30k Vehicle/Automata Concepts - The Manufactorum

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Well, theoretically, yeah - but because the Caelus was built utilising (incomplete) designs for the Hunter stolen from Mars by a rival Forge World, it would never actually be called such

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Just a quick idea I had about a type of sentry gun specialized for Legion deployments utilizing drop pod assault, where it can provide rapid-deployment point defense. Pretty similar to the Deathstorm, but less of an indiscriminate area-denial weapon (the flare shield is to protect the weapon systems during atmospheric entry).

ARCHANGEL SENTRY CLAW: (Fast Attack)

Archangel Sentry Claw: BS: 4 Armour: 12/12/12 HP: 3

Unit Composition:

• 1-3 Sentry Claws

Unit Type:

• Vehicle

Wargear:

• Quad heavy bolter
• Flare shield

Special Rules:

• Deep Strike
• Immobile
• Inertial Guidance System
• Heat Blast (Deep Strike)

Options:

• Any Archangel Sentry Claw may exchange its quad heavy bolter for one of the following:

- Twin-linked multi-melta

- Two twin-linked autocannon

- Twin-linked Kheres assault cannon

- Quad lascannon

• All Archangel Sentry Claws in the unit may take:

- Drop Pod Assault special rule

Edited April 9, 2015 by Iron Hands Fanatic

[Daemon2027]

Had to be Night Lords, 'yeah drop the big chunk of metal with the Kheres assault cannons in, right there, the children's hospital'.

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Just wanted to note this down so I have a record for future reference.

 

MATARAX COHORT:

 

Basically the idea is to round out the Thallax / Ursurax grouping with a heavy support version inspired by this:

http://www.belloflostsouls.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/10373_md-Artwork-Copyright-Games-Workshop-Gothic-And-The-Eldrich-Jes-Goodwin.jpg

 

Basically, it'd be similar rules-wise to the Thallax, with the following changes:

*Heavy Support

*Replace Jet Pack Infantry with Infantry

*Add Relentless & Fusillade Attack (from Myrmidon) special rules

*Initial weaponry replaced by Eviscerator Autocannon & Maxim Bolter

*Any Matarax can exchange Maxim Bolter for: Volkite Caliver / Graviton Gun

*Any Matarax can exchange Eviscerator Autocannon for: Phase Plasma-Fusil / Photon Thruster / Conversion Beamer

*Add Skitarii Cognis special rule for the secondary weapon (Maxim / replacement)?

[Atia]

i can see the Matarax find their way in our HHH Cult Mechanicus list in May :P

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Hopefully by then I'll have done some artwork to finalize how their aesthetic ties in with the Thallax

[Daemon2027]

The above sounds cool. I like the idea of more based around the Thallax.

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Again, another case of just wanting to get stuff down, nothing set in concrete, but here's one of a few Legion specific units I've had ideas for - what do y'all think?

 

SONS OF HORUS LYCUS SEEKER SQUAD [FAST ATTACK]:

 

With the expansion of the XVI^th Legion that occured following the incorporation of Cthonia into the Imperium's fold, the culture and traditions of the planet's tribal populace gradually precipitated throughout the Luna Wolves, and later Sons of Horus Legion as more of its recruits were drawn from the Cthonian gangs, an effect which was much amplified by the formation of the Warrior Lodges. One example of this cultural integration was the incorporation of the Cthonian Mongrel into the Legion's array of axiliary forces, originally used by Cthonian Headhunter formations for patrol and search-and-rescue operations, but quickly accepted by lower ranking line officers within the Legion proper as symbols of status and guard dogs.

 

The result of generations of breeding between multiple sub-species of canine predators of various origin, the Cthonian Mongrel was a considerable asset in the all encompassing gang-wars of the Cthonian tribes, a voracious predator as much used to instill fear as to inflict lethal wounds upon rival gang members. The beasts that were first recorded being used by Seeker squads of the XVI^th Legion within the ash-shrouded ruins of Isstvan III were a monstrous development of the original stock, genhanced and cybernetically augmented to provide an obedient servant which could track their prey within terrain and conditions which would decieve all but the most powerful of sensory cogitators. Widely adopted by a number of seeker formations after the outbreak of the Heresy, reports of the beasts grew increasingly disturbing as the conflict grew, often attributed to increasingly deranged genetic manipulation, although suggestions of darker forces at work were never uncommon.

