Post by mikeguth on Sept 25, 2006 14:51:22 GMT -5
Corle Huffman used to discuss post artillery Mechwarrior tactics in terms of zones, one zone was the zone you had to cross before engaging, then a zone of engagement, and then the enemy DZ.
With the change to universal unrestricted format I decided to pull out my old artillery pieces-SS Arrow IV and Kenneth to see if armies built around these pieces could be successful. Many players better than I, such as BAW had great success even with the 450 point format and only Falcon's Prey artillery pieces. So, I thought that these pieces might represent an improvement with thier lower cost.
Against expensive artillery pieces were several things. First, new ultra long range mechs, using the ballistic extended range ammo or the RISC extended ballistic ammo or hyper laser. These can be supported by mechs with forward observer, or situational alliances which get rid of blocking terrain or allow troops to shoot over or through blocking-like Yami. You have to prevent Caverns. Ares mechs are also a concern-they're allowed so far in constructed events in my area. Ares mechs can move-vent, move-vent. So, while they always have an order token, they can't be overheated by artillery pushing. Infantry is also faster than in Corle's day, and can push without taking a click of damage. Basers remain a problem.
One army I tried had Kenneth/ARROW IV combined with a heavy mech an anti basing screen and ATVs. Several mechs were available. I tried Esperanza in an IT mode.One problem I found with her was limited damage output against the ARES. I considered using either the CJF Loki which has pulse; or the Davion Loki-similar damage, but a click or two of free Decoy.
This weekend I tried a variant using Zq's idea of twin Solitaires. So, I had the two artillery pieces, a WH R10 with a WH Kelswa and 2 WH CBA's, Kenneth and a SS Arrow IV, two BR Solitaires, one with IT and a 10 point 1/1/1 pilot, the ther with Graves and the dreaded RISC pulse unit (darn, lost another one on EBAY auction....) and a CJF Sylph and a Liao repair infantry. I skipped True Grit. The army lacks basing units to try to delay an enemy advance. It certainly had good hitting power against an opponent forced to engage. The damage output of the two Solitaires can rise to 16 with some luck.
How did it go. Well, I beat the Ares. Playing in Urban I was able to approach the Ares from two sides. He hit one Solitaire, and got pasted by the Tank Drop and the experimental pulse module; and shut down trying to get out of range.
I had a much harder time against t an army modelled afterhe 8th place World Championship army. This was the Liao-Kurita SA with Black Blade and Danai Centrella, 4 CBA, and a pair of minigun cyles. The Black Blade/Tomark was equipped with Reinforced armor. This stacks with Black Armor for a potential reduction of 4 in ranged combat (and I think in close combat as well....). The Centrella Centurion can make a second close combat attack if a first succeeds, net damage of 6! with the situational alliance. He equipped it with Decoy for a 22 decoy; and it has agility.
We played in ice fields. I found that with my mix of units I could not comfortably prevent him from close combating something important. And I didn't want him to get at the mechs. I posted the ARROW IV naked to one side, mechs, kenneth, R10 loaded to the other and screened. His mechs ran up the middle of the board hiding behind the corners of an H shaped building slightly to my side of the field. I pogged his infantry. He assaulted the ARROW IV with the Black blade. I was willing to part with the Arrow IV it to get the tank drop and 2 Solitaires into action against the Black Blade. He moved his Centurion to prevent an assault move by my Solitaires.
This is where things hurt. Charging the Centurion for 1 damage was pointless. Shooting, I could manage a 12 or a 10 ITon a 22+1 for friendly fire modifier, +1 for assault. Odds of a hit, very low. That left me the 10 on a 22 tank drop against the Black Blade, only a 40% chance of a hit.
I missed my shot on the Black Blade, and missed a charge with the IT Solitaire. I moved the other Solitaire into formation with the WH Infantry, tank and transport-20attack.... My opponent would have been winning now but had taken two damage to his infantry formation, and had a minigun cycle or two in danger. He decided to take a wack at the tank and missed with the Centurion. On the next turn I got my RISC shot off for 4 damage, then made a rules mistake and was allowed to use the formation for my second and third attacks (which one can do with Double RATE). The Centurion went down on the next turn, and even losing one solitaire still left me a tainted win.
But, I was impressed with his army. The 22 Decoy was very nasty indeed, and the armor on the Black Blade could present a serious problem to anyone not sporting AP. I had only thought of using Black Blade with the Rapid Strike configuration. The 40 points for the Liao-Kurita SA is a problem.
I found that the artillery was more expensive than the 2 TTL's used in Zq's army. I had taken the WH R10 to give me an extra shooter, but it made the army more vulnerable to close assault. I could go cheaper on the tank, but wouldn't want to give up armor piercing. I wonder about using ballistic light mechs, one or two, in place of Solitaires, as the second ballistic attack can still use the formation fire.....
