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Question for all you 30k players out there: What is the minimum amount books (as in, which books are absolutely necessary) required to start playing Warhammer 30k/ Horus Heresy? With the 30k boardgame just around the corner I was considering diving in, but was hoping to scope out what it will cost.

The Crusade Army List book is absolutely mandatory. Realistically you'll also want Istvaan Campaign Legions book as well for the specific Legion rules, unless you're planning on one of the Legions it doesn't cover - in which case you'll either need Tempest (for Ultramarines) or you'll need to wait until book 6, which is rumoured to cover the BA, DA and WS, or you'll need to wait until the Prospero book - and god knows when that's coming out.

You can get the two books for £55 provided you're playing one of the twelve legions they cover. A poke around on 4chan's /tg/ may also reveal some... alternate sources.

You don't have to use one of the specific Legiones Astartes. Pick up the Crusade Army List and pick one of the generic Legiones Astartes traits. (Stubborn or Furious Charge IIRC?) Works fine as your starter.

Any idea if/when another legion book for the non-istvaan chapters will come out? I’d rather not have to get the big book for the UM stuff.

OK, that’s a slight lie. I’d like to pick it up for all the cool fluff, pictures, etc. But I can’t justify the cost. I spend too much as it is on GW rules. Minis, I don’t mind. Rulebook money irritates me.

Odds are they will have a red book similar to what they did with the first three that combines all the rules and units of the second trilogy just without the fluff. You will still likely need the Crusade army book.

1) the 30 GBP red Crusade Army book (unless you want ad mech or solar auxilia)
2) the 30 GBP red legion rule book (unless your doing one of the legions not at Istvaan, then just wait for your red book.

Well, you need HH book 1 (black) or book 3 (red).
Book 1 offers you most of the units and special sections for the Horus legion, World Eaters, Death Guard, and Emperor's Children. The missions for Isstvan III are there - very useful if you ask me, and an army list for The Mechanicum which is counterpart to Skitarii.