Legions Imperialis: the complete guide to the 6mm Horus Heresy battle game

Legions Imperialis is Games Workshop's 6mm-scale battle game set in the Horus Heresy, where you command whole formations of tanks, infantry, aircraft, Knights and Titans rather than individual soldiers. It suits collectors who want huge war machines on a small table, and painters who enjoy batch work. The usual first purchase is the Legions Imperialis starter set, followed by the Liber Strategia and an army box for your chosen side.

What is Legions Imperialis?

Legions Imperialis is a large-scale companion to the Horus Heresy setting, the galaxy-spanning civil war of the Imperium of Man. The miniatures are far smaller than in standard Warhammer games, so a Titan that would dominate a normal table becomes a model you can field alongside an entire army.

The game is about formations and orders. You move, shoot and fight with groups of models, and the fun comes from combining armour, infantry, artillery and air power, with the occasional god-machine stepping onto the battlefield.

How does Legions Imperialis play?

It is a tabletop wargame with a small footprint. A game needs a modest table, a handful of dice and tape measures, and the army you build. The 6mm scale keeps collections compact, which suits shops, club tables and small homes.

Orders play a big part, which is why the Order Tokens and Objective Markers set is worth having rather than improvising with coins and dice. The rulebooks cover the exact procedures, so we do not repeat them here.

What should I buy first for Legions Imperialis?

Start with the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Legions Imperialis starter set. It gives you two opposing forces and the core materials to learn the game with a friend, which is the least risky way in.

After that, a sensible order is:

1. The Legions Imperialis: Liber Strategia, the rulebook for building and expanding armies.
2. One Combat Force box for your faction, to give you a balanced core.
3. A first Titan or Knight kit as your centrepiece.
4. Terrain, so the table looks like a battlefield.

Which armies can you collect?

Legiones Astartes (Space Marines)

The Space Marine Legions bring infantry, armour and aircraft in the Heresy-era style. A good foundation is the Legiones Astartes Combat Force, then add the Legiones Astartes Infantry, Fast Attack and Support boxes as you grow.

Transport and armour options include the Rhino Transport Detachment, the Predator Squadron, the Vindicator Siege Tank Squadron and the Land Raider Proteus Explorator Squadron. For air power, look at the Thunderhawk Gunship, the Storm Eagle Squadron and the Fire Raptor Squadron.

Solar Auxilia

The Solar Auxilia are the Imperium's disciplined human troops, supported by heavy armour. The Solar Auxilia Combat Force and Solar Auxilia Infantry are the natural starting points. Tank-minded collectors can add the Leman Russ Strike Squadron, the Baneblade Squadron or the Shadowswords, Stormblades and Stormswords. Artillery fans have the Medusa and Basilisk Batteries and the Whirlwind and Scorpius Missile Tank Squadrons.

Mechanicum

The Mechanicum are the Adeptus Mechanicus of the Heresy era, with strange constructs and war engines. Begin with the Mechanicum Combat Force and Mechanicum Infantry. Then explore the Karacnos Assault Tank Squadron, the Krios Squadron and the Araknae Weapons Platform Batteries. The Stalker Constructs and Serperos 'Overlord' Heavy Stalkers give the faction an unsettling, distinctive look.

Which Titans and Knights are worth getting?

Titans are the headline attraction. The scout class is the easiest entry, for example the Warhound Scout Titans with Turbo-laser Destructors and Vulcan Mega-Bolters or the Warhound Titans with Ursus Claws and Melta Lances. The Dire Wolf Heavy Scout Titans sit a step above.

For bigger centrepieces, the line includes the Reaver Battle Titan with Melta Cannon and Chainfist, the Warlord Titan with Power Claw and Plasma Annihilator and the Warmaster Iconoclast Heavy Battle Titan. Each loadout kit is built for a different look and role, so choose by the model you like most.

Knights offer a more agile alternative. The Questoris Knights, Cerastus Knights Acheron and Castigator and Acastus Knights Porphyrion suit players who want big walkers without committing to a Titan.

Do I need terrain?

Yes, for a game that looks right. Ruined cityscapes suit the setting, and the Civitas Imperialis set is the main option, with the Administratum Sector and Ruins boxes to expand it. Terrain also gives infantry and tanks something to hide behind, which makes games more tactical.

How do you paint 6mm miniatures?

Small models reward simple, consistent methods. Prime, apply base colours, wash, and highlight the details that catch the eye. Our guide on how to start painting Warhammer miniatures covers the basics, and the Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide helps you pick paints. Painting an army in batches, one colour at a time across a whole squadron, is far faster than finishing models one by one.

Rules, books and background

The Liber Strategia is the book for army building and expanding your games. For campaign-style play with a specific story, the Journal Strategia – The Ruin of the Salamanders adds themed material. If you want the story behind the war, the Black Library reading guide is a good place to begin. For the wider hobby, see our complete Warhammer buying guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Legions Imperialis good for beginners?

Yes, if you like army-scale games and small models. The starter set is designed to teach the game, and the small scale means you can build a meaningful force with fewer kits than in larger-scale games.

What scale are Legions Imperialis miniatures?

They are 6mm scale, much smaller than standard Warhammer miniatures. That is what allows Titans, Knights and entire tank squadrons to share one compact table.

Do I need the Liber Strategia?

The starter set lets you begin playing, but the Liber Strategia is the book to get once you want to build your own armies. Most players pick it up early.

Can I mix factions in one army?

Armies are built from faction-specific forces, so check the rulebook before buying across factions. It is best to settle on one side first and treat other boxes as later additions.

Does Universe TCG ship Legions Imperialis worldwide?

We ship worldwide from Spain, and our shops are in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia. Delivery options are shown at checkout.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures
• Black Library reading guide: where to start