Theme - Clockwork Legions

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Convergence Logo.jpg Theme - Clockwork Legions

Convergence Theme Force
Clockwork Legions - Destruction Initiative - Strange Bedfellows

Eradicators unit
Mk4 icon.png
Theme Force Deleted
This mk3 Theme Force has no equivalent in mk4.

Nearly the entire Convergence range was put into their Legacy Prime Army, instead, which is both better and worse in some regards.

There are few things more disconcerting than facing a legion of Convergence soldiers who have achieved transcendence—metal-bodied warriors who go to battle in silence and act in unison with mathematical perfection. While such a pitiless metallic army is terrifying to face in its own right, any living devotees to the Maiden of Gears can be even more frightening. Their desire to prove their worthiness to ascend into a clockwork shell drives them to acts of fanatical devotion and unhinged violence.

Theme Rules

For the core rules on how Theme Forces work, see this article.

Theme Restrictions

Enigma Foundry solo

An army made use the Clockwork Legions theme force can include only the following Convergence and Mercenary models:

  • This army can also include one Mercenary solo and one Mercenary unit that will work for Convergence.
    • These models/units can be included even if they have the Partisan [Convergence] rule.
    • Mercenary units can have non-Ranking Officer attachments
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Tip !
Void Archons don’t become Convergence models (boo!), but you can take two Archons and another Mercenary solo (yay!)

Full model list

The models allowed in Clockwork Legions are:   [Show/Hide]

This list was last updated: 2020.04   (Edit)

Warcasters

  • All Convergence warcasters

Warjacks

  • All non-character Convergence warjacks

Solos

Units

Mercenaries

(★) These models are specifically allowed, so don't use up your "Up to one Mercenary" slot

Requisition Options

Conflict Chamber will tell you this is a valid list, but it isn't.
  • One Convergence warjack with a point cost of 5 or less
  • One Convergence command attachment
  • One Enigma Foundry solo
  • One Frustrum Locus solo
  • One small- or medium-based Convergence solo with a points cost of 5 or less
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Important
If you're using Conflict Chamber to do list-building, note that as of 2021.02 there is a bug with the free warjacks: It will put a free warjack in your list by subtracting that many points from what you've spent on troops.

You might underspend on your WJP and overspend on your troops if you're not careful. See screenshot.

Theme Bonuses

Void Archon mercenary solo
  1. Enigma Foundry solos in this army become FA 4.
  2. Eradicator, Perforator, and Reciprocator units in this army gain Vengeance.
    Vengeance - During your Maintenance Phase, if one or more models in a unit with Vengeance were damaged by enemy attacks during the last round, each model in the unit can advance 3" and make one basic melee attack.


Thoughts on Clockwork Legions

Clockwork Legions in a nutshell

Axis, The Harmonic Enforcer warcaster

Clockwork Legions is a more infantry-based, balanced army than Destruction Initiative which is very warjack-centric.

With three free Enigma Foundries (and the option to take a fourth) Clockwork Legions is exceptional at the attrition game, returning a dozen dead models per turn and asking the enemy to try it again.

  • Great attrition potential means that theme force can play with scenarios pretty well.
  • When it comes to convergence's unique durability thanks to Optifex Directives, it is nigh impossible to break open infantry line and harass main vectors.
  • Three convergence heavy infantries love additional move, which is guaranteed by vengeance thus give access to more tactical benefits.

Theme Weaknesses

Missing "Fundamentals"

  • With no access to the TEP, Convergence's super-efficient infantry clearer, this theme has to defeat enemy infantry with their own infantry, which is quite mundane.
  • No access to Servitors. In particular, without Attunement Servitors Convergence struggle to pass an attack roll.

Grindy playstyle

Clockwork Legions tend to play defensive and use their recursion to win the long game, since they can't just chop enemy heavies into pieces.

Reliance on lynchpin models

Enigma Foundries are crucial models, and if your opponent takes them out you will be completely hamstrung. Furthermore, there are very few models available to screen them from getting shot by long-range guns. Keep some Shield Guards nearby.

