Author Topic: Battle Armor or Infantry? (Read 13136 times)

SirWeeble · « **on:** 16 May 2014, 18:35:39 »

I've got a nice selection of Battle Armor, and I'm planning on getting a few Ahnurs and maybe some heavy APCs to deploy them (instead of relying on omnimechs all the time), but my ongoing quest to find alternatives has lead me to considering squishy infantry.

Do any of you clanners have an opinion on them? I already know few clans except Hell's Horses use them, but maybe I can get an analysis of why. Generally my opponents use 95% mechs, usually without any anti-infantry weaponry. Alot of LBX20/10s, gauss, PPCs, etc since everyone is mech crazy. So far this has been a great benefit to my Battle Armor units. +1 to hit, and if a Gauss hits, it only takes out 1 BA. They aren't so lucky against LRMs, but they can survive a few volleys usually, or stay hidden enough to avoid them.

I thought about Heavy Clan Jump Infantry, but their price is nearly that of Elementals. They have range, but my Coronas have that role filled pretty well. I'm considering fielding a few Gauss platoons to cover long range, since elementals are short, coronas are medium. Does anyone have an opinion? Maybe having used them or gone against them?

Foxx Ital · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 May 2014, 19:14:11 »

This May sound biased...but I'm gonna go ahead and say Battle Armor :)

Weirdo · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 May 2014, 19:56:35 »

Conventional infantry have the advantage of being a lot more durable vs a lot of anti-'mech weapons than battlesuits. A Gauss Rifle may take out a single battlesuit, but that's still 20% of that point, while the 2-3 infantry taken out represent a far smaller portion of their point. They're easier to transport in APCs, with foot and jump points weighing less than most BA points. Damage and range varies from point to point, so those are hard to compare. Cluster-wise, infantry damage is always in 2-point hits, so they make excellent crit-seekers and tank-parkers. I've seen only a few platoons of IS troops take out two Clan Annihilators more or less unassisted, purely through the sheer number of head hits and TACs they scored.

Fallen_Raven · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 May 2014, 20:19:09 »

Conventional infantry have some very good uses in Clan combat.

No self-respecting Mechwarrior would target them when a "real" enemy is available, yet foot soldiers aren't bound by Zellbrigen. This means that you can add support for your big boys without breaking honorable combat.

Infantry can dig in and avoid a large amount of damage, which lets them hold a position against some very heavy firepower. Since most anti-infantry weapons require being close, you can limit the high mobility tactics the Clans excel at.

Last, but most certainly not least, infantry often don't have high movement speeds. That makes them unusual among the Clans. You can turn this bug into a feature by pairing an infantry point with a slow moving fire support vehicle. A Gurzil isn't nearly as tempting a target when you have a Point of Heavy Jump Infantry waiting, and a Nuberu can focus on keeping the skies clear when it has 25 little buddies watching its back.

Weirdo · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 May 2014, 22:40:43 »

Quote from: Fallen_Raven on 16 May 2014, 20:19:09

No self-respecting Mechwarrior would target them when a "real" enemy is available, yet foot soldiers aren't bound by Zellbrigen. This means that you can add support for your big boys without breaking honorable combat.

Indeed. You may be stretching things to the breaking point, but unless you're playing as or against the Hell's Horses, you can concentrate an entire Star(or more) on a single target, and nobody can accuse you of violating zell. >:D

(Of course, the opposite is also true. If your infantry prove too effective, even the most hidebound traditionalists will think nothing of dropping large numbers of Arrows(or worse) on them to get them out of the way. Heck, I think the traditionalists are the ones most likely to overreact.)

Quote

Last, but most certainly not least, infantry often don't have high movement speeds. That makes them unusual among the Clans. You can turn this bug into a feature by pairing an infantry point with a slow moving fire support vehicle. A Gurzil isn't nearly as tempting a target when you have a Point of Heavy Jump Infantry waiting, and a Nuberu can focus on keeping the skies clear when it has 25 little buddies watching its back.

True again. I've found that a solid point or two of motor or jump troops make great escorts for things like Daishis and Turkinas. Big slow guys like those almost always invite backstabbing attacks, but a solid salvo from those troops will disabuse almost anyone of that notion. 8)

truetanker · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 May 2014, 23:32:32 »

Turhan
Badger (C)
Saladin ( 14 ton Cargo )
Hephaestus
Zoyra

All carry infantry.

