Tech Priest Dominus

[ronin_cse]

Kind of surprised we don't have a topic to discuss our new HQ yet so I figured I may as well start one.

So what is the consensus on his best load out and best use? I was just looking through the WD again and despite how excited I am for a Volkite weapon in 40k I might be liking the Eradication Ray a little better. A single S5 AP4 shot with an extra S6 AP5 doesn't seem all that amazing. Whereas the Ray is a S6 AP3 blast most of the time with the option to get closer to the really tough things that need the S8 AP1 hit to take out. Basically the Volkite Blaster is just a Phosphor Serpenta that causes an extra S6 hit.

I'm not positive which secondary weapon I like better though. Thinking the Serpenta works with the Ray better due to the longer range. If he were in range with the Macrostubber you would be in the S8 AP1 range of the Ray. If going with a Volkite I feel either weapon would mesh well.

We'll probably have to wait for the Codex to come out to really discuss wargear options and such as we aren't 100% on the relics, and the only "Special Issue Wargear" I know of is the Stasis Field. I have been considering putting the Tech Priest with the Stasis Field in a unit of Electro Priests, running up turn one, going to ground for the 2++ when they get shot at, using the Canticle that gives Fearless (assuming I have enough units) to cancel the "gone to ground" and then charging in, probably after splitting off the tech priest. Really this is just an effort to make the Electro Priests usable, not because I think this is a great tactic .

Another combo I have been thinking of, albeit one that is unreliable, happens if you roll the warlord trait that allows you to pick the result of a mysterious objective roll. The Scryerskull that the Tech Priest has allows you to identify any Mysterious Objective on the field, this combined with the mentioned Warlord trait effectively allows you to give Skyfire to any of your units holding an objective.

Obviously giving him the relic that gives his unit IWND is a great combo with putting him in a unit of Kataphrons, or when he is taken in the Kastelan Star formation.

So what are everyone's thoughts on the Tech Priest?

Edit: Ignore what I said above about the Volkite Blaster. I was going off of my digital copy of the WD and it has an error for the profile, my bad.

Ok so the Volkite blaster is: 24" Range, S6 Ap5, Heavy 3, Deflagrate. Then any unsaved wounds generate an additional S6 AP5 hit. I think I still prefer the Eradication Ray actually mostly because of the AP3. The Volkite being AP5 really hurts it IMO. Against MEQ the Volkite only does 0.556 wounds, so basically only a 50% chance of actually causing one addition hit that then needs to wound as well. The Ray on the other hand, assuming 3 hits with the blast, should do 1.333 against MEQ.

[Annatar Giftbringer]

Have we been following the same rumors? That's not the volkite blaster I remember from the leaks in the rumor thread.... (Not posting any stats since I'm unsure if I'm allowed to...)

[Yodhrin]

I'll be running a Magos Dominus with IWND relic, Macrostubber, and Eradication Beamer for the Kastelan formation. My Archmagos Explorator character will probably get the Volkite and Phosphor loadout just for a bit of variety, he'll be joining an Inquisitor & Retinue(because I have so many ideas for Techpriest conversions now that even the AdMech lists won't let me field all of them :P). I'll have to wait and see about what relics, if any, to give him.

[ronin_cse]

Have we been following the same rumors? That's not the volkite blaster I remember from the leaks in the rumor thread.... (Not posting any stats since I'm unsure if I'm allowed to...)

 

Ya know what...I was going off of the profile in the White Dwarf, but I think you're right this isn't correct. Seems likely the profile for the Serpenta got copied over now that I see it has the Luminagen special rule...no wonder I was unimpressed ;). I got the epub version from Black Library, maybe it is fixed by now.

[Frater Cornelius]

Unless I am running a Formation that has a set role for the TP (meaning one of the two useful ones), I will be sticking him into my Vanguard Plasma Warlord unit so he can benefit from PE and take a few hits for them.

[Kilofix]

As much as Volkite is cool, I'm thinking Erad Beamer for more range and Macrostubber as other Units already have Phosphor.

