The Adeptus MechanicusofWarhammer 40Kworship the enigmatic Machine God much like the Astra Militarum or the Imperial Guard worships the God-Emperor of Mankind. Serving as humanity’s providers of scientists and engineers, none in theWarhammer 40Kuniverse can compare to the Cult Mechanicus’s thirst for knowledge and desire to keep it. Although the Adeptus Mechanicus gives the Imperium much of their sacred technology, the Cultists make for a formidable army of their own should they use their technological secrets.
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What the Adeptus Mechanicus lacks in sheer firepower, they make up with combat versatility and utility. With the right selection of units, even frail members of the Adeptus Mechanicus can contend with powerful Psykers, enormous Titans, and marksmen of Fireteams. However, just which units should players include to make a top-notch Adeptus Mechanicus army worthy of the Omnissiah’s presence?
9Archaeopter Fusilave
TheArchaeopter Fusilaveis a testament to the technological brilliance ofthe Adeptus Mechanicus, with its rather short and stout appearance boasting one of the most adaptable aircraft in the Imperium. Piloted by the flying Pteraxii of the Mechanicus, the carbon-fiber wings of the Fusilave can morph to adjust to various conditions, giving them the flexibility they need to accommodate various combat scenarios.
This aerial dominance is reflected in the Fusilave’s abilities, as it can pivot twice (Manoeuvrable Craft) and make it difficult to strike (Hard to Hit) or trade these features for a turn’s worth of hovering in the air (Hover Jet). As an aerial vehicle, it can make melee attacks against other flying units (Airborne) while still being able to strike anywhere it’s passed with ordinances (Bomb Rack). When equipped with the Chaff Launcher, the Fusilave can give debuffs toWarhammer 40Kunits trying to attack it.
8Serberys Raiders
Mounted cavalry amongWarhammer 40Kunits are often equipped with sniper rifles to hit targets more efficiently, butSerberys Raidersamong the Adeptus Mechanicus prefer using mid-ranged weapons and their cyber-beasts to move in and out of combat quickly. The sheer maneuverability of their beasts allows Serberys Raiders to pursue scouting positions or secure objectives while still being able to protect themselves from afar (Galvanic Carbine, Archeo-Revolver) or up close (Cavalry Sabre, Clawed Limbs).
What makes Serberys Raiders highly efficient is their slate of Doctrina Imperatives that give them additional combat advantages. On top of defensive buffs (Enhanced Bionics), Raiders can move as soon as the first battle round begins (Skirmishing Line), allowing players to secure tactically-viable positions. Moreover, Raiders don’t have to worry about hitting friendlies close to them when targeting enemies (Eye of Serberys).
7Sicarian Infiltrators
Hunters of a rather sadistic caliber,Sicarian Infiltratorsare efficient in their kills, not out of stealth or skill, but in their inherent capabilities. Created from salvaged bodies of fallen Skitarii, Sicarian Infiltrators are outfitted with gear that robs the senses of their victims, leaving them wide open for a clean shot. In the game, Sicarian Infiltrators inhibit the enemy’s ability to reroll hits and wounds when targeting them (Neurostatic Interference).
Sicarian Infiltrators make excellent screenersinWarhammer 40Kgameplayas they can be deployed mid-field to ruin enemy units pursuing objectives (Infiltrating Positions) and may even ruin the opponent’s chance to issue commands (Voices in the Code). Likewise, their inherent defenses (Enhanced Bionics) make them decent forward units and steal enemy positions.
6Pteraxii Sterilyzors
Cousins to the grounded Skitarii are the Pteraxii, winged cybernetic soldiers whose instincts and cognition are honed to such an extent that their basic functions are inhibited. Now serving as scouts,Pteraxii Sterilyzorsare trained to seek targets from the air and swoop in for aggressive attacks. In a player’sWarhammer 40Kexperience, this aerial superiority is demonstrated as the capability to stay in the skies before swooping to take position during the Reinforcements step (Thermal Raiders), allowing them to hover over objectives.
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Its slate of offensive advantages also makes them efficient screeners, especially since their charge attack buffs (Swooping Strikes), Fall Back-shooting (Darting Hunters), and additional defenses (Enhanced Bionics) can make them powerful enough to take out light infantry.
5Technoarcheologist
With members of the Adeptus Mechanicus being scholars as much as they are engineersof the Imperium of Mankind, they haveTechnoarcheologiststo look for ancient Archeotech that may prove useful to the Machine Cult’s goals in serving the Omnissiah. Being a Tech-Priest in training, Technoarcheologists are capable of supporting other machines in battle, with their kit allowing them to protect integral objectives.
