Faction focus – Solar Auxilia

They might not be gene-bulked super-soliders, but the Solar Auxilia are still the best of humanity. Here’s playtester Al to explain more about how they work in the new edition.

Al: The Solar Auxilia are the elite of the Imperial Army, and they work best when combining infantry, artillery and armour. They have some of the toughest armoured vehicles in the game, including the Leman Russ and its fearsome frontal armour, which can be included in large numbers. 

They also have widespread access to some very powerful artillery, with Basilisk and Medusas’ main guns clocking in at Ranged Strength 10 when they remain stationary. The Earthshaker cannon on the Basilisk has the ability to crack any armour with Breaching (6+), and it can also stop enemy units in their tracks with Pinning (1). 

But the Solar Auxilia isn’t just about vehicles. Whilst each individual Auxiliary isn’t a match for a Space Marine, they are half the points cost and outrange the bolter with their trusty lasrifles.

Cohort Doctrines

Most of the Solar Auxilia list will feel familiar to veteran commanders. However there are big changes in the Command Sections, Detachments and Cohort rules. 

Solar Auxilia have a number of different Command Sections, each of which provide buffs to corresponding units. As an example, the Line Command Section increases the value of the Line (X) special rule for friendly units within line of sight of the Troop Master. This is an important lynchpin in your Solar Auxilia army. However, you have to make sure to protect them as they can be vulnerable to attack. 

The old Tercios are now Auxiliary Detachments unlocked by the corresponding Command Section. For example, a Line Command Section allows you to take the Infantry Tercio, which allows you to build around Lasrifle Sections and Dracosans. Combining the different Tercios is the most effective way to build a combined arms force. 

Each type of Cohort also has additional rules now in the form of Cohort Doctrines. Each of these is built around a different style of play and corresponds to the main Solar Auxilia units, giving them bonuses and making them easier to take en masse. My current favourite is the Reconnaissance Pattern Cohort, which allows Hermes Sentinel units to hold and contest objectives.

This Liber contains rules to make your Solar Auxilia one of the Legiones Auxilia, a Cohort associated with one of the Legions. For example, the Therion Velites are the Legiones Auxilia of the Raven Guard Legion. In this case, this replaces the Form Ranks! Advanced Reaction with Displacement, allowing for new and interesting playstyles that evoke the character of the parent Legions themselves.

Standout units

While there are many great units to pick from, my favourite is still the humble Lasrifle Section, the cornerstone of every Solar Auxilia list. They pack a lot of firepower, especially when their lasrifles are upgraded with blast chargers and become a threat to a number of units. 

Next up is the Charonite Ogryn Section. This is a remarkably resilient unit with four Wounds per model and five Toughness, so they take a lot of firepower to put down! With high Leadership and Cool it is difficult to put any Tactical Statuses on them, making a great anvil at the centre of your force which hit hard in melee with the Charonite claws. 

We also have a great hammer, the Leman Russ Strike Tank. It’s not the quickest, but it has sheer ruggedness. With Front Armour 14 and six Hull Points it can take a lot of firepower. Then you have the range of weapon options, such as the humble Battlecannon – which can improve to AP 3 via the Heavy (AP) special rule – and with Pinning (1), it is a great all round weapon. You can also opt for a Vanquisher Cannon if you want to specialise into an Anti-tank/dreadnought role…