With the new edition of Warhammer: The Horus Heresy on the horizon, Saturnine Terminators are poised to become a serious force multiplier on the tabletop.
These units are built around the concept of elite resilience and overwhelming firepower, and their updated rules reflect that role to a sharp degree.
Let’s break down what makes them tick, how they perform, and why they’re likely to play a central role in many Legion lists going forward.
Durability That Redefines Infantry
At a glance, Saturnine Terminators stand out for their sheer toughness. Sporting Toughness 6, 3 Wounds, a 2+ Armour Save, and a 4+ Invulnerable Save, these units push the limits of what infantry can endure in Age of Darkness.
Very few weapons deal more than 2 Damage in this system, so having three Wounds per model offers a considerable advantage in soaking up fire – even from weapons like lascannons, plasma, or disintegrators.
They are slower than most, both in terms of Movement and Initiative, so they won’t be leading charges or striking early in melee. However, this drawback is mitigated by some strong passive abilities.
Layered Shooting Potential
Saturnine Terminators excel in mid-to-long range engagements thanks to some smart weapon design.
Every model is equipped with an Occulix Targeting Auspex, which allows them to fire both weapons if they remain stationary. That alone creates powerful defensive firing lines. Additionally, the Implacable Advance rule allows reactive shooting when charged, further enhancing their board control.
Their primary weapon, the Plasma Bombard, doesn’t require line of sight and functions like an indirect-fire plasma cannon. Used well, a squad of these can shut down major movement corridors and force your opponent to adapt their deployment or risk losing infantry to indirect barrages.
If you prefer direct confrontation, the Twin Heavy Disintegrators are designed to deal with elite units, dreadnoughts, and anything that relies on armour saves. When brought to bear in full, they can cripple key targets in a single shooting phase.
Melee Options and Versatility
For close combat, Saturnine Terminators carry the Disruption Fist. This weapon hits hard and has enough strength and damage output to threaten vehicles and rival terminator units. Each fist can also take a Particle Shredder, a short-range template weapon that punishes tightly packed Power Armour units.
This gives the squad flexibility in both ranged and melee roles – they can hold the line or push forward as needed, depending on your list and mission objectives.
The Saturnine Praetor: Tactical Anchor
The accompanying Saturnine Praetor is a powerful HQ choice. He comes with two weapon options: the Concussion Hammer and the War Axe.
The hammer is built for anti-tank duties, with boosted damage and automatic wounds on critical hits. It’s a strong counter to tougher threats like Knights or Mechanicum automata.
Alternatively, the axe is designed for clearing infantry. With Reaping Blow (2), it generates bonus attacks when outnumbered, making it highly effective in prolonged engagements against larger units.
Most importantly, the Praetor unlocks Deep Strike for his Terminator unit. This is a major tactical option – being able to deploy a squad of six into your opponent’s backline with Particle Shredders is disruptive and forces immediate reaction.
Final Thoughts: Purpose-Built Powerhouses
Saturnine Terminators aren’t a flashy, overly mobile unit – but that’s not their role. They are methodical, durable, and flexible enough to function in both defensive and offensive strategies. If you’re building around heavy infantry or need a reliable midfield anchor, they offer a lot of value.
The inclusion of Deep Strike through the Praetor also opens up aggressive tactical options, especially for Legions that lack native teleportation or fast deployment mechanics.
In the context of the new edition, these units feel like a deliberate response to the more lethal shooting and character-heavy meta. They’re built to survive, to punish overreach, and to establish board presence through resilience rather than speed.
For players returning to Horus Heresy or starting fresh, the Saturnine kit offers a strong foundation. With solid rules, meaningful weapon choices, and excellent synergy with the Praetor, this is one of the standout releases of the new wave.
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