Overview of the new 4 legions

Hi Guys/girls

As you can tell by our previous posts, today 4 of the bunnies went to the Forge World Openday and we got out hands on the third Horus Heresy Book, Extermination.  Here is a brief overview of the 4 legions that are present in the book. 

Overview of the Raven Guard

Raven Guard have some really nice hit and run tactical rules. The rules for Raven Guard allows the fleet special rule for infantry models which I believe is correct. The special units are very fast attack and have an array of special rules which suit nicely, such as a deep strike bonus. 

The characters look good but I am not sold on the Moritat based character which was shown in the previews on the Forge World website after seeing the legion rules. Corax looks really good, a very good statted primarch with some good rules which include multiple attack variations and also a rule which makes some units have to only shoot snapshots. 

There are more great rules for Corax and the other characters/units and I think they have done this legion quite well, although I was hoping to see some jetpack unit traits/bonuses or some more shrouded rules but I know they can't make all the legions overpowered! Very happy I am using this legion in the battles to come.

Overview of the Alpha Legion

Now this is the Legion I have been most looking forward to seeing. Wondering which rules are going to be implemented and also the rulings for Alpharius. And I have not been disappointed as some of the traits look awesome. This includes having an extra special rule from a list at the start of the game and also included in the rite of war allows taking a non alpha legion unit into their own fold (im speaking very loosely there as I don't want to give too much away regarding this and everything else for that matter). They are also allowed the banestrike bolter rounds (see betrayal in the sons of horus section).

The majority of the units and characters have some sort of infiltration bonus and have some equipment that helps them with getting to combat easier. One character is actually just listed as "the assassin" and he looks to be a very useful character as he has a nice wound calculation difference.

Alpharius is a great Primarch in my opinion. He has a great rule which I had been guessing may happen which, in basic terms, means he hides within a unit and pops out when you choose to (there is lots more to that which you will enjoy if you are keen on Alpha). He also has some great legion bonuses which also include bonuses to steal the initiative and a preferred enemy bonus.

Regarding the Alpha Legion I am very excited to use these. The rules are very complex (which is what I like) and Alpharius looks like a great Primarch to use. There isn't really anything that I dislike about this army, only that I'm not doing these guys now!!

Iron Warrior Overview

The legion has powerful grenade and Melta-bomb attacks. There is a great morale check rule against opponents fire which goes with their style of advancing forward. 

They gain stubborn with Perturabo on the table. There is a rule which kind of goes against them with turn length options for the opponent, but if u play them well should not be an issue. 

Warsmiths are an option and can be used to nerf one piece of terrain in the opponents deployment zone. 

The Hail of fire rule encourages the use of Bolters in before they charge. 

Tyrant Siege Terminators although expensive could be awesome. A squad full of Cyclone missile Packing Terminators would be pretty dangerous. 

Iron Havocs could be great. Not sure what weapons I would equip them with but I reckon they could be a good unit. 

Erasmus Golg is a beast, he also unlocks Legion Terminator squads as Troop Choices. 

Warsmith Kyr Vhalen is a very interesting Character. He is a great defensive character and looks mean as hell. Funny thing is: He is a Loyalist!

Perturabo is very good when he gets Forgebreaker is his Mitts. But otherwise just uses his fists. 

His wrist cannon is excellent and I never think he will miss with it. 

Overall it is a quite average Legion unless you want to bring Perturabo and lots of heavy options. But very very fitting with their Legion persona. 

Imperial Fists Overview

The legion is very powerful with all bolt type guns. They also have some very nice rules in relation to challenges. 

They gain stubborn when claiming cover/fighting from fortifications and barricades. Their opponent are able to opt to play six full turns instead of the roll to end the game being made.

The Phalanx Warder Squad, which is a troop choice for the Imperial Fists, must be the two compulsory troop choices. Also, an army detachment can not have more Elites and Fast Attack choices total then they have Troop choices. 

The Templar Brethren seem like a pretty standard unit, but they do have an option of tanking a Solarite power gauntlet which does look very tasty.

The Phalanx Warder Squad does look like a squad that will be used a lot (not just because you have to). They have a lot of weapon choices and have some very cool rules with their Shields.  

Sigismund in my opinion is the best legionary, and rightfully so.  Lots of really cool rules in close combat.

Alexis Polux seems like a pretty stander character, however very good for his points value. 

Rogal Dorn is the cheapest primarch in this book, however I believe he is still as good as the others. He is pretty powerful in close combat as his weapon has the shred special rule. He also has the option of halving his attacks and increase the his strength by +2. He can awake Terminators as a troop choice.

Please let us know of what your first opinions are or the new Legions below :-)