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AdMech currently suffers from a dearth of HQ choices, all of which are extremely samey. This proposal is for a Skitarius officer in the mode of 7th edition that I hope would solve some major problems:
1) Alternative cheap HQ
2) Makes the Graia and Metallica Warlord traits much more flexible and desirable
3) Enhances the meta appeal of Skitarii as a sub-faction

All the while being a model that is readily accessible to anyone playing AdMech.

Skitarius Prime
M6" WS3+ BS3+ S3 T3 W4 A3 Ld8 Sv4+

A Skitarius Prime is a single model armed with a radium carbine.

WARGEAR OPTIONS
-This model may replace their radium carbine with a galvanic rifle.
-This model may take one item from the Melee Weapons list, and may replace their radium carbine with one item from the Pistols list.
-This model may take a universal data-tether.

ABILITIES
Canticles of the Omnissiah

Bionics: This model has a 6+ invulnerable save.

Lord of the Tech Guard: You can re-roll hit rolls of 1 for friendly <FORGE WORLD> SKITARII units within 6".

Universal Data-tether: Friendly <FORGE WORLD> SKITARII units with an enhanced data-tether or a broad spectrum data-tether receive the benefits of the aura abilities of a model with a universal data-tether regardless of their distance.

FACTION KEYWORDS
IMPERIUM, ADEPTUS MECHANICUS, SKITARII, <FORGE WORLD>

KEYWORDS
INFANTRY, SKITARIUS PRIME

Skitarius Prime costs 35 points
Universal Data-tether costs 10 points

I don't think we need ANOTHER " +1 to hit aura on an additional HQ unit ... we need a new option lets make sure this isn’t just a cheap TPD without the repair option and worse weapons. We need a different aura here, I would either go for +1 leadership if you wanted to focus on the leadership / skitarii alpha concept.
Or re-roll ones to wound in the shooting phase, similar to the space marine Lt but worse. Ultimately we still need a reason to take the TPD ... they are supposed to be the pinnacle of Ad mech fighting prowess, and the model is pretty sweet too.

Furthermore limiting the aura for the <Skitarii> keyword which includes Sicarans , Onagers, Iron strider and even dragoon’s isn’t enough of a limitation , It just excludes Electro priests ( who should be up in assault ) Robots , and breaches/destroyers, this isn’t enough of a limitation for saving close to 100 points , if you wanted to actually limit it and keep it re-roll 1’s in shooting limit it to , Rangers and Vanguard .
I’m also a bit meh about the data tether upgrade, either ditch it or make it really count . My take would be :

Universal data uplink - This model carries a portable access node to noosphere and may use it to access sacred mechnicum knowledge / tactics about the current foe ; If it does so it is unable to act for the remainder of this turn 20 points

This model selects an enemy unit at the start of the shooting phase , Infantry models within 6 of a unit with a universal data uplink resolve shooting attacks at -1 ap but when targeting this unit , a model which has used a universal data uplink may not shoot / charge or fight in combat this turn and a universal data tether may not be used if the model is engaged in combat.

Lastly lets give them a power fist and Gamma pistol option as weapons ;-) ..... we have buckets of Datasmiths begging to be used .... and we even a relic that we cant use on a HQ because it requires a power fist .

Here's something similar I came up with a while back, might be useful:

HQ Choice - Skitatii Primus - 40pts

M6" WS3+ BS2+ S3 T3 W4 A3 LD9 SV3+/5++
Weapons
Galvanic Rifle
Radium Pistol

This model may replace his Galvanic Rifle with a Radium Carbine or a single weapon from the Special Weapons section of the Armoury.
This model may take a single weapon from the Melee Weapons section of the Armoury, including Power Fists.

Special Rules
Canticles of the Omnissiah

Primus Doctrines: When this model is set up, you must choose one of the following doctrines for this model, which affect all friendly <FORGE WORLD> SKITARII units within 6". Each doctrine can only be taken once per army.

