Grimdark Future: 'Fluffy' Machine Cult Defilers Lists, Part 2

The last post barely scratched the surface of the potential horrors which the Dark Mechanicum could unleash should it be fielded as an army in Grimdark Future. Fire up the dark synthwave mixes because, once more, we will delve into technological terrors as the Machine Cult Defilers list is combined with a second list to forge monstrosities of mad science and warp-fueled abominations. Without the limitations of religious dogma, the Mechanicum is free to explore the darkest areas of knowledge and can push their engineering of machinery, flesh and mind to untold heights further corrupted by the powers of Chaos.

Dark Mechanicum: Heirs to Mars

Art by the legendary John Blanche.

Armies: Machine Cult Defilers+Machine Cult

This was a fairly obvious choice, to combine the two Machine Cults list into one, enabling the Dark Mechanicum to be restored to its former glory as it wield artifice to rival, nay, surpass these dogmatic fools on Mars who believe themselves to be the 'True Mechanicum'. The Dark Mechanicum, after all, call itself the 'New Mechanicum' as well and see themselves as both the true heirs to the Martian quest for knowledge and its superior replacement, unshackled by restrictive dogma and fully enlightened to the dark powers of the Warp and what gifts it can offer.

Defiler Lord [1] x2 (410pts)

Combustion Blaster

Hover Throne with Combustion Blaster

Sect Chief [1] x2 (230pts)
2x Sonic Blades
Metal Spikes
Canticles

Sect Infiltrators [10] x2 (1000pts)

Tripod Walker [1] x6 (1320pts)
Twin Autocannon
Taser Lance

Tactics: Unlike the more 'shooty' Mechanicus list, this one has a lot of potential for some serious melee damage despite packing some serious guns. This is in reference to how Chaos Space Marines tend to be a bit more melee-focused than their Loyalist counterparts. Assign each Sect Chief to a matching squad and use the Canticle buffs, primarily +3" movement and +1AP in melee to further buff these already deadly units. Tripod Walkers, meanwhile, will harass the enemy at both range and in melee thanks to Impact and Fear.

Khorne Adepts: Cyberdaemons, Rip & Tear!

More John Blanche, damn it!

Armies: Machine Cult Defilers+Wormhole Daemons (War)

Obvious Doom reference aside, this list represent a Khornate sect of Dark Adepts who have summoned and bound ranks upon ranks of Khornate Daemons, binding them to servitors or using rituals to summon them into the material world. Even the base troops of these Dark Mechanicum are equipped primarily for melee combat. Forget the 'art' of war. This is bloodshed. This is mayhem. This is what war truly is, with industry and knowledge turn to the art of mass butchery. Go forth. Go forth and build the ultimate weapon. And kill. And kill. Khorne cares not from where or how the blood flows, only that it does.

Defiler Priest Blood Priest [1] x2 (160pts)

2x Heavy Halberd

Techno-Horror

Defiler Stalkers [10] x2 (660pts)

10x Twin Sonic Blades

Brain-Tendrils

Brutalizer Secutors [6] x2 (880pts)

6x Single Combustion Blaster

Blood Warriors [10] x2 (580pts)

Heavy CCW

Cannon Chariot [1] (250pts)

Carcinax Walker Daemon Engine of Khorne [1] (330pts)

4x Heavy Claws

Tactics: Get into melee and kill, kill and kill some more! This list is very melee-focused, as one would expect a Khornate list to be. In particular most melee weapons in this list are high AP meaning they are quite well equipped at ripping apart even the toughest of Space Marines. The Daemon units all have Ambush so all they have to do is pop right where they are needed. The Dark Priests are each assigned to a squad of Stalkers to grant them Fear and help inflict further mayhem in melee. Finally the Brutalizer Secutors help provide a tiny bit more firepower but, obviously, they too are monsters in melee.

Tzeentch Adepts: Techno-Sorcery

Artist unknown.

Armies: Machine Cult Defilers+Wormhole Daemons (Change)

Opposite to Dark Adepts dedicated to Khorne's craft of war and destruction would be adepts dedicated to Tzeentch. Presumably these mad adepts would see the world very differently than most, even possibly other Dark Mechanicum, as the domains of Tzeentch are those of madness, change and sorcery. In their hands the knowledge of the Mechanicum become ever more twisted, confusing, baroque and tinged with a level of mysticism which would make even the basic cargo cult antics of the regular Mechanicus blush.

Champion of Change Techno-Sorcerer [1] (415pts)

Great Magic Bolt

Psychic(3)

Defiler Lord [1] x3 (720pts)

Hover Throne with Laser Cannon

Psychic (1)

Defiler Priest [1] x3 (810pts)

2x Combustion Blaster Fiery Blasts and Heavy Staff

Psychic(1)

Defiler Vigils [10] x3 (570pts)

8x R-Carbines
2x Flamethrower

Flame Chariot [1] x3 (435pts)

Tactics: This list is, unsurprisingly, very heavy on Psychics, boasting a staggering seven psychic heroes. However, it is assumed the Dark Priest Lords, on their Hove Thrones, are not joined to any squad given the size of their model. They are quite powerful but also priority target from the enemies and should be kept away from masses of enemy infantry. Unsurprisingly for a Tzeentch list, its also quite heavy on the flame weapons so expect to roll a lot of dice as the enemy gets torched. Just pop those big chariots near enemy lines and set the whole world on fire.