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Post by CELS on Jan 21, 2004 19:21:07 GMT -5
Ok! Let me first explain the purpose behind the Ordinatus. The Divisio Ordinatus of the Adeptus Mechanicus, is a branch which commands unique machines of war. The machines have one thing in common, and that is they were built for a specific purpose, and often a specific battle. Two examples are the Ordinatus from one of the wars for Armageddon (can't remember which) which was basically a big (very, very, very big) gun on tracks used to snipe Gargants, and another Ordinatus machine which I believe created some kind of sonic boom that was used to crack open an impenetrable fortress from a lost age.
Basically, when we think about what kind of Ordinatus machine we want for Anargo, we have to think what purpose it would have. Why would the Imperium build this machine, and not make use of the fantastic military resources it has already? Sure, they could build a huuuuge walker that transported entire companies of Imperial Guardsmen into battle, but couldn't you do the same with lots and lots of Chimeras? Yes, you could, so there would be no point in spending enormous amounts of resources on a thing such as this.
At the moment, I can't recall a single suggestion that actually included a valid explanation for why this machine had been built. Why one big boat instead of several smaller boats? Why one big tank instead of several smaller tanks? Why one big aircraft instead of several smaller aircraft?
Catch my drift? ;D
If we can't think of anything, we'll talk about either just resorting to the rule of imagery, or dropping the idea alltogether.
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Post by Sojourner on Jan 22, 2004 6:29:32 GMT -5
How about a drilling machine?
Suppose that many moons ago, an invasion force needed to crack open some subterranean caverns (On Trireme Apollo, perhaps...?) and the best way to do that was to build a massive drill?
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Post by Minister on Jan 22, 2004 6:56:18 GMT -5
Been done already...
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Post by CELS on Jan 22, 2004 6:58:14 GMT -5
Oh, right. Well, at least you're thinking the right way... hmm....
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Post by Sojourner on Jan 22, 2004 7:38:17 GMT -5
Which Ordinatus would that be, Minister?
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Post by CELS on Jan 22, 2004 7:57:56 GMT -5
The Ordinatus Priam, built during the siege of Priam during the Horus Heresy. It was a big tunneler designed to dig a way under the defences of the enemy. I'm not sure it was actually built around a drill though, or if it was a kind of energy-cutter or something else. Whatever it was, the tunneler idea has been used, I'm afraid... Other Ordinatuses include... Ordinatus Golgatha - A big missile launcher used against enemies with vastly superior numbers Ordinatus Armageddon - A nova cannon on tracks used to snipe gargants Ordinatus Mars - A sonic weapon used to shatter walls, disrupt electronic equipment, shatter bones and burst organs. Was built to raze a fortress wall half a mile thick, built from the hardest materials known to man and reinforced by force fields. More information about the Ordinata.. ti... tae... whatever... "Other Ordinatus have weapons and capabilities which see more general use, and demand for them is high. Only in the most important battles or campaigns are the Ordinatus sent to war, and even than only for specific operartions. Amongst the enemies of the Imperium, the names of the Ordinatus are spoken with reverent fear, their devastating capabilities displayed on thousands of battlefields since the Emperor’s ascension to the Golden Throne.
The Cult Mechanicus revere the Ordinatus as avatars of the Machine God, creations of such cunning and power that they could never be improved or outdated. Thus they have been carefully maintained, and when sent to war they are inscribed with sacred runes, anointed with the most precious oils and unguents, and blessed by the Lord of the Centurio Ordinatus. Their crews are the most highly trained of the Skitarii, warriors who fight with the zealous fanaticism of those who serve a living god.
The Ordinatus are renowned for their relentless advance towards the enemy, trailing havoc and destruction in their wake, shrugging off blows mighty enough to incapacitate a Titan. Ordinatus are powered by immense plasma generators which drive their propulsion systems, energize their weapons systems, and activate their shields and defense systems. Such grat power is packed into a relatively small space, and if the Ordinatus is destroyed, it destruction in a vast ball of roiling plasma may yet accomplish its objective.
Ordinatus of the Adeptus Mechanicus are protected by a massive force wall known as a dispersion field. Projectiles and energy bolts deflect harmlessly away from the crackling shell of power leaving the Ordinatus unscathed. Unfortunately the immense power needed for the dispersion filed will eventually overload the generators. This means that what starts out as a near impenetrable force field gradually weakens as the battle progresses, letting more and more enemy fire through. The force wall also extends into warp space and provides the Ordinatus with some psychic protection in much the same was as a void shield." Obviously, this has to be taken with a punch of salt Right. Some brainstorming.... How about some kind of drop ship, designed specifically to land deep behind enemy lines and deploy elite forces to find and destroy the enemy HQ. Very useful for reaching Ork warlords, heretic Cardinals and Chaos cult leaders in their safe nests. The vessel falls from orbit like a meteor, deploys in the enemy territory, effectively turning it into a small fortress while its cargo go out and do their job. The elite forces then return from their mission, and the drop ship takes off into orbit again. Or... a huge machine on rails, guarding one of the Castellan fortress worlds. Mounting it on rails would give it considerably increased mobility. Or... a six legged walker, designed to climb fortress walls, like the ones in Necropolis. Only bigger. And meaner. Or... a machine that binds an army of psykers together, collecting all their power. Could be a devastating weapon, or a powerful shield, even... Or... a biomechanical creation? The Divisio Biologis is strong on Proteus, so maybe they would conjure up some terrifying creature of machine and flesh... Or... erm.... hm.
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Post by Sojourner on Jan 22, 2004 9:31:46 GMT -5
How about a submarine Ordinatus? Either a U-boat type, or something that cruises along on the sea bed.
Armed with lots and lots of seeking torpedo drones, designed to munch giant Tyranid sea creatures...
