Hey all, this may seem daft but it's something I've been wondering - can you mount a servo harness onto a suit of terminator armour? I've a techmarine character tempted by the idea, but it doesn't come up in the list of weapons/wargear that can be mounted onto the armour. My guess would be a no (sadly), but would like to hear your thoughts on it.

Good hunting!

I'd be inclined to allow it. The servo-harness is not a pure weapon and it is not attached in the same fashion as normal weapons are. Terminator armour doesn't stop a marine from attaching auspexes and other pieces of equipment that are not specifically mentioned (e.g. astartes targeter) so why not a servo-harness?

I'd definitely allow it.

I think in the TT rules it speficially prohibits the use of full servo-harnesses and terminator armor but I could be mistaken. Outside of conversions, I don't think they make "Terminator Techmarines"

Based on this I'm pretty sure that in the fluff this just doesn't happen. Where would you go about attaching the servo-harness to a terminator anyhow? My (admittedly limited) knowledge of the servo harness indicates that they plug into the backpack power supply, which is missing/different on a terminator. Much like I wouldn't allow the backpack ammo supply of a standard devastator or a jump pack to go on a terminator, I'd be hesitant to allow a techmarine to wander around with his claw(s) hanging off his back.

But then again, this isn't Table Top, and this is the Deathwatch RPG where the DW has all kinds of special stuff so if it fits your game, go for it.

To the absolute best of my knowledge, there have never been any instances of Techmarines utilizing a servo-arm while in Terminator Armour. I actually struggle to think of a time when a Techmarine was in Terminator Armour anyway. This isn't, of course, an argument against in and of its self. I would be extremely reticent to permit i. There simply isn't room. As for Marines being able to have auspex, etc as upgrades or addons; Termie armour already has linked sensoria built into it and the targetter is a weapon upgrade, not an armour upgrade. An auspex is handheld tricorder type device anyway, not an armour upgrade either.

There are lots of fluffy rational reasons even before you get into game mechanics as to why it shouldn't be allowed.

-Durandal

IIRC Techmarines in the tabletop can get Termie armor, most prefer artificer armor however. I figure that if a Techmarine is in Termie, they should still have access to the tools of their Specialty. Maybe this translates to needing more time for the machine spirits to sync up but it seems to me that a servo-arm or servo-harness could be plugged into a Termie power supply as easily as a power armor supply. It's a little different from a jump pack or an ammo backpack in that regard, more akin to an Apothecary keeping their Narthecium in Termie armor than anything else.

As an aside, how about things like Soundstrikes and servo-arms in Scout armor? I didn't think there was a power backpack on Scout armor but I'd think there might be a way to do it...that'd be a situation where I'd be more likely to tell the Techmarine to do without though.

The problem I personally have with that is all of the imagry and models I know of indicate the harness is enormous, and fits over or replaces the base backpack. It's not really an issue of whether or not the actual power supply of the armor could power extra limbs (pretty sure it could). Terminators have that odd angular vent section on their backs for whatever reason, and to me that just doesn't make sense- I've never seen a terminator with a backpack that wasn't assembled from various bitz.

Regarding the Apothecary, the Narthecium/Reductor is on the arm, and that makes sense to swap out a gauntlet (and I think the only official Terminator Apothecaries are from the Grey Knights, but whatever)- there are four other odds and ends are the lamps/sensor that can easily fit on the top plate, a couple of containers and that nozzly thing which could be moved to the belt. I'd say the Apothecary couldn't mount a weapon on the arm with the Narth, but other than that there feels to be room for that.

About the soundstrikes on scouts I'd say no: there is no power supply to power it and no real way to mount it. If a techmarine in the group got frisky I might consider giving him an opportunity to modify one and craft a power supply for it (if he's radical enough to do so), but if you're going on a mission in scout armor you're probably traveling light and small. I also prohibit standard backpack ammo supplies if they're using scout armor for the same reaons. I'd also not let the techmarine use his servo-arm or harness in scout armor.

Again, for me it's about fluff and feel here, I'm not sure there is anything in the Deathwatch RPG RAW that would prevent it.

This is definitely an 'ignore the RAW and decide what feels right to the game you're playing' situation. The RAW right before the compatible weapon list says "There is no restriction on Upgrades or Wargear." and the first thing you see when you flip to Wargear on p 171 is a picture of a jump pack... so RAW 'Strap that baby on and fly about' but common sense says NO FLYING TERMIES!!!! (with one exception, but lets leave flying frenzied psychic dreadnoughts to another crazy thread.)

There is tehnicaly nothing saying any of the cybernetics interfere with any wargear or heavy weapon options. But a number of them mention using the backpack power unit for diferent things.

Techmarine terminators with servo harness haven't been seen in the models at all.

Of course all that means is that the GW or Forgeworld haven't released a Deathwing Techmarine or something yet. Also of course there's much less reason to upgrade from artificer as standard.

