The new edition of Warhammer: The Horus Heresy is here, and it’s not just tweaking profiles or polishing rules.
One of the biggest game-changers is the revamped army construction system, which brings narrative flexibility to the forefront. Gone are the rigid templates of old. Now, building your Legion force feels more like assembling your favorite novel scene than filling out a checklist.
Let’s break down how it works, what’s changed, and why this is a big win for both veteran players and newcomers looking to build thematic forces.
Force Organisation, Reforged
The Force Organisation Chart is still the heart of army building. But instead of strict requirements like “two Troops and one HQ,” the new system introduces Prime Slots, Detachments, and Prime Advantages. It’s all about options — whether you want a balanced company, a dreadnought deathball, or a fast attack-heavy assault force.
Everything starts with your Primary Detachment. This is your core force, where Battlefield Roles (like HQ, Troops, Heavy Support) get assigned to specific slots. Now, units like Dreadnoughts and Terminators have their own distinct slots, making unit composition clearer and more specialized.
There are no more compulsory slots. That’s right — if you don’t want any Troops, you don’t have to take them. However, filling Prime Slots still comes with perks, so going off-meta doesn’t mean missing out.
The Detachment System – Unlock What You Want
Instead of squeezing tanks into Force Org Tetris, you now unlock Auxiliary Detachments by taking Command models. Each Command Slot filled (usually by a Centurion or Consul) allows you to take one Auxiliary Detachment, or two if the Commander is a basic Centurion.
Here are the Auxiliary Detachments you can unlock:
- Armoured Fist – Land Raiders and other transports
- Tactical Support – More Troops, Support Squads, Apothecaries
- Armoured Support – Tanks, armoured vehicles
- Heavy Support – Dreadnoughts and war machines
- Combat Pioneer – Bikes, Recon squads
- Shock Assault – Terminators
- First Strike – Jetbikes, Speeders, Aircraft
If you want to run an elite strike force of only Dreadnoughts and Recon squads, this system lets you build that list without having to shoehorn in unrelated units. You can repeat these detachments as much as your HQ choices allow — each one gives more room for the unit types you love.
Apex Detachments and the Warlord Bonus
Some commanders unlock Apex Detachments, the elite slot types designed for specific top-tier units. These include:
- Combat Retinue – Command Squads
- Officer Cadre – Extra Command Slots
- Army Vanguard – Veterans and Legion specialists
Even better, if you bring your Primarch in a 3,000-point game, you unlock a Warlord Detachment. This gives you a free Retinue and Heavy Transport slot, no additional characters needed. For high-points games or narrative matchups, this is a massive boost and helps capture that “Primarch leading the charge” vibe.
Prime Slots and Prime Advantages
Now for the spice: Prime Slots are marked special in the charts, and if you fill one, you get to pick a Prime Advantage. These are mini-bonuses that reflect elite status or tailored tactics. You might give a squad sergeant better stats, or improve the squad’s role in your army.
One standout is Logistical Benefit, which lets you add a new Battlefield Role slot to the detachment. Need a single Elite or Transport but don’t want to unlock a full detachment? Done. This keeps lists clean and focused without sacrificing flexibility.
Example Army: Raven Guard – The Obsidian Veil
Let’s look at how this works in action. Joel from Warhammer Community built a Raven Guard list around Corvus Corax. Here’s the revised version using the new system:
Warlord Detachment:
- Corvus Corax
- Praetorian Command Squad (Jump Packs)
- Spartan Assault Tank
Primary Detachment:
- Praetor (Jump Pack)
- Librarian (Prime: Logistical Benefit – Armour)
- Kaedes Nex
- Assault Squad (Prime: Combat Veterans)
- Tactical Squad
- Tactical Squad
- Kratos Heavy Assault Tank
Apex Detachment – Army Vanguard:
- Dark Furies (Prime: Master Sergeant)
Auxiliary Detachment – Shock Assault:
- Cataphractii Terminators
This layout not only hits all the fluff-friendly beats for Raven Guard but also uses Detachments to squeeze in extra fast attack, elite assault, and support units. The Warlord Detachment opens up powerful options that would otherwise require extra HQs to unlock.
Final Thoughts – Greater Freedom, More Theme
The new army building rules strike a great balance between freedom and structure. You can go thematic and still be competitive. Want a heavily armoured siege force? Load up on Armoured Support. Need a stealthy vanguard of jump troops and saboteurs? Prioritize Shock Assault and First Strike. Every Legion and faction has bespoke options too, letting you dive deeper into narrative customization.
And with Prime Advantages and Apex Detachments, your best squads feel elite — not just numerically, but in narrative tone.
Stay tuned for more updates, including Allied Forces and vehicle rule breakdowns coming later this week. The Heresy is heating up again — and this time, your list-building is just as strategic as the battle itself.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
