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BattleTech Game Systems => Aerospace Combat => Topic started by: Hellraiser on 09 January 2024, 18:41:23

Title: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Hellraiser on 09 January 2024, 18:41:23
So I swore there was a thread somewhere at some point that was talking about if they would ever put out Aerotech based "Lance Packs".

Not sure why I suddenly recalled that today but its on my mind now.

Just wondering what sort of interest there would be in buying them.

My initial thought is base them on the C* 6-packs & have 3 "pairs" in each.

The first 7 are pretty easy to imagine just based on TRO:3025 & the AeroTech boxed set from back in the day.
The last 2 are some later additions.

Davion Squadron - 2 Each - Stuka, Corsair, Sparrowhawk
Kurita Squadron - 2 Each - Slayer, Shilone, Sholgar
Liao Squadron - 2 Each - Transgressor, Transit, Thrush
Marik Squadron - 2 Each - Reiver, StingRay, Cheetah
Steiner Squadron - 2 Each - Chippewa, Lucifer, Seydlitz

IS Generic Squadron "Slower" - 2 Each - Thunderbird, Hellcat, Centurion
IS Generic Squadron "Faster" - 2 Each - Eagle, Lightning, Sabre

FCA CivilWar Squadron - 2 Each - Eisensturm, Samurai, Dagger
Kapteyn CivilWar Squadron - 2 Each - Shiva, Troika, Sai


I got to thinking about expanding on this to the whole Dropships, Jumpships, & Warships theme too.

Dropships probably don't need multiples really, but more a mix of stuff like the IS Lances.

I decided to mix together all the Mech/Vee/Inf/Cargo ships into several "Transport" packs.

DS Transport Squad #1 = Overlord, Condor, Mammoth, Seeker
DS Transport Squad #2 = Fortress, Behemoth, Triumph, Union
DS Transport Squad #3 = Excalibur, Fury, Leopard, Mule
DS Transport Squad #4 = Colossus, Buccaneer, Gazelle, Intruder

Then tossed in these last 2 for some alternate function/era options.

DS Attack Squad = Avenger, Achilles, Leopard-CV, Vengeance
DS SLDF Squad = Confederate, Dictator, Elephant, Titan


Jump Ship Squadron 4-Pack =  Invader x2,  Monolith x2   or   Invader, Merchant, Monolith, Starlord


I'm thinking given the size of these minis in metal that they might need the vehicle pack boxes but only have 6 instead of 8 minis.

Warship Squadron Packs:  (3 "Pairs" similar to ASF but maybe in a bigger pack?)
McKenna,  Luxor,  Aegis
Texas,  SovSoy,  Black Lion
Cameron,  Essex-II,  Dart 
Potempkin,  Quixote,  Carrack
Congress,  Riga,  Vincent
Riga-II,  Lola-III,  Whirlwind

And a few more for each house & the RWR & TC.
NewSyrtis,  Davion-II,  Robinson
Narukami, Samarkand, Baron
DuShiWang, Soyal, Essex-I
League,  Atreus,  Vigilant
Tharkad,  Commonwealth,  Mako
Bonaventure, Pinto, Stephan Amaris
WagonWheel, Winchester, Concordat

Finally some "modern era" 4-packs since 6 doesn't really work for most houses unless you start doing corvette/destroyer escort squadrons.

Leviathan, Fredasa
Conqueror, Fredasa
Mjolnir ,  Fox
Avalon,  Fox
FengHuang,  Impavido
Thera,  Eagle
Agamemnon, Zech
Kirishima,  Inazuma
Kyushu,  Tatsumaki


Thoughts, Ideas, Comments, Suggestions?       (Besides that I am bored & have too much time on my hands.)
Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Daryk on 09 January 2024, 19:35:45
The Behemoth doesn't belong in a military formation like that... at best, it would be several echelons back...  It's really a purely civilian transport reliant on external infrastructure to transload anything to a planet.
Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Hellraiser on 09 January 2024, 21:02:53
The Behemoth doesn't belong in a military formation like that... at best, it would be several echelons back...  It's really a purely civilian transport reliant on external infrastructure to transload anything to a planet.
I don't disagree.
I really just didn't have any other DS/JS level DS left to use for 4-packs and I don't even know if things like the Jumbo or Drost ever got a metal mini.
Maybe I'll try to scale it down to just 3 packs & remove all the Cargo ships.
Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Hellraiser on 09 January 2024, 21:19:12
Decided to remove the Colossus too since its either SLDF or Jihad & not really a SW design.
Which allowed for 1 Cargo ship to stay for variety.
It also allowed a bit of "flavor" for each squadron based on Capacity.

