Come see the new Forge World release for the Space Marines that shows you what happens when Astartes call for backup!
Looks like Forge World just figured out how to combine TWO kits (The Damocles Command Rhino and the MK1 Phobos Rhino) into one Heresy era kit!
Neat!
“While checking out the latest Leviathans in the Studio I also caught sight of a new Space Marine vehicle in development. It looks to me like an older pattern of Damocles Command Rhino for Legion armies, take a look…”
A bit of background for you unfamiliar with the vehicle: (via our friends at Lexicanum)
Damocles Command Rhino
The Damocles is an example of the kind advanced technology available to the Space Marines. It is used only in operations where command and control of significant Space Marine formations is required, such as a battlegroup consisting of a Battle Company plus support elements. The Damocles provides a communications link between the Force Commander, his battlegroup and any air or orbital assets operating in the area. For this reason, the Damocles is rarely committed to front-line actions, and typically hidden away to prevent enemy interference.
In addition to the driver, the Damocles is crewed by a communications officer and a tactical officer. These Space Marines will have undergone additional training with the Chapter‘s Techmarines in order to operate the sophisticated technology. There is also room for the Force Commander next to the driver, allowing him the ability to keep updated on the developing situation.
Equipment
The command vehicle is packed with some of the most advanced technology available to the Imperium. It mounts secure, multi-band communications gear that acts as a communications hub for the battlegroup, with signal boosters to allow ground-to-orbital comm-links, as well as the ability to communicate with other Imperial command units operating in the area. It can also monitor, intercept and decrypt enemy communications, which in addition to a multi-spectral auspex allows it to track enemy movements. Link-up with an orbital relay allows the Damocles to track individual squads and vehicles for an entire Chapter, as well as bio-status readouts provided directly by the Marines’ power armour. Finally, the Damocles includes a teleport homer, which produces a strong signal to allow for safer, more accurate teleportations.
Rules Basics
In Horus Heresy games, the Damocles is available to any legions, but is more common to it’s creators, the Ultramarines. It is an HQ choice and allows non-scatter depstrikes, improved reserves rolls, and can bring down a fairly nasty orbital bombardment.
And Mark Bedford’s Word Bearers Leviathan
~When Space Marines call down the thunder, their enemies will reap the whirlwind.
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
