With the Adeptus Mechanicus codex going up for pre-order this weekend, we’re taking a closer look at this unusual army in depth all week long. So far, we’ve covered the major forge worlds, the best ways to utilise newer Adeptus Mechanicus units, and their army-wide special rules. Today, we’re exploring their Crusade rules.
If you’re not using the ingenious narrative Crusade system, you’re missing out – building up your forces from green recruits to grizzled killers is unbelievably rewarding. One of our favourite things about the new codex books is the variety and flavour the Crusade rules add to each army. Even more so when they get a dazzling variety of unfathomable technology to play with. It’s time for the Adeptus Mechanicus to take their turn.
Archeotech Treasures
The Adeptus Mechanicus is on a never-ending quest to recover the lost knowledge of Humanity. Crusade armies are often formed for the express purpose of tracking down rumours of ancient technology, known as archeotech.
While these scraps of divine gadgetry can be found in an endless array of forms, the Crusade rules break them down into four broad categories.
Your army will collect these valuable archeotech parts over time, and you can even put them to use to create new wargear – but more on that in a bit. Let’s talk about how you can get your mechadendrites on the parts in the first place.
Agendas
Each mission your Crusade force takes offers a challenge and a corresponding reward for success, called an Agenda. For your Adeptus Mechanicus army, these bounties might include getting their tendrils into some heretical or xenos tech…
Scavenging is just one way to collect new parts. Here’s another one.
Requisitions
As your Crusade force gains clout and influence, they may be able to pull some favours to try out some new toys. The codex introduces five new options for Requisitions, including, you know, straight-up asking for some strange trinkets to play with.
Collecting stuff is often the end goal for obsessive Tech-Priests. But if you hoard enough pieces, you can begin assembling a huge assortment of Archeotech Treasures like new weapons, protective devices, and equipment of a more esoteric nature.
Want an example? Of course you do. This Digital Cannon is great for its blissful simplicity. The best way to take out an enemy is to blast them with something. Hard. Surely the humour of that killing shot coming from finger guns is lost on the enemy, but Tech-Priests definitely score massive bragging rights every time they do it.
After your holy warriors have taken out their enemies, they can earn some handy upgrades.
Battle Traits
As units acquire battlefield experience, they’ll be enhanced with potent Battle Traits. The book includes tables for Tech-Priests, Core units, Kataphron Servitors, Vehicles, and even the newest unit in the book – Skitarii Marshals.
Skitarii Marshals are often tasked with leading small Crusade armies – so they’ve been granted access to some interesting Battle Traits to enhance their efficiency.
Crusade Relics
The largest and most powerful leaders of Crusade forces are trusted with the use of ancient technology – revered by the priesthood of Mars as much for their provenance as their battlefield efficacy.
Your force could even be blessed with this Relic bearing one of the most famous names of the Adeptus Mechanicus’ long history.
The name Arkhan Land doesn’t ring a bell? Get up to speed with our run-down of some of the galaxy’s most well-known and influential Tech-Priests, including one with a rather unusual pet.
Weapon Enhancements
If you’re thinking that the Adeptus Mechanicus must have access to some of the best weapons for ‘field testing’, you’re absolutely correct. You’ll find Weapon Enhancement tables for a whole host of profiles, including arc, radium, cognis, phosphor, rifle, and carbine weapons. And let’s not forget the very best of them all – Plasma weapons.
Safe and reliable plasma weaponry IS possible, but please don’t tell the brave soldiers of the Astra Militarum. Morale must be maintained, after all.
These examples represent a mere fraction of the amazing Crusade rules in the Adeptus Mechanicus codex. Make sure you pre-order the book on Saturday so you can load your army with the new data as soon as possible, and check back here tomorrow for a look at the Holy Orders of the priesthood of Mars.