Apologies to the Mods if this is in the wrong section- please feel free to move it. As I've said in another thread, I've managed to get a number of my friends hooked on the game without them ever actually playing it- that came to an end for one of them recently, when we finally got together for a game.
He's throwing his hat in with the Combine, mostly because he loves the Ryuken paint scheme on CSO. With that in mind, I directed him to the downloadable quickstart rules and record sheets, and suggested a few traditional Combine 'Mechs. He went for the Jenner and the Dragon. Wanted to cede him a few tonnes, and to try out come new units, I went for a Centurion and a Javelin.
At the start of the game my friend failed to realise the importance of maximising his movement, only moving his Jenner a single hex. It didn't take him long to realise he had to move faster and smarter, as I repeatedly moved my Javelin into his rear arc. The Dragon and the Centurion exchanged fire, with my 'Mech coming off the worse. The Jenner started to take real damage and tried to retreat, but I was able to manoeuvre him into the firing arc of both my 'Mechs, and that was the end of that chapter, as it exploded spectacularly.
I think it was all over at that point- my repeated winning of the initiative meant that I always had at least one of my units behind the Dragon. I kept chipping away at his armour, inflicting two engine hits in a single turn. By the time he had to go home, his Dragon was down to one movement point, with I think a +2 to hit modifier, no armour on either leg, damaged foot and shoulder actuators...the list goes on.
All in all, he enjoyed it a lot and we both learnt quite a bit, as I haven't really played that many games myself. I finally seem to be getting the hang of tactical movement- I'm glad that I've concentrated so many of my early games on Light and Medium units, learning to use them before going heavier. Also, maybe it's just me, but the real action seems to happen when you're right up in their face- ranged weapons are ncie, but the +4 to hit isn't. Plus, if you're all up in their grill, you can kick them!
As always, the Jenner proved itself to be a great unit- I think it's one of the best Lights I've seen used in my limited experience. For its weight, it's a real powerhouse. The Dragon really impressed me- not so much with its firepower, but with its sheer doggedness- you really have to take it right to the wire! It's also deceptively fast- weighed twice as much as my Javelin, but could run only one hex less.
As for my 'Mechs, loved the Javelin- fast, manoueverable, and if you roll well for its SRMs, devastating. I don't think the Centurion performed to the best of its ability- perhaps the fault of the commander, rather than the pilot. Still, that AC 10 kept on hitting.
All in all, a great night with a good friend and a game to which I'm becoming increasingly addicted! Maybe it's time I moved to some Heavies and Assaults.....
