r/alphalegion Aug 07 '20

Codex Hydra [Lore and Fiction] The Alpha Legion Reading List

528 Upvotes

+++The Unbalanced Scales Redux: being an Accounting of the Various Depictions of the XX Legion Astartes from the beginning of the Great Crusade through to the end of the Horus Heresy, and also, a Compilation of those Events in which the Alpha Legion, Traitoris Perdita, have participated since the Scouring until the Present Day.+++

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

"Not all wars are decided by feats of arms. In a struggle such as that we have embarked upon, subterfuge, deception and intrigue may well decide the fate of the galaxy, while the greatest warriors ever known stand impotent."

~ Unidentified Alpha Legion Commander ~

The following comprises a reading list of the Alpha Legion. It is fragmentary. It is incomplete. However, our secrets are not to be revealed in full.

Great Crusade - Horus Heresy

Primary (Protagonists*)

  • Legion, Dan Abnett (Ω)
  • Deliverance Lost, Gav Thorpe (Ω)
  • Praetorian of Dorn, John French (Ω)
  • ‘The Serpent Beneath,’ The Primarchs Anthology, Rob Sanders (Ω)
  • ‘The Harrowing,’ War Without End Anthology, Rob Sanders (α)
  • Alpharius: The Head of the Hydra, Mike Brooks (Ω)
  • 'Council of Truth,' Blood of the Emperor Anthology, Mike Brooks (Ω)
  • Mortis, John French (Ω)
  • Warhawk, Chris Wraight (Ω)
  • The End and the Death: Volume I, Dan Abnett (Ω)
  • Dropsite Massacre, John French (Ω)

Secondary (Antagonists or Minimal Role)

  • ‘First Legion’ Scions of the Emperor Anthology, Chris Wraight (Ω)
  • The Seventh Serpent, Graham McNeill (α)
  • Scars, Chris Wraight (α)
  • Wolf King, Chris Wraight (α)
  • Wolfsbane, Guy Haley
  • ‘Hunter’s Moon,’ Legacies of Betrayal Anthology, Guy Haley (α)
  • ‘Wolf’s Claw,’ Legacies of Betrayal Anthology, Chris Wraight
  • ‘The Divine Word,’ Legacies of Betrayal Anthology, Gav Thorpe
  • ‘The Face of Treachery,’ Age of Darkness Anthology, Gav Thorpe (α)
  • ‘Liar’s Due,’ Age of Darkness Anthology, James Swallow
  • 'The Board is Set', Heralds of the Siege Anthology, Gav Thorpe (α)
  • Slaves to Darkness, John French (Ω)
  • Lost and the Damned, Guy Haley (α)
  • Fear to Tread, James Swallow
  • Angel Exterminatus, Graham McNeill (α)
  • Unremembered Empire, Dan Abnett
  • Aurelian, Aaron Dembski-Bowden
  • Tallarn, John French

Tertiary (In-Universe Histories)

