XV Legion 'Thousand Sons': Tactics & Structure (Warhammer 40K & Horus Heresy Lore)

Being a record of the tactic, strategic and numerical dispostions of the XV Legion Thousand Sons, and divers discussions therein upon their chain of command, sub-cults, and various idiosyncrasies.
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Music: Missa Sicut lilium inter spinas by the Tudor Consort
This video is a non-profit fan-made lore discussion. Games Workshop, Forge World, Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer, Space Marine etc are all trademarks of Games Workshop Ltd. Games Workshop does not endorse or support fan-made "lore" videos. All views and opinions expressed in this video belong to Oculus Imperia and in no way reflect the views or opinions of Games Workshop Ltd or it's employees.
All works used in this video belong to their respective authors and corporations. Oculus Imperia holds no claim or propriety interest, either wholly or in part, in any of the work displayed here, with the exception of the audio commentary recorded for this video.

[@Lemon_Inspector]

Imagine a Thousand Sons study group, these unnaturally huge and muscular men sitting around sipping tea, discussing some abstract philosophical topic.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

And a couple of corvidae reclined in superb quality armchairs playing litteral 4dimensional GO in front of an open marble fireplace while occationally offering inflections and insights into the subject matter that only makes sense 5-10 minutes later in the general discussion XD

[@okonkwojones]

*Giant muscular arms daintily puts on reading glasses*

[@ArchArturo]

“Brother… why did you took the Regicide pieces? We keep needing replacing them” “… umm, it was a gift from The Primarch”

[@imintheraindripdripdrop]

Yes brother. I believe it was the ancient Terran philosophist Descarte that proclaimed "I believe, therefore it is." Such an ignorantly contemptuous worldview, so far removed from our enlightened age. Truly representative of the dark times of humanity. *sips tea*

[@piotrd.4850]

@@SonsOfLorgar Amazing :D

[@TheOnlyeX]

"[Magnus molded the XV Legion] to fit his 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍" Many honks were had by the Clown God this day

[@Deridus]

"HA!"

[@80krauser]

*B A Z I N G A* Magnus *Shudders*

[@Key_highway]

Imperial army commander- “Magnus you’re too late the waagh has taken over the sector” Magnus- “A Thousand Son is never late, nor is he early, he arrives exactly when he means to”

[@adamhunter1223]

The emperor, in the background: NEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRD!

[@daddyanto8222]

You win the comments

[@JeanLucCaptain]

Laughs in TIME MAJIK.

[@UGNAvalon]

“And cue the sunrise in 5, 4, 3 …” “What sunri- HOLY EMPEROR!! REINFORCEMENTS?!”

[@bentaylor809]

Yeah Magnus. That's great. So what do you call THIS *Orks smashing through the Fortress gate, killing all as they swarm* Magnus: I.... meant that to happen.

[@Lammergeier350]

17:00 "All according to calculations that were conducted on a scale cyclopean in its magnitude." I see what you did there.

[@ElonTusks]

The fact I’m on such a thousand sons vibe right now and you’re putting out fresh content is almost too much .. almost , you are the best

[@Nick_Patrick]

The way the Thousand Sons wage war is my absolute favorite thing in the 30K universe. Their description in the novels and how they interlock their individual psychic powers into their technology was the coolest thing to me. I think they would be my faction for a 30k army on the table.

[@battlemastergenkhan4622]

My dear Oculus, you are by far among the greatest historical orators of our dark 42nd Millennium. Ave Imperator my friend!

[@beardfistthegoldenone7273]

Thousand Sons are such a great legion to ponder on, too bad thinking is heresy 😐

[@piotrd.4850]

In another world and reality, I have come up with concept of Astertes Corps - grouping of three legions for greater syngergy and largest campaigins. 1. Raven Guard, Thousand Sons, Ultramarines - for measured, sustained, reasoned campaigns of assimilation and reclaimation, planet building 2. Alpha Legion, Imperial Fists and Blood Angels - when you have no idea what to send. Brain, Sword and Shield. 3. Dark Angels, Vlka Fenryka, White Scars - tump over somebody at speed, QRF of sorts. 4. World Eaters, Death Guard, Night Lords - Exterminatus, but precise. 5. Luna Wolfs, Iron Warriors, Salamanders - for sustained campaigns agains high tech enemy.

