Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I see a lot of threads on this forum where people talk about how they don't know what legions they would want to play, and I'm trying hard to get more people into 30K in my area....

So I thought it would make sense to make a thread where a multiple choice poll would be available, not to merely rank things for power in the meta, but to give people a chance to talk about their experiences, and why they are attracted to certain legions over others.

If you want to rank legions in terms of game play power, Legion specific rights of war, or whether or not you like their cannon paint schemes, and their fluff, you can. I've also included a list of the Legions you can copy paste, so you can do a bigger post, detailing why you feel certain legions are overall better.

I know from reading forums as I was getting into this slowly, that the Iron Hands for example are considered to be a stronger Legion, but in the games I've played as Salamanders Vs. other legions it's been mainly balanced games at moderately low point levels (sub 2000 Points)

You might think at higher point levels certain Legions begin to shine too...so basically, I wanted a different kind of thread, where the merits of the different Legions get to shine more, and where, if people truly feel some of the Legions are lacking in comparison to the rest, that can also be fully detailed.


Be as thorough, or as succinct as you feel like, but hopefully this thread can help people make a choice as to which Legion to play.


01. Alpha Legion (XX Legion)

02. Blood Angels (IX Legion)

03. Dark Angels(I Legion)

04. Death Guard (XIV Legion)

05. Emperors Children (III Legion)

06. Imperial Fists (VII Legion)

07. Iron Hands (X Legion)

08. Iron Warriors (IV Legion)

09. Night Lords (VIII Legion)

10. Raven Guard (XIX Legion)

11. Salamanders (XVIII Legion)

12. Sons of Horus (XVI Legion)

13. Space Wolves (XVI Legion)

14. Thousand Sons (XV Legion)

15. Ultramarines (XIII Legion)

16. White Scars (XV Legion)

17. Word Bearers (XVII Legion)

18. World Eaters (XII Legion)

Word bearers are the coolest.

No clue how the power level works out, but I hear thousand sons are quite good.

Word Bearers can dominate the psychic phase, have some of the coolest special units (cmon, we all ogled at the Gal Vorbrak), and have an awesome feel.

If you want traitors, and the very embodiment of chaotic marines, go for word bearer's

I wouldn't want to really weigh in on this until all of the Legions are fully fleshed out.

 djones520 wrote:
I wouldn't want to really weigh in on this until all of the Legions are fully fleshed out.

That's part of why I left this so open ended. If you post with current findings in mind, it can change as new books come out...but there's enough out there to at least steer new players in a direction.

Doing a quick once-over of the Tsons in Inferno, they were instantly my chosen legion. Gummy mentions WB dominating the psychic phase. If that's your jam, look no further than the 15th. With special rules for vets giving them BoP, bonuses for tacs, and PSYKER DREADS, we own that phase like no other. The color scheme is glorious, with it's candy red and gold, and the new Mechanicum units coming out for them give them a strong reason to have a Mech AD.

 JustaerinAtTheWall wrote:
Doing a quick once-over of the Tsons in Inferno, they were instantly my chosen legion. Gummy mentions WB dominating the psychic phase. If that's your jam, look no further than the 15th. With special rules for vets giving them BoP, bonuses for tacs, and PSYKER DREADS, we own that phase like no other. The color scheme is glorious, with it's candy red and gold, and the new Mechanicum units coming out for them give them a strong reason to have a Mech AD.

I would have assumed Thousand Sons would top Word Bearers, however unless you're playing against thousand sons, WB are gonna be very prominent

I didn't vote, just came here to say IW are the best.

Word Bearers. Everyone else.

 gummyofallbears wrote:

 JustaerinAtTheWall wrote:
Doing a quick once-over of the Tsons in Inferno, they were instantly my chosen legion. Gummy mentions WB dominating the psychic phase. If that's your jam, look no further than the 15th. With special rules for vets giving them BoP, bonuses for tacs, and PSYKER DREADS, we own that phase like no other. The color scheme is glorious, with it's candy red and gold, and the new Mechanicum units coming out for them give them a strong reason to have a Mech AD.

