Author Topic: The Wolf Empire: Our Khan Beat Devlin Stone in a Savage Wolf! Buy Savage Wolves!  (Read 194767 times)

Colt Ward

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Anastasia only comes off with lunacy in those three books, which is why I said everyone since has tried to salvage the character from the mustache-twirls.  I feel like later books, where she leads the Wolf Hunters and in Bonfire the character returns to what was presented in her first appearance.  Deadborder, I never said they would disappear- they are canon as stated, but IMO did a disservice to all characters presented since Tara Campbell was also poorly portrayed.  I liked the character Tassa Kay was initially as I felt it was a good balance of fiat & realism.

Alaric's killing of Seth is IMO the ultimate expression of 'might makes right' as he was able to do as he pleased and successfully springboard off of it.  Just like Malvina can be interpreted as the eventual evolutionary path of the Crusader mentality, Alaric is the definition of might for the time period.
Colt Ward
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Kitsune413

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Bonfire of Worlds is my favorite book.

Malvina is enough crazy for the galaxy. They don't really need Anastasia to be a psychopath.
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SteveRestless

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as for the earlier discussion about stone's identity, an unrelated search for files turned up this screenshot I knew i took:
Devlin Stone is nobody special
Шонхорын хурдаар хурцлан давшъя, Чонын зоригоор асан дүрэлзэье, Тэнхээт морьдын туурайгаар нүргэе, Тамгат Чингисийн ухаанаар даръя | Let’s go faster than a falcon, Let’s burn with the wolf’s courage, Let’s roar with the hooves of strong horses, Let’s go with the wisdom of Tamgat Genghis - The Hu, Wolf Totem

Øystein

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as for the earlier discussion about stone's identity, an unrelated search for files turned up this screenshot I knew i took:
Devlin Stone is nobody special

TPTB has said this dozens of time, but people seem to think they have been lying :P

Jaim Magnus

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TPTB has said this dozens of time, but people seem to think they have been lying :P

*tinfoil hat* It's a CONSPIRACY I tells ya! *tinfoil hat*
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SteveRestless

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TPTB has said this dozens of time, but people seem to think they have been lying :P

I'd argue that it's because having to rely on forum posts for the revelation is perhaps the least efficient way of doing so. It would be far better known if we had a published source making it clear.
Шонхорын хурдаар хурцлан давшъя, Чонын зоригоор асан дүрэлзэье, Тэнхээт морьдын туурайгаар нүргэе, Тамгат Чингисийн ухаанаар даръя | Let’s go faster than a falcon, Let’s burn with the wolf’s courage, Let’s roar with the hooves of strong horses, Let’s go with the wisdom of Tamgat Genghis - The Hu, Wolf Totem

Kit deSummersville

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Deadborder

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Question for something I'm working on. What would you consider to be the weakest of the Wolf Empire Galaxies? Not just in terms of raw numbers, but also equipment, troops, morale and so on.

Two suggest themselves to me. The first is Kappa; while it's an 'old' Wolf galaxy, it's mostly green troops and vehicles, and has spent much of the last few decades as the Bears punching bag. On the other hand, Mu is a new galaxy. It has mech,  albeit salvaged ones, but is one gigantic mess of morale and loyalty issues
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Jaim Magnus

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I'd say Mu. Because it creates a lot of character and story interest. Also, you get to argue over whether to pronounce it 'moo' or 'mew'.
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Deadborder

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I'd say Mu. Because it creates a lot of character and story interest. Also, you get to argue over whether to pronounce it 'moo' or 'mew'.

There is that.

I just wish it had a colour scheme. Based on the unflattering name of is Keshik cluster, I assume that it's some sort of Sandy yellow, but who knows?
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Nav_Alpha

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Gotta be Mu, surely? FM: 3145 pretty much describes them as a failure. I'd: this is the worse case scenario when you recruit from among Freebirths


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I'd: this is the worse case scenario when you recruit from among Freebirths

And then you'd wonder why Star Commander Booger won his trial!


TT
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Scotty

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Arise, thread!  Seriously, Wolves, step up your gme. ;D

I'm building a Wolf Cluster for a project.  This won't ever all hit the field at the same time, so the most of any given thing I'm going to need is however much will typically see the field in a Trinary or so sized game.  Things can be rearranged before game time, so I won't need to have a 'representative' number of something like Timber Wolves, just one or two.  What I'm interested in some commentary on is: what's missing?  What kind of gaps in traditional Wolf tactics or strategy is this unable to fulfill?  The lineup so far:

Omnis:
Tomahawk II
Executioner
Gargoyle
Savage Coyote
Warwolf (x2)
Timber Wolf (x2)
Summoner
Linebacker
Wulfen

Non-Omnis:
Marauder IIC
Orion IIC
Warhammer IIC
Rifleman IIC
Highlander IIC
Jaguar (x2)

Vehicles:
Carnivore (x4)
Mars (x2)
Ares (x2)
Asshur (x2)
Odin (x2)
Svantovit (x2)
Eldingar (x2)

Infantry (five points each):
Clan Medium
Corona
Warg
Gnome
Salamander

Aerospace:
Sabutai (x2)
Visigoth (x6)
Turk (x6)
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Precentor Scorpio

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For the 3050 time frame I would recommend the Ice Ferret and Dire Wolf.

