Kickstarter new minis - Your plans?

[.RL]

I'm sitting here looking at all the new 'Mechs which will be available through this kickstarter, and pondering on how I should combine them in order to create formations, and what factions I should assign them to.

Should I take all the Inner Sphere 'Mechs, and make a reinforced ComStar Batallion? Should I make an opposing Clan Cluster with all the Clan 'Mechs? Maybe I should split all the Inner Sphere 'mechs into 4 companies, 3 reinforced companies, or just paint lances of various Inner Sphere/Clan factions...

So, do you have any plans? What are they?

[Cazaril]

So, do you have any plans? What are they?

First, and foremost, not to go broke...  ;)

Otherwise, if you've ever stopped in to any of my posts, you've seen me talking about my alternate universe (The Caz-a-Verse). A few years back I did a Objectives Raids style assignment of what faction built which 'Mechs and where. I also defined which image/miniature was produced at which factory.

Once the miniatures arrive, they will get divided out and painted according to which House makes them. Although due to salvage, the occasional mini will find it's way over the border too.

Caz

[.RL]

First, and foremost, not to go broke...  ;)

Otherwise, if you've ever stopped in to any of my posts, you've seen me talking about my alternate universe (The Caz-a-Verse). A few years back I did a Objectives Raids style assignment of what faction built which 'Mechs and where. I also defined which image/miniature was produced at which factory.

Once the miniatures arrive, they will get divided out and painted according to which House makes them. Although due to salvage, the occasional mini will find it's way over the border too.

Caz

I would love to read those threads. I have a spreadsheet with (only for Clans) which factory assembled what 'Mech, location, and faction controlling it (including take-overs, notes on SoP/EoP as I've been able to find, and others). I would love to see how I can expand on it.

[Empyrus]

I'll get the Beginner Box, ACOAG, IS Command and Battle Lances once the latter two are available (and i can afford to get these). Might get the Direct Fire Lance for the Crusader primarily but things will heavily depend on how the Atlas and Orion will look.
Probably not getting anything else. While i like the looks of the nuClassics, i'm not keen on the direction others (read: Clan 'Mechs) are going at the moment and i'm worrying that will apply to non-Classic Inner Sphere 'Mechs. Though i suppose we'll see about that later.

I do not know what i'll be doing with the minis though.
My CapCon force will be two companies strong once i get few Dark Age 'Mechs to fill it out and any further expansion to battalion-size will be done with battle armor and vehicles.
My FedCom force is in the same situation, just needs some Dark Age stuff and then non-'Mechs.
Neither force needs classics to fill any roles.

I suppose i could attach the classics to my Star League/ComStar (yet to be determined which) force but not certain about that.

Alternatively, i'm thinking of making a Kuritan force as well, could use the nuClassics as a starting point. Then again, i also have some ideas for a merc force, could combine the classics and few of my other favorite designs for that.

Yet another idea is to use to classics to create an Aurigan unit. Would be kind of suitable. And that'd give me an excuse to get an Atlas II as well...

[Reldn]

Currently my plans for the new 'Mechs is to split them between the Factions I currently have that also have access to said 'Mechs. So, there's definitely a few of these packs I'll be netting multiples of.

Clan star packs will be split between Clan Ghost Bear and Clan Star Adder.

IS 'Mechs will be divvied up between my 3rd Lyran Guards, 21st Centauri Lancers, and 2nd Oriente Hussars (Maybe 10th Marik Militia, I'm having a hard time deciding which FWL Unit to go with at the moment.)

[Sartris]

i'll keep them as packaged and do company / binary schemes

[Valkerie]

Not sure what I'm going to do with the Clan mechs yet.  Inner Sphere mechs are heading for existing forces to augment them (especially for era placement), and at least a company is going to a Gray Death Legion or Hansen's Roughriders project.  Haven't decided yet. ;)

[Mendrugo]

My goal would be to supplement my existing stocks of metal and plastic Clan 'Mechs to a point where I could do a Star of Front Line and a Star of Second Line 'Mechs for each Invading Clan, and a Star for each Home Clan.

[Phobos101]

my goal is my own episode of hoarders.





srs tho, probably ghost teddies or nova kitties with the clan minis, and the IS stuff will get split between existing factions and a Star League force I've been thinking about starting.

[Cazaril]

my goal is my own episode of hoarders.

Hoarding is good... Where do you think all the Unseen I come up with came from? When Ral Partha announced they were discontinuing those Mechs I loaded up with 12 of each... It's like your own little Castle Brian.

Caz

[Ursus Maior]

That's some serious gear hoarding. I support that fully.

May I inquire, how many mechs you own, good sir? ::)

[Wildonion]

It is long since past the time that I actually put together a Clan unit, so I am going with Clan Diamond Shark's Beta Galaxy. I have two battalions of Crucis Lancers, which took care of most of my IS models, and there are plenty more unpainted. Oddly, I never picked up much for the Clan. Probably leaned too much on my friend's collection for our campaigns!

The new IS designs are going to be painted up with the plastics from the current boxes, but I am not sure what I want to paint them as yet.

