Does the machinator array exist in any of the books?

By TheJack, in Only War

Or is that for Dark Heresy only?

If it exists in Only War, which book is it in?

If it doesn't, does anyone have an alternative way to mount non-compact weaponry on a ballistic mechadendrite?

4 hours ago, TheJack said:

Or is that for Dark Heresy only?

My common sense answer is: it's not an implant available just anywhere. Of course, you could make it available — not a big stretch for a Forge World ∪ Defenders of the Omnissiah ∪ Cyber-enhanced regiment to have access to more implants. Or even make it a part of standard Kit as additional item by availability — hopefully, in a Forge World ∩ (Defenders of the Omnissiah ∪ Cyber-enhanced) regiment.

4 hours ago, TheJack said:

If it exists in Only War, which book is it in?

Tech-Priests are Support Specialists, so things specific to them are most likely to be found in Shield of Humanity. Armory doesn't show it, however.

4 hours ago, TheJack said:

If it doesn't, does anyone have an alternative way to mount non-compact weaponry on a ballistic mechadendrite?

Mechadendrite proper, no. But there are [Integrated] weapons and Integrated Weapon upgrade in Shield of Humanity.

Or just MIU/MIU Weapon Interface + hands-free mount.

4 hours ago, TBeholder said:

My common sense answer is: it's not an implant available just anywhere. Of course, you could make it available — not a big stretch for a Forge World ∪ Defenders of the Omnissiah ∪ Cyber-enhanced regiment to have access to more implants. Or even make it a part of standard Kit as additional item by availability — hopefully, in a Forge World ∩ (Defenders of the Omnissiah ∪ Cyber-enhanced) regiment.

Tech-Priests are Support Specialists, so things specific to them are most likely to be found in Shield of Humanity. Armory doesn't show it, however.

Mechadendrite proper, no. But there are [Integrated] weapons and Integrated Weapon upgrade in Shield of Humanity.

Or just MIU/MIU Weapon Interface + hands-free mount.

I'm planning to play a techpriest, so I figured they would have an easier access to the machinator array... Hopefully. Who knows if he'll actually get access through it through logistics though

As far as I can tell, shield of humanity doesn't have it either

And hte plan was to mount an Integrated Lathe-Laspistol on it for some absurd damage and infinite ammo... I pulled the same trick in a Dark Heresy game, and it's amazing. It can still be done without the machinator array though, it just annoys me that I lose 1 damage to it due to the Compact "upgrade" (more like forced downgrade, but whatever)

Also, I like how you use the set theory operators union/intersection. Very Techpriest of you :P

2 hours ago, TheJack said:

I'm planning to play a techpriest, so I figured they would have an easier access to the machinator array... Hopefully. Who knows if he'll actually get access through it through logistics though

Easier than who? It already has requirements Tech Priest (i.e. Mechanicus implants) + mechadendrite.

Also, it was introduced as a Talent, so needs to be converted with some eyeballing by GM.

Quote

And hte plan was to mount an Integrated Lathe-Laspistol on it

Uh, it's already integrated — connected (presumably plugged into cybermantle), powered from Potentia Coil (thus with unlimited "magazine"), etc.

Even a common weapon with Integrated upgrade is better than the same weapon on a mechadendrite, both due to Integrated bonuses and not counting against mechadendrites limit. Also, [Integrated] (whether inherent or as upgrade) applies to Pistol or Basic, and doesn't specify compatibility or incompatibility with any other articular upgrade, variant or modification.

The only downsides of Integrated vs. mechadendrite mounted is not being hands-free (if not specified, it's default) and no support for Bolt/SP/Launcher/Exotic weapons. But if you want that, there's another variant: MIU Weapon Interface and shoulder mount. Which also does not count against mechadendrites limit.

Edited by TBeholder
1 hour ago, TBeholder said:

The only downsides of Integrated vs. mechadendrite mounted is not being hands-free (if not specified, it's default) and no support for Bolt/SP/Launcher/Exotic weapons.

Rules for Integrated weapon are copypasted (not completely) from "The Lathe Worlds", and TLW allows you to make SP and Launcher IW (p.58)

9 hours ago, TBeholder said:

Easier than who? It already has requirements Tech Priest (i.e. Mechanicus implants) + mechadendrite.

Also, it was introduced as a Talent, so needs to be converted with some eyeballing by GM.

Uh, it's already integrated — connected (presumably plugged into cybermantle), powered from Potentia Coil (thus with unlimited "magazine"), etc.

Even a common weapon with Integrated upgrade is better than the same weapon on a mechadendrite, both due to Integrated bonuses and not counting against mechadendrites limit. Also, [Integrated] (whether inherent or as upgrade) applies to Pistol or Basic, and doesn't specify compatibility or incompatibility with any other articular upgrade, variant or modification.

The only downsides of Integrated vs. mechadendrite mounted is not being hands-free (if not specified, it's default) and no support for Bolt/SP/Launcher/Exotic weapons. But if you want that, there's another variant: MIU Weapon Interface and shoulder mount. Which also does not count against mechadendrites limit.

