I for one would like to see the Empire Master Engineer completely over-hauled.
To be honest, the 7th ed Master Engineer is a redundant joke.
Compare him to the Dwarf Engineer or even Skaven Warplock Enginseer and he does very little for your army for the cost in points & a hero slot.
I say loose all the gimmicky gizmos. He shouldn't need them! Close combat is no place for an engineer and he certainly does not need a horse (and let's be honest - the fluff behind the mechanical horse is just plain stupid).
Our Master Enginseer needs to LOOSELY follow a SIMILAR vein as the Dwarf Engineer.
•Light Armour - not essential but should be optional.
•Blackpower Weapons - very fluffy.
•Magic Items - these should not be an option for an engineer and if this is removed it would justify the inclusion of some special rules at a bargain price.
•Take a horse - why? See above. This means he can't join cavalry. This is fluffy.
•Join Handgunners - fluffy.
•Join Artillery - very fluffy.
•Ride in a Steam Tank - very, very fluffy! Basically like a character in a chariot.
Without blatently STEALING any ideas from the Dwarf Engineer, does anyone have any ideas for special rules options?