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robots robots robots


jimbo1701

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Hi folks,

 

My pre-heresy luna wolves (using chaos codex) are nearing completion and as a nice quirk I thought I would include a robot maniple in the list. In my planned army I have an elite slot free still (although I could try to free up a heavy slot if needed) So, I need advice from the resident experts (you guys) on how best to represent them on the tabletop. So, here are my thoughts:

 

Model - I thought about the 5 types of robot and the one I like the best is the colossus. Only problem is with the height, as it fits on a 40mm base nicely. (of course this depends on whether or not it's best to use dreadnought or oblit rules. If I went with Oblit rules it would be fine size wise to pick up an old model or two, whereas it'd need to be bigger (and perhaps have an enginseer on the base too) if using dreadnought rules. A scratchbuild doesn't look too tricky in that case as the colossus is quite basic. Also, the robot is in scale with the old school dreads and so an update/upscale should be ok.

 

Rules - I think the dreadnought works quite nicely and represents the durabilty and skills of a robot nicely. In the case of the colossus, the DCCW represents the hammer arm and other arm with TL bolters, while the other weapon (non-DCCW) is the back mounted cannon. The crazed rule represents the chance of the machine spirit rebelling (?). With the oblits, the armour save/wounds make them fairly resiliant and the DS rules represent the mechanicus deployment. They are fearless and have a PF, yet the strength would be a bit lower than the Dreads. Cons to this are that they would take up a currently occupied slot and the fact that the weapons can keep changing at random (unless I choose to disadvantage myself by only using one weapon all game for fluff). Plus they aren't vehicles, and well, robots are.

 

So, those are my ideas. ALl input greatly appreciated. I think the dread is the better choice and though a scratchbuild is more effort it's a lot less expense.

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How about a Robot is equiv to two terminators? Model it with 2 40MM bases to represent each robot (maybe one is teh main body, one is a controller..) but LOS, combat etc from both is speretae? This degrades the performence of teh Robot as it takes damage, can give it multiple weapons (Reaper, Combi, Heavy FLamer etc) and a decent CC attack as well as no craziness...

My DIY Chaos Marine warband has a maniple of Dark Mechanicus robots. Or will, as soon as I get around to them. This afternoon I was fooling around and came up with a "proof of concept" that is WIP. I just had to get this far to get the idea out of my head so I could go back to my painting, so this is as far as it will go for a while. At least until I get the money to start bits-ordering the weapons for it.

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j91/montismo/darkmechrobot-001.jpg

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j91/montismo/darkmechrobot-002.jpg

 

The idea is that the platform in the middle will house the weaponry, and it will be able to spin around the axis to bring which particular weapon it wants to use to bear. I'm using the Obliterator rules because what I wanted was a cool way to include a unit that had a model I didn't like, and because mutant freaks don't really fit with my theme.

 

I don't know much about the Legio Cybernetica, but I'm thinking these would be something along the lines of the "Cataphract" class?

 

This model is slightly taller than my newer Terminators, but I don't mind that so much. I think it will look cool once it's got GS on the legs, the proper weapons bits added to the platform and is fully painted. I plan to have three for one maniple.

Hi folks,

 

Thanks for the replies

 

@Hemal, I'm not sure I like the idea of using terminators so much, as apart from avoiding instant death (and the slot difference) I think Oblits do the same thing but better. Gives me something to think about

 

@pueriexdeus, Looked up the rules, seems they run with 5 for most stats except Ld (10), attacks (1,2 or 3 depending on the size class) and wounds, which vary between 1, 5 and 10 depending on the robot size. Although these rules are quite outdated, they give the impression that a large robot is a dreadnought equivalent, with a small/medium robot being an oblit equivalent.

 

Can't decide whether the dreadnought crazy rule is unfluffy for a robot or not - aren't they less fallible than a dreadnought would be?

  • 2 weeks later...

Model wise the worlds your oyster as they say, I chose to stay very robotic with mine

 

http://darkstarpainting.co.uk/assets/photos/40K/robots/cc_robot_R_350.jpg

 

As to rules , if using the CSM codex, I think your best option would be obliterators; but 'fix' your weapons options before the game, rather than using teh morphing rules, which wouldn't fit IMO. I don't think a dready really fits with the fluff of a robot myself, but that's just my 2 pence.

As to rules , if using the CSM codex, I think your best option would be obliterators; but 'fix' your weapons options before the game, rather than using teh morphing rules, which wouldn't fit IMO. I don't think a dready really fits with the fluff of a robot myself, but that's just my 2 pence.

 

Another option would be to have lots of guns.. but have them pull double or triple duty for multiple modes:

Give it a double barrelled plasma weapon slightly larger than a regular plasma gun: high-power mode = plasma cannon, low-power mode = tl plasma gun

Multi-Melta: high-power mode = Multi-Melta, low-power narrow beam = TL Meltagun, low-power wide beam = TL *flamer

Lascannon = Lascannon

 

* there is canon precedent for this, in 2nd edition marine dreadnought multi-meltas had two fire modes: narrow beam where you treated it as a multi-melta and wide-beam in which case you treated it as a heavy flamer.

