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

Where some other Legions need a few extra things to get up to snuff at 2,000 points the Iron Warriors are delightfully well suited to make use of the Age of Darkness box set without any additional purchases. Even better, their Hammer of Olympia rite of war is an excellent complement to this force. You’re going to spend points upgrading almost every bolter in the army to a Shrapnel variant (Liber Hereticus, pg 181) but between those benefits and the Rite of War letting you reroll 1s on hit rolls for Shrapnel weapons your marines will lay down an absolutely punishing rain of mid-range fire. I’ve reserved one of the two tactical squads to retain standard bolters in order to provide some longer ranged bolter support, but other than them, pretty much everyone else is getting a shrapnel upgrade. Add your Praetor and champion to either the tactical squad with Shrapnel bolters or have him accompany your terminators to add extra punch to whichever of the two you prefer.

This is one of the best value uses of the Age of Darkness starter while being highly thematic for a specific legion. I think it would also be a very forgiving army to start with for a new player. If you or a friend are on the fence about getting into Heresy I don’t think there’s a better introductory point than this box set and this army.

++ Crusade Force Organisation Chart (LA – IV: Iron Warriors) [1,994Pts] ++

+ Allegiance: +

Allegiance: Traitor

IV: Iron Warriors

+ Rite of War: +

Rite of War: The Hammer Of Olympia (IW)

+ HQ: [307Pts] +

Centurion [122Pts]
. Champion [87Pts]: Artificer Armour, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Meltabombs [10Pts], Refractor Field, Shrapnel Bolter [2Pts]
. . Power Weapon [15Pts]: Power Sword
. . Shrapnel Pistol
. Champion [35Pts]: Paragon Blade

Warsmith [185Pts]: Tyrant of the Lyssatra, Warlord
. Warsmith [185Pts]: Archaeotech Pistol [15Pts], Artificer Armour, Frag Grenades, Iron Halo, Krak Grenades, Master of the Legion, Paragon Blade [30Pts]
. . Warsmith [20Pts]: Cortex Controller, Servo-Arm

+ Elites: [1,027Pts] +

Contemptor Dreadnought Talon [220Pts]
. Contemptor Dreadnought [220Pts]: Atomantic Deflector, Gravis Lascannon [20Pts], Gravis Power Fist with in-built ranged weapon, Havoc Launcher [10Pts], Meltagun [15Pts]

Terminator Cataphractii Squad [807Pts]: Cataphractii Terminator Armour
. Cataphractii [45Pts]: Chainfist [15Pts], Combi-Bolter
. Cataphractii [40Pts]: Combi-Bolter, Power Fist [10Pts]
. 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 [30Pts]: Combi-Bolter
. . Power Weapon: Power Sword
. Cataphractii Sergeant: Combi-Bolter
. . Power Weapon: Power Sword
. Cataphractii w/Heavy Weapon (1 in 5) [50Pts]: Chainfist [15Pts], Heavy Flamer [5Pts]
. Cataphractii w/Heavy Weapon (1 in 5) [45Pts]: Heavy Flamer [5Pts], Power Fist [10Pts]
. Land Raider Spartan [422Pts]
. . Land Raider Spartan [422Pts]: 2x Lascannon Destroyer, Flare Shield [50Pts], Hull (Front) Mounted Hunter-Killer Missile [5Pts], Hull (Front) Mounted Twin-linked Heavy Bolter, Legiones Hereticus (X), Searchlights [5Pts], Shrapnel Cannon [12Pts], Smoke Launchers

+ Troops: [660Pts] +

Tactical Squad [375Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Power Armour
. Legion Tactical Sergeant [37Pts]: Meltabombs [10Pts], Plasma Pistol [10Pts], Power Armour, Power Fist [15Pts], Shrapnel Bolter [2Pts]
. 16x Legionaries (collective) [256Pts]: 16x Chain Bayonet [32Pts], 16x Shrapnel Bolter [32Pts], 16x Shrapnel Pistol [32Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [24Pts]: Augury Scanner [10Pts], Shrapnel Bolter [2Pts], Shrapnel Pistol [2Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [24Pts]: Legion Vexilla [10Pts], Shrapnel Bolter [2Pts], Shrapnel Pistol [2Pts]
. Legionary w/ Options: [24Pts]: Nuncio-Vox [10Pts], Shrapnel Bolter [2Pts], Shrapnel Pistol [2Pts]

Tactical Squad [285Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Power Armour
. Legion Tactical Sergeant [17Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Chain Bayonet [2Pts], Power Armour, Power Fist [15Pts]
. 16x Legionaries (collective) [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]

++ Total: [1,994Pts] ++