Author Topic: Ground Unit specialization  (Read 1216 times)

Colt Ward

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Ground Unit specialization
« on: 25 January 2019, 15:55:44 »
The books give us a lot of unit specializations but I am not sure we really dig into them that much since its usually a paragraph at most in the back of a FM.  But what could the implication be for some of those specializations?  And what type of unit- regulars/militia/corpsec/merc- would be more likely to gain and keep that type of specialization?

For instance . . .

Winter/Arctic Specialization-
     Unit ignores any winter/arctic weather conditions (like +1 for blowing snow?) for weapons fire.  Mechs gain +1 heat dissipation above weather conditions (extreme cold?  IIRC increases heat sink ability) since the equipment is optimized to the conditions.  For fluff purposes ICE vehicles are easier to operate (thinking Wehrmacht on the Russian front) and maintenance modifiers b/c of cold are half what a normal unit have.  Maybe a hidden unit bonus/option due to their familiarity with finding hiding spots & masking mech/armor from sensors.  Decrease the chance of breaking through ice?

Others that come to mind . . .

Jungle Specialization
Mountain Specialization
Coastal Specialization
Desert Specialization
Night-fighting Specialization
Urban Specialization
Combat Drop Specialization
Orbital Drop Specialization
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

AdmiralObvious

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Re: Ground Unit specialization
« Reply #1 on: 26 January 2019, 14:30:12 »
I'm unsure what the question specifically is, but I do know of a few specializations that apply in game, and a few that may of may not apply real world which apply to BT.

I don't know of what most spec actually do, for example.

Mountain specialization, depending on the world can mean that an ICE engine is always equipped with a supercharger (not the I need a speed boost supercharger, but the I need air to breathe type). Infantry get additional gear to climb with, including climbing cleats and other tools.

Coastal and desert spec probably imply sand resistant covers for any sensitive components. Coastal spec might include partial or full amphibious units too. Desert spec would probably have higher grade heatsinks with better forced (something science) to push out heat as well.

Night fighting might simply be NVIR goggles or a disproportionately high amount of tracers and flare ammo compared to normal.

Combat drop and orbital drop spec should be self explanatory, though this is probably reserved to higher end spec ops units.

Church14

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Re: Ground Unit specialization
« Reply #2 on: 27 January 2019, 16:35:39 »
I always took it not as a specific “Jungle Specialization” quirk f9r the pilots in that unit, but that the mechs/vehicles/points in that unit have an unusually high percentage of designs that excel at jungle fighting.

A hot, humid environment. Lots of heavy forest/jungle. Lots of hills. So that jungle specialist unit is probably running over-sinked jumping mechs.


Night fighting specialists probably rock some of the more visual ammo types like incendiary or inferno.

Colt Ward

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Re: Ground Unit specialization
« Reply #3 on: 28 January 2019, 14:34:01 »
To be honest, a lot of it is porting IRL stuff over . . .

So for instance, a unit that is designated as 'Mountain' (in the US, its the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_Mountain_Division) specifically and frequently trains in mountainous areas so that the troops assigned to that unit build familiarity with the nature of combat in mountainous areas.  So yes for BT, that means you are more likely to get jump capable mechs and tracked vehicles over hover and to a lesser extent wheeled.  Infantry might be more likely to be jump infantry and travel on VTOLs rather than ground bound APCs- likely they really took to BA when introduced.  Mountain-qualified heavy equipment maybe more portable or easier to break down (thus a cost modifier over general issue)- some of it might even be able to be broken down for individual carry (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebirgsflak_38- general purpose AA & field gun) to get over the roughest terrain.  In BT they might even be trained to use supplemental oxygen for conditions like the Himalayas or other mountains that scratch the edge of atmo.  Mountain specialized troops will also have IMO better cold weather gear than the average trooper- for instance I when I was in we had a 4 part sleeping system (b/c it could never be called a sleeping bag).  We were only issued 2 or 3 parts IIRC b/c the final part was for arctic/mountain conditions.  Some nations mountain/arctic troops were also issued skis or snowshoes to increase the infantry's mobility but I am not sure that would carry over to BT though since we do have beast mounted troops . . . Some mountain troops were also issued pack mules to be able to carry a squad/platoon/company's logistics since they were going places trucks could not go- and VTOL airlift is not always possible.

Imagine trying to resupply this place in a storm-




While regular troops w/o the specialization could fight in those conditions, they will not be equipped or physically conditioned to operate in that environment as well as mountain troops.  Commanders and staff will not be as familiar with the needs/requirements of fighting in those conditions which means they will likely suffer more non-combat injuries (frostbite for sentries for example) and when in combat they will be unable to exploit any opportunities to the same degree mountain troops would- even if the equipment issue to individuals would be the same.
Colt Ward
Clan Invasion Backer #149, Leviathans #104

"We come in peace, please ignore the bloodstains."

"Greetings, Mechwarrior. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Daoshen and the Capellan armada."

 

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