Easier than non-mechanicus :P Though you are completely correct, non-mechanicus can't even take it so it's meaningless to say it's easier for mechanicus dudes to get it than anyone else.

And I had completely forgotten it was a talent... That makes it magnitudes easier for me to get it, as the GM just need to slap some aptitudes on it and call it good. It's probably gonna be Tech and something else, I bet. Though, it should be noted that Only war does seem to convert a lot of formerly talent cybernetics into actual cybernetics (autosanguine for example) requiring logistics checks.

And yes, I know it's already integrated; That's why I want to put it on a mechadendrite. For one, it's got infinite ammo (since it's a las weapon), so I don't have to bother reloading it (which IIRC a ballistic mechadendrite still requires), and also because it's just a really good gun. After all, it's integrated, but nobody has specified *where* it's integrated... Why not integrated into a mechadendrite? :P

As for the shoulder mounted option, I really don't like that one... Mostly because I can't figure out a way to make it cool. I'm weird like that, but all my characters have to look cool, otherwise I can't play them

My plan for this guy is two Servo-Arms as shoulder mounted mechadendrites. THen, on the right side, a Utility mechadendrite on a sternum mount. Left side, medicae mechadendrite on a sternum mount. Then, if my GM allows me, an Optical mechadendrite mounted inside his spine, in the form of a finger-thick camera tentacle (it extends when in use, retracts into his spine when not in use. Exit point is near neck). And, if the GM allows me, two ballistic mechadendrites on a lower-sternum (hip?) mounting. One with an integrated lathe las-pistol, and the other with an integrated hand-flamer (it will still need reloading, but it doubles the magazine size) for clearing crowds. His main weapon is going to be two-fold; some kind of high power las-rifle as the primary weapon, and then a Lascannon (carried on the back, the servo arms help lift it) for anti-armor/artillery roles. Both will also be Integrated for further unlimited ammo.

I almost pulled this off in a Dark Heresy 1 campaign, with the additional option of an Inferno pistol built into his cybernetic arm... I still can't believe my GM let us have an inferno pistol that early, but I wasn't complaining. Bolt-pistol with holy bolts for anti-daemon as well.

I was a walking armory lol. Only weapon I never got in that DH1 game was the lascannon

11 hours ago, TheJack said:

And I had completely forgotten it was a talent... That makes it magnitudes easier for me to get it, as the GM just need to slap some aptitudes on it and call it good. It's probably gonna be Tech and something else, I bet. Though, it should be noted that Only war does seem to convert a lot of formerly talent cybernetics into actual cybernetics (autosanguine for example) requiring logistics checks.

Yup. On the upside, shouldn't require any more advances, since it's just an upgrade expanding functionality of mechadendrites, rather than adding new.

Quote

And yes, I know it's already integrated; That's why I want to put it on a mechadendrite. For one, it's got infinite ammo (since it's a las weapon), so I don't have to bother reloading it (which IIRC a ballistic mechadendrite still requires), and also because it's just a really good gun. After all, it's integrated, but nobody has specified *where* it's integrated... Why not integrated into a mechadendrite? :P

It's sorta-kinda detachable. Then again, illustrations are strange. And it's simply too heavy for a mechadendrite.

Quote

As for the shoulder mounted option, I really don't like that one... Mostly because I can't figure out a way to make it cool. I'm weird like that, but all my characters have to look cool, otherwise I can't play them

Like on Crimson Exemplar illustration?

Or pick a few random entries on "Shoulder Cannon" ATT page , run image search on them, pick one and say "like this, but with muzzle from [weapon] — patterns vary, Omnissiah Vult". 😆

Except the "pauldrones" . Imperial gravitics is just not that good. Though come to think of it, levitating drones are available, so you could tinker up something from servoskulls. And gun skulls are allowed non-Compact pistol weapons. But rather obviously don't have what it takes to use [Integrated] weapons, such as an adequate power source.

So here's a solution, and very setting-appropriate one † at that, including for Tech-priests other than combat specialized types like Secutor or Venator (who would be Crimson Exemplar specialty): have a gun servoskull with Integrated weapon, trailing behind the character on a cable.

Requires:

  • Implant : MIU Weapon Interface. Or a Tech-priest advances enabling teleoperation via servitors. But MIU-WI allows a Free [Attack] action.
  • Servitor Comrade: Servoskull (gun skull). Needs conversion from DH|DW|RT.
  • Any pistol. Possibly one with intrinsic [Integrated] quality (Lathe laspistol) or Integrated Components upgrade — if it's going to be connected to MIU-WI via cable anyway, may as well use a thicker cable and link to other implants.

Can be used in several modes:

  • fired "manually" with the user's statistics (BS, Talents) via MIU-WI interface, spending a Free Action [Attack] it gives.
  • ordered to autonomously acquire designated type of targets and rain potshots with skull's statistics (paltry BS and minimal Weapon Talent) while the user operates a heavier weapon or does something else.
  • shoot what's recognizable as a known enemy, but report anything new in its field of view whether identifiable or not, i.e. act as a smart camera watching the user's back (skull comes with Awareness skill, may as well make a good use of it).
  • participate in Servitor Directives that don't require capabilities beyond watching, shooting and communicating to the Tech-priest.

