteran Tactical Squad that can not only take special/heavy weapons but can also be granted a USR while list building. So with that, lets go over how we can make the most out of one box, with a couple lists (and legion affiliation) to have in comparison. I will be making these at 1,000 pts to make the most of the Praetor model (and thus, Rites of War), but know that in Book VI Forgeworld introduced a Consul type that will let you do it under 1K so adjust accodingly.
1. One Box List: Alpha Legion, Rite of War "Pride of the Legion"
HQ
Praetor: Artificer Armour, Iron halo, digital lasers, master crafted (one weapon), Plasma Pistol, Melta Bombs, Paragon Blade: 200 pts
Troops
Legion Veteran Tactical Squad x 10: 2 x Heavy bolters with Suspensor Webs, Legion Vexilia; Veteran Tactics - Sniper
Sergeant: Artificer Armor, Power Fist, Bolter: 275 pts.
Legion Veteran Tactical Squad x 10: 2 x Missile Launcherwith Suspensor Webs, Legion Vexilia; Veteran Tactics - Sniper
Sergeant: Artificer Armor, Power Fist, Bolter: 285 pts.
Cataphractii Terminator Squad x 5: 3 x chainfists, 1 x Heavy Flamer, Banestrike bolter rounds;
Sergeant: Power Fist, Combi bolter: 240 pts
Total: 1,000
What does it do?
This list is very much an elite force but is very utilitarian. With the Alpha Legion traits you can grant your units with the Legionnes Astartes special rule with a number of USR's. In this case we are using the Infiltrate rule, so your ENTIRE ARMY is already mid field. Combining that with the Sniper special rule given to the Veterans, you can assuredly pop off some AP2 bolter fire first turn. With one squad having missile launchers and the other having heavy bolters, you can focus one to take on armor while the other goes for infantry (and suspensor webs, half the range of heavy weapons but makes them assault, but why would you care? you are already 18" away from the enemy!). Power fists on the sergeants ensure if they are in combat they will KILL whoever it is, while the artificer armor allows them to tank wounds if needed. With the addition of the Legion Vexilia (which allows your to reroll morale checks) means with LD 9 you are NOT running away. The Terminator squad with their chainfists and banestrike bolter rounds (an alpha legion only wargear, which makes 6's to wound on bolters AP3) means they can focus on either infantry or vehicles. The praetor can really go with anyone here, and with his Master Crafted Paragon Blade and Digital lasers means he's pumping out 6 attacks on the charge that Instant Death on 6's to wound (This will just take converting your Chaplain/Consul character to have a blade in his hand instead of the mace, easy conversion). An elite force to be sure, but certainly one the Alpha Legion would put into the field!
2. One Box List: Iron Warriors; Rite of Warrior: The Hammer of Olympia (Iron Warriors specific)
HQ
Praetor: Warsmith (Iron Warrior Specific), Cataphractii Terminator armor, Combi-Melta, Chainfist: 157 pts
Troops
Legion Tactical Squad x 15: Bolters, Sergeant with Artificer Armor: 210 pts
Legion Tactical Squad x 10: Bolters, Sergeant with Arificer Armor: 160 pts
Elites
Tyrant Seige Terminators x 5: Typhoon missile launchers x 5, combi bolters: 295 pts.
Contemptor Dreadnought: Power fist with Combi bolter, Multi Melta: 175 pts.
Total: 997
What does it do?
This list is a nice easy entry into The Iron Warriors and even in its simplicity really benefits from The Hammer of Olympia traits: First off the tactical squads, with this Rite of War they can fire rapid fire weapons and still assault! Although losing their +1 attack (and also can't charge if they furry of the legion) this still is a nice option to have to get mid field objectives, and with Iron Warriors in general not having to take leadership tests from the shooting phase, they aren't going away anytime soon. The Sergeants in these squads are sacrificial, put them in front and tank small arms fire with their 2+. The Praetor in this list is meant to sit in the back with the Tyrant Seige terminators as with his Warsmith upgrade he will grant your opponent an extra VP if he is slain, so why bring him? Because he grants whatever unit he's attached too Stubborn and Shatter Defenses (which grants his unit a -1 to cover saves!) So combine that with the Tyrant Seige Terminators and the 10 x S8 AP3 missiles with Wrecker, that is one nice backfield support unit (and don't forget the Tyrants can fire their combi bolters WITH their missile launchers, hello gun platform!with the Tyrants though you will need to model missile launchers on their backs, but luckily there is a nice option to do so over at http://bitsofwar.com/home/118-zephyr-missile-launcher-mk2-.html.). The combi melta and chainfist are just there as a nice F U to anyone wanting to charge him. And lastly the Contemptor, he is there to support the tacticals mid field, he gains Extra Armor for free with the Rite of War, and with his Multi Melta and Powerfist will chew up light transports for your tacticals to bolter up who ever pops out! Another option to use with this list, is to take off the Chainfist and Combi weapon on the praetor, and use those points to buy your tactical squads an extra close combat weapon (Ah, and now we know why there are so many combat knives...) with them innately having a bolt pistol, this would make the negative of not gaining the +1 attack on the charge after firing rapid fire weapons not noticeable, but that is really at the discretion of the player.
