Space Marine Heavy Support Review: Legion Relic Sicaran Battle Tank

Hey everybody SaltyJohn from TFGRadio here to review a unit from the annals of Forge World, the Relic Sicaran Battle Tank! For more reviews, bat reps and analysis, check out the Tactics Corner!

The Sicaran Battle Tank was one of the most advanced vehicles used by the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. These potent instruments of war were made only for the Adeptus Astartes and were slated to become common issue to all Legions prior to the break out of the Heresy.  Given his placement as Warmaster Horus was able to funnel the majority of the Sicaran tanks produced by the Adeptus Mechanicus Forge Worlds into the hands of the traitor legions. In the 41st millenium the rarity of the Sicaran has many convinced it doesn’t exist or it is a legend of the Heresy. The most senior Masters of the Forge and Tech Adepts of Mars know the Sicaran is real and regard the relics for what they are: a shining example of the most effective tank produced for the Adeptus Astartes.

The Sicaran was designed by Ferrus Manus and Roboute Guilliman with help from various Magos of the Mechanicum. The Sicaran is based in large part on STC designs of more common SM vehicles like the Rhino, Predator, and Land Raider. The vehicle was designed to have superior speed and armament to any tank produced for the Adeptus Astartes. Armed with the Herakles pattern Accelerator Autocannon, based on Fellblade technology, this tank can track high speed targets and shred them with large caliber shells fired at extraordinary speeds.

In terms of game play we have another example of a unit that holds up to it’s fluff reputation on the table top. Fast moving, with exceptional firepower, on a sturdy platform the Relic Sicaran Battle Tank has become a common site on the table tops of Warhammer 40,000.

Overview: The Relic Sicaran Battle Tank fills a Heavy Support slot for Space Marines, Blood Angels, Space Wolves, and Dark Angels in 40k. While it’s a tank for the Horus Heresy 30k game it can be ported into 40k. The Sicaran is an amazing steal for what it’s capable of at 135 points base. It fills several different battlefield roles including late game objective grabbing sue to it’s speed, Eldar Bike hunter, and with the correct Relics applied it’s also a great anti-air/interceptor platform. If you are playing a CAD from one of the above SM books and have the space for a Sicaran in your list it should be in it.

Wargear:

ARMOR: F13 Side12 Rear 12 3HP

• Searchlight
• Smoke launcher
• Twin-linked Accelerator Autocannon (48in range S7 AP4 Heavy 6, Rending, Rapid Tracking)

• Heavy Bolter
• Extra Armor
• The most important upgrades are Sponson mounted Las Cannons and the ability to add on the Legacy of Sarosh)
• May take Legacies
• Tank, Fast (That’s right it’s a Fast vehicle!)

Special Rules:

• Rapid Tracking: Targets may not take Jink saves against damage from this weapon.
• Legacy of Sarosh. I am going to list this here as it is almost an auto-include if you’re going to take a Sicaran. There are a lot of Legacies in the various FW books but Sarosh is easily the best for the Sicaran. At 30 points you gain the following: Once per game the unit gains: Interceptor, Skyfire, Tank Hunters, and Night Vision. Yes, that’s AND not OR. 30 points and this beast will blow your opponents incoming flyer out of the sky, or make sure it takes down that squadron of tanks.

Tactics:

The Relic Sicaran Battle Tank slots into Space Marine armies amazingly well. It fills multiple roles and is a threat to most units in the game. The twin-linked accelerator autocannon really is an amazing weapon. 6 Str7 rending shots, twin-linked no less, can put wounds onto any model in the game and shreds the most common vehicles. The base cost is great but if you want to upgrade to Las Cannon Sponsons and the Legacy of Sarosh, which you do, it still clocks in at a mere 205 points! It is also really useful against all the pesky bike units you see running around these days as the target of the autocannons can’t take jink saves against it! If you face a meta that has a lot of flyers, or even a lot of flying Hive Tyrants, then you’ll really want to consider slotting a Sicaran into your list. With the Legacy of Sarosh on the tank you’re Sicaran gets a turn of interceptor and skyfire to absolutely decimate a flying Hive Tyrant or shred an incoming flyer.

The hull mounted Heavy Bolter can’t be upgraded but adding sponson mounted weapons is a must. There is really no reason to take heavy bolters, the las cannon option is best. Because of the rending on the autocannon the las cannons mesh better with the Sicarans primary role as a vehicle and MC/GMC hunter. If your meta has a lot of Void Shield Generators the Sicaran is a great add. I’ve played multiple games with my Sicaran against VSG and the Accelerator Autocannon easily takes down the shields on its own opening up the rest of your opponents army to attack, or the VSG itself.

The main drawback to the Sicaran is that it doesn’t fit into any of the formations or a Gladius Strike Force, or other SM based decurions, so the only viable way to take it is in a CAD or Allied Detachment. This is probably the main reason you don’t see as many Sicarans on the table top as we did with the 6th edition codex. If you’re going to run a CAD or ally in Space Marines and you find yourself with an open Heavy Support slot you should give consideration to filling it with a Sicaran. It does really well in White Scar lists as it has the speed to keep up with the rest of the army and compliments the mostly short range weaponry of White Scars. Another great list would be Ravenwing based DA lists for similar reasons. Any army that is going to have tech marines with them, or Iron Hands, are a good place to slot in a Sicaran.

With it’s all around effectiveness and relatively cheap price tag, even when kitted out for a turn of flyer hunting, the Relic Sicaran Battle Tank is something all chapters of Space Marines that have access to them should take a look at fielding. Picking one up from Forgeworld isn’t too bad price wise and it’s a relatively easy build. If you try it out I am sure you’ll find it pays you massive dividends in your games. If you’ve found other ways to run a Sicaran you like, such as different Legacies, let me know in the comments!

As always, share your thoughts in the comments section! And remember, Frontline Gaming sells Games Workshop product at up to 25% off, every day.