I would have assumed Thousand Sons would top Word Bearers, however unless you're playing against thousand sons, WB are gonna be very prominent

True. I think they're a great legion for having some psychic power without going overboard. For many, the psychic phase is kinda confusing and a whole army of psykers is too much.

Sons of Horus! Lupercal!

I mean, come on! It's the Warmaster's Legion! No one even comes close!

 JustaerinAtTheWall wrote:

 gummyofallbears wrote:

 JustaerinAtTheWall wrote:
Doing a quick once-over of the Tsons in Inferno, they were instantly my chosen legion. Gummy mentions WB dominating the psychic phase. If that's your jam, look no further than the 15th. With special rules for vets giving them BoP, bonuses for tacs, and PSYKER DREADS, we own that phase like no other. The color scheme is glorious, with it's candy red and gold, and the new Mechanicum units coming out for them give them a strong reason to have a Mech AD.

I would have assumed Thousand Sons would top Word Bearers, however unless you're playing against thousand sons, WB are gonna be very prominent

True. I think they're a great legion for having some psychic power without going overboard. For many, the psychic phase is kinda confusing and a whole army of psykers is too much.

I'm used to tons of psychic management. In fact, its probably easier with WB once I start to really build my army from the smaller 2k points I have currently. If I can manage 7+ ynari psychers (farseers of ROF, SS off Phantasmancy, and everyone else of Revenant- none of which I have cards for)

As a long time Thousand Sons fan, even used to play them in epic back in the time, I think they did a great job with them.

Powerfull but not as big in numbers, the only thing still missing is the survivability of the rubrics or a way to reactivate them like in the stories.

Wait, should I vote on the strongest one or the one I like most?

 Valek wrote:
As a long time Thousand Sons fan, even used to play them in epic back in the time, I think they did a great job with them.

Powerfull but not as big in numbers, the only thing still missing is the survivability of the rubrics or a way to reactivate them like in the stories.

They don't exist yet

Word Bearers and their RoW probably ruin the T-sons day.

Mechanicum are the best.

Ignoring the rules half (because it's pretty arbitrary IMO. basically every legion (with 1 or 2 outdated legions) has spots where it's amazing, and spots where their not)

Thousand Sons: because 12 years of being a fan and loving their story shows something
Death Guard: Because they are total bad-asses and completely awesome both before, during, and after the heresy. They are also like the scars in that we never get our own book. except the scars have got 2 of their own now :(
Imperial Fists: Second Favorite (after TS) Loyalist legion. Their fluff is amazing, their characters are great, even Dorn is great once you actually read a book from his perspective and understand what he's all about.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Crazyterran wrote:
Word Bearers and their RoW probably ruin the T-sons day.

kinda? sons don't NEED to use their spells to kick cartoon-villain ass ;P

 Brennonjw wrote:

kinda? sons don't NEED to use their spells to kick cartoon-villain ass ;P

When the Sons, using the ancient lore hidden deep within their Prosperine Spires, decide 'To defeat the Cyber Demon, shoot it until it dies."

 VictorVonTzeentch wrote:

 Brennonjw wrote:

kinda? sons don't NEED to use their spells to kick cartoon-villain ass ;P

When the Sons, using the ancient lore hidden deep within their Prosperine Spires, decide 'To defeat the Cyber Demon, shoot it until it dies."

Pretty much

 gummyofallbears wrote:
Word bearers are the coolest.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Eldarain wrote:
Word Bearers. Everyone else.

Do you both just feel overall their story is the most compelling because they were the first to fall to Chaos, or do you have more reasons as to why you're all about the WB? =)


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 djones520 wrote:
I wouldn't want to really weigh in on this until all of the Legions are fully fleshed out.

