Board Thread:Warhammer 40k General Discussion/@comment-14745711-20140928092626/@comment-24944355-20140930073310

When (not if) the primarchs return the result will be chaotic & the forces of Chaos would make immediate gain. But when the primarchs win the ensuing conflict within the empire (and they would win) the ruinous powers would face empire forces led by some of the greatest generals in history.

Gulliman & the lion were regarded as the only rivals that Horus had in terms of generalship, in fact the Lion was regarded as a better strategist & Guilliman a better organizer. None among the forces of chaos could hope to match them in battle without overwhelming odds, certainly not Abaddon-over-rated.

The gamble for the Emperor would be that the primarchs could squash opposition fast enough to unite the empire then engage Chaos before the strategic position became hopeless.