Legiones Astartes – Zardu Layak
HQ Zardu Layak’s true name is now lost, but it is recorded in his Legion’s lore that he was once an officer of the Ashen Circle, a Terran by birth, and a devout destroyer of all that pertained to false superstition and errant creed. He oversaw the burning of a hundred temples and countless tomes of lies in the Emperor’s service, until the Word Bearers’ brutal censure by the Emperor. After their punishment on Monarchia, Layak was soulsick, and quickly a fervent convert to Erebus’ and Lorgar’s new teachings. He took the name Zardu Layak, ‘Eater of Wisdom’, but came to be known by his Legion as the Crimson Apostle for his fiery raiment and the scalding blood in which he daily daubed his armour. Suffused in dark powers which he used freely to destroy minds and bodies, Zardu Layak walked his bloody path accompanied by a pair of bodyguards, each unnaturally warped and contorted and possessed of great strength. Wielding the Anakatis blades, gifts bestowed upon them by Layak and weapons of unholy xenos influence and malevolent power, they cut a swathe through their master’s foes in a barely controlled hunger for slaughter. | ||
- Zardu Layak 300 pts
| M | WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | Sv | Base | |
| Zardu Layak (base: 32mm) | |||||||||||
| Zardu Layak | 7 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 2+ | 32mm |
| Blade Slaves (base: 40mm) | |||||||||||
| Blade Slaves | 7 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 3+ | 40mm |
- 1 Zardu Layak
- 2 Anakatis Kul Blade Slaves
- Bolt pistol
- The Azurda Char’is
- Artificer armour
- Iron halo
- The Panoply of Flame
- Frag grenades
- Krak grenades
- Plasma pistol
- Anakatis blade
- Power armour
- Frag grenades
- Krak grenades
- Legiones Astartes (Word Bearers)
- Master of the Legion
- Independent Character
- Relentless
- Fearless
- Hatred (Loyalists)
- Binder of Souls
- Traitor
- Warlord: The Eater of Wisdom
- Legiones Astartes (Word Bearers)
- Rage (2)
- Bulky (2)
- Feel No Pain (5+)
- Chosen Warriors
- Relentless
Binder of SoulsZardu Layak gains the Psychic Discipline Soul Binding and may not select any other Psychic Discipline:Warlord: The Eater of WisdomIf chosen as the army’s Warlord, Zardu Layak automatically has The Eater of Wisdom as his Warlord Trait and may not select any other.The Eater of Wisdom – If Zardu Layak is the army’s Warlord, then the controlling player may choose up to three friendly units composed entirely of models with the Corrupted Unit Sub-type from the same army as Zardu Layak at the beginning of the battle, before any models are deployed. All models in each of the selected units gains a bonus of +1 to its Strength and Movement Characteristics, but must take a Leadership test at the end of each of the controlling player’s turns. If that Test is failed the unit suffers Perils of the Warp, while if it is not failed there is no effect that turn. In addition, an army with Zardu Layak as its Warlord may make an additional Reaction during the opposing player’s Assault phase as long as Zardu Layak has not been removed as a casualty. Psychic Discipline: Soul BindingA Psyker with this Discipline gains all the listed Powers, Weapon and other special rules, as well as the Aetheric Lightning Psychic WeaponSoul Binding (Psychic Power)Zardu Layak has long since mastered the art of shackling the will of another, binding it to his own will and turning enemies into slaves. When an enemy unit declares it will make a Reaction to Zardu Layak or any unit he has joined, the controlling player may choose to have Zardu Layak immediately suffer Perils of the Warp, resolving all Wounds inflicted before any part of the Reaction is resolved. If Zardu Layak is not removed as a Casualty then that Reaction is cancelled (the Reactive player does not expend a point of their Reaction Allotment, and if the Reaction could only be used a limited number of times, it is not considered to have been used in this instance) and the unit that declared the Reaction gains no benefit and takes no action.Telepathic Chains (Psychic Weapon)
Psychic Focus: Before making any To Hit rolls with this weapon, the Psyker must make a Psychic check. If the Check is passed then the Psyker may attack as normal using the profile shown for this weapon. If the Check is failed then the Psyker suffers Perils of the Warp, and if the model is not removed as a casualty then it may attack as normal but may not use this weapon. The Azurda Char’isIt is unknown how the Crimson Apostle acquired this potent artefact, or by what hidden lore he has modified it to his usage. The weapon listed here is counted as a ‘Force’ weapon for those rules that affect such weapons.