[@edwardaugustus9680]

Nice division. I'm just imagining the 6th Emperor's Children, Iron Hands, and Word Bearers just being the former being bros while the Word Bearers just brood. I'd say such a force would be, if the Word Bearers toe the line, an interesting exemplar of Imperial Ideals (Iron Hands being a stand out but their inclusion represents unity due to their fellowship with the EC).

[@chrisroberts7000]

@@edwardaugustus9680 Damn... That trio would be equally awe-inspiring and unstoppable. Flawless planning, precise execution, the best equipment, great gene stability, large troop numbers, expert diplomacy, controlled wrath, and just enough psyker power that it's neither a deficiency nor a crutch. Excellent teamup.

[@piotrd.4850]

@@chrisroberts7000 Indeed and I have missed it totally :P

[@alastor8091]

*Eh-hem*

[@UncleMikeDrop]

Knowledge without wisdom is a ship without a rudder. It is a crew without a captain.

[@Kristian.B.Kristiansen]

Can anyone truly deny, that marine for marine the 15th Legion was the most powerful of all the Legions? The enormous and wide-ranging powers of the Astartes combat Psyker multiplied by an entire Legion is insane! They had marines to read the minds of the enemy, marines to create forcefields capable of withstanding Titan-class weaponry, marines with near Titan-class levels of firepower, marines who could see the near future and marines that allowed all the different marines to telepathically communicate instantly! This is (from a tactical level) utterly broken!

[@Chaerea_Carmin-Slaanesh_Chosen]

Man for man, yes, but the effectiveness of a military organization is much more influenced by logistics and equipment (Dark Angels), sheer size and tactical capability (Ultramarines), and battlefield cohesiveness/training (Emperors Children). The entire reason the imperium is able to repeatedly triumph over Chaos is because in setting numerical and tactical superiority are a match for raw power.

[@fedupN]

Yes and no. The scope and scale of each Astartes capabilities varied and none of which were quite perfect nor without cost. For example, telekine shields are quite awesome but can overwhelmed and must be thought into existence creating a vulnerability when compared to mundane shield generators like an iron halo.. Scrying the future is a huge tactical boon but is by no means precise, can be mislead on the tactical level as in the case of the Silver Snakes, and frankly can distract the user from what is right in front of them. In addition, the training dedicated to these arts creates a risk of weakness, whether through preference or atrophy, for other training in war. It creates a different kind of pool of specialists. Then we reach the cost and capabilities. Telepathy is lovely but a radio works just as well in most circumstances. And can be mass produced, reducing the risk of doing without when said Telepathy is screaming at warp things eating their brain. Psychic powers are awesome but come with backlash of various types, that is built into the setting. Furthermore, we run across the bug bear of fictional settings: power elasticity. In one scene a psyker can vanquish a Titan by its lonesome, in the next a solid right hook is enough to end them. So pysker abilities are neat but come with drawbacks of risk, overspecialization, the variance of the individuals strength, and lastly, are only as powerful as the plot allows 😁

[@MrMelanion]

That makes me think about their modern 40k mechanic that makes their psychich phase stronger the more sorcerers you have, and now think that everyone was a psyker boosting everyone's power

[@brokedude9999]

Yeah, That's why Big E. Released the Patch 1.5 and nerfed the Librarious

[@theophiledumont3291]

As a thousand sons player it is great to finally have some lore explained

[@Wulgreath]

Father Figure Before Imperium: Loving and supporting, attempting to temper the ego of a demigod with humility and wisdom Father Figure After Imperium: 20:00 - 20:54 Creates and Handles Psychic Space Terrorist Cells. Imperium: Just Say No

[@trajanfidelis1532]

Hydra Dominatus ;)

[@boswickvonbigglesworth3530]

Been curious about 40k for a while, and this series on the Thousand sons finally convinced me to get a 10 piece set of rubric marines. Cant wait to finish putting them together!

[@Duppyman695]

Tactics : To use the Warp and it's denizens to there advantage. Structure: Being used by the denizens of the Warp. Another awesome instalment, Question... Did Magnus do anything wrong?

[@ryanmccabe1036]

Everything Magnus did was a reaction to someone else doing something stupid tbh.

