Combat droids

 These Robotic Soldiers are 3d printed from Dutchmogul on Thingiverse.  I printed them at 56% original size to reduce them from 28mm to 15mm scale.

I mirrored the pose to give me 2 different versions.  It's also available as the A-TACC combat robot (separate torso, legs & arms for poseability) and in storage mode as Folded Robotic Soldier, which lends itself to a few different scenarios where characters might need to activate or prevent activation of them.

I only printed a couple as a test to see how they would come out and they have a fairly quick paint job. I will print a few more and experiment with different orientation to see how I can reduce layer lines and improve the poses.  They could probably do with red eyes too!

These are ideal for 5 Parsecs from Home or Rogue Stars and when I print a few more, they will also be useful for Tomorrow's War and other larger scale games.  I see that there also some remixes by Forgemoon which include alternative weapons arms (40K heavy bolters, flamers and chainswords) to add even more variety.  I could probably substitute some different weapons for the arms, such as rescaled versions of John Bear Ross' meltas or gatings, or even a rotary autocannon.

I've tried to reduce the appearance of the print lines on these by re-painting some of the base colours after the shading wash.  Drybrushing highlights would enhance the ridged texture of the print lines, but blocking in the panels can help hide the lines to some extent.

Epic Walker Week - Cataphract Robots

The Cataphract robot was my favourite of the original 40K robots.

Cataphract robots.

Known as a jack-of-all-trades and master of none, each Cataphract is equipped with a right arm bolter, left arm flamer and back-mounted las-cannon, making it a threat to both vehicles and infantry.

Left arm flamer and back-mounted las-cannon.

 I had hoped to dig out my 40K Cataphract for comparison but unfortunately it's ended up packed away in a box somewhere while we get ready for building work to create our large new games room dining room.  When I do rediscover it, I'll try and add a photograph to this post if I remember!

Epic Walker Week - Crusader Robots

The quick-moving Crusader robot is armed with a power sword in each arm for close combat, but a back-mounted las-cannon ensures it doesn't lack in anti-tank firepower either.  Apparently they're often used for "mutant hunting", presumably because they aren't affected by fear or terror and won't be corrupted by the unnamed powers.  They also make excellent fast tank-hunters.

Crusader maniple.

 Speedy and well-armed, they also look really cool, a good deal less static in their poses than some of the other robots and more insectoid than human in shape.  I always liked the Crusader but sadly never got a full-scale version, so these little chaps will have to do instead!

 

Epic Walker Week - Colossus Robots

If you're besieging someone, a maniple of Colossus robots will come in handy.

Colossus robots.

Equipped with a siege hammer, the Colossus excels in attacking units entrenched in buildings.  A right arm bolter and back mounted melta gun round out the armament.

Colossus robots.

Like the Conqueror, the Colossus also appeared in smaller, plastic form - in this instance it was included with the original Imperial Guard sprues.  Unlike the Crusader, the Colossus plastic pose was pretty similar to the metal pose but that's presumably just because the metal one is fairly static.  The plastic ones are about 2/3 the size of their metal counterparts.

Epic Walker Week - Castellan Robots

My maniple of Castellan Robots is an ideal anti-infantry unit.  Each Castellan is equipped with a heavy bolter for ranged combat plus 2 power fists for when things get up close and personal.

Castellan robots

Those power fists can be dangerous even for vehicles in close combat!

Epic Walker Week - Conqueror Robots

The Legio Cybernetica is the arm of the Adeptus Mechanicus reponsible for autonomous battle robots.  Robots are deployed in maniples of 4.  A maniple can be a mixture of different types but I've chosen to keep mine each to a single type.

In the original Space Marine/Adeptus Mechanicus "Codex Titanicus" supplement, robot maniples were given "programme" counters which would last for the entire game, plus objective markers to place on their target points.  The situation around them dictated which orders the robots automatically received each turn, e.g. if a maniple with "Take and Hold" orders had arrived at their objective marker, they would switch to First Fire orders.