List Building Tips / Synergies

Mitigator light warjack
  • Vectors - This theme is great for infantry recursion so you normally don't spend any more than your WJP on vectors. Plus maybe some free 5 point lights (which in some cases can make this theme an effective vector list).
    • You'll probably want to avoid the walking cipher-chassis vectors in favour of the faster hovering conservator-chassis. They'll be able to keep up with the infantry better.
  • Medium base troops - You'll want at least one medium unit or else you're "missing out" on a theme benefit.
    • Reciprocators are arguably the best at "getting work done" with Vengeance.
    • Optifex Directive can be useful to repair your medium troops (or Vectors), especially if you have more than one medium unit. Particularly if you are using a caster that buffs ARM which makes your troops less likely to be killed in one turn.
  • Obstructors are a small-base unit great for running interference to the more high-value medium-base troops.
  • A Frustram Locus can be a useful buff for your units, if you're regularly facing enemy spellslingers.
  • Asphyxious4 is a handy source of Dark Shroud (-2 ARM), which can help all your troops hit harder and avoid turning the game into a grindfest.

Starting a 25 point Brawl list

In 2021.02 Phillip Melvin, one of the LOS authors, put together this list for the Brawlmachine format. It was then updated for the 2021.10 errata. He even wrote about it's playstyle and expanding it beyond 25 points, which you can read here.

Axis1: [+30 WJP]
J.A.I.M.s: [Free] (5 pts)
Enigma Foundry: [4 pts]
Algorithmic Dispersion Optifex: [2 pts]
Eradicators (max unit): [13 pts]
Negation Angels: [6 pts]



Similarly in 2020.11 Jaden Iwassa, one of the LOS authors, put together this list and this article.

Aurora1: [+29 WJP]
J.A.I.M.s: [Free] (5 pts)
Void Archon: [8 pts]
Eradicators (max unit): [13 pts]

Total RRP: USD $202 (based on PP's online store prices 2021.03)

Note - This list/article was written before the 2021.10 Errata and therefore may have incorrect point values


Reductors unit


For more Brawlmachine list ideas, see Category: Brawl List

Caster Thoughts

Modulator heavy warjack
Aurora1

Mainly an infantry caster, she prefers either this theme or Strange Bedfellows over Destruction Initiative.

Father Lucant

His Positive Charge spell can fix accuracy issues. The +4 ARM from his feat will mean your opponent will struggle to kill infantry. Shield Guarding Vectors (from his Field Marshal ability) will help protect the all-important Enigma Foundries.

Axis

This theme is great when it comes to his playstyle; grind the infantries, counter-charge with an inverter, then revive the fallen.

  • Convergence's best feat becomes deadly when it spreads it into every single infantry in the table.
  • Due to theme restriction, Obstructors are a common view in this theme force; and no other caster can make them deadlier that Axis.
  • It is strongly recommended to take one or two Conservator, since it is vital to protect Enigma Foundries.
Iron Mother Directrix

While an odd choice, Iron Mother brings a turn-by-turn damage buff to the army with her Servitors' Imperil beams.

  • Shrapnel Swarm also can do wonders for clearing infantry, especially channelled through an ADO or any of her arc node vectors.
  • Tactical Supremacy is adored by shield wall units, giving them a potential 14" move with Vengeance.
  • With MAT/RAT 6, she isn't wanting for some ranged Vectors to help supplement the Legions' meager accuracy and damage, too. The cipher, with its two flares each turn, can be useful here.
  • Her spell, Facilitate, can fix a lot of RAT issues for Reductors and Perforators, giving them RAT 6 normally and RAT 8 on feat turn.
Orion

Orion offers an interesting puzzle to unravel.

  • His feat contributes both to the accuracy of his units (versus enemy infantry) and to their damage output (versus mostly 'beasts, but sometimes 'jacks).
  • Spellpiercer means you don't have to worry about Magical Weapons or enemy spells, and Avenging Force should be triggered nearly every turn.
  • The only issue is asking if one turn of high-output and high damage is enough to cripple the enemy. More use might be found in leveraging vectors to deal damage at range instead.
Locke

Locke... doesn't do much of anything for an infantry-based army. Other than using their attacks to trigger Road to War, and possibly giving a Frustrum Locus Sentry, her points can be better spent on more vectors.

Syntherion

Everything that was true of Locke is true for Syntherion. Except he can attempt to support his infantry by casting Magnetic Hold (through an ADO, of course) to grant things extra charge distance.

Other

Trivia

  • Spoiled 2017.08, in a PP Insider.
  • The Mk2 theme force "Sustained Attack" (Axis' theme) was the equivalent infantry-heavy theme force.

