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Hey guys,

I'm building an EC force and I'm torn between going with the Deimos pattern Rhino or sticking with the Mars pattern. Most of my marines are in the Mk IV armor, so I figure going with the Mars pattern might match a little better?

The question is wholly thematic, but for me there is the weapon consideration as well. I can get the Chaos Rhino and it would come with the Havoc Launcher and be a lot cheaper. The Deimos, though, would better fit the pintle mounted weapon upgrades that FW sells that would give it access to heavy bolters, heavy flamers, and multi meltas... Decisions decisions.

What do you guys think?

Go with whichever model you prefer.

 JamesY wrote:
Go with whichever model you prefer.

I'm torn, hence the poll. I'm wondering if there would be any lore reason to prefer one over the other?

I suspect the pintle-mounted weapon kit would work well enough on Mars-pattern Rhinos. Also look at Blood and Skull Industry (on eBay, I think?) and other third-party sites for accessories.

If the Chaos Rhino came with a multi-melta it’d be an easy decision, but I’m not a fan of havoc launchers. The combi-flamer isn’t bad at +5 points. But mostly it’s just a stylistic decision. Are you going for a corrupted Emperor’s Children look? Are you going to hang victims from the chains and hooks or stick Slaaneshi iconography on there? Or are there any square or round FW or other doors that you like? I don’t see anything in the lore that’ll help.

Otherwise just ask yourself if you like the Deimos-pattern Rhino $20 more than the Mars-pattern. Count up how many you’d have in a 3000 point army and consider how else you would spend that money. Three or fewer, I’d definitely get the Deimos. Above that, I’m genuinely uncertain.

Deimos pattern. I know both are correct for a heresy-era army but I just think the deimos pattern help establish the heresy theming better.

Honestly, I just think the Deimos-pattern looks the part for Heresy more, and I think just fundamentally looks nicer than the standard Rhino.

It's a lot of money to spend on what amounts to a 35pts model, especially if you spring for the legion-specific doors. Maybe even the worst pound-to-point ratio in the game. But dangit if they don't look the business, and that's what Heresy is all about.

Worth noting that the pintle weapons kit from FW will work equally well on a Mars-pattern Rhino as well as a Deimos - and only contains one replacement combi-bolter hatch for the Deimos.

Both look good and are era-appropriate though, so you can't really go wrong.

Deimos is more 'authentic' I suppose, but I honestly couldn't care less.

Either one is fine, really.
If you want to go true old school, hunt down the old plastic Deimos Rhinos on Ebay.

I think the Mars pattern matches the sleeker MK IV and EC feel. I like the Deimos pattern more, but it’s clunky. Doesn’t fit EC aesthetic as well.

I ended up going with the Deimos after all. I agree, it fits the Heresy theme more, and the chunkier armor is just so cool looking! Thanks everyone!