BIG GUNS-are they still useful?

[mikeguth]

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

[tjpandv]

I did think of taking arty to the recent event in Belgium (600 unrestricted). To meat shield or not to meat shield, that is the question.

In gaming terms, I think they've got arty about right. Not many conventional pieces left to choose from but there should be a role on the battlefield for smaller systems such as the TTL, Centaur and Mortars.

Having a guard mech infront of 2 pieces is still a viable tactic - can your opponent ignore the mech and take on the arty or vice versa?

Going to have a think about this one as my natural reaction to arty is to say "good riddance" but then again, I've always hated having to play against it.

[mikeguth]

The Black Blade was nasty for my Solitaires because the close assault range is greater than the assault range of the Solitaire. The combo of the Black Blade plus the Liao-Kurita SA plus Denai centurion can actually kill a Solitaire in one attack. Then it would be two artillery pieces/tank drop/ one Solitaire left against the two enemy mechs. I didn't like the look of that matchup very much at all. I think for the money that the TTL's are fine. Of course, if I had the guts to bring Crags, or Barrens then my game would have been better. But, I was dreadfully afraid of caverns.....

[tjpandv]

That's one big disadvantage of an army build that needs to have certain PCCs in play to allow it to function properly. If I play Jack, I need stuff that either keeps blocking on play, or prevents Barrens - no real chance of an attacking PCC. Same with arty - you'll use up your hand in cancelling Caverns rather than other, equally as damaging cards, that you just can't take the risk on.

I did look at the RHD Kodiak + Camo as a guard mech. Behind blocking it can streak, in hindering, its a rock. By having your own arty, you should be able to use counter-battery fire to stop your Kodiak getting too much of an advantage.

Other mechs that suit the role are Geoff Bekker and the Madcats - the 360 arc lets you set up inforont of your arty and still pick off basers.

[baw]

Planetary Conditions do play with the game a bunch. I think Rocky Terrain is going to put a big change in the game. I don't remember it's counters but it is going to put some hurting on the tank drop and make the RHDM's a lot more powerful and useful!

[asburygrad]

I have been giving considerable thought to beating two combinations in my local gaming environment: Peacemaker/WH Mjolnir (a US Nats runner-up clone) and Seka's Pride/BR Soli (World Champion clone). Rather than bring either of these builds, I want to build to beat them.

So what beats 25-26 Decoy (assuming no hindering or assault modifiers)? You can try to knock out Decoy (Decoy Jammer, PCs, etc), or Evade (Improved Tracking), but all those options limit your own army build and take up PCs or gear slots.

Artillery, formation attacks, close combat, and special attacks are other choices. Formation attacks still need to reroll due to Decoy, though, so even easy to-hit numbers increase the chance of a crit miss or regular miss. I am leaning towards CC, charge, and DFA.

Why not artillery? Look at the opposing units that are giving you problems. WH Mjolnir, Peacemaker w/ Marcus, Seka's Pride, Jack, and BR Solitaire. Does artillery stand much of a chance of catching any of these units? If you have multiple artillery, then maybe - eventually, every unit in the game except the Ares has to rest. Problem is, these Mechs will run downfield and get in your face fast. They are not going to let arty pogs hit them if they don't have to.

I prefer the CC and charge/DFA option, because it is proactive. Artillery was best when vehicles and infantry formations were more common. In the Mech-dominated field, it seems to me that Mechs are better options.