TT

A. Lurker · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 May 2014, 04:02:12 »

Quote from: Weirdo on 16 May 2014, 19:56:35

Conventional infantry have the advantage of being a lot more durable vs a lot of anti-'mech weapons than battlesuits.

That's something of an illusion caused by the somewhat arbitrary definitions of what exactly constitutes one "unit". A single conventional infantry trooper goes down a lot more quickly than a battlesuit, it's just that one Point of conventional foot or motorized infantry consists of enough of them that their unit would spontaneously mutate into an entire battle armor Star if they were ever allowed to suit up.

That said...yeah, I don't see Clan infantry getting a lot of respect either, and that more than anything else would probably determine if, when, and how they'd be employed in-universe. The few times I remember seeing conventional Clan infantry in a novel at all all seem to hail from the Jade Phoenix trilogy, and there they were basically the dumping ground for washouts, freebirths, and solahma -- all those nice things that a "real" Clan warrior doesn't want to be associated with. Do even the Hell's Horses have such a thing as noteworthy conventional infantry bloodlines?

Alan Grant · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 May 2014, 07:19:16 »

Hell's Horses conventional infantry are generally test-downs (failed their first ToP, retested to join the infantry) or solahma, depending on the unit. Frontline Horse Clusters are more likely to get the young fiesty test-downs who still may serve the Clan honorably in that role and serve a full career there (career by Clan standards, without the possibility of a Bloodname, so a solid 15 years of service). Most HH Clusters have a Trinary of conventional infantry, even in frontline units, which means there is opportunity to climb through the ranks to Star Commander or Star Captain and hold a position of some respect. They also give them good training and equipment...I should say EXCELLENT equipment when handed a Bearhunter autocannon and a jet pack. Those guys are among the most lethal conventional infantry on the battlefield...period. They are a far cry from the Jade Falcon suicide infantry squads portrayed in the Jade Phoenix Trilogy, which were more generic solahma infantry found among many of the Clans.

The Hell's Horses invented trueborn infantry breeding, but it became the genesis for the elemental phenotype. There isn't a separate conventional infantry phenotype. They don't need it, they just breed lots of Elementals knowing some will fail their first ToP and end up in the infantry.

VhenRa · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 May 2014, 05:37:23 »

Same way a good chunk of their tank crews (Pre TankWarrior anyway) are test-down MechWarriors who failed their first ToP.

Fletch · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 May 2014, 06:00:25 »

Both.

So much fun, so many kabooms. Hard to be impartial as a CHH advocate.

SirWeeble · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 May 2014, 01:49:57 »

I've been trying out conventional infantry in mega-mek (just vs the dumb AI) and it seems that normal foot infantry are next to useless. I've tried SRM infantry and LRM infantry but both really only turn out maybe 5 points of damage a turn and they can't move and shoot. And that's if Im able to get them in a decent position with APCs. Seeing as they're only BV 20ish, I can't expect alot, but add in an APC for 200BV, and they're kind of a waste of points. Maybe I'm using them wrong. Should I instead get like 4-6 platoons and let the APCs just go back and forth? That alone would take 8-10 turns to get them all deployed mid-field. I did manage to black-out a heavy mech with a lucky LRM shot once, but it was pure luck. 27% chance to hit, 1/12 chance of headshot, and failed a target-4 roll. So like a 1/1000 shot.

The Heavy Clan foot infantry seem like much better units, so do the Special forces, Heavy Jump, and Heavy Assault Solahma, except they're pricier and die nearlyas fast. Swarms of Hover infantry work really well too, but die even faster than normal soldiers since they can't enter woods.

Unfortunately the AI sees to like to target them a lot and get in close.. it usually letsme win the game because it ignores my mechs, but it's really not a very realistic test of their abilities.

A. Lurker · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 May 2014, 01:57:25 »

Quote from: SirWeeble on 19 May 2014, 01:49:57

I've been trying out conventional infantry in mega-mek (just vs the dumb AI) and it seems that normal foot infantry are next to useless. I've tried SRM infantry and LRM infantry but both really only turn out maybe 5 points of damage a turn and they can't move and shoot. And that's if Im able to get them in a decent position with APCs. Seeing as they're only BV 20ish, I can't expect alot, but add in an APC for 200BV, and they're kind of a waste of points. Maybe I'm using them wrong. Should I instead get like 4-6 platoons and let the APCs just go back and forth? That alone would take 8-10 turns to get them all deployed mid-field. I did manage to black-out a heavy mech with a lucky LRM shot once, but it was pure luck. 27% chance to hit, 1/12 chance of headshot, and failed a target-4 roll. So like a 1/1000 shot.

