Titans and Defense

Today we've got something a bit different.  No Titan update, no new Titan, no special coverage.  Think of this is whetting your appetite for the inexorable return of Collegia Titanica, which is coming relatively soon.  We have explored the weapons of the Titans in the past and we'll explore more of that in the future, as well as Titan stats themselves and even other items pertaining to them.  

But what's a dirty truth to using Titans in game?

They're massive killers, but once you can lay the hurt on them they feel it quickly.

Titans live and die not by the strength of arms they posess, but by what keeps them alive and defended.  Yes, a Titan can outkill what threatens it, even the scrappy Warhound can down a Warlord if fate is so kind, but they can only kill so much and so fast.  The smaller the Titan, the more likely they can be overwhelmed by large numbers, or outgunned.

How does a Titan, then, avoid an unfortunate case of death?

1.) Void shields.  Titans live and die by these things when it comes to range, especially the scout Titans.  Lose the void shields and now you're open to nasty stuff.  Often these are popped by smaller heavy weapons just so that Titan can be exposed to the harder hitting stuff, especially D weapons.  Warhound owners know that those two void shields are often their best friends.

2.) Heavy support elements.  Other super-heavies, big tanks, you name it.  If it's big and can draw attention or make it rain fire they can keep your Titan going by taking some heat or killing what threatens it.  These are great for defending your Titan from other Titans or tanks.

3.) Infantry.  Secutarii, Skitarii, Astartes, anything that moves on the ground near your Titan's feet is the best close combat defense your war machine can hope for.  They become expendable in that sense, but they do more than just beat things up.  They keep a Titan from being punched in the heel and looking like Achiles.

Interestingly, 63 percent of the Titans registered on TOC have maniple brethren or support of some form.  This means that almost two out of every three Titans has another Titan backing it, a Knight at its side, some sort of infantry keeping it from being boarded, or another form of help.

Obviously this is only a brief look at your options to defend a Titan and keep them alive.  It's something that we could easily explore more in depth.  Leave a comment below, tell us what you think about defending a Titan and what works best for you and your lovely God-Engine.

Titan Legio Secutarii are previewed

Brilliant news for those out there who think their Titan Battle Maniple needs some foot soldiers keeping those Melta Bombs etc away (or fear that your Princeps and Titan may be captured if it falls over), Forge World are showing off their Secutarii. 

Hopefully we will be able to see a list for these as Titan Guard in the next Horus Heresy Black book, where Legio Mortis walks with the Vlka Fenryka. 

Titan Owners Club. 

Update Warhound No4190- Invicti Magnus, 20/5/16

++INCOMING TRANSMISSION FROM TECH PRIEST GRAYSON....REROUTING++

Yes, we are having fun with this.  His actual post to us is below. - TOC

++Incoming Transmission++

Input authentication code

...

...

>>Authentication confirmed

>>Ranger Task Force 3 Delta report as follows

Sector 5 cleared of enemies. Prior reports of Imperial held strong point are inaccurate. It was only a refugee center. 1 survivor from an enemy raid. Titan Invicti Magnus secured the surrounding area. Returning to Forward Operations post 3561C.

++End transmission++

"So it's been a while, but here is my Warhound all cleaned and built. Priming and painting will follow after I finish the basing."

UPDATE PICTURES

Very good pose going.

.

Love the base and good use of the Skitarii.

Awesome work and loving the base and the update text - TOC

Reaver Titan No. 1641 - Ferrum Mori, Legio Mortis

Certificate number: 1641

Titan Name: Ferrum Mori

Pattern: Mars Pattern Reaver Battle Titan 

Primary Armament: Laser Blaster, Volcano Cannon & Apocalypse Missile Launcher

Princeps: Janek Heinemann 

Titan Legio: Legio Mortis

Battle Maniple Composition: Reaver (1641)

Owner: Gary C

Location: Cornwall, United Kingdom

Comments: Still very much WIP. Legio Mortis army, only one engine for Mortis so far along with a small detachment of Titanicus Skitarii and one Avenger Strike Fighter from the close air support phalanx. All Mortis fluff from HH book:1 betrayal.

I'm on summer holiday from work now an plan to finish the ferrum mori off in these 4 weeks so expect lots of finished army shots! 

Work in progress: 

Ferrum Mori standing proud in it's display cabinet. Not too far from being finished now.

Weathering

A piece like this deserves a decent internal paint job too. Very effective metallic colours.

Head swap to make Janek more individual

Very well painted Princeps

Beautifully painted control panels.

Strike Fighter delta 107 first bit of air support for the engines.Very effective Colour scheme too!

The start of the Mortis Skitarii, pity there not the skull faced murders as described in the heresy books. But I'm sure FW will get round to doing some skitarii upgrade kits sooner or later.

Update:

The internals have come along very wonderfully and look weathered really well.

Very nicely done and all of the details are sharp and crisp.

The decal work has started.

Locked and loaded.

Standing tall and with support from a Tech Priest.