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Trying to come up with ways to use the 6-robot Kastelan Robots Vanguard detatchment.
Here I've included 6 bots with the obligatory Cawl, then turned to the Imperial Guard to screen, ObSec, and anti-tank. Thoughts?

++ Spearhead Detachment +1CP (Imperium - Adeptus Mechanicus) [62 PL, 1,012pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Forge World Choice
. Forge World: Mars: Dogma: Glory to the Omnissiah

+ HQ [20 PL, 270pts] +

Belisarius Cawl [13 PL, 190pts]: Arc Scourge, Mechadendrite Hive, Omnissian Axe, Solar Atomiser

Tech-Priest Dominus [7 PL, 80pts]: Macrostubber [2pts], Omnissian Axe, Volkite Blaster [8pts]

+ Elites [6 PL, 82pts] +

Cybernetica Datasmith [3 PL, 41pts]: Gamma Pistol [10pts], Power fist [9pts]

Cybernetica Datasmith [3 PL, 41pts]: Gamma Pistol [10pts], Power fist [9pts]

+ Heavy Support [36 PL, 660pts] +

Kastelan Robots [12 PL, 220pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]

Kastelan Robots [12 PL, 220pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]

Kastelan Robots [12 PL, 220pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]

++ Brigade Detachment +12CP (Imperium - Astra Militarum) [62 PL, 987pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Regimental Doctrine: Astra Millitarum, Diciplined Shooters, Wilderness Survivors

+ HQ [6 PL, 116pts] +

Company Commander [2 PL, 35pts]: Bolt pistol [1pts], Frag grenades, Power sword [4pts]

Company Commander [2 PL, 35pts]: Bolt pistol [1pts], Frag grenades, Power sword [4pts]

Primaris Psyker [2 PL, 46pts]: Force Stave [8pts], Laspistol

+ Troops [18 PL, 240pts] +

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

+ Elites [6 PL, 132pts] +

Command Squad [2 PL, 51pts]
. Veteran [6pts]: Frag grenades, Lasgun
. Veteran w/ Regimental Standard [11pts]: Frag grenades, Lasgun, Regimental Standard [5pts]
. Veteran w/ Special Weapon [17pts]: Frag grenades, Plasma gun [11pts]
. Veteran w/ Special Weapon [17pts]: Frag grenades, Plasma gun [11pts]

Command Squad [2 PL, 51pts]
. Veteran [6pts]: Frag grenades, Lasgun
. Veteran w/ Regimental Standard [11pts]: Frag grenades, Lasgun, Regimental Standard [5pts]
. Veteran w/ Special Weapon [17pts]: Frag grenades, Plasma gun [11pts]
. Veteran w/ Special Weapon [17pts]: Frag grenades, Plasma gun [11pts]

Tech-Priest Enginseer [2 PL, 30pts]: Laspistol, Omnissan Axe, Servo-arm

+ Fast Attack [9 PL, 135pts] +

Armoured Sentinels [3 PL, 45pts]
. Armoured Sentinel [3 PL, 45pts]: Lascannon [15pts]

Armoured Sentinels [3 PL, 45pts]
. Armoured Sentinel [3 PL, 45pts]: Lascannon [15pts]

Armoured Sentinels [3 PL, 45pts]
. Armoured Sentinel [3 PL, 45pts]: Lascannon [15pts]

+ Heavy Support [23 PL, 364pts] +

Heavy Weapons Squad [3 PL, 48pts]
. Heavy Weapon Team [16pts]: Lasgun, Missile launcher [10pts]
. Heavy Weapon Team [16pts]: Lasgun, Missile launcher [10pts]
. Heavy Weapon Team [16pts]: Lasgun, Missile launcher [10pts]

Leman Russ Battle Tanks [10 PL, 159pts]
. Leman Russ Battle Tank [10 PL, 159pts]: Battle Cannon [22pts], Heavy Bolter [8pts], Heavy Stubber [2pts], Plasma Cannons [20pts], Stat Damage (Leman Russ)

Leman Russ Battle Tanks [10 PL, 157pts]
. Leman Russ Battle Tank [10 PL, 157pts]: Battle Cannon [22pts], Heavy Bolter [8pts], Plasma Cannons [20pts], Stat Damage (Leman Russ)

++ Total: [124 PL, 1,999pts] ++

So, hmm.
ok, first comment is on the admech side. The Robots are awesome but when I have had them used against me the guy doing it (and he is pretty competitive) was careful to make it into one unit rather than three, so his six robots supported each other. I believe that reduced the number of datasmiths he needed, and THAT would allow you to put your enginseer into the admech side as a command slot -- thus allowing it to benefit from canticles and buffs, and even potentially to doubletap its healing on badly damaged armor units. The six robots in one unit is both more vulnerable to melee -- and far easier to protect from melee, than 3 units of 2 running around the board and requiring screens in multiple areas from multiple avenues of approach. And yes, the admech have some tricks once you get them into melee range, but they are fundamentally not a meleecentered army. Note that I only dabble in admech, but I know what kicked my butt a few times.

