Legions Imperialis – Mechanicum Thanatar Siege-Automata

Another kit that we just recently build in full scale of Horus Heresy, the Mechanicum Thanatar Siege-Automata. And while the larger brother is currently "just" available as the Thanatar Cavas Siege Automata, the new sprue as part of the Mechanicum Battle Group covers both, the Cavas and Calix Siege Automata.

Availability currently limited to the Battle Group, we will see this box of 8 of the Thanatar Siege-Automata somewhere in the close future at a RRP of 41 EUR, covering two identical sprues and eight bases with 32mm diameter.

These heavy class imperial robots are currently the largest unit of the Mechanicum, below the knights, and were used by the Legio Cybernetica during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy. The Thanatar class was developed to be able to provide a frame for heavier weapon, with a greater power / fuel supply than the Castellax Battle-Automata (part of the Mechanicum Battle-Automata kit), and its role was moved from a general battle unit to a mobile artillery platform, thus creating the siege function. It is mostly used in the two variants, one called the Cavas, it is armed with a Hellex Pattern Plasma Mortar, and the derivate Calix-class has a Solex Pattern Heavy Lascannon.

There was the development of a third pattern, the Cynis-class, by the Magi of Forge World Esteban III (home to Legio Tempestus/Tempestor), armed with Cynis Pattern Plasma Ejector, as an attempt to increase their influence and standing within the greater Mechanicum. But the more powerful Forge World of Ryza holds a monopoly on the knowledge of plasma weaponry, resulting in an inferior development of the Cynis pattern, causing it to be more unstable with a higher tendency to self-destruction.

Due to high number of individual pieces, the sprue is more plastic in the sprue than actual parts. Never the less, casting is well done with sharp details and low to no amount of mould lines. If certain parts were combined, more pieces would have fitted into the sprues. But more on that later.

Unlike other kits, the eight models do not provide you with full flexibility as the upper body is designed to either fit the Mortar or the Heavy Lascannon, giving you the option to build four of each variant. This is the easy part of the assembly, just glueing front and back together.

Something that really annoyed me with the Legiones Astartes Support (especially the Dreadnoughts) was the overengineering of smaller units. The amount of pieces you have to assemble to just build the Thanatar Legs is a bit over the top and is rather time consuming. Apart from the problem that some of the areas where you glue the pieces together provide no real guidance.

Each sprue covers four different pair of legs, with slightly different stances, but that each of these is build from eight individual pieces is a bit over the top. Make sure to give the poses a quick dry run to make sure if you need to lean the legs a bit back or to the front.

But once you managed to pull through those steps, the weapon systems are quite nice as they provide a bit of variety. While you have two identical sets of Sollex heavy-lascannons, the Plasma mortar can be build opened or closed, along with four different options for each of the arms, giving you a few alternative poses for that small scale.

The Sollex heavy-laser can be tilted a bit, and the right arms can be posed, so that is a nice touch.

You want to glue the legs to the 32mm round bases, as the models are top heavy and won't stand up otherwise. But once that is done, they look proper.

As mentioned above, we recently build the Thanatar Cavas Siege-Automata for Horus Heresy and the little guy is 25% of the size of his big brother. In direct comparison with the other units of the Battle Group the Thanatar is the tallest.

Half the box set build and posed.

Conclusion

While the details are well done, I think the legs could have worked with fewer parts, especially as they are in the lower area of the models and won't get that much attentation. Not only would this speed up the build, but free up space in the frame for further bits. Like a small unit of Battle Automata or other pieces - just like they managed with the Legiones Astartes, where you get eight dreadnought and another eight models of weapon systems.

Pricing of 41 EUR RRP is steep, but with a discount, for example as part of the Battle Group (with further discount if you buy it from an independent retailer) makes is reasonable.

But beyond that, good looking kit. I like the aspect that it is not a clone army but you can actually have eight very different looking thanatars on the battle field. Regarding their use and role on said place, we will have to wait for the release of the rules on November 2nd.

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

The reviewed product item was provided by the manufacturer.