 

That said, I'm building more than one Dominus with different kit.

[Vel'Cona]

The Beamer is definitely the better choice, hence the point cost.  It's great for taking out a few MEQ models with it's longer range profile, and the short range one offers more punch for anti-armor and MC/GC killing.  This also makes him mesh better with the Kataphrons/Kastelans, who are similarly toned to MEQ destruction.

 

As for the secondary, I can't see it being useful no matter what you equip.  Since he'll be spending 75% of his turns firing the Beamer and restoring Wounds (let's face it, having to be B2B to repair vehicles is a pain in the butt), I can't see him firing the secondary very often.  With that in mind, save the points and keep the Macrostubber.

 

The relic setups are pretty powerful and obvious, so I won't belabor them too much.  Needless to say, the Dominus can serve as an excellent support character with a bit of killing potential, but he can also get expensive very quickly.

[ronin_cse]

The Beamer is definitely the better choice, hence the point cost.  It's great for taking out a few MEQ models with it's longer range profile, and the short range one offers more punch for anti-armor and MC/GC killing.  This also makes him mesh better with the Kataphrons/Kastelans, who are similarly toned to MEQ destruction.

 

As for the secondary, I can't see it being useful no matter what you equip.  Since he'll be spending 75% of his turns firing the Beamer and restoring Wounds (let's face it, having to be B2B to repair vehicles is a pain in the butt), I can't see him firing the secondary very often.  With that in mind, save the points and keep the Macrostubber.

 

The relic setups are pretty powerful and obvious, so I won't belabor them too much.  Needless to say, the Dominus can serve as an excellent support character with a bit of killing potential, but he can also get expensive very quickly.

 

Unless of course one takes the WD formation of course ;)

 

Keeping him back in a unit of Kastelans with the IWND Relic and in B2B with a Knight Crusader will be very nice I think.

 

Really this is one of the better HQs to come out in awhile IMO. He's so versatile and he's not that expensive for what he has. Just compared to my other main army (Eldar) he is at least as good as a Farseer

[mmimzie]

The Beamer is definitely the better choice, hence the point cost. It's great for taking out a few MEQ models with it's longer range profile, and the short range one offers more punch for anti-armor and MC/GC killing. This also makes him mesh better with the Kataphrons/Kastelans, who are similarly toned to MEQ destruction.

As for the secondary, I can't see it being useful no matter what you equip. Since he'll be spending 75% of his turns firing the Beamer and restoring Wounds (let's face it, having to be B2B to repair vehicles is a pain in the butt), I can't see him firing the secondary very often. With that in mind, save the points and keep the Macrostubber.

The relic setups are pretty powerful and obvious, so I won't belabor them too much. Needless to say, the Dominus can serve as an excellent support character with a bit of killing potential, but he can also get expensive very quickly.

Unless of course one takes the WD formation of course

Keeping him back in a unit of Kastelans with the IWND Relic and in B2B with a Knight Crusader will be very nice I think.

Really this is one of the better HQs to come out in awhile IMO. He's so versatile and he's not that expensive for what he has. Just compared to my other main army (Eldar) he is at least as good as a Farseer

I like that he's a good character that doesn't have to be a named special flower.

Not sure if the WD formation bit is connected to the kastelan bit, but can't stick the warlord in the kastelan unit unless they are in the cohort formation, but i'm pretty sure that wasn't what you meant.

as far as the kastelan star unit is concerned i probably wouldn't take the IWND item on the domi. I'd stick it on one of the data smith so that way the your domi isn't the only thing holding your kastelan unit together.

Yeah the beam is better. Volkite though does bring something against horde armies if your domi has to move up the field, and in the kastelan star if your running objectives he'll be moving up with the rest. Also with the deepstrike formation the domi might do better with volkite. The bear is great for the large bast but the single shot can leave alittle to be desire in some situations.