Now the gaurd side.

I think you are forcing the brigade -- and have made a few sacrifices that will burn you to get the extra 2 (two!) command points. Three battalions is still drowning in cp's, and if you weren't stuffing heavy weapons squads and command squads you could spring for a trio of admech troops (they are only 35 per unit) and make that a battalion -- this would allow you to put all SIX robots in one unit, greatly enhancing strategem use with them. -1 datasmith (cause you only have 1 unit to sheppard) gives you a quick 50 points towards this goal, and you can move the enginseer over to the admech side for his optimal buffing and strat use, d(ropping the 80 point tech/dom priest guy (because if I understand right, you don't need him AND cawl next to each other.)
So you get a net +2 cp for your entire force, and a larger number of screens, to boot.
Cawl, Engenseer (who goes to help the gaurd)
datasmith
1 unit of SIX robots
3 35 point skitarii troop
about 25 points leftover from the admech changes

The gaurd side, you no longer feel the pressure of the brigade, as you will have 2 gaurd battalions, allowing you to fine tune your custom regemental doctrines as follows.
survivors + disciplined shooters. (5cp)
2 company commanders
3 regular gaurd infantry(maximal double firing at 18 inches!)
1 command squad with the flag and 2 plasma weapons

jury rigged repairs AND gunnery experts
1 company commander
3 astropath (replaces the primairs psyker for 31 points saved, which you then blow on 2 MORE astropath.!)
1 lord commisar (this sort of cheats and gives you the buff from one leadership boosting squad as a commander!)
3 infantry squads each with (1 grenade and 1 missle launcher) (since they are better at firing non-rapid fire or rather that doesn't affect them) and they are likely set up as the back 3 in cover at range, they get plenty of krak and frag.
3 scout (not armored) sentinals) in a squad with lascannon
2 leman russ battle tanks as you like them.


Ok, so, you downgraded by 1 hws, 1 prim psyker, 1 command squad, a 145 point saving, you upgraded 3 grenade launcher, 3 missle launcer, 1 company commander, 1 lord commisar (sure, lets say boltpistol/powersword), 2 astropaths and a single plasma rifle, a 145 point cost.

Now you have two specialized groups of troops -- and all your vehicles, even the 3 armored sentinals, can self repair.
(I would put them in the same squad to take advantage of the rather awesome +2 to hit strat on round 1, and I would probably recommend scout sentinals rather than armored ones so that they can use their scout move to get their guns optimally placed on that first turn.

Results are
tighter grouping of sentinals and robots lets one strategem affect more troops.
+3 screen elements (admech) and
+ some dakka/krak range weapons in the screens (gaurd)
more orders, similar command buffs, an extra spell cast and extra deny each round, 2 astropaths that can strip cover from the enemy (this can double the lasguns's effects on some enemies)
engenseer that can be buffed and has a stratagem to heal twice, AND
a fleet of self repairing vehicles that roll one die to generate number of shots a round. I would almost consider recommending you put missle launchers on the sentinals in case you decide you want to go dakkadakka at something, wiht those rerolls, but that is of course up to you.
+2 command points!
You lose a few lasgun shots from the missle grenadiers at range, which is the cost of getting your tanks and mecha buffed.

A more aggressively different army would not bring the lord commisar at all, but use his 35 poitns to upgrade one of the LRBT to a tank commander, give the other one tank ace spend a 3cp to emperor's fist the whole detachment, and viola, you have the hammer of sunderance firing beside a tank ace with, perhaps, extra AP. Or give both tanks orders by tank aceing the command tank, whichevers~!

Point is, you still haven't lost out on command points -- you still have a good number of orders as well, and your 3 obsec 5 man skitarii can both travel around and benefit from Cawl for their stuff, too.

