In the three or so years since the last edition of Codex: Adeptus Mechanicus, the forces of Mars received quite a few reinforcements that seriously shook up how they go about their business on the battlefield. Ahead of the impending release of their new codex (and the Skitarii Marshall we showed off in March’s Warhammer Preview Online), we’re taking a look back at the new(er)comers to the Adeptus Mechanicus roster and seeing how they shook up the game.
Tech-Priest Manipulus
Carrying a huge galvanic cell that sends tendrils of the Motive Force running through their body, the Tech-Priest Manipulus is a master of increasing the output of their Skitarii force’s weapons. By redirecting the electrical energy into their warriors’ arc, radium, and galvanic weaponry, the range at which they strike down enemies of the Omnissiah increases dramatically.
Serberys Sulphurhounds and Raiders
Mounted upon cybercanid mounts designed to move rapidly across all kinds of rugged terrain, the Serberys Corps bring some much-needed speed to the Adeptus Mechanicus’ battle plans. While Raiders scout enemy locations and engage lightly defended targets in a clash of cavalry sabres, Sulphurhounds barrel headlong into enemy lines and smash aside terrified defenders, breathing gouts of sulphurous flame and shooting left and right with their twin phosphor pistols.
Pteraxii Sterylizors and Skystalkers
Hot on the heels of their mounted comrades, the Pteraxii Corps take to the skies on mechanical wings and rain showers of deadly firepower on enemy forces too used to the previously ponderous Skitarii advance. Sterylizors cast great plumes of flame from their phosphor torches, while the Skystalkers keep their distance and fire devastating fusillades of razor-sharp flechettes from their blasters.
Together with the Serberys Corps, the Pteraxii allow Adeptus Mechanicus forces to strike out across the board at a speed never seen before, even deploying far behind enemy lines and gracing all corners of the battlefield with the Omnissiah’s touch.
Skorpius Dunerider and Disintegrator
While the Skitarii are not inclined (or, indeed, programmed) to complain about walking across their battlefields, they aren’t the speediest soldiers around and sometimes an objective needs to be taken much quicker than leg power alone would allow. Luckily, the enterprising forge-lords of Mars created the Skorpius Dunerider to ferry their infantry into the thick of battle, allowing their legions of cyborg troopers to establish control much quicker than before.
While the Onager Dunecrawlers and Kastelan Robots provide heavy weapons fire from sturdy, dependable platforms, neither are particularly mobile, and a new solution was needed for rushing the heaviest Mechanicus weapons to vital locations at all haste. By replacing the transport capacity of a Dunerider with energy coils, missile launchers, and a lucky servitor hard-wired into a turret, the Skorpius Disintegrator was brought to life as a rapid-response destroyer of vehicles (and particularly large monsters).
Archaeopter Fusilave, Transvector, and Stratoraptor
Reasoning (quite rightly) that the Imperial Navy couldn’t be relied upon to cover all of their airborne needs, the Archaeopter platform has been pressed into service in greater numbers than ever, providing all manner of vital roles in a sturdy flying package. While the Stratoraptor takes advantage of the variable wings and directional thrusters to excel as a ground attack gunship, the Fusilave roars over battlefields at high speeds dropping payloads of high-explosive bombs on unfortunate foes.
The integrated pilots of the Transvectors, meanwhile, use their unparalleled control over their aircraft to land in tight formations, deploying larger squads split between two Archaeopters where one would have been insufficient. Along with the Skorpius Duneriders, they present a new vector for ingenious Tech-Priest commanders to move their troops precisely where they need to be.
To find out how all of these units have evolved since they were first introduced in Psychic Awakening: The Engine War, make sure to pre-order the new Codex: Adeptus Mechanicus on Saturday and prepare your cyborg legions for the Omnissiah’s holy work.