Adeptus Titanicus - Crucible of Retribution - Legio Venator

 LEGIO VENATOR RULES FOR ADEPTUS TITANICUS:

We continue the reviews of Crucible of Retribution by handing the reigns over to Lord Halfpenny, the proud master of his loyal Legion, Crucius, to review the rules for the loyal Legio Venators – ‘Iron Spiders’ (ironic that Lord Halfpenny has arachnophobia.) [Side note: so does Shadow, who is definitely feeling Halfpenny’s pain here]

In the supplement there are three (3) Legio traits, a wargear option, and three (3) personal traits to utilize in games of Adeptus Titanicus.

LEGIO TRAITS

• Loyalty Above All: This trait allows Titans of Legio Venator to ignore the “Princeps Wounded critical effect”.  Wow, that will be hugely beneficial in game terms! By negating these effects Titans become more durable and are able to act as expected as the shooting starts. The trait also allows friendly Ventor Titans to apply an additional 1 to the roll for any command checks within 6” of the Princeps Seniores’ Titan. Another great aspect of the game is the command rolls, and with a benefit of an extra +1 to the roll are hugely advantageous in making sure that your game tactics happen!
• One Mind: This trait is ace. This allows friendly Venator Titans to squadron up, with a maximum of two (2) Titans, with the exception being a new squadron can’t be made with a Titan already in a Squadron. These Titans follow all rules for a squadron, other than the option to merge shields. Straight away I can see the benefit of having a squadron of two (2) Warlords at the back of the table blasting away the enemy, which could see eight (8) weapons fired in a single volley – ouch! This would also allow the option to have different Titans working together to advance forward. The ‘squadron’ only lasts until the end of the round.
• Mobile Force: This trait is quite fluffy, linking to the history of the Legio having lost a number of the heavier battle Titans. This allows a Reaver Titan to be taken instead of a mandatory Warlord in a Maniple. This would be a good way to reduce the points cost of the maniple.

LEGIO SPECIFIC WARGEAR

Blind Launchers: The Legio Wargear option can only be used once a game. The Blind Launchers are purchased for a set Titan and is activated during the combat phase, and lasts until the next combat phase. All hit rolls against the Titan are at -1 to hit, and also all shots fired by the Titan have a -1 to hit. The key aspect is that the launchers can be activated at any point, so potentially this could be activated after the Titan has fired to avoid the -1 to hit modifier. Real nice wargear option, and good for the points. I could see the benefit of this if the Titan is in the line of sight of some big guns, or potentially towards the end of the game if the Titan is scoring points, and out in the open.

[You should ask us about what the name makes Halfpenny think of.  Hit up the comments below to ask him about the dark but somewhat humourous mental image]

LEGIO SPECIFIC PERSONAL TRAITS

• Burning Hate: This personal trait allows a Legio Venator Princeps Seniores once a round to make another attack with any of its weapons on a Titan that it has just caused critical damage to. This then requires a reactor overload dice roll. This trait is amazing, I can see huge benefit in allowing the Titan one (1) more killing blow with a hope of taking out the enemy Titan, definitely worth the reactor roll!
• Crusade Veteran: Once per game, after a repair roll is resolved as part of an Emergency Repairs order, the order can be discarded, with a second order issued. Potentially this could be another repair roll. The Titan can only be activated in the movement or the combat phase. This is a great trait to utilise if the Titan has taken a pounding and needs some major repairs, or if the repair phase hasn’t gone to plan and has left the Titan vulnerable.  Definitely can see this being of benefit towards the later stages of battles when the damage is building up.
• Superior Tactician: The presence of the Princeps allows for an additional stratagem point. This may be used prior to the battle on stratagems. Nice trait which allows more freedom with tactics.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall I really like the feel that the Legio traits, wargear, and personal traits for Legio Venator have, and I could be tempted to have a small force of this Legion. I really like the One Mind trait and can see this working really well, and maybe using this in conjunction with the Blind Launchers – allowing for the Titans to be a little more in the open to attack, but then have the launchers to add to their defence.

The supplement also includes the Warlord Titan Lupus Ira, a great-looking Warlord!