When I moved to Malta, one of my biggest hopes was to connect with the local gaming scene and bring Warhammer: The Horus Heresy (30k) to life here. It’s my favorite game, one I’ve played extensively in Virginia with friends like Tim, and at events like NOVA Open and Las Vegas Open narrative campaigns. There’s something special about the Age of Darkness—the sheer number of tactical marines, vehicles, and crazy weaponry, not to mention templates! It feels refreshingly different from the overly competitive, meta-driven modern Warhammer 40k scene.
The good news? Malta has a lot of potential for Horus Heresy. Local stores like Forbidden Power in Msida and The Realm of Pure Fantasy in Mosta stock a great selection of 30k products. There are quite a few collectors painting up armies, but the missing piece is actually playing the game. That’s where I’m stepping in to help.
How to Get Started in Horus Heresy
If you’re new to the game, getting started is easier than ever. Games Workshop has released excellent entry points for new players, so you don’t need to feel overwhelmed. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. The Age of Darkness Box Set
This is the perfect starting point for most players. It includes:
- 40 Space Marine tactical marines
- 10 Cataphractii Terminators
- 1 Contemptor Dreadnought
- 2 Praetor models (perfect for leading your force)
- The rulebook for Horus Heresy 2.0
This set gives you a solid foundation to build almost any Space Marine Legion and comes with enough models to get straight into games.
2. Legion-Specific Upgrades or Units
Once you’ve chosen your favorite Legion, you can grab resin upgrades or kits from Forge World or opt for plastic kits available locally. Popular plastic releases include:
- Leviathan Dreadnoughts
- Spartan Assault Tanks
- Sicaran Tanks
- Deimos-pattern Rhinos
3. Books
The core rulebook in the Age of Darkness box has everything you need for general gameplay. To truly personalize your force, you’ll want your Legion’s rules and lore. These are found in the following supplements:
- Liber Astartes: Loyalist Legions
- Liber Hereticus: Traitor Legions
- Liber Imperium: For Solar Auxilia, Custodes, and Mechanicum forces
If you’re interested in thematic armies like my Squat Militia, you’ll also want to look into supplements like the Militia & Cults PDF, which adds rules for non-Astartes armies.
4. A Starter Army
If the Age of Darkness box isn’t for you, consider starting with a smaller faction-focused force. Some great options include:
- Solar Auxilia: The elite human soldiers of the Great Crusade
- Mechanicum: Tech-priests and their terrifying war machines
- Militia and Cults: Customizable forces like my Squat Militia
The Battle for Velaraxis: Our Campaign Setting
To immerse ourselves in the rich lore of the Horus Heresy, we’ve crafted a narrative campaign set on the desolate world of Velaraxis. Once a forgotten footnote in the Emperor’s grand vision, Velaraxis has become a critical battleground due to its vast deposits of Nexiumite, a rare and highly conductive metal vital for advanced power armor and plasma weaponry. Now, Loyalist and Traitor forces clash over its vital resources, ancient xenos technology, and personal vendettas, all amidst a backdrop of planetary destruction and chaos. With every faction driven by their own dark motives, the fate of the planet—and possibly the galaxy—hangs in the balance as the relentless conflict grinds on.
Four Legions have converged on Velaraxis:
- Imperial Fists: Determined to fortify and defend the planet’s strategic points.
- Dark Angels: Seeking to uncover and possibly conceal the ancient xenos secrets buried within.
- Alpha Legion: Masters of deception, their true motives remain shrouded in mystery.
- World Eaters: Driven by bloodlust, eager to claim the planet through sheer brutality.
As the campaign unfolds, players will engage in missions that reflect these narratives, influencing the control of key locations such as the Acid Wastes, Obsidian Depths, and the towering Valaris Spire. Each battle will shape the destiny of Velaraxis and offer rich storytelling opportunities for all participants.
Ready to Play? I’ll Bring the Armies!
To get people started, I’m offering demo games either here on Gozo or at The Realm of Pure Fantasy in Mosta. If you’re curious about the game but don’t have an army ready, no problem—I’m happy to loan one of mine! Check out my Squat Militia army here for a glimpse at what’s available, and feel free to browse my other Horus Heresy articles on ManorGaming.com for inspiration.
A Nationwide Campaign: Join the Heresy!
To help build the scene, I’m launching a nationwide narrative campaign designed to welcome new players and reignite the passion of experienced ones. Expect beginner-friendly events, thematic missions, and plenty of focus on the incredible lore that makes this game so special. You can find all the details and updates at HeresyMalta.com.
Let’s Build the Heresy Together
If you’re ready to dive in, let your local store know you’re interested in 30k and reach out to me to schedule games! Whether you’re on Gozo, in Mosta, or anywhere in between, I’m happy to drive to Mosta or take the fast ferry to Msida to roll some dice.
Also, be sure to join the Horus Heresy/30k chat on the Realm of Pure Fantasy WhatsApp group to connect with other players, share progress, and organize games.
The Horus Heresy offers an unmatched gaming experience with its focus on lore, epic battles, and dynamic gameplay. Whether you’re a veteran or just starting out, let’s bring the Age of Darkness to life here in Malta!
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