ACS Aerospace Combat ExampleWith our game in the final stages of the Dec 3020 game turn this battle is far enough in the past that sharing the details will not affect the game. The nature of this battle meant it took some time to resolve, so much so that it was ACS turn 7 before the LCAF even could consider sending a wiing in to support the ground troops.
Aerospace Battle near Mizar, Sep 3020[f] = Fanatic
[r] = Reliable
[q] = Questionable
(g) = Green
(r) = Regular
(e) = Elite
(h) = Heroic
IZ = Inner Zone
MZ = Middle Zone
OZ = Outer Zone
The aerospace battle took place on the SSRM during the first wave of the Lyran counteroffensive against the Free Worlds League invasion begun back in the summer of 3019. The battle for Mizar had swung back and forth with the FWL holding on and with both sides pulling out battered commands and feeding in fresh troops. By September 3020 available resources for both sides had been depleted but the FWL thought they had secured the planet by placing three strong commands on the planet by the end of August.
This was good example of how quality can overcome quantity, even if it comes with a price.
Mizar was defended by the Marik Guard [f], Steel Guards [r], Iron Guards [f] and the Mizar Garrison [q]. The Parliamentary Chaos trait in this case applied a +1 to all morale check and a -1 to all Initiative rolls. This effectively countered the -1 Initiative penalty faced by the Lyran's due to Inferior Doctrine. The FWL Formations were deployed in IZ 1, IZ 3 and IZ 5.
ACS Formations consisted of the wings noted below:
Formation A1st Marik Guard Aerospace Wing [f]; h41, med; Mv: 6; Arm – 20; S: 5; M: 5; L: 0
2nd Marik Guard Aerospace Wing [f]; e39, hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 25; S: 10; M: 10; L: 2
ACS Formation Stats: Mov: 5; Tac: 3; Skill: 2; Mor: 5
NB - as this formation has CUs with different morale levels the average morale is used for determining Tactics Values and for Formation DR modifiers. The elite status grants this formation a -2 to Engagement and -1 to Manoeuvre DRs but Fanatic loyalty also imposes a +2 DR modifiers to Engagement DRs.
Formation B1st Steel Guards Aerospace Wing [r]; r15; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 20; S: 5; M: 5; L: 0
2nd Iron Guards Aerospace Wing [f]; r17; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 25; S: 10; M: 10; L: 2
ACS Formation Stats: Mov: 5; Tac: 5; Skill: 4; Mor: 7
NB – as the 2nd Iron Gds is fanatic this formation will suffer the +2 modifier to engagement control and with ‘regular’ morale will add +1 to manoeuvre DRs.
Formation CMizar Garrison Aerospace Wing [q]; r13; med; Mv: 6; Arm –
17:20; S: 5; M: 5; L: 0
1st Iron Guards Aerospace Wing [f]; r16; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 20; S: 5; M: 5; L: 0
ACS Formation Stats: Mov: 6; Tac: 4; Skill: 4; Mor: 7
NB – this formation has CUs with fanatic and questionable loyalty. As the rule is silent on how to handle this situation and the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ were equal we assumed they cancelled each other out. Morale level of ‘regular’ will apply add +1 to manoeuvre DRs. The Mizar garrison wing began the battle under strength due to losses suffered in July and only partially replaced in August.
Formation D2nd Steel Guards Aerospace Wing [r]; g12; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 25; S: 10; M: 10; L: 2
ACS Formation Stats: Mov: 5; Tac: 6; Skill: 5; Mor: 7
NB – with green morale the 2nd Stl Gds suffered a +1 to Engagement Control and +2 to Manoeuvre DRs. It was these modifiers that compelled Jim to deploy this wing on its own.
*****
Approaching from Zenith Point were four Aerospace Formations containing just four wings belonging to the 4th Skye Rangers and 3rd Donegal Guards. Both are elite commands but possess questionable loyalties and the modifiers these traits imposed on the attacking wings were important in the coming battle.
Formation 11/4th Syke Ranger Aero Wing [q]; e40; lt; Mv: 11; Arm – 18; S: 3; M: 3; L:0
ACS Formation Stats: Mov: 11; Tac: 0; Skill: 2; Mor: 5
NB – with questionable loyalty and elite skill this wing received -4 to its Engagement Control and -1 to its Manoeuvre DR. There is also +1 Engagement Control for Flawed Doctrine. Lyran light fighter wings are extremely nimble but lack firepower.
Formation 22/4th Syke Ranger Aero Wing [q]; e40; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 24; S: 9; M: 12; L:6
ACS Formation Stats: Mov: 5; Tac: 3; Skill: 2; Mor: 5
NB – as above, with questionable loyalty and elite skill this command also received negative -4 to its Engagement Control and -1 to its Manoeuvre DR. Despite 'Flawed Doctrine' (+1 Engagement) these traits made the Lyran heavy aerospace wings in this battle very dangerous opponents at any range.