The Heavy Clan foot infantry seem like much better units, so do the Special forces, Heavy Jump, and Heavy Assault Solahma, except they're pricier and die nearlyas fast. Swarms of Hover infantry work really well too, but die even faster than normal soldiers since they can't enter woods.

Unfortunately the AI sees to like to target them a lot and get in close.. it usually letsme win the game because it ignores my mechs, but it's really not a very realistic test of their abilities.

BV 20ish...you're using individual squads rather than the full platoons, then? Because that sure would limit their damage output...

SirWeeble · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 May 2014, 02:02:50 »

I don't remember the cost exactly. Maybe it was higher. One game i used squads, the others i realized my mistake but their damage output was just as low for platoons. usually 5-7 or so.

False Son · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 May 2014, 10:21:13 »

Both. Being able to pump out damage at that kind of range and able to absorb up to 50 points of damage in cover is nothing to dismiss easily. Run some 25 strong Ebon Keshik types, with Mauser IICs and clan standard kits and you'll get an impression of the power of clan infantry. From there you can experiment with Heavy Jump Points, Fast Recon and the gutter trash units. Besides, who is going to call in the IDF support? Honorable mechwarriors? Pish posh. That's what the garbage is for, taking the dishonor in the jaw.

Diablo48 · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 May 2014, 19:56:47 »

Quote from: A. Lurker on 17 May 2014, 04:02:12

That's something of an illusion caused by the somewhat arbitrary definitions of what exactly constitutes one "unit". A single conventional infantry trooper goes down a lot more quickly than a battlesuit, it's just that one Point of conventional foot or motorized infantry consists of enough of them that their unit would spontaneously mutate into an entire battle armor Star if they were ever allowed to suit up.

This reminds me of an interesting idea I had but have never had the time to test. You can probably get the best of both worlds with a cheap PA(L) suit like the old Nighthawk with "points" consisting of five independently deployed five-man units. Your firepower will be somewhat limited even with a high end infantry weapon like the Mauser IIC, but the suits will be incredibly hard for the enemy to get rid of with any kind of speed because there are so many individual units and they can each survive a single SRM hit.

False Son · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 May 2014, 20:22:05 »

There is a BV thing there, too. The cheapest Elemental point for example is the Headhunter at 300. a Heavy Jump Point runs 136 and can paint the Elementals across the battlefield.

Kojak · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 May 2014, 05:06:53 »

In the choice between battle armor and infantry, the answer is: both. One is chocolate and the other is peanut butter. They're both great and together they're ****** delicious.

Nekoryu · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 May 2014, 08:19:20 »

I recently had an encounter with infantry that was just plain shameful...I'm still pissed at my CO for it, lol.

My group and I are currently chewing through the Battle of Tukayyid when we're not just doing random let's-blow-each-other-to-bits game. As per the norm with the Clans, me and the other guy bid against each other. He ended up bidding himself a little too low and deployed in a catastrophic manner: First round, he landed my Mad Dog C right. Fricking. Next to a group of approximately 16 groups of SRM infantry.

Within a single round, the Mad Dog C had one arm cleanly severed, the other blown up and had gotten literally knocked on it's ass. For those who don't know, the Mad Dog C has two Gauss rifles and that's about it.

Infantry are not to be ignored, but you have to use them right. Keep them in cover, like buildings, woods, etc. In the open, they get damage bonuses that remind you just how squishy the little guys really are.