DS Assault-Transport Squad = Overlord, Triumph, Gazelle, Fury    (Capacity of 36 Mech, 6 Fighter, 60 Heavy Vee, 8 Light Vee, 4 Infantry Platoons)
DS Strike-Transport Squad = Fortress, Union, Condor, Seeker         (24M, 2F, 12H, 60L, 19P)
DS Support-Transport Squad = Excalibur, Leopard, Intruder, Mule     (16M, 4F, 90H, 15P)


Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Daryk on 10 January 2024, 04:12:51
Looking good! :)
Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Highball on 13 January 2024, 01:06:28
The only thread I seen involving aerospace was the thread "Things I would love to see (that would probably lose money)" I suggested a boxed dropship with assets included (Mechs, vehicles, Infantry, objective items like containers). You can easily included a pair of Aerofighters with the larger dropships, or the squadron packs like you suggested.

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,78514.msg1934849.html#msg1934849
Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Hellraiser on 13 January 2024, 13:09:51

You can easily included a pair of Aerofighters with the larger dropships, or the squadron packs like you suggested.

https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,78514.msg1934849.html#msg1934849

Yeah, that could have been the thread.

Hmm, that gives me an idea actually.

Finding a use for the old "triples/squadron" minis where it was 3 "micro-ish" scale fighters on 1 stand.

Use the 6 packs still for these but add 2 stands of ASF Squadrons in the micro scale.

DS Assault-Transport Squad = Overlord, Triumph, Gazelle, Fury    (Capacity of 36 Mech, 6 Fighter, 60 Heavy Vee, 8 Light Vee, 4 Infantry Platoons)
+2 Heavy Squadron Stands

DS Strike-Transport Squad = Fortress, Union, Condor, Seeker         (24M, 2F, 12H, 60L, 19P)
+2 Light Squadron Stands

DS Support-Transport Squad = Excalibur, Leopard, Intruder, Mule     (16M, 4F, 90H, 15P)
+2 Medium Squadron Stands

Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: idea weenie on 13 January 2024, 22:02:03
Finding a use for the old "triples/squadron" minis where it was 3 "micro-ish" scale fighters on 1 stand.

Use the 6 packs still for these but add 2 stands of ASF Squadrons in the micro scale.

3 fighters?

Leader + 2 wingmen?
Leader, second, and wingman?

The Leader + 2 allows for an experienced pilot to have two learners, or a primarily defensive formation.
The Leader, second, and wingman allows for 2 craft performing a strike while the lone wingman watches their rear.

This also allows the WoB forces to change over rapidly.  2 experienced can teach 4 rookies, and once one of the rookies has learned enough the formation goes from two 3-plane elements to three 2-plane elements.  No transportation, logistics, or ship redesign needed, it is still 6 craft.

Still, that would be fun ideas for extra rules, with advantages/disadvantages of 3-craft elements vs 2-craft elements.
Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Hellraiser on 14 January 2024, 18:34:20
3 fighters?

I think the minis are just meant to represent a Squadron (Star?) and not actually be a triple-flight.
Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: Weirdo on 15 January 2024, 15:38:33
I think the minis are just meant to represent a Squadron (Star?) and not actually be a triple-flight.

Pretty much. The important part isn't that there are three fighters, the important part is that there are multiple fighters.
Title: Re: Ideas for Aerospace Squadron Packs
Post by: I am Belch II on 17 January 2024, 12:33:07
All those ideas sound awesome, just wish it would happen. The Dropships alone would be great.