The Panoply of FlameThe Panoply of Flame serves both as a war banner and as a weapon to turn on Zardu Layak’s enemies, his warp gifts allowing him to mould the unclean flame the Panoply now produces by will alone. All models with the Legiones Astartes (Word Bearers) special rule within 12" of the Panoply of Flame add a +1 modifier to their score when determining victory in assaults and +1 to their Sweeping Advance rolls.Anakatis bladeThese occult blades reek of unholy, warp-spawned power and their forging may well have pre-dated human life. Dark and coiling entities have been trapped within the blades, entities that whisper promises of untold might and power, but such promises are only bought at a terrifying price to both body and soul. The weapon listed here is counted as a ‘Power’ and ‘Force’ weapon for those rules that affect such weapons.
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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 |
Relentless warriors are strong of arm – nothing can slow their implacable advance.
Relentless models can shoot with Heavy or Ordnance weapons, counting as Stationary, even if they moved in the previous Movement phase. They are also allowed to Charge in the same turn they fire Heavy, Ordnance, or Rapid Fire weapons.This creature is so massive, it takes up an inordinate amount of space in any vehicle or building it enters.
Bulky models count as a number of models equal to the value X in brackets after the rule’s name for the purposes of Transport Capacity and whether a given unit outnumbers another in combat.For example, a unit comprised of five models all of which have the Bulky (3) special rule, would count as 15 models when attempting to Embark on a Transport Vehicle or when deciding if they outnumber an enemy unit (see, for example, Rampage (X)).
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.
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.Utilised by Techmarines and the Adepts of the Mechanicum, cyber-familiar is a term that encompasses a variety of semiautonomous devices such as servo-skulls, mek-spiders and other smaller drone units and lesser haemonculites tied into the direct neural control of their operator. These miniondrones are an extension of their master’s will and provide them with a host of additional senses and capabilities.
A model with a cyber-familiar adds +1 to its Invulnerable Save (to a maximum of 3+) or an Invulnerable Save of 6+ if they do not already possess one. In addition, they allow them to re-roll failed Characteristic tests other than Leadership tests, Psychic checks or failed Dangerous Terrain tests.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.
| Any player, unless a special rule or other effect specifies otherwise, may make one Reaction in each Phase of their opponent’s turn. | ||
The Reaction Allotment of any player may be modified by special rules or other effects, granting that player additional Reactions either in every Phase (an increase of the Reaction Allotment) or in specific Phases. This may either increase the base Reaction Allotment, that is the number of Reactions allowed in every Phase, or only grant a bonus to the Reaction Allotment in specific Phases.
For example, a player might have a special rule that states ‘This special rule increases the Reaction Allotment to two’, which would indicate that the player could make two Reactions in every Phase of their opponent’s turn. However, a special rule that states ‘This special rule increases the number of Reactions that may be made during the Assault phase by +1’ would allow a player with a Reaction Allotment of one to make a single Reaction in the Shooting and Movement phases, but two in the Assault phase.
Regardless of any special rules or other effects, no player may ever increase their base Reaction Allotment above three, nor may any player ever make more than three Reactions in a given Phase unless a special rule specifically allows for a number of Reactions above the normal limit of three.
A Reaction may be made with any unit controlled by the Reactive player, though in a number of situations a special rule or condition may deny a unit the opportunity to react. The most common such conditions where a unit may not make a Reaction are:
- It is Pinned.
- It is Falling Back.
- It is locked in combat.