 

Lycus Huntmaster:   WS: 4   BS: 4   S: 4   T: 4   W: 1   I: 4   A: 2   Ld: 9   Sv: 3+

Lycus Seeker:           WS: 4   BS: 4   S: 4   T: 4   W: 1   I: 4   A: 1   Ld: 8   Sv: 3+

Cthonian Mongrel:   WS: 3   BS: 1   S: 4   T: 3   W: 1   I: 5   A: 2   Ld: 3(6)   Sv: 6+

 

Unit Composition:

* 1 Lycus Huntmaster

* 4 Lycus Seekers

* 5 Cthonian Mongrels

 

Unit Type:

* Lycus Huntmaster: Infantry (Character)

* Lycus Seeker: Infantry

* Cthonian Mongrel: Infantry

 

Wargear (Huntmaster and Seekers):

* Power Armour

* Space marine shotgun

* Chainsword or combat blade

* Frag and krak grenades

 

Wargear (Cthonian Mongrel):

* Close Combat weapon

 

Special Rules (Huntmaster and Seekers):

* Legiones Astartes (Sons of Horus)

* Scout

* Fleet

 

Special Rules (Cthonian Mongrels):

* Fleet

* Furious Charge

* Shred

* Hammer of Wrath

* Bestial

* Leashed Predator

 

Bestial:

Units containing more than one model with this rule may never voluntarily Go To Ground, and additionally must always Consolidate towards the nearest enemy unit they are able to harm after winning an assault.

 

Leashed Predator:

Cthonian Mongrels in a unit which contains at least one model with the Legiones Astartes (Sons of Horus) Special Rule increase their Leadership value to 6. Additionally, if a unit contains more Cthonian Mongrel models than it does models with the Legiones Astartes (Sons of Horus) Special Rule, it may only make disordered charges.

 

Options:

* The Lycus Seeker squad may take:

- Up to 5 additional Lycus Seekers

- Up to 5 additional Cthonian Mongrels

* The entire squad (excluding the Cthonian Mongrels) may take combat shields

* Any Lycus Seeker may exchange their Space marine shotgun for one of the following:

- Bolt pistol

- Hand flamer

* Any Lycus Seeker may exchange their chainsword / combat blade for one of the following:

- Chainaxe

- Heavy chainsword

* The Lycus Huntmaster may exchange their Space marine shotgun for one of the following:

- Bolt pistol

- Hand flamer

- Plasma pistol

- Volkite serpenta

- Volkite charger

* The Lycus Huntmaster may exchange their chainsword / combat blade for one of the following:

- Chainaxe

- Heavy chainsword

- Power weapon

- Single lightning claw

* Alternatively, the Lycus Huntmaster may exchange both their chainsword / combat blade and bolt pistol for:

- Pair of lightning claws

* The Lycus Huntmaster may also take any of the following options:

- Melta bombs

- Artificer armour

 

Dark Pacts:

* If the army also contains at least one Librarian Consul, any unit of Lycus Seekers may give all Cthonian Mongrels the Daemon Special Rule

Edited April 22, 2015 by Iron Hands Fanatic

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Just wanted to do a quick update to outline what I'll be doing on here & my generic HH design thread over the next few months:

 

Unfortunately, the rate of updates will probably take a bit of a nose-dive - partially due to exams over the next few months, so I'm gonna have to be focussing on my degree to a greater extent; and also because I'll hopefully be investing in some new graphics hardware - namely a graphics tablet which will allow me to do more hands-on artwork digitally, which will expand the sort of designs I can make.

 

This'll be perfect for stuff like the Lycus Seekers, where I hope to do concept sketches very similar in style to those found in the FW HH books (e.g the artwork pages for the SoH Reavers). Obviously this'll take some practive to familiarise myself with the new equipment - hence the decrease in output - but the end results should expand the sort of unit designs I'm able to do, allow me to do some more general HH art, and generally speed up the whole process.

 

Anyway, thanks for looking, and I'll leave you with a list of stuff that I'm planning once the new hardware is in place:

*Design sketches for the Matarax (which'll get a full unit profile) & Lycos Seekers

*A unit profile & sketches for a Night Lords specialist breacher unit, which uses flamers & modified grenade harnesses to deploy a 40k version of Scarecrow's Fear Toxin

*A unit profile & sketches for an Iron Warriors specialist mortar tactical support squad

*A unit profile & sketches for a Legio Cybernetica techpriest 'warframe' which allows the adepts to accompany their charges into battle with similarly devastating weaponry

*Sketches & character protraits for a number of existing but relatively unexplored characters, including:

- Gabriel Santar

- Julius Kaesoron

[Atia]

 

*Sketches & character protraits for a number of existing but relatively unexplored characters, including:

- Gabriel Santar

- Julius Kaesoron

uhhhh, i can't wait for this^^ (and some colour art for Legio Fureans Skitarii/Automata would still be cool if you have the spare time in the next months :P)

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Artwork for the Lycus Seekers:

[note: it's not quite at full res, but the uploader is limited to 2 Megabytes per image]

Edited April 26, 2015 by Iron Hands Fanatic

[1ncarnadine]

Oh man that's amazing.