 

Can't decide whether the dreadnought crazy rule is unfluffy for a robot or not - aren't they less fallible than a dreadnought would be?

Depends on the condition of the robots sensors and the condition of the allied troops IFF markings/transponders.

 

The RT robot damage chart had several results that could lead to friendly fire.

Hi folks,

 

Thanks for the replies

 

@Hemal, I'm not sure I like the idea of using terminators so much, as apart from avoiding instant death (and the slot difference) I think Oblits do the same thing but better. Gives me something to think about

 

@pueriexdeus, Looked up the rules, seems they run with 5 for most stats except Ld (10), attacks (1,2 or 3 depending on the size class) and wounds, which vary between 1, 5 and 10 depending on the robot size. Although these rules are quite outdated, they give the impression that a large robot is a dreadnought equivalent, with a small/medium robot being an oblit equivalent.

 

Can't decide whether the dreadnought crazy rule is unfluffy for a robot or not - aren't they less fallible than a dreadnought would be?

I cant really say; by my recollection robots need an operator, or they need specific binary and/or programming. I could be thinking about a different game system though. If an operator is used then they are subject to human foibles. If they are programed then they follow it even if its been compromised by the current mission actions.

There were two sets of rules for Robots, the one in the RT rulebook was fairly simple: you had to write down where the robot would move several turns in advance - the lower the intelligence the earlier you had to write it down, intelligence also determined how big the robots fire arc was when shooting. The more advanced rules published in WD and reprinted in the RT Compendium replaced that system with an actual program system eg: "Enemy in range? Yes = Goto A, No = Goto B" there were four sample programs and full rules for creating your own. The army lists required a techmarine or techpriest for every robot maniple (as well as every Land Raider, Land Speeder and Dreadnought) but it had no actual in-game effect.

You know... I've been contemplating this same thing over the last week. Was thinking about starting a Desert Lion's strike-force and it makes mention of some Legio Cybernetica being honorary marines. Cool eh?

 

Anywho, would These Guys make convincing robots with a little Green Stuff and a decent paintjob? Lemme know what ya think.

 

=]D[=

Anywho, would These Guys make convincing robots with a little Green Stuff and a decent paintjob? Lemme know what ya think.

I agree, but do you also feel disappointed that Games Workshop EPIC FAILed to design Skitarii models (System Troopers seem perfect for this role) or battle tanks that do NOT look like mobile coffins to a 21th century soldier (something like the Ironside, NOT the T-35's bastard child)?

Anywho, would These Guys make convincing robots with a little Green Stuff and a decent paintjob? Lemme know what ya think.

I agree, but do you also feel disappointed that Games Workshop EPIC FAILed to design Skitarii models (System Troopers seem perfect for this role) or battle tanks that do NOT look like mobile coffins to a 21th century soldier (something like the Ironside, NOT the T-35's bastard child)?

Ah, the T-35 a venerable rolling fortress. After looking through the models offered up I would have to say (IMO) that the the Kolony figs are just a little too Chaosy/Orkish to fit into a Mechanicus them. The System Troopers seem more streamlined as I would imagine Skitarri to be. But then thats why there are Cadians and the Kasrkins. JMO

Actually you should read Dan Abnett's "TITANICUS ". It describes the Skitari as being fearsome bio-enhanced warriors whose armor and weapons is surgically added. Grafted armor plates and sensors are part of the warrior's body and his hellgun replaces one of his arms. He goes on to describe that they are made this way to terrify and unsettle their foes.

 

But this could just be the Skitari of the Titan Legions?..... Wait... No the forges in that book had them too...

 

=]D[=

Also in the latest Ultramarines novel the skitari are described as bestial and yet have a lot of implants keeping them controlled, the leader has to ask for

Magos Locard's permission to be released before he can actually start fighting.

 

Personally in my headh I'm imagining a guy about space marine height with a load of implants and scars and rough armour.

Ah, the T-35 a venerable rolling fortress.

Personally, I was hoping Games Workshop would give the Imperium something like the Panther medium tank of WW2, or at least the Black Prince prototype. The sponsons are SO 1917, unable to elevate sufficiently to engage... say, a Tau Piranha, or a traitor sniper in a clock tower... with the whole damn tank being in the way when they have to engage something on the other side.

do you know these :

http://idata.over-blog.com/1/17/71/49/Blight-wheel/32069_120909737947976_100000868508282_112300_5083092_n.jpg

http://idata.over-blog.com/1/17/71/49/Blight-wheel/Bot-A-options.jpg

 

based on 40mm.

 

very cool in obliterator choice or like terminator too, personalty I use their in a chaos army like obliterator but I don't use teleport.

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...

Didn't go with my original concept, but I think I've come up with a workable solution for Legio Cybernetica robots that is dead simple and uses a GW base:

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j91/montismo/oblit-robot-wip-002.jpg

 

Cut a notch out of a Terminator torso and trim a Defiler head to fit in there, stick square tubing where the arms should be, cover them with Dreadnought shin-guards and hang whatever heavy weaponry you like from them. It's got a robot look and a Mechanicus look with the shoulders and the way the weapons hang.

  • 4 weeks later...

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