Warhammer 40000 Chaos Space Marines Arks Of Omen Angron

The Arks of Omen series continues apace, and the second instalment puts Angron himself in the driver’s seat. As the scattered defenders of the Imperium Nihilus seek a substitute for the Astronomican’s guiding light, the Red Angel straps on his size-50 corpse-stompers and heads to the astropathic hub-world Malakbael for a slaughter-fest of epic proportions.

Arks of Omen: Angron features 40 pages of new story pitting Khorne’s chosen against Indomitus Fleet Quartus – who are valiantly defending an archeotech device of untold psychic power. On top of that, the book is loaded with new missions, extra terrain rules, and faction-specific features for Boarding Actions – the game mode introduced in the first Arks Of Omen book.

The Choral Engine is a psychic beacon dating back to the Age of Technology, perfectly suited to shining a light across the Dark Imperium. Unfortunately, its astropathic dial-up tone sears Angron’s mind, and he sets out to smash it into a fine paste, joined by a gargantuan armada of World Eaters eager to partake in the slaughter. 

In his path lies much of Fleet Quartus, already battered from Ork ambushes – and with a contingent of Grey Knights on the way, and the mysterious daemon Vashtorr the Arkifane lurking in the wings, an almighty dust-up is in the offing.

From a gaming perspective, the book features a suite of upgrades for Boarding Patrols from all the major players in the conflict. The World Eaters, Chaos Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Space Marines, Grey Knights, and Orks all receive Enhancements and Stratagems of their own, including unique options for each major Chapter of Space Marines and all of the Traitor Legions.

These supplement the basic rules for Boarding Actions, which are all found in Arks of Omen: Abaddon – so you’ll need a copy to play. Don’t worry if you haven’t yet been able to get your hands on it, as more will be coming soon! The other Arks of Omen books contain optional expansions for different factions, meaning you’ll only require the books that feature your own armies.

Many signature abilities return from regular games of Warhammer 40,000, revised for use in Boarding Actions – the Red Corsairs, for instance, get boosted range and tighter targeting on their Dark Raider trait, while the Deathwatch can use the Light of Angels to zip across the board as if the walls weren’t there. 

Other Stratagems are designed specifically for the new game mode. Astra Militarum troopers can overcome the press of bodies by shooting over prone comrades with a shout of Heads Down! Meanwhile, the sons of Angron favour The Direct Approach to lockpicking – hulking Eightbound smashing through Hatchways with a riotous battle cry and leaving them busted open for the whole game. 

There are six new missions, tasking players with breaking into fortified strongrooms, seizing control of key systems, and even venting sections of the ship into space. Owners of the special terrain pieces from Kill Team: Into the Dark will find rules for using them in Boarding Actions, allowing you to add exploding fuel barrels, fallen pipes, and electro-nodes to the many hazards encountered on the Arks of Omen.