40K: Adeptus Mechanicus Skorpius – Inside The Box
The Skorpius is slated for pre-order this weekend and we’ve got a look inside the kit and we’re showing off the rules to boot!
Good things come to those who wait. Well, in the Ad Mech’s case maybe we should pump the brakes on the whole “good” part until we get some games in with the new Skorpius before we start dubbing it “good” on the tabletop.
The Ad Mech Transport
Ad Mech players have been hounding GW for a Transport Option for a long time. While they might have been able to opt for a Forge World solution, for many players getting their forces into battle was always a challenge. Well now the Ad Mech are getting their very own Transport option with the Skorpius Dunerider – and a pretty sweet “light” tank option with the Skorpius Disintergrator!
This kit is a dual kit first off – you’ll be able to build either option. As far as being able to magnetize those options…I don’t know if that’s going to be possible at first glance. Then again, I’m sure some magnet wizard will show the world it can be done – and more power to you for that!
As a model, I really like what GW has done with this vehicle. They have made something that is both a call back to WWII era landing craft and yet it still manages to be that retro-sci-fi look that the Ad Mech have nailed so well. If you think about it, the theme fits so well. Who better to have these retro-futurist weapons than the little red men from Mars? They encapsulate the 50’s sci-fi era so well and this tank just nails that vibe.
So how does it look on paper? See for yourself:
As a transport, the Skorpius Dunerider is giving the Drukhari a run for it’s money in terms of armor – that is to say it doesn’t have much. The 3+ save and Toughness 6 aren’t doing it a ton of favors. Still, 12 wounds means it’s going to soak at least SOME firepower from your opponent. With the weapons it’s clocking in at 73 points as well. Worst case, you’re paying 71 points to ferry your infantry across the board on turn 1. Best case, it sticks around and manages to plink off some weaken targets with all those Heavy stubbers.
Now, as far as the Disintergrator goes it’s got some decent firepower. The extra point of toughness is a nice thought – although any dedicated Anti-tank weapons are going to melt through that easy enough. But for the trade-off in transport capacity, you do get more guns. The missiles aren’t a joke and the Belleros Energy Canon has some potential to dish some damage. Even the Ferrumite Cannon packs a punch. Is that worth the points? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
The Skorpius dual-kit is up for pre-order this weekend – what do you think of the kit and it’s rules?
