With the Forgeworld Heresy books and miniatures now on their way, I've recently been thinking about starting a Heresy-era Alpha Legion army. I decided to sit down and look at my options, how I could structure the force within the constraints of 6th edition and what routes and tactics were available to me.
Alpha Legion epitomise subterfuge, deceit and manipulation. They were known for using large networks of non-Astartes operatives. I would be using Codex: Space Marines as the base, presumably.
Space Marines/IA
Sicarius allows re-rolls for Siezing Initiative and enables you to Infiltrate, Scout or Outflank a Tactical Squad.
Lias Issodon, the Raptors character from the Badab War book, gives you Stealth in place of Chapter Tactics and -1 to all Enemy reserve rolls. He comes with a custom Bolter with Special Ammo.
Telion, for obvious reasons.
Stealth is an interesting rule, because any character with Stealth also confers it to his squad. This means you could take a few cheap SM Characters (HQ or, say, Techmarines) and attach them to non-SM allies squads to confer Stealth.
Storm Eagle: rapid insertion, surgical strikes, etc. I mostly just want to build a massive gunship.
Codex: Imperial Guard
Company Command Squads have Astropaths (+1 to Reserves) and Officers of the Fleet (-1 to Enemy Reserves, re-roll Outflank, stacks with Lias Issodon).
Creed - for the outflanking tactical genius
Marbo, the perfect sleeper cell agent.
Veterans with Forward Sentries for stealth.
Veterans with Harker for Infiltrate
Infantry Platoon with Al'Rahem for outflanking
Vendetta/Valkyrie for outflanking
Codex: Grey Knights
Access to, via Coteaz, Inquisitorial Warbands. Perfect for Alpha Legion operative cells.
Assassins, obviously.
Tactics
So the Issodon/Company Command Squad combination really appeals to me. In effect, you give yourself +1 to Reserves (2+ to arrive on Turn 2) and a re-roll to choose sides when Outflanking. At the same time, you force -2 Reserve rolls on your opponent (5+ to arrive on Turn 2). This gives you a huge tactical advantage in initiative and mobility.
Your Space Marines also now all have Stealth. We all know a naked Company Command Squad is extremely vulnerable. Deploy a Techmarine with them, in a ruin? Suddenly they have 2+ cover saves (Stealth plus Bolster Defences).
So, what are your dirty tricks? The enemy has already lost. How do you execute?
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