In this ongoing series we present an accessible and thematic starting list for each of the 18 Space Marine Legions. Each list utilizes the Age of Darkness starter set as a foundation from which to build a 2,000 point list using as few additional components as possible from readily available official plastic kits.

To build this force yourself you’ll need:
1 Age of Darkness Starter Set
1 Special Weapons Upgrade Set

While we mostly try and present these starter series blogs in numerical legion order sometimes we switch it up and when my buddy Sean mentioned he was thinking about getting into ‘Heresy with Salamanders I knew what I had to do. So, here’s a look at getting started with everyone’s favorite, supposedly humanist pyromaniacs, the XVIII!

There are a few ways to approach a Salamanders army, but let’s not pretend we’re not here to take as many flamer templates as we can. This force is intended to represent a small band of Salamanders, post-Istvaan struggling with the loss of their primarch. I’ve chosen their unique rite of war, The Awakening Flame, to thematically represent a Salamanders force that escaped the dropsite massacre and managed to equip themselves with the superlative weapons and armor that are their legion’s pride. You’ll find artificer armor and master crafted weapons littered throughout the list, as well as as many dragon’s breath flamers as I could reasonably jam in here.

Instead of two large 20 man tactical squads I’ve included only 1, but a single 10 man squad supported by a 10 man support squad (armed with dragon’s breath flamers, of course) to help represent the depleted numbers of the Salamanders after Horus’ betrayal. As well, these 3 squads will give you some tactical versatility you’d lack with a single second tactical squad.

This army is led by a praetor but I chose to take a generic warlord trait as the Salamander specific traits aren’t particularly great fits for this force at 2,000 points. As well, the Awakening Flame requires you to take a centurion consul chaplain, representing the new focus on the Promethean Cult at the heart of some Salamanders forces. This champion is a great leader for your larger tactical squad while you may want to attach the praetor to the terminators who will be riding in style in their spartan. Strong arguments could be made to swap those characters between either squad, so experiment and see what you prefer. As is usual with armies built from the Age of Darkness starter most of your heavy firepower comes from the dreadnought and spartan.

You’ll note that many of your squads now have Fear (1) from the rite of war, helping to give you the edge in winning melee combats. As well, all of your infantry ignore all negative modifiers to pinning, which is not a hugely powerful benefit, but could come in handy against certain forces like Night Lords.

Next steps as you grow this force will likely include a rhino (or maybe even a proteus landraider?) for your support squad, along with some heavy armor or more dreadnoughts. A librarian would be a great choice as well, to help take advantage of the rite of war’s free upgrade of the Fury of the Salamander psychic discipline.

++ 1. Crusade Force Organisation Chart (LA – XVIII: Salamanders) [1,998Pts] ++

+ Allegiance: +

Allegiance: Loyalist

XVIII: Salamanders

+ Rite of War: +

Rite of War: The Awakening Fire (SAL)

+ HQ: [295Pts] +

Centurion [130Pts]: (Chaplain) Master craft one weapon to represent a Crozius Arcanum, Chaplain [35Pts]
. Chaplain [95Pts]: Artificer Armour, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Master-craft one weapon [10Pts], Refractor Field
. . Plasma Pistol [10Pts]
. . Power Weapon [15Pts]: Power Sword

Praetor [165Pts]: Bloody-handed, Warlord
. Legion Praetor [165Pts]: Artificer Armour, Frag Grenades, Iron Halo, Krak Grenades, Master of the Legion, Master-craft one weapon [10Pts]
. . Disintegrator Pistol [20Pts]
. . Power Weapon [15Pts]: Power Axe

+ Elites: [1,020Pts] +

Contemptor Dreadnought Talon [195Pts]
. Contemptor Dreadnought [195Pts]: Atomantic Deflector, Dragon’s Breath Heavy Flamer [5Pts], Gravis Melta Cannon [5Pts], Gravis Power Fist with in-built ranged weapon, Havoc Launcher [10Pts]

Terminator Cataphractii Squad [825Pts]: Cataphractii Terminator Armour, The Awakening Fire – Fear (1) [20Pts]
. Cataphractii [30Pts]: Combi-Bolter
. . Power Weapon: Power Sword
. Cataphractii [30Pts]: Combi-Bolter
. . Power Weapon: Power Sword
. Cataphractii [30Pts]: Combi-Bolter
. . Power Weapon: Power Sword
. Cataphractii [30Pts]: Combi-Bolter
. . Power Weapon: Power Sword
. Cataphractii [40Pts]: Combi-Bolter, Power Fist [10Pts]
. Cataphractii [30Pts]: Combi-Bolter
. . Power Weapon: Power Sword
. Cataphractii [30Pts]: Combi-Bolter
. . Power Weapon: Power Sword
. Cataphractii Sergeant [30Pts]: Chainfist [15Pts], Combi-Bolter, Grenade Harness [5Pts], Master-craft one weapon [10Pts]
. Cataphractii w/Heavy Weapon (1 in 5) [45Pts]: Heavy Flamer [5Pts], Power Fist [10Pts]
. Cataphractii w/Heavy Weapon (1 in 5) [50Pts]: Chainfist [15Pts], Heavy Flamer [5Pts]
. Land Raider Spartan [405Pts]
. . Land Raider Spartan [405Pts]: 2x Lascannon Destroyer, Dragon’s Breath Heavy Flamer [5Pts], Flare Shield [50Pts], Hull (Front) Mounted Twin-linked Heavy Bolter, Legiones Astartes (X), Smoke Launchers

+ Troops: [683Pts] +

Tactical Squad [325Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Power Armour, The Awakening Fire – Fear (1) [20Pts]
. Legion Tactical Sergeant [37Pts]: Artificer Armour [10Pts], Bolter, Dragon’s Breath Pistol [2Pts], Meltabombs [10Pts], Power Fist [15Pts]
. 16x Legionary [192Pts]: 16x Bolt Pistol, 16x Bolter, 16x Chain Bayonet [32Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [22Pts]: Augury Scanner [10Pts], Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Chain Bayonet [2Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [22Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Chain Bayonet [2Pts], Legion Vexilla [10Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [22Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Chain Bayonet [2Pts], Nuncio-Vox [10Pts]

Tactical Squad [195Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Power Armour, The Awakening Fire – Fear (1) [20Pts]
. Legion Tactical Sergeant [27Pts]: Bolter, Dragon’s Breath Pistol [2Pts], Meltabombs [10Pts], Power Armour, Power Fist [15Pts]
. 6x Legionary [72Pts]: 6x Bolt Pistol, 6x Bolter, 6x Chain Bayonet [12Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [22Pts]: Augury Scanner [10Pts], Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Chain Bayonet [2Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [22Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Chain Bayonet [2Pts], Legion Vexilla [10Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [22Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Chain Bayonet [2Pts], Nuncio-Vox [10Pts]

Tactical Support Squad [163Pts]: Dragon’s Breath Flamer, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Power Armour
. Legion Tactical Support Sergeant [12Pts]: Artificer Armour [10Pts], Dragon’s Breath Pistol [2Pts]
. Legionary [12Pts]: Bolt Pistol
. Legionary [12Pts]: Bolt Pistol
. Legionary [12Pts]: Bolt Pistol
. Legionary [12Pts]: Bolt Pistol
. Legionary w/ Options [22Pts]: Augury Scanner [10Pts], Bolt Pistol
. Legionary w/ Options [22Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Legion Vexilla [10Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options [22Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Nuncio-Vox [10Pts]

++ Total: [1,998Pts] ++