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I'm soon to be starting an Adeptus Mechanicus army and I'm hoping to get some general list building advice. The War Convocation seems to be the perfect way for me to field Cult Mech, Skitarii and Imperial Knights together in a functional and true-to-fluff form. However, due to being completely inexperienced with these factions and the numerous ways to equip the units in these codexes I'm having trouble finalising a list. Any and all input will be greatly appreciated, particularly about effective ways to equip each unit and which roles are best suited to them.

Here's what I've come up with so far:

Tech Priest Dominus - eradication ray, phosphor serpenta, digital weapons, infoslave skull, conversion field, Autocaduceus of Arkhan Land

Kataphron Breachers - heavy arc rifles, hydraulic claws

Kataphron Destroyers - heavy grav-cannons, cognis flamers

Kastellan Robot Maniple - twin-linked heavy phosphor blasters, heavy phosphor blasters, Cybernetica Datasmith w/ digital weapons, infoslave skull, conversion field, Raiment of the Techno-Martyr

Skitarii Vanguard x 10 - omnispex, plasma caliver x 3, Alpha w/ phosphor blast pistol, power sword, conversion field, digital weapons, Pater Radium

Skitarii Rangers x 10 - omnispex, plasma caliver x 3, Alpha w/ phosphor blast pistol, power sword, conversion field, digital weapons, Arkhan’s Divinator

Sicarian Ruststalkers x 5 - Princeps w/ prehensile dataspike, conversion field, digital weapons, the Omniscient Mask

Sicarian Infiltrators x 5 - flechette blasters, taser goads, Princeps w/ infoslave skull, conversion field, digital weapons Phase Taser

Ironstrider Ballistarii - twin-linked cognis lascannonu

Onager Dunecrawler - Icarus array, cognis heavy stubber, mindscanner probe, cognis manipulator

Knight Crusader - melta gun, stormspear rocket pod


There's a few wargear choices here I'm not certain about - the idea is for the Dominus to go with Breachers/Destroyers, but is there a better way to equip him which would complement the Rangers instead? Which units would benefit most from the Phosphoenix and the Pater Radium? Am I right to think it isn't worth replacing the Ruststalkers' mindscrambler grenades for extra transonic blades?

As far as unit composition goes, is 10 models too many Vanguard and is 5 models too few Ruststalkers and Infiltrators?

Can this list deal with multiple MC's, lots of infantry and a SHV like a Lord of Skulls with reasonable effectiveness?

I'm playing with the ideas myself.

I'd take all skitarii troops in 5s rather than 10s. They die very easily...better to split targets.

I'm actually going to run my tech priest with the knight so he can repair him each turn.

raekone wrote:
I'm playing with the ideas myself.

I'd take all skitarii troops in 5s rather than 10s. They die very easily...better to split targets.

I'm actually going to run my tech priest with the knight so he can repair him each turn.

You can only take one unit of each in the war convocation, so you want units of ten.

Might be worth doing one of the units of kastellans with plasma to benefit from the no gets hot, and to help with horde armies. Breachers with arch blasters are also very much worth taking for some guaranteed anti armour.

Taking the flamer options where possible, mixed with a promethium pipe line can also be fun .

Yeah they do seem quite squishy, I went for units of 10 rather than 5 to squeeze in some extra special weapons hoping that the Shroudpsalm Canticles would keep them alive long enough to put them to use but you might be right and it could be better to invest the points elsewhere.
Having the Dominus repairing the Knight is a nice idea, perhaps equipped with a Stasis Field and the Uncreator Gauntlet?

My main army doesn't have anywhere near this amount of options so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 JamesY wrote:

Might be worth doing one of the units of kastellans with plasma to benefit from the no gets hot, and to help with horde armies. Breachers with arch blasters are also very much worth taking for some guaranteed anti armour.

Taking the flamer options where possible, mixed with a promethium pipe line can also be fun .

Having flamers on the Destroyers would certainly help to deal with hordes, something the list is probably lacking. I've never used grav weapons before but they seem almost too good to pass up, having something to deal with MCs is important, but as long as they aren't flying the plasma culverins also fit that bill I suppose. I may swap out one unit for a squad of Breachers though, thanks for pointing out the heavy arc rifle, I must have somehow missed it - that's precisely the extra anti-vehicle solution I need!

You are immune to gets hot, and plasma calivers are free, I would drop the arc rifles off the vanguard and use plasma. If you really want to use arc rifles put them in the ranger unit, the 18 range on the plasma is the same range of radium carbines on the vanguards. But I would still go with all plasma.

Your rust stalkers or infiltrator princeps, one of the should have the relic that gives zealot.

I like the idea of cognis weapons on the robots but mask of the alpha dominus could just save the day if you need to change protocols in a pinch.

Im torn between the Ironstrider and the dragoon myself. the dragoon has that sweet 2 shot sniper that is 2 ap2 shots on a 6 to wound. and has built in cover, more attacks and a better WS incase you need a cheap tarpit for some IG or cultists or something.

And I believe the general belief is the Dominus cannot join the robots because they are MCs even with the datasmith...If I am wrong please let me know.

Thanks for the replies they've been very helpful. I've updated the topic, changes include; plasma calivers on both the Vanguard and Rangers, Breachers with heavy arc rifles replace one unit of Destroyers, cognis flamers added to the remaining Destroyers and swapping some relics around the Skitarii units.



