Tactica: Adeptus Mechanicus

[Finn]

So...I realize there isn't an Ad Mech codex, but there are options for playing Ad Mech themed forces with existing rules if you want to. And while such armies are mostly about the models and the story around them, there has to be a population of players who still care about performing with the army in games. What are tournaments with painting/modeling prizes for after all, if not to take an army on which you've showered lots and lots of custom modeling love? And there's no sense in going to a tournament if you don't intend to win some games...

Goals of this thread:

• Fleshing out which codex and unit entries are best to use with an Ad Mech army, probably counts-as (choosing a set of rules to use).
  
• This includes Dark/Renegade Ad Mech forces

[Finn]

I'll start things off with my own aspirations. I've been looking at building a Dark Mechanicus army to complement my Chaos army for some time now, especially as my Chaos army's size swells to a proper Apocalypse-size level (somebody has to maintain the Hellblade, Tower of Skulls, and Warhound...and I need a reason to build a Silver Tower of Tzeentch...). A Chaos force that size is surely going to have some dark Techpriests/Techmarines working for/with it. So here's what I've been thinking: a handful of Ad Mech magi and their underlings serve as the warhost's Mechanicum. In list terms, this means Codex Space Marines for me -

HQ
Master of the Forge w/Conversion Beamer (possibly on Bike/daemonic contraption counting as a bike)
Master of the Forge w/Conversion Beamer (possibly on Bike/daemonic contraption counting as a bike)

Elites
(Venerable) Dreadnought w/Assault Cannon
(Venerable) Dreadnought w/TL autos
(Venerable) Dreadnought w/Lascannon & Missile Launcher

Troops
Here is where I'm undecided. Do I go with extremely mechanically enhanced troops and use the Tactical Squad profile, or do I use Skitarii types with the Scout profile? For the moment, I've decided on the former
Tactical Squad w/Missile Launcher, Flamer
--Rhino
Tactical Squad w/Missile Launcher, Flamer
--Rhino
Tactical Squad w/Missile Launcher, Flamer
--Rhino

Heavy Support
Can take advantage of the Masters of the Forge here and use even more Dreadnoughts, or go all-out with more Techmarines manning Thunderfires (Daemon-cannons, in my case)
Thunderfire
Thunderfire
Thunderfire

All considered, this list should weigh in around 1700-1800. In an 1850 tourney, there wouldn't be much else to it, and maybe some cuts/swaps. In a 2000 tourney, would have some room for some Fast Attack (bikes?) or more Troops. How does one flesh out the list, or pare it down/hone it for effectiveness, without losing the Techmarine-inspired/Ad Mech feel? What about (counts-as) Ironclads?

[bentley cat]

ive been thinking of starting an ad mec army myself, but i was thinking of using the grey knight codex, with all the cool combinations for inquisitor retinues and random wargear it seems like a good basis for a force, however im not entirely happy about power armour so was thinking a coteaz build would give me the chance to have my cake and eat it.

im only in the early planning stage at the mo so i will be keeping a close eye on things,

[Ozendorph]

GK Codex could be very nice. Coteaz would be the way to go imo, with various arcane or experimental wargear explaining psychic powers. It makes Skitarii squads easy, provides a diverse selection of unusual troop types, and plenty of big nasty machines - including Dreadknights, which could be modeled in many creepy admech ways

[Finn]

GK Codex could be very nice. Coteaz would be the way to go imo, with various arcane or experimental wargear explaining psychic powers. It makes Skitarii squads easy, provides a diverse selection of unusual troop types, and plenty of big nasty machines - including Dreadknights, which could be modeled in many creepy admech ways

Oh, definitely...I was planning to buy a bunch of Defiler hulls from the Warstore, and maybe find or make some legs somewhere, for my evil Dreadnoughts... Could be very mean-looking, am basically thinking of an upright version of a model TDA has in his project log.

[grey knights rock]

Grey knights could work, but It would definitly have to be converted or people would nerd rage on you. I think its a really cool idea though. model your own counts as corteaze with techmarine or techpriest, and use seritor squads with tons of dreds. imagine 6 dreds with 2 plasma cannon toting servitor squads moving up the field. verrryyy nice.

[Finn]

Grey knights could work, but It would definitly have to be converted or people would nerd rage on you. I think its a really cool idea though. model your own counts as corteaze with techmarine or techpriest, and use seritor squads with tons of dreds. imagine 6 dreds with 2 plasma cannon toting servitor squads moving up the field. verrryyy nice.

