On the Great Crusade, the Legiones Astartes fought alongside massive formations of Solar Auxilia and Imperial militias who – despite putting in a respectable showing for baseline humanity – never met the lofty standards of the Emperor’s enhanced elite. As the Horus Heresy ground on and casualties mounted, these unaugmented soldiers were even more frequently folded into Space Marine command structures, and it was the job of the Overseer Consuls to make sure they all functioned together.
Both sides of the divide made use of these Consuls, though the methods they employed to motivate their retinues varied wildly – Loyalist Overseers, for example, often employed stirring rhetoric to galvanize their troops and led from the front with ornate power mauls glittering in the dull smog of war.
Though it was far from the most glorious assignment, Overseers were still afforded respect for the difficult task of making the common soldiery function acceptably alongside their Space Marine allies, and their skills were greatly appreciated by depleted companies who had to rely on human auxiliaries to fill their shattered battle lines.
As a result, these Consuls often wore highly decorated armour to inspire those under their charge – especially those who sought to command through respect rather than fear. This new resin miniature pares back on none of these details with extensive decorative trim, a majestic back banner, and a laurel wreath on both of its helmeted and unhelmeted head options.
In practical terms, these Consuls can take up to three Solar Auxilia lasrifle sections or Imperialis Militia infantry squads as a personal retinue, granting them the Legiones Auxilia rule that matches their Legion. These cut-price troops have many battlefield uses, and you don’t need to take an entire Allied Detachment to include a few indentured soldiers in your ranks.
Overseer’s Retinue
An army that includes a model with this special rule may take
a Tercio of 1-3 Solar Auxilia Rifle Sections or 1-3 Imperialis Militia Infantry Squads in accordance with the Strength in Numbers special rule*, as part of the same Force Organisation choice as the model with this special rule, as an Overseer’s Retinue. Note that any unit selected through the use of this special rule may not take any Dedicated Transport options.
Any Solar Auxilia Rifles Sections included through the use of the Overseer’s Retinue gain the Legiones Auxilia (X) special rule that corresponds with the Legiones Astartes (X) special rule that the Legion Overseer they share a Force Organisation choice with has. Additionally, all models in a Tercio selected as an Overseer’s Retinue use the Leadership Characteristic of the model with the Legiones Overseer special rule when ‘In Formation’.
Rules for fielding your own Overseer Consuls can be found in the Campaigns of the Age of Darkness – The Battle for Beta-Garmon book alongside a wealth of additional game content and background lore, such as rules for the infamous Blackshields and Shattered Legions. As we said before, it’s not just the Loyalists who kept a close eye on their Auxilia, and we’ll be getting a look at the Traitor Overseer soon.*
* Spoilers: He’s not as friendly.
