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I own both volumes of the Badab War and I think they are really excellent. I'd definitely recommend them to anyone who likes SM because they have a wealth of good writing about (mostly) non-first founding chapters, including a host of interesting new characters.

But those are the only ones I have. Over the years, I've been interested in getting the Taros Campaign, the Vraks books, and Mymaera. The upcoming Fall of Orpheus also looks good. But these are inarguably extremely pricey tomes and, probably partly because of that reason, not many people seem to have them.

So folks that do have them, could you post your thoughts? And folks that don't have them, maybe post your questions?

FYI: You can pick multiple options in the poll.

No Forge World Horus Heresy option?

Having most of the books on the list, I can say that I pick up IA 9 and 10 the most. Mainly to flip through and read the generals, read the blocked-out short stories scattered through the book that I've missed, and the Badab War campaign rules (that my group uses).

I flip through the HH:Betrayal book more, and I think it's their best book, but that wasn't an option in your poll.

IA8: Raid on Kastorl_Novem: from a story perspective, it's a little weak. Classic example of poking a sleeping bear with a stick. The orks were fighting each other and then along comes the Imperium to give them a rallying cause!
From a usefulness perspective, it gave us alternate STOMPAs, The Mega- and Mecha-Dreads, and a new Ork Army list. It looks fun to play, even in 6th edition. I really don't care for the Elisian army list, but I do like their dune buggies.

IA5-7: Great books. Army lists for Death Korps of Krieg (along with what are tied with FW's Hazard Suit Cadians for my favorite NEXT ARMY models), alternate Renegade lists for 3 Chaos God armies, along with a handful of special characters. The current allies system with IG + Chaos Space Marines does this much better, but it was all we had after the Lost and the Damned were removed. I'd rate Zufor as a more useful Khorne IC than Kharne! There is also an Alpha Legion IC, which is the only one, I believe. Also, it's an epic story of damnation and more damnation.

IA11: The story was OK, but after reading IA9-10, nothing was going to stand up to it for sheer epic-ness. This book does 2 things for my play group: It gave our Space Wolves player a unique IC that he uses all of the time, and it gave our Eldar player a new way to field is old-ass army. He likes the Corsairs list, and it's a devil to play against!

IA9-10: The Badab War. I'm more familiar with this one than the others, having read through it the most. Benefits:
* Our group uses the Badab War campaign exclusively now. It offers a great foundation that you can tailor with your own special missions and rewards for winning various rounds. This is what Planetary Empires should have been.
* Story: Best of the IA (non-HH) stories. The rise and ultimate fall of Huron, whom I truly believe was doing what was in the best interests of the region and (ultimately) the Imperium. Along the way his hubris got the better of him, and he lost his perspective and rationale. The final condemnation of his legion, as well as the salvation of the Chapters that realized their mistake late in the game, is what makes this a great story.
* The Tyrants Legion. It's on the very long list of "someday I'll do this list!" Again, IG allies + Space Marines do this list better, but rogue apothecary squads stealing the opponent's Gene Seeds just sounds so...naughty to play!
* HQ's. Never has more Space Marine HQ options been gathered in one place. I particularly like the Huron and the Salamander Dreadnought (Ashmantle?)

Where is IA1 2nd ed?

 kronk wrote:
No Forge World Horus Heresy option?

It's not an Imperial Armour book. I do have it, however, (and I think you do, too) and it is awesome.

 Insurgency Walker wrote:
Where is IA1 2nd ed?

It's the very first option. IA1 First Edition is no longer for sale from FW.

Imperial armour 8 is awesome......two usable army lists and masses of toys. I collected the elysians and the dredd mob after getting my hands on this book. Still a great read and the scenarios are quite good IMO

 Manchu wrote:

 kronk wrote:
No Forge World Horus Heresy option?

It's not an Imperial Armour book. I do have it, however, (and I think you do, too) and it is awesome.

Fair enough! I just take all of the Forge World books to be IA, but I understand separating out the HH series. I do have the HH book and most of the ones on your list.


Added more verbage around the books I've read in my original post.

I painted up Huron and an Astral Claws squad after reading book 9 and 10, just for grins.

Nice work on those Astral Claws!

There are so many armies I'd like to build out of the Badab books: Sons of Medusa, Lamenters, and Mantis Warriors are the big three. Lord help me if FW started making pauldrons and rhino doors for them.

Vraks was a blast to read, loved how every named Kriegsman died, except for one, who was severly wounded, Grimdark.

Edit: The Korps has a 5th ed list, soon to be updated, but what about the Renegades?

IA8


Awesome book

For gaming purposes: IA:Apocalypse, IA:Apocalypse 2, IA:Aeronautica, and IA1 if you play IG. All but IA1 are cheaper than the 'story' books, and give you a ton of unit rules for that price. Get the full set of them and you've covered most of the rules you'll encounter.

For reading purposes: Model Masterclass 1 and 2. Beautiful pictures (and we all know that's why you buy FW books, it certainly isn't for the mediocre story) and incredibly useful advice on advanced painting and weathering techniques. If you're interested in doing a more realistic style instead of the usual exaggerated highlights and fancy painting effects you'll find these books very useful. If you can only buy one, the first volume is the more useful of the two since it covers all the "basic" techniques, but the second one is still worth it.

My only issue with the second Model Master Class was that nearly every entry used air brushes, which I don't have.

There were plenty other techniques shown that were very good, and the pictures are very lovely. If I used an air brush, I'd give it a 9/10. As-is, 7/10.