Mike Guth
With the change to universal unrestricted format I decided to pull out my old artillery pieces-SS Arrow IV and Kenneth to see if armies built around these pieces could be successful. Many players better than I, such as BAW had great success even with the 450 point format and only Falcon's Prey artillery pieces. So, I thought that these pieces might represent an improvement with thier lower cost.
Against expensive artillery pieces were several things. First, new ultra long range mechs, using the ballistic extended range ammo or the RISC extended ballistic ammo or hyper laser. These can be supported by mechs with forward observer, or situational alliances which get rid of blocking terrain or allow troops to shoot over or through blocking-like Yami. You have to prevent Caverns. Ares mechs are also a concern-they're allowed so far in constructed events in my area. Ares mechs can move-vent, move-vent. So, while they always have an order token, they can't be overheated by artillery pushing. Infantry is also faster than in Corle's day, and can push without taking a click of damage. Basers remain a problem.
One army I tried had Kenneth/ARROW IV combined with a heavy mech an anti basing screen and ATVs. Several mechs were available. I tried Esperanza in an IT mode.One problem I found with her was limited damage output against the ARES. I considered using either the CJF Loki which has pulse; or the Davion Loki-similar damage, but a click or two of free Decoy.
This weekend I tried a variant using Zq's idea of twin Solitaires. So, I had the two artillery pieces, a WH R10 with a WH Kelswa and 2 WH CBA's, Kenneth and a SS Arrow IV, two BR Solitaires, one with IT and a 10 point 1/1/1 pilot, the ther with Graves and the dreaded RISC pulse unit (darn, lost another one on EBAY auction....) and a CJF Sylph and a Liao repair infantry. I skipped True Grit. The army lacks basing units to try to delay an enemy advance. It certainly had good hitting power against an opponent forced to engage. The damage output of the two Solitaires can rise to 16 with some luck.
How did it go. Well, I beat the Ares. Playing in Urban I was able to approach the Ares from two sides. He hit one Solitaire, and got pasted by the Tank Drop and the experimental pulse module; and shut down trying to get out of range.
I had a much harder time against t an army modelled afterhe 8th place World Championship army. This was the Liao-Kurita SA with Black Blade and Danai Centrella, 4 CBA, and a pair of minigun cyles. The Black Blade/Tomark was equipped with Reinforced armor. This stacks with Black Armor for a potential reduction of 4 in ranged combat (and I think in close combat as well....). The Centrella Centurion can make a second close combat attack if a first succeeds, net damage of 6! with the situational alliance. He equipped it with Decoy for a 22 decoy; and it has agility.
We played in ice fields. I found that with my mix of units I could not comfortably prevent him from close combating something important. And I didn't want him to get at the mechs. I posted the ARROW IV naked to one side, mechs, kenneth, R10 loaded to the other and screened. His mechs ran up the middle of the board hiding behind the corners of an H shaped building slightly to my side of the field. I pogged his infantry. He assaulted the ARROW IV with the Black blade. I was willing to part with the Arrow IV it to get the tank drop and 2 Solitaires into action against the Black Blade. He moved his Centurion to prevent an assault move by my Solitaires.
This is where things hurt. Charging the Centurion for 1 damage was pointless. Shooting, I could manage a 12 or a 10 ITon a 22+1 for friendly fire modifier, +1 for assault. Odds of a hit, very low. That left me the 10 on a 22 tank drop against the Black Blade, only a 40% chance of a hit.
I missed my shot on the Black Blade, and missed a charge with the IT Solitaire. I moved the other Solitaire into formation with the WH Infantry, tank and transport-20attack.... My opponent would have been winning now but had taken two damage to his infantry formation, and had a minigun cycle or two in danger. He decided to take a wack at the tank and missed with the Centurion. On the next turn I got my RISC shot off for 4 damage, then made a rules mistake and was allowed to use the formation for my second and third attacks (which one can do with Double RATE). The Centurion went down on the next turn, and even losing one solitaire still left me a tainted win.
But, I was impressed with his army. The 22 Decoy was very nasty indeed, and the armor on the Black Blade could present a serious problem to anyone not sporting AP. I had only thought of using Black Blade with the Rapid Strike configuration. The 40 points for the Liao-Kurita SA is a problem.
I found that the artillery was more expensive than the 2 TTL's used in Zq's army. I had taken the WH R10 to give me an extra shooter, but it made the army more vulnerable to close assault. I could go cheaper on the tank, but wouldn't want to give up armor piercing. I wonder about using ballistic light mechs, one or two, in place of Solitaires, as the second ballistic attack can still use the formation fire.....
Mike Guth