Objective Secured

I am in the process of trying to write a list for an upcoming 1850 event and have hit a mental block…

On 1 hand I have more than enough models to run any Eldar or Dark Eldar list that takes my fancy. On the other, the only pointy ears I really want to use right now are Harlequins and (despite the event not requiring it) I won’t field unpainted models.

On the other hand, I have most of the models for the WD exclusive formation – The War Convocation.

For those not in the know – HERE – is a link for you so you can review it and any other formation that takes your fancy.

The summary though is this – take 1 of the Skitarii Battle Maniple Formations (ie 1 of each unit) then add a Cult Mechanicus Battle Congregation Detachment and then finally a Imperial Knight Oathsworn Detachment consisting of a single knight and you are set.

I have most of the skitarii and the knight so its really just the mechanicus I need to acquire.

Bonus wise its a bit of a doozy…

The Machine Brotherhood of Mars: All units in this formation have the Canticles of the Omnissiah special rule (see Codex: Cult Mechanicus), even though they do not all have the Cult Mechanicus Faction.

This is a biggy as it drastically increases the amount of units for the canitcles effects and thus increases the bonus they provide. With the absolute minimum units for this formation you have no less than 10 units to count to determine the effects with 8 or more being the best effect. Not only that but they can all benefit from them as well!

Benediction of Omniscience will mean that the whol force will essentially be twinlinked for a turn – a great opening power

Invocation of Machine Might means that even basic skitarii will punch well above their weight with a whopping +3 to their strength – great for surprise assaults but utterly lethal on Dragoons or Rust Stalkers

Shroudpsalm is a great one for first turn if you are going second because the list will essentially have a 2+ cover save for the turn with even a small amount of terrain

Chant of the Remorseless Fist is rerolls in combat – massive for the knight in particular with its low volume of attacks but again dedicated combat units should be utterly brutal with it

Litany of the Electromancer is a great one for killing hordes thanks to enemy units taking 3 hits at S4 for every model effected by this rule – a big swirling multi unit melee is where this will be king

Incantation of the Iron Soul is simply fearless for the force which is less useful thanks to a high LD stat but in a pinch to stop a fleeing unit – this could be great

Alpha-Dominus: If this Formation’s Tech-Priest Dominus is your Warlord, you can re-roll the result when rolling on the Warlord Traits table in Codex: Cult Mechanicus.

Pretty standard in most detachments these days – the cult mechanicus traits are not bad so that’s a plus

Might of the Adeptus Mechanicus: All weapon and wargear options taken by units in this Formation, including any Relics of Mars or Arcana Mechanicum, are free. Furthermore, all weapons with the Gets Hot special rule carried by a model in this Formation no longer has the Gets Hot special rule.

This is the big one – essentially you are only up for the base unit cost and the increase in unit size of any unit in this formation. Weapon upgrades, wargear and relics are all free. This is a massive bonus for the force and one that well balances the loss in flexibility from the skitarii component of the force. With this one rule there is zero reason not to load up on relics for every alpha (sarge) in every unit. Pick what ever weapon you like for every unit upgrade with zero cost means you can take what you want rather than compromising due to lack of points. I can easily see me gaining 300+ points of upgrades for free in this formation. While not all of it will be 100% worth it, even situational stuff will be taken as there is literally no reason not too!

I will be cutting it fine to get this together in the next 2 weeks but I think it just might be worth it. I might even add a Calexus Assassin to deal with those nasty deathstars I am bound to see!

Have you played with or against the War Convocation? How did you go? let me know in the comments!