Kuritan-flavored combined arms

[3rdCrucisLancers]

Say you're building a Kuritan combined arms force, maybe a battalion strong. What non-mech units do you feel are particularly effective, or particularly flavorful? Alternately, I will accept units you have a sentimental fondness for, provided you explain why. Go!

[StuartYee]

Off the top of my head, Rifle (Laser or Ballistic) equipped Jump Infantry with adequate anti-Battlemech skill.

Probably not very original, and somewhat bland in game terms, but I'm harkening back to the ISF Jump Infantry that were referred to as "Ninjas" in Stackpole's warrior trilogy. A bit campy even by 80's standards, but I thought it quaint.

[Crunch]

Any of the specialized infantry from 3085 particularly the Mechanised Field Artillery.

Any of the S series hovercraft.

[Demos]

Era?

[MadCapellan]

"Kurita Combine-Arms" is kind of an oxymoron, akin to "Clan strategy" and "Taurian sensibility", but I understand you are looking at putting a force of Kurita 'Mechs on the table with another force of Kurita vehicles and/or infantry.

Most of the effective Drac vehicles tend to be of the fast & expendable variety.  The J.Edgar and Pegaus are popular, along with the Azami trio of Saladin, Saracen and Scimitar.  Depending on the era of play, you could toss in the Yasha VTOL as well. 
Most of their heavier designs are effective, if not particularly appealing.  The Tokugawa is solid, if unimpressive.  The Schiltron can be an excellent support platfrom, but isn't much of a direct combatant.  Perhaps the best Drac tracked vehicle, outside the generic Demolishers and Behemoths, is the simple Bulldog medium tank.  It's moderately fast, has a weapon for every occasion, and whips the pants off the Vedettes & Pos that everyone else use.

My only other suggestion is to not discount the value of the Kanazuchi.  While it's no Grenadier, for one of the first generation of Battle Armor, four medium lasers with significant armor is nothing to sneeze at in a defensive position.

[Youngblood]

WiGEs!  Put in WiGEs like the Hiryo!  They can transport Kanazuchis and the like, and they're still Total Warfare-legal!

[3rdCrucisLancers]

Era?

3090ish.

[Youngblood]

Holy moly, then put in more WiGEs!  Or like MadCap suggests, the Yasha.

I'd also like to put in a nomination for the Tonbo; it can carry 12 tons of infantry in addition to whatever its Lift Hoists can.

[3rdCrucisLancers]

I should also add "...with miniatures presently available".

[Youngblood]

I should also add "...with miniatures presently available".

I wouldn't play combined arms in the 3090s, then...just my opinion.

[3rdCrucisLancers]

I wouldn't play combined arms in the 3090s, then...just my opinion.

Noted.

[Crunch]

I should also add "...with miniatures presently available".

Available in your collection or available from IWM?

[3rdCrucisLancers]

Available in your collection or available from IWM?

The latter.

[Dread Moores]

A Schiltron, two Demolisher MRMs, and a Pegasus c3 make a nice Kuritan fire support unit. The Yasha was already mentioned, along with the Hiryo. I'd also give a whole lot of love to the Tokugawa. Pegasus c3 spotters could also be swapped with c3 Crows. Heck, even the export version of the Crow isn't bad for a cheap rocket launcher platform.

[Onisuzume]

Combined arms in the DCMS?
Isn't that when you mix light, heavy and assault battlemechs? :D

[3rdCrucisLancers]

Evidence is that post-Jihad, the Combine is forced to take on a more pro-combined arms outlook, just like everyone else.

[Youngblood]

Evidence is that post-Jihad, the Combine is forced to take on a more pro-combined arms outlook, just like everyone else.

With newer units, units that don't have miniatures.  You're in a bind, sir.

[3rdCrucisLancers]

With newer units, units that don't have miniatures.  You're in a bind, sir.

Well, some of the units do have miniatures. The Hiryo, for instance, has a miniature. I'm curious about those units.

[Youngblood]

The Hiryo, for instance, has a miniature.

YYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS WiGEs WiGEs WiGEs

[Slicer3025]

The Bulldog beats the pants off of a Po?  Since when?

<======== Rabid Po Enthusiast

[MadCapellan]

The Bulldog beats the pants off of a Po?  Since when?

Ever since you could load a SRM-4 with infernos.   :P

[Gracus]

"Kurita Combine-Arms" is kind of an oxymoron, akin to "Clan strategy" and "Taurian sensibility", but I understand you are looking at putting a force of Kurita 'Mechs on the table with another force of Kurita vehicles and/or infantry.

Most of the effective Drac vehicles tend to be of the fast & expendable variety.  The J.Edgar and Pegaus are popular, along with the Azami trio of Saladin, Saracen and Scimitar.  Depending on the era of play, you could toss in the Yasha VTOL as well. 
Most of their heavier designs are effective, if not particularly appealing.  The Tokugawa is solid, if unimpressive.  The Schiltron can be an excellent support platfrom, but isn't much of a direct combatant.  Perhaps the best Drac tracked vehicle, outside the generic Demolishers and Behemoths, is the simple Bulldog medium tank.  It's moderately fast, has a weapon for every occasion, and whips the pants off the Vedettes & Pos that everyone else use.

My only other suggestion is to not discount the value of the Kanazuchi.  While it's no Grenadier, for one of the first generation of Battle Armor, four medium lasers with significant armor is nothing to sneeze at in a defensive position.

I thought Kurita Combined-Arms referred to the tanto and wakizashi used during seppuku after getting rolled by an infantry platoon. 

[Kojak]

As far as armor goes, the Tokugawa and Manticore are generally the backbone of any frontline DCMS tank unit. There's also that sweet new Pegasus out of TRO Prototypes, which makes a great C3 spotter.

[Warpimp]

Whatever you go with I would highly suggest a C3 network very Kurita and very effective for combined arms.

[Onisuzume]

I wonder if DCA Aerospace Fighters will start using iC3 for their demi-companies...

[Archangel]

Maybe a Maxim or two for carrying infantry.

[Grievous]

At least for early Kurita "combined arms", go heavy on the infantry. Though the temptation is to give them all jump packs, I'd make them decently armed foot sloggers, instead. Also, as stated, the Azami manufactured S-series tanks can easily feature. But there shouldn't be much emphasis on combined arms as a serious options, but infantry as fodder sounds fine.

For units utilizing the combine arms concept more in earnest, see at least the 2nd Sword of Light (with attached artillery never far) and of course the Ryuken regiments, which would've fully adopted the concept from the Dragoons.

Later on, with successive changes brought by Theodore's restructuring, the Clan invasion and the Jihad, you get more options for tanks, Battle Armor and - I believe - in general for utilizing more combined arms tactics.

[Stormfury]

I wonder if DCA Aerospace Fighters will start using iC3 for their demi-companies...

They can try, but since C3 is illegal on ASFs any way, it'd be a futile effort.

At the OP: The Draconis Combine has traditionally relied on laser-equipped infantry, often with jump packs. If you can buld a platoon with Blazer carbines (the DCMS's preferred for that duty) it would also help.

BA and vehicle-wise, you're just totally outclassed by all of your neighbours, so unless you're willing to use them as purely expendable units, there's not much point fielding non-APC or artillery units.

[Crunch]

Here's a suggestion just to start discussion.

Strike Company

A Platoon
2 Saladin LB X
1 Saladin Ultra
1 Scimitar C3 *

B Platoon
3 Saracen MRM
1 Scimitar C3 *

C Platoon
2 Scimitar Missile
1 Scimitar TAG
1 Scimitar C3 *

Armor Company

A Platoon
4 Bulldog Medium Tanks

B Platoon
4 Bulldog Medium Tanks LRM

C Platoon
3 Manticore Heavy Tanks (HPPC)
1 Manticore Heavy Tank (C3M) (Controlling one Scimitar in each Platoon of Strike Company)

