Adeptus Mechanicus Codex Review - Early Sections and Lore

Welcome, Princeps!

We’re beginning our second-ever Warhammer 40,000 book review and going over one of the grimmest, weirdest, STRANGEST codices in the setting.  Yes, the Adeptus Mechanicus have hit our desk!  This is pretty big for us as we begin to look at things we previously used in support of the Club’s standard fare, your Titans, and put a thematic flare to them.  This codex is where you get to the heart of how the Mechanicus operates and offers up ways to support and protect your Titans.  It also forms the building blocks by which to create your Titanguard or the Tech-Priests that run around besides your beloved God-Machines.

[Sorry for the delay on this by the way, the book go to us late and then we had the joy of UPS crushing the box, though the book itself is okay]

THE BOOK

The book rocks in at a wonderful 120 pages, which is very respectable and promises a wealth of information for players to dive into.  Compared to the previous incarnation of the AdMech codex, this thing is a chonker.  The first surprise that we receive is that Knights have been completely stripped out of the codex; however, this is not an unexpected twist since they have their own full codex and there is no need for the “quickie update” like they received in the prior edition.  With that said, what can you expect:

•     Lore
•     Showcase photos
•     Rules for detachment abilities, forge world traits, army rules, datasheets, etc.
•     Crusade rules

THE LORE

A wonderful 29 pages, nearly a quarter of the book, is dedicated to the lore of this enigmatic and bizarre faction within the setting.  In this section we see the Mechanicus fleshed out (pun fully intended, knowing the flesh is weak) a bit more than last time.  Further, the book touches on the various orders within the Mechanicus, including the mention of the Centurio Ordinatus, Ordo Reductor, Auxilia Myrmidon, and Collegia Titanica.  All of these are familiar, especially the Collegia Titanica, and will undoubtedly bring hope that at some point some of the Horus Heresy units that belong to the other groups will eventually make their way into 40k.

The artwork in here is gorgeous and captures the grim-dark feel that so many love about the hobby.  The imagery really drives home humanity’s stagnation, the absurdity of the technology being used, and the complete lack of humanity within the Mechanicus.  Coupled with new lore about the four holy orders and the mindset of the servants of the Omnissiah, this codex is a more defined tome than last edition’s.  Fans of the Legio Cybernetica will not be disappointed as they’ve now received a full two pages of lore, perfect for those that like the little stompy robots guarding their big stompy robots (seriously one of the coolest contributions of the Imperator: Wrath of the Omnissiah novel).

 This section is rounded out with reviews about the major forge worlds and some of the minor ones in service to the Imperium of Mankind.  The Iron Skulls, formerly known as Legio Metalica (we’re interested in why the cognomen is the permanent name now), also make an appearance in the lore section.  We’re then treated to the ton of pictures you’ve come to expect in a codex showing off the faction’s models and various paint schemes.