Legions Imperialis – Mechanicum Karacnos Assault Tank Squadron

In addition to the armoured transport of the Triaros, the Mechanicum now has access to the Karacnos Assault Tank in Legions Imperialis as well.

Using the chassis of the Triaros Armoured Conveyor, the Karacnos is an uparmoured variant to be used in assault operations. The transportation compartment have been replaced by the Karacnos Mortar Battery system. These batteries fire radioactive warheads into the enemy, but that is not covered beside regular rules for mortars in their unit entry in Rise of the Dark Mechanicum supplement.

The Karacnos Assault Tank Squadron of four vehicles will go on pre-order on April 19th and will be released on May 3rd for a RRP of 31,50 GBP or 41 EUR.

Just like the Krios, this kit comes with the new decal sheet as well. These transfers cover a lot if icons and insignia of the Mechanicum, both in black and white, to go with different paint schemes.

They went for a completely different approach for the sprues, as we do not have two identical medium sized sprues, but actually a total number of 6 sprues (4 small ones with the side parts each and 2 small ones with the lower parts of the chassis). Other variants, for example for the Astartes or Solar Auxilia were done with a single sprue, even for variants, so this is an interesting choice. We have seen this with Aeronautica Imperialis, for example with the Marauders, where they had a main frame in combination with a smaller sprue for the variants, like the Marauder Destroyer and Marauder Bombers.

Beyond that, casting is well done. We have sharp details and a properly used frame.

We will build two Karacnos Assault Tanks from these sprues (half a squadron box).

At first we build the inner hull, which is identical to the Triaros. Just the upper front is not a long piece, but a shorter one and without the "prow".

The roof is open, as we later add the Karacnos Mortar system there, and now we add the side sections of the tracks, along with the large cog wheels.

Regarding the mortar systems, there are two sections on each tank and you can either build them closed or open, both individually from eachother. This is a neat detail on that scale and provides further variation in your squadron.

Now we add the lightning locks and even some really, really tiny hunter-killer missiles.

The Karacnos and Triaros are currently the largest vehicles (in the absence of the Ordinatus) and you can see the differences in the side-by-side comparison. As well a direct comparison in Horus Heresy and Legions Imperialis scale (showing the Triaros).

And a few angled shots of the Karacnos.

Conclusion

They really captured the design of the Karacnos Assault Tank in the epic scale. And the aspect that the design of the open and closed mortar system is an impressive attention to detail. It is a fun kit, easier to build than the Krios, as the side sponsons with the Lightning Locks are less fragile compared to the Volkites Calivers. The only downside is the pricing, as you really pay 10 EUR per tank.

You can find their rules in the Rise of the Dark Mechanicum supplement. They count as a Battle Tank detachment, and start at one model and can be upgraded up to four in total, you are flexible with a single box of Karacnos Assault Tanks.

The Horus Heresy and Legions Imperialis are brands by Games Workshop.

The reviewed product item was provided by the manufacturer.