Interested in HH and Mechanicum

[Silvereyes]

As the title says. Interested in getting into the Horus Heresy game, and specifically, the Mechanicum faction.

 

Currently play 40K, slowly reading up and getting primed for 11th edition. I still enjoy 40K, but GW's insistence on tournament play really doesn't interest me. Bit fed up of symmetrical L shaped ruins. Some people at my club play HH, and say it is a lot more of a narrative focused game, but more complicated and unbalanced, neither of which I mind. Really, I'm just trying to understand what makes HH so different from modern 40K?

 

As for faction, well, the only one I have any real interest in is Mechanicum. Is the Combat Force a good starting point, possibly even 2 of them? A lot of the range is still in resin, and I know in recent years GW has had a push to make new plastic versions. Is it perhaps worth trying to hold off buying the resin stuff? Can I ally in something like a Knight with my Mechanicum? What sortof model count would you be looking at for a 3000 point list?

 

Sorry for the simple questions. I am genuinely interested in this game, and from the positive stuff my club members tell me about it. I am considering perhaps starting with the Combat Force, building and playing with that, to try and get a start. Although I think I also need a character as well to make it legal?

 

Thank you.

[MDops]

I don't know how much help I can provide, I'm sure others will jump in as well at some point.

 

For the combat force, yeah its a good start. The three units you get in it can be staples for army lists. The Thanatar can be a bit harder to fit into an army list due to the slot its in but not impossible to get multiple.

 

I'm not 100% on knights in 30k but from GW's own mouth the Lord of war detachment can be used to add knights.

 

In terms of model count, I'm going to be somewhat unhelpful, as your probably going to be somewhere between militia on the high end and custodes on the low end. Really depends on your army and what your adding. For example 4 Castellax is about the same as 20 tech thralls.

 

On Plastic vs Resin, yes the plastic will probably be cheaper but if you like the sculpts then there is a chance the resculpt won't have the same appeal.

[SlickSamos]

Good questions!

 

11 hours ago, Silvereyes said:

Is the Combat Force a good starting point, possibly even 2 of them?

One seems excellent, two depends vibes but they are a more cost effective way of expanding your force than buying Thralls.

 

11 hours ago, Silvereyes said:

Is it perhaps worth trying to hold off buying the resin stuff?

Yes and/or convert models for Characters.  I've also spotted a couple of converted characters for 40k on second hand sites for a reasonable price.

 

11 hours ago, Silvereyes said:

Can I ally in something like a Knight with my Mechanicum?

Allying is super encouraging by the rules of this edition. Knights, Militia (with specific army rules), Iron Hands and Iron Warriors make the coolest allies in my opinion!

 

11 hours ago, Silvereyes said:

What sortof model count would you be looking at for a 3000 point list?

Lots if using Thralls, not many if using big bots and tanks...  But maybe around 10 to 20 units?

 

11 hours ago, Silvereyes said:

Although I think I also need a character as well to make it legal?

Yes you will need a number of tech priest type characters - buy these second hand from the 40k ranges is the cheapest approach.

 

You can hit over 1000 pts with 2 Combat Forces and 2 HQ type characters so if using second hand and other retailers you can build it for about £200.  No idea if it'll be any good though...

 

Alternatively a Combat Force, some HQs, and some Skitarii and/or Tech Thralls could be a different starting 1000 pts but is a bit more money depending on what second hand models you can find for the Tech Thralls and Skitarii.

 

Books wise Mechanicum is the first one to read.  Then First Heretic and Betrayer have some fun Mechanicum characters and the books also link together which is always good.  Vengeful Spirit is fine but if you like Knights then it's got some scenes which go into their importance and politics - however for the story to make sense there are a few other books you'd also have to read...