How to Play Iron Hands in Warhammer 40K
Today let’s take a look at some basics of how to play and get started with Warhammer 40k Iron Hands- more machine than man!
The Iron Hands are a dour and adept Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. As one of the First Founding Chapters, the Iron Hands have the distinct character of their Primarch, Ferrus Manus (get it!?). On the tabletop, the chapter fights with devastating firepower and stark resilience.
Below we offer some tips on how to play the army and get started with the army.
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Who Are The Iron Hands?
The Iron Hands were the X Legion of the twenty original Space Marine Legions, sometimes referred to as the “Iron Tenth”. The Chapter is notable for their heavy use of bionics and their reverence for all things mechanical, and thus their close ties to the Adeptus Mechanicus.
With Ferrus Manus at their head, the Iron Hands quickly became renowned for their ability to confront enemies of the Great Crusade head-on, gaining a reputation as ruthless and calculating fighters. They excelled at high-intensity warfare against both technologically advanced foes and brutal xenos such as Orks, whose sheer power and vast numbers constituted a grave threat to the success of the Crusade. As their battle style required advanced war engines, the Iron Hands began to establish their notoriously close ties with the Adeptus Mechanicus, whose culture was astonishingly similar to their own.
After the Horus Heresy
Following the Horus Heresy, the Iron Hands were in a state of disarray and still reeling from their near-destruction, and the death of their Primarch. While many Imperial factions bayed for blood and rushed to vent their fury upon their betrayers, the Iron Hands gathered their strength on Medusa and convened the Iron Council in a conclave known forever after as The Tempering. It was this gathering that determined the human race itself – in all contemptible emotion – was to blame for the Heresy, and must be purged of flaws.
So it was that the Iron Hands determined their guiding mission. They would exact payment for the wrongs done to them, but with a measured ruthlessness. Thus began a bloody campaign that continues to this day, fought by the Chapter and those amongst their successors shaped by their teachings.
Why Play Iron Hands
The Iron Hands bring everything we should expect from a Space Marine chapter while being extra resilient. They also have a great character that is totally unique to their chapter.
Strengths of the Army
- Resilience
- Vehicles
- Shooting
Weakness of the Army
- Like most marines, an elite army with relatively few bodies
Iron Hands Rules
Space Marine Army Rules
- Oath of Moment: This powerful rule allows you to target an enemy unit in the Command Phase and give your entire army re-rolls against it.
Ironstorm Spearhead
- Rules: The vehicle and Dreadnought detachment! Armored Wrath means all your units are a bit more reliable with once-a-phase re-rolls.
- Enhancements: These are mostly designed to emit auras, which can benefit the vehicles the detachment is built around.
- Stratagems: These are built around vehicles. Ancient Fury is great because it stacks an absolute slew of buffs onto a Dreadnought.
What to Buy
The Iron Hands are no longer a Supplemental Codex. The army consists of a few unique units and a particularly suitable Detachment. To play the army, you only need Codex: Space Marines.
Key Faction Units To Know
The army has an immense Space Marine unit roster. Knowing what units to take makes use of the Chapter’s rules can be tricky. Here are some suggestions to get you off on the right track.
Iron Father Feirros
The unique hero of the Iron Hands Chapter, Iron-Father Feirros, has rules to buff all manner of vehicles and infantry.
Redemptor Dreadnought
The Redemptor really shines in this detachment, who will work at full capacity to near death.
Repulsor Executioner
The Repulsor is a resilient line tank. Add the detachment rules and a Techmarine baby-sitter, and you have something very hard to move.
Primaris Intercessors
Like all Space Marines Chapters, a core of Primaris Intercessor Troop choices is never a bad idea. They are durable, have decent firepower, and are forgiving of mistakes.
Sternguard Veterans
The weapons of Sternguard are perfect to take advantage of the Devastator Doctrine.
Sample Iron Hands Starter Army
Leaders
- Iron Father Feirros. 1 Model. He is equipped with: bolt pistol; Gorgon’s Wrath; Harrowhand; 2 servo-arms
Battleline
- Primaris Intercessors. Ten Models. Every model is equipped with: bolt pistol; bolt rifle
Other Units
- Redemptor Dreadnought. 1 Model. It is equipped with: 2 fragstorm grenade launchers; heavy flamer; heavy onslaught gatling cannon; Redemptor fist
How to Play Iron Hands
The Iron Hands are a resilient and powerful ranged archetype of Space Marines. They excel as an armored gunline with a forward vanguard of dreadnoughts backed up by Feirros or other Techmarine support. From there, they purge the battlefield with a cold, calculating, and dispassionate advance.
The Flesh is Weak!
