The Precursors to the modern Adeptus Mechanicus are coming to the Horus Heresy. Let’s see how they stack up.
There’s a new Skitarii Battle Group coming to the Horus Heresy side of things very soon. It’s loaded up with new miniatures and it actually seems like a good way to dive into a new Mechanicum army. That said, we were still in the dark about their rules. That was until yesterday at least…
Games Workshop dropped some knowledge on us about their stats and a few of their rules. It’s time we took a look that what they are bringing to the tabletop!
The Skitarii Battle-Pilgryms
As a complete package, they have the toughness, speed, and hitting power to duke it out in the middle of the battlefield with usual suspects like Tactical Squads and Lasrifle Sections, but it’s their adaptability that really makes them shine. When you start filling in the Detachment containing your Battle-Pilgryms, you can choose one of four Faction Traits that each come with a special ability, which can radically change how you utilise your Skitarii in battle.
Not only did we get a look at their stat line we also got a few other tidbits about their rules. For example we know they are coming with Fast (2) so they will get some extra distance when they make a Rush move. They also will be equipped with voltlock arquebueses. These are volkite weapons so you can expect them to have Deflagrate on them.
We also got a bit more about their Detachments. The Acquisitor Detachment will give them Line (1) while the Expurgator Detachment will give them Vanguard (3). Based on what you choose these units can play their roles differently. They make for good allies because of this versatility. However, it’s more impressive if you take them with a Mechanicum Primary Detachment. Why? Because they aren’t limited to the standard 50% points limit.
But what about the other two Detachments? Those are based on if you’re playing as a Loyalist or a Traitor.
…loyal Skitarii can choose Vindictor to boost the power of their Deflagrate abilities by one, while Traitors with Scourger add an extra inch to their Set-up Moves when going in for a charge.
However you decide to run your Skitarii you’re going to have loads of tactical options for these units in your army.
Skitarii Conclaves – The Marshal Elect
In a strange way, the Skitarii have a sort of hive-mind. Not a Tyranid-style one, but their mind-impulse link can allow them to rapidly decide on things as a group — like choosing new battlefield leaders!
Honestly this rule seems pretty neat! Thematically, it makes sense, too. Did a leader fall or fail in battle? Just download their knowledge to the next candidate and hope they can learn from their predecessors mistakes. Or the next one in line will get their shot sooner rather than later…
The rest of their rules will be found in the 48-page softback Journal Tactica, Skitarii: The Steel Hand of Mars. This will include the new units and how you can add them into an army! It’s going up for pre-order this weekend from Games Workshop.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Get Tabletop, RPG & Pop Culture news delivered directly to your inbox.
*Beep Boop*
Don’t Miss:
Writer, Editor, Texas Native, and now Tex-Pat, Adam covers all things Tabletop Gaming. Which includes Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, D&D, Board Games and everything else that involves dice, boards, cards and a table.
A hobbyist, player, and collector of miniatures and games, Adam’s current obsession are his Death and Chaos Armies for Age of Sigmar, his Blood Angels and Tyranids for 40k, an expanding collection of Marvel: Crisis Protocol minis, and his ever growing Arkham Horror: The Card Game Collection.
Read more at this site