And while we're on the subject, does anyone know if there are melee rules for BA against anything except 'Mechs? In the above game, my CO ordered my Elementals to go for the infantry and ignore the 'Mechs (he was gun shy after the Mad Dog died) and really it was just sort of bleh. We got to thinking that a Point of Elementals should just be able to wade into a group of Infantry, snapping necks and crushing skulls. Not to mention the AP weapon slung under the battle claw that seems to be there simply for aesthetics...couldn't find rues for it, either. :/

A. Lurker · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 May 2014, 09:09:46 »

Quote from: Nekoryu on 21 May 2014, 08:19:20

And while we're on the subject, does anyone know if there are melee rules for BA against anything except 'Mechs? In the above game, my CO ordered my Elementals to go for the infantry and ignore the 'Mechs (he was gun shy after the Mad Dog died) and really it was just sort of bleh. We got to thinking that a Point of Elementals should just be able to wade into a group of Infantry, snapping necks and crushing skulls. Not to mention the AP weapon slung under the battle claw that seems to be there simply for aesthetics...couldn't find rues for it, either. :/

Well, battle armor with vibro-claws gets to use those to make a melee attack against other infantry, and they can use their anti-personnel weapons as though they were a regular (small) infantry squad in addition to their bigger attacks (only one extra AP attack per turn if so equipped, though, so giving BA two or more per suit would be mostly a waste). The default anti-personnel weapon is assumed to be an auto-rifle, although there's errata allowing them to use other "conventional" infantry weapons (within reason -- nothing requiring a crew of 2 or more, for example).

So a classic Elemental Point could make up to three attacks per turn -- one with its small lasers or whatever, one with its SRMs if it still has shots left, and one as a five-man rifle (or whatever, if exercising that option) infantry platoon. I don't think plain old regular battle claws or other manipulators provide any bonus in hand-to-hand combat at the stock BT level, though, the game's not finely grained enough for that. The TacOps "Infantry Vs. Infantry Actions" section may go into more detail, but I'll admit that in all my readings I've so far mostly passed that one by.

Weirdo · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 May 2014, 09:11:55 »

Quote from: Nekoryu on 21 May 2014, 08:19:20

Within a single round, the Mad Dog C had one arm cleanly severed, the other blown up and had gotten literally knocked on it's ass. For those who don't know, the Mad Dog C has two Gauss rifles and that's about it.

I'd say you got off light. Given the kind of firepower that many troopers can put out, your 'mech should be missing everything from the soles of the feet on up. :o

Quote

And while we're on the subject, does anyone know if there are melee rules for BA against anything except 'Mechs? In the above game, my CO ordered my Elementals to go for the infantry and ignore the 'Mechs (he was gun shy after the Mad Dog died) and really it was just sort of bleh. We got to thinking that a Point of Elementals should just be able to wade into a group of Infantry, snapping necks and crushing skulls. Not to mention the AP weapon slung under the battle claw that seems to be there simply for aesthetics...couldn't find rues for it, either. :/

Total War does have rules for using the antipersonnel mounts against targets, both armored and squishy. I know there are also rules for suits with vibro-claws to use them in close combat, but I'm not sure about other battle claws. Maybe in TacOps? I know they provide a bonus in the abstract infantry-vs-infantry rules in there, enough so that a battlesuit squad going room-to-room against foot troops will probably wreck shop, though they will also probably take casualties doing it.

You want to see Elementals really shredding infantry? Remember that machine guns and flamers are also common weapons for them to use, not just lasers. Go to town. 8)

False Son · « **Reply #20 on:** 21 May 2014, 09:50:07 »

Quote from: Weirdo on 21 May 2014, 09:11:55

You want to see Elementals really shredding infantry? Remember that machine guns and flamers are also common weapons for them to use, not just lasers. Go to town. 8)

SRMs can also gut a platoon if they are loaded with infernos. Most of my Elementals carry a standard SRM and an Inferno anyway, because there is underestimating the power of overheating a rival clan mech. But, infernos do mean things in a pinch to conventional units.

Nekoryu · « **Reply #21 on:** 21 May 2014, 11:04:18 »

Quote from: Weirdo on 21 May 2014, 09:11:55

I'd say you got off light. Given the kind of firepower that many troopers can put out, your 'mech should be missing everything from the soles of the feet on up. :o

Smoke Jags had veteran pilots (standard 3/4 piloting/gunnery for Clans), ComStar had a bunch'a greenies (5/6 piloting/gunnery). So, yeah. Safe to say I was lucky.

As for BA-on-Infantry combat, thanks for the input; it'll be checked out ASAP. SRMs were useful but ran out quickly and the laser worked well, but we couldn't find rules specifically for the standard Elemental with the AP machine gun. However, it still irks me that the battle claw can rip armor off a 'Mech, but not the face off a guy. I wonder if you could come up with an acceptable house rule for that.