Robot maniples would usually be painted in Legio Cybernetica colours but I've painted mine to match my Crimson Fist Space Marines.

Conqueror robots.

The Conqueror is a tank hunter, armed with an autocannon in the right arm, power fist in the left arm and a back-mounted heavy bolter for anti-infantry work.

Conqueror robots.

A couple of points of interest: Conqueror! was the name of the original White Dwarf article on robots in 1st edition Adeptus Titanicus, hence my decision to start my Walker Week with this particular design. The Conqueror also appeared in a smaller, weedier guise in on the Epic Space Marine sprues, not much larger than the basic infantry and in a much more static pose than the earlier metal version.

Robot week - day 7 V15-60A UAV Hoverdrones

For fast reconnaisance work capable of covering a wide area, nothing beats an aerial drone.  They are also capable or responding quickly to sudden changes on the battlefield, closing rapidly to stop an enemy breakthrough or exploit a gap in the enemy’s lines.

These drones used by my NAC forces are multi-role units.  They can perform reconnaisance operations but are also well armed to support ground forces.  A large ducted fan provides lift with 3 rear-mounted engines giving forward momentum.  Stub wings aid stability, and can give additional lift as speed increases.  Hardpoints mounted in the wing roots provide fitting points for either 2 tri-barrel gun mounts or 4 anti-tank missile pods.  A range of sensors are mounted on the front of the drone, some in a “look-down” position.  These models are also fitted with a pair of searchlights.  Though the drone itself has night-vision capabilities, the searchlights provide a useful means of illuminating targets for allied forces, and have proven useful in both military and civilian search-and-rescue operations.  They can also be used to provide a direction indicator to ground troops in the same way as tracer fire.

Aerial drones do have some disadvantages.  While their altitude helps them spot more targets, it also makes them a far more visible target, especially if they are using their searchlights.  Unlike ground units, they cannot lie silently in ambush as the hum of their fans will give them away, as will the movement of vegetation from the fan backwash.  With the range of robots that my NAC troops have available, they are able to make the most of each robot’s advantages whilst minimising their disadvantages.

My Tomorrow's War stats:

"Dumb 'Bots"
Tech Level 2
Troop Quality D8

Twin Tribarrel cannon:TL2, Hvy, EWS, AP:5/AT:2 (L) (This includes the +1 firepower bonus for EWS and +1 firepower bonus for the second tribarrel.  Ignore 1 die of target's cover/armour.  -1 to reaction tests).

Missile pods: TL2 ATGM, 4D (negates ERA, performs deck attack)

Robot week - day 6 V15-22B MAWP(T)

Although tracked gunbots are an effective anti-personnel weapon, larger vehicles can present more of a challenge.  The Mobile Autonomous Weapons Platform (Tracked) is a means of delivering heavier firepower to the front line without the expense of a manned armoured vehicle.

 

Carrying a light plasma cannon, it is capable of taking on light and medium armoured vehicles and is highly effective against infantry and powered armour.  The large track unit gives a low centre of gravity and makes for a good fire platform.

The MAWP(T) is capable of carrying a range of alternative weapons mounts.  While anti-armour missile pods and tribarrel guns are the usual options, other systems can also be substituted.

Air defence missiles are not usually fired on the move, but using the track unit from a MAWP(T) makes it much easier to position them without the need for a larger transport vehicle.

A Heavy autocannon is more usually seen on a fixed groundmount, but this can also benefit from the ability to change firing positions quickly and easily during a battle.

My Tomorrow's War stats:

I will be treating this as a light vehicle under AI control rather than an infantry unit type robot.

