Re: Infantry Walkers!

On Thu, 19 Nov 1998, Kenneth Winland wrote:

>  
>	What do people think about infantry walkers?
> 
>	I love 'em.  They have that "sci-fi" feel to them, they can be
> moderately well armed, and they have a good deal of mobility.  True,
they
> don't have much in the way of armour, but they are cheaper than a tank
> (well, in theory).  Nice close infantry support...
> 

In DS2, I use Size 1 Walkers as heavy weapons support for my Powered
Armour. They can drop in from orbit with the PA, and provide GMS/H &
MDC/2
support than is much appreciated at times.

>	We use the plethora of Heavy Gear figs to represent infantry
> walkers, with different ranges asigned to different
> nationalities/polities.  The larger Mammoths and Nagas also make for
GREAT
> size 3-5 combat walkers.
>

Haven't tried Walkers in SG2. 
 
>	However, not everyone in our group shares my enthusiasm.  A few
of
> us really do not think that they are worth it, due to their low armour
> rating.  They would prefer powered armour or APCs.  A number of
infantry
> walkers DO get slagged in our games, primarily due to the number of
IAVRs
> and GMS/Ps out there.  All of our games are rough on vehicles.
> 
>	What do other people think?  Do you find them worthwhile?
> 

Low armour values? They have (AFAIK) the same armour rules as any
vehicle
- so any light vehicle would be as vulnerable, or nearly. I run a light
tank in SG2, Size/Armour 2...it tends to die as well. Sg2 is rough on
vehicles.

In DS2, my Walker arm tends to take ridiculous casualties in every
operation. I generally figure that 3/4 of them will die everytime they
drop in...but while they're alive, they provide valuable fire support,
and
diversions for the PA to get down to the real work.

>	I know Owen Glover posted a scenario some time back, with a
number
> of size 1 and 2 infantry walkers ambushing a column of infantry and
> vehicles.  I would LOVE to try that.
> 

Missed that one. Is it webified anywhere?

>	On an ancillary note; how do you all find vehicles in SGII?  Do
> they have a high survival rate on table?
>

Depends. My Size 4 IFVs either die horribly or cut infantry to bits, in
about equal proportions. Killing the GMS/L trooper in your target squad
with the first firing action certainly helps...Having an entire PA squad
volley IAVRs at you really hurts...
 
>	I am just starting to paint up a bunch of walkers for DSII, so I
> have yet to find out their value in that scale.  I think that they
have a
> role...in theory.
> 

Orbital drop troop support. Only vehicles that can do orbital drops
along
with PA.

My PA companies have the following TO&E:

3 plts PA, each with 4 PA rifle teams & 1 PA GMS/L ENH team.

2 plts 'Ursus' Size 1 infantry walkers, ea w/ 2 MDC/2 equipped & 1 GMS/H
ENH equipped walkers.

1 PA rifle team, Coy. Commander.

1 PA Forward Observer team.(for Ortillery & the coy. mortars)

3 PA infatry mortar teams.

Powerful, flexible companies, I've found. The Walkers are a vital,
albeit
fragile, part of the force.

(and I'll shortly have enough figs to run a _battalion_ (3 coy.) of the
above!)

Brian (burger00@camosun.bc.ca)