Those are my thoughts. I don't mean any of this as criticism, and certainly I ain't as expert in admech. A lot of this is just "if it were me, I would do it this way" without a lot of reasons. Xecet the primaris psyker. A lone primaris psyker is something I only ever buy if I can't find a company commander + 1 astropath to do the same thing, only better, because that's 2 orders for 2 squads to doublefire their guns more, or to move move move into position, or to get back in the fight..., and you are still throwing a spell and a deny (only, not smite, so you learn to use malstrom or a defense buff). People laugh at that until they notice a lone astropath with a crappy spell is still an officer who can gaurd a backfield objective against nothing all game and sqeak out 4 to 5 extra victory points...

Oh, and you still got 25 points to blow on some weapons to make the admech squads a bit more interesting. Honestly, I usally run them bare or with those 4 point arc rifles, so I really don't know what you would want, but I note that 24 points buys six arc rifles, and that wouldn't suck.

That's great feedback. Let me chew on that and I'll re-post what I end up with. Thanks!

From an admech main robots are very strong, but they can be a trap also you want two squads of 3 or a squad of 4+ for highest output from the strategems, you do not need a datasmith they are too slow, there's a strat that does the same thing at instant speed, also for wrath of Mars you want a big squad

On the downside once you lock them down they will probably (if you use the strar definitely) not move for the rest of the game and need good sight lines, protection and counterchargers

You will also want the vigilus cybernetic cohort so you can change their weapons to assault and move them without penalty

Next you want a manipulus over a dominus since you have cawl already

So there's a lot of different directions to go with the 3 batallions. Taking the feedback so far I have:
-A shooty IG infantry unit (focus on plasma for rapid fire AP)
-An tank squadron with a tank ace/commander
-The dakka bots group

I ended up keeping the Kastelans split for a few reasons. Enemies have to choose which of the 3 units to focus on, and don't get to splash over-kill beyond the two they strike, and I can split up the engagements to tailor the damage.
I ended up dropping the psyker content in favor of one more squad of shooting infantry, can probably change that squad out if needed for astropaths.

New thoughts? All this trouble because I got a smokin' deal on the admech 6 robots box and Cawl.


++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Astra Militarum) [18 PL, 262pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Regimental Doctrine: Astra Millitarum, Diciplined Shooters, Wilderness Survivors

+ HQ [6 PL, 70pts] +

Company Commander [2 PL, 35pts]: Boltgun [1pts], Frag grenades, Power sword [4pts]

Lord Commissar [4 PL, 35pts]: Bolt pistol [1pts], Power sword [4pts]

+ Troops [12 PL, 192pts] +

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 48pts]
. 8x Guardsman [32pts]: 8x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon [11pts]: Plasma gun [7pts]
. Sergeant [5pts]: Boltgun [1pts]

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 48pts]
. 8x Guardsman [32pts]: 8x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon [11pts]: Plasma gun [7pts]
. Sergeant [5pts]: Boltgun [1pts]

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 48pts]
. 8x Guardsman [32pts]: 8x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon [11pts]: Plasma gun [7pts]
. Sergeant [5pts]: Boltgun [1pts]

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 48pts]
. 8x Guardsman [32pts]: 8x Lasgun
. Guardsman W/ Special Weapon [11pts]: Plasma gun [7pts]
. Sergeant [5pts]: Boltgun [1pts]

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Astra Militarum) [43 PL, 647pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Regimental Doctrine: Astra Millitarum, Gunnery Experts, Jury-rigged Repairs

+ HQ [14 PL, 227pts] +

Company Commander [2 PL, 35pts]: Bolt pistol [1pts], Frag grenades, Power sword [4pts]

Tank Commander [12 PL, 192pts]: Battle Cannon [22pts], Heavy Bolter [8pts], Plasma Cannons [20pts], Slow and Purposeful, Stat Damage (Leman Russ Commander)

+ Troops [9 PL, 120pts] +

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

Infantry Squad [3 PL, 40pts]
. 9x Guardsman [36pts]: 9x Lasgun
. Sergeant [4pts]: Laspistol

+ Heavy Support [20 PL, 300pts] +

Leman Russ Battle Tanks [10 PL, 150pts]
. Leman Russ Executioner [10 PL, 150pts]: Heavy Bolter [8pts], Plasma Cannons [20pts], Stat Damage (Leman Russ), Turret-mounted Executioner Plasma Cannon [15pts]