  • The Horus Heresy I: Betrayal, Alan Bligh, Forge World
    • Space Marine Legions extant at the time of the Horus Heresy, p. 29
    • Allies in the Age of Darkness, p. 145
    • Legion Seeker Squad, p. 210
  • The Horus Heresy II: Massacre, Alan Bligh, Forge World
    • Chronicles of the Final Years of the Great Crusade, as Compiled by the Agents of the Sigillite, p. 19
    • Part I: Invasion, pp. 22-27
    • Part II: The First Wave, pp. 28-39
    • Part III: Massacre, pp. 40-47
  • The Horus Heresy III: Extermination, Alan Bligh, Forge World (Ω)
    • The Ashes of Istvaan, pp. 13-14
    • Part IV: The Invasion of Paramar, pp. 18-31
    • The Alpha Legion, pp. 78-103
    • The Alpha Legion, pp. 258-265
  • The Horus Heresy IV: Conquest, Alan Bligh, Forge World
    • The Dark Compliance, p. 17
    • The Traitor Legions and their Allies, pp. 144-147
    • The Loyalist Legions, pp. 156-158
    • Masters of the Legions, p. 175
    • Battles in the Age of Darkness: Strategic Raid Mission - Combat Extraction, p. 184
    • The Drakaina, p. 227
  • The Horus Heresy V: Tempest, Alan Bligh, Forge World
    • The Eye of the Storm, p. 15
    • Pattern of Empire, p. 79
    • Ignorant Armies, p. 140
    • The Old One Hundred, p. 177
  • The Horus Heresy VI: Retribution, Alan Bligh, Forge World (α)
    • A Kingdom Divided, p. 20-21
    • A Selection of Notable Elements of the Great Betrayal and the Age of Darkness, pp. 28-31
    • Upon the Anvil of War, pp. 33-44
    • Iron Warriors Deredeo Pattern Dreadnought, p. 45
    • Ancient Nehalen, 'The Intertirus' p. 49
    • Alpha Legion Decapitation Squads, pp. 52-53
    • Eye of the Storm, pp. 83-91
    • Alpha Legion Assault Sergeant, p. 96
    • Alpha Legion Veteran Tactical Legionary, p. 97
    • Blood Angels Tactical Legionary, p. 99
    • Legendary Mission: Conclave of the Lost, p. 162
    • Legendary Mission: Between the Hammer and the Anvil, p. 166
    • Alpha Legion Unique Rite of War: Headhunter Leviathal, p. 194
    • Autilon Skorr, p. 248
  • The Horus Heresy VII: Inferno, Alan Bligh, Forge World
    • The Last Years of the Great Crusade, p. 10
    • The Librarius Project & The Taint of Old Night, pp. 11-13
    • The Council of Nikaea, p. 14
    • The Seeds of Heresy, pp. 67-68
    • The Shadow Before the Wolf, p. 73
    • The Endless Spiral, p. 154
  • The Horus Heresy VIII: Malevolence, Forge World (α)
    • An Imperium Abandoned, p. 28
    • Confessions of the Hydra, pp. 30-31
    • The Long Road to Ruin, pp. 35-36
    • The Betrayal at Chondax, pp. 75-105
    • Addenda/087.M31 - War without End, p. 113
    • The Chondax Campaign, pp. 172-199
    • Alpha Legionnaire, p. 308
  • The Battle of Nyrcon City: Visions in the Flames, Exemplary Battles of the Age of Darkness

Post-Heresy - M.42

Primary (Protagonists*)

  • Shroud of Night, Andy Clarke (α)
  • Sons of the Hydra, Rob Sanders (α)
  • 'The Brightest and Best,' Mike Brooks (α)
  • Renegades: Harrowmaster, Mike Brooks (α)
  • 'The Long Promise,' Mike Brooks (α)
  • Ghost Legion, Mike Brooks (α)

Secondary (Antagonists)

  • Hunt for Voldorius, Andy Hoare
  • ‘We Are One,’ John French
  • ‘Unearthed,’ Rob Sanders
  • ‘Hunted,’ John French
  • ‘Truth is My Weapon,’ Justin D. Hill
  • ‘Unthinking Justice,’ Let the Galaxy Burn Anthology, Andras Millward
  • ‘The Long Games at Carcharias,’ Victories of the Space Marines Anthology, Rob Sanders
  • Pariah, Dan Abnett
  • Penitent, Dan Abnett
  • 'Space Wolves 6: The Wolf Within', Rob Sanders

Tertiary (In-Universe Histories)

  • ‘The Enemy Within,’ Index Astartes IV (α)
  • Imperial Armour V: The Siege of Vraks I
  • Imperial Armour XII: The Fall of Orpheus
  • Imperium Nihilus: Vigilus Ablaze
  • Warzone Fenris: Curse of the Wulfen
  • ‘Faces of the Hydra,’ Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Ed.)
  • ‘Alpha Legion Warbands,’ Codex: Chaos Space Marines (8th Ed.)
  • Arks of Omen: Abaddon

Ω Essential reading to understand the Alpha Legion

α Recommended reading beyond essential to further develop the arc of the Alpha Legion

* Novels, novellas, and short stories in which Alpha Legion characters receive characterization through either first person or third person omniscient (or limited omniscience) narration. Sometimes this is through non-Astartes Alpha Legion operatives and agents.

† Novels, novellas, and short stories in which the Alpha Legion characters serve primarily as antagonists to a clear set of protagonists or they play only a bit part in the narrative. Little is done to expand upon the Alpha Legion or its characters.

‡ Codices, rulebooks, and lorebooks which take the standpoint of in-universe histories where the author/narrator has an outsider perspective on the Alpha Legion, reporting their limited knowledge alongside rumours, half-truths, and deceptions.

[[[Commendations to u/cd8d on his intelligence regarding some minor incursions in the post-Heresy era that would have otherwise gone unnoticed in the making of this record = 'We are One', 'Unearthed', 'Truth is My Weapon']]]

[[[Further recognition to u/Bataav and u/1nqu15171v30n3 for further intelligence = 'Carcharias' and Pariah, and 'Unthinking Justice', respectively, with lattermost from the lattermost]]]

We are the Unbroken Chain. We are the Azure Serpent. We are the Children of Eris. We are the Amaranth Coil. We are the Threefold Path. We are the Aleph Null. We are the Left Hand of Darkness. We are the XX. We are the Ghost Legion. We are the Alpha Legion. We are Legion.

