Workhorse Commands

[Moragion]

Thinking about creating an opfor for my players in a future campaign got me wondering which commands are what would be considered the workhorses of each Successor State. I'm talking here of commands that are not the elite, but solid units that are most of the time the one their States would field for combat operations, knowing those are dependable units.

For example for the Free Worlds League  the Marik Militia is the command that probably fits the description, but what of the other States? I know that it could very much change as the different eras happen.
My guesses are as follow:

-Federated Suns: Crucis Lancers or Avalon Hussars
-Draconis Combine: Dieron or Galedon Regulars
-Lyran Commonwealth: Lyran Regulars?
-Capellan Confederation: No idea

[Church14]

Regional commands in general I would think. So Benjamin, Dieron, Galedon, New Samarkand Regulars for DC.

For Lyrans, I think that would be Arcturan Guards, Donegal Guards, Commonwealth Guards (Buena, Bolan), Commonwealth Jaegers

[Lanceman]

For the Capellan Confederation it depends heavily on the era, as they had so many brigades that were wiped out but never reconstituted (or not reconstituted until very recently), but Capellan Defense Forces, the Confederation Reserve Cavalry, and the Liao Cháng-Chéng probably fit the bill, particularly post-3060.

[CarcosanDawn]

The reliable and sturdy defense of the Capellan Confederation has always and will forever be the vigilance and loyalty of every citizen.

The unreliable and often traitorous defenders of the Free Worlds League have always and will forever be the ambitions and independence of its citizens.

[Metallgewitter]

Weren't the Avalon Hussars (and probably the MArch militas) the workhorse units of the AFFS? The Crucis Lancers and the Davion Guards were more of the hammer while the Deneb Light Cavalry was the quick reaction force.

For the Lyrans the Lyran Regulars were something of a workhorse brigade though I would guess the same was for the Donegal Guards considering the brigades size.

For the Combine you could say the Dieron Regulars as well as the Benjamin Regulars.

I am not so sure about the Capellans. The Confederation Reserve Cavalry as well as the Liao Chang-Cheng?

[Caesar Steiner for Archon]

Probably the Donegal Guards. FM:LA says that the assignment of a Donegal Guards unit to an operation is seen as a sign that the High Command is really serious about something.

The Lyran Regulars are more like the guys you would bring in just to fill in some numbers as a subordinate command, not so much who you'd count on for major operations.

[Moragion]

For the Capellan Confederation it depends heavily on the era, as they had so many brigades that were wiped out but never reconstituted (or not reconstituted until very recently), but Capellan Defense Forces, the Confederation Reserve Cavalry, and the Liao Cháng-Chéng probably fit the bill, particularly post-3060.

Yeah, that's what made me doubt, the Capellans having so many different commands, losing so many units, and all the reorganizations make it hard to pinpoint the true workhorse of the nation, but I guess you are right about those units.

Probably the Donegal Guards. FM:LA says that the assignment of a Donegal Guards unit to an operation is seen as a sign that the High Command is really serious about something.

The Lyran Regulars are more like the guys you would bring in just to fill in some numbers as a subordinate command, not so much who you'd count on for major operations.

Not gonna disagree with Caesar ;) Yeah the are probably a good bet. The Lyran Guards are perhaps more into the elite range, but would be good candidates, too.

[Metallgewitter]

The Lyran Guards are the elite of the LCAF. Though that changes after the Jihad in terms of supply allocations. The Lyran Regulars were getting bumped up a notch while the Lyran Guards were somewhat forgotten.

And for the original SLDF I would say in terms of Divions the Mechanized infantry is the workhorse force as they are the most common among the three Divison types. For the independent regiments that should be the Hussars which are the multi-role units.

Does the Magistracy have any workhose brigades? Unlike the Concordat who organizes their units in Corps the Magistracy has dedicated unit brigades. And I don't include the Outworlds Alliance because they have such a small ground arm they could all be considered "workhorses"

[Caesar Steiner for Archon]

The Lyran Guards are the elite of the LCAF. Though that changes after the Jihad in terms of supply allocations. The Lyran Regulars were getting bumped up a notch while the Lyran Guards were somewhat forgotten.

