Dawnbreaker

Playing Seraphims before Seraphims were cool.

The Dawnbreakers were a very specialised and elite version of normal Assault Marines used by the Blood Angels during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy.

Overview

Even within a Legion known for its Jump infantry and assault tactics, the Dawnbreaker Cohorts stood apart. These warriors were chosen from amongst the most experienced and daring of the Legion's assault squads, trained and equipped to act as the tip of the spear of the Blood Angels. The Dawnbreakers had only one purpose in battle, to sunder the enemy lines and tear the heart from its formation. These Space Marines emphasized not only martial excellence but also the symbolic nature of their role, acting as giant beacons of justice just like their Papa Sang do in the most clusterfucky of clusterfucked warzones.

Dawnbreakers were armed with Falling Star Pattern Power Spear, Equinox Power Blades, and Grenade Dischargers. Like most elite units in the Blood Angels, they wore Artificer Armour.

Crunch

In the tabletop, they are the Shooty Assault Marines with Falling Star-pattern Power Spears and Grenade Dischargers. The Falling Star Pattern Spears are S+1, AP3, Reach (1) with Rending (5+). The Grenade Discharger has two modes, one being 12" Assault 3 Pinning Frag bombs for infantry or 12" Assault 1 Krak bombs against vehicles. They have the Furious Charge (1) and Set the Sky Aflame rules, the latter of which forces any enemy they Deep Strike within 6" of to take a Pinning Test with -1 to their Leadership.

Dawnbreakers can also upgrade their spears for an Equinox Power Blade Case, which are two Power Blades that are both S-User AP3. The Sunrise Blade has Shred and Sudden Strike (1), allowing you to mutilate power armour at I5. Meanwhile, the Sunset Blade has Rending (5+) and Sunder, making them better against 2+ saves and actually surprisingly good at damaging light/medium vehicles.