Legiones Astartes – Kakophoni Squad
HEAVY SUPPORT Soon after the treachery at Isstvan III, a terrible force took hold of the Emperor’s Children Legion under their master Fulgrim, and for many the fall was swift and terrible to behold. Practices and experiments long secret and carried out with dire caution were unleashed and fused with malign forces from beyond. One of the first malignant tools made manifest were the strange and experimental psychosonic weapons that would come to be known as the Cacophony or ‘Kakophoni’ in the ancient form; savagely powerful but also dangerously unpredictable in their first incarnations. On Isstvan V the first of these weapons were unleashed by members of the Emperor’s Children who had already begun to degenerate and mutilate themselves in response to the canker of warp-taint to which they had been exposed, a progression of gathering madness and physical corruption that would accelerate at a frightening rate thanks to continual exposure to the reality-rending effects of their perverted weaponry. | ||
- Kakophoni Squad 150 pts
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | Sv | Base | |
| Chora (base: 32mm) | |||||||||||
| Chora | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 3+ | 32mm |
| Orchestrator (base: 32mm) | |||||||||||
| Orchestrator | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 3+ | 32mm |
- 4 Chora
- 1 Orchestrator
- The Cacophony
- Bolt pistol
- Sonic shriekers
- Frag grenades
- Krak grenades
- Power armour
- A Kakophoni Squad may take a Legion Rhino Transport as a Dedicated Transport. As a Dedicated Transport, this does not use up an additional Force Organisation slot, but its points cost must still be paid for as part of the army.
- A Kakophoni Squad may take:
- - Up to 5 additional Chora+25 points each
- The Orchestrator may take any of the following:
- - Artificer armour+10 points
- - Chainsword +5 points
- - Power weapon+10 points
- - Power fist+20 points
The CacophonyThe Cacophony manifest a variety of experimental and unique psycho-sonic weapons, made from an irrational fusion of Imperial and alien technology wedded with the whispered secrets of nightmare intelligences from beyond. These unstable devices are able to unleash blasts of screaming, discordant energy that can rupture flesh and incinerate metal. Their most terrifying ability, however, is to open up the minds of those they touch to the manifold and fatal horrors of the Warp.
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+1 Charge Bonus: Engaged models that Charged this turn get +1 Attack this turn. Models in units that made a Disordered Charge do not get this bonus.
+1 Two Weapons: Engaged models with two single-handed weapons (often a Melee weapon and/or Pistol in each hand) get +1 Attack. Models with more than two weapons gain no additional benefit; you only get one extra attack.
Other Bonuses: Models may have other special rules and Wargear that confer extra attacks.
This weapon is very large, and more than a little clumsy, making swift blows all but impossible to achieve.
A model attacking with this weapon Piles-in and fights at Initiative step 1, unless it has the Dreadnought Unit Type or Monstrous sub-type.The mightiest weapons only reach their full potential when wielded in pairs, as they require an entirely different battle stance from that of more commonplace weapons.
A model fighting with this weapon does not receive +1 Attack for fighting with two weapons unless it is armed with two or more Melee weapons with the Specialist Weapon rule. The additional weapon does not have to be the same weapon as the one used to attack, but it must have the Specialist Weapon rule in order to grant an additional Attack for fighting with two weapons.Some weapons strike with such force that they cause terrible wounds that can lay low even the most formidable combatant.
When a model is allocated a Wound inflicted by a weapon with this special rule, it does not suffer only one Wound but instead suffers a number of Wounds equal to the number in brackets associated with the specific variant of this special rule, with all of the Wounds inflicted using the same AP and special rules as that of the initial Wound. Roll to save against each Wound inflicted separately, but note that Wounds caused in excess of a given model’s remaining Wounds do not spill over to other models and are lost. This special rule has no effect on models that do not have a Toughness value.Some weapons and warriors strike in a flurry of blows, tearing flesh asunder in a series of brutal strikes.
If a model has the Shred special rule, or is attacking with a Melee weapon that has the Shred rule, it re-rolls failed To Wound rolls in close combat.Similarly, if a model makes a Shooting Attack with a weapon that has the Shred rule, it re-rolls its failed To Wound rolls.
Some weapons can inflict critical strikes against which no armour can protect.