- It has already made a Reaction in the current Phase.
- The controlling player has exhausted their Reaction Allotment for the current Phase.
- Another special rule, effect or condition specifically states they may not (for example, the Fearless special rule and certain effects caused by weapons and Psychic Powers).
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To Hit rolls are easy to remember if you subtract the Ballistic Skill of the attacking model from 7. For example, a model with BS 2 needs to roll a 5 or more (7-2=5).
Note that the minimum roll needed To Hit is always at least 2. When rolling To Hit, there is no such thing as an automatic Hit and a roll of a 1 always misses.
The greatest commanders of the Space Marine Legions are all but peerless in their strategic and tactical abilities. The genecraft of the Emperor that created them, honed by individual talent and the experience of countless battles, has sharpened their acumen to a preternatural degree.
The Master of the Legion special rule grants the following benefits:- Rites of War: If a Detachment with the Legiones Astartes Faction includes at least one model with the Master of the Legion special rule then that Detachment may select a single Rite of War. Rites of War are presented in the Legiones Astartes Rites of War section.
- The Few and the Proud: An army may only include a maximum of one model with this special rule per 1,000 points. This counts across all Detachments of an army. Thus, an army that totals at least 1,000 points may include only a single model with the Master of the Legion special rule, and an army that totals at least 2,000 points may include up to two models with the Master of the Legion special rule, etc.
- Retinue: A model with this special rule may also include a Legion Command Squad, Legion Cataphractii Command Squad or Legion Tartaros Command Squad as part of the same Force Organisation slot as the model with the Master of the Legion special rule.
Whether pledged to the Emperor himself as the rightful leader of Mankind or to the dream of the Imperium that he intended to create, some warriors swore to fight and die for the Loyalist cause and no other.
A model with this special rule may only be included in an army that has the Loyalist Allegiance.Some weapons are so cruel of form or powerful in aspect that a well-placed strike can slay even the toughest opponent.
Attacks with this special rule cause Instant Death on a To Wound roll equal to or greater than the number listed in brackets associated with the specific rule. Roll any viable Saves against this Instant Death-causing Wound separately and before any other Wounds the attack inflicts.This datasheet has HQ Battlefield Role. Full list of Legiones Astartes units sharing same Battlefield Role follows:
These devices are defensive field generators designed for personal protection. They encompass the wearer in an energy field or force barrier which serves to refract or deflect impacts and energy discharges. Although powerful, these fields are limited by the need for the wearer to move and the prodigious power consumption of the generator, which leaves vulnerabilities a canny opponent can exploit. Devices of this nature are relatively rare, even among the Space Marine Legions, and are the province of commanding officers and honoured champions, where they are often incorporated into armour or amulets and gifted as a mark of favour and rank.
A model with a refractor field gains a 5+ Invulnerable Save, and a model with an iron halo gains a 4+ Invulnerable Save.Invulnerable Saves granted by a refractor field or iron halo do not stack with other Invulnerable Saves, but can benefit from rules (such as cyber-familiar) that specifically increase existing saves. If a model has another Invulnerable Save then the controlling player must choose which one to use.
Trusted lieutenants or paragons of martial virtue, these warriors let no challenge go unanswered in the heat of battle.
A model with this special rule may issue and accept Challenges as if it had the Character type. Note that this does not allow a model with this special rule to use any other special rules associated with the Character type.Mighty heroes go where they are needed, being at the forefront of the most vital charges and leading their troops to victory.
Independent Characters can join other units. They cannot, however, join units that contain Vehicles, Dreadnoughts, Automata or any model with the Monstrous sub-type (unless the Independent Character also has that Unit Type or sub-type). They can join other Independent Characters though to form a powerful multi-character unit.Whether through force of will, bionic augmentation or foul sorcery, this warrior can still fight despite fearsome wounds.
When a model with this special rule suffers an unsaved Wound, it can make a special Feel No Pain roll to avoid being Wounded (this is a special Saving Throw which is made after unsaved Wounds are suffered).Feel No Pain rolls may not be taken against unsaved Wounds that have the Instant Death special rule.