[Lorcan Nagle]

I'm splitting the Inner Sphere Mechs mostly between DCMS (Ryuken-ni) and AFFS (Green/Yellow colour scheme, fits a half-dozen units).  And the Clans between The Society and Clan Jade Falcon.  For both those factions I paint an urban camo scheme with minor differences, so in a worst case scenario one can sub for the other

[Kibutsu]

Clan 'Mechs will be Smoke Jags as I already have at least a trinary each of Wolves, Ghost Bears and Jade Falcons. I figure I'll have enough leftovers to do a Star of Star Adders too. Inner Sphere stuff will be mostly 1st Ghost Regiment and WoB.

[ArchonDan]

I plan on picking up all the IS lances I can get (2x where I can) and splitting them among the different factions I have painted at the moment. I'll use the star in the Clan Invasion box and salvage boxes to start building out Clan units and introduce them to son and his friends. I'm pretty confident that once they see the power of Clan units they won't look back so I want to do it slowly (not a huge fan of the ridiculous clan tech although BV helps to balance helps)

Once everything hits retail, well from there it's open season  ;D

[Tangoforone]

I don't have any mercenary companies yet, so I am relegating all IS plastic miniatures (including AGOAC and BB) to my newly formed mercenary group.  I don't have a name yet, though I want to incorporate 'Tango' in it somehow, as that is my tag name for online stuff.  Color scheme will be light blue, black, white, and orange, similar to that of the old Ford GT40s.

All the Clan plastic equipment will be used to create a new Clan force; I already have Jade Falcon in the works, so it will either be Ghost Bear or Wolf.  Not sure yet.

The two Comstar Level II's will be Comstar stuff, though I don't know if I want to stick with white or if I want to go to Star League green.  White would make more sense, but I haven't done an olive green yet.  Needless to say, I will have plenty to paint for the next few years.

[Azakael]

*Cracks his knuckles* Ooof. That sounded horrible.

Clan - Likely a Coyote Binary to increase the existing Nova to a Supernova Trinary. Alternatively, Invasion Wolf, as opposed to Crusader Wolf.

Inner Sphere - Elements done up in the long standing Merc force a buddy and I have. ComStar stuff as  ComGuard. Or possibly a 3039 Kuritan A* formation with downgraded 'Mechs.

[Weirdo]

I've been needing two Black Hawks for my Falcons for a long time, so the one from the box is definitely going there, and fingers crossed for a second in a salvage box. Past that, I'm going to expand said Falcons and my Goliath Scorpions by at least a Star each. Any left after that...I'm not sure. Likely put a few in my IS forces as salvage, and beyond that we'll see.

For IS stuff, the Command Lance is going in my FWL Atreans, and after that...dunno.

[Maingunnery]

I am thinking of the Winter Alliance (CGB & CSR) for the Clans Mechs.
However I am in doubt in which camo I should use for them.

[Empyrus]

I am thinking of the Winter Alliance (CGB & CSR) for the Clans Mechs.
However I am in doubt in which camo I should use for them.

Generic winter camo that suits both factions?

[NeonKnight]

I'm gonna replace a whole whack of my older plastic minis - turn them older minis into wreck markers, etc.

[Maingunnery]

Generic winter camo that suits both factions?

I always had trouble with whites, but I can give it a try.

[Shin_Fenris]

I've been struggling with my plans, since I have... A lot... Of metal already allocated and painted towards various units. Not that I mind mixing metal and plastic, it's just harder for me to justify putting more pieces into forces already at battalion-strength, but I've been waiting for this KS for years and I want to go hard at it either way.

So, thanks to the AS Comm Ed, and Combat Manual Kurita, I may look at building some of the listed "book units," like the Red Duke's force, or some Smoked Jaguar stars since I've never built anything for them. I haven't painted my beginner or AGoAC 'Mechs yet in anticipation of what I'm doing with these, so when I have a few minutes of "free time" at work, I'm rearranging my pledge reward picks around several different unit ideas.

[Fear Factory]

1 - Hansen's Roughriders
2 - Clan Ghost Bear Nova
3 - Who knows... Clan Burrock?

[Paradigm[^4]]

Most likely will keep them as packaged and do faction schemes. With a few here and there being made up Mercenary units =D.

[Liam's Ghost]

I have a strong desire to group all of the new classics I get into a single unit with a unified scheme. I'll call them the Knights of DisHarmony.

Because I am petty. 

[Phobos101]

I have a strong desire to group all of the new classics I get into a single unit with a unified scheme. I'll call them the Knights of DisHarmony.

Because I am petty.

lol that's gold.

[Lyran Wolf]

It would not exactly be era appropriate but my current plan is to paint the Clan mechs up in Wolf in Exile 1st Wolf Strike Grenadiers colors. The Timber Wolf is already earmarked for a Kell Hounds transfer for those of you who might brave the Fan Fiction section of the boards.