Hydra Dominatus.


r/alphalegion Aug 13 '25

MOD RULE CHANGES: On Infiltration...

394 Upvotes

There has been a new rule added to the subreddit in light of the recent glut of "infiltration" of other subreddits and then "reporting" back here.

Short version: Stop posting screenshots and memes of your infiltrations.

The rationale is that it creates a month's worth of moderation in a day for me (I'm the only active mod).

It also dilutes the posts from the people who are putting effort into creating models that they share, devising lists to tweak and optimize, discussing lore and speculation on the setting, and other very positive aspects of our community. Instead it drags tensions into the subreddit.


EDIT TO CLARIFY: You can still paint miniatures in Alpha Legion colours (even if they aren't marines) or half/half splits or whatever and post those here. Showing off your dudes is still allowed and you can talk about them infiltrating or co-opting other factions. Nobody is gatekeeping that side of the hobby.


I feel like a wet-blanket having to do this, so here, I'll give you some in-universe rationale:

Operatives. Tactical insurgencies have been intercepted due to sloppy adherence to encryption protocols. Tellurian data-glyph patterns, cipher codes, and even splinter specific linguae such as Serpenta should be used at all times while either in combat or espionage situations. From this point forward, reports cannot be shared using unsecured communiques. You have your orders.

"I ask nothing of you..." Ranko told them honestly, then he repeated "What does your Primarch ask of you?"
Sertabos and the legionarres looked at one another. The sergeant nodded...
"Everything."


r/alphalegion 9h ago

Had fun with a grim rusted look

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26 Upvotes

r/alphalegion 1d ago

Rewards of Treason [Complete Models] Alpha Legion Aspiring Champion

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359 Upvotes

Decided to have some fun and make an Alpha Legion Kill Team, here’s their leader.

Also, I may have realized I have a favorite pose for my marines lol


r/alphalegion 11h ago

Coils of the Hydrae [Rules & List Building] Anyone else enjoying Deceptors + Devotees of Destruction so far?

25 Upvotes

I must admit as someone who hated Deceptors in 10th being able to use it in 11th now that it’s only 2DP has boosted its utility A LOT for me personally. Currently I am 5-2 with 11th edition, all from running DEC+DoD and have been having the time of my life.

For Deceptors I tend to bring
- Two 10x cultist blobs to sticky the midfield
- Two 5x melee legionary blobs for a little punchy melee
- One 6x squad of Red Corsair Reavers (I call them Headhunters) with the Reave Captain to be a mini infiltrating Chosen blob.

For Devotees of Destruction
- One squad of Obliterators
- Two Havoc squads with lascannons and autocannons
- Lastly the Helbrute ties these all together by giving them both sustained and lethals on their Dark Pact

Havocs and Obliterators suddenly now hitting on 2’s with heavy has greatly improved my usually lackluster shooting phase. I usually run a Vindicator or Predator with my Death Star shooting blob even if they don’t get heavy just to get the Helbrutes buff. So far, I’ve been able to both effectively control the midfield and deny deep strike by spacing my army out right and eliminate any big threats from a safe range away with my shooting blob. I was easily able to wipe out my friends Repulsor Executioner (something I usually struggled with in 10th) in one turn with this squad.

I have also been enjoying the enhancements from Deceptors too. I’ve been running a Chaos Lord with Cursed Fang for free [Precision] and give my Reave Captain [Soul Link] and linking him to the Chaos Lord. I run the sword on my RC so he becomes an 8 attack, sustained and lethals, 2 damage beast for a turn.

But yeah just wanted to see if anyone else is running this combo! It’s been a lot of fun and it’s nice to actually use my legion detachment for once instead of Renegade Raiders or PBZ.


r/alphalegion 14h ago

Coils of the Hydrae [Rules & List Building] Horus Heresy List - 2k Points

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8 Upvotes

My first time building a list for Horus Heresy and wanted some feedback on what I should maybe include/replace. I wanted to build something fluffy including two inductii squads. Have one headhunters with the combimeltas to come in the drop pod. Master of Signals will be with the siege tyrants. Sabetour will be doing his own thing. Unsure what to do with the praetor. Thank you!


r/alphalegion 1d ago

Remembrancer Illuminations [Art & Animation] “I am Not Alpharius” Solomon Akurra - Artwork by Artistapreguissosa

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468 Upvotes

r/alphalegion 1d ago

Unity and Lies [General Discussion] So whats with Solomon's mini being so late?

