Warhammer 40K: The Legiones Skitarii – Armies of the Omnissiah
The Legiones Skitarii are but one arm of the military might of the Adeptus Mechanicus. This arm just happens to be highly radioactive!
Who are the Legiones Skitarii? Are they mindless automatons or willing warriors? Today we learn more about the foot soldiers of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
The Skitarii are the cyborg armies of the Adeptus Mechanicus and its primary military force alongside the Collegia Titanica and Cult Mechanicus Battle Congregations. The military forces of the Skitarii are known as the Legiones Skitarii.
“Skitarii” are armies of specially augmented cybernetic warriors sworn to a specific Forge World and serve alongside the Collegia Titanica and Taghmata Omnissiah as the military forces of the Mechanicum. It is a term equivalent to the Imperial Guard as it generally includes almost all combat personnel and armour that the Mechanicus possesses. Skitarii are also known as Tech-Guard (or Tech Guard) to outsiders, and the singular form of Skitarii is “Skitarius.” The term “Skitarii”, however is often used to reference only the augmented infantry.
While their bodies are more machine than flesh, Skitarii are not true Servitors and still retain independent thought. Those with the highest level of augmentation are known as Skitarii Alphas, a high honor in Skitarii culture. Due to their extensive modification Skitarii can excel and survive in almost any atmosphere. Skitarii are also known for their near-emotionless nature, a result of both brain surgery and psychological conditioning. Because of their conditioning Skitarii are so loyal to their Tech-Priest masters that they will even blindly kill one another if ordered.
In battle, Skitarii fight with near-robotic discipline. They base their firing vectors and positioning on mathematical formulae guaranteed to bring about maximum success. While the Imperial Guard focuses on broad sweeping assaults, Skitarii units generally focus on maximizing their strength against vital enemy units and installations. While Skitarii fighters do not require any boost in morale, they do receive regular enhancements from combat drugs that can cause sudden bursts of energy, strength, and regenerative power. However, many of these drugs are extremely dangerous and cause horrific side effects mere minutes after their use.
The Skitarii also serve as the bodyguards of the Adeptus Mechanicus Survey teams. They were present at the First Encounter with the Eldar. The Eldar of the Biel-tan craftworld slaughtered the Skitarii present and only one ship was able to escape, though the crew died from lack of food and oxygen.
Recruitment and Creation
Skitarii recruitment follows no universal role. Some Skitarii began as volunteers who were faithful to the Cult Mechanicus. Others are recruited from the factory workers of Forge Worlds. Some denizens of Forge Worlds are destined to become Skitarii at birth, having been bred from eugenics programs that emphasize strength and aggression.
The process of Skitarii creation is a closely kept secret of the Adeptus Mechanicus. What is clear is that involves heavy cybernetic augmentation to those with a fanatical faith in the Omnissiah. During the process of conversion into a Skitarii most of their organs and tissue are modified or replaced entirely with circuits, bio-plastic, and metal.
Organization
Each Forge World of the Mechanicus operates a Legion of Skitarii. This is in turn divided into a number of Macroclades, which in turn are broken down into 4 Cohorts, each consisting of 3 Maniples. The vast majority of Skitarii troops are not brought into battle by aircraft or armoured personnel carriers. Rather they simply march into battle without stopping. Even if they have to start the journey months in advance.
Equipment
The Skitarii generally have more advanced weaponry and equipment than their Imperial Guard equivalents. This is due to the technological expertise of their Techpriest masters. Bionics are quite common and devices such as weapon links and sensory feeds are also common amongst them.
The equipment can vary massively based on which Magos, Mechanicus Organisation or Forge World has raised and equipped them. There is little standardisation or central command of Skitarii across the Mechanicus. Each individual regiment is the personal army of a particular Magos. For example, the Skitarii of the Titan Legion Legio Invicta are gene-bulked humans with weaponised limbs and augmetic armour. Whereas a different type of Skitarii investigated the dead world of Tarsis Ultra. These were seen to be wearing something similar in both function and design to Terminator armour.
Due to their substantial bionic enhancements, Skitarii are capable of marching for periods far beyond standard humans. Skitarii Rangers can hunt for decades on end. Thus most Skitarii forego the use of armored transports, finding them redundant. Despite often going on foot, they nonetheless operate an array of vehicles which include Rhinos, Chimeras, Skorpius Duneriders, Skorpius Disintegrators, Triaros Armored Conveyors, Leman Russ Battle Tanks, Malcador Heavy Tank, and Hydra Flak Tank. Combat walkers include the Onager Dunecrawler, Black Widow, and Ironstrider Engine. They also operate air units which include Thunderbolt Fighters and Vulture Gunships as well as Archaeopters.
Learn more about these Cybernetic Warriors of Mars.
