Having just purchased the Wolf and Blake Word of Blake I and II packs from Iron Wind Metals I decided to put together a Veteran experienced Word of Blake Level II (6 Mechs) of Celestial OmniMechs. The Manei Domini are enchanted with the Experimental level rules: Cybernetic Implants. The result is terrifying!
Who are the Manei Domini?
The Manei Domini were an elite group of cybernetically enhanced soldiers who served the Word of Blake from approximately 3060 into the early 3080s. These soldiers were considered their own subgroup within the Word of Blake organization, forming the Shadow Divisions but also often operating as individual agents or in small teams. They were largely unknown to the wider public until the Jihad began in 3068.[2] This warrior-culture answered only to the Manei Domini leadership. Their leadership included the Precentor of the Manei Domini, an individual named Apollyon, who answered to an individual known only as the Master.[3]
Their Latin name supposedly means Hands of the Master,[4]
[Sarna]
Manei Domini – Phantom MechWarriors
Manei Domini MechWarriors, vehicle pilots and AeroSpace pilots are given the title Phantom. They typically have 5 Cybernetic Implants as per the Tau Adept rank. A typical force commander has 6 as per Delta Adept rank). Cybernetic implants can have a BV cost, this is applied by enacting a change in “Effective Skill”, but this does not change the actual skill unless noted.
| Modification | BV Cost | Effect |
| Cybernetic Multi-Modal Sensory Implant (Visual) [ISO:AE p 73) | Effective Gunnery modifier of -1 | -1 to hit modifier for Gunnery attacks (with CBVDNI). 2 Hex active probe ability |
| Cybernetic Myomer Implant, Dermal Armour | None | No damage from heat hits or falls,. |
| Cybernetic VDNI (CBVDNI) [ISO:AE p 76-77] | Effective Gunnery and piloting modifier of -1. | -1 to hit modifier for Gunnery attacks and Piloting Tests. Any internal damage causes feedback to the pilot of 1 damage on an 8+ roll on 2d6. |
| Explosive Suicide Implants [ISO:AE p 77] | No BV | The Manei Domini are never take alive! Explosive damage causes 1 point of internal structure to head, destroys cockpit and make a roll for a critical hit in that location |
| Artificial Pain Shunt [ISO:AE p 71] | Effective Piloting modifier of -1 | No consciousness rolls. Ignores forced withdrawal due to pilot hits |
| *Cybernetic Triple Core Processor [ISO:AE p 75-6] | Effective Gunnery modifier of -1 | +3 Initiative (with C3i) [Level II Commander/Delta only] |
Only the most senior members of the Manei Domini (Omicron Level) had access to Buffered Cybernetic VDNI or Cybernetic Enhanced Multimodal Sensory Implants
BattleMechs (Celestial Series OmniMechs)
The Celestial series was a series of OmniMechs produced by the Word of Blake. Developed in secret by Doctor Devon Cortland (aka Precentor Vapula) and unleashed without warning in 3069[1] during the Blakists’ Jihad, the Celestials mate OmniPod technology with some of the most advanced armor, chassis and fusion engine technology that the Inner Sphere could produce in the late 3060s. Besides shared aesthetic elements, each ‘Mech in the main series features the inclusion of a Small Cockpit and a fixed C3i Computer. As denoted by the use of a small cockpit, the Celestials were primarily intended to be used by the Blakists’ cybernetically enhanced Manei Domini shock troops, who field the lion’s share of the ‘Mechs.
[SARNA]
The Base BV cost of each unit has been modified with the Effective Skill level from the above implants. Each Celestial also has an extra BV cost of +5% of the total forces BV for the C3i.
Full sheets are linked for download below.