Mech Company

Assault Lance
1 Daishi (Dire Wolf)
1 Marauder II 4K
1 Naginata NG-C3B (Controlling the Manticore in the Armor Company, the Fire Support Lance, And the 2 Jenners in the Skirmish lance)
1 Akuma 1X or 1XJ

Fire Support Lance
1 Mauler 3R *
1 Naginata C3C *
1 Dragon 5Nr *
1 Grand Dragon C *

Skirmish Lance
1 Jenner JR7- C2 *
1 Jenner JR7-C3 *
1 Panther 13K
1 Wight 1LAW/SC

Infantry Company
4 Platoons Heavy Jump Infantry
4 Squads Battle Armor of Choice
4 Hiryo Armored Infantry Transport

Headquarters

1 Teppo Support Vehicle with both trailers (no mini) or Mobile Headquarters

Artillery Battery
2 O Bakemo M10
4 Platoon's Mechanised Field Artillery (No Mini)
2 Crow Scout Helicopters (No Mini)

[Marwynn]

Kuritan Combined Arms is a state-secret... it's when 'Mechs combine to form Voltron.

Oddly enough, despite being one of the earliest adopters of battle armour the DCMS doesn't seem to have a preponderance of them. At least, in some of the publications but I think that's been corrected somewhat.

I would imagine the vehicles to be used in a purely supporting fashion. Since the newer DCMS 'Mechs somehow all make use of LB2Xs and LB5Xs and are armed with melee weapons, I'm thinking the vehicles would be shorter-ranged and harder hitting. Hiryos with Battle Armour combined with the S-series craft and Light and Heavy 'Mechs.

Oh, and the requisite human wave.

[Crunch]

Oddly enough, despite being one of the earliest adopters of battle armour the DCMS doesn't seem to have a preponderance of them. At least, in some of the publications but I think that's been corrected somewhat.

The Old Field Manual says that despite their tech jump in BA the DCMS has a prejudice against its use.

[3rdCrucisLancers]

My impression from FR: DC is that post-Jihad this has changed.

[Crunch]

My impression from FR: DC is that post-Jihad this has changed.

Oh agreed. Just attempting to explain the early gap between tech availability and usage.

[Marwynn]

That's what happens when you lose your 'Mech production centres to the Republic and have Luthien Armor Works gutted. Suddenly, combined arms seems like a wise proposition!

Early on, the fluff was that the DCMS didn't adopt them. Then it was embraced, but not reflected in the numbers, and then they brought up the reticence of adopting these useful units despite all the proof and the change in the DCMS since the 3030s, and now we're back to grudging acceptance.

No wonder our Aerospace Fighters are in the state they're in.

[Onisuzume]

They can try, but since C3 is illegal on ASFs any way, it'd be a futile effort.

Oh yeah, forgot about that. #P

My impression from FR: DC is that post-Jihad this has changed.

Well, a lot can happen in... what is it, twenty years or so? Thirty?

[3rdCrucisLancers]

So here's what I've been thinking; the AFFS seems to rely on assault tanks for its heavy firepower post-Jihad; my thought is that maybe the DCMS goes the other way, sticking to assault 'mechs, but using more fast, light elements, like the new Pegasus, Hiryo, and SM1 to complement their fast lights and heavies. That allows them to use their generally slower (3/5) assault 'mechs and slower heavily-armed light 'mechs like the Panther and Wight as the main body of their force; something like a Zulu impi, with the battle armor transports and fast movers forming the horns.

[Stormfury]

The Combine didn't have that many assaults going into the Jihad, and lost pretty much every manufacturing facility they did have during or after it. So probably not, especially given the historical preference for and prevalence of light 'Mechs. Even the DCMS heavies tend to be faster designs rather than beatsticks.

[3rdCrucisLancers]

Okay, ****** it. I'll just print out white flags and save myself some time.

[Dread Moores]

So here's what I've been thinking; the AFFS seems to rely on assault tanks for its heavy firepower post-Jihad; my thought is that maybe the DCMS goes the other way, sticking to assault 'mechs, but using more fast, light elements, like the new Pegasus, Hiryo, and SM1 to complement their fast lights and heavies. That allows them to use their generally slower (3/5) assault 'mechs and slower heavily-armed light 'mechs like the Panther and Wight as the main body of their force; something like a Zulu impi, with the battle armor transports and fast movers forming the horns.