- Enhanced Munitions: units within range may +1 to any wound rolls they make during the Shooting Phase
- Hardened Data-Tethers: units affected automatically pass Morale checks on a roll of 6.
- Terrain Analysis: units affected may roll an additional dice when Advancing and choose the highest result.
- Augmented Shields: units affected may add +1 to any Invulnerable saves they make.

Basically a Skitarii version of the IG Company Commander, a cheaper HQ that boosts your troops rather than spending around 130 points for a Dominus.

Nobody is going to choose anything besides Enhanced Munitions.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Nobody is going to choose anything besides Enhanced Munitions.

Augmented Shields actually ain't bad.

But yeah, Enhanced Munitions is FAR too good. Change it to reroll wound rolls of 1.

I could see the Primus Doctrines as Warlord traits or a Primus exclusive Doctrina that applies only to Skitarii units.

That said, I think the key things that a Skitarius Prime needs:
-Weapons that aren't just whatever the Skitarii units have. They need to be something closer to the special weapons or the kinds of stuff we're seeing on the Dominus or even the Kataphron.
-Something to really make them stand out, in terms of the model. Heavier armor(almost Aggressor-like bulk?) or maybe even a kind of servo-harness rig?
-A retinue unit option to come out at the same time.

synthaside wrote:
I don't think we need ANOTHER " +1 to hit aura on an additional HQ unit ... we need a new option lets make sure this isn’t just a cheap TPD without the repair option and worse weapons. We need a different aura here, I would either go for +1 leadership if you wanted to focus on the leadership / skitarii alpha concept.
Or re-roll ones to wound in the shooting phase, similar to the space marine Lt but worse. Ultimately we still need a reason to take the TPD ... they are supposed to be the pinnacle of Ad mech fighting prowess, and the model is pretty sweet too.

Furthermore limiting the aura for the <Skitarii> keyword which includes Sicarans , Onagers, Iron strider and even dragoon’s isn’t enough of a limitation , It just excludes Electro priests ( who should be up in assault ) Robots , and breaches/destroyers, this isn’t enough of a limitation for saving close to 100 points , if you wanted to actually limit it and keep it re-roll 1’s in shooting limit it to , Rangers and Vanguard .
I’m also a bit meh about the data tether upgrade, either ditch it or make it really count . My take would be :

Universal data uplink - This model carries a portable access node to noosphere and may use it to access sacred mechnicum knowledge / tactics about the current foe ; If it does so it is unable to act for the remainder of this turn 20 points

This model selects an enemy unit at the start of the shooting phase , Infantry models within 6 of a unit with a universal data uplink resolve shooting attacks at -1 ap but when targeting this unit , a model which has used a universal data uplink may not shoot / charge or fight in combat this turn and a universal data tether may not be used if the model is engaged in combat.

Lastly lets give them a power fist and Gamma pistol option as weapons ;-) ..... we have buckets of Datasmiths begging to be used .... and we even a relic that we cant use on a HQ because it requires a power fist .

Well, it's reroll shooting and fighting 1s for Skitarii only. I don't want to give it rerolling wounds because then you can stack it with Cawl or Dominus. AdMech Battalions would be way too strong a choice, and Skitarii would entirely supplant Cult Mechanicus. Excluding Kastelans, Drills, and Fulgurites was also quite intentional; these are AdMech's best shooting and fighting units. As the subtitle states, an alternative, not a sweeping meta shift.

I do agree that Dominus is a problematic model. I would think it needs better shooting and or fighting on the model itself to justify the points. Or drop him down to 80 or so points.

Also, to critique your fluff: All noospheric technology was lost during the Horus Heresy. That was a part of the tragedy; they were on the cusp of rediscovering science and the Internet.

Oh yes. Good point. I would love to use my Data-smith as an HQ. Though I sort of wanted to keep this HQ on a 25mm base.

 Valkyrie wrote:
Here's something similar I came up with a while back, might be useful:

HQ Choice - Skitatii Primus - 40pts

M6" WS3+ BS2+ S3 T3 W4 A3 LD9 SV3+/5++
Weapons
Galvanic Rifle
Radium Pistol

This model may replace his Galvanic Rifle with a Radium Carbine or a single weapon from the Special Weapons section of the Armoury.
This model may take a single weapon from the Melee Weapons section of the Armoury, including Power Fists.

