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How are Mechanicus doing? I'm planning to start an AM army


BolterZorro

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Hi,

As I already grab several little things from here and there (3 TP Dominus , 2 TP Enginseers, 5 sprues Skitarii (=50 mini) ) I'm planning to expand AM to full army with 2 battleforce AM next month: which will give me 4 robots, 2 dunecrawlers and 2 units of infiltrators (love them). (and more skitarii and 2 more >TPE). I'll add Cawl just because...you know, fantastic mini.

 

As for my primaris army, I'll add from time to time:

- 3 custodes captains on bike (no need for dragons then ;-)) )

- or some IK (got plenty castellant, 3 wardens magnetized, 5 armigers (3 WG+ 2 H)

 

So, I have some questions:

 

1- how are doing mechanicus actually?

 

2- Has someone tried AM+3 captains jetbike custodes?

 

3- what is a good association with IK, welll...without making IK the main part ;-)

 

4- with what I have in AM, what should be the next purchase for pure AM? (but that won't be before CA!!!!)

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1- I'd say Mechanicus are one of the more nasty pure armies out there, they don't seem to be topping the meta that much though because things like Guard Batteries, Smash Captains and Raven Castellan's have been all the rage lately. However Skitarii are a pretty effective core troops choice with solid firepower for a reasonable cost. Onager Dunecrawlers and Sydonian Dragoons are both solid choices as well. However for sheer firepower Kataphron Servitors with Heavy Grav Cannons and Kastellan robots with triple phosphor blasters put down a base of fire that is quite formidable. Backed up by a Castellan or some Onagers with Neutron lasers to delete armor, Cawl for re-rolls and repairs they can be quite tough to deal with. There are several AM players at my local shop who usually steamroll anyone they are playing through sheer weight of fire, sometimes they manage a win without a single loss, it can be rather nuts.

But that depends on your local meta.

2- Anything plus three Jetbike Shield-Captains is going to be annoying for an opponent to deal with. With a 14" move, 2+/4++ or 3++ with either of a couple relics, maybe even a 5+ FNP at T6 and 7 wounds yes Jetbike Captains are really nasty characters. However at that point your getting a bit towards competitive soup and so if your local meta isn't very competitive this strategy likely won't win you many friends.

 

3- Any Knight pairs pretty well with Mechanicus. Big, tough, stompy, Knights can be a great fire-magnet to distract an enemy while Skitarii, robots and servitors pump out shots turn after turn. A Gallant gives you a potent assault element to complement a shooty AM army, a Paladin or Warden can provide some light armor/heavy infantry wrecking firepower and soak up some damage, an Errant can give you some close ranged anti armor, a preceptor + a couple Armigers makes for a nice mobile reserve. A Valiant can be a nasty protection from assault with it's big flamer and a Castellan is just an all around devastating anti-armor monster. If you don't want to build around Knights then I'd suggest picking one that complements your AM list and sticking to that. Or go for a minimum Knight lance with one Questoris/Dominus and two Armigers.

4- Well you have more than enough Skitarii, more than I'd ever probably use. As for what you could add it depends on what you want the list to do. Either a few more robots to make for a very serious Kastellan firebase, Kataphrons if you'd prefer to move in that direction, they pair well with a couple strats particularly the one that replenishes a depleted unit. Even another Onager might not hurt.

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thank you for this superb wall of information.

 

TBH, the 3 jetbike captains are here to fill a hole that AM has (like the primaris): fast, versatile heavy hitter. (smash captain has the same role but I don't like the mini, and LOVE the custodes bikes)

Add to this that it is by far the less expensive (in €€££$$ ) 500pts you can get (one box and you're done). In all cases , they will be added to my collection.

 

Skitarii: I know that I have more than I'll use....but, when you do at least, 3 or 4 rangers units, and same for vanguards, you already spend 40 or 50 minis :wink:

 

1- By the way, I discovered the 2 other infantry options at FW: the hoplite and the 'don'tremember".

How are they performing?

 

2- 4 robots seems nice. But you suggest 6. Isn't it a bit too much or is it a real interesting choice? (using 6 unit or 2x3 units? or else? or having more , like 2x4?)

 

3- cataphron: honnestly, I really like the miniatures but how many  should I take? and it'd be safer to wait for the CA because I've read that it is expensive for what it gives.

 

4- dragons: they suffer from 2 things: super £$€ expensive (and pain to build). And I feel like it is redundant with some other options like custode captains bikes or armigers. What is your point of view?

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I have to agree with Vash here.

