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My LGS is about to start a campaign where we are restricted to 3 books and 1 dataslate (I know it's not the best format but it used to just be 2 books and Im pretty sure the additions are just a result of my complaining about it. lol) I want to play admech with knight so my book choices are pretty clear with Cult, Skitarii and Knights taking them up, but thwere things get more difficult for me is in my choice of dataslate. While the books give me access to the formations contained within, any stand-alone dataslates like the Dominus Maniple and the War Convo would have to be taken using my dataslate slot. That said, my question is what dataslate should I choose?

The War Convo's benefits are pretty obvious, but tbh, Im just not sure I enjoy playing it that much. It forces me to take units Im not crazy abnout and extremely limits my ability to "design" my forces as, barring a few options, its a standard war convo like all the rest, While its hard to argue witht he free wargear and canticles, I often find that it's just not a force I enjoy fielding. I am definitely not a WAAC player and if it's not fun I ususally just leave it on the shelf. That leaves me with...

The Dominus Maniple. I actually really like this force as it gives me access to the dominus without needing a full cult force as well as an onager without the need for the double troops. When Im looking at 3 knights plus support, this formation tends to call to me. While I haven't played it yet, It does seem really fun and fluffy. Plus its not that expensive so can be used as a tool without having to build your entire army around it. The only thing that makes me shy away from it is that its not the war convo and the war convo's benefits are very Very difficult to ignore.

It's also worth noting that I could take a different dataslate as well like an assassin or anything that wouldn't require to take a book (like in order to take a steel host I have to have the AM book) So what should I do? I've been racking my brain for a while and just can't decide. I'm open to other suggestions as well. Thanks!

I don't get the comparison. Dominus Maniple is a few models totaling less than 500 points where as War Convocation is 3 separate armies that run well over 1450 points.

That's like comparing an ally detachment to a full Gladius Strike Force.

I enjoy playing with and against competitive lists, so my first instincts tell me to run War Convocation and a Culexus Assassin as my dataslate. With your campaign restrictions, you can't get a drop pod for your cuxelus without allying in Space Wolves or Blood Angels for a cheap FA pod. But, I don't think you necessarily need a pod for her.

As to your question, what should you do? If you have plans to play competitively in the future at all, a campaign is a great way to start collecting models towards a full War Convocation. If you don't plan on EVER playing competitively, it doesn't really matter what you decide on. Just have fun. Personally, I love the idea of running the Cohort Cybernetica for a Dominus leading 4-6 Kastelan Robots. It's super durable and can put on the damage (if it manages to get into h2h). I don't think I would ever purchase the models personally for their lack of competitiveness, but I'd love to paint them.

I think you might have been confused on the question. I already have a full army and I do play competitively. This is just about which formation to choose for the dataslate slot. War convo is very prepackaged whereas the dominus maniple gives me more option in my list building as it would be helpful with a baronial court or a knight heavy formation.

My feeling is that the war convo has much better perks but the dominus maniple just gives me more freedom in my list building.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The choice is really just about what to pick for my one dataslate slot though as my books are more locked in.

Oh, you're right. Misunderstood!

I love Cuxelus whenever I have enough sources to include her. I love her in a pod, but played correctly, I think using the Culexus in your Dataslate spot might help. Just my 2 cents!

So what youre really saying is war convo, or 3 knights and a Dominus Maniple?

What I'm really saying is War Convo and Culexus

For me the War Convo is worth it. Yes I have to run 1 unit of rangers and am limited to one unit of Vanguard, I have to have infiltrators and rustalkers, and a walker, but....its free points everywhere else something like 700 free points....If you didnt take all that stuff and just paid for the upgrades you are actually giving up points...

War Convo. There are enough other formations/special rules available between those three codices to cover what you'd get from the Dominus Maniple.

 Tenzilla wrote:
So what youre really saying is war convo, or 3 knights and a Dominus Maniple?

That's definitely part of it. I like running 3 knights and I feel like skitarii compliment them well. Especially dragons and Icarus arrays. the dominus is definitely a plus as well.

Well I would say either is viable. War convo gives more options, I know you're afraid of feeling trapped into taking certain units, but like i said before, they are basically free units with free upgrades all things considered.

I have ran a Dominus maniple along side a skitarii maniple, with my warlord in the skitarii maniple in a plasma squad. That way I had 2 units of vanguard with 3x plasma and twin-linked in the maniple and preferred enemy in the Dominus maniple. It was pretty effective. and the Onager fills an anti air roll well if you need it. Albeit not getting full benefit from the formations special rules for one squad or another if you are fielding an icarus array.