Eh, the Lyran Guards were mostly just complaining that they hadn't had a unit rebuilt after the Jihad (when they had 5 surviving RCTs, so obviously other brigades were priorities to reform units). Still #2 on the supply priority right after the Royal Guards. They had a number of units rebuilt during the Republic era and managed to keep their RCT status.

[rohanpony]

I'm doing something similar, painting up a lance or two of each of the following:

• Marik Militia
• Lyran Regulars (Green and tan)
• Dieron Regulars (some desert camo)
• Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (Green and white)
• Confederation Reserve Cavalry (Green and orange)

Granted the Armored Cavalry is a lot more elite than the others on this list, but I have my reasons for that...

[Moragion]

Granted the Armored Cavalry is a lot more elite than the others on this list, but I have my reasons for that...

As well you should. My personal favorite is the First Argyle Lancers. Not elite, not really a prestigious command. I want to do something like you, paint a force of a workhorse command for every Great House, so that I can use them as opfor against the players, apart from other more prestigious units. I got a lot of plastic minis since the Clan Invasion kickstarter, plus waiting for the Mercs one to arrive, so can really make several forces easily.

[The Eagle]

Marik Milita, Lyran Regulars, Dieron Regulars, Avalon Hussars, and Confederation Reserve Cavalry.  Throw in the Freemen and the St. Ives Lancers for the minor houses.

[Metallgewitter]

The St Ives Lancers? Weren't they the elite of the St Ives Compact? Though for such a small nation probbaly all units have to pull their fair share of the weight

[The Eagle]

The St Ives Lancers? Weren't they the elite of the St Ives Compact? Though for such a small nation probbaly all units have to pull their fair share of the weight

The Lancers were the drum total of the SIAC for a while; the 1st, 2nd, and Cheveau-Legers.  The latter were disbanded after getting hammered in BULLDOG while the SIAC stood up the 1st & 2nd Janissaries...just in time to get re-absorbed during Xin Sheng.  So the options were limited.

[Moragion]

Yeah, the SIC didn't had much regiments to defend itself. It depended on the Federated Commonwealth to survive, essentially.

In any case I have a better idea of what regiments to pick from. I completely forgot about the FRR, but the Freemen are the workhorse no doubt.

[Rainbow 6]

The Confederation Reserve Cavalry are probably the only workhorse unit for the CCAF to survive from the fall of the original league.

[Caesar Steiner for Archon]

I think they and the Capellan Hussars are the only brigades that the 1st Star League CCAF has in common with the 2nd Star League CCAF.

[Kojak]

I think they and the Capellan Hussars are the only brigades that the 1st Star League CCAF has in common with the 2nd Star League CCAF.

There's a third: the St. Ives Armored Cavalry.

[MadCapellan]

The Lancers were the drum total of the SIAC for a while; the 1st, 2nd, and Cheveau-Legers.  The latter were disbanded after getting hammered in BULLDOG while the SIAC stood up the 1st & 2nd Janissaries...just in time to get re-absorbed during Xin Sheng.  So the options were limited.

You, like most people admittedly, have completely forgotten the St. ives Sentinels.

[MadCapellan]

I think they and the Capellan Hussars are the only brigades that the 1st Star League CCAF has in common with the 2nd Star League CCAF.

Well, the Sian Dragoons & Capellan Chargers have been resurrected, so they are there for both!

[BrianDavion]

Well, the Sian Dragoons & Capellan Chargers have been resurrected, so they are there for both!

I know it's easy to forget it as it didn't last very long but the second star league was in the 3060s :)

[The Eagle]

You, like most people admittedly, have completely forgotten the St. ives Sentinels.

I most certainly did not.  The Sentinel regiments were mercenaries, not national line commands, until after Xin Sheng -- at which point they're not St. Ives units anymore, they're CCAF and the Reserve Cavalry are a much more appropriate example of a "workhorse command."