 

Also, super hoping you do "before and after" Kaesoron ;)

[Atia]

yep, i want some of these now i need to find some useful dogs xD (are his lower legs Mk II too or MK IV? are they green or black (part of the first company?)?)

Edited April 26, 2015 by Atia

[Hyaenidae]

With a pet hyena...

 

Tempt not the Devil, brother.  :P

[Olis]

As far as sketch work goes, I'm impressed. Body proportions and armour sizing seems on the money, the dog definitely looks like a dog and the shading works. Good stuff. :)

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Oh man that's amazing.

Also, super hoping you do "before and after" Kaesoron

Fraid it'll only be 'before' - fewer gribbly bits its more to my taste :P

yep, i want some of these now i need to find some useful dogs xD (are his lower legs Mk II too or MK IV? are they green or black (part of the first company?)?)

Ha, that's awesome - the lower legs would probably be Mk II, but maybe the Huntmaster would have Mk IV greaves? In terms of colour, I guess there might be a couple of squads in the 1st company, but the vast majority will be green (they aren't all part of a single, specialist formation) as they're distributed amongst the main body of the Legion.

The easiest way to do them would be Mk II Despoilers with a headswap, but of you wanted to add in some flavour, the World Eater Legion torsos or Rampager bodies/legs could work.

With a pet hyena...

Tempt not the Devil, brother.

You won't like the Iron Warriors' mortar tactical support squad I've got planned then :P

[Hesh Kadesh]

My Brother in law works as a Communications specialist for a Mortar Troop in the Royal Marines. Before I sold my Elysians, they were almost entirely equipped with Mortars as Heavy Weapons.

 

Edit; meant to say eagerly awaiting those rles.

Edited April 26, 2015 by Hesh Kadesh

[Atia]

Ha, that's awesome - the lower legs would probably be Mk II, but maybe the Huntmaster would have Mk IV greaves? In terms of colour, I guess there might be a couple of squads in the 1st company, but the vast majority will be green (they aren't all part of a single, specialist formation) as they're distributed amongst the main body of the Legion.

The easiest way to do them would be Mk II Despoilers with a headswap, but of you wanted to add in some flavour, the World Eater Legion torsos or Rampager bodies/legs could work.

well as i want to have another "normal" seeker squad with Mk VI armour, i may paint the Lycus Seekers black (if i have some spare time for them ). For the heads, maybe some of the SoH upgrade set could work (or "normal" mark IV heads with green stuff snouts?). For the Lycusses (?) itself, from the description, i guess there is more than one "strain"? so maybe the plastic chaos warhounds or the hounds of xaphan may be usable?

i still have 5 reconaisancer shotguns and spare SoH shoulders ... can't wait to use them

Edited April 26, 2015 by Atia

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Ha, that's awesome - the lower legs would probably be Mk II, but maybe the Huntmaster would have Mk IV greaves? In terms of colour, I guess there might be a couple of squads in the 1st company, but the vast majority will be green (they aren't all part of a single, specialist formation) as they're distributed amongst the main body of the Legion.

The easiest way to do them would be Mk II Despoilers with a headswap, but of you wanted to add in some flavour, the World Eater Legion torsos or Rampager bodies/legs could work.

well as i want to have another "normal" seeker squad with Mk VI armour, i may paint the Lycus Seekers black (if i have some spare time for them ). For the heads, maybe some of the SoH upgrade set could work (or "normal" mark IV heads with green stuff snouts?). For the Lycusses (?) itself, from the description, i guess there is more than one "strain"? so maybe the plastic chaos warhounds or the hounds of xaphan may be usable?

i still have 5 reconaisancer shotguns and spare SoH shoulders ... can't wait to use them

That all sounds awesome Atia - and yeah, the reason I went with 'Mongrels' is to promote the idea they're from a wide range of gene stock (which could be quite divergent from our current canines), plus with genetic engineering & bio-alchemic / cybernetic enhancements, you could justify any vaguely dog-like model

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Well, it's been a while, but these rough photoshops don't really fit in with my other thread, so here are a couple of new vehicle concepts, 'cause I'm still on an 'inspiration high' from the FW Open Day yesterday.

First off is the Deimos Stalker (assuming the new AA turret from the Mastodon is the 30k incarnation of the Stalker's Icarus Stormcannon):

I wouldn't be surprised if this is already a potential model over at FW, as it'd be a really easy job to put together, and I can see the design of the turret being super popular.

