20/03/2019 Heretic Astartes Focus: The Black Legion - Warhammer Community

Posted 18/03/2019

Heretic Astartes Focus: The Black Legion

The Chaos Space Marines are set to receive a huge wave of new reinforcements – not to
mention the amazing Daemonkin units in Warhammer 40,000: Shadowspear – so this
week, we’re taking a closer look at the Traitor Legions themselves. First up are the main
antagonists of Vigilus Ablaze, the dreaded Black Legion…

Who are the Black Legion?

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Ever since Abaddon took up the Talon of Horus and the title of Warmaster, the Black
Legion have been foremost among the Heretic Astartes. Far from resting on their past
glories as former warriors of the Sons of Horus, the Black Legion earned their pre-
eminence through bloody exploits in the crucible of battle. Even their rival Traitor
Legions have felt the wrath of the Black Legion for failing to fall in line or foolishly
challenging their power.

“Horus was weak. Horus was a fool. He had the whole galaxy within his grasp and he let
it slip away.” – Abaddon the Despoiler

The Black Legion are not only the numerous of the Heretic Astartes, they are also the
most varied. Mutants and Sorcerers, Possessed and Daemon Engines – all have a place
within the Black Legion. They also include within their ranks former members of other
Legions, so it is not uncommon to see automatonic Rubricae and packs of frothing
Berzerkers fighting alongside the Black Legionnaires.

On the Battlefield
As the stars of the show in Vigilus Ablaze, the Black Legion are blessed with a host of
bespoke rules to complement those found in Codex: Chaos Space Marines, including
eight new Stratagems. Check out Tip of the Spear, which will give you a great
opportunity to bag the victory point for First Blood in matched play.

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Vigilus Ablaze also includes a full set of six Tactical Objectives, Warlord Traits and Relics
for your Black Legion army. Just imagine how effective Angelsbane will be with the beta
Bolter Discipline rules!

But what will a typical collection look like? At the heart of the Black Legion are its
squads of Chaos Space Marines, Havocs and Raptors clad in their baroque, black and
gold power armour.

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Beyond that, pretty much anything else is fair game! That being said, there are a number
of iconic characters and forces within the wider structure of the Black Legion…

Abaddon the Despoiler

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Despite having power far beyond the Black Legion, Abaddon is still, first and foremost,
their supreme commander. With his astonishing new model on its way very soon, what
more excuse do you need to include the big bad ‘un himself? Of course, to do justice to
the imposing size of the new Abaddon model, Vigilus Ablaze has an updated profile
worthy of the mighty Warmaster.

The Bringers of Despair

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Abaddon is rarely seen without his loyal Terminator-armoured bodyguard, drawn from
the very deadliest fighters within the Black Legion. If you’re picking up Abaddon, it’d
almost be rude not to grab a bunch of Terminators to represent the Bringers of Despair
as well. If that isn’t reason enough, Vigilus Ablaze introduces a Specialist Detachment
that will really help you get the most of Abaddon’s elite Terminators.

The Bringers of Despair can wreak absolute havoc in the Fight phase with the Brutal
Subjugation Stratagem, breaking the spirit of the enemy even as they break their bodies
– a brilliant counter for elite enemies and hordes alike.

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The Chosen of the Warmaster

In the absence of Abaddon, one of the Warmaster’s foremost lieutenants will serve as an
apt Warlord in his place. With titles such as Lord Ravager, Lord Deceiver, Lord
Corruptor and Lord Purgator, each of the Chosen of Abaddon is a powerful Chaos Lord
or Sorcerer in their own right, tasked with a senior level of command within the Black
Legion. One of these dread lords can be easily represented by the Chosen of the
Warmaster Warlord Trait.

Their presence will make your Bringers of Despair hit even harder. If you’re feeling
especially fiendish (you’re using the Black Legion – of course you’re feeling especially
fiendish!), you can make the ultimate statement by fielding Abaddon, his Bringers of
Despair, and one of his chosen all together by using the Field Commander Stratagem
from Vigilus Defiant.

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Haarken Worldclaimer

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So far on Vigilus, this guy has been spearheading the Black Legion forces on behalf of
the Warmaster. If you’re looking to pick up a unit or two of Raptors for your Black
Legion, don’t leave home without the Herald of the Apocalypse to lead them for handy
re-rolls to hit in close combat.

That’s it for today, but check back every day this week as we cover the rest of the Traitor
Legions. You can pick up some Daemonkin units for your Black Legion by grabbing the
Shadowspear box, in stores or online, today. If you want to learn about the origins of
Black Legion, be sure to give Aaron Dembski-bowden’s Talon of Horus novel a read.
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