Horus Heresy
Warhammer Horus Heresy is a wargaming game that takes place within the world of Warhammer 40000. It is a spin-off that focuses on a historical period when a great internal war was taking place between the armies of Imperia and its Primarchs, led by Horus, who rebelled against the Imperial Order. The game involves battles between various armies such as the Space Marines, Mechanicum, Traitor Legions, Imperial Army and Titan Legions. Players can use different tactics and special abilities of their units to fight against their opponents. The game is played on the tabletop using miniatures, game rules and battle scenarios. Like most wargaming games, Horus Heresy requires the assembling and painting of purchased miniatures, which many players consider part of the fun.
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Warhammer: The Horus Heresy — Your Complete Guide
Warhammer: The Horus Heresy is Games Workshop's epic miniature wargame set ten thousand years before the events of Warhammer 40,000 — in the age of the Great Crusade and the catastrophic civil war that tore the Imperium apart. It is a game of legendary battles between Space Marine Legions, fought with the most iconic warriors in the 40k universe at the height of their power. Where Warhammer 40,000 depicts a dying galaxy clinging to survival, the Horus Heresy captures the moment humanity came closest to achieving its greatest potential — and the betrayal that destroyed it.
At Colours of Warriors, we stock the full Horus Heresy range — the Age of Darkness starter box, Legiones Astartes infantry and vehicles, Solar Auxilia, Mechanicum and Legions Imperialis. Visit our store in Pilsen, Czech Republic, or order online with delivery across the EU.
The Setting — What Is the Horus Heresy?
The Horus Heresy takes place in the 31st millennium, during the final stages of the Emperor of Mankind's Great Crusade to reunite humanity under one banner. Warmaster Horus — the Emperor's most trusted and gifted son — was corrupted by the Chaos Gods and turned half the Space Marine Legions against the Emperor. What followed was the greatest war in human history: brother against brother, Legion against Legion, across a galaxy consumed by treachery and fire.
The conflict ended with the Siege of Terra — the assault on the Imperial Palace itself — and the deaths that shaped the Warhammer 40,000 universe as we know it. Every faction, every conflict, every piece of lore in 40k traces its roots back to the events of the Horus Heresy.
Legiones Astartes — The Space Marine Legions
The core of any Horus Heresy army is the Legiones Astartes — Space Marines in their pre-Heresy form, armed with Mk II, III, IV and VI power armour and the full arsenal of the Great Crusade. Unlike the smaller Chapter-based Space Marines of 40k, the Legions number in the hundreds of thousands, each with its own culture, fighting style and identity.
The eighteen original Legions are divided between Loyalists and Traitors. Among the most popular choices for collectors:
Ultramarines — the largest and most disciplined Legion, masters of combined arms warfare and codified tactics. The most well-rounded choice for new Horus Heresy players.
Blood Angels — swift and devastating in close combat, their golden armour concealing a savage fury. Ideal for players who prefer aggressive assault playstyles.
Imperial Fists — peerless siege masters and defenders, stoic warriors who stood at the walls of Terra until the very end.
Sons of Horus — the Warmaster's own Legion, the tip of the spear in the Traitor assault. Elite, aggressive and rich in narrative significance.
Death Guard — relentless and unstoppable, the warriors of Mortarion grind their enemies down through attrition and sheer endurance.
World Eaters — Khorne's butchers led by the Primarch Angron, berserkers who live for close-combat slaughter. Perfect for players who want an aggressive melee army.
Beyond these, you'll find Space Wolves, Raven Guard, Salamanders, Thousand Sons, Emperor's Children, Word Bearers and all eighteen original Legions — each with their own unique rules, lore and visual identity.
Solar Auxilia and Mechanicum
The Solar Auxilia are the elite human forces of the Imperium — void-suited soldiers backed by powerful armoured vehicles including the Leman Russ Assault Tank, Malcador Heavy Tank and Dracosan Armoured Transport. They offer a very different playstyle to Space Marine Legions: more models, greater reliance on combined arms and a strong shooting focus. An excellent choice for players who prefer the human side of the conflict or want a horde-style army with elite vehicle support.
The Mechanicum are the tech-priests and war machines of the Adeptus Mechanicus — cyborg warriors, automata and Questoris Knights. They are uniquely characterised by powerful individual units with exceptional rules, making them a rewarding choice for collectors who prefer elite model counts and striking visual presence on the table.