The next mock-up is really just because the turret's central shield reminded me loads of the Mk IV Ironclad dread, and a dedicated AA Mortis equipped with the Stormcannon makes sense:

That's about it - at the moment I'm finalizing a concept which turns the new Mastodon hull into a Hercules [spoiler: it has loads of guns]

Thanks fer looking

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Well, this came about as a result of A] The awesome Mastadon mini which was previewed at the FW open day, B] The fact FW is talking about making a number of new tanks which could potentially include the Hercules, and C] This venerable artwork of said tank.

So, without further ado, here's my interpretation of the Hercules, based on the new Mastodon hull (the armour values & hull points are missing until those for the Mastodon are released)

LEGION HERCULES SUPER-HEAVY BATTLE TANK:

Amongst the physically heaviest armoured vehicles available to the Legiones Astartes, the Hercules was a mainstay of the early and mid stages of the Great Crusade, relying as much on its great endurance as its overwhelming firepower to ensure victory on the most strongly contested fronts of the Galactic war. Fulfilling a similar tactical role as the Solar Auxilia’s Stormhammer Super-Heavy Assault Tank, the Hercules design prioritised massed fire over individual power in its armament, featuring an extremely modular design which allowed these vehicles to be fielded against enemy infantry or armour with equal proficiency.

To supply its multiple sub-systems, the Hercules incorporated a plasma reactor possessing an output usually only found within smaller void-craft, a feature which combined with engineering primarily concerned with continual deployment across the harshest warzones to form the Hercules into an unstoppable behemoth, capable of ramming through most obstacles unscathed, whilst its void shields ensured that only the most determined of opposition could hope to counter its relentless advance. Despite featuring neither the sophisticated systems nor apocalyptically devastating weaponry which would later become a hallmark of the Legion Fellblade and its variants, the favour in which the Hercules was held by many Legions owed primarily to this extremely rugged construction, although the fact its schematics were the progeny of myriad separate STCs rather than a singular design meant it was held in dark repute by some sects of the Mechanicum.

Armour

BS Front Side Rear HP

Hercules 3 * * * *

Unit Composition:

* 1 Hercules

Unit Type:

* Super-heavy vehicle

Wargear:

* Searchlight

* Smoke launcher

* Dual void shield generator

* One turret-mounted Thunderhawk cannon

* Two sponson-mounted twin-linked lascannon

* Two hull-mounted twin-linked heavy bolters

* One hull-mounted twin-linked heavy flamer

Special Rules:

* Crushing Weight

* Dangerous Reactor Core

Options:

* The vehicle may take any of the following options:

- Hunter-killer missile

- Auxiliary Drive

- Armoured Ceramite

* The Hercules may exchange its Thunderhawk cannon for:

- Turbo-laser

* The Hercules may exchange its two twin-linked heavy bolters for:

- Flamestorm cannons

- Twin-linked lascannons

- Magna-melta cannons

* The Hercules may exchange its twin-linked heavy flamer for:

- Twin-linked heavy bolter

- Twin-linked multi-melta

* The Hercules may take one of the following pintle-mounted weapons:

- Twin-linked bolter

- Combi-weapon

- Heavy flamer

- Havoc launcher

- Heavy bolter

- Multi-melta

* The Hercules may be upgraded to take:

- Space Marine Legion Crew

Edited July 10, 2015 by Iron Hands Fanatic

[depthcharge12]

Is this McDonalds? Because I'm McLovin it.

 

I think that it should have 14 AV all around...I was tempted to say AV15 for the front, but we've only seen that on Warlords and that bunker terrain piece. I like the idea of the Thunderhawk Cannon, except for the name :P

 

I think a cool idea for the turret could be a Sollex Pattern Lascannon with multiple shots - S10 AP2 Heavy 3 Concussive.

 

Alternatively, you might be able to use a similiar weapon in a vein to the plasma executioner. Make it the bastard child between that weapon and the Thanatar plasma cannon. S8 AP2 Heavy 2 Large Blast, Plasma Wave.

 

Just some ideas to float down your way :)

[v6v77]

Well, this came about as a result of A] The awesome Mastadon mini which was previewed at the FW open day, B] The fact FW is talking about making a number of new tanks which could potentially include the Hercules, and C] This venerable artwork of said tank.