[MarauderD]

I'd back up the Avalon Hussars as the workhorse units of the AFFS.  Units ranging from Green to Veteran posted to all the different Marches.  The Crucis Lancers might also qualify, but as they tend to be Regular to Elite units that could be a tad too fancy.

[Hellraiser]

Thinking about creating an opfor for my players in a future campaign got me wondering which commands are what would be considered the workhorses of each Successor State. I'm talking here of commands that are not the elite, but solid units that are most of the time the one their States would field for combat operations, knowing those are dependable units. 

The question here is what your calling "Elite".
Like, do you mean the "Royal Guard" type unit, or do you mean the "Skill" level, since frankly, those are not the same thing.


So if I'm trying to come up with a "ranking" for your Workhorse, it's important to look at that Name Recognition but also Skill Level, & "Supply Rating" and even "Regional Area" since for some factions you can really have a diverse "Regional" force.

The Robinson Rangers =/= Draconis March Militia.
While Pesht Regulars =/= Donegal Guards.


For the FedSuns I think you hit the nail on the head.   The Hussars/Lancers are top end units but also not died to a region, they aren't the "Royal Brigade" either.


For the DC I think it's really hard.   Dieron Regulars "might" qualify as the "best" of the Regs, but also the Ryuken depending on the era.  Proserpina Hussars is a smaller organization but I think they could qualify as being Workhorse for being really good but also not he SoL brigade.


For the LC, I really feel the Lyran Guards as well as the Donegal/Arcturan units are where your looking here.
Generally they are top tier in terms of supply/skill but also are not the Royals & aren't really "Regional" the way Skye units & some of the newer brigades are w/ 1 unit per region & overall are defensive.


The CC is honestly the hardest to pick from BUT, if I had to, I'd probably call it the Warrior Houses as a whole.
They are well funded & usually quite skilled and are not tied to a region as "Defenders/Reserves".
That is really the thing w/ the CC, they have boatloads of Regional units like the DC does but none of them is quite your "Offensive" unit or "Workhorse".
So with that in mind, I gotta stick w/ the Warrior Houses, good over all, very from Elite to Regs & change w/ era, but, not regional, & also not Death Commandos, MAC/Mercs, or CapHussars brigade.

[Hellraiser]

As well you should. My personal favorite is the First Argyle Lancers. Not elite, not really a prestigious command. I want to do something like you, paint a force of a workhorse command for every Great House, so that I can use them as opfor against the players, apart from other more prestigious units. I got a lot of plastic minis since the Clan Invasion kickstarter, plus waiting for the Mercs one to arrive, so can really make several forces easily.

I'm doing the same.
For me I have lances of many units.

But for the Company/Battalion sized forces, I wanted just 1 for each faction.

In my case it was the following.

Davion Guards
Lyran Guards
Ryuken
Marik Militia
MAC
C*

My original plans for the Clans was to have a LOT of different stars, but now, its more like 7 schemes for 3 clans in total.

[butchbird]

The way I see it, the "workhorse commands" would depend a lot on the organizational philosophy of each state, but also your personnal definition (for the opfor's definition still leaves room for some interpretation). I see a "workhorse command" as a regular (perhaps leaning more towards veteran but not QUITE there) type of command with enough weight not to be "specialized" that can be deployed anywhere without undue complications.

Now with the FWL, the Marik Militia simply imposes itself. Accept no substitutes.

With the LC you've got several worthy candidates, their organization is such that many brigades hold many regiments. Arcturan guard, Donegal Guard, Lyran Guards and Lyran Regulars could all qualify in a way... But the Arcturan and Donegal guards both have a traditional tie to a world or region while the Lyran Guard is somewhat a "notch up" from what (I'd personnaly consider) is expected of a "workhorse command". That leaves the Lyran regulars as my choice.

The DC...its regional. The regulars of whatever district the action is located in. There's mention of the Ryuken or the Proserpina Hussars...The Ryuken is just too skilled and the Hussars are the perfect example (even more so for those of us still stuck in the 3020's) of a command that cuts ties to typical DCMS modus operandi. Regulars it is.

