How to Play Adeptus Mechanicus in Warhammer 40K
Today let’s take a look at some basics of how to play and get started with Warhammer 40k Adeptus Mechanicus in 10th Edition.
The Adeptus Mechanicus are the might of the Machine God made manifest. When the Mechanicus go to war, they call on phalanxes of Skitarii, robotic might, and esoteric technology. On the tabletop, the Adeptus Mechanicus are a diverse and dynamic faction with a lot to get through.
So below we offer some tips on how to play the army and get started with the army.
Who Are The Adeptus Mechanicus?
The Adeptus Mechanicus is a technological organization, often known as the Priesthood of Mars. It holds a monopoly on technological knowledge in the Imperium. Their Forge Worlds turn out the Imperium’s most powerful and advanced weaponry and equipment. While the Mechanicus is a part of the Imperium, it has developed separately. Thus, they enjoy a considerable degree of independence. Due to the great amount of power it wields, the Adeptus Mechanicus could almost be considered an allied empire. Moreso than an organization within the Imperium – as they technically appear. The Adeptus Mechanicus follow a separate religion from the rest of the Imperium. This religion and structure of the Adeptus Mechanicus is known as the Cult Mechanicus. The Adepts of the Adeptus Mechanicus are known as Tech-Priests.
Battle Congregations are the military force of the Tech-Priest hierarchies. Their typical Battle Congregations consist of a variety of forces from the militant Mechanicum factions under the general command of a Tech-Priest Dominus. The makeup of the Congregation is heavily dependent on two things. The strength of their Forge World and the Dominus’ status in the labyrinthine hierarchy of the Mechanicum Priesthood. Across the organization, are thousands of iterations.
Why Play Adeptus Mechanicus
Adeptus Mechanicus offers one of the most characterful and visually interesting factions the Imperium has to offer. The steampunk variety offered by the Mechanicus is unmatched. The miniatures range from diminutive Skitarii, alongside large servitors, to an array of interesting vehicles. These elements may even seem a bit disparate. However, the best Mechanicus armies are held together by two things; the Priesthood of Mars and a striking color scheme!
Strengths of the Army
- Firepower superiority.
- Strong specialist close combat units.
- Large number of adaptable rules means the Mechanicus have a program for any situation.
Weakness of the Army
- Large number of overlapping and layering rules based on a large number of Keywords. Keeping track of all the rules or buffs you may have coming into effect can be a full-time job.
Adeptus Mechanicus Army Rule
- Doctrina Imperatives– an alternating set of offensive and defensive buffs.
Adeptus Mechanicus Detachment Rules- Rad-Cohort
- Rules: Rad-bombardment will slowly chip away at enemy units.
- Enhancements: Mostly fairly situational, but Master Annihilator is great for some passive buffs.
- Stratagems: Every Mechanicus stratagem is for a different phase of the game.
Key Adeptus Mechanicus Units To Know
The army has a sizable unit roster and knowing what units to take can be tricky. Here are some suggestions to get you off on the right track.
Leaders
Tech-Priest Dominus
One of the many powerful Leader Tech-Priests available to lead the armies of the Adeptus Mechanicus. The Dominus provides a nice defensive buff. It is a perfect leader for your force because of the wide array of units it joins.
Tech-Priest Manipulus
Armed with a powerful Magnarail lance and Galvanic Field, which can buff the attacks of nearby units. A handy utility unit.
Skitarii Marshal
The Skitarii Marshal is the highest-ranking of the Skitarii legions you can muster. He joins foot Skitarii units and greatly enhances their already prodigious firepower with his Control Edict.
Battleline
Skitarii Rangers
The most diminutive and common of the Battleline available to the Machine God are the Skitarii. Rangers are armed with an excellent long-ranged rifle and really benefit from all the buffs they can get. They can also tag objectives with Objective Scouted.
Skitarii Vanguard
The other Skitarii Battleline on foot, Vanguard are interesting because their Rad-saturation aura reduces the Objective Control characteristic of nearby enemies (while having an OC of 2 themselves).
Other Units
Kataphron Destroyers
This servitor option packs some large and powerful guns. Enemies will think twice about charging thanks to their Sentinel Directives.
Sicaran Infiltrators
Infiltrating assassins with a battleshock-impacting debuff aura and strong anti-infantry weaponry. They can quick work of non-assault infantry.
Kastelan Robots
Big, brutal, Johnny 5 looking machines, Kastelans do work at range and up close. Make sure you add in their Datasmith though. They are lost without him! Their Repulsor Grid hilariously throws back mortal wounds at range.
Ironstrider Balistarii
An incredibly useful and mobile gun platform. The Ironstrider is very cost-efficient and easily buffed. They are also quite resilient in large units.
Serberys Raiders
A nice forward scouting unit. The most compelling reason to take either variety of Serberys is for their amazing and creepy robo-horse-dogs!
Skorpius Disintegrator
Everyone needs a flying tank with a big gun- the Adeptus Mechanicus have a reliable one, full of Blistering Salvoes!
Archaeopter Stratoraptor
This crazy Leonardo Da Vinci machine flyer is the Stratoraptor which is highly effective because of it twin lascannon and Strafing Run ability.
Sample Starter Warhammer 40k Adeptus Mechanicus Army
Army: Adeptus Mechanicus
Leaders
Tech-Priest Dominus. 1 Model. They are equipped with: macrostubber; volkite blaster; Omnissian axe.
Battleline
Skitarii Rangers. Ten Models. One model equipped with: plasma caliver. Every other model is equipped with: galvanic rifle.
Skitarii Rangers. Ten Models. One model equipped with: plasma caliver. Every other model is equipped with: galvanic rifle.
Skitarii Rangers. Ten Models. One model equipped with: plasma caliver. Every other model is equipped with: galvanic rifle.
Skitarii Rangers. Ten Models. One model equipped with: plasma caliver. Every other model is equipped with: galvanic rifle.
Skitarii Rangers. Ten Models. One model equipped with: plasma caliver. Every other model is equipped with: galvanic rifle.
Other Units
Ironstrider Ballistarii. Two Models. Equipped with: Twin cognis lascannon.
Skorpius Disintegrator. One Model. It is equipped with: 3 cognis heavy stubbers; disruptor missile launcher; belleros energy cannon.
How to Play Adeptus Mechanicus
AM are an ultimate finesse army- timing the use of your buffs is *imperative* . You can plan for the alpha strike or not and determine how you use your imperatives. You can start off on defense and plan the lightning strike switch to offense or full alpha with offense all the way.
For the Omnissiah!