If a model has the Rending special rule, or is attacking with a Melee weapon that has the Rending special rule, there is a chance that their close combat attacks will strike a critical blow. For each To Wound roll equal to or higher than the value listed, the target automatically suffers a Wound, regardless of its Toughness. The controlling player may choose to resolve these Wounds at AP 2 instead of the weapon’s normal AP value.Similarly, if a model makes a Shooting Attack with a weapon that has the Rending special rule, a To Wound roll of equal to or greater than the listed value wounds automatically, regardless of Toughness, and is resolved at AP 2.
In either case, against Vehicles each Armour Penetration roll of equal to or greater than the listed value allows a further D3 to be rolled, with the result added to the total Strength of the attack. These Hits are not resolved at AP 2, but are instead resolved using the weapon’s AP value.
For example, a model with the Rending (5+) special rule that rolls To Wound against a non-Vehicle model will wound automatically on the roll of a 5+, and the attacking player has the choice of using an AP value of 2 instead of the AP value of their weapon.
Some weapons rely not on the speed of their wielder, but on their sheer length or cunning design to inflict harm upon the foe before they can react.
A model making attacks as part of an Assault using a weapon with this special rule, adds the value of (X) that is included as part of this special rule to its Initiative Characteristic. If a model has more than one weapon with this special rule then that model only increases the value of its Initiative by the value of the special rule on the weapon whose profile is used by that model to attack during the Fight sub-phase. A weapon that is not used to attack does not modify the model’s Initiative Characteristic – models that may attack with more than one weapon, or models claiming the bonus for having a second weapon, may only add the value of the highest variant of this special rule and do not add the values together.For example, a model attacking as part of an Assault with a weapon that has the Reach (1) special rule increases its Initiative by +1.
These melee weapons are sheathed in disruption fields that allow them to cleave armour as though it were paper and annihilate flesh or bone with ease. They are both difficult to master, for a single mis-stroke can lead to catastrophe in a close packed melee, and expensive to manufacture and maintain, and so are mostly found only in the hands of the finest warriors in the Legiones Astartes.
All weapons listed here are counted as ‘Power’ weapons for those rules that affect such weapons. A model that is eligible to select a power weapon may take any of the weapons included in this Profile.Range | Str | AP | Type | |
| Power sword | - | User | 3 | Melee, Rending (6+) |
| Power axe | - | +1 | 2 | Melee, Unwieldy |
| Power maul | - | +2 | 3 | Melee |
| Power lance | - | +1 | 3 | Melee, Reach (1) |
Although technically operated on the same principle, the following weapons are far rarer and more difficult to master than the more common power weapons. They count as a ‘Power’ weapons, but may not be selected by a model eligible to claim a generic power weapon.
When a model has two lightning claws, that model gains +2 Attacks instead of the usual +1 Attack for using an additional weapon in combat.
Range | Str | AP | Type | |
| Power fist | - | x2 | 2 | Melee, Unwieldy, Specialist Weapon |
| Gravis power fist | - | 9 | 2 | Melee, Brutal (3) |
| Thunder hammer | - | x2 | 2 | Melee, Unwieldy, Brutal (2), Specialist Weapon |
| Lightning claw | - | User | 3 | Melee, Shred, Rending (6+), Specialist Weapon |
Some weapons are fuelled by unstable power sources and risk overheating with each shot – often to the detriment of their wielder.
When firing a weapon that Gets Hot, roll To Hit as normal. For each unmodified To Hit roll of 1, the firing model immediately suffers a single Wound with an AP value equal to that of the weapon that was used to attack (Armour Saves, Invulnerable Saves and Feel No Pain rolls can be taken, but not Cover Saves or Shrouded rolls) – this Wound cannot be allocated to any other model in the unit. A Vehicle instead rolls a D6 for each roll of a 1 To Hit. If this roll results in a 1 or 2, the Vehicle suffers a Glancing Hit.Assault weapons either fire so rapidly or indiscriminately that they can be fired while a warrior is moving.
A model attacking with an Assault weapon makes the number of Attacks indicated on its profile regardless of whether the bearer has moved or not. A model carrying an Assault weapon can make a Shooting Attack with it in the Shooting phase and still Charge in the Assault phase.
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Some weapons are capable of breaching armour with a terrifying ease, whether by specially designed munitions, careful targeting or sheer brute power.