 

Custodes + Ad Mech + Knights is in danger of drifting very close to competitive net list territory. One of the most common competitive lists in existence right now essentially just switches your Ad Mech for Astra Militarium.

 

Now, there's nothing innately wrong with this - I certainly wouldn't call anyone out on anything they want to field personally - but be aware that there is a significant element of the community that could start dusting off their 'that guy/WAAC' placards, pitchforks etc in response to this kind of soup setup. 

 

It'll be less of an issue of course if your local groups are pretty competitive themselves.

 

The FW options of Hoplites and Peltasts are both really pretty good. Hoplites are quite tanky units, and have something of a niche in terms of their role so get taken more often. Peltasts overlap somewhat with Vanguard and aren't favoured quite so much because of this. I believe personally that their flexibility does make them superior to standard Vanguard, but with the costs involved (primarily in terms of $$$$) in fielding them, I think most people don't bother as the benefits aren't seen as enough to warrant them.

 

The big issue with both, is the inability to benefit from canticles. This is a bit silly really, and though I wouldn't expect it, I also wouldn't be super surprised to see this added in future via CA or something. 

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An allied crusader wit termal/gatling and the 4++ trait is a solid option.

I've already recommended the bikes which would go nicely with the knight. The mechanicum could bring lots of obsec bodies

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Stray makes some good points, I'll just also add my bit on your second set of questions.

1- Secutarii Hoplites and Peltasts are not terrible, their rules are actually decent, the Peltasts aren't really all that more useful than Skitarii Rangers or Vanguard but the Hoplites make for a pretty damage soaky choice. However these are Secutarii, not Skitarii, they do not mesh well with the Adeptus Mechanicus rules and do not benefit from Canticles because they are not Tech Guard, they are Titan Guard and are meant to escort Titans.

2- I have generally seen my local AM players typically running big units of 4-6 robots when they run them. You can split fire in the unit all you want in 8th so there isn't much reason to split the unit. Bigger units will have less issue with morale and will make the most of strategems. Similarly with the Kataphrons, I usually see larger squads than more smaller ones.

3- As I just mentioned with the Kastellan's I usually see a few large squads than many smaller squads. As for cost effectiveness yes they might drop in points, however I think currently Kataphron Destroyers with Heavy Grav Cannons are pretty well priced for their effectiveness.

 

4- Sydonian Dragoons benefit from Canticles and Dragoons in a way that Shield Captains and Armigers do not. They are fast, reliable and hit like a truck. Honestly if you want to seem less cheesy and promote more synergy in your army I'd recommend trying out some Dragoons over the Shield Captains.
 

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3- As I just mentioned with the Kastellan's I usually see a few large squads than many smaller squads. As for cost effectiveness yes they might drop in points, however I think currently Kataphron Destroyers with Heavy Grav Cannons are pretty well priced for their effectiveness.

 

4- Sydonian Dragoons benefit from Canticles and Dragoons in a way that Shield Captains and Armigers do not. They are fast, reliable and hit like a truck. Honestly if you want to seem less cheesy and promote more synergy in your army I'd recommend trying out some Dragoons over the Shield Captains.

 

Yeah, I know, for the last part....but as I said, for both ££$$€€ and points reasons, it'll be later, after CA at least.

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Stray makes some good points, I'll just also add my bit on your second set of questions.

 

1- Secutarii Hoplites and Peltasts are not terrible, their rules are actually decent, the Peltasts aren't really all that more useful than Skitarii Rangers or Vanguard but the Hoplites make for a pretty damage soaky choice. However these are Secutarii, not Skitarii, they do not mesh well with the Adeptus Mechanicus rules and do not benefit from Canticles because they are not Tech Guard, they are Titan Guard and are meant to escort Titans.

Close, but a bit of a small misunderstanding here. Secutarii gain access to Canticles, but they do not benefit from the Forge World specific traits and stratagems.

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Stray makes some good points, I'll just also add my bit on your second set of questions.

 

1- Secutarii Hoplites and Peltasts are not terrible, their rules are actually decent, the Peltasts aren't really all that more useful than Skitarii Rangers or Vanguard but the Hoplites make for a pretty damage soaky choice. However these are Secutarii, not Skitarii, they do not mesh well with the Adeptus Mechanicus rules and do not benefit from Canticles because they are not Tech Guard, they are Titan Guard and are meant to escort Titans.

Close, but a bit of a small misunderstanding here. Secutarii gain access to Canticles, but they do not benefit from the Forge World specific traits and stratagems.

 

hey, been thinking of this recently; do they get the benefit of a tech priest nearby?

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