Special Rules
Canticles of the Omnissiah

Primus Doctrines: When this model is set up, you must choose one of the following doctrines for this model, which affect all friendly <FORGE WORLD> SKITARII units within 6". Each doctrine can only be taken once per army.

- Enhanced Munitions: units within range may +1 to any wound rolls they make during the Shooting Phase
- Hardened Data-Tethers: units affected automatically pass Morale checks on a roll of 6.
- Terrain Analysis: units affected may roll an additional dice when Advancing and choose the highest result.
- Augmented Shields: units affected may add +1 to any Invulnerable saves they make.

Basically a Skitarii version of the IG Company Commander, a cheaper HQ that boosts your troops rather than spending around 130 points for a Dominus.

Sorry, I think this is way too strong for 40 points. Everyone would take two for Battalion and pick Enhanced Munitions and Augmented Shields. Crawlers and Ironstriders would get way too much of a force multiplier. I mean, a Neutron Crawler would wound on 2+ against virtually everything and have 4++ with rerolling 1s?

 Kanluwen wrote:
I could see the Primus Doctrines as Warlord traits or a Primus exclusive Doctrina that applies only to Skitarii units.

That said, I think the key things that a Skitarius Prime needs:
-Weapons that aren't just whatever the Skitarii units have. They need to be something closer to the special weapons or the kinds of stuff we're seeing on the Dominus or even the Kataphron.
-Something to really make them stand out, in terms of the model. Heavier armor(almost Aggressor-like bulk?) or maybe even a kind of servo-harness rig?
-A retinue unit option to come out at the same time.

I would kind of hoping to just repurpose an existing model for this. Skitarii seem natural. Synthaside recommends a Data-smith, which is also a good idea.

I mean, this is me waiting for Fires of Cyraxus:

Suzuteo wrote:

 Valkyrie wrote:
Here's something similar I came up with a while back, might be useful:

HQ Choice - Skitatii Primus - 40pts

M6" WS3+ BS2+ S3 T3 W4 A3 LD9 SV3+/5++
Weapons
Galvanic Rifle
Radium Pistol

This model may replace his Galvanic Rifle with a Radium Carbine or a single weapon from the Special Weapons section of the Armoury.
This model may take a single weapon from the Melee Weapons section of the Armoury, including Power Fists.

Special Rules
Canticles of the Omnissiah

Primus Doctrines: When this model is set up, you must choose one of the following doctrines for this model, which affect all friendly <FORGE WORLD> SKITARII units within 6". Each doctrine can only be taken once per army.

- Enhanced Munitions: units within range may +1 to any wound rolls they make during the Shooting Phase
- Hardened Data-Tethers: units affected automatically pass Morale checks on a roll of 6.
- Terrain Analysis: units affected may roll an additional dice when Advancing and choose the highest result.
- Augmented Shields: units affected may add +1 to any Invulnerable saves they make.

Basically a Skitarii version of the IG Company Commander, a cheaper HQ that boosts your troops rather than spending around 130 points for a Dominus.

Sorry, I think this is way too strong for 40 points. Everyone would take two for Battalion and pick Enhanced Munitions and Augmented Shields. Crawlers and Ironstriders would get way too much of a force multiplier. I mean, a Neutron Crawler would wound on 2+ against virtually everything and have 4++ with rerolling 1s?

Notice it says "Friendly Skitarii" units, so only Rangers and Vanguard would be affected.

 Valkyrie wrote:

Suzuteo wrote:

 Valkyrie wrote:
Here's something similar I came up with a while back, might be useful:

HQ Choice - Skitatii Primus - 40pts

M6" WS3+ BS2+ S3 T3 W4 A3 LD9 SV3+/5++
Weapons
Galvanic Rifle
Radium Pistol

This model may replace his Galvanic Rifle with a Radium Carbine or a single weapon from the Special Weapons section of the Armoury.
This model may take a single weapon from the Melee Weapons section of the Armoury, including Power Fists.