When rolling To Wound for a model that has the Breaching (X) special rule, or is attacking with a weapon that has the Breaching (X) special rule, for each To Wound roll equal to or higher than the value listed in brackets, the controlling player must resolve these wounds at AP 2 instead of the weapon’s normal AP value. This rule has no effect on models that do not have Wounds, such as models with the Vehicle Unit Type.For example, a model with the Breaching (5+) special rule that rolls To Wound and rolls a result of ‘5’ or higher, the Wound inflicted gains an AP of ‘2’ regardless of the AP value listed on the weapon’s profile. Note that a weapon that has both the Breaching (X) and the Gets Hot special rules always uses the base AP of the weapon when rolls of ‘1’ To Hit inflict Wounds on the attacking model.
The ancient volkite weaponry employed by the armies of Terra in the earliest years of the Great Crusade fired arcing blasts of energy rather than solid projectiles.
After normal attacks by this weapon have been resolved, count the number of unsaved Wounds caused on the target unit. Immediately resolve a number of additional automatic Hits on the same unit using the weapon’s profile equal to the number of unsaved Wounds – these can then be saved normally. Models in the targeted unit must still be in range in order for these additional Hits to take effect. These additional Hits do not themselves inflict more Hits and do not benefit from any other special rules possessed by the attacking model, such as Preferred Enemy (X) or Precision Strikes (X).Pistols are light enough to be carried and fired one-handed.
A model attacking with a Pistol weapon makes the number of Attacks indicated on its profile regardless of whether the bearer has moved or not. A model carrying a Pistol weapon can make a Shooting Attack with it in the Shooting phase and still Charge in the Assault phase. A Pistol weapon also counts as a close combat weapon in the Assault phase. In addition, all models with two Pistol type weapons can attack with both in the same Shooting phase. This follows the normal rules for shooting.
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Coming under fire without knowing where the shots are coming from, or having ordnance rain down from the skies, can shake the resolve of even the bravest warriors, making them dive flat and cling to whatever cover presents itself.
If a non-Vehicle unit suffers one or more unsaved Wounds from a weapon with the Pinning special rule, it must take a Leadership test once the firing unit has finished its Shooting Attacks for that Phase. This is called a Pinning test. If the unit fails the Test, it is Pinned. As long as the Test is passed, a unit can be called upon to take multiple Pinning tests in a single turn, but only once for each unit shooting at them.A unit that is affected by any of the following conditions does not take Pinning tests, and if called upon to do so is considered to automatically pass them:
- The unit is locked in combat.
- The unit is already Pinned (the unit remains Pinned, but takes no further Tests).
- The unit is composed entirely of Vehicle models.
- The unit is Embarked on a Transport Vehicle.
- The target unit is affected by the Fearless special rule.
Range | Str | AP | ||
| Power fist | - | x2 | 2 | Melee, Unwieldy, Specialist Weapon |
This class of grenade contains only a small explosive charge, and is intended primarily to disorientate and distract the foe while closing on a fixed position.
A unit that includes at least one model with frag grenades makes attacks at its normal Initiative Step during an Assault after it has successfully Charged through Difficult Terrain or Dangerous Terrain, but still suffers any penalties to Charge rolls imposed by Difficult Terrain or Dangerous Terrain when resolving a Charge through Difficult Terrain or Dangerous Terrain.This class of grenade encompasses a variety of shaped charges, plasma detonators and crude bombs, all intended to disable armoured vehicles.
The controlling player may choose to have a model with krak grenades that is Engaged or otherwise in base contact during the Assault phase with a Building or Fortification, or a model with the Vehicle, Dreadnought or Automata Unit Type, inflict one automatic Str 6, AP 3 Hit on the target in Initiative Step 1 instead of attacking normally. Any model in a unit that is chosen to inflict Hits using krak grenades may not otherwise attack or make use of any other special rule or item of Wargear that inflicts Hits or Wounds on a model in the same Assault phase (but may participate in Sweeping Advances as normal).Made from high grade composite armour plating over an augmenting musculature of electro-fibre bundles, power armour features its own energy systems, sensors and environmental seals. Legiones Astartes power armour is the signature wargear of the Space Marine Legions and subject to an on-going evolution in design stretching back to the Thunder Warriors of the Unification Wars of Old Earth, fused with the wisdom of the Mechanicum of Mars and technological relics recovered over the years of the Great Crusade. At the outset of the Horus Heresy, the most common patterns employed by the Legions are the ‘Crusade’ and ‘Maximus’ types, with the ‘Iron’ pattern favoured for siege and close assault work, although there are considerable customised panoplies and many other Legion-specific sub-patterns in service.