I get this, and I replied to this earlier, but I feel like maybe I should expand on my answer to you and encourage you not to stress about it too much. Most of the Legions are out, and I'm more worried about getting new players into the game. I left the poll open so you can vote for more than Legion as well because I just wanted people to weigh in on the current state of the game, and why they like the chapters they like.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Valek wrote:
As a long time Thousand Sons fan, even used to play them in epic back in the time, I think they did a great job with them. Powerfull but not as big in numbers, the only thing still missing is the survivability of the rubrics or a way to reactivate them like in the stories.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

 JustaerinAtTheWall wrote:
Doing a quick once-over of the Tsons in Inferno, they were instantly my chosen legion.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Valek wrote:
As a long time Thousand Sons fan, even used to play them in epic back in the time, I think they did a great job with them. Powerfull but not as big in numbers, the only thing still missing is the survivability of the rubrics or a way to reactivate them like in the stories.

Thousand Sons seem to be gaining a lot of popularity since they just came out, and a big push in 40K as well for cross compatibility as a 40K Chaos player, I think they have been kind of the weakest Chaos faction in 40K for years as well due to neglect until recently, so it's nice to see that change. Do you guys have any other notes on the 1K Sons?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 More Dakka wrote:
I didn't vote, just came here to say IW are the best.

Can you expand on this? Maybe why they work for you tactically, or why you like them in terms of fluff...so other people who might be interested in the Iron Warriors get the lowdown?







Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Tamwulf wrote:
Sons of Horus! Lupercal!

Are you finding new updates are compensating for The Sons of Horus being an early release? I've heard the first Legions suffer a bit in power creep due to this, but I agree that they are fantastic in terms of fluff, paint schemes, and flexibility with tactics.






Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Vector Strike wrote:
Wait, should I vote on the strongest one or the one I like most?

Both, either, I would give reasoned answers as to why you like certain legions, tactics, ROW, paint schemes, fluff, Legion buffs...just be honest about what you prefer so potential new players can see if they connect with your opinions.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Crazyterran wrote:
Word Bearers and their RoW probably ruin the T-sons day.

Can you expound on this?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Unit1126PLL wrote:
Mechanicum are the best.

Can you get into why you prefer Mechanicum in detail?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Brennonjw wrote:
Ignoring the rules half (because it's pretty arbitrary IMO. basically every legion (with 1 or 2 outdated legions) has spots where it's amazing, and spots where their not)

Thousand Sons: because 12 years of being a fan and loving their story shows something
Death Guard: Because they are total bad-asses and completely awesome both before, during, and after the heresy. They are also like the scars in that we never get our own book. except the scars have got 2 of their own now :(
Imperial Fists: Second Favorite (after TS) Loyalist legion. Their fluff is amazing, their characters are great, even Dorn is great once you actually read a book from his perspective and understand what he's all about.

I love this because you really get into a long love affair with them...a lot of people are just looking into flavors of the month to be competitive, and that's kind of the opposite of what I want to do with this thread.

The mathematician in me is slightly tilted by the ordering, could you reorder them in legion order or remove the numerals please.

Nonetheless:
(I) Dark Angels
Access to some of the more exotic wargear like acidic heavy bolters and calibanite war blades (a straight up, free upgrade for power swords) is awesome.
They have two (and probably more coming) rites that represent a very different way of war to some of the other legions.
Very viable for an all jetbike list (Ravenwing) or an all land raider list (Ironwing).

(VII) Imperial Fists
Sigismund is the ultimate beatstick, capable of putting down every Praetor build out there with shocking ease.
The only legion that buffs breachers. (The Stone Gauntlet)

I have chosen TS long before they came out. I liked their fluff, it's litteraly the proverb "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". Pluss they are a nice change from my Deffskull orks with their gold and red armour and psykic abilyties.

I would hope Sigmund would beat up any Preator, as he costs 230 points vs. around 160 for a tooled up Preator!

The Sons of Horus are doing just fine. Late last year I was contemplating a new Legion because I wasn't playing with the +1 BS at 12" (I had an older copy of the Red Book that I thought was current) and just felt left out by all the other spiffy Legion special rules out there. After I got the right book... haven't felt that way at all. We have the best Primarch, and we have the best Terminators. The Reavers are a disappointment (over priced Vets basically), but everything else is the same as every other Legion.