| Unit | Variant | Tons | Mech Warrior | Gunnery (Base/ Mod) | Piloting (Base/ Mod) | Effective Skills (for BV) G/P | BV |
| Archangel | C-ANG-O Invictus | 100 | Delta Ezeamaka | 3 (0) | 4 (3) | 0/2 | 6177 |
| Seraph | C-SRP-O Invictus | 85 | Tau Leblanc | 3 (1) | 4 (3) | 1/2 | 5191 |
| Deva | C-DVA-O Invictus | 70 | Tau Din | 3 (1) | 4 (3) | 1/2 | 4669 |
| Grigori | C-GRG-O Invictus | 60 | Tau Palffy | 3 (1) | 4 (3) | 1/2 | 3885 |
| Preta | C-PRT-O Invictus | 45 | Tau Jordison | 3 (1) | 4 (3) | 1/2 | 3474 |
| Malak | C-MK-O Invictus | 30 | Tau Selmani | 3 (1) | 4 (3) | 1/2 | 2839 |
Total BV 26,235
BattleArmor/Choir
A choir is the Word of Blake equivalent of the Clan Nova. Each of the six Celestial OmniMechs can carry a squad of 6 Battle Armor. The Word of Blake designed the Demon series of Battle Armor for this specific purpose.
The Nephilm and Shedim being Assault-class BattleArmor are not mechanised so can’t be carried by Celestials.
The Manei Domini that pilot these Battle Armors can also be enhanced by Cybernetic Modifications just as the MechWarriors.
Typical cybernetic augmentations for a Tau Adept BattleArmor equipped Manei Domini include:
| Modification | BV Cost | Effect |
| Cybernetic Multi-Modal Sensory Implant (Visual) [ISO:AE p 73) | Effective Gunnery modifier of -1 | -1 to hit modifier for Gunnery attacks (with CBVDNI). 2 Hex active probe ability |
| Cybernetic Myomer Implant, Dermal Armour [ISO:AE p 74] AND Triple Strength [ISO:AE p 75] | +3 BV per trooper AND +1 BV per Trooper | +1 armor, but doesn’t prevent breaches. +1 damage for attacks in same hex or in leg or swarming Anti-‘Mech attacks. |
| Cybernetic VDNI (CBVDNI) [ISO:AE p 76-77] | Effective Gunnery modifier of -1. | -1 to hit modifier for Gunnery attacks. |
| Explosive Suicide Implants [ISO:AE p 77] | No BV | The Manei Domini are never take alive! Explosive damage destroys BattleArmor |
| Artificial Pain Shunt [ISO:AE p 71] | Effective Piloting modifier of -1 | Reduce by half and flame based damage. Ignores forced withdrawal. |
| *Cybernetic Boosted Communications Implants [ISO:AE p 72] | As per C3i rules | 1 in every 4 units in the squad need to be equipped with these implants. Units can link to friendly C3i without the unit having that equipment |
Manei Domini Infantry
Two types of cybernetic enhanced conventional infantry have been mentions in Technical Readout 3075; The Tau Zombie and the Tau Wraith. Both haven’t been upgraded/errated with the rules from ISO: AE.
Tau Zombie
| Modification | BV Cost | Effect |
| Artificial Pain Shunt [ISO:AE p 71] | Effective Anti-‘Mech modifier of -1 | Reduce by half and flame based damage. Ignores forced withdrawal. |
| Improved Enchanted Prosthetic Arms x2 | Add (0.02 x 2 Ballistic, 0.02 x2 Climbing Claws) = 0.08 Weapon Battle Rating per trooper. Multiply units Anti-‘Mech Battle Rating by 1.2 | Each arm has 2 slots containing: Ballistic Ranged Weapon (TK Enforcer) +0.05 max damage per trooper) Climbing Claws -1TN to Anti’Mech attacks +0.02 max weapon damage per trooper. |
| Cybernetic Multi-Modal Sensory Implant (Visual) [ISO:AE p 73) | Effective Gunnery modifier of -1 | -1 to hit modifier for Gunnery attacks. 2 Hex active probe ability |
| Cybernetic Myomer Implant, Dermal Armour [ISO:AE p 74] AND Triple Strength [ISO:AE p 75] | As per new damage divisor +0.1 per trooper to the Weapon Battle Rating | Reduce by 2 all crew requirements for support weapons and eliminate encumbering effects. May carry 4 support weapons per squad. Damage divisor of 1.5 with normal armor. 2 with heavy armor. +0.14 DV for attacks inside same hex. |
| Explosive Suicide Implants [ISO:AE p 77] | Add 0.12 per trooper to units Weapon Battle Rating | The Manei Domini are never take alive! Detonates on death or command causing 0.57 DV per trooper that dies/is detonated to all other units in the same hex |
Tau Zombie (TRO 3075 update)
- Notable unit: Manei Domini “tau Zombie” Attack Squad
- Tech Base (rating): Inner Sphere (F/X-X-F)
- Transport weight: 1 ton
- Equipment: primary weapon: 2 Mauser 1200 lSS (Range 2 DV 1.04)
- Secondary weapon: 4 Heavy Support laser (Range 5 DV 1.47)
- Cybernetic Weapons: 6 twin arm mounted ballistic weapons (DV +0.05 each), 6 twin arm mounted claws (DV +0.02 each).