[@bobbyheisler6558]

He did everything wrong, lol.

[@raycearcher5794]

No, but he is Alpharius.

[@Tarktheorc]

No. YOU are Alpharius.

[@davidthomas2870]

@@Tarktheorc but if HE is Alpharius, and THEYRE Alpharius, and I'M Alpharius, then who is navigating the ship???

[@garythealmighty2645]

"His singular vision" Poor magnus

[@InquisitorMatthewAshcraft]

Magnus, Tzeench's bitch 🤣

[@depressedgwyndolin]

Thank you worth it yes a pain in the ass yes

[@hollowparagon1102]

My ruby red bois in all their glory!! Thank you Occulus for shedding light on one of the most interesting and best looking legions (Toss up between TS, IW and DA for me). Best wishes to you and your continued good health!

[@tmontgomery7592]

Thank you for posting this,, was a hard WK at work and a bad one for my PTSD. Sits listening and relaxing.

[@inquisitorgarza312]

A single librarian is a powerful unit unto the battlefield and an entire squad of them will win any battle, but an entire legion will have conquered entire systems with their psychic powers.

[@cypher4783]

Until you roll snack eyes

[@davidthomas2870]

@@cypher4783 lol snack eyes. Is that those eyeball shaped Halloween novelty chocolates? Or perhaps some horrific Nurglite foodstuff?

[@cypher4783]

@@davidthomas2870 when you roll 1's and when the warp stares back at you

[@davidthomas2870]

@@cypher4783 spooky

[@Scufflegrit]

[distant sound of Tzeentch cackling]

[@dreamingwolf8382]

More like "cyclopian in its Magnus-tude" heehee

[@murderouskitten2577]

a surprise , for sure . but a welcome one.

[@kgalaxia]

Genuinely brilliant as always!

[@eichler721]

Love these indepth dives onto legion tactics and history. So good and love the way you do them in 2 parts and such depth.

[@boumka_]

Always happy to listen to you and 40k lore, thanks a lot again !

[@cthulawha]

Amazing as always Occulus ,your lore works are lovingly crafted and we are lucky to have you share your hard work with us, and I thank you for it

[@rax1990]

Absolutely love your content, the feel of it just surrounds you. My one request would be for you to do the night lords videos again as I think you would give such an amazing feel to them.

[@charion1234]

80k to 85k is nothing to sneeze at. I thought they would be significantly smaller since most legions seemed to be a lot smaller.

[@piotrd.4850]

Well, just like Ultramarines, they had good ascension rate and small attrition.

[@Theembodimentchannel]

Excellent as ever sir. Appreciated

[@dr.strangelove9815]

I think the Thousand Sons were Humanity's next step in evolution, the same evolution which was taking place in the very end of the Dark Age of Technology, and continues in WH40k.

[@LG-rg4ut]

As Iron Warriors guy… so jealous. You’ve gotten so much better at making these videos.

[@Andyspam]

Always a pleasure to hear your voice while I clean the house! Thank you

[@doomguy9049]

Great job as always friend, thanks for sharing with us.

[@ScholarofProspero]

I would love a complete life time of Magnus up until current lore point

[@ericcloud1023]

Thanks for the great work once again Oculus!

[@GenAhab]

Damn good way to start the day! Thanks for the video, Oculus.

[@jfkjkshjpppppppppphsasi8669]

Tremendous work (as always).

[@halfdanasatru9251]

Awesome 👌 Thank You . I love the the Thousand Sons . Such a tragic Legion .

[@somerandomschmuck2547]

Oh cool, been looking forward to this one for a while

[@Azaghal1988]

Yay, another TS video!

[@trajanfidelis1532]

Thanks for the video Oculus! Hydra Dominatus!

[@Disturbed18Rocker]

Last time I was this early Magnus was still a good guy!

[@Pemmont107]

Absolutely fantastic. I always look forward to your videos on the Legions. Do you think it's possible to do Word Bearers or Ultramarines next?

[@battlemastergenkhan4622]

Word Bearers would be cool

[@vontheunknown7982]

@@battlemastergenkhan4622 I'm still thinking the word bearers should have had loyalist space marines as well.

