Chaos review...Elite#2

When it comes to cost effective quality close combat destruction, Khorne Bezerkers are the way to go. These evil Marines have given themselves over to the Blood God. The original World Eater’s chapter are the poster child for the Khorne Bezerkers. They were the first and most well-known of the berserker Marines. However, any Chaos Marine can become a Khorne Berzerker with the will, know how, a bit of elbow grease, lots of blood and a pile of skulls!

The basic Berzerker comes with the usual Marine stats with a minor tweak. They are WS 5. The rest of their statistics are the same as any basic Marine. They even have a single base attack. That is troublesome. The five man squad has a unit champion with the usual leadership 9 and 2 attacks. They all come armed with a bolt pistol, close combat weapon and frag/krak grenades. They have the Fearless and Furious Charge rules. They also all have the Mark of Khorne. The squad starts at over 104 and under 106 points. They can add up to 15 more bodies at the cost of 19 points per guy.

The unit has a few upgrade option, but they are pretty lackluster. Up to two models may swap their pistols for plasma pistols +15 points. Any member of the squad may take a chain axe for +3 points and replace their close combat weapon. WOW! The choices! Well the plasma pistol option has been there for these guys forever. If you like them, take them. I see little use in the plasma pistol.

A model may also take the Icon of Wrath +15 points. This is not really that great. It does allow for a re-roll for charge distance, but it also grants Furious Charge. Wait, the squad has it anyway. It seems like a waste of points for this. Just get up close to the enemy to negate the need for a re-rolled charge.

Finally at the cost of +1 point/guy the squad can take Veterans of the Long War. This bumps their leadership, but they are fearless so that is a waste. However, it gives them Hatred vs. Marines of the good guy variety. This can add some extra punch in the first round of combat vs. those Imperial lapdogs. I can see this being both useful and sort of a waste of points. Sure it is cheap and most people play Marines of some variety, but not everyone does. I think this is a personal, play-style and local environment choice. It is both cheap enough to take and ignore for an upgrade.

Then we have the chain axe. The once and now returned feature and favorite weapon of the Khorne Berzerker. These used to wreck everyone’s day as they dropped all armor saves to 4+ at best. They were the bane of the 3+ and 2+ army (much like Ork Choppas). Not only are they not like that anymore (or remotely close) they also have to be purchased. This is incredibly lame! The unit’s signature weapon is a purchased upgrade? For as little as they do, they should be included in the cost and nowhere near an additional +3 points! Giving the chain axe and AP 4 is nowhere near game breaking, except in those circles where Eldar, Tau and that one unit of Ork ‘Ard Boyz rule the field of battle. An AP 4 close combat weapon is just not worth the extra cost. This is a waste of points and a huge disappointment.

The unit champion can grab the Gift o’ Random Giant Chart Roll +10, melta bombs +5 and any other melee and ranged weapon upgrades from the chart in the book.

The squad can take a Rhino transport, like every other Marine in the 40K universe.

People may think that the Khorne Berzerker has lost a step and maybe they have. They only have one base attack, well really two with the pistol/close combat weapon option. Yes, they have always had two attacks base so they have lost a bit of some combat potential. They did gain Rage which gives them +2 attacks on the charge and Counter-Attack which gives them 3 attacks if charged (if they pass their leadership test for this ability). They also have Furious Charge to give those extra Rage attacks some kick when diving into combat. The first round of combat should be great for these guys, if you get to charge. Granted they are no slouch if they are charged, they just lose some killing potential.

The Khorne Berzerkers may have lost an attack, but the inclusion of Rage, Furious, Fearless, Counter-Attack and a price reduction more than makes up for it. The real downside to this unit are the 6^th edition rules. The random charge range, Overwatch, the delayed Rhino Rush tactics/vehicle changes and challenges can all play into this unit either being awesome or faltering a bit. Still, these skull taking, blood fueled crazed killers are, the go to assault unit for the Chaos Marines!