It's not a bad way to go at all. Their fast conventional units are definitely some of their stronger units, as much of the rest of their armor corps isn't exactly impressive. Mix it with the occasional Tokugawa or Manticore, and that's about how I tend to run my DC units.

[Drop Bear]

Traditionally Drack Combined Arms falls in to four main categories.

1) Air Cover

2) Recon Assets, be it Vehicles or Infantry Recon duties will be slothed off on to them so the Big Stompy Robots can be, Big Stompy Robots and not have to worry about such poultry things like carrying out proper Recon.

3) Rear Echelon Guards, the Dracks don't believe that Mechs should be "In the Rear With the Gear" they leave that to the PBI's and Tankers who's rides are too slow to serve as Scouts

4) Support Fire, be it AA, Arty or Tactical Support Fire the Dracks tend to assign these roles to Vechicles that can keep up with the Mechs they are supposed to be servicing.


If Mechs of an appropriate type are unavailable (or it's considered below the dignity of a MW) a suitable Vehicle will be used like fast hovers for Flanking/Persuite or Strike & Fade Missions.

[deathfrombeyond]

Okay, ****** it. I'll just print out white flags and save myself some time.

Wait a minute. That's not combined arms at all.

[greatsarcasmo]

Remember, the Combine has NOTHING good. They constantly get beat down and are lucky to have a lance of ill-repaired Wasps.

I like the light fast units. Get some omnis and fast APCs to haul your BA which are supported by the "S-series" tanks and others that have been mentioned.

[Darthvegeta800]

This thread... depresses me.

[Warpimp]

Does the DC have access to Karnovs?

[Maelwys]

Well, if you really want to mess with people, the MUL does give the DC the Challenger series  ;D

Still. Kurita's Armor is falling pretty far behind most of the other nations. It might be interesting to see what exactly they're left with after the Jihad.

Does the DC have access to Karnovs?

Theoretically. The 3055 Karnov and BA Karnov are on the IS general list.

[Warpimp]

The Karnov BA transport is pretty good for running BA behind the lines and with its speed you might be able to use less trasnports and just make multiple runs.

[MadCapellan]

Okay, ****** it. I'll just print out white flags and save myself some time.

Well, the DCMS does have the absolute worst vehicle selection of the Five Great Houses and only average infantry.  Stacked up against the AFFS, which has the best of both, the only way it's going to come out close to fair is if you pimp the Dracs out for all their worth and deliberately stick the AFFS with some of their crappiest units like the Striker.  The Drac's are much stronger in the Aerospace department but you've been reluctant to go that route in the past.

[deathfrombeyond]

So, the AFFS has better armor than the DCMS, but how exactly has that manifested itself in the universe? Has the AFFS even used that advantage to any significant degree yet?

[Slicer3025]

Now now MadCap, the Striker is a damn fine light vee.  Now if making the Feds use a Striker is considered giving them the worst of the worst, are ALL Fed armor commands pimped out in Challengers, Alacorns, and other overpowered silly crap.  I mean its not like we're sticking them in a bunch of a APCs, Scorpions, or jury rigged technicals  8)

PS I still think the Po takes down the Bulldog, the Bully's armor is simply too thin IMO.

[Archangel]

So, the AFFS has better armor than the DCMS, but how exactly has that manifested itself in the universe? Has the AFFS even used that advantage to any significant degree yet?

Traditionally, with few exceptions, DCMS armor have been more poorly trained, led, equipped and utilized compared to their AFFS counterparts.  The problem is that there have been few opportunities for a pure armor vs armor confrontation since the fall of the Star League.  DCMS traditional disdain for their armor forces and the AFFS' combined arms approach have limited the opportunities for the AFFS armor forces to show their superiority over the DCMS' armor forces.  As a result the DCMS armor almost always encounters combined arms forces when launching an attack on AFFS forces or defending a position from an AFFS attack.