- Armor: Word of Blake Standard Infantry Kit (Divisor 2)
- Battle value: 123 BV
- Platoon type (specialty): Foot, Cybernetically enhanced (None)
- Ground Mp: 1
- Platoon size (squad/platoon): 6 (6/1)
- Armor divisor: 3
- To-hit Modifier (range in hexes): –1 (0 Hexes), 0 (1-5 Hexes), +1 (6-7 Hexes), +2 (8-10 Hexes), +3 (11-12 Hexes), +4 (13-15 Hexes)
- Maximum weapon damage (# of troopers): 1.32/Trooper (+0.14 in same hex)
- Anti’Mech Attack: Yes (-2 for 2 cybernetic arm mounted climbing claws)
- Gunnery/Anti-‘Mech Skill: 4/5 (Modified to 3/3)
- Effective Gunnery/Anti-‘Mech Skill (For BV): 3/4 (-1/-1)
Tau Wraith
| Modification | BV Cost | Effect |
| Cosmetic Enhancements | ||
| Gas Effuser Implant, Pheromone [ISO:AE p 73] | +0.05 Defensive Battle Rating per trooper | Point Blank Pheromone Attack on enemy conventional infantry causing +1 to all target numbers due to confusion |
| Gas Effuser Implant, Toxin [ISO:AE p 74] | +0.23 to Weapon Battle Rating per trooper | Point Blank Toxin attack 0.25 damage per trooper |
| Cybernetic Multi-Modal Sensory Implant (Visual) [ISO:AE p 73] | Effective Gunnery modifier of -1 | -1 to hit modifier for Gunnery attacks. 2 Hex active probe ability |
| *Cybernetic Boosted Communications Implants [ISO:AE p 72] | As per C3i rules | 1 in every 4 units in the squad need to be equipped with these implants. Units can link to friendly C3i without the unit having that equipment |
| Explosive Suicide Implants [ISO:AE p 77] | Add 0.12 per trooper to units Weapon Battle Rating | The Manei Domini are never take alive! Detonates on death or command causing 0.57 damage per trooper that dies/is detonated to all other units in the same hex |
Tau Wraith (TRO 3075 Update)
- Notable unit: Manei Domini “Tau Wraith” Recon Squad
- Tech Base (rating): Inner Sphere (F/X-X-F)
- Trransport weight: 1 ton
- Equipment:
Primary weapon: 6 Mauser 1200 lSS - Secondary weapon: None
- Armor: Sneak Suit (Camo/eCM/IR)
- Battle value: 59 + C3i Modifier
- Platoon type (specialty): Foot, Cybernetically enhanced (Paratrooper)
- Ground Mp: 1 platoon size (squad/platoon): 6 (6/1)
- Armor divisor: 1
- To-hit Modifier (range in hexes): –3 (0 Hex), –1 (1-2 Hexes), +1 (3-4 Hexes), +3 (5-6 hexes)
- Maximum weapon damage (# of troopers): 0.6/Trooper
- Anti’Mech Attack: No
- Gunnery/Anti-‘Mech Skill: 4/8 (Modified to 3/8)
- Effective Gunnery/Anti-‘Mech Skill (For BV): 3/8 (-1/0)
Machina Domini Interface [ISO:AE p 110]
The Machina Domini Interface was first developed in 3078, and only deployed on one BattleMech, the Gestalt.
The “Manei Domini” Interface Armor allows the Mane Domini to connect to the Interface cockpit using their CBVDNI, giving the below benefits.
| Modification | BV Cost | Effect |
| Machina Domini InterfaceBattleMech Neural Interface Unit PA(l) | X 1.30 | -1 modifier to all Gunnery and Piloting Skills. No Gyro required/no effect from Gyro hits. Ignore all damage from Ammo explosions/head hits/environmental effects/life support failure (but not head destruction). -2 to ejections tests |
ComStar 