Special Rules
Canticles of the Omnissiah

Primus Doctrines: When this model is set up, you must choose one of the following doctrines for this model, which affect all friendly <FORGE WORLD> SKITARII units within 6". Each doctrine can only be taken once per army.

- Enhanced Munitions: units within range may +1 to any wound rolls they make during the Shooting Phase
- Hardened Data-Tethers: units affected automatically pass Morale checks on a roll of 6.
- Terrain Analysis: units affected may roll an additional dice when Advancing and choose the highest result.
- Augmented Shields: units affected may add +1 to any Invulnerable saves they make.

Basically a Skitarii version of the IG Company Commander, a cheaper HQ that boosts your troops rather than spending around 130 points for a Dominus.

Sorry, I think this is way too strong for 40 points. Everyone would take two for Battalion and pick Enhanced Munitions and Augmented Shields. Crawlers and Ironstriders would get way too much of a force multiplier. I mean, a Neutron Crawler would wound on 2+ against virtually everything and have 4++ with rerolling 1s?

Notice it says "Friendly Skitarii" units, so only Rangers and Vanguard would be affected.

Crawlers and the chicken walkers ARE Skitarii...

 Valkyrie wrote:
Notice it says "Friendly Skitarii" units, so only Rangers and Vanguard would be affected.

I think you mean to say Skitarii Infantry then.

I had the impression that ad mech lacked leaders for cc units.

An aura that aids sicaran and electro priests should be available. 50pts reroll 1s in cc (whichever isn't redundant with canticles), an axe and pistol. Cheap and diverse

Sicarians are Skitarii too. They would benefit from this HQ as well; downside is that they can't take data-tethers, so the Skitarius Prime needs to stand next to them.

That being said, most AdMech players just bring Blood Angels. Before that, the more fluffy Iron Hands, but the recent nerf to stacking 6+++ killed that chapter's popularity.

Honestly rip the Alphas from squads and make them Elites. The alphas give +1 Ld to all units within 6", they have a better weapon skill and can take a data tether for double the cost to affect multiple units, maybe the same for an omnispex too.

Then for a Skitarii esque HQ. Just give them BS 2 WS 3 an extra attack, 4 wounds and I guess roll 2 for advances? The termite is still the only transport we got and I don't plan on shelling out for one.

Side note: have you guys noticed how much Ad-mech has been around lately or am I going crazy? Forgebane, kill team, a little ad promoting faster forge world deliveries.

The Terrax is more than just a transport Fraser it's basically an Armiger Wargrave that just happens to carry a load of hoplites in to hurt people ...

I think even just moving the Datasmith To HQ choice .. would see me using him again I really hate Engineseers they are terrible ... Its an imperial Gaurd unit ... that snuck into our army while the editors were not paying attention .... Laspistol and hits on 4's ..... Vile .

synthaside wrote:
The Terrax is more than just a transport Fraser it's basically an Armiger Wargrave that just happens to carry a load of hoplites in to hurt people ...

I think even just moving the Datasmith To HQ choice .. would see me using him again I really hate Engineseers they are terrible ... Its an imperial Gaurd unit ... that snuck into our army while the editors were not paying attention .... Laspistol and hits on 4's ..... Vile .

The Enginseers are Mechanicus Priests, first and foremost, that get loaned out to the Guard. Before we got an AdMech faction the Enginseers, Servitors, and Techmarines were the only real representation of the faction on the tabletop.
He was added to the AdMech stuff with the "Agents of the Imperium" book specifically because people complained they wanted a cheaper HQ choice for Cult Mechanicus.

Anyways...Datasmiths shouldn't be HQ choices. They really shouldn't even be an Elite choice...but the game won't really do 'mixed' units anymore.

My favorite part about the tech priest enginseer is that he is in every way inferior to the data-smith stat-wise, special rules wise, and wargear wise, still costs more points and is 30 actual USD for a mono pose sculpt.

