Steam and steel! Among the most iconic models in the entire game of WARMACHINE, Man-O-War power forward with their very own theme force. When I started writing this Insider, the theme force felt a little bit sad to write about, as it was using only currently released models. That would really leave out some of the craziness that can be done with this theme. So, I got the go-ahead to spoil some stuff!

When reading, please be aware these models are very much not final and may change drastically from their current state before they even see the light of a CID cycle.

But still…

First off: the theme force! Armored Korps is made up of all the different Khadoran warcasters and their non-character ’jacks. Allowing for any and all Man-O-War models is a no-brainer—after all, it is their home! Battle Mechaniks are a given to keep things running in tip-top shape, and then of course, there’s the War Dog. Can’t let the Gravediggers have all the fun! If you’re feeling rather ambitious, you can also include one mercenary solo or unit in your list.

You earn additional free models by bringing 20 points of Man-O-War models, which include the existing units but also the new releases coming down the line: the battle engines and Tanker solos! Your options for free models include any and all command attachments, Man-O-War Tanker solos, and the mighty Man-O-War Kovnik.





Those mechaniks who are crazy enough to follow Man-O-War into battle become quite adept at repairing their armored brethren, thus adding +1 to any repair roll made in this theme force, but more important, all Man-O-War battle engines and Tanker solos gain Advance Move.

I’ve built a list to showcase this theme force and included a few of the new releases that I will spill juicy rules about! Oh, and Butcher 1 and I go way, way back . . .





Orsus Zoktavir, The Butcher of Khardov [+28] - Destroyer [14] - Destroyer [14]

Man-O-War Kovnik [0]

Man-O-War Kovnik [0]

Saxon Orrik [4]

Man-O-War Bombardiers (5) [16]

Man-O-War Bombardier Officer [0]

Man-O-War Shocktroopers (5) [16] Man-O-War Shocktrooper Officer [4]

Man-O-War Shocktroopers (5) [16] Man-O-War Shocktrooper Officer [4]

Man-O-War Assault Chariot [15]

First of all, Butcher 1’s feat is amazing with Man-O-War Shocktroopers. With Assault, the troopers can massacre almost any quantity of armor, and combined with Fury, even the Bombardiers can crush through armor with their melee attacks.





Speaking of Bombardiers, we’ve got some great stuff in the works for them. A proposed CID change for when this list gets tested would increase their base range to 12˝. Oh, and you may have noticed the free Bombardier Officer in my list above—he gives his forces some pretty cool rules as well. Granting them the special rule Clear Cut, which grants Pathfinder while the unit is performing a full advance, lets them move through forests and other rough terrain when not charging or running and can help them occupy a space of the board where other Man-O-War rarely want to go. Tactics: Quick Work lets Bombardiers utilize both Fury and the Butcher’s feat well by essentially doubling the amount of attacks they can output in a turn. But wait! Why not introduce our first Man-O-War mini-feat? Support Fire: Models in this unit gain Dual Shot. To reward players for excellent positioning, on a turn the Bombardiers aim they can each fire their Grenade Cannon twice. With Butcher 1’s feat, these are effectively RAT 7, RNG 12, POW 14, additional-damage-dice cannons that will shred infantry and ’jacks alike with a total of 12 shots, should the whole unit survive to the frontlines. That’s why I always put Iron Flesh on the unit as they advance up the board following in the wake of destruction caused by the Assault Chariot.

The Assault Chariot itself is a mobile gun platform designed to allow Man-O-War a flanking option. Clocking in at 15 points, it’s on the cheaper side for a battle engine. Its Volley Gun unloads bullets as the horses trample forward, spraying out d3+1 shots per turn at RNG 10, POW 12. And thanks to its special rules, it always receives an additional die on all attack rolls made with this fire hose of mayhem! Plus, Advanced Move from the theme force sees this SPD 7 chariot race up the field at a surprising pace, threatening your opponent’s frontlines very early in the game.

Of course, we cannot forget our old friends the Shocktroopers. Tough as nails, these slow-plodding troops will hold the line. With either Iron Flesh or Fury, they can be molded to fit whichever situation you may need, offensive or defensive. Threatening in both melee and ranged battles, this unit will always be a mainstay of this theme force. With the Kovnik’s special action Desperate Pace, these troopers may surprise people with how quickly they can move up the board and hold down objective zones.

So, while I’ve revealed a few spoilers in this Insider, it’s certainly not all we have coming for the Man-O-War. Stay tuned for information on the rest of their releases, both big and small, fast and slow, in 2018! I look forward to seeing what everyone else builds into this theme force!