It’s probably more a teaser than a roadmap. But that doesn’t mean I can’t get excited about it and speculate.

The Nova Open Heresy roadmap doesn’t give much away. I’m actually ok with that given we know the ‘Heresy Thursday’ posts will be returning next month, kicking off with the much hinted at legion melee kit probably. I’m hoping by melee they mean a Breachers upgrade kit, similar to the command set which came as both upgrade and a full set. Well, sets technically as I think there were two variants. But it could also just be a ‘melee weapons’ upgrade kit with a variety of stabby, bludgeoning, eviscerating niceties! Either is fine by me, although Breachers *cough*.

Although the image doesn’t give away much in regards to detail, there are some interesting tidbits to be gleaned from the video interview with Andy.

Age of Darkness

It sounds like the focus will remain on the generic legion units for a while yet before shifting attention to more ‘legion specific’ releases. Other than the Breachers, that still leaves door open for potentially seeing plastic kits for specialist units like Despoilers, other armour marks, or upgrades of kits similar to what was done with Mark III.

Also sounds like there is still plenty to come in plastic for the two new factions, Solar Auxilia and Mechanicum before we start to see much in the way of legion specific units. All in all it feels like a strong commitment to Heresy over coming years. Between Age of Darkness and Legions Imperialis I do think ‘Horus Heresy’ as a gaming universe has at last made the move from being niche to mainstream.

I’m looking forward to what’s yet to be revealed, even if it isn’t necessarily for a force I’m collecting. There’s always a modelling opportunity to be had somewhere. In fact I’ve just pre-ordered a box of Castellax for reasons that shall be as vague as the Heresy roadmap, for now! Plans within plans.

Also, Breachers dammit!

Legions Imperialis speculation

This is entirely speculation on my part. I’ve no secret scrying device, so don’t come back here complaining if it all turns out to be Alpha Legion propaganda.

More tanks. Yes, I am well aware it literally says that in the image for 2025, but I’m assuming other than being a poke at all the “not more tanks!” complaints, there actually are more tanks coming, especially for Legions Imperialis. Sicaran Venators would be my first prediction. Simply because they included a colour plate for a Venator in the latest campaign book; ‘The Devastation of Tallarn’. Probably not by accident even if there is no mention of Sicaran Venators in the legion detachment lists. I’m guessing the Venator will get included in whatever the next book will be.

On the subject of Legion tanks, I’d also lay good money on a kit or kits for the Fellblade and Glaive given they share the same hull style. That’ my second prediction. I also think there’s a more than fair chance the Deimos hull already designed for the Predator kit could be used to create a frame for a Scorpius, or potentially even a Damocles ‘command’ tank. I’ll admit the Damocles may be a bit of a stretch.

Wilder legion speculation I’d like to throw in would be for more infantry types. Notably Breachers, alternative support and heavy weapon options, like Heavy Bolters or Volkite. Possibly some new frames with a greater quantity of support options like Assault. I may be wishlisting at this point. But I do feel the current sole Astartes demi-company and support boxes leave room for a third infantry box of some type, maybe focussed on more specialised infantry types (or even armour ‘marks’ *gasp*). That would be very nice. Would love to see some Mk III in Legions scale. I mean technically they have done the tank crew in Mark III and VI, so I’l leave that hanging as an outlier prediction.

What was inferred

A comment Andy made which I was probably most excited to hear was “whatever units are done for Age of Darkness, they would like to also release for Legions Imperialis, including factions”. Both Mechanicum and Custodes were name-checked in the interview in the context of Legions Imperialis, and that fills me with great joy. Mechanicum I strongly suspected would probably be the next faction to be added after the Astartes and Solar Auxilia, but Custodes was more one I ‘hoped’ to see at some stage in the games future.

I doubt either will be seen this year as the game is not even a year old yet (from launch), but it gets me very much excited about 2025 and continuing my Heresy hobby well into next year and beyond.

Like I said, it may not be a ‘roadmap’ per se, but there’s lots there I’m personally excited about for both games and the Heresy scene in general. I have already filled four full width shelves in the workshop with painted Legions and Titanicus forces, I think I may have to make more room for projects to come.

Addendum:

I feel at this stage it’s a bit like the ‘plastic Thunderhawk’ meme, but still. Plastic Stormbird for Legions Imperialis would make me very very happy. That is all.