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I decided to start with getting 500 points together, beginning with the Knight Atropos and a Tech-priest Auxillia with 4 Servo-automata. I'm using converted Scyllax on 32mm bases for the the Servo-automata . I also know this isn't really legal to run in any FOC just yet, but I can ally in the Knight to 40K armies if needed.

Nerdfest is going to work on these for me, and I'll post up a link when they're underway

Sounds good.

So.... has anyone tried out using a krios and reductor combined?

Krios Venator? Is in every list.
Normal Krios? Nope.

 Ankhalagon wrote:
Krios Venator? Is in every list.
Normal Krios? Nope.

yea the venator.

how does it do with the reductor's buff?

It kills a vehicle with every salvo?

Well nerdfest is working his magic and the 500 points are almost done and it has gone well enough that I'm considering expanding to a full army. I could really use input on the below!


HQ
Archmagos Prime - Myrmidax, 2 x Phased Plasma Fusils, Jet pack, Rad grenades - 225

Elite
Tech-Priest Auxillia - 2 Adepts w/ Enginseer, 1 Cortex Controller, 4 Servo-automata w/ 1 Servo-arm - 105

Troops
6 Thallax w/ Destructor, 2 Phased Plasma Fusils - 290
3 Thallax w/ Destructor, 1 Phased Plasma Fusil - 160
3 Thallax w/ Destructor, 1 Phased Plasma Fusil - 160
Adsecularis Covenant - 10 Tech-thralls w/ The Rite of Pure Thought - 50

Fast
Vultarax Stratos-Automata - 175

Heavy
Thanatar Siege-Automata - 250
Krios Venerator - 150

Lord of War
Cerastus Knight-Atropos - 435

Total - 2000


Thoughts on the list
It seems to me that Destructor (Tank Hunter) on the Thallax is a really good way of hedging my bets - I'd like for the plasma guns to be shooting marines, but if there aren't troops in range, the small units can put out 2 S7 and 3 S6 shots on a tank, all rerolling armor penetration - not bad! I'm not sure if it's as needed on the large unit, as I had planned that unit to accompany the Magos, and he really wants to be shooting infantry.

On the Magos, he's upgraded so he can fire 2 weapons, and with Relentless should be putting out 6 S6 AP3 shots a turn. Combined with 6 more of those shots from the large Thallax unit he's with, they should really erase marine units (which there are a lot of in 30K!). He's expensive, and I considered splitting this unit into two smaller ones, as it will likely be a real fire magnet with over 500 points represented in it... but they are a scary shooting unit as they are, and should actually be a decent in combat with his Rad grenades letting them wound T4 models on a 2+!

I had also wanted to find room for some anti-air Tarantula gun platforms, but couldn't fit them with the expensive Magos. Does the list look like it has enough AA as it is with just the Vultarax? Any other ideas on different ways to configure the units I've shown here?


Rules Questions These are now answered in the posts below

Thanks so much for the help

 RiTides wrote:
Well nerdfest is working his magic and the 500 points are almost done and it has gone well enough that I'm considering expanding to a full army. I could really use input on the below!


HQ
Archmagos Prime - Myrmidax, 2 x Phased Plasma Fusils, Jet pack, Rad grenades - 225

Don't forget you can take both a jet pack and an abeyant. How are you going to use the power weapon he comes with? I run mine as an axe, as I figure I'm usually going last after any big boys anyway, so might as well make my hits really count.

It seems to me that Destructor (Tank Hunter) on the Thallax is a really good way of hedging my bets - I'd like for the plasma guns to be shooting marines, but if there aren't troops in range, the small units can put out 2 S8 and 3 S7 shots on a tank - not bad! I'm not sure if it's as needed on the large unit, as I had planned that unit to accompany the Magos, and he really wants to be shooting infantry.

I think you mistyped something there, lightning guns are S7 and plasma fusils are S6. Also, don't forget the improved Precision Shots ability you'll have on the Magos. I'm also a fan of the Destructor upgrade. With the Thallax's mobility, it can be possible to get some side and even rear shots on tanks.

On the Magos, he's upgraded so he can fire 2 weapons, and with Relentless should be putting out 6 S6 AP3 shots a turn. Combined with 6 more of those shots from the large Thallax unit he's with, they should really erase marine units (which there are a lot of in 30K!). He's expensive, and I considered splitting this unit into two smaller ones, as it will likely be a real fire magnet with over 500 points represented in it... but they are a scary shooting unit as they are, and should actually be a decent in combat with his Rad grenades letting them wound T4 models on a 2+!