Also: INFERNOS. I gotta get me some'a those puppies!! That never occurred to me.

Infantry: Squishy and acceptably flammable! Are Clanners familiar with S'mores?

Weirdo · « **Reply #22 on:** 21 May 2014, 11:20:25 »

The problem with ripping a guy's face off is that while you're doing that, all his buddies are at pointblank range, and emptying their guns into you. Vanilla SRM troops may do middling-to-respectable damage, but there are plenty of platoons out there that will shred a battlesuit squad that gets in that close in only a couple salvos, and if there's more than one platoon around, they can do it in a single turn. Much like Clan 'mechs against IS ones, you can kill a lot of them, but only if you do it smart.

The secret to using a single Star to kill an entire company is to make sure that whole company can't shoot you at once, with the less enemy shooters at a time, the better. Similarly, if you want to use a Star of Elementals to wipe out an infantry battalion, keep the number of platoons that can shoot back at you to a minimum. Use your SRMs on a couple platoons to hurt them hard and degrade the damage they can do in return. After that, keep moving and try to engage a single platoon at your long range. You won't hit all the time, but between the range and your movement modifiers, they'll hopefully hit less. Remember that unless you play Hell's Horses, conventional infantry are totally outside Zellbrigen, so there's nothing wrong with focusing a full Star of suits on a single platoon to quickly wipe it out.

If you're facing the rapidly-growing number of infantry types that can actually outrange Elementals, try to use cover and avoid LOs until you can suddenly jump to pointblank range, and try to wipe them out in one blow. This is especially true against troops with field guns.

Now if you find yourself facing field artillery, or Stone's Trackers...bite the bullet, and call in your own artillery or air support. Anyone who's seen their record sheets will agree that you've lost no honor in doing so, and trying to take them on directly WILL get you slaughtered.

False Son · « **Reply #23 on:** 21 May 2014, 11:29:55 »

Quote from: Nekoryu on 21 May 2014, 11:04:18

However, it still irks me that the battle claw can rip armor off a 'Mech, but not the face off a guy.

How do you mean? A swarm attack uses arm mounted weapons to inflict damage.

Depending on the rules you are using, you may also want to consider splitting into individual troopers to deal with big swathes of infantry. Flamers, for example, inflict a great deal of damage, that if multiplied by the infantry being in the open will kill or almost kill the entire platoon. The more Elementals shooting at different platoons the great chances of taking them out quickly and be less threatened by attrition. If you are using Morale rules those greenhorns are going to run for the hills once their platoonmates are chewed up.

For the record, if you are playing early clan invasion you should be using flamers anyway. Not only do they slaughter infantry, they can cause heat damage to mechs. The primary advantage of lasers is being able to put 15 points of damage in the face of a mech with a swarm attack.

Nekoryu · « **Reply #24 on:** 21 May 2014, 23:04:16 »

Laconian put all his infantry in light woods, so my Elementals had to pretty much get point-blank to get good rolls to shoot at them anyway. All in all, the first Tukayyid scenario we played was a total SNAFU for the Jags. And as for the armor vs face, the battle claw can grip and peel back armor plates so that the laser/whatever gan be shoved into the gap and fire directly into the internal structure. At least, that's how it's described. But, like A. Lurker said, the game isn't fine-grained enough to take that into account.

Point being, both BA and Infantry have their uses if you use them right.

truetanker · « **Reply #25 on:** 22 May 2014, 17:45:05 »

Nekoryu~

While it isn't common enough and plainly visible, I tend to use these in my non-canon fights. Others, include Foxx Ital has use my idea in their games.

I make 3 rolls against EVERYTHING to see if I hit with.

Elemental Point: ( Standard )

Trooper 1 / 3/ 5 : Mech gun ( Assume Laser ), SRM ( I agree with False God 1 standard salvo and the other Inferno ), AP gun. ( I tend to use Mauser IIC myself. )
Trooper 2: MG : Machine Gun, SRM, AP gun: Mauser IIC
Trooper 4: MG : Flamer, SRM, AP gun: Mauser IIC

While Laser is common, I'd also run the ( MG ) with #2 as Laser and #4 as Flamer and ( Flamer ) with #2 as Laser and #4 as MG.

