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Tensions on the Rise on Notus IV
Ellen Glamour, IGS News
The hastily called peace conference between representatives of the Ritterlichback
government and the local rebels broke down shortly after noon today. The
sticking point was the claim by the rebels that the Notus government had no
intention of backing up the concessions made before today's conference.
"We have evidence that the government has been bringing in off-world combat
units to supplement their own forces in the disputed areas," said Colonel
Kipling, of the Monastic Rebel Alliance. "They have been landing CAVs at the
central space port. But, we are not without our own resources and off-world
friends." The Colonel wouldn't elaborate more and was whisked away from the
conference in a heavily armed motorcade.
When asked about the Colonel's claims, Media Minister Samosa simply replied
"No comment".
IGS has been informed by an anonymous source that mercenary units begun
been landing in the rebel controlled areas last night.
Scenario:
This is a small (1,500-point) meeting engagement type scenario. Rebel and
governmental forces are both conducting recon in force mission in a
mountainous area when they encounter each other. The objective is simple, try
to damage the enemy more than he damages you and get out before
reinforcements can arrive.
Michael’s Pre-Game Prose
well, since this is the first CAV battle report for FR, we decided to try
something simple: a low point meeting engagement. So, I've got 1,500 points to
build a force for a Recon in Force in the mountains.
Brian and I have played CAV before, but not since the publication of the Journal
of Recognition. So, there are new toys to play with and new points for some.
Looking at what models I have - I try to build a good starting force. The first six
times I wound up being way over the 1,500-point limit. But on try seven, I got it.
Here's my force, its' only one section, but it's fast:
• Tyrant w/ Veteran WSO, +2 movement, +1 repair, chain lock, and ECCM
@ 399 points
• Vanquisher w/ Veteran WSO, +2 movement, +1 repair, chain lock, and
ECCM @ 418 points
• Puma w/ veteran WSO and ECCM @ 245 points
• Specter w/ Elite WSO and ECCM @ 439 points
So, here's the plan: The Tyrant and Vanquisher are the pointed end of the sword.
The extra move and veteran WSOs are there to let these guys hit hard. ECCM
and repair are for survivability. The Chain Lock is to let the Specter double team
the target of the Tyrant and Vanquisher. The Puma is along to add support and
take out all those nasty soft targets - infantry and whisper missiles mainly.
My tactics will be simple, isolate one of his CAVs and bring all my fire to bear.
Once that one is destroyed, move to the next. Use maneuver, ECCM, and cover
to protect my own forces.
So, off to battle!
And Brian’s Pre-Game Thoughts
When I Mark asked me if I wanted to do a CAV battle report for F.R. I was
quite enthused. A couple of years ago I had the fortune of playing in a couple of
CAV play-test games and a few regular games with Michael. I thought that this
game had a certain charm and playability that I did not find with other mechtype
games. I began acquiring the models as soon as they started arriving on
scene and now I’m going to get a chance to use some of the ones that I have
painted up.
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Since I am still a novice at this game I decided to keep my 1500 point force as
simple as possible. I’m a big fan of hitting the bad guys before they hit you so I
will be fielding Specter and a Whisper Missile. These bad boys will lead off by
(ideally) softening Michael’s force up so my other CAVs, a Starhawk V (Ace
pilot and wso, +1 movement), a Tyrant (Ace pilot and wso) and a Scorpion
(Ace pilot and wso), can move in and finish the job when the time is right.
Set Up
A 6’ by 4’ board was set up with just bare hills to represent the high mountain
pass where the engagement would take place. The north end of the battlefield
consisted of three peaks with alleys in between. The south end of the battlefield
was full of low hills and berms – a badlands setting. For the number of models
involved, Brian and Michael reduced the battlefield to 4’ by 4’. The players
ignored the hills and the alleys section. The board did not have a hex grid on it,
so the players used the free-form movement and targeting rules. These rules can
be found spread through out the CAV rulebook.
Deployment
Brian’s force (below) consisted of two sections – his four CAV and his missile
launcher. Therefore, he had two black cards in the deployment deck. I had one
section of CAV, so Michael had one red card in the deck. The first card drawn
was a black one. Brian deployed his Scorpion, Tyrant, Starhawk, and Specter
along the back of his deployment zone behind the low hills and berms. The next
card drawn was a red one. Michael (above) deployed his Tyrant, Vanquisher,
Puma, and Specter at the rear of his deployment zone behind a low hill. The last