3. One Box List: Sons of Horus; Rite of War "Orbital Assault";
HQ:
Praetor: Artificer Armour, Jump Pack, Combat Shield, Melta bombs, Paragon blade: 150 pts
Elites:
Cataphractii Terminators x 5: 3 x Chainfists, Sergeant; Chainfist: 215 pts
Troops:
Legion Assault Squad
10 x Assault Marines: Sergeant; Melta Bombs: 255 pts
10x Tactical Marines: exchange bolters for CCW,Sergeant; Melta Bombs, Drop Pod: 35 pts
10x Tactical Marines: exchange bolters for CCW, Sergeant; Melta Bombs, Drop Pod: 35 pts
Total: 1,000 pts
What does it do?
So with this list, it's obvious you want to get into assault. Now I know this also implies you need to pick up a couple drop pods (and assault packs for the marines, luckily over here http://www.spellcrow.com/space-knights-jump-packs-ver-p-297.html they have got some convincing Mark IV jump packs for a good price, but 40k packs will work as well). But, the Sons of Horus legion traits really benefit to deep striking and close range lists. With them being able to reroll 1's for reserves, you effectively increase your odds by 26% that your reserves will come in turn 2. Also, combined with their ability to gain +1 BS when firing pistol, rapid fire, and assault weapons within 12", and gaining 1 free attack for each marine (or 2 for bulky, 3 for very bulky) in your unit in combat as long as you out number your opponent at initiative 1. The Sons of Horus really benefit from being aggressive, from reserves, and in combat. Luckily with the "orbital assault" rite or war, your terminators and assault marines can now deep strike, and your marines can come in via drop pod (with pistols and extra CCW they are solid as well in combat. Be careful though against armor, you will be relying on combat to take care of that, but with the Sons its go big or go home!
4. One Box List; Iron Hands; Rite or War "The Head of the Gorgon"
HQ
Praetor: Artificer armour, Iron Halo, Cyber Familiar, Grav Gauntlet (Iron Hands Specific) Charnabal Sabre: 190 pts
Elites:
Contemptor Dreadnought: Kheres Assault Cannon, Power fist w/ Combi Bolter, : 190 pts
Troops:
10 x Tactical Squad: Sergeant; Artificer Armour, Combi Melta, Rhino; Blessed Autosimulacra (free): 205 pts
10 x Tactical Squad: Sergeant; Artificer Armour, Combi Melta, Rhino; Blessed Autosimulacra (free): 205 pts
5 x Tactical Support Squad: 5 x Melta Guns; Rhino; Blessed Autosimulacra (free): 210 pts
Total: 1,000 pts
What does it do?
So again we have a list that needs a couple of rhinos (easy enough, use Mars pattern "GW" Rhinos, who doesnt have a few of those laying around?) and a couple extra melta guns, but here is what it can do. First off, with The Head of the Gorgon, you vehicles gain Blessed Autosimulacra for free, which is essentially IWND but only a 6+, nice perk but not reliable. What's great about this list is that your Rhinos (any tank really) has outflank thanks to the ROW, Combine that with Melta Gun/Combi Melta squads, who also get -1S to weapons shooting at them (the infantry, not the tanks) and that is pretty fucking scary. Now your praetor, with his Iron Halo and Cyber Familiar (which gives him a 3++) joins the melta squad, and with his Grav gauntlet will destroy ANY tank (its an assault 3 flamer template with Graviton, which Graviton means every hit is haywire, will wound any infantry model on a 4+ regardless of toughness although AP4, and if it causes a glance or wound, leave the template behind and now that area is dangerous terrain....NICE for an outflanker!) the Charnabel sabre is basically a AP - sword that strikes at +1 Initiative with rending. If you need the sword you are in the wrong place, but thankfully your praetor is tough as shit and the sabre will eventually cut through who ever he is fighting! These guys are easy to expand on, all you need is more support troops, some land raiders...some vindicators....and watch the outflanking fun begin!
5. One Box List; Raven Guard; Rite of War "Liberation Force" (Raven Guard Specific)
HQ:
Praetor: Cataphractii Armor; Chainfist: 150 pts
Centurion: Moritat; Artificer armor, Cameleoline, Plasma Pistol, Bolt pistol: 120 pts
Elites:
Cataphractii terminators x 5; 4 x lightning Claws, Sergeant; Raven's Claws (Raven Guard Specific): 260 pts
Troops:
15 x Tactical Squad: Sergeant; Artificer Armor, Raven's Claws (Raven Guard Specific): 235 pts
15 x Tactical Squad: Sergeant; Artificer Armor, Raven's Claws (Raven Guard Specific): 235 pts
Total: 1,000 pts
What does it do?
