Mechanicus Kill-Teams

[JeffTibbetts]

I'm musing over running five Sicarian Infiltrators. 

 

This, along with Dragoons (because they're so insanely cool), and maybe Rangers if they fit within 200 points. What a perfectly appropriate forward-ranging recon force would that be? 

[A D-B]

 

I'm musing over running five Sicarian Infiltrators. 

 

This, along with Dragoons (because they're so insanely cool), and maybe Rangers if they fit within 200 points. What a perfectly appropriate forward-ranging recon force would that be? 

 

 

It's a tight fit for our codex(es) overall, I'm finding. Five Sicarians is practically the whole 200pts. for example, and they're no way as survivable as their points equivalent in a lot of other codexes. Not something that matters in larger games, obviously, but when they're the only fellows on the table, we might start to sweat.

 

Compare that with two Sydonian Dragoons and about ten barebones Rangers, or even 5 tooled-up Rangers.

[Vel'Cona]

I wonder if a team of 3 Kataphrons would make any sense . . .

[JeffTibbetts]

 

 

I'm musing over running five Sicarian Infiltrators. 

 

This, along with Dragoons (because they're so insanely cool), and maybe Rangers if they fit within 200 points. What a perfectly appropriate forward-ranging recon force would that be? 

 

 

It's a tight fit for our codex(es) overall, I'm finding. Five Sicarians is practically the whole 200pts. for example, and they're no way as survivable as their points equivalent in a lot of other codexes. Not something that matters in larger games, obviously, but when they're the only fellows on the table, we might start to sweat.

 

Compare that with two Sydonian Dragoons and about ten barebones Rangers, or even 5 tooled-up Rangers.

 

 

Yeah, I noticed that yesterday as well when I started looking at the codex. Too bad, since the Sicarians are so cool. But yeah, 2 dragoons and then some mix of 10 vanguards or rangers is very possible, with a weapon upgrade or two tossed in. Fine by me. 

[BassWave]

I've found that atleast under the Heralds of Ruin killteam rules that infiltrators do quite well. Killteam games tend to have way more terrain on the board, which makes it easier to hide infiltrators out of line of sight. Having stealth and their debuff aura helps quite a bit too. Power sword infiltrators might actually be a superior option over tasers (for once) in GWs killteam since 2+ armor isn't allowed and close combat is usually just one on one. Remember, thanks to that debuff you are usually striking first and hitting on a 3+. I haven't run just Infiltrators although it does sound like fun.

[A D-B]

I've found that atleast under the Heralds of Ruin killteam rules that infiltrators do quite well. Killteam games tend to have way more terrain on the board, which makes it easier to hide infiltrators out of line of sight. Having stealth and their debuff aura helps quite a bit too. Power sword infiltrators might actually be a superior option over tasers (for once) in GWs killteam since 2+ armor isn't allowed and close combat is usually just one on one. Remember, thanks to that debuff you are usually striking first and hitting on a 3+. I haven't run just Infiltrators although it does sound like fun.

 

Your insight is appreciated, dude. I'm looking at our codex(es...) and having a nightmare of a time choosing.

[JeffTibbetts]

It's nice to be spoiled for choice in a codex with such tight offerings. But yeah, Dragoons I think will really shine here with their points-cost, speed and hitting power. Not to mention they should be hard to take out. 2 of them almost seems unfair, but that's the cold, hard reality of logic. 

[Battybattybats]

The choices are tough, but let us not forget the Mechanicus way...
Send expendable troops in, gather data, evaluate results.

I haven't assembled my Infiltrators yet and plan to soon, but my love of the Dragoons model and concept wise has me leaning to them.

This makes me extra-itching for Forgeworld's book letting as mix some Mechanicum range into 40k, as that would really spoil us for choice!

[Xin Ceithan]

At last an excuse to buy some Dragoons!

 

Pretty hyped for Killteam since it's a Game I might find time for aaaand can justify painting just a few models before jumping on the new shiny release train.

And do tell me about Kataphrons ... I wanted to mutilate mine for Thallaxii kitbashes - should I keep them for Killteam?

 

 

In other news, the electricity - muscle thing is mostly rubbish indeed. It contracts the fibers but muscle growth is adaption to micro trauma to tissue and most of all in response to an increased biochemical usage (and resulting shortage) in the process of muscle activation, not solely a response to the physical contraction itself.

So, a theoretical servitor might use an electric trigger / guidance thingy for muscle control but it still would not be a hulking brute after continued use.

This is why empyrean powered designs are superior to the crude contraptions of the corpse emperor's slaves! ;)

[MoGuy]

If you need an excuse to buy Dragoons (implying that they are useless otherwise) then you haven't really looked into them. Dragoons are awesome ! :D

[JeffTibbetts]

I'm guessing he meant yet another incentive to convince himself they're worth busting a budget for. I mean, they're the coolest models in the range so the reasons just keep stacking. 