A unit of 6 isn't bad. just be ready to be targetted by shooting and/or assault.

lso wanted to find room for some anti-air Tarantula gun platforms, but couldn't fit them with the expensive Magos. Does the list look like it has enough AA as it is with just the Vultarax?

You should be fine. With AA, it seems like you either have too much (the opponent didn't bring any flyers or just one) or not enough (they brought a lot of flyers).

3. Does a Cyber-Occularis interact with a Thanatar Siege-Automata in a way I'm not seeing? I saw people talking about the two working together, and maybe it has something to do with Barrage rules I'm not aware of...

Well, there is the Interceptor rule it grants when next to the Thanatar, but that's not the bit you want. It's the -1 to enemy cover saves when close to the enemy that you want, to really screw them over with the olasma mortar's "reroll successful cover saves" rule.

4. Finally, where in the world are the rules for the Phased Plasma-Fusil in the Mechanicum red book? I just cannot find them anywhere, I had to google for them. Just need a page number . Also, I believe the Jet packs on the Thallax and the Jet pack / Relentless on the Magos means they should all be able to fire the 3 Salvo shots from these, right?

For some strange reason, they're not listed in the normal weapons summary pages, but you can find it on the Questoris Knights list weapons page just after it on page 116.

Ah, you're right on the typo - I've fixed it now! I was operating under an old Tank Hunter rule but rerolling armor penetration still seems good. Thanks very much for the answers, I've crossed off the answered questions above . On the power weapon, that's a great suggestion and I'll go with a power axe, as well!

Have people tried a large unit of Thallax with Chainblades? The Cortex Controller doesn't seem too necessary on the Tech-Priest, given that the Thanatar will usually be more than 12" away from enemies, anyway. If I drop that and Destructor from the unit, I can give them all Chainblades, so that they're insta-killing T4 models in close combat (thanks to Rad grenades on the Magos). I'm not sure how many multi-wound T4 models I'll be facing, though

Do I have the Tech-Priest rule right - that with Enginseer, they get +1 to Battlesmith rolls in addition to the +1 that comes from the servo-arm (so need to roll a 3+)?

Answer 1: the jet pack assault move is not a 'run' move, nor is it a 'sweeping advance' - therefore it's kosher and the magos can have a thallax bodyguard.

Answer 2: yes, they all stack.

There's a lot more to the tech-preist auxillia than you'd think at first glance i think.

Excellent, thanks for the great answers

I might try mixing up the Thallax units a bit more, could folks post how they configure their units? I've found some old threads on it but would love to hear what people are using in practice!

I've tried Thallax in multiple ways. I always do try to run them in multiples of three for the special weapon. I have tried 3-man units with the Tank Hunters rule and a multimelta for deepstriking in behind a tank, but they just haven't worked out for me that way yet. They might do some damage, then they get wiped on my opponent's turn. So, now I avoid deepstriking Thallax.
The Tank Hunters upgrade is good, but is often the first to go if I need the points elsewhere (I've usually got other stuff for antitank duties much of the time).
My preferred weapon for them is the plasma fusil. It almost doubles the unit's firepower, and makes them a real threat against marines (combined with the negative modifier to cover saves). I avoid the photon thruster. The Blind and AP2 is nice, but the range doesn't synergize with the Lightning Gun, Gets Hot sucks when you only have a 4+, and Lance is largely pointless on a S6 gun anyway (sure, you could get a glance on anything over AV12, but odds are against it, even with Tank Hunters). Melta is a gamble: people either take ceramite or they don't (the points really do add up if you have a lot of vehicles), so it's something like bluffing in a game of poker (do you play ceramite thinking your opponent is taking melta, or are they just bluffing?). Besides, even with ceramite, S8 AP1 is still usually pretty good on rear armor if you can get to it. But, invariably, you'll line up that perfect rear armor shot...and miss.
I try to keep them out of close combat. Every time my Thallax get into one, they either get killed easily or it becomes a multiturn tarpit and I would much rather my Thallax be jumping around shooting stuff than trying to knee a marine in the groin.

So, generally, if I'm going with a Thallax heavy list, I run a 6-man unit with plasma and two 3-man units with plasma.

Well that's just what I needed to hear . Thanks Tannhauser!

Those are just my experiences over about 6-8 games with my Mechanicum, and I'm far from being in a highly competitive environment. I know other people like to kit out their Thallax for assault, and that seems to work for them. Hopefully others will chime in with their Thallax experiences.

I'm still getting my bearings with my Taghmata list, but I'll share my thallax experience.

Originally I took them with the plasma fusil as that was the cheapest option that could help kill marines. However, the short range just didn't jive with how I ended up using them. With only troops being scoring in 30k, I've found that you need to be really careful with your troops and keep them out of harm's way if you are to have any chance in an objective game. Getting within 24 inches of the enemy starts putting you in range for a lot of things to shoot back or even get into assault range.