I run x2 enginseers for my battalion and if I have a datasmith he gets the warlord trait and relic

Facisminthe41m wrote:
My favorite part about the tech priest enginseer is that he is in every way inferior to the data-smith stat-wise, special rules wise, and wargear wise, still costs more points and is 30 actual USD for a mono pose sculpt.

I run x2 enginseers for my battalion and if I have a datasmith he gets the warlord trait and relic

If you want an Enginseer on a budget...

synthaside wrote:
The Terrax is more than just a transport Fraser it's basically an Armiger Wargrave that just happens to carry a load of hoplites in to hurt people ...

Don't get me wrong. It's a badass model super useful. I want it. But I don't wanna pay thaaat much for it lol

 fraser1191 wrote:
Side note: have you guys noticed how much Ad-mech has been around lately or am I going crazy? Forgebane, kill team, a little ad promoting faster forge world deliveries.

Oh yes. Buy your Skitarii bits while you can. They are cheap, cheap, cheap.

 Kanluwen wrote:

synthaside wrote:
The Terrax is more than just a transport Fraser it's basically an Armiger Wargrave that just happens to carry a load of hoplites in to hurt people ...

I think even just moving the Datasmith To HQ choice .. would see me using him again I really hate Engineseers they are terrible ... Its an imperial Gaurd unit ... that snuck into our army while the editors were not paying attention .... Laspistol and hits on 4's ..... Vile .

The Enginseers are Mechanicus Priests, first and foremost, that get loaned out to the Guard. Before we got an AdMech faction the Enginseers, Servitors, and Techmarines were the only real representation of the faction on the tabletop.
He was added to the AdMech stuff with the "Agents of the Imperium" book specifically because people complained they wanted a cheaper HQ choice for Cult Mechanicus.

Anyways...Datasmiths shouldn't be HQ choices. They really shouldn't even be an Elite choice...but the game won't really do 'mixed' units anymore.

Actually, I think it's precisely because there are no more mixed units that a Datasmith should be an HQ choice. I mean, there are very few lone model character units that I would consider Elite units rather than HQ units. But in an army with only three HQ choices, it's a real hit to the army's diversity. Furthermore, are Datasmiths really on the same level as Sicarians or Servitors? Seems like they are a step above, as they are literally higher ranked than Enginseers in the tech-priest heirarchy.

Seriously just make them a reroll 1's to wound while shooting aura. Only question is what sorts equipment they should get.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Seriously just make them a reroll 1's to wound while shooting aura. Only question is what sorts equipment they should get.

As silly as it may sound, I'm a fan of them having stuff like Volkites, Transauranic Arquebi, Arc Rifles, etc.
It would make a uniquely different kind of HQ for an army, where they're toting stuff that is considered 'special weapons' elsewhere.

I'd also potentially split it into two different HQs, ala the Tau Commander and the Coldstar. One HQ could be more Ranger/Vanguard oriented and the other could be more Sicarian oriented.
One could be a 'forward deployment' move for units within his aura at the start of the game and the other could be the reroll 1s to wound while shooting.

Give the Sicarian oriented one an option for a powerfist and the Infiltrators' pistol options and it would be an interesting little thing.

That'd be interesting. Reroll wounds for one subset of units. If it was a blanket rerolling of wounds, it'd be OP.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Seriously just make them a reroll 1's to wound while shooting aura. Only question is what sorts equipment they should get.

I don't want my 2 armies to be marines and squishier marines

 fraser1191 wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Seriously just make them a reroll 1's to wound while shooting aura. Only question is what sorts equipment they should get.

I don't want my 2 armies to be marines and squishier marines

Well you already got part of that with the Dominus existing so it's too late. At least rerolling of 1's to wound while shooting is pretty easy to balance.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Kanluwen wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Seriously just make them a reroll 1's to wound while shooting aura. Only question is what sorts equipment they should get.

As silly as it may sound, I'm a fan of them having stuff like Volkites, Transauranic Arquebi, Arc Rifles, etc.
It would make a uniquely different kind of HQ for an army, where they're toting stuff that is considered 'special weapons' elsewhere.