For instance, Technoarcheologists are capable of inhibiting enemy reinforcements from arriving within 12’’ of them (Omni-Scrambler), giving players the time to set up defenses. They can also enhance Detachments with more Tech-Priest units (Brotherhood of the Cog), auto-succeeding ranged attacks of certain friendlies (Machine Focus), and even healing other Force World models (Master of Machines). Additionally, Technoarcheologists can gain more tailored abilities with Holy Orders Upgrades, improving melee (Genetors), defenses (Logi), ranged attacks (Magi), and even enabling Fall Back-shooting (Artisans) in allies.
4Skitarii Rangers
The cyberneticSkitarii Rangersare completely subservient to the cause of the Adeptus Mechanicus, showcasing their faith in the Omnissiah through the persistent stalking of their prey. In theirWarhammer 40Kgameplay, Skitarii Rangers are some of the Mechanicus’ most versatile unitsmuch like the Space Marines, with both its Skitarii Ranger and a Skitarii Ranger Alpha components capable of replacing their Galvanic Rifle with a myriad of weapons. These opportunities to change weapons allow Rangers to take down troops or even vehicles with tactical precision - making them quite a steal for 9 Points per unit.
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The Doctrina Imperatives attached to the Rangers are also relatively easy to mesh with other Mechanicus Stratagems, as they get a defense boost (Bionics) and a movement boost (Rangers). Rangers become particularly deadly when a platoon can deal up to 80 damage for 2CP with the option to trigger multiple mortal wounds (Wrath of Mars), improved attack (Plasma Specialists, Aggression Override), and better Arrmour Penetration (Elimination Directive).
3Skitarii Vanguard
Opposite the Skitarii Rangers are their immensely irradiatedSkitarii Vanguardbrethren, whose infamy as “Rad Troopers” allow them to serve as the Adeptus Mechanicus’ frontlines in their many skirmishes across the galaxy. Such is the radiation pumped by their pack generators that even enemies are weakened in their presence, reflected in theirWarhammer 40Kgameplay as Strength and Toughness debuffs when near them (Rad-Saturation, Rad-Oversaturation).
In gameplay, these radiation setbacks make Vanguards hard to kill in melee much likethe Space Marines- something they can take advantage of through their numerous weapon choices and light cover bypass (Omnispex). Vanguards get especially dangerous when they start the offensive, as they’re also able to inflict wounds with rolls as low as 4+ (Enriched Rounds, Stratagem). Players who want more bang for their buck (literally) could choose Vanguards over Rangers, especially since they cost the same.
2Ironstrider Ballistarius
Another iteration of the stilt-legged Ironstrider Engine comes theIronstrider Ballistarius, essentially a bipedal sniping platform capable of pouncing around the battlefield before stopping at a comfortable distance away from its target. Its cost of ~75 Points is rather cheap for its combat utility, boasting hefty 10-inch movement alongside decently-powered Twin Cognis Autocannons and Twin Cognis Lascannons.
Their speed combined with the potency of their cannons makes them the best beneficiary of Robotic Protocols (Stratagem) that enable them to do Fall Back-shooting. Other Stratagems also enhance the Ballistarius’ combat power, including easier access to mortal wounding (Wrath of Mars, Binharic Offense, Aggression Override, Elimination Directive) and faster movement (Dunestriders). While the Ballistarius won’t fare well in direct combat, Robotic Protocols make them one of the besthit-and-run shooters acrossWarhammer 40Kgameplay.
1Skitarii Marshals
Serving as the conduits of the Tech-Priests’ will, theSkitarii Marshalsare responsible for refining the programming of the Skitarii troops ofthisWarhammer 40Kfactionfor utmost efficiency. In the lore, Skitarii Marshals employ advanced cybernetics and machinery such as uplinks to issue commands, which are reflected in the game through the way Doctrina Imperatives mesh well with the Adeptus Mechanicus’s stat-boosting Stratagems.
What the Skitarii Marshals lack in firepower they more than make up with their efficiency as a buffing unit. Through the Doctrina Imperatives, other Skitarii units can ignore the penalties of other active Imperatives (Control Edict), wound rerolls (Servo-Skull Uplink), and even do Fall Back-shooting (Robotic Protocols). In terms of survivability, the Skitarii Marshals have boosted defenses (Enhanced Bionics) on top of an auto-wound staff on a 6 (Radium Serpenta).