[@battlemastergenkhan4622]

@@vontheunknown7982 I believe there were loyalist that saw their legion falling but given that Word Bearer "genetic loyalty" was so much more potent than other legions, they probably couldn't make that final step to rebel. We see the opposite occur with the World Eaters that had a reduced inclination toward their primarch and by far had largest number of marines purged.

[@Chaerea_Carmin-Slaanesh_Chosen]

Given that they were the source of the heresy and that even the ones that still worshipped the emperor as a god did so in defiance of the imperial truth, they are the one legion where it would make sense if they had none.

[@vontheunknown7982]

@@battlemastergenkhan4622 you may be right on that.

[@FoundingChambers]

These thousand sons videos have been really enjoyable

[@thomasbakkenmoe6605]

Another great video!

[@seelenverkaufer4861]

I love your videos. Thank you for sharing your work! 👍🏿

[@SawyerKnight]

Great insight!

[@machinegunblues7]

Great video!

[@zarlsalamandersspacemarine302]

I thank you for the video friend!

[@musicalDrebin]

official prediction: next is space wolves, then ultramarines, then word bearers then we get going on the heresy. just by the way you seem to structure these things i'm willing to bet that's the order

[@piotrd.4850]

I don't think - given the setting - that Ultramarines are anywhere near. First Heresy and siege of Terra should be done and remember, that about Ultramarines, our historator has.... well, access to first hand account and subject matter expert. I expect that piece about Ultramarines will be epic on pair with Burning of Prospero or Baldermort's Dorn epic. And will come very, very late.

[@musicalDrebin]

@@piotrd.4850 fair point indeed, though there is a possibility that he'll save the worst most evil legion for last, by which i mean the word bearers. kind of a grand evil finale with the guys who caused the Heresy in the first place

[@charlesfeitshans4163]

Nice, what a great way wake up to a new video.

[@thewayfarer8849]

Superb, even compared to your usual standard

[@vontheunknown7982]

I'm still thinking the blood Raven's maybe from the Thousand Sons also I am a new subscriber.

[@King_Cola]

Indeed, like soul drinkers are from Emperor's Children or from one of the lost legions

[@vontheunknown7982]

@@King_Cola don't forget about the alpha legion.

[@jesseberg3271]

I _want them to be._ I want it so bad. But at the moment, it seems like GW is leaning away from the idea. Also, enjoy your first binge of his work :)

[@vontheunknown7982]

@@jesseberg3271 I want that too also thank you.

[@maxgaj3015]

Referring to Magnus’s “singular vision” in the first minute lol nice one gottem

[@TealWolf26]

Gloria et Imperia, fellow acolytes.

[@DOCTERunclesam]

That Dammed number again? Numbers, Numbers, and Numbers again. A foolish man may begin to think that there is another hand at play here.

[@davebowman9000]

Masterful narration and in-character touches! Loved it! How do you get the pre-heresy Legion numbers?

[@PhuzzPhactor]

"His singular vision." 😂😂😂 *golf clap*

[@ashardalondragnipurake]

a very nice explanation of the unexplainable

[@wildheartmactavish4346]

Amazing!

[@JP.109]

Love it Oculus keep it up

[@JeanLucCaptain]

Emperor: i am going to create legion of Psykers that will trigger all the Long Nigh Phobes and then ban Psykers. Kitten: THIS PLAN seems i BIT ILL ADVISED. won't that just create problems for no reason? Emperor: DO NOT DISAGREE WITH ME YOU BANANA AUTOMATON!

[@depressedgwyndolin]

And now I am sad

[@krishnam1]

Yay! Another wonderful video. More....more... 🙂

[@bogster9]

Mint. I Love your channel! Please keep it coming Oculus 🤩

[@BluJean6692]

10:53 "...hardening the bodies of their kin..." [Murmurs lewdly in Custodes]

[@servit0r]

These are my favourite 1000 boys just look at them, so majestic!

[@jwb_666]

This is good

[@Thedagda801]

Thank you good sir

[@uglyweirdo1389]

Wonderful

[@mbp1652]

Good job cousin

[@davebowman9000]

Is it me or is this full of puns regarding Magnus having one eye?

[@frankcz7672]

Perfect

[@theophiledumont3291]

I hope you will cover the siege of fenris and finish the burning of prospero

[@professorweekend1880]

Wake up to a fresh Oculus vid? What a way

[@seekingabsolution1907]

Never heard that 9 was significant to Tzeentch.