Name: MAWP(T)
Tech Level: 2
Class: L
Type: T
Firepower*: Plasma gun - TL2, Med EWS, AP:4 / AT:3 (L), ignore up to 2 dice of target's cover/armour, slow firing (-1 to reaction tests after the first each turn)
Front armour: (TL2) 3D8
Side armour: (TL2) 2D8
Rear armour: (TL2) 2D6
Deck armour: (TL2) 2D6
Crew: AI (see below)
Attributes/Notes:
Artificial Intelligence (Troop Quality 8, Morale D12, follows same basic rules as a Smart 'Bot)
Advanced sensors (+1 die shift to spot enemy units, double optimum range for spotting, has night vision)
Hardened (+1 die defence against mines, artillery & IEDs)
Countermeasures (+1 die defence against ATGM attacks)

*This is for the standard Plasma-gun equipped version.  Because they are more commonly found as fixed groundmount units, the missile or autocannon weapons carriers have the "Fire-or-move" attribute.  Missiles make the battlefield a Medium air-defence environment.  The autocannon has the following stats: Light autocannon (TL2 AP:4 / AT:2(L).  Because of its non-standard fitting, the autocannon is mounted in a "slow turret" (-1 to all reaction tests after the first in a turn).

Robot week - day 5 V15-68A GunBots (tracked)

For heavier combat situations, my NAC Marines can deploy these tracked gun-drones.  Armed with twin gauss machine-guns, they can lay down heavy fire.  The tracked chassis gives reasonable mobility over most terrain.  They're very similar to the spider drones, but the lower centre of gravity on these tracked robots means that they're less likely to be knocked over by the concussion from near-miss weapon strikes.  Spider drones are more flexible in an urban environment with lots of hard-edged landscaping and steps, but for general combat duties the tracked drones work just fine.

I love these robots!  The only disappointing thing is that the mould must have been slightly mis-aligned.  The gauss guns are so small that if you tried to clean the mould lines off completely, you'd end up with weapon barrels so thin that they'd droop under their own weight.  Luckily it isn't too noticeable when they're painted and I'm very pleased with the end result.

My Tomorrow's War stats:

"Dumb 'Bot"
Tech Level 2
Troop Quality D8

Gauss machine guns: TL2, GWS, AP:3/AT:1 (L) (As a TL2 Gauss support weapon, stats include firepower bonus for gauss weapon system.  Will also ignore 1 die of target cover or armour).

Robot week - day 4, SG15-V13 Work Bots

GZG’s workbots can provide a useful set of helping hands for colonists and civilians wherever they may be.

These “R2” styled droids are best suited to work indoors and in urban areas.  One of these is a military surplus unit as shown by its dull green colour scheme.  The other is in a more normal cilvilian colour scheme.  They are mainly used in techical work.

Tracked work-bots can perform all sorts of tasks, and their motive type makes them one of the best suited for outdoor work as they can cover a wide area over rough terrain at good speed.  They’re also very durable.  As you can see here, one of these droids is very old, rusty & battered but is still going strong.

I believe the smaller robot is quite good with plants (for those who haven't seen it, take a look at the film "Silent Running").  It's a bit clumsy at times and walks with a bit of a waddle, but it's a hard worker.

An excellent little group of robots from GZG, you get 2 of each type in the pack.  I haven't shown the other 2 duplicates here as they're still part way through painting.

 The other figures are GZG technicians/crew for scale, from pack SG15-V04.

Robot week - day 3 V15-46B Recon/Patrol Walker Drone

These walking gun-drones are one of several types of robot used by my NAC Marines.

The drones come equipped with a light autocannon suitable for anti-personnel work and also engaging softskin and light armoured vehicles. Their four widely spaced legs give good cross-country performance and, combined with the low-slung body, provide a fire platform that is second-to-none. The legs enable it to self-level regardless of the terrain over which it travels, and for ambush work it can lower itself to the ground to provide a very small target. As with the wheeled drones used by my OUDF forces, these walkers provide general purpose fire-support to infantry squads as well as recon/sentry/ambush duty.  Their method of locomotion makes them especially well suited to providing integral fire support to infantry squads.