Formation 31/3rd Donegal Guards Aero Wing [q]; e32; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm – 24; S: 9; M: 12; L:6
ACS Formation Stats: Mov: 5; Tac: 3; Skill: 2; Mor: 5
NB – same negative and positive modifiers to Engagement and Manoeuvre Rolls. As above these heavy wing proved decisive in the coming battle
Formation 42/3rd Donegal Guards Aero Wing [q]; e36; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 27; S: 6; M: 6; L:0
ACS Formation Stats: Mov: 6; Tac: 2; Skill: 2; Mor: 5
NB – with the same questionable loyalty and elite skill this medium wing is more nimble than the heavies and has better firepower than the light wing.
Game Turn 1Using the default time for transiting to the planet of one week (2 ACS turn) the Lyran fighter forces begin arriving in MZ 1 on turn 1, detecting FWL Formation C in IZ 1. Noting the opposition, Lyran dropships divert their approach and move to OZ 22 (avoiding detection). FWL Formation A, B and D immediately charge into the battle, Formation C was unable to join as it possesses the Garrison wing and is limited to the Central Zones.
Lyran fighters, with multiple negative modifiers avoid all engagements and the battle on turn one is resolved at long range with each side’s heavy wings banging away at each other. The 2nd Iron Gds and 2nd Marik both score hits against the Lyran heavies for 2 points each. The much heavier firepower of the Lyrans hurt both Marik Gds wings (med and heavy) by scoring 5 points of damage against each (6 x .9=5.4 damage).
Game Turn 2While the LC dropships keep out of sight (and range) by transiting through the Outer Zones the FWL Formations A and B tries and fails to engage the Lyran heavy wings. In response the light fighters of the Lyran Formation 1 charge into FWL Formation B, forcing the engagement for additional negative modifers and a reduction of damage by 50%. In the combat round the light fighters of Formation 1 use “Defensive Tactics” with a +1 (-10% damage) and manage to avoid any damage at long range.
The heavy fighters of FWL Formation D move back to Mizar to cover the planet in case the dropships try to slip in and land while the aerospace battle is in progress. The long range sniping by the heavy fighters continue with both Lyran wings again taking hits (2 damage each). Lyran return fire is concentrated on the 2nd Marik Gds heavy wing and, thanks to one Lyran wing using Aggressive Tactics for +1, scores 11 damage. The 2nd Marik Guards are staggered by critical hits to its movement (increasing its Tactics Value to 6) but pass its morale check.
Game Turn 3The Lyran fighter wings make their move on Mizar with the heavies from the Skye Rangers (Formation 2) engaging the green pilots of the 2nd Steel Gds. Aggressive Tactics at medium range manages to hit and the FWL wings takes a staggering 14 damage with return fire hurting the Rangers. Amazingly the Steel Gds avoid any critical hits but the Rangers take targeting damage criticals. The light fighters of Lyran Formation 1 keep the fighters of FWL Formation B pinned but take long range damage from the Iron Gds heavies. The heavies of the Donegal Gds (Formation 3) are successfully engaged by the Marik Gds but the Lyrans hold the League fighters at long range. The exchange of fire sees another 2 damage scored on the 2/3rd Don Gds but this time the Marik Gds mediums are pounded by long range fire scoring critical hits to weapons systems.
The two medium wings of FWL Formation 3 fail to engage and do not add to the defence this turn. Unnoticed in the melee the Lyran dropships slide in closer to the planet undetected, moving from OZ 20 to MZ 9.
Game Turn 4The Marik Guards signal their intent to withdraw from the battle and are granted leave to move to their dropships. At this point the 1/3rd Donegal Gds medium fighters (Formation 4) dive into the midst of the FWL Garrison and medium wing of the Iron Gds (Formation C). With all defending wings now engaged the Lyran Dropships dash into the atmosphere and land on Mizar.
Out in space the luck of the light fighter wing of the Skye Rangers (Formation 1) final runs out and they are caught by the heavy and medium fighters 2nd Iron Gds and 1st Steel Gds (Formation B). The Ranger’s are almost destroyed in a single engagement losing all but 1 armour point, suffering target damage critics and then choosing to disengage. Their return fire annoys the medium fighters of the Steel Gds with a few points of damage.
Over Mizar the medium fighters of the Don Gds keep their counterparts in FWL Formation 3 busy at long range where neither side can score any damage. This left the two heavy wings of the Rangers and the Guards to pounce on and destroy the 2nd Steel Gds* (Formation D). Return fire does pummel the Ranger’s heavies inflicting targeting damage critical hits.