I might be a little irked and concerned by what the Thousand Sons bring to the table. Lots of Psychic powers in a game where there is hardly any at all. Which is not a big deal if you are a loyalist player- just field an allied detachment of Sisters of Silence and shut down the entire psychic phase. Can't really do that as a Traitor army though. While GW would like us to Forge the Narrative and always play Loyalist vs. Traitor, we all know that when we show up to game night at the FLGS that isn't always possible. All the Psychic Power Dice in the world doesn't help you that much though- just ask any Word Bearer's player that tries to go all Deamon Summoning.

Leman Russ, while a beatstick in close combat and probably the #2 Primarch when it comes to close combat, doesn't really do anything else for his army. +1 Leadership and that's it. Consider what other Primarchs do for their Legions and he is a bit of a disappointment to me. At first glance, I thought he was way undercosted, until I realized he really doesn't do anything for the Space Wolves- it's like he is just the best, most powerful Space Wolf and that's all. When you consider the warrior culture of individual Hero's the Space Wolves adopted, Leman Russ makes perfect sense. I say well done Forge World for that very subtle and bullseye hit for the Primarch of the Space Wolves.

 Tamwulf wrote:
I would hope Sigmund would beat up any Preator, as he costs 230 points vs. around 160 for a tooled up Preator!

The Sons of Horus are doing just fine. Late last year I was contemplating a new Legion because I wasn't playing with the +1 BS at 12" (I had an older copy of the Red Book that I thought was current) and just felt left out by all the other spiffy Legion special rules out there. After I got the right book... haven't felt that way at all. We have the best Primarch, and we have the best Terminators. The Reavers are a disappointment (over priced Vets basically), but everything else is the same as every other Legion.

I might be a little irked and concerned by what the Thousand Sons bring to the table. Lots of Psychic powers in a game where there is hardly any at all. Which is not a big deal if you are a loyalist player- just field an allied detachment of Sisters of Silence and shut down the entire psychic phase. Can't really do that as a Traitor army though. While GW would like us to Forge the Narrative and always play Loyalist vs. Traitor, we all know that when we show up to game night at the FLGS that isn't always possible. All the Psychic Power Dice in the world doesn't help you that much though- just ask any Word Bearer's player that tries to go all Deamon Summoning.

Leman Russ, while a beatstick in close combat and probably the #2 Primarch when it comes to close combat, doesn't really do anything else for his army. +1 Leadership and that's it. Consider what other Primarchs do for their Legions and he is a bit of a disappointment to me. At first glance, I thought he was way undercosted, until I realized he really doesn't do anything for the Space Wolves- it's like he is just the best, most powerful Space Wolf and that's all. When you consider the warrior culture of individual Hero's the Space Wolves adopted, Leman Russ makes perfect sense. I say well done Forge World for that very subtle and bullseye hit for the Primarch of the Space Wolves.

You forgot that Russ has also Howl of the Desthwolf, it also buffs the army, but only once per game.

DaemonJellybaby wrote:
The mathematician in me is slightly tilted by the ordering, could you reorder them in legion order or remove the numerals please.

Nonetheless:
(I) Dark Angels
Access to some of the more exotic wargear like acidic heavy bolters and calibanite war blades (a straight up, free upgrade for power swords) is awesome.
They have two (and probably more coming) rites that represent a very different way of war to some of the other legions.
Very viable for an all jetbike list (Ravenwing) or an all land raider list (Ironwing).

(VII) Imperial Fists
Sigismund is the ultimate beatstick, capable of putting down every Praetor build out there with shocking ease.
The only legion that buffs breachers. (The Stone Gauntlet)

Sorry my friend, I went with Alphabetical, mainly because it's just quicker to reference. I added the Legion numerals so people could double check that if they're researching to see if they want to pick up and invest in an army for 30K for the first time.

I get being OCD (lord knows I am!), but this thread's main intent is to help people find the right Legion for them.

