Although the models themselves have come in for a degree of – perhaps justified – criticism (why oh why inflict models with armour which could so easily prove fatal to the wearer?

If you’re going to run Magnus the Red just be sure to take him in a list that can get him Cursed Earth.On top of having an aura that grants re-rolls of ones to hit, Magnus can also nominate one nearby Thousand Sons unit a re-roll for all failed hits. In comparison to the Cataphractii which were armed almost exclusively for ranged combat the kit contains enough close combat weapons – in the form of lightning claws – to kit out the whole squad, perfect if your legion of choice is one of those like the Space Wolves or World Eaters who enjoys getting up close and personal with the enemy. Or you may see him as one who didn’t heed the warnings from those wiser and better informed than he was, toying with forces he was ill-equipped to handle. The solution to power creep and broken units is not “well, then let’s It’s easy to get caught up in the wider impact of this release and the inexact science of prophecy and forget about the model itself.

His Blade of Magnus does heavy damage by itself but also deals D3 additional wounds if the target model or unit is still alive. Note also that whilst both Curze and Angron had their knuckles rapped at various points the only other legion to be shamed and reprimanded in quite such a grand fashion were the Word Bearers, again for too much loyalty rather than not enough). How did two legions of space marines, each claiming to be utterly loyal to the Emperor of Mankind, end up beating seven bells out of each other to such an extent that an entire planet was burned down? What’s particularly exciting about this release is the level of depth and character that the legion has been provided with.Behold the awe-inspiring arrival of Magnus the Red, as the very fabric of reality quakes beneath his descent.

Much like Magnus himself then who, although he has claimed enormous power, will forever remain far less than he could have been, trapped forever by Tzeentch. As the Chaos God of change, manipulation, and sorcery, Tzeentch’s influence drives the Thousand Sons’ pursuit of arcane knowledge and the weaving of intricate plans. In Egyptian myth, from which much of the imagery associated with the Thousand Sons is sourced, the serpent Apep devours all – life, light and magic – much as the Tyranids themselves do.This time the characters are far more Legion specific, and whilst we were encouraged to paint the Calth characters to fit our Legion of choice it would take more than a coat of paint to make Geigor Fell-Handed into an Ultramarine or Ahriman into an Iron Warrior. For me the thought of being able to include them in my armies as we surge out of the Great Eye at last and bring ruin to the Corpse-God’s Imperium is hugely exciting. The second of the classic chaos characters to be given a redesign in 2016 Ahriman joins Kharn in receiving a plastic reincarnation of a well-loved metal model. Leave the bulky metal and ceramite to the Custodes and Astartes – these girls want to be quick and lithe and, as shown in this painting by David Hudnut, leather and cloth is the answer to that.