Roll a D6 each time an unsaved Wound is suffered. On a result that is equal to or greater than the value in brackets, the unsaved Wound is discounted – treat it as having been saved. On any other result the Wound is taken as normal.
For example, a unit with the special rule Feel No Pain (5+) would need to score a 5 or 6 in order to discount a Wound inflicted upon it.
This is a Damage Mitigation roll – any model may make only a single Damage Mitigation roll of any type for any given Wound.
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.
When a Sweeping Advance is performed, both the unit Falling Back and the winning unit roll a D6 and add their unmodified Initiative to the result. In a unit with mixed Initiative Characteristics, use the highest Characteristic. The units then compare their totals.
If the winner’s total (Initiative + dice roll) is greater than their opponents’, the Falling Back unit is caught by the Sweeping Advance and destroyed. All models in the destroyed unit are immediately removed as casualties. Unless otherwise specified, no Save or other special rule can prevent the unit from being destroyed.
If the Falling Back unit’s total is higher, or the final result is a tie, they break off from the combat successfully. Make a Falls Back move for the losing unit. The winners can then Consolidate.
Bloodlust is a powerful weapon on the battlefield, spurring a warrior to hack their foes apart in a flurry of mindless carnage.
In a turn in which a model with this special rule Charges into combat, it gains a number of Attacks equal to the value of X for Charging, rather than +1. A model that has made a Disordered Charge that turn receives no benefit from Rage.To take a Leadership test, use the following procedure:
- Roll 2D6 and compare the result to the model’s Leadership Characteristic.
- If the result is equal to or less than the model’s Leadership Characteristic, then the test has been passed.
- If the result is greater than the model’s Leadership Characteristic, the test has been failed and the model faces the consequences as detailed in the rule that prompted the test.
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.Whenever a Psyker or other model/unit suffers Perils of the Warp, apply the rule below:
Perils of the Warp: When a model or unit suffers Perils of the Warp, it receives D3 Wounds against which only Invulnerable Saves may be taken (no Damage Mitigation rolls may be made to negate these Wounds). These Wounds may be allocated to any model in the unit, including models without the Psyker Sub-type, in the same manner as those received during a Shooting Attack. If the Psyker is a Vehicle, it suffers D3 Hull Points of damage against which only Invulnerable Saves may be taken.
These Hull Points of damage may be allocated to other Vehicle models in the same Squadron, in the same manner as a Shooting Attack.
In the far future, hatred is a powerful ally.
This rule is presented as Hatred (X) where X identifies a specific type of foe. If the special rule does not specify a type of foe, then the unit has Hatred against everyone. This can refer to a Faction or a specific unit.For example, Hatred (Mechanicum) means any model of the Mechanicum Faction, whilst Hatred (Thallax) means only Thallax. A model striking a Hated foe in close combat re-rolls all failed To Hit rolls during the first round of each close combat.
The effects of this special rule only apply when a unit that has it begins an Assault phase not locked in combat and then either Charges or is Charged by an enemy unit. If an enemy unit Charges this unit when it is already locked in combat then that does count as a new ‘first’ turn of combat for the effects of Hatred.
Force weapons are charged by the psychic might of the wielder, turning them from mere physical tools to mystical weapons of incredible potency.
Any Psyker with a weapon or ability with this special rule may choose to make a Psychic check before making any attacks with that weapon or resolving the ability. If the Check is successful then the Strength value of any attacks made is doubled. If the Check is failed then Perils of the Warp is resolved targeting the unit containing the model that failed its Check. If the Psyker survives Perils of the Warp then it may attack as normal.Inlaid with psy-conductive circuitry and forged of the rarest alloys, these weapons resemble more commonplace melee weapons, but are far from common. They are designed to allow those able to control the powers of the Warp to channel their psychic powers through the weapon and inflict grievous wounds upon the enemy, sending arcing tendrils of warp-lightning crawling along the length of these fearsome implements. In the latter days of the Horus Heresy, they would be noted for their efficacy in combat against the daemonic forces that sometimes fought at the behest of the Traitors.
