Macharius Heavy Tank

Double Battle Cannon, all the way across the battlefield. What does it mean? Lots of pain for the enemies of the Imperium, that's what.

The Macharius Heavy Tank is a family of heavy tanks employed by the Imperium of Man, named for Lord Solar Macharius, one of the Imperium's finest generals. The pattern itself is actually much older.

It is part of a class of tanks known as "second-generation Baneblades" -- since the Adeptus Mechanicus keeps a very tight hold on the Baneblade STC patterns, supply is extremely limited. Other Forge Worlds try to fill the gap in super-heavy tank demand by building heavy tanks of the Macharius and Malcador families. Though it is less durable and possesses less firepower than the Baneblade, it is also substantially less expensive and more common. Since General Vance Motherfucking Stubbs discovered that large quantities of Baneblades are prone to going missing, armies that needs lots of tanks (e.g. the Death Korps of Krieg) tend to use tanks like these.

In appearance and operation, the Macharius is the big brother of the Leman Russ Battle Tank -- each of the main weapons available to the Macharius chassis is the equivalent of one of the Russ variants. The options for the sponson- and pintle-mounted weapons are also similar.

Macharius Heavy Tank

The equivalent of the default Leman Russ Battle Tank; its Battle Cannon comes with a larger blast, as well as being TWIN-LINKED.

In game terms however, the vehicles power level is quite poor. A pair of standard Leman Russ Battle Tanks can do its job, and for cheaper. It's in an odd place, and a few simple changes could make it rather viable. If its main gun was changed to a heavy 2, twin-linked battlecannon, its cost might be more justified. Whilst its hull weapon, and sponson weapons should see more options; these being, (twin-linked)autocannons, (twin-linked)lascannons.

Macharius Vanquisher

The equivalent of the Leman Russ Vanquisher. While the Russ's Vanquisher Cannon is a pure tank hunter (no blast), the Macharius carries a second set of shells that have no extra armor-piercing effect but do have a 7" Blast. Not to mention that the Macharius's Vanquishers are TWIN LINKED. Kiss your tripods and monoliths goodbye, necron players.

In a similar place as its earlier counterpart. The vehicle is simply too costly for its role. For its points value you can get two Leman Russ Vanquishers with hull lascannons and multi melta sponsons. Yeah, watch out Necrons... Though unlike its earlier counterpart, it does offer more utility, doing its sisters role as well as its own. Again, if its primary weapon was a heavy 2, twin-linked vanquisher cannon, its cost would be more justified.

Macharius Vulcan

For when you need to say 2s to kill to space marines. With 20 dice.

Where the Leman Russ Punisher uses non-armor-piercing autogun shells, the Macharius Vulcan mounts the massive Vulcan Mega Bolter, normally a Titan-mounted weapon. Can fire its Vulcan Mega Bolter twice at the same target if the tank does not move. That's 30 shots at S6 AP3, and you're always going to be in range at 60".

Perhaps one of the most effective versions of the Macharius tanks, though, unlike its previous its role cannot be taken over by a comparable Leman Russ variant. However, for a handful of points more you can simply get the Stormlord variant of the Baneblade. Which offers the same gun, more hull points (structure points), better secondary weapons, and can transport up to 40 models (20 of which can fire out of it). It needs a points drop.

Macharius Omega

You thought the Leman Russ Executioner's Plasma Cannon was bad? The Omega mounts an even bigger gun -- it can fire like the Executioner's gun with a longer range and larger blast, or it can fire a single "Maximal" blast with even more range, an even bigger blast, and the strength of a Lascannon. It also gets hot when that happens. Apply Trojan to prevent catastrophic self-destruction.

What's next?

Considering that Games Workshop seems intent on making the Macharius tank as a compromise between the Leman Russ and the Baneblade, it is worth wondering what new patterns might yet be released. Particularly in light of the new daemon engines that Chaos are getting and the half-ass Baneblades that the SM are getting ret-conned into their arsenals, the IG might need some balancing firepower. Might a Siege Macharius with extra armor standard with heavy flamer/multi-melta sponsons and twin linked demolisher cannons or a heavy anti-aircraft tank with ten twin-linked autocannons be around the corner? Or maybe Forge World will finally give us a model for the mythical Dominus. Because who doesn't love 3 s10 ap3 5" marine-nomming blasts? Stay tuned...