Iron warriors are hands down my favorite legion. when i was first getting into 40k back the era of 3rd and going into 4th and trying to pick a army, I had built a small Irons Warriors warband that years later I had to unfortunately eventually give up. But now they are back and better than ever and can be played either loyalist or traitor so its the best of both worlds. Since I'm a 40k IG player the idea of having my guys handing back and shelling the opponent while infantry tries to move in taking casualties is fairly familiar and lines up very well with how the Iron warriors conduct their own style of warfare.

In the fluff they are styled as perhaps the most loyal of the legions, never refusing orders, taking any assignment given to them and accomplishing it no matter the cost to themselves. While other legions would refuse orders from outside the legion or bicker about honor, the Iron warriors trudge through hails of fire to accomplish the mission, something which had won them a reputation as the most reliable of the legion would ultimately lead to their downfall. Even their exceptionally compatible gene-seed could not keep pace with recruits needed. That was exacerbated by the coming of Perturabo who to a even greater degree embodied the traits of his sons.Being a workhorse legion definitely did not cause them to stand out, all the crapshoot missions bled them of not just personnel but their humanity, it even effected Perturabo wearing him and his legion down to the point where they became susceptible to the powers of chaos and they turned from loyal sons to foul traitors. Being a vet myself I really connect with the war weary 4th legion and the feeling of underappreciated.

As for their paint job, its pretty darn distinct, whether its "fresh off the forgeworld" new and shiny or stained, and mud covered, you see the glint of bare metal and hazard stripes you know its Iron warriors and what you're in for.

On the tabletop Love their crunch, Iron Warrors give zero ****s about the bullets wizzing by them. Buddy gets evaporated by a lascannon? Press forward! Their shrapnel shell bolters, keep the enemies head down as they advance. If you bring the big guy, Perturabo when the IW get into the enemy deoployment zone their rage is unleashed, how dare they stand in the way of the Imperium/Horus!
Special units? We have super shooty termies, Heavy weapons squads that lower cover and shoot better while being more resistance to those pesky blast and template weapons, and big stompy bodyguard bots that not only look great but are durable as all get out!

Iron within, Iron without!

 Tamwulf wrote:


The Sons of Horus are doing just fine. Late last year I was contemplating a new Legion because I wasn't playing with the +1 BS at 12" (I had an older copy of the Red Book that I thought was current) and just felt left out by all the other spiffy Legion special rules out there. After I got the right book... haven't felt that way at all. We have the best Primarch, and we have the best Terminators. The Reavers are a disappointment (over priced Vets basically), but everything else is the same as every other Legion.

I still don't agree with Reavers being disappointing, expensive yes, but disappointing? They fit the theme of the LA: Sons of Horus great, though again I will stress expensive. Jump Packs make them count as two models for the purposes of Merciless Fighters, their Chain Axes upgrades give them S+1 (and they have precision strikes so you can remove threats in normal squads), so they are more likely to wound in combat vs other Marines, and because they hit at initiative will get an additional attack with Merciless Fighters, on top of the fact they have 3 Attacks (4 on the Leader) standing still (BP and melee weapon of choice) with 4 (5) on the charge. The only downside to the Chain Axe being AP4, but thats when weight of attack comes into play. Then there is the fact you can give them Volkite Weapons, which at optimal Reaver Range would be BS5 (with Precision Shots) thanks to Death Dealers, so you can have potential to take off even more bodies before you even get into CC, which brings us back to Merciless Fighters since they'll be more likely to outnumber the enemy.

But again to their main down side of Cost, which rumor has it, FW is looking to release an FAQ (or updated book knowing them) to update the Legions themselves, like they updated the generic units.

World Eaters are best. They have the coolest heresy era paint scheme, the best in fluff reason to rebel, inductii are sweet, and beserker assault combined with their legion rules is pure sexxxx.

Thousand Sons are wonderful. They have it all, their two unique rites of war allow you to play a defensive or an alpha strike style game while demanding little in return. This, and the tale of Magnus and his sons is one of the greatest stories told in the Heresy canon, a true tragedy.

As a loyalist project I will likely move on to Dark Angels sometime as I want to get some experience painting black, and they look like they are able to run a mixture of playstyles.