For the FS, I'D vote Avalon Hussars. Crucis Lancers could be a fair choice but they're a notch up from the hussars in terms of skill. Plus, the Hussars have that long tradition of fighting across all theatres, effectively being a workhorse command for the FS even before the invention of the battlemech.

The CC is an odd one. The Warrior Houses is an interesting choice, but I refute it. They're kind of highly skilled oddballs which break away from the typical lines of CCAF (or any other state for that matter) commands (obviously). The  Confederation Reserves kind of fit the bill but then they're more...well...reserve units. You don't want to be the spearhead to your full scale invasion, nor would they be the command to break the back of a serious hostile invasion. Now I'm looking at this through 3020's lenses again, but I'd actually argue that there's simply NO Capellan workhorse command. Elastic defense, sheer desperation and the fact that regiments differ so much from one another whithin the same command makes it so that you'll always have a mix of commands acting in unison if you want to acheive anything serious. If I HAD to pick something, I'd go with the mercenary regiments that will become the xin sheng's Citizen's Honored command.

[MadCapellan]

I know it's easy to forget it as it didn't last very long but the second star league was in the 3060s :)

D'oh! Read as 3rd "Star League" Carry on!

[MadCapellan]

I most certainly did not.  The Sentinel regiments were mercenaries, not national line commands, until after Xin Sheng -- at which point they're not St. Ives units anymore, they're CCAF and the Reserve Cavalry are a much more appropriate example of a "workhorse command."

They were St. Ives regional regiments, then for around a decade they were mercenaries serving as St. Ives regional regiments, and then they were St. Ives regional regiments again. It's a political difference without logistical distinction. They are certainly more workhorse than anything else in the SIMC - the Armored Cavalry is a model elite combat regiment, and the Janissaries were more of a theoretical combined arms experiment than a go-to fighting force.

[Hellraiser]

That leaves the Lyran regulars as my choice.

I think we have different definitions of Workhorse.

The OP said they wanted units that usually get fielding for Combat Ops (Offense)........... v/s rear Garrison.

IE.   The "Work" being put in is high tempo & they want "Good" w/o being the "Elite" which I read to be the crème de la crème which is why I said the "Royals".

The Regs come across as a "Filler" unit you tack onto a LyrGd Attack force.
The back up, the 2nd line, the unit that attacks the "2nd/3rd" strongest enemy force on the defending world.

If I'm attacking the DC in the 4th SW & have a Lyr Guard & a DonGuard & a Lyr Regs unit, and the defenders are a 4-Bat SOL & a Ras Regs regiment & a Militia Tank Brigade, I'm likely assigning the LRegs to attack the RasRegs or the Tank Brigade.
  (Actually, I might use them to tag team the SoL w/ the LG & leave the DG to handle both the others.)

Point being, they come across as a back up unit or garrison unit, not as low as March Militias obviously, but, workhorse means you can do a LOT of work, and they don't really come across as being the guy you ask to handle tough jobs.

[Metallgewitter]

The DC...its regional. The regulars of whatever district the action is located in. There's mention of the Ryuken or the Proserpina Hussars...The Ryuken is just too skilled and the Hussars are the perfect example (even more so for those of us still stuck in the 3020's) of a command that cuts ties to typical DCMS modus operandi. Regulars it is.

I would say the "workhorse" units of the Combine should be the Dieron Regulars. They are from every description the most pragmatic organization of the DCMS making them a good fit for a lot of missions pus the organization has the most units. And in terms of skill level they would probably be a "go to command" for at least assistance in offensive operations. The Benjamin Regulars are auxiliary units, the Galedon Regulars while skilled are a rather small brigade and the Pesht Regulars are just a little above the Legion of Vega. And for "beating the enemy with the big stick" you have the Sword of Light and Ryuuken units (and maybe some of the Independent units). Not sure what to do with the Ghost units though