Alright, fellow Warhammer fans, buckle up because we’re about to get a deep dive into the latest chapter of the Age of Darkness. This Saturday, The Martian Civil War is set to hit pre-order, and it’s shaping up to be an epic expansion for Warhammer: The Horus Heresy. If you’ve been itching to unleash some serious tech and lead legions of automata into battle, this is the book you’ve been waiting for.
The Birth of The Martian Civil War
Let’s rewind a bit. The idea for this campaign book actually started way back during the end of the 1st edition of the Age of Darkness game. It was originally supposed to be the final black book of that edition, but the world had other plans. Thanks to the pandemic and the massive “plasticification” of the Horus Heresy models (yes, it’s a word now!), the project was shelved temporarily. But now, with the core Mechanicum range getting the plastic treatment, the Warhammer team dusted off those plans and brought us this gem of a book.
A Deeper Dive into the Martian Schism
Unlike previous accounts that mostly focus on the opening skirmishes of the Horus Heresy on Mars, this book goes the distance. We’re not just talking about the start of the conflict but a whole range of battles that took place between the fall of Mars (a.k.a. the Death of Innocence) and the eve of the Siege of Terra. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and it means there’s something for everyone, whether you’re into the early stages or the darker, more desperate battles.
Key Campaign Narratives
Andy from the Horus Heresy studio gave us the lowdown on the three major narratives that the book covers, and they’re seriously cool:
- The Opening Salvo – 005.M31: This section kicks off with the heresy reaching Mars, leading to the iconic battles of Mondus Gamma and Mondus Occulum. One of the highlights here is the mission by Captains Sigismund and Camba Diaz of the Imperial Fists, who are on a desperate quest to secure the latest Astartes power armor patterns. If you’re a fan of the Heresy lore, you know this is a big deal.
- The Dark Times – 007.M31: Fast forward a couple of years, and things are looking grim for the Loyalists on Mars. They’ve been pushed underground, fighting a guerrilla war against the Traitors. But the Loyalists get a lifeline from none other than the Sigilite. During his brief return to the Sol System, he sends the Primarch Corax and his XIXth Legion Decapitation Force to deliver some bloody retribution in the so-called ‘Perditum Incursion.’ It’s all about striking back when the chips are down.
- The Final Push – 013.M31: As we near the end of the Horus Heresy, the book dives into two coordinated operations launched by Dorn. One involves Aster Crohne of the Blood Angels leading an assault on Mars, backed by the Legio Cybernetica. Meanwhile, out in the Oort cloud, the Legio Custodes are on a mission to confront an ancient evil lurking in the darkness. It’s a one-two punch that adds a thrilling conclusion to the Martian conflict.
More Than Just a Story
But it’s not all about the narrative—there’s plenty of gameplay content to sink your teeth into. The book includes a set of Relic Hunter missions and a comprehensive campaign system that really emphasize the immersive, story-driven nature of the Age of Darkness game. Whether you’re looking to recreate these epic battles or craft your own, there’s a ton of inspiration packed into these pages.
Get Ready to Build Your Army
And of course, it wouldn’t be a Warhammer release without some sweet new miniatures. Alongside the book, you’ll be able to get your hands on standalone releases for all the models first seen in the Mechanicum Battle Group box, plus two brand-new plastic kits—the Archmagos Prime and the Thanatar Cavas Siege-automata. These kits are perfect for anyone looking to beef up their Mechanicum forces with some serious firepower and command units.
So, whether you’re a Loyalist fighting to reclaim Mars or a Traitor looking to crush all resistance, The Martian Civil War has something for you. Get ready to preorder this Saturday, because this is one chapter of the Horus Heresy you won’t want to miss!
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