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Hey everyone!
As a long-time 30k player with three armies in various stages of completion (2500p Raven Guard, 3000p Thousand Sons, 500p Death Guard) I decided to to the intelligent thing and start another one instead of working on my Eldar. Nobody likes Xenos anyways.
I have decided to go with the Sons of Horus as my next legion, since their more militaristic approach is a welcome change after the Thousand Sons. They will be loyalists, and the will most likely be absolutely terrible when it comes to actual games with the possible exception of Zone Mortalis ones.
I also decided to make my own company instead of representing one that already exists. I went with the 72nd, lead by Captain Valamir, because I liked the number and the first thing that pops up on Google when you search for them are Thousand Sons.

So, on to the army list:

+Sons of Horus 1000p+
++RoW: Orphans of Betrayal++
HQ
+Captain Valamir+
++Legion Herald, 135p++
+++Banner of the Aquilla, Volkite Charger, Power Maul, Artificer Armour, Refractor Field+++

+1st Lieutenant Volusian+
++Legion Champion, 130p++
+++Master Crafter Charnabal Sabre, Melta bomb, Artificer Armour, Combat Shield, Jump Pack+++


Troops
+Squad Volaris+
++Legion Tactical Squad, 210p++
+++Additional Chainswords, Sergeant with Power Axe, Artificer Armour+++

+Squad Tameggon+
++Legion Tactical Squad, 210p++
+++Additional Chainswords, Sergeant with Power Axe, Artificer Armour+++

Elites
+Marius Salaghast+
++Legion Apothecary, 70p++ +++ Chain Sword, Jump Pack+++

Fast Attack
+Squad Malgar+
++Reaver Attack Squad, 250p++
+++5x Power Axes, Jump Packs, Sergeant with Hand Flamer, Artificer Armour+++


If I’m not mistaken, this comes in at exactly 1000 points. The army lacks any real way of dealing with armour, which will most likely be contemptors or the odd rhino at this point level.
My plan is to stick Valamir in one of the tactical squads, while Volusian and the apothecary go with the Reavers and kill stuff.
Let me know if there’s anything I should change. I should note that I don't want any terminators in this army, and nor do I want any named characters. It needs to stay fluffy.
Thanks for reading!

-Ember

Welcome to the 16th Legion! I too play loyalists.

So, for a 1000 point starter army this is honestly not terrible. I assume your plan is to pick up a Bac or a BoP? if so then that can get you some heavy weapons as well which are always welcome IMO.

I would recommend also trying the classic Pride of the Legion RoW as well for the smaller games. Turn those tactical squads into vets.

Are vets good with Sons of Horus? I run mostly vets with my Thousand Sons to maximize on their psychic abilities, but wouldthey fit the theme well?
Also, I was thinking about dropping one or two power axes in the Reaver unit and replacing them with melted. Would that be smart?

So fact is, Vets are just better. That said, it all depends on how fluffy you want to be. Marksman vets in rhinos are a great unit IMO but if your playing smaller Centuriun games the tactical blob is also solid.

As for the reavers, again I run mine mostly as weapon master Vets because I think those are better but they cant take jump packs. So for reavers Melta is always a good idea, helps pop Terminators as well as soften up vehicles.

You will want a powerfist or two in there. A contemptor with AV13 in front will be nearly impossible for you to harm if it gets in melee with you. Your whole tactical squad will just get slowly beaten down or risk getting wiped in a sweeping advance when trying to flee. Maybe throw a powerfist on the reavers since they have the mobility to get to the big threats.

This just happened to my White Scars in an 850pt game the other day. Don’t let it happen to you!

Meltabombs are your friend

Thank you for your suggestions! Would the power fist be better on the Reaver sergeant, or on the tac squads?

And meltabombs will definitely be included. I'm planning on dropping one or two power axes and giving everyone bombs instead.

 EmberlordofFire8 wrote:
Hey everyone!
As a long-time 30k player with three armies in various stages of completion (2500p Raven Guard, 3000p Thousand Sons, 500p Death Guard) I decided to to the intelligent thing and start another one instead of working on my Eldar. Nobody likes Xenos anyways.
I have decided to go with the Sons of Horus as my next legion, since their more militaristic approach is a welcome change after the Thousand Sons. They will be loyalists, and the will most likely be absolutely terrible when it comes to actual games with the possible exception of Zone Mortalis ones.
I also decided to make my own company instead of representing one that already exists. I went with the 72nd, lead by Captain Valamir, because I liked the number and the first thing that pops up on Google when you search for them are Thousand Sons.