So, without further ado, here's my interpretation of the Hercules, based on the new Mastodon hull (the armour values & hull points are missing until those for the Mastodon are released)

LEGION HERCULES SUPER-HEAVY BATTLE TANK:

Amongst the physically heaviest armoured vehicles available to the Legiones Astartes, the Hercules was a mainstay of the early and mid stages of the Great Crusade, relying as much on its great endurance as its overwhelming firepower to ensure victory on the most strongly contested fronts of the Galactic war. Fulfilling a similar tactical role as the Solar Auxilia’s Stormhammer Super-Heavy Assault Tank, the Hercules design prioritised massed fire over individual power in its armament, featuring an extremely modular design which allowed these vehicles to be fielded against enemy infantry or armour with equal proficiency.

To supply its multiple sub-systems, the Hercules incorporated a plasma reactor possessing an output usually only found within smaller void-craft, a feature which combined with engineering primarily concerned with continual deployment across the harshest warzones to form the Hercules into an unstoppable behemoth, capable of ramming through most obstacles unscathed, whilst its void shields ensured that only the most determined of opposition could hope to counter its relentless advance. Despite featuring neither the sophisticated systems nor apocalyptically devastating weaponry which would later become a hallmark of the Legion Fellblade and its variants, the favour in which the Hercules was held by many Legions owed primarily to this extremely rugged construction, although the fact its schematics were the progeny of myriad separate STCs rather than a singular design meant it was held in dark repute by some sects of the Mechanicum.

Armour

BS Front Side Rear HP

Hercules 3 * * * *

Unit Composition:

* 1 Hercules

Unit Type:

* Super-heavy vehicle

Wargear:

* Searchlight

* Smoke launcher

* Dual void shield generator

* One turret-mounted Thunderhawk cannon

* Two sponson-mounted twin-linked lascannon

* Two hull-mounted twin-linked heavy bolters

* One hull-mounted twin-linked heavy flamer

Special Rules:

* Crushing Weight

* Dangerous Reactor Core

Options:

* The vehicle may take any of the following options:

- Hunter-killer missile

- Auxiliary Drive

- Armoured Ceramite

* The Hercules may exchange its Thunderhawk cannon for:

- Turbo-laser

* The Hercules may exchange its two twin-linked heavy bolters for:

- Flamestorm cannons

- Twin-linked lascannons

- Magna-melta cannons

* The Hercules may exchange its twin-linked heavy flamer for:

- Twin-linked heavy bolter

- Twin-linked multi-melta

* The Hercules may take one of the following pintle-mounted weapons:

- Twin-linked bolter

- Combi-weapon

- Heavy flamer

- Havoc launcher

- Heavy bolter

- Multi-melta

* The Hercules may be upgraded to take:

- Space Marine Legion Crew

Dont forget the voids the mastadon comes with as standard. 2 if i recall correctly. Makes this hercules even nicer.

Edit: Doh. Seen the generator. Sorry

Edited July 10, 2015 by v6v77

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Is this McDonalds? Because I'm McLovin it.

 

I think that it should have 14 AV all around...I was tempted to say AV15 for the front, but we've only seen that on Warlords and that bunker terrain piece. I like the idea of the Thunderhawk Cannon, except for the name

 

I think a cool idea for the turret could be a Sollex Pattern Lascannon with multiple shots - S10 AP2 Heavy 3 Concussive.

 

Alternatively, you might be able to use a similiar weapon in a vein to the plasma executioner. Make it the bastard child between that weapon and the Thanatar plasma cannon. S8 AP2 Heavy 2 Large Blast, Plasma Wave.

 

Just some ideas to float down your way

 

I get where you're coming from Depth, but I try very hard to not make new weapons / special rules when I can avoid it, partly for simplicity's sake, but also to try and conform to the existing precedents set by FW as closely as possible.

 

I think this applies especially to the Hercules because it's an older vehicle - it simply wouldn't have been outfitted with more advanced weapons systems - plus, both the Sollex Lascannon and the Thanatar's Plasma Mortar are the exclusive preserve of the Mechanicum from what we've seen. Besides, I wanted the Hercules to exemplify more basic, robust weaponry - a big ol' cannon and one of the less advanced tank destroyer weapons - I specifically avoided using a Neutron Laser weapon because it's late Great Crusade - era tech (I used the Sicaran Venator's weapon for the image because I figured the aesthetic is transferable - the Falchion's Volcano Cannons certainly don't conform to the wider patterns).

 

Anyhow, glad  you like it :P   

[lokkorex]

I've decided that whenever i can afford it, i'll buy two dracosan transports, and convert them into mastiff tanks, because your ideas are too cool not to be made a reality!

 

However, i've noticed you took away any mention of the eviscerator engine, and i'm deadset on making at least one assault tank with it as it's primary armament.

 

Do you perhaps have any idea or description of how it would look, or perhaps what parts might suitable to make one?

Edited August 12, 2015 by lokkorex