[MoGuy]

We don't need convincing! We are all addicted to this plastic-crack after all. ;)

[Xin Ceithan]

I'm guessing he meant yet another incentive to convince himself they're worth busting a budget for. I mean, they're the coolest models in the range so the reasons just keep stacking.

 

Mostly this. I guess most of you have models for armies you do not even play. Heck, I have plastic crack for games that I do not even play.

I was trying to limit myself to 30 K DarkMech and put 40 K Chaos on hold. Now they are bringing back Killteam and Chaos aaaand Skitarii for 30 K. So, yeah, there is plenty of good reasons for Dragoons.

 

And clones. Lots of painting clones.....

[Battybattybats]

On the side discussion about electro-priests and muscles, let's not forget that 40k (and 30k) science is often based on myths and outdated discarded stuff (Choleric Marines in 30k for example, that's Medieval medicine!). It doesn't matter if the electricity would ACTUALLY bulk the muscles in reality, it's that there's been a significant belief that it would that matters as to whether or not it might be true in the 30k/40k grimdark.

Back to kill-team composition, Forgeworld's teaser today may make things harder for us all... it's something skitarii. I'm assuming it's the full release of the Secutarii troops. And those may well be apt for a Kill team! After all when not guarding the feet and flanks of god-engines they are the ones sent to secure the fallen knights and titans for recovery and repair! And the latter sounds like it could be a very kill-team action! Sneak deep behind enemy lines to plat a transponder beacon on the remains of a fallen holy machine that it's remains could be teleported away or a strike force can descend and lift off with it.

[JeffTibbetts]

Dang, Bats. That sounds pretty cool. I wasn't planning on getting any secutarii, but I just might. They do look pretty cool. Maybe some day when I win the lottery I'll do a bunch in House Tibbetts colors to go along with a full Knight House. 

[Xin Ceithan]

Oh my, the revovery / SAR skitarii killteam is a brilliant idea! I could easiliy fit that in thematically with my Taghmata and bound knight order!

 

Also the cue towards the mythical basis of grimdark "Science" is spot on.

[A D-B]

Back to kill-team composition, Forgeworld's teaser today may make things harder for us all... it's something skitarii. I'm assuming it's the full release of the Secutarii troops. And those may well be apt for a Kill team! After all when not guarding the feet and flanks of god-engines they are the ones sent to secure the fallen knights and titans for recovery and repair! And the latter sounds like it could be a very kill-team action! Sneak deep behind enemy lines to plat a transponder beacon on the remains of a fallen holy machine that it's remains could be teleported away or a strike force can descend and lift off with it.

 

For sure. I had the same idea (I guess anyone did, really, since it's the point of the unit) and it's a case of the obvious/basic use being the best one, I think - which sounds weirdly dismissive, but it's something the Mechanicus's lore excels in over the course of the last couple of years. There's so much variety in the lore over the course of 2+ codexes that you never need to reach for a dodgy excuse to use something; units work pretty much as needed, just from their basic lore. I've found it much easier lore-wise to make hugely varied Kill Teams, Combat Patrols, and small/large army lists than with any other faction.

 

Practically and tactically, I don't have enough experience on the tabletop even with current units to predict or plan how to use the Secutarii, but I don't care, because Peltasts, yes, now, at once.

[Charlo]

The Pestas would be amazing in kill team, purely for the sheer options they bring!

[Doctor Perils]

The Pestas would be amazing in kill team, purely for the sheer options they bring!

In fairness, they look pretty amazing for 40k too.

[Brother Chaplain Behrtram]

Killteam is the perfect excuse to start my Skitarii army, so I've decided to go with 5 Rangers (fully equiped: Plasma Caliver, Arc-Rifle, Omnispex, Conversion field for the Alpha) and a pair of Infiltrators. I thinks it's a balanced force with lots of options and also fits the elite hunting party theme I want for my Killteam.

[JeffTibbetts]

You have to buy the whole squad of infiltrators, at 185 points base. Unfortunately. Even though they act on their own, you can't buy single models into the list.

[CommodusXIII]

I've had great success with a unit of Vanguard with a plasma caliver and a stock Ironstrider.

[gmaleron]

I've had great success with a unit of Vanguard with a plasma caliver and a stock Ironstrider.

 

According to the new Kill Team rules you cannot take Heavy Support Choices so you shouldn't be using the Ironstrider.

[Corsovitt]

For a thematic approach:

 

How about a Skitarri kill team hunting down tech heretics and rogue (scrap code infected) servitors in the bowels of a Forgeworld.

 

Or a small two man dragoon kill team setting up perimeter beacons to forewarn against enemy incursions on a newly discovered world (akin to Han and Luke on the Tauntauns in ESB)

 

A group of Kataphrons could represent scrap code infected servitors (hence why they are travelling without a Magos)

[BassWave]

You have to buy the whole squad of infiltrators, at 185 points base. Unfortunately. Even though they act on their own, you can't buy single models into the list.

Are they still forcing you to do that? Oh well, I guess Ill stick with Heralds of Ruin