So, on to the army list:

+Sons of Horus 1000p+
++RoW: Orphans of Betrayal++
HQ
+Captain Valamir+
++Legion Herald, 135p++
+++Banner of the Aquilla, Volkite Charger, Power Maul, Artificer Armour, Refractor Field+++

Are you required to take a Herald? If not, I'd be looking at a Delegatus instead, as he opens up the RoW: Chosen Duty that unlocks Vets as Troops Choices and makes them Compulsory as well (a very good thing), and you get a free master crafted weapon. And you are paying only 15 points for that! It's a steal! Volkite Charger is good, but a Volkite Serpenta with a melee weapon is even better! Get that +1 A! That Power Maul doesn't belong on a character that will probably get into a challenge with another character, and one that has a P-fist or Thunder Hammer at that! I'd be looking at a Lightning Claw, or even Charnabal Saber, and slapping that free Master Crafted on it from being a Delegatus instead. Power Mauls are good for Justarian Terminators, but not on characters. Also, with the 5 points we saved on the Serpenta, you can now afford meltabombs!

+1st Lieutenant Volusian+
++Legion Champion, 130p++
+++Master Crafter Charnabal Sabre, Melta bomb, Artificer Armour, Combat Shield, Jump Pack+++

This guy is OK, though I'd probably find a way to give him a Refractor Field and Vokite Serpenta. Or... replace him entirely with a Moritat.

Troops
+Squad Volaris+
++Legion Tactical Squad, 210p++
+++Additional Chainswords, Sergeant with Power Axe, Artificer Armour+++

+Squad Tameggon+
++Legion Tactical Squad, 210p++
+++Additional Chainswords, Sergeant with Power Axe, Artificer Armour+++

I'm assuming only 10 models in these units, which means you are doing it wrong for Sons of Horus. How many do you have here? I can't make these points add up to 210. OK, not wrong, but one of the great rules SoH have is Merciless Fighters. If you outnumber your opponent at I1, you get to make an extra attack (unless you have unwieldly weapons like a Power Fist, T-Hammer, or... Power Axe...). I'd make these squads into 15 models each, probably by cutting out the Reaver Squad. I know, that sucks and probably not what you want to do. So instead, you'll have to focus on both units getting into melee combat at the same time. Or just ignore the benefits of Merciless Fighters for list building and just remember it when it comes up. Next point: Power Axes? I mean, OK, but if you are going to swing at Initiative 1, why not pony up for a P-Fist instead? There is really no benefit in taking a Power Axe over a P-Fist except it saves you +5 points. If you have to choose between a Vexilla and Artificer Armor for your sergeant, I'd take the Vexilla. Melta bombs? And if you really are going with 10 models, why not a Rhino or two? They are cheap, and they can mount a Multi-melta which could really help your lack of anti-armor in your list.

Elites
+Marius Salaghast+
++Legion Apothecary, 70p++ +++ Chain Sword, Jump Pack+++

Pretty Plain Jane, obviously going to join the Reavers and your Herald to form a Super Squad of 7 models. Merciless Fighters anyone? No? OK... if I needed points somewhere, this would be the first guy to go. He really isn't all that efficient for your intended use. He would almost be better without the jump pack and just foot slogging with a Troop squad.

Fast Attack
+Squad Malgar+
++Reaver Attack Squad, 250p++
+++5x Power Axes, Jump Packs, Sergeant with Hand Flamer, Artificer Armour+++

I'm not a fan of Reavers. Anything they can do, a Veteran Squad can do better, and for less points. :( If you make your Warlord into a Delegatus, you can scrub these guys, and convert your Troops into Veterans, opening up way more options for your army. And Power Axes... again. I'd take 4x Chainaxes instead, and give your Sergeant Lightning Claws (or maybe just one claw). Lightning Claws + Merciless Fighters = win. Side note: If you are planning on Deepstriking this unit with your Apothecary and Warlord... it's a risky move that could have very bad consequences. At best, you DS right where you want to me, which is more than 12" from your opponent so he can't shoot and charge you, but it makes you beyond 12" for the sweet +1 BS SoH get. Less then 12", and yeah, 6 bolt pistols won't do much of anything against anyone, and instead you'll be out in the open with over half your points in 8 models waiting to be shot and charged. A much better use here is to outflank with them. Keep the Jump Packs, as outflanking Jump Packs are pretty entertaining!

If I’m not mistaken, this comes in at exactly 1000 points. The army lacks any real way of dealing with armour, which will most likely be contemptors or the odd rhino at this point level.
My plan is to stick Valamir in one of the tactical squads, while Volusian and the apothecary go with the Reavers and kill stuff.
Let me know if there’s anything I should change. I should note that I don't want any terminators in this army, and nor do I want any named characters. It needs to stay fluffy.
Thanks for reading!

-Ember

Your list is pretty fluffy now, and against a competitive list, it'll get ripped to shreds. Sorry. What you could do, and still keep it fluffy, is take a Delegatus, make your troops into Vets, and take a Command Squad. You'd still be able to take your Apothecary, and maybe even be able to mount everyone in Rhinos with Multi Meltas. You would probably have to lose the Champion and Reaver squad though. Which is OK, as Reaver Squads are one step away from being Traitor Only anyways if you think about it (A squad dedicated to unorthodox, savage, base combat that collects trophies and wears them on their armor? Hmmm...). The Command Squad would form a pretty good bodyguard for the Delegatus, and still give you a standard bearer and lesser Champion.