How to Start Playing Horus Heresy
The best starting point is the Age of Darkness launch box — it contains two complete forces of Legiones Astartes (MkVI Tactical Marines for both sides), the full Age of Darkness rulebook, dice, templates and everything needed to play your first game. With enough miniatures for both players, it's ideal for starting together with a friend.
Unlike Warhammer 40,000, Horus Heresy uses a points-based army building system from the outset. The Liber Astartes (for Loyalists) and Liber Hereticus (for Traitors) provide the complete rules for all eighteen Legions. The game is designed for players who enjoy deeper tactical complexity and rich narrative play.
We recommend Horus Heresy for players who already have some experience with miniature wargaming. If you're new to the hobby, consider starting with Warhammer 40,000 Combat Patrol or Kill Team first.
Legions Imperialis — Epic-Scale Battles
For players who want to fight truly massive battles, Legions Imperialis brings the Horus Heresy to an epic scale using approximately 8mm miniatures. Tank battalions, infantry regiments and the towering war machines of the Titan Legions clash across vast battlefields impossible to represent in standard 28mm scale.
Legions Imperialis is a standalone game with its own rules and miniatures. We stock the full range including Warhound Titans, Questoris Knights, Thunderhawk Gunships and infantry forces for both Legiones Astartes and Solar Auxilia. Browse our Legions Imperialis range.
The Hobby Side — Painting Horus Heresy Miniatures
Horus Heresy miniatures reward detailed painting — the ornate armour marks, Legion iconography and weathering effects that bring these warriors to life are among the most satisfying projects in the hobby. Most players paint their Legions in the classic colours of each: Ultramarines blue, Blood Angels red, Death Guard bone white, Sons of Horus sea green.
For armour, a solid Base coat followed by careful edge highlighting is the most popular approach. Citadel's technical paints and contrast colours work exceptionally well for weathered effects on vehicles. We stock a complete range of paints, brushes and modelling tools suited to Horus Heresy projects.
Horus Heresy at Colours of Warriors
We're a specialist hobby shop based in Pilsen, Czech Republic, stocking the complete Warhammer: The Horus Heresy range — Age of Darkness starter box, Legiones Astartes infantry and vehicles, Solar Auxilia, Mechanicum, Questoris Knights and the full Legions Imperialis line. Our store at Zbrojnická 116/2 is open Monday to Friday 13:00–18:00 and features a dedicated gaming area and Paint Zone where you can try painting before you buy. We ship across the Czech Republic and the EU.
Questions? Contact us at obchod@coloursofwarriors.com or +420 737 281 727.
Frequently Asked Questions — Horus Heresy
What is the best starter set for Horus Heresy?
The Age of Darkness box is the definitive starting point — it contains two complete forces, the full rulebook and everything needed to play your first game. It's designed for two players and provides excellent value compared to buying components separately.
Is Horus Heresy suitable for beginners?
Horus Heresy is more complex than Warhammer 40,000 or Kill Team and is best suited to players with some miniature wargaming experience. If you're completely new to the hobby, we recommend starting with 40k Combat Patrol or Kill Team first. That said, if the setting captivates you, there's no reason not to dive straight in.
Can I use Horus Heresy miniatures in Warhammer 40,000?
Yes — Horus Heresy uses the same 28mm scale as Warhammer 40,000 and the miniatures are fully compatible. Many players use their Heresy Legiones Astartes as the basis for 40k Space Marine armies. The rules are different between the two games, but the models work for both.
What is the difference between Horus Heresy and Legions Imperialis?
Both are set in the same period but use different scales and rules. Standard Horus Heresy uses 28mm miniatures for skirmish-to-battalion scale battles. Legions Imperialis uses approximately 8mm miniatures for truly epic-scale battles featuring entire tank battalions and Titan war machines. They are separate standalone games.
How long does a game of Horus Heresy take?
A standard game typically takes 3–4 hours. Horus Heresy is designed for longer, more narrative sessions — it suits dedicated gaming evenings or weekend sessions rather than quick lunchtime games.
Do I need both Liber Astartes and Liber Hereticus?
You only need the Liber that corresponds to your chosen side — Liber Astartes for Loyalist Legions, Liber Hereticus for Traitor Legions. If you want to collect both sides or play competitively against any opponent, having both is useful but not strictly necessary to start.