Legions Imperialis – Fast Attack Troops

I know, Legions were huge and the Fists were about 100k Astartes strong, so enough for some assault troops and obviously vehicles like Bikes, Speeders and such. But I didn't feel like having fast attack troops with the Imperial Fists felt "fluffy". And with the way Legions Imperialis forces are built, a formation of an allied Space Marine legion would be an interesting addition and create some variation for Painting.

The fitting formation would be the Legion Sky-Hunter Phalanx from the The Great Slaughter supplement.

It covers four compulsory Vanguard detachments, that are limited to Scimitar Jetbikes, Land Speeders or Javelin Squadrons. Outriders may only be taken from the optional detachment. The Light Armour is currently limited to the Sabre tanks in Legions Imperialis.If we go for flexiblity and choose two units of each of the Vanguard, but not at full size (6 outriders, 9 jetbikes, 6 speeders and 6 javelins per unit would be max) and just the first upgrade, we would still be able to either play a large detachment or two mid-sized ones. With the exception of the Outriders as they are limited to one unit. That would mean:

• 2x units of 6 Scimitar Jetbikes = 12 Scimitar Bases (2 models each on a 32mm round base)
• 2x units of 4 Land Speeders = 8 Land Speeder Bases (1 model each on a 25mm round base)
• 2x units of 4 Javelin = 8 Javelin Bases (1 model each on a 25mm round base)
• 1x units of 6 Outriders = 6 Outrider Bases (3 models each on a 32mm round base)

This would mean, that I needed two of the Legion Fast Attack boxes to cover that. Unless I went for alternatives. The other optional units, could be covered by the Sabre Strike Tank, as well as either Xiphons or Fire Raptors - all of these options I already have here. I wouldn't take Storm Eagles or Thunderhawks, as I don't see the need to transport any of the Vanguard units by air.

As we now have determined what the scope of the formation is, the question is which Primarch is going to support his brother Dorn in this endeavour. In the Liber Astartes supplement for 30k / Horus Heresy, we get a large chart for the most fitting Allies. There are four categories:

• Golden Skull with Crown - Sworn Brothers
• Black Skull with laurel wreath - Fellow Brothers
• Gray Skull - Distrusted Allies
• Red Skull with claw - By the Emperor's (or Warmaster's) command

Sworn Brothers to the Imperial Fists are the Ultramarines, Space Wolves, Salamanders and Blood Angels. Of these only the Blood Angels really fit the purpose. But when we talk about fast attack troops, I am rather with White Scars and Raven Guard - both are listed as Fellow Brothers and not a stretch in terms of lore. The Raven Guard as Shattered Legions and temporarily on Terra, would be a reasonable choice. As would be the White Scars, as they fought alongside the Blood Angels and Imperial Fists in the Siege of Terra.

I was really tied between Raven Guard and White Scars, but went with the Khan, as the next campaign after Uulda will be set on the western boarder of Segmentum Ultima, and include the Legio Magna (from their homeworld of Esteban VII), on their way towards Terra, and Chogoris - homeworld of the White Scars - is a system in proximity and would provide a reasonable integration to the forces, as they might have sent aid to intercept the traitors. More on that with the upcoming home brew campaign about Muralis.

If I went with the Raven Guard, the Mk 6 armour of the LI plastic kits would be a fit, but with White Scars I'd rather go with Mark 2 armour, and maybe even find some kitbashs for Kyzagan Assault Speeders or Golden Keshig. Beyond that, the bases aren't that big for shenanigans, but I'll see what I can do.