I've now given calivers to the Vanguard, they had arc rifles to help the list with anti-vehicle but the Breachers will take that role now. Planning on attaching the Dominus to the Kastelan Robot Maniple was a mistake on my part, he can however achieve the same thing with either Breachers or Destroyers instead - I suppose I could improvise which unit he goes in depending on what I'm facing.
BS2 snapshots for Kastelan's seemed like a nice gimmick for shooting at FMC's or low AV flyers that get too close for their own good, though I will certainly experiment with the Mask of the Alpha Dominus for emergency flexibility.

I had the Ironstrider on a whim rather than for any particular reason, the Dragoon also looks very useful with a jezzail. I would love to include both in the list, but alas!

I have play tested the following 1850 list with very positive results:

Dominus (rainment and attached to grav for snaps at bs 2)

3 destroyers with plasma
3 destroyers with grav

10 vanguard with 3 calivers
10 rangers with 3 arc

5 infiltartors
5 ruststalkers

2 Dunecrawlers with neutron lasers

1 Ballistarii with Lascannon

Imperial Knight Crusader with AA gun, battle cannon, melta gun.

1 Void Shield

1 Celuxes assassin

MRGRIMREAP wrote:
I have play tested the following 1850 list with very positive results:

Dominus (rainment and attached to grav for snaps at bs 2)

3 destroyers with plasma
3 destroyers with grav

10 vanguard with 3 calivers
10 rangers with 3 arc

5 infiltartors
5 ruststalkers

2 Dunecrawlers with neutron lasers

1 Ballistarii with Lascannon

Imperial Knight Crusader with AA gun, battle cannon, melta gun.

1 Void Shield

1 Celuxes assassin

Im assuming all your alphas are decked out with all the extra wargear and relics as well?
I enjoy the neutron lasers...who wouldn't? The only issue with that list is the culexus...he has no transport...and if you arent facing a psycic deathstar he is kind of waste of points.
I like the crusader for the knight as well, although Im tempted to go for a paladin/errant for the scary D weapon for more board control.

Alphas are decked out, yes. Along with everything else in the army that can be. I have had a ton of fun with the Phase Taser on my Infiltrators leader and the relic backpack on my Vanguard alpha. Celuxes has been easily MVP in several of my games. Why would he need a transport when he can infiltrate mid table and make a 24" no psy zone? Infiltrate him into ruins or similar cover and have him head hunt something. He also can take some shooting with the bs1 to shoot at rule. This also is argued to trump markerlights boosting bs. With the games I have played with this army he has not yet been wasted points and ate Ezikiel, a Landspeeder and 3 Black Knights one game, Deathbringer in another, and 2 Librarians on bikes in another. As for the Crusader, board control is nice... or just blast everything to bitz! Grav Destoryers will make short work of any contesting Wraith knights or Riptides. And Neutron Lasers are amazing when you factor in this formations ability to have twin linked bs 7 Dunecrawlers for 2 game turns (if you are crazy enough to do this) essentially placing two (or three) str 10 ap 1 blasts wherever you want!

A Culexus assassin would be a nice addition, I'm not familiar with using them but it would be good fun. I was undecided on which Knight to go for, the Crusader certainly packs a punch in the shooting phase and at strength 10 isn't to be sniffed at in combat either, though it's no substitute for the Destroyer weapons. Ultimately I think I'll magnetise the weapons so I've got an alternative build to use. Not sure I would bother with the Thunderstrike Gauntlet though, doesn't seem worth it because it's iniatve 1.

I'd recommend the Scryerskull Perspicatus for your Dominus. Targeted re-rolling of wounds lets you reliably delete a vehicle of your choice per turn, and pairs so well with grav that you don't really need breachers at all, just more destroyers. Still helps against flyers. That lets you keep the cognis cloak in your robot maniple, if you like. I think that Arc Rifles pair much better with the Rangers base weapon, and are always useful. Both are rapid fire, and have a much smaller difference in range than the calivers. Even with the free upgrades, your Ranger princeps has no business looking to be in melee, and 18" range pulls you in. The Culexus is stellar against psykers, and it's still good without. I don't think I'd ever feel bad fielding him. (Just assembled mine)

Just my two cents. Looks like a really solid core.

Does the Scryerskull still effect grav and haywire weapons which don't technically roll to penetrate vehicles? If so that could be very useful indeed. I will think over the arc rifle/plasma caliver choice some more. I've not seen the War Convocation in action but I imagine it all moving steadily forward together so hopefully the shorter ranges on some of the weapons can be mitigated by scout and constant movement. You've twisted my arm and I think I'll include a Culexus as well, now there's another book I'll have to buy!

You are still rolling to determine glance or pen with haywire and grav. So yes you would choose to re-roll all failed.

MRGRIMREAP wrote:
You are still rolling to determine glance or pen with haywire and grav. So yes you would choose to re-roll all failed.

This is incorrect, and has been ruled on in most tournaments. Grav does NOT roll to pen against vehicles, the graviton rule explicitly states that "instead of rolling for armor penetration...." It is unfortunate, as I thought it worked for it when I ran an army with 4 units of grav destroyers, but alas, no dice.