Other Convergence Models

Convergence Logo.jpg       Convergence Index       (Edit)            
Battlegroup
Warcasters

Aurora1 - Aurora2 - Axis - Directrix - Locke - Lucant - Orion - Syntherion

Light

Corollary (Attached) - Diffuser - Galvanizer - Mitigator - Negator - Tesselator

Heavy

Assimilator - Cipher - Conservator - Inverter - Modulator - Monitor

Colossals

Prime Axiom - Prime Conflux

Units, Solos, & Battle Engines
Units

Asphyxious4 - Clockwork Angels - Eradicators - Obstructors - Optifex Directive - Negation Angels - Perforators - Reciprocators - Reductors
Special CA [Any Unit] : Transverse Enumerator

Solos

Accretion Servitors - Algorithmic Dispersion Optifex - Attunement Servitors - Destructotron 3000 - Elimination Servitors - Enigma Foundry - Frustum Locus - J.A.I.M.s - Prefect Hypatia - Reflex Servitors - Steelsoul Protector - Widget, Mathlete Archeologist

Battle Engines

Nemo4 - TEP

Theme Forces Mercenaries
Clockwork Legions - Destruction Initiative - Strange Bedfellows

Refer to Category: Convergence of Cyriss Mercenary

This index was last updated: 2021.11

Rules Clarifications

Rules Clarification : Advance Move - None yet. (Edit)

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Rules Clarification : Vengeance and/or Righteous Vengeance and/or Retaliation and/or Swift Vengeance and/or Tantrum     (Edit)

  • Vengeance moves do not have to be towards an enemy model.
  • You can choose to not move, but still get the attack. One is not conditional on the other.
  • Vengeance is not an activation. It does not prevent the model/unit from activating and acting normally later in the turn.
  • Stationary and knocked down models may not perform Vengeance moves nor attacks.
  • Units only
    • Out of formation models cannot make Vengeance moves nor Vengeance attacks.
    However if the unit commander uses their movement to bring the Grunts back into formation, then they can move and attack.
    • When resolving Vengeance, move all models in the unit before making any attacks. (Infernal Ruling)
    • If you have more than one unit with Vengeance, move all of unit A then complete all of unit A's attacks, before starting to move unit B.
    • If you manage to spawn new models during the Maintenance Phase (such as with Reconstruction or Blood-Bound) then those new models can also make Vengeance attacks. (Infernal Ruling)
    • Due to the way it is worded Vengeance can be "inherited" by unit attachments that do not actually have the Vengeance ability themselves. For instance, a Soulless Escort attached to the Spears of Scyrah.
      • If anyone is damaged, including the attachment, everyone in the unit gets to trigger Vengeance.
      • But if everyone is killed except the attachment, then he doesn't get to trigger Vengeance because the rule is "no longer on the table".
    • Granted [ Vengeance ]
      • If the model granting Vengeance dies, the unit will not get any Vengeance attacks.
      It is "If you have Vengeance, and you were damaged last turn, you get a move+attack."
      It is not "If you get damaged, you get Vengeance next turn."
      • If you lose Vengeance halfway through resolving Vengeance, then you stop resolving Vengeance immediately. (Infernal Ruling)
  • Triggers
    • Only enemy attacks trigger Vengeance. There are plenty of ways enemies can damage you without attacking you (such as Electro Leap) and these will not trigger Vengeance.
    • If a CA has Granted: Vengeance then only models in formation have it. However, models that are damaged while out of formation can trigger Vengeance, they just will not benefit from it. (Locked thread)
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Rules Clarification: Theme Forces     (Edit)

Themes that change a model's Faction   [Show/Hide]
  • Many themes swap which Faction a model counts as. They're slightly inconsistent with how exactly this is worded. Despite this inconsistency - whenever a model is considered a different faction to normal, it will not be its original faction. (Infernal Ruling)
For instance Lukas stops being a Crucible Guard model when taken in an Infernal army, and as a consequence he cannot take Toros or Vanguards in Infernals. (Infernal Ruling)
Rerolling the starting roll   [Show/Hide]
  • You cannot use the theme benefit to reroll if it is a draw. Instead both players reroll until there is a loser, and then the loser can use their reroll benefit (if they have it). (Infernal Ruling)
  • If both players have a reroll, first the original loser uses their reroll.
    • If the original loser still loses, fine.
    • If the original loser now wins, the other player can use their reroll.
    • If it is now a draw, both players reroll until there is a loser. Then the player that hasn't used their theme benefit reroll can still use it, if they want.
Warjacks/Warbeasts with bonds   [Show/Hide]
  • A warjack/warbeast with a bond can always be included in a theme force, whether or not they're in the list of allowed models, but only if they're controlled by that bonded model.
  • This applies even if that bonded model isn't a full warcaster/warlock (changed as of 2018.06).
Including Mercenaries   [Show/Hide]

Number of Mercenaries

  • If your "up to one Merc" ...
    • ... can take warbeasts/warjacks, then you can add warbeast(s)/warjack(s) (without exceeding your "up to one" allowance)
    • ... comes with a Companion model, then you'll get that Companion (without exceeding your "up to one" allowance)
  • There is a bug in Warroom that allows you to not only take one Merc solo/unit, but the entire FA of that Merc solo/unit. It's a bug.

