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So we are now one week on from the Space Marine 30th Anniversary, but while every one was focused on the fancy new model, and the new Crimson Slaughter Supplement, the Black Legion one slid under the radar ... but not my radar!
So today I am going to embark on giving you a run down of the rules and whether I feel these formations are any good to improve the poor old Chaos Codex. To explain, I will am going to explain the rules for each formation and i'll give you my opinion on whether it is worth taking in your army or not ... So lets get started!
The Bringers of Despair
Units
Abaddon the Despoiler
1 Unit of Chaos Terminators
Rules
Without Equal: Chaos Terminators that are part of this formation (including the Terminator Champion) have a Weapon Skill and Ballistic Skill of 5 rather than 4.
The Despoiler's Guard: While Abaddon the Despoiler is joined to the unit of Chaos Terminators from this formation, you can re-roll one Look Out, Sir roll for him in each phase.
Review
Right lets look at this closely, because when I first looked at this I was disappointed, after all this is the only formation with the mighty Abaddon the Despoiler in it. But Terminators that are hitting Space Marines on 3+ in combat as well as when shooting, cannot be played down!
The re-roll for the look out sir is handy, but then again Abaddon is Eternal Warrior.
Overall, I would have to say this is a good formation, and if you are going to take Abaddon then I see no down side to taking this.
Judgement: Glancing Hit!
The Chosen of Abaddon
Units
1-4 Chaos Lords or Sorcerers (In any combination)
1 unit of Chosen or Chaos Terminators for each Lord or Socerer
Rules
Exalted Champions: During deployment, each Chaos Lord and Sorcerer from this Formation must join one of the units of Chosen or Chaos Terminators. Only one character can join each unit in this way, and they cannot leave these units during the course of the battle. As long as the character is on the battlefield, his unit has the fearless special rule.
Blessed by the Chaos Gods: Before deployment, roll on the Chaos Boon table for each Chaos Lord and Sorcerer in this formation, re-rolling any results of Spawnhood or Dark Apotheosis. The result lasts for the entire game.
Review
This could potentially be a very expensive formation! In my experience, people do not often take more than 1 or 2 chosen units. With the additional rules that this formation gives you, to me does not give anyone a reason to take more than one unit and if that is the case, take Abaddon and the The Bringers of Despair Formation.
Judgement: Miss!
The Hounds of Abaddon
Units
1 Chaos Lord
1-3 units of Khorne Berserkers
1-3 units Chaos Space Marines
1-3 units of Raptor, Warp Talons or Chaos Bikers (in any combination)
(All units in this formation must take the Mark of Khorne but at no additional cost)
Rules
Let Slip the Hounds: Once per game, at the start of any of your turns after the first, you can declare a massed assault. For the duration of that turn, units from this Formation can charge in the assault phase even is they have made a run move in the same turn.
Khorne's Favour: If a unit from this Formation makes a successful charge and the total rolled for its charge range in 8 or more (before modifiers) add 1 to the Strength of its models until the end of the assault phase.
Review
The only chance I have had to test this formation was sadly against an army of dreadnoughts. (I lost obviously!)
That being said I like this formation. I chose to use Warp Talons (Even if G kept forgetting they are not Raptors!) 5 attacks on the charge re-rolling failed wounds at potentially Strength 5 is pretty tasty.
I think the potential to run and charge on one turn is useful, but you just have to be careful not to waste it, its only once a game! But for me that change of the +1 strength is more than useful, especially when you are not paying for your mark.
Judgement: Penetrating Hit!
Daemon Engine Pack
Units
1 Warpsmith
1-2 Forgefiend(s) or Maulerfiend(s) (In any combination)
Rules
Hunting Pack: After deployment, but before the first turn, nominate one enemy character. All Forgefiends and Maulerfiends from this formation have preferred enemy against that character. If the nominated character is slain by a vehicle from this formation, that model regains a hull point lost earlier in the battle.
Prized Possessions: At the start of each shooting and assault phase, you can nominate a Forgefiend or Maulerfiend from this formation that is within 12" of the Warpsmith. That model uses the Warpsmith's Weapon Skill or Ballistic Skill for that Phase.
Review
This one for me gives me mixed opinions, mainly because I see no benefit to taking Maulerfiends. My reason for this, is that if you have chosen one character which is often going to be in a unit. Therefore surely a lot of fire power from two forgefiends with Hades Autocannons would be better, especially if you have to be within 12" of the Warpsmith to get the bonus!
Judgement: Glancing Hit!
Cyclopia Cabal
Units
3-5 Sorcerers
Rules
Shroud of Deceit: Select one model from this formation, this model can attempt to to cast Shroud of Deceit. For each sorcerer within 12" of the model, add one dice to the Psychic Test - These dice do not cost any warp charge points.
Warp Charge 3
Target a single - non vehicle enemy unit - within 30". The target unit cannot be locked in combat. You can immediately make a shooting attack with that unit as though it were part of your army.
Review
I am not sold on this one yet. I think Warp Charge 3 is very hard to achieve, especially without the risk of perils. Plus I think it might be hard to find space for 3 sorcerers in any army. On the plus side though, it would be funny to take a storm surge and use it against them!
Judgement: Glancing Hit!
The Tormented
Units
1 Daemon Prince
2-5 units of Possessed
Rules
Advanced Possession
Units of Possessed in this formations have Initiative and Weapon Skill 5, and Rending Special Rule. However if a unit of possessed are not locked in combat at the end of the turn, not within 18" of the Daemon Prince they must take a leadership check. If they fail the leadership check they must move D6 the following turn rather than their standard move.
Review
All kinds of yes! Weapon Skill 5 and Rending on Possessed is such a strong change for them. That is ignoring the standard roll that you also get because of Vessels of Chaos.
In addition to the upsides, the downside to this formation is not really much of a problem considering they are Leadership 9 as standard!
If you want anything good in combat, why wouldn't these be in your army!
Judgement: Penetrating Hit!
Black Legion Warband
Units
1 Chaos Lord
0-1 Sorcerer
2-6 units of Chaos Space Marines or Chosen (in any combination)
1-3 units of Chaos Terminators or Possessed
1-3 units of Raptors, Warp Talons or Bikers
1-3 units of Havocs or Hellbrutes
Rules
Favoured of the Warmaster
When a model in the Formations gets to roll on the Chaos Boon table, you roll twice and you get to choose which one you want or both.
Thirst for Glory
If a unit from the Formation destroys an enemy unit, all other units in the formation re-roll all 1's on rolls to hit and to wound.
Review
This is a debatable one. In large games, you would have to take it, but in smaller games it could be difficult to get enough to fill the formation.
On the other side, as a stand alone formation, this is a great formation. For example if you can quickly kill a rhino/transport with the Havoc or Hellbrutes you are getting to re-roll all 1's from that point on!
I think if your game is big enough you have to take this formation!
Judgement: Penetrating Hit!
Overall
I would have to say this supplement is well overdue. Some of these formations together in an army could make Chaos relatively competitive. I am looking forward to the whole chaos codex when it is redone!
Judgement: Penetrating Hit!
Remember peeps, this is my opinion and you do not need to take it as gospel, but that's up to you!
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