[@Spideryote]

My bois ❤️

[@PTLANS]

Requesting a video on Mephiston and the black rage.

[@jackrogers5712]

In the meantime check out the Amber King's channel for a Mephiston video 🙂

[@TheKyleCostello]

When’s the next Vraks coming out!!!!!! I need some more of the death Korps those boys sure do know how to party. Boom boom boom

[@firehazardentertainment8381]

The Occulus speaks!

[@krimzonstriker7534]

Space Wolves video I'm guessing for the next one 🐺

[@floridaman3823]

"KHAYON!" -Anyone dealing with Iskandar's ADD.

[@Maxibon2007]

Their compulsion to acquire knowledge was almost magpie like in its scale.

[@redasylum]

Blood Ravens you say?

[@Char1iBr0wn]

Come now Oculus, how long now until you cover the XVIIth Legiones Astartes Bearers of the Word!!!! We all know they're the Legion to really cover!

[@adamhunter1223]

Magnus' "singular vision" I see what you did there.😂

[@KillerOrca]

A glorious army of nerds, lead by the largest nerd of them all, capable of deploying weaponized curiosity and brainpower in ways modern nerds could only dream of. No wonder they had Egyptian trappings, cant think of anything nerdier.

[@piotrd.4850]

I thought about Sumerian.

[@mikewaterfield3599]

Speaking of Magnus’ ego amuses me. Every Primarch had an ego the size of a star.

[@fedupN]

True! And ol' Maggie still managed to burn brighter than them all 😄

[@piotrd.4850]

Well yeah, but some had entire frakin' solar systems....

[@jlinkpro]

Magnus did do some things wrong... for all the right reasons, except perhaps one: that one simple root toxin that fucked over both the Emperor and Horus infinitely more: pride. But for pride, the Imperium was lost.

[@wazaagbreak-head6039]

Is our oculus retreating back into the days where he believed the imperium to be a halcyon empire?

[@williams100292]

It's impressive that one so learned could be so shortsighted and arrogant. Magnus needed a humbling well before nikea.

[@aloaloings5596]

Magnus did nothing wrong

[@williams100292]

@@aloaloings5596 Not only did he do something wrong, I can't think of a single thing he did right. A traitor from the very beginning, he deserved worse.

[@aloaloings5596]

@@williams100292 absolutely nothing wrong.

[@NitzscheDragon]

Are the orders what would later become the nine cults?

[@wyvernfallgaming]

Do space wolves

[@snowblind9290]

So let me get this straight...the emperor genetically engineers a primarch with psychic powers second only to him to lead a legion that is also psychically gifted. This legion, like all the others, leans into their specialty and becomes a powerful fighting force that, unlike some OTHER legions (cough Iron Warriors cough) keeps casualties to a minimum. Then, because COVID-40 and Discount Odin woke up one-day and decided to become racist, this same emperor decides to nerf his son's legion HARD. THEN, this supposedly super-intelligent definitely not-god, decides to hand his son to chaos on a silver platter by telling him he will only be forgiven if he ABANDONS HIS OWN CHILDREN cus they got Full Metal Alchemist'd due to a disease HE ALLOWED TO FLOURISH BEFORE MAGNUS EVEN SHOWED UP

[@jirojhasuo2ndgrandcompany745]

sad how praising the emperor, and using "sorcery" was the reason that Thousand Sons and Word Bearers were outcasted by everyone and became traitors but during year 40k everyone is using "sorcery" and praising the emperor.

[@feralprocessor9853]

Defensive healers until the "flesh changing" became a nuisance on the Legion as a whole.

[@3goats1coat]

*you will be my Thousand Suns* says the Emperor ...then dyslexia kicks in...

[@edpistemic]

In 40k is there any difference between "sorcerers" and "psykers"?

[@bentaylor809]

Sourcerers are psykers with natural talent and exceptional control

[@Allhailthesith]

Most powerful traitor legion

[@MrGabilonia]

"Magnus was a dick" - Dan Abnett

[@TheMatch93]

If only the emperor listened to mangnus the red Horus would of been stopped early

[@michaelkimberling7307]

14:53 I can hear you scratching your beard

[@Mesozoic_mammal]

Yay!