Setting the Stage
The expansion, part of the Campaigns of the Age of Darkness series, offers players a chance to relive and reshape the brutal conflict that engulfed the Red Planet during the early days of Horus’ rebellion.
As the Imperium of Man was plunged into civil war by the treacherous Warmaster Horus, even the technological heart of humanity’s empire, Mars, was not spared from the flames of betrayal and ambition.
Rich Lore and Background
“The Martian Civil War” expansion provides an extensive background section, shedding new light on the Schism of Mars. It details the internal conflicts that arose as various factions within the Mechanicum chose sides in the greater galactic civil war. T
he book also covers Primarch Rogal Dorn‘s efforts to secure the Sol System, adding context to the broader narrative of the Horus Heresy.
One of the most exciting aspects of this expansion is the introduction of rules for fielding an array of malefic technologies. Players can now deploy Questoris Knights in the early stages of corruption, as well as the fearsome Daemon Engines that arose from Mechanicum clades that fully embraced the secrets of the Warp.
These new units promise to add a new dimension to battles, allowing players to field some of the most iconic and terrifying creations of the Dark Mechanicum.
Dark True Mechanicum Rules
For those who prefer to lead the forces of the Dark True Mechanicum, the expansion offers four new Warlord Traits and an equal number of new High Techno-arcana varieties.
These rules allow players to explore forbidden sciences such as necroteknology and malamina, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the tabletop.
A standout feature is the ability for a Scion of Sarum to field entire armies composed of frenzied Blood Slaughterers, promising brutal and bloody encounters.
Building on the Onslaught campaign system introduced in “The Siege of Cthonia,” this new expansion adds optional rules to recreate the unique conditions of the war on Mars.
Players will have to contend with rampaging scrap-code storms that cause weapons and vehicles to malfunction, adding an element of unpredictability to their strategies.
The battlefields themselves will reflect the devastation of the conflict, with missions taking place among the ruins of once-mighty Martian cities.
Titans on the Battlefield
Perhaps most excitingly for fans of the game’s largest models, new campaign stratagems allow for the deployment of the mightiest weapons in the Mechanicum’s arsenal.
The Titan Support stratagem, in particular, removes the points limit for Titan units, allowing these colossal war machines to stride into battle even in standard 3,000-point games.
While an exact release date has not been announced, the gaming community is already buzzing with anticipation.
This expansion not only promises to add depth to the game’s narrative but also introduces new tactical challenges and opportunities for players to explore.