All weapons listed here are counted as ‘Force’ weapons for those rules that affect such weapons. A model that is eligible to select a force weapon may take any of the weapons included in this Profile.Range | Str | AP | Type | |
| Force sword | - | User | 3 | Melee, Rending (6+), Force |
| Force axe | - | +1 | 2 | Melee, Unwieldy, Force |
| Force maul | - | +2 | 3 | Melee, Force |
| Force staff | - | +1 | 3 | Melee, Reach (1), Force |
TRUE BELIEVERS
A model with this special rule may never have its Leadership Characteristic modified below a value of 6. Furthermore, if one or more models with this special rule are part of a combat that results in a draw, then a side that includes one or more models at the end of the Fight sub-phase with this special rule is counted as having won the combat by 1 point. If both sides include models with this special rule then the combat remains a draw.
Models with this special rule gain access to unique Wargear options (see The Armoury of the Word Bearers).
Any Legion Praetor, Legion Cataphractii Praetor or Legion Tartaros Praetor with this special rule may select the Burning Lore upgrade, and any models with both the Legiones Astartes (Word Bearers) and the Legiones Consularis special rules gain access to the Diabolist upgrade – see The Armoury of the Word Bearers for details.
A Warlord with this special rule may select a Warlord Trait from the Word Bearers Warlord Trait list.
Aetheric lightning is the fury of the Warp itself, coalesced and given form by the will of the psyker and directed at their foes like a storm of eldritch power.
Range | Str | AP | ||
| Aetheric Lightning | 18" | 3 | 4 | Assault 4, Force |
Force: Any Psyker with a weapon or ability with this special rule may choose to make a Psychic check before making any attacks with that weapon or resolving the ability. If the test is successful then the Strength value of any attacks made is doubled. If the test is failed then a Perils of the Warp attack is resolved targeting the unit containing the model that failed its test. If the Psyker survives Perils of the Warp then it may attack as normal.
The Azurda Char’is
It is unknown how the Crimson Apostle acquired this potent artefact, or by what hidden lore he has modified it to his usage.
The weapon listed here is counted as a ‘Force’ weapon for those rules that affect such weapons.Range | Str | AP | ||
| The Azurda Char’is | - | User | 2 | Melee, Unwieldy, Force |
The Panoply of Flame
The Panoply of Flame serves both as a war banner and as a weapon to turn on Zardu Layak’s enemies, his warp gifts allowing him to mould the unclean flame the Panoply now produces by will alone.
All models with the Legiones Astartes (Word Bearers) special rule within 12" of the Panoply of Flame add a +1 modifier to their score when determining victory in assaults and +1 to their Sweeping Advance rolls.Anakatis blade
These occult blades reek of unholy, warp-spawned power and their forging may well have pre-dated human life. Dark and coiling entities have been trapped within the blades, entities that whisper promises of untold might and power, but such promises are only bought at a terrifying price to both body and soul.
The weapon listed here is counted as a ‘Power’ and ‘Force’ weapon for those rules that affect such weapons.Range | Str | AP | ||
| Anakatis blade | - | User | 3 | Melee, Murderous Strike (5+), Brutal (2) |
The Eater of Wisdom – If Zardu Layak is the army’s Warlord, then the controlling player may choose up to three friendly units composed entirely of models with the Corrupted Unit Sub-type from the same army as Zardu Layak at the beginning of the battle, before any models are deployed. All models in each of the selected units gains a bonus of +1 to its Strength and Movement Characteristics, but must take a Leadership test at the end of each of the controlling player’s turns. If that Test is failed the unit suffers Perils of the Warp, while if it is not failed there is no effect that turn. In addition, an army with Zardu Layak as its Warlord may make an additional Reaction during the opposing player’s Assault phase as long as Zardu Layak has not been removed as a casualty.