So, Raven guard is very interesting, as you can see there isnt much for anti armor (what a chain fist?) and I'm sure you are wondering, "what in the F&$% is a Moritat?". Well let me invite you to the Raven Guard and their shenanigans. First off, Raven Guard's Legion trait allows you to let any unit with Legionnes Astartes to Infilitrate and have Fleet (aahhh shit its alpha legion stuff again) so that is this entire list. As well as your Terminators get Furious Charge (S5 AP3 with shred anyone?) so that'll help against vehicles, you just need to charge them! What is better yet is with Liberation force, you can grant your army Zealot for one turn in the game, as well as you gain D3 victory points if you slay your enemy's warlord (only if slay the warlord is a secondary point). So here is how you attempt to Rick Roll your opponent.
Turn 1, Infiltrate, Fury of the legion your bolters.
Turn 2, Move everyone forward. ASSAULT!
Now nice little perks in here? Is our buddy the Moritat, he can't join any other unit beyond Destroyers so he is limited, but he also has the "Chain Fire" ability. which means he keeps firing his pistols until BOTH OF THEM MISS. So, hes a solo character (made with your chaplain model from BaC) so you can easily hide him behind a wall for a 12" infilitrate. Turn 1 he pops around the corner and Keanu Reeves anyone within 12" of him, his artificer armor will help him survive Gets Hots! and cameleoline to get 3+ in ruins if he is bailing out. Last part of this is the Raven's Claw weapon, as you can see they are everywhere. That is because these babies regardless of solo or paired, are lightning claws with master crafted and rending. Bam! with shred thats a nice way to get AP 2 and I 4 that your enemy wont see coming!
6. One Box: World Eaters; Rite of War "Berserker Assault"
HQ
Centurion: Delegatus; Artificer Armor; Refractor Field; Melta Bombs; Twin Fallax blades: 115 pts
Elites:
Contemptor Dreadnought: Multi Melta, power fist w/ melta gun: 190 pts
5 x cataphractii terminators: 2 x chainfists, sergeant; chainfist: 205 pts
Troops:
15x Tactical Squad: Additional CCW (or Chain Axe), Sergeant, Power Fist: 245 pts
15x Tactical Squad: Additional CCW (or Chain Axe), Sergeant, Power fist: 245 pts
Total: 1,000 pts
What does it do?
This list symbolizes exactly what the world eaters do......RUN AT THE ENEMY AND RIP THEIR FACE OFF! First off, World eaters benefit from their legion trait of their Characters gain +1 WS in a challenge, and all legionnes astartes can reroll fail to wound rolls of 1. Already they scream close combat, but with Berserker assault ROW they gain Hatred in the enemy deployment zone, and reroll 1's for runs and sweeping advances. So, with this, you need to move! move! MOVE! to save the points we used the chaplain from BaC to be a Delegates (to save points) but also makes him really squishy, the fallax blades are rending AP5 weapons that grant +1 attack at initiative and strength of the user. These will help him flurry his way out of a pesky combat but not enough to help him survive, so we brought alot a terminator unit with chainfists to cover his back (and take on armor). So the idea, you deploy your 15 man squads right up to your deployment line, with the contemptor and terminators holding center (with as much cover as possible) and once the dice hits the table they book it! with the contemptor and terminators focusing on armor targets and protecting the warlord. If the charge for your infantry won't work in your favor, hold up a mid field gun line and Fury of the Legion (also this will allow your terminators to catch up) and pull off multiple charges the next turn! The sergeants are intended to be buried inside the units until its time to charge by the way, unlike other lists they dont want to be tanking, they want to be shot into combat like missiles! So, with these tacticals and their extra CCW (which if you buy chain axes from forgeworld, now your AP4, mechanicum and Solar Auxilia/Imperial Army will hate you) and you make the charge into your enemies deployment zone, at max strength your pumping out 42 S4 attacks with Hatred, + 3 Power Fists attacks with hatred (and hitting on 3's if you can land that challenge!) very scary for such a small point list. So remember, as world eaters, the name of the game is to throw so many threat vectors down your opponents throat that no matter what decision they make to fend you off is a bad one!
Conclusion:
For those first coming into the Heresy the Betrayal at Calth box is a excellent tool to maximize your collection and fill your ranks. As you can see, the Heresy's units are high in point value, so these boxes really pack a good size list. If you decide to purchase 2 or 3, thats when the real fun begins (Contemptor Morits with 2 x Kheres Assault cannon, yep 12x S6 rending shots hurt. or 5 man plasma/melta gun support squads, that will sincerely wreck some face). And where to go from there? the possibilities are endless, but I usually advise people to invest into transports. Rhinos and Land Raiders are key in the Heresy, and the bigger the game the more you will wish you had them. And if you choose the "Mars" pattern route, this will be a much more affordable route. If you wish to much more research into different legions and tactics, I highly advise checking out https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Warhammer_40,000/Tactics/Space_Marine_Legion_List_(30k), it is an absolute WEALTH of knowledge and really cuts it all down.
So that's all I have this time around, maybe when I get more time later I will look into a post exploring the conversion bits options to show great comparisons to fully flush out your legion. Hopefully this was useful insight to those interested in the Horus Heresy!
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