Power armour provides a 3+ Armour Save.Forged by the master craftsmen of the Mechanicum, these superior variations of power armour are often highly embellished with ciphers of strength and durability, while some of wildly differing designs are far older than the present age and owe their origins to the forgotten zenith of human technological might.
Artificer armour confers a 2+ Armour Save.Some weapons produce such a weight of fire that any target pummelled by their attack is left dazed and stunned.
Pinning tests taken due to an attack or weapon with this special rule are made with a penalty to Leadership Characteristic equal to the value listed as part of the special rule.For example, a unit that is forced to take a Pinning test by an attack made using a weapon with the Shell Shock (2) special rule, suffers a penalty of -2 to their Leadership Characteristic when resolving that Test.
This datasheet has Heavy Support Battlefield Role. Full list of Legiones Astartes units sharing same Battlefield Role follows:
Fearless troops never give up and seldom make full use of cover – even if it would be wiser to do so.
Units with one or more models with the Fearless special rule automatically pass Pinning tests, Regroup tests and Morale checks. In addition, models with the Fearless special rule ignore the effects of the Fear special rule.However, units containing one or more models with the Fearless special rule cannot use any Reactions that grant a Cover Save, Armour Save or Invulnerable Save, and cannot choose to fail a Morale check due to the Our Weapons Are Useless special rule. If a unit has become Pinned and then gains the Fearless special rule, all the effects of being Pinned are immediately cancelled.
FLAWLESS EXECUTION
On a turn in which they make a successful Charge, even if that Charge is considered a Disordered Charge, models with the Legiones Astartes (Emperor’s Children) special rule make their attacks in an assault at one Initiative step higher than normal – after any Initiative modifiers from other special rules have been taken into account. Models with the Legiones Astartes (Emperor’s Children) special rule and the Vehicle Unit Type gain a bonus of +1 to all To Hit rolls made for Defensive weapons when making a Shooting Attack as part of a Reaction.
Models with this special rule gain access to unique Wargear options (see The Armoury of the Emperor’s Children).
The Phoenician’s Own
Any Legion Tartaros Centurion with this special rule may select the Phoenix Warden Consul upgrade.
Exemplars of War
A Warlord with this special rule may select a Warlord Trait from the Emperor’s Children Warlord Trait list.
In the name of the Warmaster Horus, a vast host took up arms against those they had once called brothers – some driven by a lust for power and others by a misguided desire for justice. Regardless of the cause they held dear, there could be no turning back for these warriors, only victory or damnation.
A model with this special rule may only be included in an army that has the Traitor Allegiance.Towards the end of the Great Crusade, the Legion’s armourers and apothecaries had begun to experiment with surgical augments and psycho-sonic weaponry based, in part, on xenos designs. Although their true breakthroughs in these fields would not occur until given unholy impetus and inspiration during the Legion’s fall, some success had already been reached in creating effective combat implants which were finding selective use as the Horus Heresy dawned.
Any model with the Traitor Allegiance and both the Legiones Astartes (Emperor’s Children) special rule and the Character Unit Sub-type but not the Unique Sub-type may select a single Surgical Augment from the list below for a cost of +20 points:- Sonic Shriekers – During a turn in which a unit with at least one model equipped with sonic shriekers successfully Charges, or is themselves successfully Charged, all models in any enemy unit(s) locked in combat with them suffer a -1 penalty to all To Hit rolls. Models which are immune to the effects of the Fear (X) special rule are not affected by this modifier.
- Sub-sonic Pulser – A model equipped with this upgrade, and any unit it joins, ignores the penalties to Leadership and Ballistic Skill imposed by the Night Fighting special rules.
- Sonic Lance – A model equipped with this upgrade gains the sonic lance weapon:
Range | Str | AP | Type | |
| Sonic lance | Template | 2 | - | Assault 1, Breaching (6+), Pinning |
The Cacophony
The Cacophony manifest a variety of experimental and unique psycho-sonic weapons, made from an irrational fusion of Imperial and alien technology wedded with the whispered secrets of nightmare intelligences from beyond. These unstable devices are able to unleash blasts of screaming, discordant energy that can rupture flesh and incinerate metal. Their most terrifying ability, however, is to open up the minds of those they touch to the manifold and fatal horrors of the Warp.
Range | Str | AP | ||
| The Cacophony | 36" | 6 | 5 | Assault 3, Gets Hot, Pinning, Shell Shock (1), Deflagrate |