Game Turn 5Turn five opened with the 2/3rd Donegal Guards bouncing the Iron and Steel Gds of Formation B. Concentrating their fire on the Iron heavies the wing is savaged. With both wings now reduced below 50% and suffering critical hits FWL Formation B disengages and leaves the battle. The mediums of the Don Gds Formation 4 again hold off the mediums of the Garrison and Iron Gds as the realization hits the FWL commander that his fighters have been bested.
Game Turn 6By Turn 6 the FWL fighter defence has been reduced to Formation C, just two medium wings. On the Lyran side Formation 3, Donegal Guards heavies, and Formation 4, Donegal Guards mediums, are still very much in the fight. While the Lyran mediums keep the league fighters engaged at range the heavies of the Donegal Guards get in behind the 1st Iron Gds and with Aggressive Tactics from medium range and inflict 16 damage, targeting damage critical hits and forcing the Iron Gds to break formation and retreat.
Game Turn 7 and 8With only the damaged garrison wing remaining in the fight for the FWL the two Donegal Guards wings use long range to pick the opposing wing apart. The Lyran mediums kept the League pilots pinned in an engagement while the heavy fighters moved into advantageous positions for the kill shots. The Garrison wing is destroyed with little to show for its efforts other than prevent Lyran fighters from being used for ground support.
*****
On the ground the FWL commands actually gained a slight upper hand and the Lyran commands took heavy damage. In just one turn of ‘recon’ and three of combat over 2100 armour points were ‘hit’. The number of battalions “engaged” per side fell from 74 (LC) and 88 (FWL) to 47 (LC) and 46 (FWL), with many of those still engaged on the verge of destruction if the battle had spilled over into the next month. However, the news from Menkent was not good and Haddings, Alcor, Carsphaim, Cor Corali and Vindamiatrix were also under attack. Rather than risk the loss of three high grade commands, two of them being from a supportive province, the FWL declare a retreat and abandoned the Mizar system in October. The troops were moved back to Denebola for refitting while other commands sought to hold the counteroffensive to minimal gains.
The state of the Aerospace fighter forces for both sides ended up like this:
Free Worlds LeagueFormation A:
1st Marik Guard Aerospace Wing [f]; h41, med; Mv: 6; Arm –
8:20; S: 5; M: 5; L: 0 – Critical Hits: Movement
2nd Marik Guard Aerospace Wing [f]; e39, hvy; Mv: 5; Arm –
9:25; S: 10; M: 10; L: 2 - Critical Hits: Movement
Formation B:1st Steel Guards Aerospace Wing [r]; r15; med; Mv: 6; Arm –
9:20; S: 5; M: 5; L: 0 – Critical Hits: Targeting Damage
2nd Iron Guards Aerospace Wing [f]; r17; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm –
12:25; S: 10; M: 10; L: 2 - Critical Hits: Weapons Damage
Formation C:Mizar Garrison Aerospace Wing [q]; r13; med; Mv: 6; Arm –
0:20; S: 5; M: 5; L: 0
1st Iron Guards Aerospace Wing [f]; r16; med; Mv: 6; Arm –
4:20; S: 5; M: 5; L: 0 - Critical Hits: Targeting Damage
Formation D:*2nd Steel Guards Aerospace Wing [r]; g12; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm –
12:25; S: 10; M: 10; L: 2
NB – during salvage phase this wing was found to be “not truly dead”. Having survived the battle for the month its experience level changed from g12 (green) to r13 (regular).
Lyran CommonwealthFormation 11/4th Syke Ranger Aero Wing [q]; e40; lt; Mv: 11; Arm –
1:18; S: 3; M: 3; L:0 - Critical Hits: Targeting Damage
Formation 22/4th Syke Ranger Aero Wing [q]; e40; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm –
5:24; S: 9; M: 12; L:6 - Critical Hits: Targeting Damage
Formation 31/3rd Donegal Guards Aero Wing [q]; e32; hvy; Mv: 5; Arm –
18:24; S: 9; M: 12; L:6
Formation 42/3rd Donegal Guards Aero Wing [q]; e36; med; Mv: 6; Arm – 27; S: 6; M: 6; L:0
In summary, aerospace battles are often the bloodiest with or without the “a miss is a hit” rule. Engagement Rolls with modifiers for Fanatic or Questionable loyalty, Superior or Inferior doctrine, Mercenary status and morale levels can set the stage for a battle before manoeuvre and Tactics come into play. Manoeuvre becomes extremely important in determining range as does the decision to fight in space or in the atmosphere with its +2 Manoeuvre DR modifier. Experience can tip the scales decisively because of its impact on Engagement and manoeuvred. With no TMM used the MMT’s base To-Hit DR of 4 is only modified by quality, loyalty and tactics so hits can be quite common. The lower to-hit numbers also open battles up to more use of Engagements types (Force, Overrun, Evade) to reduce damage or avoid getting pinned down. Use of “Tactics” is also more widespread the larger the gaps in the Tactics Values are between the two sides.