If you can justify fighting the Smoke Jaguars probably a Stormcrow.  But an Ebon Jaguar would be great.

is the 6th Wolf Guards formally SJ 6th Jaguar Dragoons?  So one or two Smoke Jaguar mechs might make sense.  If you really want a Turkina, Black Lanner, or Night Gyr you can use the same justification.   6th Dragoons as the Smoke Jaguars and Jade Falcons did exchange mech designs.  Finally, maybe a Shadow Cat.


Scotty

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Ah, I should mention, this Cluster is for 3145+.  That's the intended "Use by" date, though dropping a few of the more recent toys should get a decent 3050 force too.
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Colt Ward

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I see the specialists . . . but where is the regular Elementals?  And since I see secondline gear . . . GDL Surats?

For mechs . . . missing some Coyote cast-offs besides the SC, what about the Savage Wolf?, Ice Ferret, Phantom (too big a fan of the H),

Secondlines . . . Night Wolf, Mad Cat Mk II, Sun Cobra, Tundra Wolf, Blood Reaper, maybe the odd Ghost Bear or JF unit like Arcas or Thunderbolt C, and something to represent the Orion C or whatever?  Might also think about the cream of LC & FWL as Hammerfall etc salvage.

Armor . . . Morrigu of all stripes, Zoyras are great for AA & ECM, Demo C, Kelswas, maybe some Gurtis as salvage, Schilds?
Colt Ward
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"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

Scotty

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I should further clarify: Everything I add to this unit has to have a mini.  I've got roughly a truckload of Elementals and honestly forgot to put a Star's worth on the list.

Ice Ferret and Phantom are good calls, I'll see about getting a couple.
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Colt Ward

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Well . . .

Blood Reaper & Tundra Wolf have minis- heard mixed reviews on the missile bay hatches but that is preference I think.  Think the Night Wolf does, lots of MC Mk II variants out there though to be honest I really like the E.  I think the Sun Cobra & TBolt C are out.

For armor, that is where it gets stickier . . . never liked the art on the Zoyra and so I always think of it looking like a Scorpion.  I do not think the Schild has been done yet, but its a turret on a block so stand in should be easy if you wanted.  Morrigu, Kelswa and Gurti are all out I think with the first two being widespread in the IS.
Colt Ward
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Natasha Kerensky

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Adder and/or Pouncer.  They may be slow for their weight (or light for their speed), but they are classic, old-school force-fillers for Clan Wolf.

Black Wolf and Aesir are the new Wolf BA and tank, respectively.  But I assume there is no mini for either, yet,  or they'd already be listed.
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SteveRestless

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well, in the 3145 timeframe, no one is fielding the requisite number of omnimechs to properly field elementals that way. I don't know if the R10 has a mini, but I really like it for APC duties. Being that it's an omnivehicle you can carry a battle armor squad AND one can ride on the hull.

Optional whether you'd want any, but I don't see the Naga listed in the force at all. Artillery IS though, one of those places where I like vehicles better. Twice as many tubes, fewer worries about honor, easy to bid away for a proper fight.

Non-Omni-Wise, the faces I'm not seeing during Roll Call are Tundra Wolf, Blood Reaper Lobo and Sun Cobra. Locust IIc is also something that'd fit, but I always feel weird using them for some reason. If you want other battlemech options, an Imp C could fit in there. Omni-wise I like running the Phantom with the Wulfen, but the production window on them was regrettably small so I don't think anyone would fault their absence. Ice Ferret and Mist Lynx are possible buddies too, though I gotta imagine the Mist Lynx numbers are dwindled by 3145, with nearly a hundred years of no jaguars to bully for them.
Шонхорын хурдаар хурцлан давшъя, Чонын зоригоор асан дүрэлзэье, Тэнхээт морьдын туурайгаар нүргэе, Тамгат Чингисийн ухаанаар даръя | Let’s go faster than a falcon, Let’s burn with the wolf’s courage, Let’s roar with the hooves of strong horses, Let’s go with the wisdom of Tamgat Genghis - The Hu, Wolf Totem

Scotty

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The R10 sadly does not have a mini, or I'd have a lance of them in every single factions scheme I play.
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I'll put in a good word for the Sun Cobra 2, in particular. The original's a bit of a dud, but the sequel is a savage little light cavalry 'Mech, lean and efficient. It's one of the Wolves' most underrated units, IMO.


