Necromunda Luther Pattern Excavation Automata Ambot

Another reincarnation of the Ambull is going to be released today, after the Dread Ambull, the Necromunda gang leaders can bulk up with some big buys, the Luther Pattern Ambots.

Back in April 2018, so almost a year ago, we saw the first artwork in a teaser by Forge World. So when the miniature(s) were introduced this January on the New Year's Open Day, it was a bit of a surprise, that the Ambot would be released as a plastic kit, available at Games Workshops and independent retailers, not as a resin kit (like the bounty hunters and such) exclusive through Forge World.

The Ambot is a mechanical recreation of the Ambull, using its instincts to claw and dig through soil, as a mining robot, or in high-gothic the Luther Pattern Excavation Automata "Ambot".

This is a multi-part 112 piece kit, which is on the same price level as the other Necromunda plastic kits, at 32,50 EUR. And similar to the Necromunda gang boxes, it contains the same sprue two times, including multiple optional pieces for the variants. The Ambots come with 40mm round bases. These are new bases with the Necromunda tiles design on top and are available separate as well (for example if you want to base your big guys in a similar way).

Casting of the sprues is crisp, very full layout. It is casted in the regular medium grey plastic and the mould lines are minimal. As for the bases, it is a bit sad that the 40mm round bases are only available in one design - that could have been done better.

I'll build the two variants simultaneously, as they share large parts of the build. The core of the upper body is for both the same, interesting is the beetle like carapace on the back.

As for the first variation, head A and head B, different styles for the mandibles. As you have the same sprue twice, all of the parts are available two times and you have a spare of each of the variant parts.

The second cable on the hip has a slight variation. The tool and light bar on the shoulders, is the same for both.

As for the arms, the right arm is for both variants the same. The arms consist out of the shoulder part, the arm itself and two rotating blades, for the left arm is the same, but the shoulder is different piece, altering the angle and thus the position of the arm. The arms have different options for fingers, a simple thumb, a melta or grav weapon. As the grav weapon comes with a left and right, and only connect with half a socket, you can go for a twin grav gun. Not mentioned in the instruction, just something that I derived during assembly.

This gives the two different style upper bodies. You are not bound to build them this way, you can combine some of the variant A and B parts. As for the arm positions, these are more or less fixed, but can be altered with a bit of cutting / filing. I didn't glue them in position, only used blu tac to have it easier later on while painting.

The legs are completely different and due to the socket that connects the pelvis to the upper body, give an overall very different look. When the legs are connected to the base, you can just plug the body to them, no need for glue. I'd suggest doing so at least until you have painted them.

You are not bound to combine the legs and torsos as shown in the instruction, you could go with A/B and B/A, if you like. As you have the legs twice, you could paint up the second pair in matching colours and swap them if you like. In the final step only the additional parts armour and accessories are missing. That means two shoulder pads, a larger armour pad, the cable winches and some sort of control pads. These are on both kits the same. You might think about using the armour pad on the second Ambot on the other shoulder, for a bit more variation. Adding the shoulder pads is a bit of a free flight, as the guide / alignment isn't that clear. As it is plastic, the surface or stability isn't a problem and you can move them around a bit depending on your pose / the look you're going for.

And here they are, the assembled Ambots.

There are quite a lot of spare parts after the assembly. Two whole pair of legs, so you could build / kitbash some other monstrosities. Maybe use the torso of an Ogre or Ogryn, Minotaur or similar and get creative.

As for size comparison, the Ambots in between the Space Marines, and along their biological inspiration, the mighty Ambull. To give you an impression, where it stands with some other larger infantry models from the 40k range.

And to give them a turn and show this magnificent models from different angles.

Conclusion
I had fun building these, got fit and nice design of the model themselves. Pricing at 32,50 EUR is for miniatures that size absolutely fine, especially if you compare them to the other monopose "Big Guys" from the Specialist Games range, like the Blood Bowl Troll. And we're quite lucky to get them as a plastic kit, a resin variant by Forge World would have been more expensive (the Blood Bowl Big guys are 25 EUR each).

The sprues are pretty filled, and there are spare parts. I was hoping for a bit more options, like it is a bit sad that the winches are the same. The optional thumbs are nice, but more of a discreet detail, that you barely notice it. In the Warhammer Community article they suggested that you kitbash or convert the weaponry of the Ambot with some parts from the ork range or Kastellan Robots. That is possible, but a bit of work, as the arm itself is a single piece and not separated for example on the elbow. A hand from the Kastellan Robots or maybe a power claw from the Meganobz kit, will make for a good weapon swap. Ork or Chaos decals, especially Iron Warrior chevrons will make a good use for the design.

Games Workshop covers a special deathmatch scenario between Ambull and Ambot on Warhammer Community. Interesting idea and great for a mini game. I can see multiple uses for this kit, with Inq28 of course, as part of  Inquisitor or (Dark) Mechanicus retinue, maybe with a weapon pod on the shoulder. For 40k as well, with the mining purpose, they would fit Genestealer Cult armies quite well, or for Chaos, as a stand in for Renegade Ogryns (especially with the Iron Warriors or World Eaters). I am keeping an eye on social media, to see what the others will do with this kit, looking forward to see some creative ideas on the Ambot.

Warhammer 40,000 is a brand by Games Workshop.

The reviewed product item was provided by the manufacturer.