Athenoi Terminators

Athenoi Terminator Squads are a Terminator-armoured elite unit utilised exclusively by the Halcyon Wardens Legion. These warriors are selected from the most stalwart, dedicated and formidable warriors of the entirety of the Vth Legion, making up the appointed bodyguards of their Primarch Alexandros himself. Arrayed in the finest Tartaros pattern Terminator Armour and equipped with master-crafted power weapons, they are the bane of their foes, striking at the heart of the enemy as a vanguard spearhead against which few enemies can stand.

Background
Drawn from the most accomplished and valorous warriors in the Order of the Shield, the Athenoi were the principal Terminator elite of the Vth Legion. Clad in the finest Tartaros warplate and armed with storm shields, they symbolised their Primarch's devotion to safeguarding humanity, unerringly deployed where the fighting was thickest. Other notable Terminator units existed within the Halcyon Wardens, but the Athenoi were the most esteemed, selected for their discipline and idealism as much as their undoubted prowess.

As well as anchoring their Legion's shield walls, the Athenoi were a nigh-unstoppable force when the order was given to advance, their advanced armour making them capable of deceptively quick counter-attacks and charges. Thus the Warmaster himself usually took the field with several companies, and his dedicated Kavachoi bodyguard cadre were themselves part of the Athenoi.

Unit Composition

 * 1 Nikanor
 * 4-9 Athenoi Terminators

Unit Type

 * Infantry

Wargear

 * Tartaros-Pattern Terminator Armour
 * Guardian-Pattern Storm Shield - The first prototype of its kind was invented by the Shield-Lord himself after being allowed to study the Custodians’ own Praesidium Shield. To better match the raw numbers of a Legion compared to the Custodians' few, sacrifices were made in alloy selection, relying more heavily on standard ceramite, and a smaller, on-board field generator. The result was a shield that could boast of deflecting lascannon fire while only requiring a fraction of time and expense to construct. By the time of the Insurrection, the storm shield had become a mark of status among the Halcyon Wardens and would prove potent tools of wars against the Traitor Legions.
 * Power Weapon

Optional Wargear
Any Athenoi Terminator may exchange their power weapon for one of the following:


 * Power Fist
 * Chainfist
 * Thunder Hammer

Any Athenoi may upgrade their melee weapon to be Master-Crafted.

Optional Wargear (Nikanor Only)

 * Grenade Harness

Dedicated Transport
An Athenoi Terminator Squad numbering five warriors may select a Land Raider Phobos or a Land Raider Proteus as a dedicated transport. If the squad numbers ten or less, they may select a Spartan Assault Tank instead.