Vigilus Defiant is almost upon us – in fact, it’s up for pre-order on Saturday! We’ve learned a lot about the war-torn history of the sentinel world of late (there are even free short stories to read – check out the Vigilus page), so this week, we’re taking a closer look at some of the cool rules that can be found within the action-packed campaign book.
This article was originally published on the Warhammer-community site.
Today, we’re sizing up two mighty commanders leading as the age-old conflict between Heretic and Adeptus Astartes breaks out once more in this fiercely-contested war zone.
First up, let’s look at the at…
Also known as the Herald of the Apocalypse and the Proclamator of Abaddon’s Reign, it’s fair to say that this guy enjoys the favour of the Warmaster. Yet such lofty esteem is not easily won. Haarken Worldclaimer is far more than a mere herald – he’s a greatly feared Chaos Lord of the Black Legion in his own right. He knows well the power of fear and wields it as a weapon in his conquests. Upon making planetfall, he drives his cursed spear into the ground of each new world he claims in the name of the Abaddon – a simple but symbolic act that has portended the doom of countless Imperial planets.
On the battlefield, Haarken Worldclaimer is a formidable adversary. As a Chaos Lord, he boasts an enviable profile and is protected by a Sigil of Corruption, granting him a 4+ invulnerable save.
Every bit the vanguard commander, Haarken Worldclaimer is often found leading swift and brutal speartip strikes alongside packs of ferocious Raptors. His jump pack and Raptor Strike ability not only enable him to lead these lightning attacks in person but, as Lord of the Raptors, he inspires friendly Raptors within 6″, enabling them to tear through their prey in short order. What’s more, this ability applies to all Raptors, not just those of the Black Legion, so he makes for a useful ally if you favour using them.
Haarken Worldclaimer has two further abilities that represent his role as Abaddon’s harbinger and executioner. First up, his Herald of the Apocalypse ability reduces the Leadership of enemy units within a massive 18″ radius – an intimidating prospect for all but the most stoic enemies – and he grows in ferocity for each worthy life he claims:
What’s more, he can slaughter prey with his lightning claw or skewer foes at a distance by hurling his warp-tainted Helspear:
There can be no doubt – Haarken Worldclaimer is a bit of a menace! But what about the commander of Vigilus’ embattled defenders?
This mighty champion of Humanity surely needs no introduction, for he is known throughout the Imperium and his deeds are legion:
He is the Lord Macragge, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines… and now he is Primaris! Marneus Calgar’s rebirth has not only led to an incredible new miniature, but an impressively beefed-up set of rules. Seriously, his profile alone is almost Primarch-worthy:
Marneus Calgar now wears the Armour of Heraclus – a custom suit of Mk X Gravis armour that allows him to move unencumbered, provides him with a 4+ invulnerable save and halves any damage he suffers! And, of course, he would never leave Macragge without his trusty Gauntlets of Ultramar. Calgar’s iconic twin power fists remain as brutally powerful as they’ve always been, but when combined with his augmented profile, he’ll be able to tear a battle tank apart in a single round of combat!
Of course, Marneus Calgar also makes for a fantastic choice of Warlord. Not only will this net you a couple of bonus Command Points from his Master Tactician ability, but his Adept of the Codex Warlord Trait will enable you to replenish your store of Command Points even as you spend them:
As if he wasn’t already awesome enough, Marneus Calgar also has the powerful Chapter Master aura ability, which inspires nearby Ultramarines to fight even harder:
Marneus Calgar and his world-claiming adversary are up for pre-order this weekend, along with the glorious Vigilus Defiant campaign book in which you’ll find their full rules. The question is, will you fight for Chaos, the Imperium, or one of the many other warring factions on Vigilus? proclaim your allegiance on our Warhammer 40,000 Facebook page and ready yourselves for war!
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
So Marneus seems the same just with the Gravis toughness buff and the Primaris wound and attack bump but loses deep strike. Seems decent. 8 Wounds is a sweet spot as he would have to fail 4 saves against dmg 3 to die. I really like that he comes with a helmet option.
Yeah, he still falls short of G-man, but, he’s much improved.
Getting him where he needs to be and his points cost will be key in fielding him or not – to get the full aura effect, a lieutenant will still be needed and G-Man gives out the full reroll for wounds and zombie walks.
“We gave you a Chaos lord who gives raptors (who take special ranged weapons) melee rerolls and a SPEAR for a gun, and has a single Lightning Claw”
People seem rightfully frustrated at how poor his kit is, which is frustrating considering how good he looks.
Well, if the Spear also has a melee profile that would answer a lot of those questions, right?
I didn’t have any questions. 🙂
However, if the article failed to include that information, and worded it in such a way as to only show a ranged version of his kit, then I would agree that fault for misconception would lay on that end.
Well, we’ll have to wait and see the final product but that would go a long way.
lol
If only he would buff warp talons instead of raptors….
Or both? But yeah, Warp Talons are one of the coolest looking units and it’s so sad they are so bad.
Yeah, that would be cool.
Primarneus is too cool for Rhinos and such now, right? Repulsor only?
Indeed.
Wasn’t he too cool for Rhino’s before? I thought that the Armour of Antilochus was a suit of terminator armour.
It was, but Gravis Armor is different. No Deep strike but I you can assume he will be able to ride in a Repressor.
I don’t think “will he be able to ride in the transport no one likes” was the burning question on everyone’s minds here. 😛
I was hoping they would reveal/make changes to Marneus beyond his statline. Kinda bummed out. I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Just get him some shiny new augmented super armor.
Also I think the ability to deepstrike was his best quality. That and the 2 CP you got for making him your warlord. I’ll wait for the points before I pass any sort of final judgement but so far i’m a little disappointed.
Interesting that GW perceive Raptors as combat units. Really like his head-claimer rule, it can makes for some funny games!
Yeah, I mean, in the fluff they most certainty are a melee unit just like Assault Marines. But on the table at this point in time they most certainly are not.
As I have said many times, the basic MEQ stat line is just underwhelming for the points right now.
I just noticed something. This preroll aura for raptor is the same ass Cawl reroll, since it doesn’t mention that you have to reroll misses, just the hit rolls. Shame its wasted on raptors who doesn’t have any decent melee weapons, or at least ability to trigger something on 6s to hit.