Mechanicum Assault?

[Kilofix]

So:

 

Ursarax

Pros: Jump, FNP, S10 Power Fist, special ID attack, cheap

Cons: I2, T5, Cannot Sweep

 

Scyllax

Pros: -1T Debuff, can Sweep, cheap (for Debuff support)

Cons: I2, T5 and either low S & AP or low A (depending on Maelstrom or Dismember)

 

Vorax

Pros: I4, T6, can Sweep

Cons: S6

 

Castellax

Pros: T7, 3+, can Sweep

Cons: S6, I2

 

Domitar:

Pros: S10, T7, 3+, 6++, can Sweep

Cons: Expensive, I3

 

Artalax

Pros: Jump, I4, T6, 3+, FNP 6+, can Sweep, option for Rampage / Armorbane

Cons: S9, expensive

 

 

The Arlatax looks like a good multi purpose, but I'm thinking maybe Vorax (for horde clearing and who can still easily kill / Sweep TDA) and relegate the pure anti-vehicle to regular Thallax, etc.

 

Thoughts?

[Terminus]

Running the numbers on the Ursarax, their output is impressive.

 

6x Ursarax with power fists cost about the same as 10x Cataphracts with power fists.  Discounting any casualties form the volkite (or any combi-weapons on the terminators that would make the unit a lot more expensive), if the Ursarax get the charge, they will wipe out the unit in 3 combat phases while losing 3 members of their own. If the terminators get the charge, the punch-fest lasts 5-6 rounds and ends with a single Ursarax still standing.

 

The problem is Leadership. While the Ursarax put out more damage, they actually lose most rounds in number of wounds inflicted (including if they charge), and each round lost carries a 28% risk of bolting and then a subsequent 28% chance to fail to rally each round. So I think they definitely need someone to tag along, which is not available in the Mechanicum list. Seems unwieldy.

 

The only thing about Arlatax, is it seems if armed with fist/scourge, if you are swinging with the fist you don't get the extra rampage attacks. It's also quite a mobile unit so it may quickly outpace your Cortex Controllers unless you're running Cybernetica.  I think I will mainly either be running Homonculex or a Paragon.  It's really not that expensive for what you get though.

 

Domitars are incredibly bad, they wouldn't be OP even if cut in half in cost. Scyllax might be okay if we had assault transports. Castellax form nice beefy cores, but mostly push your line forward and defend against enemy melee rather than going after enemies.  I'm a big fan of Vorax, especially if you bring Skoria, since they can outflank with him.  They can do a number on monstrous creatures, and infantry of all sorts.  Their one weakness is massed krak grenades, but GW is looking to change that.

[Charlo]

I quite like Scyllax, though they feel a little expensive. But they can law down some nice fire out of a triaros and then prepare to charge the next turn.

[Mango Polo]

All battle-automata can Smash if needed for a single S10 AP2 hit when needed. That makes the cheapish Vorax a nasty surprise despite their S6.

[Charlo]

All battle-automata can Smash if needed for a single S10 AP2 hit when needed. That makes the cheapish Vorax a nasty surprise despite their S6.

 

A Fantastic point.

[Sons of Ananta]

All battle-automata can Smash if needed for a single S10 AP2 hit when needed. That makes the cheapish Vorax a nasty surprise despite their S6.

Wow.  I've only just started looking at the Tagmata list.  Where is this rule?  That kicks arse.  Vorax are suddenly a really intriuging option.

[Mango Polo]

That's something all Monstrous Creatures can do by default

The thing is, a lot of MC don't need to for various reasons (high natural S, armorbane, etc.) and everyone forgets the rule.

But Smash is why no MC has worse than AP2 on all their CC attacks, since the rule is both passive (all CC attacks are AP2) and active (make one attack at S x2).

But the little Vorax, being the cheapest MC in the Heresy, and sporting S6, actually makes very good use of the rule. And then they start gouging chunks out of AV14 armor through sheer number.

[Kilofix]

Yeah, cool as they may be I'm wondering if I actually need Ursarax at this point. My main issue is it cannot Sweep, which is somewhat important in 30K.

 

I already have plenty of Vorax. And my Krios, Thallax, etc. all already pull anti-vehicle duty.

[Flint13]

Don't forget the most underutilized (and unintentionally hilarious) rule for Vorax; Scout.

 

Don't really have to worry about programmed behavior as much when you're already up in their business.

[Terminus]

Underutilized? It's basically their default deployment option as far as I'm concerned.

 

As for Thallax, I never found them to be great at anti-tank. Their best anti-tank special weapon is the photon thruster, which can only glance AV12+ so the AP2 is wasted. Even with rending lightning guns and destroyer protocols, you're still fishing for 6s against AV13 and the rate of fire simply isn't there.

 

The popular 3-man melta squad popular online turned out to be a trap in every way. 3 members for easier deep strike meant they took leaderships easy, while trying to get in melta range just exposes them to special weapons and melee, neither of which they like. And even if they arrived on target, their low output volume meant they frequently underperformed. The all rending chainblade ferox protocol may actually be the "best" antitank due to volume of attacks that can harm AV13/14, but lacks the reroll of destroyer protocols.