You, sir, have made me rethink my project idea. I will have to take a closer look at the GK rules.

[Dr.Clock]

GK techmarines can also be utilized to decent effect methinks...

When I was list writing for a prospective project, I had one techmarine with rad grenades for a close assault unit (deathcult/gladiators/crusaders) and one with an orbital relay to camp with the jokaero/servitors/acolytes.

I'd stay awat from actual GK units as much as possible...

My personal take on the list would be something like:

Coteaz

Karamazov

Techmarine - rad/blind grenades - 3 servo-skulls

Techmarine - 3 servo-skulls - orbital relay

Venerable dread - psyfleman

Troops:

2x11 henchmen: 3 arcos, 4 crusaders, 4 deathcult

12 henchmen: 2 jokaero, 4 servitors (MM), 4 acolytes (storm-bolters), 2 crusaders

12 henchmen: 2 jokaero, 2 crusaders, 8 acolytes (storm-bolters, 2 plasma-guns)

2x12 henchmen: Jokaero, 2 crusaders, 9 acolytes (storm-bolters, 2 flamers, 2 melta-guns)

6x inq. chimeras

2x psyflemen

Dreadknight

Cheers,

The Good Doctor.

[grey knights rock]

I think something like corteaz modeled as a tech priest with the servo arm counting as his thunderhammer. have another ordo malleus Inquisitor with similar load out, also a techpriest. Could also have an ordo xenos with a conversion beamer. SO MANY CHOICES!

[Agriss]

Hello fellow Ad-Mechites,

I have recently found the grey knight codex to be an infallable source of counts-as for admech players. The codex has many types of list, and with suitable alternatives for many types of units found in the adeptus mechanicus, you can make anything from a sagitarii maniple to a maniple explorator force.

These are all the correlations i have found with the two armies:

Magos/Archmagos-Inquisitor-Has access to Conversion Beamer and other Archeotech

Preatorians-Acolytes in Carapace-The main fighting force of the Adeptus Mechanicus ( note skiitarii refers to all troops types)

Protectors-Crusaders,DCA,Arco-Flaggelants-These figures are designated to protect important characters in an Ad-Mech army.

Sagittarii-Purgation Squad-Sagittarii are the Heavy weapon troops of the Ad-Mech, composing of a half equine half humanoid form.

Electro Preists-Purifiers- The Cleansing Flame ability perfectly represents the discharge ability, and also the 3+ save can be represented by heavy bionics.

Battleknights-Nemesis Dreadknights-The Battleknights would carry more portable versions of starndard tank weapons, and so the heavy psycannon and gatling psylencer emulate this perfectly.

more to come...

[Agriss]

And so, whit all this in mind, here is my 1000 pts Admech List:

HQ

Magos Aphrati (Coteaz) 100 Pts

Archmaogs Phathalos (Ordo Xenos Inquisitor) 95 Pts

Hammerhand
Force Weapon
Conversion Beamer

TROOPS

Protector Bodyguard Maniple(Henchmen) 125 Pts

4 "Crusader" Assualt Servitors (Crusaders)
+
Maniple Explorator (Chimera)

Heavy Bolter
Heavy Bolter
Hunter Killer Missile

Preatorian Maniple Alpha(Henchmen) 131 Pts

7 Preatorians with MKII Gyro-Bolters (Acolytes with Carapace and Storm Bolters)
3 Preatorians with Plasma Cutters (Acolytes with Carapace and Plasma Guns)

Preatorian Maniple Beta(Henchmen) 131 Pts

7 Preatorians with MKII Gyro-Bolters (Acolytes with Carapace and Storm Bolters)
3 Preatorians with Thermal Cutters (Acolytes with Carapace and Melta Guns)

Preatorian Maniple Gamma(Henchmen) 131 Pts

7 Preatorians with MKII Gyro-Bolters (Acolytes with Carapace and Storm Bolters)
3 Preatorians with Thermal Cutters (Acolytes with Carapace and Melta Guns)

HEAVY SUPPORT

Myrmadon Assualt Engine(Dreadnought) 135 Pts

Twin-Linked Autocannon
Twin-Linked Autocannon
Psybolt Ammo

Myrmadon Assualt Engine(Dreadnought) 135 Pts

Twin-Linked Autocannon
Twin-Linked Autocannon
Psybolt Ammo

[Crimson Templar]

I may have to buy the Grey knight codex just to check this out. My marine army is almost complete and I was thinking of trying something a little differetn next. Thanks for the inspiration guys!

