I vote that the Macharius should be kept. It fits the "AdMech MBT" role well, being an up-gunned and up-armoured (and slowed down) Guard MBT. If one accepts the premise that the AdMech likes their equipment more powerful, heavier, more advanced, possibly slower and at a higher price, then there is now a reasonably clear role equivalence between iconic guard units and iconic Ad Mech units:

Fast, light transport: Chimera APC -> Chimedon IFV
MBT: Leman Russ -> Macharius
Heavy Armour: SHTs -> Minorii

Not having the Macharius (or an equivalent) leaves a big hole between the little IFVs and the Minorii.

For what its worth the Titanicus reference is actually quite weak as the Forge world in question was a dual governed world using both regular imperial guard PDF and Scitarii. Its never really mentioned who those particular tanks belong to but generally the book only deals with specific vehicle types when referring to the regular guard stuff and of course the Titan patterns.

I don't play ad mech yet so currently have no concrete opinion on its inclusion beyond liking the models.

Now where's the beef?

We could approach this from 2 angles:

1) What army lists would Mach best fit in?
2) What units would best fit in the Skitarii list?

The 1st question encourages the use of the Mach in Skitarii list as it does not appear in either SL or Armoured Company lists- I think the only other list it appears in is the Krieg list.

Of the 2 the 2nd question is probably more important. Yes we could argue that quite a few units should appear in Skitarii list as they have been linked with AM in some background fluff. However as we all know the GW background fluff is inconsistent and can't be reiied upon as a definitive argument.

Weighing both of the above I lean towards keeping the mach in Skitarii list. It is different enough from the other Imperial Super Heavy Tanks and is not featured in many other army lists. It has been linked to AM in background fluff. It's inclusion in Skitarii list does nt risk too much in the feeling of Skitarii = Red Guard as it is not an iconic IG unit.

Cheers

James

It's featured in a book that has IG PDF and skitarii operating side by side, yes, but it is never identified who is operating the kacharius.

...and the book also has warhound titans armed with close combat weapons. It's hardly A grade canon.

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Well the poll is now over, thanks for voting!

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-Vaaish

Would that be affected by the subsequent addition of new variant list- E&C's AM Armoured Division list? That would certainly change my personal opinion- I voted no because i wanted to see the Macharius in one AM list.

Was looking forward to getting your comments and feedback both on that list and of SpeakerToMachines thread on general AM lists.

Thanks

James

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It does have some effect. I won't be removing either the Russes or the Macharius at least until an alternate list is tested and available so that people don't end up with a gap where parts of their collections are invalidated. There are however some thoughts I have for the interim.

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-Vaaish