The 6th Ed Codex: Chaos Space Marines brought some fundamental changes with it. One of them was the Dreadnought. GW wanted to give a more Chaotic look to the Chaos Dreadnought and thus changed it to the Helbrute. It isn’t that different to what SM have, except that the SM can change it to the Riffledrear (2x twin-linked Autocannon). But on March 2014 the Dataslate: Helbrute gave the CSM players an utterly new way to use it.
WS | BS | S | F | S | R | I | A | HP | |
Helbrute | 4 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
The Helbrute cost with the Dataslate now changes to 100P, starting with a Power Fist and a Multi-Melta. It has the option to replace its Multi- Melta with a Power Fist (free), Twin-linked Heavy Bolter (5P), Reaper Autocannon (5P), Plasma Cannon (10P) or Twin-linked Lascannon (25P). Also it can upgrade up to two Power Fists to get a Combi-Bolter (5) or a Heavy Flamer (15P). It can replace a Power Fist for a Thunder Hammer (5P), Power Scourge (10P) or Missile Launcher (10P). For Special Rule it has the Crazed.
Crazed: Each time a Helbrute suffers a Glancing or Penetrating hit but isn’t destroyed place a marker next to the model. At the start of the Movement Phase roll a D3 using the following table for all marked Helbrutes After rolling, remove any markers.
D3 | Crazed Result |
1 | The Helbrute is Immobilised until the end of the next turn. If out of C&C, it must fire its weapon twice this Shooting Phase. If possible the Helbrute must target the unit that Glanced or Penetrated him. |
2 | The Helbrute recovers from Crew Stunned and Shaken results. Also gains the Rage SR until the end of the turn. |
3 | The Helbrute recovers from Crew Stunned and Shaken results. Also gains the Rage and Fleet SR until the end of the turn. If, during the this Shooting Phase, it’s not in charging range it must Run at the closest enemy, if that’s impossible, it can fire its weapon(s) normally. |
The Dataslate has 3 Formations to choose from. They can be used by the CSM and other allied armies according to the Allies Table from the Rulebook. The Formations are:
1. MAYHEM Pack: Consists of 3 Helbrutes
Special Rules
· Mayhem from the Maelstrom: All Models of the Formation must begin in Reserve. When making Reserve Rolls, make a single roll for the Formation. All models of the Formation arrive via Deep strike.
· Tormented Terrors: At the start of each Movement phase, make a single roll on the Crazed table (see below). All helbrutes in the Formation are affected.
· It Will Not Die.
2. HELCULT: Consists of 1 Helbrute and 2 Cultist units
Special Rules
· Apocalyptic Fury: The Helbrute gains the Rage SR. Furthermore, in C&C when the Helbrute rolls 1 to Hit, it automatically hits a random friendly model (within 6” even if they aren’t in the fight). If there aren’t any targets these attacks are discarded.
· Living Idol of Chaos: As long as the Helbrute is alive the Cultist gains Fearless SR. When the Helbrute is destroyed the Cultist loses the Fearless but gains the Zealot SR.
· Human Shield: If the Cultist covers 25% or more of the Helbrute, it [the Helbrute] gets a 3+ Cover Save. However, for each successful Cover Save the nearest Cultist model is removed as a casualty with no saves allowed.
3. HELFIST MURDERPACK: Consists of 5 Helbrutes
Restrictions: One Helbrute must be nominated as a Helbrute Champion.
Special Rules
· Murderpack: All Helbrutes count as a single Vehicle Squadron.
· Death of the Leader: If the Helbrute Champion is destroyed, all other Helbrutes in the Formation gain the Rage SR.
· Pack Leader: The Helbrute Champion has the Vehicle (Character) unit type and the Aura of Dark Glory (5+ inv) SR. Others Helbrutes in the Squadron can make Look out, Sir attempts as long as they are within 6”. Furthermore, if any of the Formation’s Helbrutes has Crazed markers, it doesn’t roll on the table if the Champion is still alive; instead it chooses which result affects it each turn, the result affects the whole Squadron.
[Wolf tip: The Mayhem pack isn’t a unit so they roll one dice for reserve but they don’t have to deep strike all in the same place. ]
My favourite Helbrute Formation is the Helcult as you can have 20 Cultists for 100P to hold the Back Objectives and the Helbrute with Twin-Linked Lascannon and Missile Launcher for 135P. The Helbrute with 3+ Cover and the Cultist with fearless, it’s a nice addition for only 235 points and what CSM player doesn’t use Cultists in his/her list. Whereas the Mayhem pack can do damage to the enemy with 3 Multi-Meltas. I believe the Murderpack is more close combat oriented than the other two. I expect to see the Formations be used in tournament but not in the top lists. Surely GW did a good job in making the Helbrutes a bit better that they were.
[Wolf tip: Nowhere in all Dataslates does it say anything about taking Troops; e.g. Cultists, and using them (or not) as Scoring units.]
Sure these Formations make the Helbrutes more dangerous, but I don’t think the Wolves will have any problem to Mayhem the Traitors line. Any game where my enemy had a Helbrute, was an easy First Blood, so bring it on. Always remember:
The enemies of the Emperor fear many things.
They fear discovery, defeat, despair and death.
Yet there is one thing they fear above all others.
They fear the wrath of the Space Wolves!
They fear discovery, defeat, despair and death.
Yet there is one thing they fear above all others.
They fear the wrath of the Space Wolves!
Space Wolves may be the best of the Imperium of Man, but they have help to have their work done.
In the name of the Emperor hear the March…
Of course I would like to hear your opinion on this and all my previous posts, as well as suggestions for what you would like me to write about.
VLKA FENRIKA