[deathfrombeyond]

Traditionally, with few exceptions, DCMS armor have been more poorly trained, led, equipped and utilized compared to their AFFS counterparts.  The problem is that there have been few opportunities for a pure armor vs armor confrontation since the fall of the Star League. 

If there have been few opportunities for armor versus armor confrontation since the Star League, then why would one wish to play to a weakness of a military? If one was playing a factionally themed army to be militarily effective and not buffoons, why wouldn't one play to that army's strengths?

It would be like playing as the US Navy during World War II against the Japanese and always trying to torpedo duel. It makes no cents.

[MadCapellan]

If there have been few opportunities for armor versus armor confrontation since the Star League, then why would one wish to play to a weakness of a military? If one was playing a factionally themed army to be militarily effective and not buffoons, why wouldn't one play to that army's strengths?

The personal challenge, probably.

[Youngblood]

Okay, ****** it. I'll just print out white flags and save myself some time.

We're not looking for a super-accurate game when we walk in the door for you, Ed.  We're looking for fun.  Just take it easy and set up for what you think is fun.

[Stormfury]

Okay, ****** it. I'll just print out white flags and save myself some time.

Welcome to the many joys of playing DCMS.

This is what you're getting for one game, and what DC players have been getting for almost two decades now.

[Darthvegeta800]

Welcome to the many joys of playing DCMS.

This is what you're getting for one game, and what DC players have been getting for almost two decades now.

If you're a fan of the Dragon like me... just focus on the SW's. At most Invasion era. All the rest tends to be mostly frustrating.

[3rdCrucisLancers]

Welcome to the many joys of playing DCMS.

This is what you're getting for one game, and what DC players have been getting for almost two decades now.

I actually play the DCMS most of the time; I rarely if ever play as Davion, even though they're my favorite faction. I've just never run a combined-arms DCMS game or played in one, because it involves a lot more effort to prepare vs. a straight-up 'mech fight.

[Onisuzume]

It would be like playing as the US Navy during World War II against the Japanese and always trying to torpedo duel. It makes no cents.

Indeed, it doesn't make any cents. I have no idea what you're even talking about (we generally don't learn that much about the Japan-USA part of WWII here in europe).

Well, the DCMS does have the absolute worst vehicle selection of the Five Great Houses and only average infantry.  Stacked up against the AFFS, which has the best of both, the only way it's going to come out close to fair is if you pimp the Dracs out for all their worth and deliberately stick the AFFS with some of their crappiest units like the Striker.  The Drac's are much stronger in the Aerospace department but you've been reluctant to go that route in the past.

I'd like to bemoan the fact that the DCMS used to kick the AFFS' buttocks back in the 1st Succession War, how far the mighty have fallen...

[Gracus]

US torpedoes were plagued with problems hitting targets, reaching appropriate depths, and detonating as intended for most of the early war.  It wasn't until 1944 that US subs became truly effective at killing Japanese ships. 

[deathfrombeyond]

Indeed, it doesn't make any cents.

Comparing US Navy torpedoes to IJN torpedoes is like comparing 3025 tech to Clan tech. Japanese torpedoes (particularly their mainstay, the Long Lance) were superior in every way to US Navy torpedoes.

It wasn't enough to be decisive because American industry and air power trumped the torpedo advantage.

[Warpimp]

Looking at the Unit Master List for DC we have quite a few vees and BA. (These are DC faction lists, there are many others on the IS general list.

BA
Kanazuchi
Raiden
Kage

Combat vehicles
Challenger X
Schiltron
Von Luckner
Demolisher
Trireme Infantry Transport
Tokugawa
Manticore
Turhan
Subaku Kaze
Daimyo HQ
Goblin
Zephyr
Hiryo
Striker
Scimitar
Saracen
Pegasus
Chevalier
Yellow Jacket
Mobile HQ
Kestrel
J. Edgar
Harasser
Skulker
Crow
Sprint VTOL
Ripper VTOL
Savannah Master

Looks like we have quite a few options for a DC force. Maybe this list might provide some ideas. Also of not there are a lot of C3 variants for these vehicles on the Kurita list.