Things I like about your list: Thinking outside the box and using a Herald and Champion! That's cool, and we all know rule of cool rules all. Still can't get over the Power Maul or Power Axes though. Sorry.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

Thanks for all the feedback!

Are you required to take a Herald? If not, I'd be looking at a Delegatus instead, as he opens up the RoW: Chosen Duty that unlocks Vets as Troops Choices and makes them Compulsory as well (a very good thing), and you get a free master crafted weapon. And you are paying only 15 points for that! It's a steal! Volkite Charger is good, but a Volkite Serpenta with a melee weapon is even better! Get that +1 A! That Power Maul doesn't belong on a character that will probably get into a challenge with another character, and one that has a P-fist or Thunder Hammer at that! I'd be looking at a Lightning Claw, or even Charnabal Saber, and slapping that free Master Crafted on it from being a Delegatus instead. Power Mauls are good for Justarian Terminators, but not on characters. Also, with the 5 points we saved on the Serpenta, you can now afford meltabombs!

The Herald isn't required, but his banner fits with the overall theme of the army. +1 WS combined with FnP for all characters fighting in challenges, and hatred if I'm facing other Sons of Horus is quite a good combination.
About the Delegatus, I'm planning on using my captain model something other than a Herald if I need to. I was thinking of using a bare-bones Praetor, but the Delegatus seems like a much better idea. Thanks!
The only problem are the veterans. Both my Thousand Sons and my Raven Guard rely on veterans, and I'm getting quite sick of them TBH

I'm assuming only 10 models in these units, which means you are doing it wrong for Sons of Horus. How many do you have here? I can't make these points add up to 210. OK, not wrong, but one of the great rules SoH have is Merciless Fighters. If you outnumber your opponent at I1, you get to make an extra attack (unless you have unwieldly weapons like a Power Fist, T-Hammer, or... Power Axe...). I'd make these squads into 15 models each, probably by cutting out the Reaver Squad. I know, that sucks and probably not what you want to do. So instead, you'll have to focus on both units getting into melee combat at the same time. Or just ignore the benefits of Merciless Fighters for list building and just remember it when it comes up. Next point: Power Axes? I mean, OK, but if you are going to swing at Initiative 1, why not pony up for a P-Fist instead? There is really no benefit in taking a Power Axe over a P-Fist except it saves you +5 points. If you have to choose between a Vexilla and Artificer Armor for your sergeant, I'd take the Vexilla. Melta bombs? And if you really are going with 10 models, why not a Rhino or two? They are cheap, and they can mount a Multi-melta which could really help your lack of anti-armor in your list.

I have no idea how I got to 210. I might have been looking at Veterans...
I've revised the list slightly: I bumped up the tacticals to 12-men each, which is kinda odd I know but it'll hopefully give me more troops than the enemy in nearly every case. I also replaced the Axes with Fists. I did decide to keep the artificer armour since my sergeants will probably always be fighting in challenges, and I'll want them to survive long enough to use their Power Fist.
I'm still not sure about transports for this points level. On the one hand, I want my dudes to get into combat as soon as possible, on the other 12 men don't fit in a rhino so I'd need to cut back on them, and loose Merciless Fighters... hmm.

I've created a revised version of the list, which hopefully takes some of your advice into consideration: BEHOLD!!

+Sons of Horus 1000p+
++RoW: Orphans of Betrayal++
HQ
+Captain Valamir+
++Legion Herald, 135p++
+++Banner of the Aquilla, Volkite Serpenta, Power Maul, Melta Bomb, Artificer Armour, Refractor Field,+++
+Sons of Horus 1000p+
++RoW: Orphans of Betrayal++

+1st Lieutenant Volusian+
++Legion Champion, 135p++
+++Master Crafter Charnabal Sabre, Melta bomb, Artificer Armour, Refractor Field, Jump Pack+++


Troops
+Squad Volaris+
++Legion Tactical Squad, 12 man, 200p++
+++Additional Chainswords, Sergeant with Power Fist, Artificer Armour+++

+Squad Tameggon+
++Legion Tactical Squad, 12 man, 200p++
+++Additional Chainswords, Sergeant with Power Fist, Artificer Armour+++


Elites
+Marius Salaghast+
++Legion Apothecary, 70p++
+++ Chain Sword, Jump Pack+++


Fast Attack
+Squad Malgar+
++Reaver Attack Squad, 5 man, 260p++
+++4x Power Axes, Jump Packs, Sergeant with Hand Flamer, Power Fist, Melts Bomb, Artificer Armour+++

Thanks for all the help!

Ember