Review of Codex: Assassins

(CODEX: ASSASSINS FROM WHITE DWARF 235)

REVIEWED BY THOMAS SETZER

The free Codex: Assassins packaged with White Dwarf issue 235 gives you all the rules you need to include these powerful Imperial Agents in your battles

The Assassins have all the following abilities and special rules plus their own special abilities: Infiltrators, Fearless, Individuals, and Dodge.  They are members of one of the Assassin temples from which they receive their training, equipment, and special abilities.

THE VINDICARE ASSASSIN

The Vindicare Assassin has a Spy Mask that reduces cover saves of its target, and increses its night sight range.

• It has a Stealth Suit which causes any enemy targeting the Vindicare to use night fighting rules and if the missions is using these rules already teh distance they rolled for spotting is halved.
• Also it has the Exitus Rifle.  This is a souped up sniper rifle with an AP2 and one each of the following special rounds: Shield Breaker, Turbo-Penetrator, and Hellfire.
• The Exitus Pistol basically acts like the Rifle but with only a 12" range.
• The Vindicare has the special ability Marksman which allows it to target any model in line of sight and range, he may even choose a model that is in a squad and designate it as the target instead of his opponent choosing the model hit.

The Vindicare has always been a favorite of mine, as they are very useful for eliminating characters in your opponent's army.

THE EVERSOR ASSASSIN

The Eversor carries:

• An Executioner Pistol which can be fired either as a bolt pistol or needle pistol.
• A power weapon and melta bombs, good for use against vehicles.
• Nuero-Gauntlet, good for use against targets with high Toughness.
• Combat Drugs, which give the Eversor a charge that is to be feared for the amount of damage the Eversor can do when charging.
• Fast Shot:  May fire the Executioner Pistol twice per turn.

His special rules include:

• Bio-Meltdown: The Eversor is dangerous even in death.
• The Eversor is a good choice when fighting high Toughness foes, or when you need to take out an enemy riding a vehicle.

THE CALLIDUS ASSASSIN

The Callidus carries:

• C'tan Phase Sword: This gives no armour saves, not even Invulnerable saves are effective against it.
• Neural Shredder, goes against the target's Ld to wound, so it can be devastating against lower Ld troops.
• Polymorphine allows the Callidus to strike anywhere on the battlefield.

The special rules include:

• Jump Back, which allows the Callidus to disengage from combat.
• A Word in Your Ear, which allows the player that owns the Callidus to reposition one enemy unit up to 6" after both sides have deployed.
• Poison Blades, which give the Callidus an extra attack with the Poison Blades against one enemy in base to base contact at the end of the assault phase.

The Callidus was one of my favorites in 2nd edition, but I'm just not sure of it in 3rd edition.

THE CULEXUS ASSASSIN

The Culexus Assassin has the following wargear:

• Etherium helps to protect the Assassin from attacks, the enemy must pass a Ld test to attack the Culexus.
• Animus Speculum, its assault value is increased by every psyker in 12"  The psykers are feeding a weapons that may be used against them.
• Psyk-Out Grenades can be used against psykers within 6".

Its abilities include:

• Psychic Abomination:  Drives off psykers if they come within 6" of the Assassin.
• Soulless:  This can be a two-edged sword as it lowers the Leadership of all units whether friend or foe that come within 12" of the Assassin.
• Psyker Assassin:  The Assassin may always target pskyers regardless of any normal restrictions, when shooting or charging into hand to hand.
• Life Drain:  Can be used against any psyker in base contact to cause wounds to the psyker.  This is a strong ability to use against enemy psykers.

This is the Assassin to choose if your opponent relies upon psykers for his battle plans.

These Assassins are very powerful weapons to use in any Imperial army, but they are limited to only one per army.  Choose your Assassin with care, think of the mission you will assign it, and make sure you have the right Assassin for the job.

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