The gene-wrought giants of the Legions get all the attention, but don’t underestimate the Solar Auxilia.
These elite mortal soldiers form the backbone of the Imperial Army, and in the new edition of Warhammer: The Horus Heresy, they’re showing up with serious tools, serious tanks, and a surprisingly flexible playstyle. Playtester Al has shared some key insights, and as someone who’s fielded both Marines and mortals over the years, I can tell you: these guys are no joke if played right.
Combining Firepower and Flexibility
Solar Auxilia armies live or die by synergy. Individually, their troopers won’t outduel astartes — but that’s not the point. They’re cost-effective, highly specialized, and when supported properly, they’ll win by weight of fire, clever positioning, and sheer volume. Infantry squads are half the cost of a Marine unit and bring longer-range lasrifles that can start whittling down targets early. Equip those lasrifles with blast chargers, and suddenly you’re chewing through lighter targets with ease.
Meanwhile, your armored division does the heavy lifting. The Leman Russ is the bread-and-butter tank here, and it’s far from a generic statline. With a front armour value of 14 and six hull points, this beast can hold its ground. Its basic Battlecannon is anything but basic, firing Strength 8, AP4 blasts with a chance to pin enemies. And with the Heavy (AP) rule, that cannon improves to AP3 when stationary — a big deal when dealing with Legion elites.
Add Basilisks and Medusas to the backline, and you get stationary artillery with Strength 10, Breaching (6+), and Pinning effects. The Earthshaker cannon in particular can crack open enemy armor while also stopping movement cold. It’s battlefield control in its purest form.
Command Sections and Cohort Doctrines
This edition has reworked how Solar Auxilia forces are structured. The old Tercio system is gone, replaced by Auxiliary Detachments linked directly to Command Sections. You’ll need to keep your commanders alive and in line-of-sight of their troops, because they provide buffs that boost cohesion and special rules. For example, the Line Command Section increases the effectiveness of the Line (X) ability — key for keeping your infantry in the fight.
Each type of Command Section unlocks specific Detachments. Line Command gets you Infantry Tercios, which combine Lasrifle Sections and Dracosans. This system encourages you to build combined arms groups with clear battlefield roles.
Beyond that, each Cohort can now pick from themed Cohort Doctrines. These are new army-level rules that tailor your tactics around your force composition. The Reconnaissance Pattern Cohort is perfect for hit-and-run or objective control strategies. It boosts the Initiative of your Hermes Sentinels during Evade reactions and even lets them hold objectives — something Cavalry units normally can’t do. This opens up whole new lines of play.
Legiones Auxilia and Thematic Options
Here’s a cool twist: the Solar Auxilia now have the option to align with specific Legions as Legiones Auxilia. This not only reflects their lore but also provides actual in-game benefits. If you’re running Therion Velites alongside the Raven Guard, for example, you swap the standard Form Ranks! reaction for Displacement, giving your force a unique and flavorful playstyle. This adds narrative depth and more mechanical variety, which longtime Heresy players will appreciate.
Standout Units: Lasrifles, Ogryns, and Russes
Among the many highlights, a few standout units deserve special mention. The Lasrifle Section might not look like much on paper, but upgraded with blast chargers, they become deadly massed firepower. In large numbers and under the right Cohort Doctrine, they can sweep objectives clean.
Then there are the Charonite Ogryns — absolute tanks in their own right. Each has four wounds, Toughness 5, high Leadership, and Cool, which makes them resistant to Tactical Statuses. Combined with brutal melee output thanks to their Charonite claws, they make an ideal frontline anvil for your army.
And of course, we come back to the Leman Russ Strike Tank. It’s slow but stubborn, packing serious firepower and able to withstand punishing barrages. Whether you kit it with a standard Battlecannon or go specialized with a Vanquisher Cannon, this thing makes its points back by holding lines and blasting apart enemy armor.
Solar Might Without Superhuman Genes
The Solar Auxilia are looking better than ever in the new edition. You’re not trading up for flashy rules or godlike characters, but for cohesion, flexibility, and gritty combined-arms warfare. With the right doctrine, smart synergy between your infantry and vehicles, and well-timed use of Command buffs, you can absolutely go toe-to-toe with the Emperor’s chosen.
This isn’t a horde army or a gimmick list — this is a precise, layered faction for players who enjoy tactical depth, battlefield control, and meaningful decisions each turn. Whether you’re a veteran of the old Tercios or a new commander looking for a non-Legion army that still hits hard, the Solar Auxilia are a serious force worth watching in this new Heresy age.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
