Legions Imperialis

Legions Imperialis is a small‑scale Horus Heresy game where you first choose an Allegiance(Loyalist or Traitor), then a primary faction such as Legiones Astartes (Space Marines) or Solar Auxilia, and optionally add allies like Mechanicum, Knights, or Titans. The core factions all share the same setting but play very differently on the table.

Legiones Astartes (Space Marines)

Legiones Astartes represent all the Space Marine Legions, with your specific Legion (Ultramarines, Sons of Horus, etc.) chosen at the Formation level rather than as separate factions. They are elite, flexible forces that mix infantry, tanks, dreadnoughts, and aircraft into powerful combined‑arms formations.

• Tough, high‑quality infantry and powerful tanks.

• Excel at aggressive manoeuvre and striking key objectives.

Solar Auxilia

Solar Auxilia are elite human soldiers, more disciplined and better equipped than typical Imperial Guard, with strong armour, transports, and heavy guns. Their “Chain of Command” style rules reward keeping units close and operating as a cohesive battle line.

• Lots of infantry, transports, and heavy tanks that dominate ground combat.

• Hit very hard but rely on good positioning and mutual support.

Mechanicum

The Mechanicum (and Dark Mechanicum for Traitors) bring armies of cyborg troops, battle‑automata, unusual skimmers, and exotic war engines. They lean on durable robots and strange weapons rather than traditional infantry lines.

• Elite but low‑model‑count forces with powerful automata.

• Strong shooting and durable units, but can be fewer and more specialised.

Knights and Titans

Imperial Knights and Titan Legions are towering god‑machines that can be run as their own lists or as allied assets to other forces. They are devastating in firepower and assault but struggle with objectives, so they usually need infantry allies in regular games.

• Massive centrepiece models with huge guns and melee.

• Excellent as allied hammers supporting Astartes, Auxilia, or Mechanicum cores.

Picking a starting faction

Current advice is to start with a core army list (Legiones Astartes or Solar Auxilia, soon joined by Mechanicum) and add Knights/Titans later once you know the rules.

• Like elite, mobile troops and combined arms: pick Legiones Astartes.

• Like massed armour and disciplined human infantry: pick Solar Auxilia.

• Like robots and weird tech: aim for Mechanicum as it expands.