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Post by Wargamer on Jan 22, 2004 9:34:32 GMT -5
A mental little idea of mine...
Ordinatus Electronus Terminatus: This mighty war machine (known as the OET or "Emper" for short) is an ancient relic of a long-lost time. It is rarely taken to the battlefield, as none of the Adeptus Mechanicus truly understand its archaic systems. In priciple, this titanic war machine fires an EMP blast that shorts out all electrical equipment. However, such is the intensity of the blast that even living creatures suffer, as their bodies are burnt by the energy discharge, and their bio-electric energies disrupted. Cost Front Side Rear Bs OET 1200 14 12 11 3 Type: Tank, War Machine, Lumbering. Structure Points: 6. Weapons: Ultronic Battery, Static field. SPECIAL RULES: Ultronic Battery: This titanic weapon is capable of annihilating everything with an electrical circuit. The weapon uses the following profile: RNG: 240" STR: 10 AP: 1 TYPE: Ord. Titan killer. Roll 2D6 and combine them versus vehicles. In addition, Any model that suffers a wound from this weapon will be killed outright, regardless of the number of wounds. Note that Resurrection Orbs, Salamanders Mantle, Daemonic Rune or any other "anti-Instant Death" wargear doesn't work! Terrain that confers a cover save of 5+ or less is vapourised and removed from play on a D6 roll of 6. However, such is the shockwave from firing the gun that the Ordinatus cannot move and fire the gun in the same turn. Also, it cannot use the Static Field in the same turn. All infantry (friend or foe!) within 6" of the tank count as pinned, and all vehicles suffer a "crew shaken" (or "gun-crew shaken" for Super Heavies) for their next turn (or this turn if they have not fired yet). Flyers are not affected by this rule (they are assumed to be at least 12" above the Ordinatus during the discharge). Static Field: The massive energy discharges created by the energies contained in the Ultronic Battery are earthed by complex safety systems. However, these can be directed at the enemy, adding to the Ordinatus' firepower. The Static Field has the following profile: RNG: 24" STR: 4 AP: 5 TYPE: Assault 8. Each shot may fire at a different target. Shielding: The Ordinatus is almost immune to EMP (it has to be!), and so weapons such as EMP grenades have no affect against it. Unique: There is only one "Emper" known to exist, and so no army may ever have more than one! In addition, Techpriest Enginseers, Techmarines or similar units cannot fix the Ordinatus (they have no idea how it works!). Indestructable! The Ultronic Cannon has a team of the most highly trained Adeptus Mechanicus working to operate the gun. However, battle damage may render the weapon inoperable. Each turn you wish to fire, roll a D6, adding a -1 Modifier for every "Weapon Destroyed" result the Ordinatus has suffered. On a result of 0 or less, the weapon fails to work. The Static Field loses 1 shot per "Weapon Destroyed" the Ordinatus has suffered. Note that your opponent does not choose a weapon to be damaged, both systems are hit at the same time (they're essentially one weapon).
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Post by Sojourner on Jan 22, 2004 9:39:05 GMT -5
Everso slightly dodgy physics there, Wargamer...
While the idea about shorting electrical circuits with a massively powerful electrical field would work, anything powerful enough to disrupt biochemical voltages would also destabilise all the matter around it. Which would require about as much energy as a supernova...
Another nitpick - Ordinatus are generally named after their planet of origin.
Another idea:
how about a defensive Ordinatus, basically a ground-based Geller field projector which keeps daemons out...
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Post by Minister on Jan 22, 2004 10:20:02 GMT -5
The Ordinatus, I generally understand, are more mobile units. However a giant mobile void shield generator built for the WXYZ campaign against the ABCD, where the Tech Guard faced an oponent with superior orbital support which the fleet was, for some reason, unable to take down. Perhaps by "simple" dint of installing city-scale shields and generators on the back of a mobile unit?
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Post by malika on Jan 22, 2004 11:57:38 GMT -5
well why will hte machine be designed? who is the enemy it has to destroy? orks?
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Post by CELS on Jan 22, 2004 14:12:52 GMT -5
AFMetallus, I'll have you know that I suggested a submarine a while back, only no one seemed to go for the idea. I still think it's pretty cool though Especially if it were to have the ability to transport troops, and had pop-up turrets ;D Wargamer, if our science-inclined members approve of the concept, perhaps you could think about why this machine was created. The main enemy in this sector is orks, though it is conceivable that there have been chaos uprisings (as in rebellions, not traitor legion invasions), dark eldar attacks, and plain old rebellions in the past. This weapon doesn't strike me as especially useful against orks for example, as the resources invested in an Emper would be better invested in a company of Basilisks. Minister, a powerful mobile void shield is a possibility. Kind of like what the Gungans had, no? Anyway, would this thing actually be powerful enough to survive an orbital barrage, like a precision strike with a lance battery?
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Post by Minister on Jan 22, 2004 15:04:58 GMT -5
"Minister, a powerful mobile void shield is a possibility. Kind of like what the Gungans had, no? Anyway, would this thing actually be powerful enough to survive an orbital barrage, like a precision strike with a lance battery?"
Of the same concept, but less of the organickyness about the drive system. ;D
And, as oficial thinker-uper of the idea and the Lord Admiral of the fleet I decree.... Maybee.
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Post by CELS on Jan 22, 2004 17:40:29 GMT -5
I don't know... A salvo from an Imperial cruiser can level a city, can't it...?
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Post by malika on Jan 22, 2004 17:50:02 GMT -5
maybe some kind air ship (not a space ship) but something that flies in the air (not so fast, kinda like a big battle ship) and shoot targets from there, accurate attacks, maybe it can also deploy a whole bunch of fighters
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