The End and The Death Volume 3 is the most critical moment in the entire Horus Heresy series – this massive saga of novels is reaching its climax, culminating in the single greatest duel in the history of Warhammer 40,000. And, as we stand on the precipice of greatness, it’s a good time to also look back at the characters who have made the most impact on our journey through the Heresy.
We polled the Warhammer team for their favourites, and here’s what they had to say:
Lydia: Loken, definitely. There are many reasons why Garviel Loken is amazing, but chief among them is punching Lucius in the face almost immediately after meeting him.
James: Easy answer here – the Heresy-era Ahzek Ahriman is amazing. You watch his descent into the corrupt, twisted, and thoroughly reprehensible individual we have in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, and it genuinely makes me ask: “Would my decisions have been any different?”
Harry: Let’s be real here, what other human besides Lotara Sarrin can impress and earn the respect of Angron? Also, whilst it is a bit later on, getting away with shooting a World Eaters captain in the face, spitting on his boots, and sending him to his room for disrespecting her authority is no small feat!
Ben: Nykona Sharrowkyn is the ultimate survivor – he goes from shaking off the Drop Site Massacre and shooting an Emperor-be-damned Primarch through the head to besting Lucius (not once, but twice!) in combat. No one can argue this guy's not an absolute badman.
Charlie: I really like Rogue Trader Sangrea, who shows up around the Battle of Tallarn, as she's a perfect archetypal Rogue Trader for the Heresy-era – with a massive fleet of exotic and powerful ships, illegal technology, and bizarre allies gathered over centuries. This Golden Fleet returns from beyond the Imperium's borders for the first time in a decade, blows up all the Traitor ships, blows up all the Loyalist ships, and jets off back into the unknown, never to be seen again. A truly relatable character.
Mackenzie: Magnus the Red! Nothing says ‘imposing presence’ like bending reality with a simple stride.
Ollie: Agreed, it's gotta be Magnus. I love how arrogant he is, and the tragedy he (somewhat) brought upon his Legion.
Darcy: While ultimately my loyalty lies with the Imperial Fists (Alexis Polux ftw), it’s the story of Saul Tarvitz that resonates most with me. I've always enjoyed his rise from relative obscurity to the leadership role he assumes on Isstvan III, with his grasp of the bigger picture and selfless sacrifice – qualities that highlight how great he truly was compared to such legionary peers as Lucius.
Daniel: After trying to pick between Ullis Temeter and Huron-Fal, I thought there was no better tribute to two warriors that valiantly died together to be honourably remembered together. Both wanted to protect the rest of their Legion and get as many of them into the bunker as possible whilst not fully understanding what was happening around them – defiant to the very end.
Emma: Rylanor the Unyielding! Truly the best Loyalist Emperor's Children character ever, and one of the first. He swapped places with Saul Tarvitz just before the battle of Isstvan III, and then was one of the sole survivors, trapped on the dead world for 10,000 years until finally going down fighting the Daemon Primarch Fulgrim – damaging Fulgrim in the only place he couldn’t regenerate: his pride.
Simon: Sigismund – the first and greatest Emperor's Champion spent the majority of the Siege of Terra slicing and dicing his way through some of the mightiest warriors the Traitor Legions had to offer. In fact, he was such an unmitigated badass during the conflict that he was given his own Chapter of like-minded zealots to carry on his fine work in the aftermath!
James: Jago Sevatarion, First Captain of the Night Lords, because he's hilarious. No other character has such dry wit and humour. He’s also oddly noble and loyal despite his Legion’s reputation and his outward appearance, hurtling through space on the back of a fighter craft so his company don't have to die alone on a doomed assault aboard the Dark Angels flagship.
Rob: Jaghatai Khan delivers some absolute zingers over the course of the Horus Heresy series, and thoroughly roasts more than one Traitor Primarch on his way to the incredible duel with Mortarion in Warhawk.
These are ours – but who is your favourite character? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter/X, and make sure to revise your rankings when The End of The Death Volume 3 comes out – after all, you might have a new front-runner when you see just what Malcador, the Emperor, and Horus get up to.