[Commander Dawnstar]

Another combo I have been thinking of, albeit one that is unreliable, happens if you roll the warlord trait that allows you to pick the result of a mysterious objective roll. The Scryerskull that the Tech Priest has allows you to identify any Mysterious Objective on the field, this combined with the mentioned Warlord trait effectively allows you to give Skyfire to any of your units holding an objective.

I know it's gimmicky and hardly something you can rely on getting, but this is probably my favourite thing about the Tech Priest. Being able to exert an additional degree of control over the battlefield and pick and choose Mysterious Objectives to suit your needs, or to deny the enemy bonuses, sounds like a really cool option to have at your disposal.

[Scurvydog]

A Kastellan star as I will be running initially got plenty of MEQ killing power, which is why I might just save a few points and keep the volkite to shoot pretty much anything non MEQ, I at least often face demons and orkz where it might take down a few more. 

 

I don't care a whole lot for his secondary weapon, I guess this one would depend a lot on the formation he comes with. If he deep strikes with breachers, it could be nice to light up their target when they come on the board, but in most other turns or scenarios he will probably be doing repairs.

 

If omnispex is an option in the wargear list for cult too, then that would be mandatory I think, it's a nice piece of gear.

 

Overall I really like both the model and his rules, useful but not really overpowering and fits into several roles and units at a decent point price, which is tough to find more balanced lately I think.

[Vel'Cona]

I think the only problem I will have using this model is converting mine enough that it will be unique from everyone else's. Though I'm looking forward to the challenge!

[MithrilForge]

not sure how to kit him out...yet! but i'm only getting one ...that damn thing is going to cost me $73.00 Aus ...for 1 small model, For sake...1 model !!

GW know its the only H.Q choice model so we gotta get it..nice model but come on...

Mithril

[ronin_cse]

Hidden Content

The Beamer is definitely the better choice, hence the point cost. It's great for taking out a few MEQ models with it's longer range profile, and the short range one offers more punch for anti-armor and MC/GC killing. This also makes him mesh better with the Kataphrons/Kastelans, who are similarly toned to MEQ destruction.

As for the secondary, I can't see it being useful no matter what you equip. Since he'll be spending 75% of his turns firing the Beamer and restoring Wounds (let's face it, having to be B2B to repair vehicles is a pain in the butt), I can't see him firing the secondary very often. With that in mind, save the points and keep the Macrostubber.

The relic setups are pretty powerful and obvious, so I won't belabor them too much. Needless to say, the Dominus can serve as an excellent support character with a bit of killing potential, but he can also get expensive very quickly.

Unless of course one takes the WD formation of course

Keeping him back in a unit of Kastelans with the IWND Relic and in B2B with a Knight Crusader will be very nice I think.

Really this is one of the better HQs to come out in awhile IMO. He's so versatile and he's not that expensive for what he has. Just compared to my other main army (Eldar) he is at least as good as a Farseer

I like that he's a good character that doesn't have to be a named special flower.

Not sure if the WD formation bit is connected to the kastelan bit, but can't stick the warlord in the kastelan unit unless they are in the cohort formation, but i'm pretty sure that wasn't what you meant.

as far as the kastelan star unit is concerned i probably wouldn't take the IWND item on the domi. I'd stick it on one of the data smith so that way the your domi isn't the only thing holding your kastelan unit together.

Yeah the beam is better. Volkite though does bring something against horde armies if your domi has to move up the field, and in the kastelan star if your running objectives he'll be moving up with the rest. Also with the deepstrike formation the domi might do better with volkite. The bear is great for the large bast but the single shot can leave alittle to be desire in some situations.

Yup meant to say kataphrons not kastelans, too many k words

[MagicHat]

I would echo taking the eradication beamer and macrostubber.

 

Remeber, just because the enemy unit is within 9" doesn't mean you can't move your dominus backwards, or shoot the enemy back ranks.

 

The phosphor serpenta is not a pistol, unlike the macro blaster, so you would lose a power axe attack, you can get phosphor weapons elsewhere, and you will usually be repairing anyway.