Mercenaries and Ranking Officers

  • Adding a Ranking Officer to a Merc unit doesn't increase the number of Merc units you can take.

Other

  • See also the section on Partisans
Including Partisan Mercenaries   [Show/Hide]

Partisans & Theme Forces (Edit)

  • Partisans are Mercenary/Minion models, so there are two ways you can add them to a theme force:
    1. Freely: If the Partisan is on the list of allowed models, then you can take as many as you want plus another Mercenary unit/solo. (Infernal Ruling)
      They can be explicitly allowed (for example Jaws of the Wolf allows "Kayazy models/units" so Partisan Kayayz can be used freely).
      They can be implicitly allowed (for example Scourge of the Broken Coast allows "living Cryx models/units" and Partisan Cephalyx fit that criteria, so they can be used freely). (Infernal Ruling)
    2. Limited: If the Partisan isn't on the list of allowed models, it does use up your "Up to one Mercenary/Minion" slot, so you can only have the one.
  • Whether you used option 1 or 2 above, once they're in your theme force they count as a Faction model and so:
    • They can be taken as a Requistion Option (if they fit the Requistion description).
    For example Lanyssa can be taken as a free solo in the Legion of Dawn theme. (Infernal Ruling)
    • They will get any theme benefit that they fit the description for.
    For example Storm Division gives all Cygnar models Immunity Electricity, so Partisan Mercs in that theme get immunity too.
    For example Nemo4's Mechaniks get Reposition [3] in Heavy Metal. (Infernal Ruling)
Requisition Points   [Show/Hide]
  • You can choose the same Requisition option as many times as you like, as long as it doesn't put you over a FA limit.
  • You can't mix and match models from different options. Say one option allows 3 Machine Wraiths and another allows 3 Necrotechs. You can't use your Requisition Point to get 2 Wraiths and 1 Necrotech.
  • If you have an option that allows one other solo, you can't use it to get something already on the list. For instance, Ghost Fleet allows 3 Misery Cages (which are FA 4) for one Requistion Point, and it allows 1 other solo. That "other solo" can't be a 4th Cage.
  • If your theme allows "3 weapon attachments" as a Requistion Option, you can spread them into different units. (Locked Thread)
  • Models with the Man-Sized rule count as small-based models for the purposes of being a Requistion Option. (Locked Thread)
Free models and Specialists (ADR)    [Show/Hide]
  • If your theme only allows one merc solo, you can't have one in your main list and a different one in your specialists.
Unit Attachments   [Show/Hide]
  • If a unit is allowed in a theme, any-and-all of its attachments are allowed too. Exception: Ranking Officers are not allowed unless explicitily mentioned.
  • If the theme force gives a benefit to a specific unit, any-and-all attachments to that unit will benefit too. Even if it is a "generic" attachment like the Void Leech. (Infernal Ruling)
    For example, a Trollkin Sorcerer will gain Serenity if its attached to a Dhunian Knot unit in a Power of Dhunia theme force.
  • If your theme allows "3 weapon attachments" as a Requistion Option, you can spread them into different units. (Locked Thread)
  • A non-character unit with a character attachment (i.e. Captain Karli) still counts as a non-character unit. (Infernal Ruling)
When to apply theme benefits   [Show/Hide]
  • With reference to special abilities that themes give to models, Ranking Officers, adding new models, and/or taking control of models:
    1. Theme force benefits are applied when you construct your list or put a new model into play. A model already in play will not lose or gain any theme benefits mid-game based on any changes of faction status or otherwise. (Infernal Ruling)
    2. However, if the theme gives a benefit to models "at the beginning of the game" (such as Devourer's Host letting models begin the game with 1 corpse token) then this benefit does not apply to new models that are put into play mid-game. (Locked Thread)
    • Example 1: Sons of the Tempest says "ATGM units in this army gain Pistoleer". If your opponent takes control of one of them, it keeps Pistoleer while under their control even though it's currently not "in the army".
    • Example 2: Storm Division gives Immunity:Electricity to "Cygnar models in the army." If you include a Mercenary unit with a Ranking Officer, they will get the theme benefit and also keep it even after the Ranking Officer dies.
    • Example 3: Stange Bedfellows gives solos Swift Vengeance. If Nemo4 creates a new solo mid-game, that solo will have Swift Vengeance.
See also these Theme-Specific Rulings   [Show/Hide]
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Rules Clarification : Black Industries      (Edit)