Leman Russ Battle Tanks [10 PL, 150pts]
. Leman Russ Executioner [10 PL, 150pts]: Heavy Bolter [8pts], Plasma Cannons [20pts], Stat Damage (Leman Russ), Turret-mounted Executioner Plasma Cannon [15pts]

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Adeptus Mechanicus) [72 PL, -1CP, 1,091pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Forge World Choice
. Forge World: Mars: Dogma: Glory to the Omnissiah

+ Stratagems [-1CP] +

Specialist Detachment: Cybernetica Cohort [-1CP]

+ HQ [21 PL, 285pts] +

Belisarius Cawl [13 PL, 190pts]: Arc Scourge, Mechadendrite Hive, Omnissian Axe, Solar Atomiser

Tech-Priest Enginseer [3 PL, 30pts]: Laspistol, Omnissian Axe, Servo-arm

Tech-Priest Manipulus [5 PL, 65pts]: Magnarail lance, Mechadendrites, Omnissian Staff

+ Troops [12 PL, 105pts] +

Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 35pts]
. Ranger Alpha [7pts]: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger [28pts]: 4x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 35pts]
. Ranger Alpha [7pts]: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger [28pts]: 4x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 35pts]
. Ranger Alpha [7pts]: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger [28pts]: 4x Galvanic Rifle

+ Elites [3 PL, 41pts] +

Cybernetica Datasmith [3 PL, 41pts]: Gamma Pistol [10pts], Power fist [9pts]

+ Heavy Support [36 PL, 660pts] +

Kastelan Robots [12 PL, 220pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]

Kastelan Robots [12 PL, 220pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]

Kastelan Robots [12 PL, 220pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]
. Kastelan Robot [6 PL, 110pts]: Heavy Phosphor Blaster [15pts]
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters [30pts]: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster [30pts]

++ Total: [133 PL, -1CP, 2,000pts] ++

It looks good. I know a lot of people swear by whole brigade at a time, but I find usually 3 battalions works about as well and has greater flexibility in style.

I LOVE the 150 point leman russes, that is a solid as hell design for an army with the special traits for rerolling shots and self repairs, especially stacked with a bunch of heals from a nearby admech enginseer. Keep a cp or two handy in case you roll a LOT of 1's some round and have to fix both!

Please keep us informed how this plays!

Fulgriim wrote:
From an admech main robots are very strong, but they can be a trap also you want two squads of 3 or a squad of 4+ for highest output from the strategems, you do not need a datasmith they are too slow, there's a strat that does the same thing at instant speed, also for wrath of Mars you want a big squad

On the downside once you lock them down they will probably (if you use the strar definitely) not move for the rest of the game and need good sight lines, protection and counterchargers

You will also want the vigilus cybernetic cohort so you can change their weapons to assault and move them without penalty

Next you want a manipulus over a dominus since you have cawl already

I've been trying to optimize the Admech part of the list to fit inside 1000 points for standalone play. Seems like by itself it needs more screen/obsec. So here's what I came up with. Looking for feedback on optimizing for 1000 point standalone.

++ Battalion Detachment +5CP (Imperium - Adeptus Mechanicus) [71 PL, -1CP, 999pts] ++

+ Configuration +

Forge World Choice
. Forge World: Mars

+ Stratagems +

Specialist Detachment: Cybernetica Cohort [-1CP]

+ HQ +

Belisarius Cawl [13 PL, 190pts]: Warlord, Warlord Trait (Mars): Static Psalm-Code

Tech-Priest Manipulus [5 PL, 65pts]: Magnarail lance, Relic: Raiment of the Technomartyr

+ Troops +

Skitarii Rangers [7 PL, 54pts]
. Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger: 4x Galvanic Rifle
. Skitarii Ranger (Transuranic Arquebus): Transuranic Arquebus

Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 35pts]
. Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger: 4x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 35pts]
. Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger: 4x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 35pts]
. Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger: 4x Galvanic Rifle

Skitarii Rangers [4 PL, 35pts]
. Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle
. 4x Skitarii Ranger: 4x Galvanic Rifle

+ Heavy Support +

Kastelan Robots [30 PL, 550pts]
. Kastelan Robot: Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. Kastelan Robot: Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. Kastelan Robot: Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. Kastelan Robot: Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. Kastelan Robot: Heavy Phosphor Blaster
. . Two Heavy Phosphor Blasters: 2x Heavy Phosphor Blaster

++ Total: [71 PL, -1CP, 999pts] ++

You want daedalosus as your second HQ he massively upgrades your shooting power against that list comming to you.