† on Mechanicus models and illustrations servoskulls "on a leash" are not quite common, but not rare either:

https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/intermediary/f/6390f06a-bd5a-4b31-9fd6-665b3698ffa4/d4py07e-eb3793ee-5a0b-4b6f-b596-39258b3d4e41.jpg/v1/crop/w_180,h_250,x_0,y_0,scl_0.27014925373134,q_70,strp/magos_xenologist_by_ning_d4py07e-250t.jpg Magos Xenologist © Fantasy Flight Games

…and this already includes gun-skulls:

https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/resources/catalog/product/220x227/99550108002_AdeptusTitanicusTechPriestEngineer04.jpg «… including Boltpistol armed Servo Skull […] perfectly suited to represent Magos Reductor Calleb Decima from …»

Quote

My plan for this guy is two Servo-Arms as shoulder mounted mechadendrites. THen, on the right side, a Utility mechadendrite on a sternum mount. Left side, medicae mechadendrite on a sternum mount.

Do they even have mechadendrites not mounted on the cybermantle (of course, that's most of the back)?

Edited by TBeholder
12 hours ago, TBeholder said:

Yup. On the upside, shouldn't require any more advances, since it's just an upgrade expanding functionality of mechadendrites, rather than adding new.

It's sorta-kinda detachable. Then again, illustrations are strange. And it's simply too heavy for a mechadendrite.

Like on Crimson Exemplar illustration?

Or pick a few random entries on "Shoulder Cannon" ATT page , run image search on them, pick one and say "like this, but with muzzle from [weapon] — patterns vary, Omnissiah Vult". 😆

Except the "pauldrones" . Imperial gravitics is just not that good. Though come to think of it, levitating drones are available, so you could tinker up something from servoskulls. And gun skulls are allowed non-Compact pistol weapons. But rather obviously don't have what it takes to use [Integrated] weapons, such as an adequate power source.

So here's a solution, and very setting-appropriate one † at that, including for Tech-priests other than combat specialized types like Secutor or Venator (who would be Crimson Exemplar specialty): have a gun servoskull with Integrated weapon, trailing behind the character on a cable.

Requires:

  • Implant : MIU Weapon Interface. Or a Tech-priest advances enabling teleoperation via servitors. But MIU-WI allows a Free [Attack] action.
  • Servitor Comrade: Servoskull (gun skull). Needs conversion from DH|DW|RT.
  • Any pistol. Possibly one with intrinsic [Integrated] quality (Lathe laspistol) or Integrated Components upgrade — if it's going to be connected to MIU-WI via cable anyway, may as well use a thicker cable and link to other implants.

Can be used in several modes:

  • fired "manually" with the user's statistics (BS, Talents) via MIU-WI interface, spending a Free Action [Attack] it gives.
  • ordered to autonomously acquire designated type of targets and rain potshots with skull's statistics (paltry BS and minimal Weapon Talent) while the user operates a heavier weapon or does something else.
  • shoot  what's recognizable as a known enemy, but report anything new in its field of view whether identifiable or not, i.e. act as a smart camera watching the user's back (skull comes with Awareness skill, may as well make a good use of it).
  • participate in Ser  vitor Directives that don't require capabilities beyond watching, shooting and communicating to the Tech-priest.

† on Mechanicus models and illustr  ations servoskulls "on a leash" are not quite common, but not rare either:

https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/intermediary/f/6390f06a-bd5a-4b31-9fd6-665b3698ffa4/d4py07e-eb3793ee-5a0b-4b6f-b596-39258b3d4e41.jpg/v1/crop/w_180,h_250,x_0,y_0,scl_0.27014925373134,q_70,strp/magos_xenologist_by_ning_d4py07e-250t.jpg Magos Xenologist © Fantasy Flight Games

…and this already includes gun-skulls:

https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/resources/catalog/product/220x227/99550108002_AdeptusTitanicusTechPriestEngineer04.jpg «… including Boltpistol armed Servo Skull […] perfectly suited to represent Magos Reductor Calleb Decima from …»

Do they even have mechadendrites not mounted on the cybermantle (of course, that's most of the back)?

The lathe laspistol is only too heavy for a mechadendrite without the machinator array :P And with a compact "upgrade" it can still be mounted.

As for your suggestions on how to make shoulder-mounts cool... Thank you, but unfortunately none of those strike my fancy. The Crimson Exemplar example is the best one so far, but I still don't particularly like it. However, you do bring up a good point that I can just slap it into any other weapon I have... Like a mechadendrite mounted pistol, lol.

As for mechadendrites not on the cybermantle... I dunno? I don't think so technically. But it wouldn't surprise me at all if it's possible. You frequently see tiny mechadendrite-tentacles emerge from hoods in illustrations of techpriests, so presumably it's possible to attach one to the upper back/neck or something at least