Phalanx Warder
Phalanx Warders were specialized Imperial Fists fast attack infantry during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.
Overview[edit]
Selected from the ranks of the Imperial Fists' Breacher Siege Squads, the Phalanx Warders were a reinforced company assigned to the defence of the Imperial Fists warship Phalanx. Wearing Mark IV: Maximus Armour and armed with a variety of close range weaponry (Largely Power Axes and at times, Astartes Boltguns) and guarded by formidable Boarding Shields, they formed great phalanx walls of ceramite against enemy boarders. They were renowned for their particularly stark training regime, eschewing any duty save training, the protection of the Phalanx, or the prosecution of war on the enemies of Mankind.
Warder detachments were often seconded to other companies of the Imperial Fists, honing their skills and lending their might to that of their brothers on battlefields across the galaxy. Most often they served on Imperial Fists warships.
Crunch[edit]
On the Horus Heresy tabletop, they are essentially a squad of Breachers as a Fast Attack choice, same as last edition. This time, though, they are equipped with Power Axes AND Bolters. Their special rules are Lock Step, which gives them +1 WS on any turn they are Charged, and Shield Wall, which gives them +1 to invulnerable saves, or 4++, so long as they are in base contact with at least two models with the same rule. These guys still have the normal profile of Breacher Marines, but ten of them cost 70 points more for a boosted invulnerable save/WS and Power Axes. Like the Templar Brethren, the whole squad may take Melta Bombs, in case your adversary had the absurd idea to bring Vehicles.