[Gracus]

Comparing US Navy torpedoes to IJN torpedoes is like comparing 3025 tech to Clan tech. Japanese torpedoes (particularly their mainstay, the Long Lance) were superior in every way to US Navy torpedoes.

It wasn't enough to be decisive because American industry and air power trumped the torpedo advantage.

And US tech improved and the IJN used it's subs ineffectually and the US adjusted tactics and strategy to address it's deficits. 

[Onisuzume]

Why does the MUL have only one Void (Caltrop) in the database?
I'm pretty certain that the DC has access to at least two other variants (Support PPC and Small Laser).
Possibly the Nova Cat variant as well.

[Neufeld]

Why does the MUL have only one Void (Caltrop) in the database?
I'm pretty certain that the DC has access to at least two other variants (Support PPC and Small Laser).
Possibly the Nova Cat variant as well.

Because there are no battle armor record sheets in RS3075Unabridged.

[deathfrombeyond]

And US tech improved and the IJN used it's subs ineffectually and the US adjusted tactics and strategy to address it's deficits.

Yes, much like the Inner Sphere did.

Still, it's generally a mistake for someone piloting a SphereTech machine to go one on one with a similarly skilled pilot in a Clantech machine, just like it was for the US Navy to ignore effective tactics and to try to duel the Japanese Navy with torpedoes.

[3rdCrucisLancers]

Kindly don't derail my thread with this.

[Warpimp]

So have you decided on a force?

[3rdCrucisLancers]

So have you decided on a force?

I'm holding off on the vehicle side of things (I definitely want Hiryo-borne Kanazuchis, though), but I've been thinking a lot about the 'mech side of things.

One company I'm considering is:

PNT-12K2 Panther
WGT-1LAW/SC Wight
JR7-C2 Jenner
JR7-C3 Jenner

Pursuit Lance:
Mad Cat III
WVR-9K Wolverine
DGR-7K Grand Dragon
WFT-2B Wolf Trap

Assault Lance
CGR-KMZ Charger
HTM-27U Hatamoto-Hi
Sunder E(?)
WHM-8K Warhammer

However, I feel the Panther is too slow for the recon lance. I've been trying to decide what to swap it out for. Likewise I worry the Wolverine brings the speed of the Pursuit Lance down too much.

[Warpimp]

I think the panther is fine as fire support for the recon lance. The wolverine's JJ make it a bit more mobile so it should be able to keep up.

[Kojak]

I'd swap the Wolverine for a Ninja-to NJT-2 (if that's the one with twin PPCs). Likewise, I'd swap the Hatamoto for a Naginata, that way you can get some use out of some of those C3 links (or if you want to get really clever, bring a BLR-CM BattleMaster and you can link in all your C3 units). Finally, I'd swap the Panther for another Wight. Or maybe an adorable little -7B Kabuto (DOMPA DOMPA DOMPA).

To back that up, I'd bring a couple of Schiltrons backed by a couple of gauss Demolishers, a pair of those new HPPC Manticores and a couple of Tokugawas, and then some combo of Peggys, Yashas and Hiryos for more mobile firepower. Suit-wise, the Kanazuchi is great, although I'd probably leaven them with some Voids.

[Onisuzume]

Because there are no battle armor record sheets in RS3075Unabridged.

>_>
Right.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Catalyst is getting behind with unabridging the Unabridged record sheets. :P

[3rdCrucisLancers]

Recon Lance:
KBO-7B Kabuto
WGT-1LAW/SC Wight
JR7-C2 Jenner
JR7-C3 Jenner

Pursuit Lance:
Mad Cat III
TDR-60-RLA Thunderbolt
DGR-7K Grand Dragon
WFT-2B Wolf Trap

Assault Lance
CGR-KMZ Charger
HTM-27U Hatamoto-Hi
Sunder E(?)
WHM-8K Warhammer

I'm only going to go C3 for one company, and this isn't it, because it's always a pain to calculate. I figured the Gorilla Thud was a good addition to the pursuit lance, providing a lot of close-up punch and keeping the speed at 6/9 for the lance. Of course, that leaves the recon Wight as the slowest unit in its lance, but I figure it can hold back and blow holes in anything that's threatening its little buddies.