 Tamwulf wrote:
I would hope Sigmund would beat up any Preator, as he costs 230 points vs. around 160 for a tooled up Preator!

The Sons of Horus are doing just fine. Late last year I was contemplating a new Legion because I wasn't playing with the +1 BS at 12" (I had an older copy of the Red Book that I thought was current) and just felt left out by all the other spiffy Legion special rules out there. After I got the right book... haven't felt that way at all. We have the best Primarch, and we have the best Terminators. The Reavers are a disappointment (over priced Vets basically), but everything else is the same as every other Legion.

I might be a little irked and concerned by what the Thousand Sons bring to the table. Lots of Psychic powers in a game where there is hardly any at all. Which is not a big deal if you are a loyalist player- just field an allied detachment of Sisters of Silence and shut down the entire psychic phase. Can't really do that as a Traitor army though. While GW would like us to Forge the Narrative and always play Loyalist vs. Traitor, we all know that when we show up to game night at the FLGS that isn't always possible. All the Psychic Power Dice in the world doesn't help you that much though- just ask any Word Bearer's player that tries to go all Deamon Summoning.

Leman Russ, while a beatstick in close combat and probably the #2 Primarch when it comes to close combat, doesn't really do anything else for his army. +1 Leadership and that's it. Consider what other Primarchs do for their Legions and he is a bit of a disappointment to me. At first glance, I thought he was way undercosted, until I realized he really doesn't do anything for the Space Wolves- it's like he is just the best, most powerful Space Wolf and that's all. When you consider the warrior culture of individual Hero's the Space Wolves adopted, Leman Russ makes perfect sense. I say well done Forge World for that very subtle and bullseye hit for the Primarch of the Space Wolves.

magnus is flat out the best primarch with the UNGODLY amount of psychic dakka he can put out

 john27 wrote:

 Tamwulf wrote:
I would hope Sigmund would beat up any Preator, as he costs 230 points vs. around 160 for a tooled up Preator!

The Sons of Horus are doing just fine. Late last year I was contemplating a new Legion because I wasn't playing with the +1 BS at 12" (I had an older copy of the Red Book that I thought was current) and just felt left out by all the other spiffy Legion special rules out there. After I got the right book... haven't felt that way at all. We have the best Primarch, and we have the best Terminators. The Reavers are a disappointment (over priced Vets basically), but everything else is the same as every other Legion.

I might be a little irked and concerned by what the Thousand Sons bring to the table. Lots of Psychic powers in a game where there is hardly any at all. Which is not a big deal if you are a loyalist player- just field an allied detachment of Sisters of Silence and shut down the entire psychic phase. Can't really do that as a Traitor army though. While GW would like us to Forge the Narrative and always play Loyalist vs. Traitor, we all know that when we show up to game night at the FLGS that isn't always possible. All the Psychic Power Dice in the world doesn't help you that much though- just ask any Word Bearer's player that tries to go all Deamon Summoning.

Leman Russ, while a beatstick in close combat and probably the #2 Primarch when it comes to close combat, doesn't really do anything else for his army. +1 Leadership and that's it. Consider what other Primarchs do for their Legions and he is a bit of a disappointment to me. At first glance, I thought he was way undercosted, until I realized he really doesn't do anything for the Space Wolves- it's like he is just the best, most powerful Space Wolf and that's all. When you consider the warrior culture of individual Hero's the Space Wolves adopted, Leman Russ makes perfect sense. I say well done Forge World for that very subtle and bullseye hit for the Primarch of the Space Wolves.

magnus is flat out the best primarch with the UNGODLY amount of psychic dakka he can put out

Have to agree Magnus is the best primarch. He does a ton for his legion such as free to select any cult on troops can use psychic dice without peril brings am ungodly amount of pain especially with biomancy which has 5 good spells for him and the primaris guy is a beast.

Also as of current Russ is the best combat primary and he can kill horus but he doesn't buff anything +1ld isn't terrible but nothing great he does allow veterans and varagyr as troops to but lots of primarchs now do that such as Magnus horus guilliman.