At the dawn of the Horus Heresy, the Warmaster’s pawns were already in position.
With three Loyalist Legions shattered at Isstvan V and most others scattered or misled, the Traitor Legions stood poised to turn the galaxy into a charnel house. Thanks to an excellent Games Workshop Community interview summary, we now have a clearer picture of where each Traitor Legion was in those opening acts—and what brutal roles they would go on to play.
Emperor’s Children – Pleasure, Pain, and Daemonic Ascent
Fresh from their bloody triumph over the Iron Hands, the IIIrd Legion basked in the infamy of their Primarch’s victory over Ferrus Manus. But Fulgrim wasn’t done. Some of the Emperor’s Children took a detour into the Eye of Terror, where Fulgrim—courtesy of some “help” from Perturabo—ascended to Daemonhood. With their powers fully unshackled, they returned in force for the Siege of Terra.
Iron Warriors – Siege Masters with a Chip on Their Shoulder
The Iron Warriors executed their role at Isstvan with ruthless efficiency. But their true calling came later. Perturabo, ever the resentful genius, played a key role in planning the Siege of Terra. From Phall to Tallarn, their wars were many and bitter. They would become the cold steel behind Horus’s hammer.
Night Lords – Terror Unleashed (and Imprisoned)
Konrad Curze’s sons joined the second wave at Isstvan, then peeled off to wage a terror campaign across the galaxy. However, they soon tangled with the Dark Angels in the brutal Thramas Crusade. Curze even got captured for a while, but if you know the Night Haunter, that didn’t end well for his captors.
World Eaters – If It Bleeds, They Charge It
The World Eaters had already purged their own on Isstvan III, and Isstvan V just whet their appetite. From there, they blazed into Ultramar and Calth, where Angron ascended to Daemonhood. During the Siege of Terra, they led the charge—though calling their berserker stampede “leadership” is a stretch. Still, no one doubts their enthusiasm.
Death Guard – Rot Takes the Long Road
Though early converts to Horus’s cause, the Death Guard had a problem—Nathaniel Garro escaped Isstvan III and warned Terra. This derailed Horus’s fast plans and forced the trap at Isstvan V. Later, the Death Guard would suffer their own hellish detour through the Warp, emerging in the Sol system warped and forever changed.
Thousand Sons – Broken Trust and Bitter Revenge
The Thousand Sons weren’t part of the Great Crusade or the early Heresy. But after the Council of Nikaea and the burning of Prospero, Magnus had a score to settle. The Space Wolves shattered their home, pushing the remnants into the arms of the Warmaster. From there, they embraced vengeance—and the Warp.
Sons of Horus – The Blade of the Warmaster
Naturally, the XVIth Legion had their hands full. Horus needed his sons to hunt Loyalist survivors, crush resistance, and carve a path to Molech, where he took his own Daemonic boon. While they burned across the stars, the Sons of Horus remained central to the Warmaster’s brutal advance on Terra.
Word Bearers – First to Fall, First to Fan the Flames
Arguably the originators of the Heresy, the Word Bearers were already neck-deep in betrayal. Their fingerprints were all over Isstvan V and the Betrayal at Calth. Later, Lorgar would be key in rallying the Daemon Primarchs, though his standing with Horus was… complicated. But make no mistake—they were zealots to the core.
Alpha Legion – Mysterious. Insidious. Everywhere.
Nobody truly knows whose side the Alpha Legion was on—not even the Alpha Legion. But their actions say enough. They helped butcher Loyalists at Isstvan, tangled with the White Scars at Chondax, and penetrated deep into the Sol System. Their sabotage and subterfuge sowed confusion across the galaxy.
A Galaxy in Their Grasp… Almost
With Loyalist forces scattered and demoralized, the Traitors stood triumphant after Isstvan. Yet the galaxy, despite the odds, refused to roll over. As the fires of betrayal spread, new battles were fought, and legends were born in blood and ash. The Horus Heresy was just beginning—and it would get far worse before the end.
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