TT

Sjhernan3060 · « **Reply #26 on:** 25 January 2016, 09:53:14 »

Quote from: Alan Grant on 17 May 2014, 07:19:16

Hell's Horses conventional infantry are generally test-downs (failed their first ToP, retested to join the infantry) or solahma, depending on the unit. Frontline Horse Clusters are more likely to get the young fiesty test-downs who still may serve the Clan honorably in that role and serve a full career there (career by Clan standards, without the possibility of a Bloodname, so a solid 15 years of service). Most HH Clusters have a Trinary of conventional infantry, even in frontline units, which means there is opportunity to climb through the ranks to Star Commander or Star Captain and hold a position of some respect. They also give them good training and equipment...I should say EXCELLENT equipment when handed a Bearhunter autocannon and a jet pack. Those guys are among the most lethal conventional infantry on the battlefield...period. They are a far cry from the Jade Falcon suicide infantry squads portrayed in the Jade Phoenix Trilogy, which were more generic solahma infantry found among many of the Clans.

The Hell's Horses invented trueborn infantry breeding, but it became the genesis for the elemental phenotype. There isn't a separate conventional infantry phenotype. They don't need it, they just breed lots of Elementals knowing some will fail their first ToP and end up in the infantry.

Great info! any examples of these guys void fighting or boarding warships?

Does any one have any picts of models for them if they exist?

Urban Kufahl · « **Reply #27 on:** 25 January 2016, 18:39:39 »

Battle armor with fast moving vehicles (Svantovit, Maxim or Tyr) for "open" maps

Swith for anhur on other maps

jklantern · « **Reply #28 on:** 25 January 2016, 23:36:27 »

Been years since I've read FM: WC, but didn't the Vipers also use conventional infantry in some capacity?

jackson123 · « **Reply #29 on:** 26 January 2016, 00:30:13 »

inf if you are holding battlearmor is you are attacking.

JadedFalcon · « **Reply #30 on:** 26 January 2016, 03:45:50 »

Quote from: jklantern on 25 January 2016, 23:36:27

Been years since I've read FM: WC, but didn't the Vipers also use conventional infantry in some capacity?

They did. All trueborn warriors, too. The Adders, and a couple Mandrill Kindraas also used conventional infantry, usually in garrisons and Solahma units. Can't remember if the Spirits did or not.

Using Total Warfare rules, I enjoyed using Elementals as well as conventional infantry. Lasers, SRMs, or LRMs for the unaugmented troopers, and sped up with either jump packs or suicidal mechanized options. Transports tended to cost too much BV.

The Elementals can run out of missiles, which means your ranged attack goes away if you're not also bringing AP Gauss.

Colt Ward · « **Reply #31 on:** 27 January 2016, 00:58:22 »

If you have later options they can also mount ERSL I think . . .

Among the Horses, why could a infantry Star Commander or Star Captain not be nominated for a bloodname? Or fight in a grand melee for a infantry bloodname? I would actually expect this to be more of the case after moving to the IS.

Mecha82 · « **Reply #32 on:** 27 January 2016, 10:08:03 »

Smart clans are once that realise value of infantry and are not afraid to use them to as best use as possible. Mechs might be kings of the battlefield but without support from combined arms they can't do that much and there are things that they can't do that other units like infantry can. Just like conventianal infantry, battle armor infantry has they uses so which one you prefer comes down to your own preferences. I don't prefer either one over other.

JadedFalcon · « **Reply #33 on:** 27 January 2016, 21:58:34 »

Quote from: Colt Ward on 27 January 2016, 00:58:22

If you have later options they can also mount ERSL I think . . .

Among the Horses, why could a infantry Star Commander or Star Captain not be nominated for a bloodname? Or fight in a grand melee for a infantry bloodname? I would actually expect this to be more of the case after moving to the IS.

You might be thinking of the ER micro laser version. I admit the micro pulse laser Elemental is quite nice once you get into range.

As for bloodnamed infantrymen, my answer is that they have to be the protagonist of a novel. The odds are stacked against even the Cassie Suthorns of the Clans since the grand melee is fought augmented. So they'd likely be facing Elementals for an infantry bloodname, and then more mechs and possibly aircraft in a generalist bloodname. It doesn't help that the conventional infantry in the Horses are also either solahma or troopers that failed their first trial of position. Getting a nomination with a second-rate trial of position is going to be next to impossible.

Or would the Horses not be so biased against their second-line troops?