Crimson Paladin

The hunk to the Sanguinary Guard's bishonen.

Sanguinius' other type of bodyguard. The Crimson Paladins, also known as the Keruvim or the Storm Wind, were the Terminator elite of the Blood Angels during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, although they differ from the Sanguinary Guard in that they largely guard important places rather than the Primarch himself.

Overview

Belonging to the First Innermost "Sphere" of the Blood Angels Legion alongside the likes of the Sanguinary Guard, they served as the guardians of their Primarch Sanguinius' sanctums. At Sanguinius' order, they also took to the field as instruments of his determination and the shield of his will. Like other warriors of the First Sphere, they have forsaken their name and identity and assume a role that forsakes all sense of their previous selves.

The Crimson Paladins served as the grim counterpart to the Sanguinary Guard. When these warriors took the field, they acted as a bulwark against the foe and the shield for the sons of Sanguinius. They were superbly disciplined, acting as a single unbreakable bastion of blades and shields. Through their sacrifice and indomitable resolve, the Blood Angels could vent and direct their insatiable RAGE on the enemy. It is commonly said that no Paladin has ever taken a step backwards during combat.

Standard wargear of the Crimson Paladins included Cataphractii Pattern Terminator Armour, a Coriolis Pattern Power Shield, and a Power Weapon (i.e. Power Sword, Power Spear, Power Fists or Chainfists). Others were equipped with heavy weapons that included Iliastus Pattern Assault Cannons, Heavy Flamers, and Plasma Blasters.

Crunch

On the tabletop, Crimson Paladins are back with a better statline, having been upgraded to WS5 and given 2 wounds apiece now, bringing them in line with modern Terminators. Their gimmick special rule, The Blood is Forever, is that when they're outnumbered they gain Feel no Pain (5+), that is improved to 4+ if they are outnumbered by more than two to one. However, this is made harder by being Bulky (2). Their Coriolis Pattern Power Shields now inflict a blanket -1 To Wound, as opposed to -1 Strength, on incoming melee attacks, which has the funnily inverse effect of making them more vulnerable to S8 weapons since they are still vulnerable to be ID'd.

That said, S8 attacks wound on 3+ instead of 2+, so you still get something out of your shields. Like their 1.0 incarnations, they come stock with power weapons that can be upgraded to Sunset Blades at no cost. Additionally, two Paladins can bring either Power Fists or Chainfists, which have thankfully been reduced in points, and the Exemplar can take a Perdition Weapon for free. As before, one in every five Paladins can bring a ranged weapon, which include the Iliastus Assault Cannon, Heavy Flamer, or Plasma Blaster. Given they prefer close range combat, you should take a Heavy Flamer for MEQs and below or Plasma Blasters if you're excepting to face TEQs and MCs. They can also take a Land Raider Proteus Carrier or Spartan as a Dedicated Transport depending on the size of the unit; a unit of any size can take the Spartan, while a unit of five or less can take both Proteus Carrier or Spartan.