Quick Hits October 2018 - Adeptus Mechanicus

After a short delay, our next quick hit is Codex Adeptus Mechanicus. As the Knights codex released after this and made changes to the Knights part of the codex, I won't be re-covering them here. See
https://hiveoffunandsilliny.blogspot.com/2018/07/quick-hits-july-2018-imperial-knights.html for my opinions on that book.

Special Rules

Canticles of the Omnissiah gives a random, army-wide buff each round. You can mitigate the randomness by choosing, but you then lose access to that effect for later rounds. Some of these are less than helpful if they appear at the wrong time, but the option to choose makes u for it.

HQ

Belisarius Cawl

He lets you modify the roll when randomly choosing your Canticle (in a Forge World that lets you roll twice on the table and gain both) and is also a pretty good Warlord. He is expensive and locks you into Mars though. He does bring better healing and re-roll ability than a regular Dominus though.

Tech-Priest Dominus
Brings a re-roll 1s to hit aura and can heal friendly models. Their weapon choices aren't too bad either.

Tech-Priest Enginseer
Not expected to be seen much outside an Astra Militarum army. I guess they are useful if you need a cheap HQ choice.

Troops

Skitari Rangers
Galvanic Rifles are okay as a basic weapon, especially with a range of 30". The special weapon options are interesting too.

Skitarii Vanguard
The mobile Troops choice and they can put a fair bit of damage out with some lucky rolls. I think I'd rather stick with the solid Rangers though.

Kataphron Breachers
They have melee weapons that you don't really want them to be in a position to use, and their firepower is aimed at wrecking vehicles. Shame the Heavy Arc Rifle is only strength 6.

Kataphron Destroyers
I'd want these guys armed with Plasma Culverins to put out the damage and Cognis Flamers to limit the ability to the opponent to lock them in melee. I rate these guys over the Breachers.

Elites 

Servitors 
Originally designed to accompany Tech-Priest Enginseers in older editions, you should be able to find better units to take.

Cybernetica Datasmith 
Used to be a unit leader for Kastelan Robots, now they are just another character that can give out healing. They are also used to change the Data Protocols of the Robots, but they don't have much use outside of that.

Sicarian Ruststalkers 
A pure melee unit, they can put out a bunch of Mortal Wounds with enough 6s to wound.

Sicarian Infiltrators 
With Flechette Blasters and Taser Goads, they are really good at clearing out screening units at close range. It's a shame that their "Infiltrate" puts them into Reserve, as the latest Big FAQ leaves them unable to arrive until Turn 2.

Fulgurite Electro-Priests 
A unit that in large numbers can do a tonne of Mortal Wounds. They can also improve their Invulnerable Save if they defeat a unit in melee. They are threatening to almost anything once they get into combat.

Corpuscarii Electro-Priests 
A hardy unit that is pretty good at clearing out screens once it gets close to them.

Fast Attack 

Sydonian Dragoons 
I'd keep these guys cheap and just take the Taser Lance. They are fast, hit like a truck and have a negative modifier for ranged weapons to hit them.

Ironstrider Ballistarii 
These guys have a decent ballistic skill, and can advance and fire their heavy weapons! That gives them a massive threat range and both weapon options are really good for hammering opposing vehicles.

Heavy Support 

Kastelan Robots 
I love how these guys look like 1950's sci-fi robots. They are also pretty good on the table, acting like a unit of Dreadnoughts. They can be kitted out for melee or shooting and do a great job at either. Expect them to draw a lot of firepower.

Onager Dunecrawler 
I think the best loadout for this vehicle is the Icarus Array for 10 anti-Fly shots.

Forge World Dogma 

Lucius feels like a bit of a dud, though I may be underestimating how many -1 AP weapons are in use. The rest are really good though.

Stratagems 

Stand-out Stratagems

• Zealous Congregation
• Binharic Override
• Scryerskull
• Protector Doctrina Imperative
• Conqueror Doctrina Imperative
• Tech-Adept
• Dunestriders
• Acquisition At Any Cost
• Infoslave Skull
• Machine Spirit's Revenge
• Fresh Converts
• Legio Teleportarium
• Plasma Specialists
• Steel Mind, Iron Logic
• Deafening Assault
• Knight of the Cog

Warlord Traits

Most of the options are a bit underwhelming,  although I think the Metalica one is fantastic.

Arcana Mechanicum

Stand-out Relics

• Anzion's Pseudogenetor
• Autocaduceus of Arkhan Land
• The Omniscient Mask
• The Cerebral Techno-Mitre
• The Eye of Xi-Lexum