The IS mechs will likely get painted up to match the 7th Donegal Guard and 2nd Sword of Light to match what I started with the Beginner Box and AGOAC.  Depending on exactly what pledge level I end at  ;D  I may do some Kell Hounds or a personal mercenary group, the Lyndon Lions.   What I have thought out for the Lions is primary light blue with gold and white highlights.  The color scheme seemed to work in Megamek alright.

[Empyrus]

Does anyone have comparison pics between new box set minis and some random lance pack plastics?
Wondering just how much beefier various new minis are. More detailed to be sure, but i wonder how they meld with others.

EDIT also have some specific interest regarding the Catapult and Awesome....

[Valkerie]

Here you go.  Awesome metal resculpt next to new plastic version and new Battlemaster.  So much better. :)

[Empyrus]

Hmm, the ones are noticeably bigger for sure. In large groups, they probably meld with others OK but still...

Asking because i'm wondering about force building in the future once i get the new minis.
Was thinking of throwing the new minis with a Star League force made from TRO2750 'Mechs but not so sure now.

Oh, well, i'll have time to think about it.

[Mendrugo]

The problem with doing an SLDF force is that, with a few exceptions, an entire company needs to be just one 'Mech type.  Which is great for BattleForce level engagements, but hard to do at BattleTech-scale engagements, given the number of identical minis you'd need to olive-drab.

[.RL]

Hmm, the ones are noticeably bigger for sure. In large groups, they probably meld with others OK but still...

Asking because i'm wondering about force building in the future once i get the new minis.
Was thinking of throwing the new minis with a Star League force made from TRO2750 'Mechs but not so sure now.

Oh, well, i'll have time to think about it.

The problem with doing an SLDF force is that, with a few exceptions, an entire company needs to be just one 'Mech type.  Which is great for BattleForce level engagements, but hard to do at BattleTech-scale engagements, given the number of identical minis you'd need to olive-drab.

You could do a mercenary company that is themed around the SLDF, like the screaming eagles for example. Same camo scheme, and it would make sense for them to not be composed of one 'Mech type.

[Mendrugo]

True.  And if your usage timeframe was the latter few years of the Civil War, you could justify mish-mash units having been cobbled together from shattered commands, and having long since lost any semblance of uniformity in equipment.

[Empyrus]

The problem with doing an SLDF force is that, with a few exceptions, an entire company needs to be just one 'Mech type.  Which is great for BattleForce level engagements, but hard to do at BattleTech-scale engagements, given the number of identical minis you'd need to olive-drab.

Didn't SLDF have some irregular forces that didn't go for uniform companies?
Either way, i'm gonna ignore that bit about the SLDF, i'm sort of a "one of everything" collector... plus i'm not too sure about the olive drab either.

While i describe the unit as a Star League force, i'm not sure it truly is that, "very early Clans" is perhaps better description, especially if i'll get around getting an Atlas II (very late addition to the SLDF).
Alternatively, it becomes a ComStar force. Not sure yet. Or maybe something that can be applied to many forces.

[Tangoforone]

In the end, at least from what I have experienced, no one in the community seems to be overly concerned with what you do with your force.  Sure, if you want to do a specific force that has listed equipment then you can, but you can also modify the story a bit to say, 'well, this is what remains after a battle' or 'there was a small group that did their own thing' or 'this equipment fractured off from the main force'.  Similar to fighters in WWII (and now to an extent) with people painting stuff on their planes I am sure that would be even more escalated in the future when your military command might be light years away and cannot verify your paint scheme is per specification every month.

[Empyrus]

I'm concerned about my force  :D
That includes not being canon-compliant.
Of course, i happen to like working within limits, it is problem solving.

[Maingunnery]

Here you go.  Awesome metal resculpt next to new plastic version and new Battlemaster.  So much better. :)

"Don't worry Grandpa we have arrived!"

[Sartris]

"Don't worry Grandpa we have arrived!"

rolling up to the battlefield like

[Pat Payne]

I think I'm going to do this breakdown:

4 Command Lances
I need 1 Marauder
I need 2 Archers
I need 3 Stingers;

(why 4? I'm also planning to do a 7th Crucis Lancers Valkyrie Lance)

3 Battle lances:
I need 1 Phoenix Hawk, and WANT at least two more
I need 1 Warhammer
I need 1 Rifleman
I need 1 Wasp

1 Direct Fire lance
I need 1 Crusader.

1 Beginner's Box (though I might get that later via Amazon or my FLGS)
I need 1 Griffin.

Yep, I'm planning on doing the classic Black Widow Company.

[anime ninja]

I am looking at getting the 2 ComStar lances and the battle, Command,  striker and another one.  As well as the minis from the starter sets.  I have my old rule books and the old TROs from the 80s and 90s but my mini are old school (lead?) and I want to get new ones to introduce the game to my son.

That number of minis should be good.   I will just paint them in random camo or what ever he wants to paint them as.

[Seawolf2037]

I'm sure when they come out, I will figure out. Right now its a question of which Clans do I paint up.  ;)

[mmmpi]

Divide the clan mechs between Coyote and Shark/Fox.

Divide the IS mechs between my Lyrans (6th), FWL (Marik Militia OpForce), and MoC