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Deadborder

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I'll put in a good word for the Sun Cobra 2, in particular. The original's a bit of a dud, but the sequel is a savage little light cavalry 'Mech, lean and efficient. It's one of the Wolves' most underrated units, IMO.

The Wolves don't actually get the Sun Cobra 2; it's available to the RAF, FedSuns and Sea Foxes, but not them. IIRC, the Wolves sold the Foxes the original dud design and the Foxes made it a jillion times better.

With that being said, I agree that it's a fantastic design. I can't reccomend it enough.
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Scotty

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Exact, strict adherence to the MUL isn't necessary.  My Republic Hastati unit has an Eyrie and Gyrfalcon counted among its members.  If one could reasonably be present through salvage then it can get the nod here.  I'd personally stay away from things that have been out of production for 50+ years and aren't on the Wolf MUL list, but most other things I can handle.

I should also mention that this will be primarily (if not exclusively) for Alpha Strike game usage.  If that changes some suggestions for inclusion, I won't be surprised.
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SteveRestless

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I'll put in a good word for the Sun Cobra 2, in particular. The original's a bit of a dud, but the sequel is a savage little light cavalry 'Mech, lean and efficient. It's one of the Wolves' most underrated units, IMO.

That's trial of grievance material right there. a 3/4 Sun Cobra (Standard) is one of the best 2kbv death machines I've fielded. I wouldn't want to wage a guerilla war with it, but it's absolutely a solid medium.
Шонхорын хурдаар хурцлан давшъя, Чонын зоригоор асан дүрэлзэье, Тэнхээт морьдын туурайгаар нүргэе, Тамгат Чингисийн ухаанаар даръя | Let’s go faster than a falcon, Let’s burn with the wolf’s courage, Let’s roar with the hooves of strong horses, Let’s go with the wisdom of Tamgat Genghis - The Hu, Wolf Totem

Colt Ward

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One thing that I wish we saw more of was the Clan Omnis getting SuperChargers.  This is partly b/c the Wolves were always fluffed as being a 'cavalry' style force and 3145 fluff carried that forward with the frontline clusters that got Lyran isorla being mocked as 'too slow' at 4/6.

Imagine a 3145 Trinary Supernova Rogue-

Wulfens, Ice Ferrets and Phantoms with Hellions, Grendels, Shadow Cats and Vipers to a lesser extent all moving BA to a critical location while a non-Omni star is filled out with Locust IICs, Solitaires, Pack Hunters & fast IS isorla.  Such a fast supernova could easily disorder any IS force it's parent cluster would end up facing.
Colt Ward
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"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

truetanker

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* Shakes head *

No artillery at all... tsk tsk.

I personally would assign at least a MAXIMUM of 12 arty PER Cluster! With another Star PER Galaxy.

Meaning either a Naga, Bowman, pair of Huey, pairs of  Demo A4, ex-SLDF : Ballista, Chaparral, Marksman C, Long Tom, Padilla, Thor C, SM2 and Pollux. Also includes possible use of Vali and Thumper TAV-1.

TT
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That is, if true tanker doesn't beat me to it. He makes truly evil units.Col.Hengist on 31 May 2013
TT, we know you are the master of nasty  O0 ~ Fletch on 22 June 2013
If I'm attacking you, conventional wisom says to bring 3x your force.  I want extra insurance, so I'll bring 4 for every 1 of what you have :D ~ Tai Dai Cultist on 21 April 2016
Me: Would you rather fight my Epithymía Thanátou from the Whispers of Blake?
Nav_Alpha: That THING... that is horrid
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Deadborder

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I find that between it's slow speed, thin armour and being a "shoot me" magnet with two Gauss Rifles and a TC, the Sun Cobra (Standard) dies pretty fast in a battle. It's also got a shortage of crits to pad with.

On the other hand, it's not like it's going to overheat any time soon...
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Colt Ward

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What is sort of funny is they did not like the Glass Spider so they made the Glass Spider 2 . . . then during/after the Jihad made the Sun Cobra, which is a smaller & less armored Glass Spider.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

Kitsune413

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Exact, strict adherence to the MUL isn't necessary.  My Republic Hastati unit has an Eyrie and Gyrfalcon counted among its members.  If one could reasonably be present through salvage then it can get the nod here.  I'd personally stay away from things that have been out of production for 50+ years and aren't on the Wolf MUL list, but most other things I can handle.

I should also mention that this will be primarily (if not exclusively) for Alpha Strike game usage.  If that changes some suggestions for inclusion, I won't be surprised.

Even more so if it's a Sea Fox product. The only thing they don't sell is a specific version of the Mad Cat Mk II and the Tiburon.
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