The Marauder is a Heavy Warjack for Khador in Warmachine Mk2.

Background and Description

Marauder painted by markodoornbos

The marauder's battering rams were designed to destroy buildings, but they're even more useful in destroying and knocking around enemy warjacks. While warjacks routinely batter each other about in a charging frenzy, Marauders can be used tactically and thoughtfully to advance and pound warjacks into useful directions.^[1]

Special Abilities and Weapons

• Weapons
  • Ram Pistons (Melee x2)
    • Combo Attack: Smite

Strengths

• Positional Slamming: You can use any 'jack to slam power attack, however, traditional slams require a straight line, 3" minimum, aimed at the center of the target, and the application of 1-2 focus points (one to power attack, one to boost). The Marauder can simply advance and determine the direction of the slam based on the position of its base. Use this to help clear the way or to slam two heavies into each other. Slam in the manner that suits you best for the cost of 1 focus to boost the attack roll.
• Stronger than a normal Slam: A slam from a Marauder would be P+S 12, but the Combo Attack adds the POW of both its weapons to give it a P+S 20 slam that can be boosted.
• Points Cost: You're paying for a specialized 'jack with two average fists (for Khador) at the same value as a Juggernaut. While you might never want more than one Marauder in the list, its point cost leaves you with points to buy more specialized or versatile 'jacks.

Weaknesses

• Needs both arms to slam: Combo attacks need both initial attacks in order to trigger, so your opponent will look for ways to remove the threat of the smite.
• Made for dealing with heavies: Infantry swarms can down a Marauder unless they leave you favorable conditions for a Trample Power Attack (hint: Good players never do).

Synergies

• Vladimir Tzepesci, The Dark Prince: Forced March the Marauder 8" to set up the best possible Combo Attack-Smite.
• Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Champion: Charge and combo-smite from 9", using your charge movement to get the optimum angle. With Assail the target should fly 3-8".
• Destroyer: Combo Attack a model to create the best placement of an AOE on the knocked down models.
• Behemoth: After clearing a target, drop two bombards on its head while it's knocked down.
• Man-O-War Shocktroopers: Shield Wall the Shocktroopers behind a light and attack as normal, then Combo Attack: Smite the light into the shield wall for a super slam while having a good chance that the Shocktroopers will stay alive.
• Winter Guard Mortar Crew: Fire a P+S 16 bombard on the knocked down model or models.
• Koldun Lord: A Marauder can be marshaled to fulfill its primary purpose. Use the boost to boost the attack roll, and provide focus for a charge through Power Booster.
• Man-O-War Drakhun: Use the Marauder's combo attack to slam power attack a heavy into a waiting Drakhun for a heavy superslam. The Drakhun will be unaffected due to Steady.
• Man-O-War Kovnik: The Kovnik can Marshal the Marauder to boost its combat attack for an accurate slam.

Rules Errata

Articles

Notes

1. ¹ Warmachine: Prime MKII. 2009