So I've been taking them with the photon thruster and jump shoot jumping through the early part of the game and then running/jumping to get to objectives. I will say that the firepower has been underwhelming and you do end up losing a wound here and there from "get's hot". However, I have plinked off hull points off land raiders and done more serious damage to rhinos. So I've found the photon thruster to be the best weapon to pair with a more cautious approach to troops.

When i first started running a mechanicum list i used groups of 6 with 2 phased plasma fusil and a DT mechanicum land raider. I'd keep them outside of the tanks and use them as a mobile wall to jump back behind after shooting.

Vindicators and their templates of instant death made me take multiple three unit cohorts and going easy on the augments to limit the damage, and over time i started appreciating having a small cohort to banish infiltrators back to their deployment zone.
Initially i would use two base cohorts to make sure they had to go all the way back but over time i found one cohort when imaginatively spaced could do the same.

A few years later and i find that there are 8 roles i tend to give my thallax.
Infiltrator banishment/Deepstrike artificer sargent bypass - three unit cohort with a phased plasma fusil
Throwaway deepstrike contemptor harassment - three unit cohort with the destructor augment
Marine hunting (3+) - six unit cohort with two phased plasma fusil
Marine hunting (artificer sargent) - six unit cohort with a photon thruster and a phased plasma fusil
Archmagos bodyguard (photon thruster sniping) - six unit cohort with two photon thrusters and Icarian augment
Mid-feild vehicle harassment - three unit cohort with meltabombs and destructor augment
Ursarax-Lite - six unit cohort with heavy chain blades, ferrox augment and a couple of meltabombs
AA-Lite - three unit cohort with photon thruster and Icarian augment

I'm still considering.
Throwaway deepstrike infantry harassment - three unit cohort with an irrad-cleanser
but have yet to try it out - i know others on the forum have and speak highly of it.


All good things come in threes.
Thallax are no exception to this.

Thanks for the great input on the Thallax, guys! I've also thought about the Archmagos and realized if I go lighter on him I can add a whole extra tank so what do you think about the below:


HQ
Magos Dominus w/ Master-crafted Conversion Beamer (joins Thanatar) - 105

Elite
Tech-Priest Auxillia - 2 Adepts w/ Enginseer, 4 Servo-automata w/ 1 Servo-arm - 90

Troops
6 Thallax w/ 2 Phased Plasma Fusils - 275
3 Thallax w/ Phased Plasma Fusil, Meltabombs - 160
3 Thallax w/ Phased Plasma Fusil, Meltabombs - 160
Adsecularis Covenant - 10 Tech-thralls w/ The Rite of Pure Thought - 50

Fast
Vultarax Stratos-Automata - 175

Heavy
Thanatar Siege-Automata - 250
Krios Venerator - 150
Krios Venerator - 150

Lord of War
Cerastus Knight-Atropos - 435

Total - 2000


Right now, I removed Destructor and added Meltabombs to the smaller Thallax units, but could use those 30 points for anything that made the most sense

I went with a foot Magos who would join the Thanatar as a unit. I think if I keep him back behind the big guy a bit, the Thanatar will soak all the incoming fire as the closest model, right? A master-crafted conversion beamer is everything I ever wanted in a game of 40k . And going with the Magos Dominus means he has the Cortex Controller natively, saving me even more points since the Tech-priest doesn't need it. And I added in a whole extra Krios Venerator with the points saved!

Any final thoughts appreciated, I'm going to be ordering the vehicles soon so if you see a huge hole speak now!

The dominus can still be shot at - part of the rule says the opponent can choose to target the magos or the thanatar.

The list looks pretty sweet, i'd like to see how it does!

Thanks I'm going to go for it! Actually preordered the Vultarax today, just love how it looks

On the Magos Dominus, the rule looks like the opposite to me - that you can ignore the character if you want. Maybe made to prevent a character from soaking incoming fire with an invul save, or just for fluff purposes, since an enemy should be able to target the big creature standing behind them? Part of it reads:

"...enemy shooting at the unit may opt to ignore the fact that the character is the closest model in the unit for the purposes of shooting attacks if they wish and instead target the closest Monstrous Creature in the unit..."

So, it looks to me like they can ignore the character if he's the closest, but not the MC. I certainly hope so, since joining them up doesn't seem very useful otherwise!

Sorry, didn't have my books at the time and was going off a fuzzy memory
Yeah! Thanatar bodyguard! I think you just found me a reason to take a cheap second HQ choice.