Assembling a Battlegroup

(see Building a Battlegroup, page 7 of the Matched Play Guide)

Weapon Cards. Each of a Titan's weapons is represented by a double-sided Weapon card, which shows all of its rules and tracks whether it is active or disabled. The Titan's Command Terminal has a Weapon card slot for each of its weapons, each of which must be filled when assembling a battlegroup as described on page 53. The Adeptus Titanicus boxed game contains a number of Weapon cards, and others will be made available separately.

Maniples

According to tradition, a maniple is made up of five Titans, although they may be divided (or, indeed, reinforced) into sub-maniples for the duration of a mission. There are countless configurations of maniples, as set out in the Libraxus Titanica, each being recorded in exacting detail along with countless footnotes detailing deployments, successes and failures.

The most commonly used maniple is the Axiom. A Warlord Battle Titan leads the maniple, supported by a pair of Reaver Battle Titans, while a pack of two Warhound Scout Titans ranges ahead to survey the battlefield. The Axiom maniple is widely regarded as the epitome of balance and tactical opportunity, but it is only one among many maniples, each with its own strengths and tactical doctrines.

Command of a maniple is generally granted to the most experienced Princeps, although there have been notable exceptions. In any case, the elevated officer is granted the rank of Princeps Seniores, and is charged with dictating the maniple's strategic and tactical approaches. Their personality will shape the way the maniple hunts and fights, and as such the rank is highly sought after by ambitious Princeps who wish to prove their worth.

Assembling a Maniple

The first step in assembling a maniple is to choose from one of the maniple configurations that follow (additional configurations will be released later, expanding the options available to players). Each configuration has a Maniple trait, which gives it a special rule or in-game bonus based on the character of the maniple in question.

Each of the configurations shows five Titans, three of which are listed as mandatory while two are optional. At full strength, the maniple consists of all five Titans, but it can be fielded as a demi-maniple by omitting either or both of the optional Titans.

Reinforcing a Maniple

As well as the maniple, a battlegroup can include additional reinforcements. The most common reinforcement options are additional Titans and Household Support.

Additional Titans. In times of need, a maniple can be reinforced by additional Titans, which may be seconded from another maniple or from the wider Legio. These Titans offer their support, and defer to the Princeps Seniores, usually for the duration of a single mission.

(see Legio Battlegroup, page 8 of the Matched Play Guide) Reinforcement Titans do not count as part of the maniple for the purposes of any Maniple traits. Players should make clear which Titans are part of a maniple and which are Reinforcements.

Note that Titans that are reinforcements cannot be part of a Squadron with Titans that are part of a maniple, and vice versa.

Household Support. Maniples are often accompanied to war by Banners of Knights, which use their speed and agility to scout ahead or secure battlefield objectives, broadening the strategic options available to the Princeps Seniores.

(see Legio Battlegroup, page 8 of the Matched Play Guide)

The Princeps Seniores

On the field of battle, each maniple is commanded by a Princeps Seniores - a Princeps who has proven themselves beyond reproach, and worthy of such a vaunted position.

After assembling their battlegroup, the player should pick one Titan in their maniple to be commanded by their Princeps Seniores - note this on the roster. This grants two bonuses:

Orders. Add 2 to the result of any Command checks made when issuing an order to the Princeps Seniores' Titan.

Personal Traits. Each Princeps Seniores has a Personal trait, which is in effect for as long as they are on the battlefield. (see Battlegroup Leader, page 10 of the Matched Play Guide)

D6	PERSONAL TRAIT
1	Dominant Strategist: Once during the battle, at the start of any phase, the controlling player can use this trait to take the Opus Titanica, becoming the First Player. If they do this at the start of the Strategy phase, do not roll off to see who takes the marker.
2	Iron-clad Tyrant: Once per turn, when issuing orders to a Titan in the Princeps Seniores' maniple, the Command check can be re-rolled.
3	Swift Killer: Once per round, before the Princeps Seniores' Titan makes an attack, it can turn up to 45°. Subtract 1 from the result of any Hit rolls it makes for the rest of the phase.
4	Devoted Servant of the Machine: When making a Repair roll for the Princeps Seniores' Titan, the controlling player can add 1 to the result of a single D6.
5	Favoured by Fortune: Once per round, the controlling player can re-roll a single D6 from a Hit roll or Save roll for the Princeps Seniores' Titan.
6	Will of Iron: The first time a Catastrophic Damage roll is made for the Princeps Seniores' Titan, roll a D10. If the score equals or beats the result of the Catastrophic Damage roll, it is ignored and has no effect.