Welcome to the Horus Heresy – a real brother-versus-brother situation, with comrades turning on each other and the entire galaxy split right down the middle. You know the drill. The battlegrounds of the upcoming Legions Imperialis tabletop game are buzzing with all sorts of factions, but it all boils down to two sides – the Loyalists and the Traitors.

Over at Warhammer Community, the crew from Games Workshop have explained how these battling groups have gathered a diverse mix of forces. There are four main groups you'll see in the initial game – the Legiones Astartes Space Marines, the gritty Solar Auxilia human soldiers, and the heavyweight firepower of the Knight Houses and Titan Legions.

Now, let's dive into what the Legiones Astartes are packing. The Space Marines are rolling in with heavy-duty infantry and tanks that hit like a truck. Just like everyone else, they're grouped up in Detachments – bunches of models with all their important stats written down. And if you're looking for the nitty-gritty details, you'll find them in these Detachment Cards. These cards spill the beans on points, size, upgrades on one side, and then all the juicy stats, weapon info, and special rules on the flip side. One side helps you build your squad, while the other side is your go-to guide during the action.

Check out the Legion Terminator Detachment, for example. These bad boys number from four to eight, and trust me, they're as tough as nails. With a Close Assault Factor of +4, they're not messing around in close combat. And they've got some tricks up their sleeves – the Implacable rule means they only step back from a fight when they're good and ready, and that Invulnerable Save (6+) makes them a real headache to deal with.

Now, let's talk tanks. The Kratos is one of the heaviest rides the Legiones Astartes have got in their arsenal. Two of these beasts will set you back 150 points, and they come equipped with a range of weapons. You've got the mid-range Kratos battlecannon and the close-up melta blastgun, both dishing out some serious damage. But hold onto your hat – that Bunker Buster Trait on the latter can even bring structures crashing down.

And let's not forget the Thunderhawk, the trusty aerial taxi for the Space Marines for over 10,000 years. This bad boy can carry up to three gunships, and with a 25” move and cool rules like Flyer, Hover, and Large Assault Transport (8), it's more like a flying party bus than a taxi.

Long story short, these rules mean it can cover huge distances without caring about terrain, it can stick around on the battlefield between turns, and it can drop off up to eight bulky troops (think Terminators) right into the heart of the action. It even gives them a Charge Order, which is a fancy way of saying it lets them dive into battle with gusto (unlike many other transports).

Now, let's chat about those special rules, the secret sauce of each Space Marine Legion. There are 18 Legions in total, each with their own unique tricks. And get this – you can mix and match formations from different Legions. Because let's face it, in the big battles, these guys fought together like a well-oiled machine.

Take the White Scars, for instance. They're all about dodging bullets with their Born in the Saddle rule, which boosts their Jink save. And then there's the World Eaters, who've got Incarnate Violence. It's simple but effective – they can reroll one of their D6s in every Fight roll. When those chainblades come out, you better believe these savages mean business.

Last but not least, the Salamanders have Strength of Will, giving them an extra shot at passing morale checks. They're as stubborn as a mule, and with Implacable, you're not moving them unless you really want to.

But hang on tight, 'cause what I've just told you is just scratching the surface of the Legiones Astartes' power. They've got plenty more tricks and a whole arsenal up their sleeves. Whether they're fighting solo or teaming up with allies, these Space Marines are bringing the heat with tanks, artillery, stomping Dreadnoughts, and rugged fliers. Get ready for some epic battles!

Legions Imperialis will be available to pre-order soon.