[Annatar Giftbringer]

The choice of sidearm shouldn't affect the number of attacks the Dominus gets, since the data spike version he's equipped with isn't a specialist weapon, unlike the one in the skittarii book.

[ronin_cse]

The choice of sidearm shouldn't affect the number of attacks the Dominus gets, since the data spike version he's equipped with isn't a specialist weapon, unlike the one in the skittarii book.

 

Good call and something I would have missed otherwise. Not that I expect the Dominus to get into combat all that much as he's obviously a shooting/support HQ but every little bit helps.

 

I wouldn't say either weapon really brings anything new to the table. Lumigen is available elsewhere, but the str4 ap6 shots from the macrostubber aren't exactly unique either. I'll probably go with the Serpenta myself as it looks like he could shoot it at his target first and potentially reduce its cover save by 1 for his Eradication Ray. Unlikely, but if I'm using the blast profile of the Ray I wouldn't be able to shoot with the Macrostubber anyways.

[Vel'Cona]

One thing I've been pondering is if I'll need two Dominus in the end. If you think about it, if you want to use the Kastelan Cohort and a standard FOC (or the Breacher formation), you'll need to have one Dominus for each. With that in mind, I'm pondering models I could convert to get a second Dominus without having to pay GeeDubz that crazy price tag!

[Annatar Giftbringer]

One thing speaking in Favour of the burst pistol is that it provided a backup if you use the eradication beam template to deal with groups, and they answer by moving closer. Multiple pistol shots helps to make up for the loss of blast, in some cases against the right opponents. That said, the serpent is a beautiful weapon...

 

One part of me wants to give the dominus a volkite blaster and phosphor serpenta. Ancient heat ray and ornamented sidearm. But eradication beams are nifty death rays with MEQ-exterminating blast template and the burst pistol can lay down some serious hurt at close range...

[mmimzie]

One thing I've been pondering is if I'll need two Dominus in the end. If you think about it, if you want to use the Kastelan Cohort and a standard FOC (or the Breacher formation), you'll need to have one Dominus for each. With that in mind, I'm pondering models I could convert to get a second Dominus without having to pay GeeDubz that crazy price tag! -_-

I'm current making mine out of inquisitor kasvok or whatever his name is. The inquisition dreadnaught character. Gonna shave his head off for the papal tech domi head. I already ordered 2 tech domi boxes. So gonna take some of the stuff from the domi kit to model it HP more. I'm not taking the domi legs just gonna use the throne it self. I'm gonna take the need servitor, but I'm really unsure what to do with the robed servitor. I really don't like him so I'm trying to figure out something to take his place. Maybe I'll turn the side into a gun mount. The chair will also have arms of it own as the dominus will be directly wired into the chair.

 

Still considering if I want to snip his feet off. Might replace the feet with green stuffed tube to wire him furthers to the chair.

 

Edit: but yeah if you want to run cult with more than kastelans you'll Need multiple domis

[Vel'Cona]

I demand that you post a WIP for this somewhere!

[ronin_cse]

So it looks like you can upgrade his refractor field to a conversion field for 5 pts, so 5++ to a 4++ that causes blind to units within 6" on sucessful saves (but friendly units can re-roll failed ones).

 

I'm actually not sure I would want to take this on a dominus that joins a CM unit, or most Skitarii units for that matter. Since everything (other than Sicarians) is I3 in the army there is a 25% chance of his unit failing it.

[PraetorDragoon]

Friendly units may re-roll the blind test of the Conversion Field in the Skitarii Codex, so there is that.

[mmimzie]

I demand that you post a WIP for this somewhere!

i kinda did on general pca, but i'm gonna start working on it again this weekend so i'll just make a cult mech blog on this forum.

as for the coversion field... Yeah i dont think i'd take it... pretty tough thinking of a situation that make it really awesome

[ronin_cse]

Friendly units may re-roll the blind test of the Conversion Field in the Skitarii Codex, so there is that.

 

Yeah the 25% is with that taken into account :p. 0.5 x 0.5 chance