[Hellraiser]

Say you're building a Kuritan combined arms force, maybe a battalion strong. What non-mech units do you feel are particularly effective, or particularly flavorful? Alternately, I will accept units you have a sentimental fondness for, provided you explain why. Go! 

All Scarborough (sp) Hovercraft...........  Scimitar, Saladin, Saracen, Pegasus, & Maxim !!

[Kojak]

I'm only going to go C3 for one company, and this isn't it, because it's always a pain to calculate. I figured the Gorilla Thud was a good addition to the pursuit lance, providing a lot of close-up punch and keeping the speed at 6/9 for the lance. Of course, that leaves the recon Wight as the slowest unit in its lance, but I figure it can hold back and blow holes in anything that's threatening its little buddies.

It just occurred to me: have you considered using a Morrigan 2 in place of the Wight (or the JR7-C3)? I mean, as long as you're already using the Mad Cat III, you might as well go all nine Clantech yards (which are half again as long as Inner Sphere yards).

[3rdCrucisLancers]

It just occurred to me: have you considered using a Morrigan 2 in place of the Wight (or the JR7-C3)? I mean, as long as you're already using the Mad Cat III, you might as well go all nine Clantech yards (which are half again as long as Inner Sphere yards).

I want to, but there's no mini! It's a sweet light 'mech for the Combine, though.

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

What about the Ocelot?  Isn't that on the Combine list?

[Kojak]

Oh, right, I keep forgetting that you're playing tabletop and not MegaMek. But now that I'm on that train of thought, to bring things back around to the original topic, how about some Clan tanks? I'm pretty sure that the DCMS uses a not-insignificant number of both Ishtars and Shodens, and those are both pretty nasty heavy tanks. And there's the SM-series hovertanks, and the Hachiman is a pretty nice fire support unit. These are all common Nova Cat units and thus I'd imagine they're used by numerous frontline DCMS tank units.

[Kojak]

What about the Ocelot?  Isn't that on the Combine list?

Oooh, yeah, I'd completely forgotten about that thing. The Ocelot 3 in particular is amazing, it's like a Wolfhound on PCP.

[3rdCrucisLancers]

What about the Ocelot?  Isn't that on the Combine list?

Weirdly enough, no.

Oh, right, I keep forgetting that you're playing tabletop and not MegaMek. But now that I'm on that train of thought, to bring things back around to the original topic, how about some Clan tanks? I'm pretty sure that the DCMS uses a not-insignificant number of both Ishtars and Shodens, and those are both pretty nasty heavy tanks. And there's the SM-series hovertanks, and the Hachiman is a pretty nice fire support unit. These are all common Nova Cat units and thus I'd imagine they're used by numerous frontline DCMS tank units.

It's certainly my plan to use some SM1s and Jousts, if nothing else. I like the idea of emphasizing the increased level of clantech available to both sides in the game I'm planning on running (AFFS/DCMS).

[False Son]

Sadly, until the minis come out most of DC's best conventional units won't be an option.

But, i've had great success with the J. Edgar Hoover, Pegasus and Tokugawas.  Schiltrons can be very dangerous, but due to their wheeled movement (a painful constant in DC tanks) and their somewhat thing armor it can be tricky to use, like everything else DC.

Tokugawas are pretty straight forward and provide one of the few sources of LB10Xs in the Combine.

Scimtar's, J. Edgar Hoovers and Pegasus make great flanking or pursuit units while the mechs pound the enemy down.

Crows are nice by Combine standards, overshadowed by things like Cavalries and Mantis, but still effective.


By any chance is there a Daimyo HQ model floating out there?  Those rock with the mobile HQ/satellite uplink rules in effect.