I'd also potentially split it into two different HQs, ala the Tau Commander and the Coldstar. One HQ could be more Ranger/Vanguard oriented and the other could be more Sicarian oriented.
One could be a 'forward deployment' move for units within his aura at the start of the game and the other could be the reroll 1s to wound while shooting.

Give the Sicarian oriented one an option for a powerfist and the Infiltrators' pistol options and it would be an interesting little thing.

Now THAT is an excellent idea, and one that can make use of how you guys wanted mixing of equipment options in Killteam. Want your Infiltrator Prime to use Transonic weapons? Pfft, have at it.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:

 fraser1191 wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Seriously just make them a reroll 1's to wound while shooting aura. Only question is what sorts equipment they should get.

I don't want my 2 armies to be marines and squishier marines

Well you already got part of that with the Dominus existing so it's too late. At least rerolling of 1's to wound while shooting is pretty easy to balance.

One huge missed opportunity I feel has been giving character types a unique Stratagem that they can use.

I keep going back to the blurb in the Skitarii codex about the Cohort Commander who had the workers on the planet he was defending from Tyranids vent combustible gases into the air, waited until a Tyranid spore drop came and then he had all of his Onagers set the skies ablaze.

Instead of the Tyranids getting reinforced by their follow-on ranks, they got smashed by fricking burning meteors full of goop. Would be a hell of an interesting thing to be able to turn enemy Deep Striking units into something that could potentially deal wounds to friendly or enemy units that they land near.

 Kanluwen wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:

 fraser1191 wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
Seriously just make them a reroll 1's to wound while shooting aura. Only question is what sorts equipment they should get.

I don't want my 2 armies to be marines and squishier marines

Well you already got part of that with the Dominus existing so it's too late. At least rerolling of 1's to wound while shooting is pretty easy to balance.

One huge missed opportunity I feel has been giving character types a unique Stratagem that they can use.

I keep going back to the blurb in the Skitarii codex about the Cohort Commander who had the workers on the planet he was defending from Tyranids vent combustible gases into the air, waited until a Tyranid spore drop came and then he had all of his Onagers set the skies ablaze.

Instead of the Tyranids getting reinforced by their follow-on ranks, they got smashed by fricking burning meteors full of goop. Would be a hell of an interesting thing to be able to turn enemy Deep Striking units into something that could potentially deal wounds to friendly or enemy units that they land near.

I'm curious what you had in mind then.

For the Cohort Commander, the following stratagem:

Forge World Efficiency: 2 Command Points
Whether by turning the planet itself against your foes or setting up overlapping fields of fire with servitor gun batteries placed in strategic positions, you've ensured that this battlefield can be turned into a deathtrap at a moment's notice.

Once per game, you can make it so that enemy units attempting to use alternate deployment methods have to roll a D6 to enter. On a 6, they enter the field with no casualties.
On a 3-5, they enter the field but suffer D3 Mortal Wounds.

I've not finessed it as much as I would want, but AoS has done a phenomenal job with 'hero specific stratagems' since they burn a Command Point.

I like the idea for sure. I know Space Marines have a prototype in the form of Orbital Bombardment. As bad as it is, of course.

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
I like the idea for sure. I know Space Marines have a prototype in the form of Orbital Bombardment. As bad as it is, of course.

Orbital Bombardment is lackluster, same as the Master of Ordinance for Guard's artillery strike or the Tau Commander's orbital strike.

They just don't seem to know what to do with those big attacks.

 Kanluwen wrote:

Slayer-Fan123 wrote:
I like the idea for sure. I know Space Marines have a prototype in the form of Orbital Bombardment. As bad as it is, of course.

Orbital Bombardment is lackluster, same as the Master of Ordinance for Guard's artillery strike or the Tau Commander's orbital strike.

They just don't seem to know what to do with those big attacks.

I meant in terms of a Strategem tied down to an HQ. It would be not terrible at 2CP and probably JUST good at 1.