  • The entry which allows "Cephalyx models/units" only applies to Partisan Cephalyx. That's because the theme's rules start off with "this army can only include the following Cryx models"​. Partisan Cephalyx are the only ones that fill that condition.
  • The Cephalyx Agitator also works for Cryx and can go in Black Industries but, because it is not a Partisan, it will use up your Mercenary solo slot.
  • (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : The Creator's Might      (Edit)

  • ​Elias Gade is allowed in Creator's Might. (Infernal Ruling)
  • You can spend the "Two Vassal solos" requistion option on one Vassal Mechanik and one Vassal of Menoth. Warroom has a bug and tells you that you can't. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : Flame in the Darkness      (Edit)

  • You can take any number of Mercenary jacks. You can also select two additional jacks from Khador and Cygnar in any combination you like. Character warjacks with a bond don't count against this limit of 2. (Infernal Ruling)
  • There is a bug in Warroom that allows you to take two Cygnar and two Khador jacks.
  • Morrowan Battle Priest:
    • If your warcaster is a Cygnar model that makes every unit you take a Cygnar unit, and Battle Priests can be attached to any unit.
      Warroom has a known bug where it doesn't allow this interaction.
    • If your warcaster is a Mercenary or Khador model, though, the only units the Battle Priest can attach to are the Morrow ones.
    • If you attach the Battle Priest to The Devil's Shadows Mutineers then it can be returned via Blood Bound. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : Llaelese Resistance      (Edit)

  • It is 2 Cruicible or 2 Cygnar or 2 Menoth.
    You can't take more than 2, and you can't mix and match from multiple Factions. (Infernal Ruling)
  • You can have a non-character unit with a character attachment (i.e. Captain Karli). (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : The Talion Charter      (Edit)

  • The 3rd benefit is "Sac Pawn [Sea Dog trooper]", not just any Sea Dog. (Infernal ruling)
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Rules Clarification : The Bones of Orboros      (Edit)

  • Una1 cannot be taken in this theme (yet) due to the conflict between the theme's "Only Construct warbeasts allowed" and Una1's "Must take warbeasts with flight". There are no construct warbeasts with flight (yet). But if/when there is, then Una1 can be taken in this theme. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : The Devourer's Host      (Edit)

  • Bradigus1 is not legal in this theme. The theme only allows living warbeasts, his rules only allow construct warbeasts, and you can't just 'skip' his battlegroup - you have to spend your warbeast points.
  • If you create a new model mid-game (ie with the Well of Orboros and that model can have corpse tokens, that model does not enter play with a corpse. Because it's not the beginning of the game. (Locked thread)
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Rules Clarification : The Wild Hunt      (Edit)

  • The animus benefit doesn't apply to enemy warbeasts. (Infernal Ruling)
  • The animus benefit doesn't stack with the Druid Wilder's Herding ability. (Infernal Ruling)
  • When it comes to other things that alter COST (such as Lamentation), follow basic maths: Double/halve first, then add/subtract.
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Rules Clarification : Oracles of Annihilation      (Edit)

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Rules Clarification : The Exalted      (Edit)

  • If a Construct model loses the Construct advantage mid-game, it keeps the theme benefit anyway. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : Band of Heroes      (Edit)

  • Boomhowler2 uses up your Minion slot. His Fell Calls ability is not enough to make him a "Fell Caller model/unit". (Infernal Ruling)
  • Boomhowler3 does not use up your minion slot on account of having the Champion keyword.
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Rules Clarification : The Blindwater Congregation      (Edit)

  • Void Leeches attached to a Gatorman Posse will gain Snacking, but they won't gain extra hitpoints. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : Magnum Opus      (Edit)

  • If Mosby is attached to a Mercenary weapon crew unit, they would gain 3" reposition and would not lose it if Mosby is no longer in the unit. (Infernal Ruling)
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Rules Clarification : Hearts of Darkness      (Edit)

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