[Agriss]

I have also found that Karamazov fits the idea of a very resilient Archmagos very well, whilst this statline prehaps representing his extreme bionics and his bubble of morale as his venerated status. By any means neccesary may also reflect the mechanicus's beleif in not questioning the judgement of the ancients.

I am currently converting a technomagos to work as him. If you do take Karamazov, take him with a unit of 4 crusaders for some 3+ invuln love.

[Finn]

I had completely forgotten about Karamazov's potential as an extremely large bionic man.

I don't have the codex handy to look at the moment - how does he compare to his Witch Hunters incarnation? Better/worse?

That doesn't look like a bad list at all...sort of IG (the Praetorians) meets Space Marines (the IQ and dreads). Which is pretty much how I imagine Ad Mech playing in my head.

And for renegade Ad Mech, psybolts couldn't be more perfect . I think you may have sold me on the rules to use for my Dark Mechanicus army.

[zealot!]

Coteaz GK list allows for knight titans (dreadknights) and skitarii very nicely.

[Agriss]

Karamazov's statline is as follows:

WS 4
BS 4
S 5
T 5
W 4
I 3/4
LD 10

He also has a 12" morale "fail or make" bubble, and may centre his orbital strike relay oover and freindly model, but not neccesarily the centre of the model, merely the template*.He also has a master-crafted multi melta, but no invuln. so run him with crusaders.

Agriss Out.

[bebe]

I'll share my list with you. I have been thinking this for the last week and am now just starting to slowly conver and paint it up. I actually posted it on ,are GK idiot proof' as a silly list but then realized it had the potential to be an AD-mech force. So I'm now working on it.

1500 - Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator Force

HQ - Torquemada Coteaz. 100 (Magos Explorator)
HQ - Xenos Inquisitor. - Rad Grenades - Psychostroke Grenade - Hammerhand - Force Sword - Power Armour - Needle Pistol - Servo-skull. 112 (Archmagos Explorator)
TR - TR - 8x Warrior Acolyte - 3x Meltaguns - 5 Hot Shot Lasguns - All Carapace Armor - Chimera - Heavy Flamer - Multi-Laser. 164 (Skitarii in Maniple Explorator)
TR - TR - 8x Warrior Acolyte - 3x Meltaguns - 5 Hot Shot Lasguns - All Carapace Armor - Chimera - Heavy Flamer - Multi-Laser. 164 (Skitarii in Maniple Explorator)
TR - 5x DCA - 3x Crusaders. 135 (Explorator Assault Cadre)
TR - 5x DCA - 3x Crusaders. 135 (Explorator Assault Cadre)
FA - Stormraven Assault Carrier - TL Multi-melta - TL Assault Cannon - Psybolt Ammunition. 210 (Chariot of Omnissiah)
FA - Stormraven Assault Carrier - TL Multi-melta - TL Assault Cannon - Psybolt Ammunition. 210 (Chariot of Omnissiah)
HS - Dreadnought - 2x TL Autocannons - Psybolt Ammunition. 135 (Styges-Pattern War Robot)
HS - Dreadnought - 2x TL Autocannons - Psybolt Ammunition. 135 (Styges-Pattern War Robot)

KPs - 12
Models - 40
Scoring - 4

Colors - rust red grey with black, silver, copper accents
Insignia - grey and off white skull cog symbol

Now this is still a project that is half completed and not fully tested on the table top.

[Finn]

Coteaz GK list allows for knight titans (dreadknights) and skitarii very nicely.

Eh, Knight Titans should be superheavies with 2 SP IMO. Dreadknights can just be a kind of servitor-dreadnought.

Also, I'm not sold on the worthiness of including Hot Shot Lasguns. Couldn't you just spend the points on more useful/durable upgrades elsewhere?

[bebe]

To be honest stormbolters are superior. I can get better resukts from six stormbolters than 5 lasguns overall. Better range and better gainst troops IN cover which is common enough. Lasguns outdo stormbolters if you get Meqs out of cover.

But you want fluff no? Skitarii would have carapace and hot shots.

[Finn]

Why not just regular lasguns? I mean I get that Ad Mech has access to good tech, but I see the "regular Joe" troops having basic equipment still... Lexicanum has been (one of?) the only source(s) I've been able to find that has a decent amount of info on what an Ad Mech army might look like, aside from project logs.
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Skitarii

From a gaming standpoint though, I don't think I can resist the 1 point upgrade to bolters. I'm kind of a Johnny, I like to play at least a semi-competitive list .