Horus Heresy (1993) (1993) – Board Game Guys

Horus Heresy

The Horus Heresy is a fictional galaxy-spanning civil war occurring 10,000 years before the far future of Warhammer 40,000. It is a dark, far future military space opera concerning an intergalactic civil war within the nascent Imperium of Man, and which constitutes a cornerstone event of the dystopian science fantasy Warhammer 40,000 universe. The Horus Heresy is presented as a major chapter of conflict in the Warhammer 40,000 lore. The Horus Heresy board game is based on this fictional universe and is a strategic board game by Fantasy Flight Games.

Why is Horus Heresy Popular?

The popularity of the Horus Heresy series is undeniable, and after over 50 volumes, it’s still going strong. The characters and events explored in those pages had such a strong pull on people’s hearts, they wanted to recreate them on the tabletop. The Horus Heresy board game is a wargame based on the 40K universe, where some bad guy from outer space comes to Earth to kill the emperor, who may or may not be something of a penis. The game is deep and strategic and tactical and full of complex decisions with far-reaching implications.

Game Components of Horus Heresy

181 double-sided counters

Full-color map of the Emperor’s Palace and surrounding area

12 special cards

8 strategy cards

4 set-up sheets

2 off-world areas

1 reference sheet

2 six-sided dice

Rulebook.

How To Setup Horus Heresy

To set up the game, players divide into two roles: one commanding the invasion fleet led by Warmaster Horus, and the other defending as the Emperor of Mankind. The game board is divided into areas, and players place their respective counters according to the set-up sheets. The game is structured into five turns, each representing two weeks of the campaign.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics: Players use cardboard counters with attack, defense, and movement numbers. Combat is resolved by cross-indexing attack/defense ratios with a d6 roll on a combat table.

Game Objective: The Horus player must secure spaceports to ensure continuous reinforcements, while the Imperial player must defend the Emperor’s Palace. The game ends after five turns, with the objective being to either successfully invade or defend the palace.

Player Experience

Playing Horus Heresy is a nostalgic trip back to old-school counter wargaming. The game is heavy on atmosphere, with vivid imagery of Titan robots battering fortifications and hordes of Chaos forces breaching Imperial defenses. The gameplay is dice-heavy, introducing a significant random element, but this adds to the excitement and unpredictability. House rules can be implemented to clarify or adjust certain aspects, such as the order of receiving special cards.

Pros

Atmospheric and Immersive: The game captures the grimdark essence of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Strategic Depth: Despite its simplicity, the game requires strategic thinking, especially in securing or defending key positions.

Nostalgic Value: It is a fun return to the days of counter wargaming before miniatures became prevalent.

Cons

Complex Rules: The rules can be unclear, necessitating house rules for better clarity.

Random Element: The dice-heavy mechanics can lead to significant randomness, which might not appeal to all players.

Limited Turns: The game is confined to five turns, which can make it feel somewhat short.

Personal Thoughts on Horus Heresy

Horus Heresy is ideal for those who enjoy old-school counter wargames and are fans of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It offers a unique blend of strategy and randomness, making it a fun and atmospheric experience. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking highly realistic or complex wargaming experiences. For those looking to indulge in a bit of retro gaming with a strong thematic backdrop, Horus Heresy is definitely worth a try.

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