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I've seen a few Bat-Reps of the Adeptus Mechanicus and they seem really cool. However I do notice that their available units appear more limited than other 40K armies. What are they like? Any advice?

Their units are definately more limited. Between the Skitarii and the Cult I think their are only a dozen different units. They are a very powerful army though and their models are super cool.

They're insanely competitive. Vehicles, MEQs, free army wide orders, guns better than storm bolters, character assassination, cover reduction, AP1 S10 lasers, they cover all the bases really.

Basically they're like better Space Marines trading the armor and stats for superior ballistic skill and much better guns. With a certain formation they can use double chapter tactics. They can even take Grav Cannons with Amps.

 Arkaine wrote:
They're insanely competitive. Vehicles, MEQs, free army wide orders, guns better than storm bolters, character assassination, cover reduction, AP1 S10 lasers, they cover all the bases really.

Basically they're like better Space Marines trading the armor and stats for superior ballistic skill and much better guns. With a certain formation they can use double chapter tactics. They can even take Grav Cannons with Amps.

I wouldn't say they are 'insanely competitive' outside of War Convocation. And a lot of what you've said is erroneous. Statwise, they're storm troopers (so not 'better Space Marines', they have bs4) with different weapons. Rad Carbines are very useful due to high number of shots and rad poisoning (2 wounds on 6's) but are only str3 ap5, which limits their versatility. Your special weapons are strong (especially Arc Rifles, which shred vehicles) but are also very expensive (the arc rifle costs the same as a plasma gun, and the plasma caliver costs twice that.)

They don't have 'chapter tactics' but instead two different systems; Doctrina Imperatives and Canticles of the Omnissiah, used by Skitarii and Cult Mech respectively. These are similar to the UM chapter tactics - army wide special rules that can each be activated once per game (normally, the Cult Mech Battle Congregation lets you recycle one). Doctrinas are flat changes to WS/BS, whereas Canticles are more varied (rerolling to hit, stealth, +* to str etc.) and their power depends on how many units you have on the board.

And yes, they do have grav cannons by the way of Kataphron Destroyers, but they are salvo 4/6 (effectively assault 6 due to relentless) and don't have amps.

Oh also, they don't have transports, which is one of their biggest weaknesses and why they're often allied with Flesh Tearers.

There good, but they kinda need allies. Whether that is using the two ad mechs together or borrowing things from other IOM books is up to you you. If your looking for a codex that will be one book and one army, this is not that faction.

I play both and love them, but yea I see their role more as allies. They have the tools to fill in gaps just about anywhere.

If you want to beat Eldar, Marines, or Necrons (or really any top tier list) you have to use the War Convocation, and often you have to use it with pods. War Convocation by itself is not as top tier as people think it is, especially if it doesn't have first turn. People have so much ignores cover and mobility over Admech that it is very easy to work around their range use ignores cover to kill their squishy units. People who play it "tournament style" don't use Castellans or Dragoons, they bring it to buff the Knight and their Grav Cannon units which deal most of the damage, then bring in drop pods to guarantee damage with the fragile skitarii units. Bringing the War Convocation is really no different than bringing Decurion, Taucurion, or Battle Company/Gladius when by itself. In fact I would actually say it is weaker than Decurion and Gladius.

I fething love my AdMech. I have builds to counter any army, and I am actually capable of building a TAC list with them. Their gimmicks are entertaining, and they aren't as randumb as other armies.