My Tommorrow's War stats:

"Dumb 'Bot"
Tech Level 2
Troop Quality D8

Light Autocannon: TL2, AP:4 / AT:2 (L)
Note that walker chassis will give greater mobility than wheeled/tracked (comparable to infantry).

Robot week - day 2 V15-84A Spider Drones

 

The Gordon’s Gamble colonial security forces are generally more than capable of dealing with any civil disturbances they might encounter. Unfortunately there is always the possibility of something out of the ordinary happening, so it’s good to have strong back up when you need it. The Spider Drones are kept locked in their bunker until needed, and the decision to use them is not taken lightly. Although the security forces have the ability to activate the Spider Drones, this would not be done without release authority being granted by the Colonial Governor.

Their 6 legs enable them to move at high speed over very rough terrain, and their sinister appearance is often enough to quell unrest without the need for shots to be fired.
 

If the worst does happen, their twin-cannon rapid-fire railgun armament is more than capable of suppressing angry armed mobs or destroying light vehicles. Their most likely use is to engage the offworld bandits or pirates who sometimes strike isolated colony worlds like Gordon’s Gamble. Anything larger than the Spider Drones can handle will need full military action, and at that point it ceases to be something for the security forces to worry about.

My Tomorrow's War stats:

"Dumb 'Bots"
Tech Level 2
Troop Quality D8

Gauss machine guns - TL2, GWS, AP:3/AT:1 (L) (As a TL2 Gauss support weapon, stats include firepower bonus for gauss weapon system.  Will also ignore 1 die of target cover or armour).

Note that as a paired wepon system, the additional gun mount will add a further die to firepower.

Robot Week - day 1 V15-69A wheeled drones with autocannon

At the weekend I was going through the Tomorrow's War rules for robots.  I've never got around to doing much with robots, but I have quite a few ready for action now.  They're mainly GZG, unsurprising given the huge range of robots they have available.

We'll start with V15-69A - wheeled drones with autocannon.

These will be operating with my OUDF forces.  I've taken a mainly wheeled theme with them - they use DLD Kamodo IFVs and have a wheeled scout car.  Giving them the wheeled drones seemed in keeping with this.  The drones received a coat of Humbrol matt 75 bronze-green with a matt 86 olive green drybrush.  Camo stripes are Matt 33 black with a drybrush of matt 67 tank grey.  Wheels and autocannon are also black.  Sensors on the gun mount are GW red gore and Vallejo gloss black (not sure if it's really meant to be gloss as non of my other Vallejo paints are).  The final touch was a light dusting of Humbrol 93 desert yellow.  Most of my robots have been mounted on 1p pieces which I've found to be just the right size.

These small drones can provide useful fire support when required.  The light autocannon they carry can be used to maul unwary enemy infantry, and it can also present a threat to lightly armoured and softskin vehicles.  The wheeled chassis may not be as manoeuverable as a tracked, walker or grav unit, but ease of maintenance is a big factor in its favour.  Most troops have some idea of how a wheeled vehicle works and can have a go at fixing problems in the field.  The software systems are also a good deal less complicated; the programs required to control a grav or walking chassis are substantially larger than those needed for a wheeled system.  Gun-mount stability is also a consideration; tracked and walker units are just as stable, but a grav mount can be more susceptible to "platform rock" from autocannon recoil.  Weight is also a important, the wheeled drone system being one of the lightest weapons carriers in common use.  Lower ground pressure means the cross-country performance is not too different from a larger tracked unit, and when every kilogram of mass on an assault lander has to be carefully accounted for, any chance to squeeze in extra ammunition or troops is important.

These drones are deployed in a variety of ways, sometimes acting as an additional squad member to provide fire support, but also being used as remote sentry systems or ambush units.  Their low height, similar to that of a crouching human, makes them easy to conceal in this latter role.

My Tommorrow's War stats:

"Dumb 'Bot"
Tech Level 2
Troop Quality D8

Light Autocannon: TL2, AP:4 / AT:2 (L)