The RPG is a totally different kettle of fish though. But it's a major structural device not just attaching a small grenade launcher to it. Looking at the pictures though it does look to make a big change to the backpack it'self. And I'd deffinatly not let a bog standard servo arm stick straight on.

I'd say no. Artificer Armour suffices. A Techmarine in it can roll with Terminators. Especially with Storm shield.
Can one attach a Storm Shield to a Servo-arm?

Alex

Thanks for the feedback all. Yeah, it seems mental, and I've been looking through the books myself when I've a chance to see any precedence - and indeed so far none, though I've looked only at the recent Codex: Space Marines and even Codex: Grey Knights - and both are artificer. I've seen a few models allowing it, one done by a friend who plays Dark Angels - so might ask to read that codex next I see him. I don't remember far back enough for the older versions to see if it ever was canon, but it's worth a look.

And I do agree on the sheer awkwardness and difficulty of it with a priceless relic - I would only see a forgemaster being able to do it, if at all, to the harness and terminator armour. Artificer competes with it anyways I agree, as its more maneuverable. And my techmarine has a master-crafted storm shield, so a very loverly leg up! In standard games I'd agree with it being a little too beyond the scope for the techmarine, but if someone's running a 'go absolutely nuts' kind of game thats over the top, then likey it would fit right in.

Hmmm. I was under the impression Terminator armour wearing Techmarines could take servo-harnesses in at least some edition of the wargame. This doesn't seem to be the case. I tend to stick to background or changes that make sense within the background. I do suspect that at least one venerable Techmarine has mounted a servo-harness in universe but it's not going to be at all common (relatively speaking considering terminator armour).

Even considering that there are backmounted weapon systems (i.e. the cyclone missle launcher) this won't be as straightforward as I thought for a Techmarine.

Page 28 of Deathwatch states that the servo-arm is part of the Techmarine's power armour (under Techmarine standard issue). I'd also go with the same on servo-harness, thus limiting Techmarines to power and artificer armours.

I've told my Techmarine player that he can either have Terminator armor or his Servo-Harness, as he really loves his extra arms. I'm hoping this serves as a balancing agent, as said Techmarine has his artificer armor and already has higher AP than Termie armor, so keeping him in artificer armor with the servo harness means I can actually touch him without wiping the rest of the party.

I'll just leave these here. Conversions of course. Personally I would say a Terminator cannot use a Servo Harness with 4 arms but still may retain 1 claw arm. Otherwise why be a tech-terminator?

Different from picture: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VFkbAjJ9_LI/SggRR1nziQI/AAAAAAAABJg/oZ_3Gy3nu6Q/s1600-h/Terminator+Techmarine+1.JPG



This was also a pretty awesome pic I found while searching for techinators. a dope idea for melee oriented Techmarines, or even other Iron Hands. WTB Stats.

None of the current marine codexes have Terminator armour as an option for Techmarines or even Masters of the Forge, not even TDA-heavy armies like the Dark Angels and Grey Knights. The three current models with a full Servo Harness all have it modelled as essentially a fancy powerpack for the artificer armour.

I think Gaire has it on the nose, terminator armour should be an even bigger dilemma for techmarines as they lose their toys amd can already have extremely good armour.

If i was a Techmarine, spending my free time tinkering on my years-to-build Artificer Armor, I don't think I'd want to get Termie Armor; I'm the only char type who EASILY acquires Art. Armor, and it's great armor, especially stacking in your Machine (X) bonus. Acquire a Refractor Field, or something, and you pretty much have Terminator Armor, since you, the Techmarine, already have a rather constant weapon-kit.

As for the Terminator Armor + Servo Harness, I'd say no. I don't have a particularly good answer why, beyond not seeing it on a mini, but if you can't always have Terminator Armor, and I'd assume some Missions wouldn't allow it, due to cost, or "you need to ride in a Rhino for this one, Captain Bulk.", then you wouldn't want to have to leave it, AND your precious servos behind. If your Servo-Harness is attached to you, it would require constant modulation between implementing it through big armor, and BIG armor, while if it is integrated into your armor, and not you, you'd likely attach it to the armor you can always wear, and not risk it. Again, with PA + Machine (X), or even Art. Armor + Machine (X), I think you can leave the Termie suits for other marines; you are the Marine least likely to need it.

Terminator armor is never your personal set of gear, as its lost tech and an artifact.

Bait said:

Up until First Founding, this was the rule and one I'd agree with. First Founding allows Deathwing Terminators to take a suit of Terminator armour as standard wargear which is something I disagree with.

Decessor said:

Its still the case. However, the Deathwing are notable for operating exclusively with Terminator Armour - their veteran company doesn't deploy without it. This is represented in game terms by giving a Deathwing Terminator permanent access to Tactical Dreadnought Armour.

Love the wording of the Deathwing though, with weapons being either signature wargear or requisition. ( Along with the weapons being restricted to the terminator weapon list.)