48 Upvotes

Howdy folks. I remember we got this spear quite a while ago and then we supposedly got Mike Brooks writing about the mini in Limited Edition of Ghost Legion? (If someone could send me the page, that would be cool as I wanna take it apart myself)

I ve been in hobby for like 2 years so I am still not well familiar with schedules and traditions for how long it takes for models to be announced or released.

Do we know what happened? Or are we to wait for Black Library to release the third book and short story in 3 years before the mini comes out?


r/alphalegion 1d ago

Rewards of Treason [Complete Models] Defiler added to the legion

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191 Upvotes

Someone on here called it a Charybdis and I just felt inspired by that.


r/alphalegion 1d ago

The first my alpha legion predator

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104 Upvotes

r/alphalegion 1d ago

Colours of Deceit [Painting & Hobby Questions] First time painting alpha legion. Any tips for next time I paint them?

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16 Upvotes

First time painting alpha legion and new fana of the alpha legion. I think it look amazing but I think the blue could be better. But is there some tips you guys can share to make me better painting alpha legion


r/alphalegion 1d ago

Next purchase suggestions

9 Upvotes

Hello, my 2nd army is csm alpha legion, so far I have 5 lernean terminators and their lord + 5 csm terminators (playing as a 10man brick with lord),

10 legionaries, 10 cultists, a wingless daemon prince, a contemptor helbrute proxy, predator anahilator. Have been holding out until Solomon's figure gets released, but my will is getting weaker.


r/alphalegion 1d ago

The loyal lord with jump pack

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36 Upvotes

r/alphalegion 1d ago

Hi everyone, can you suggest which character could be used to make a kitbash of the Primarch Alpharius for 40k?

11 Upvotes

r/alphalegion 2d ago

Rewards of Treason [Complete Models] My Alpha Leggion csm raiders

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54 Upvotes

r/alphalegion 2d ago

Sacred Geometry [Tutorials / How To] Issues with painting tanks

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64 Upvotes

r/alphalegion 2d ago

Codex Hydra [Lore & Fiction] Tau and Alpha Legion Hypothesis

8 Upvotes

As far as I'm aware, there's no official book or any mention of the Alpha Legion fighting the T'au Empire. I know the T'au have their mind washing tricks from the Etherals, but the Alpha Legion also have their Psycho-indoctronation. My question is this: Do you think the Psycho-indoctronation can survive the T'au mind washing, and if so, can the Alpha Legion use that against the T'au with any of their Gue'vessa?


r/alphalegion 3d ago

Sorcerers scales

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553 Upvotes

First sorcerer done for 11th ed!


r/alphalegion 3d ago

Pict-Capture [Work in Progress] Alpha Legion Terminator - Contrast Paints Only

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123 Upvotes

Well this was a fun project, onto a Word Bearer next but wanted to see if there was anything I should change before I get into it. Any questions or Recommendations are always welcome!

Process for anyone interested:

- Drybrush with Leadbelcher, then Iron Hands Steel

- Nuln Oil over entire model

- Light drybrush of Grey Knights Steel to catch edges/light-catching Panels

- Akhelian Green for Armour

- Baal Red for Eyes

- Flesh Tearers Red for Sword Handle/Loin Cloth

- 1:1 Black Legion and Black Templar for Bolter

- Snakebite Leather for Gold

- Light Drybrush of Wraithbone then Skeleton Horde for skulls

- GoreGrunta Fur for Brass on Bolts

- Gulliman Flesh for Ropes in Skulls


r/alphalegion 3d ago

Trying some paint ideas

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17 Upvotes

r/alphalegion 3d ago

Rewards of Treason [Complete Models] Alpharius? Know him? I am him!

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82 Upvotes

I always loved this model and finally snagged one on Ebay. Look at that little skull face!


r/alphalegion 3d ago

Rewards of Treason [Complete Models] Kalik the shimmering scerpent

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31 Upvotes

My warlord of my warband the shimmering serpents


r/alphalegion 3d ago

Pict-Capture [Work in Progress] Working on some Alpharian Raiders

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79 Upvotes

Using a lot of bits from other kits and some 3d printed bits and I think they're turning out well


r/alphalegion 4d ago

Pict-Capture [Work in Progress] The most loyal primarch has returned

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312 Upvotes

all that’s left are his custom plasma pistol and venom spheres


r/alphalegion 4d ago

Rewards of Treason [Complete Models] Many Heads of the Hydra

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50 Upvotes