Re: [SG] Reasonably balanced forces for quick games

On Wed, 6 Jun 2001, Brian A Quirt wrote:

>      I'm thinking of putting together a few Stargrunt 15mm forces 
> which I could take around for quick games (and use for 
> introductory 'meeting engagement' type games). Thus, I want a few 
> forces which are (at least mostly) balanced against each other, but 
> with different styles of play (and difficulty levels) which I can 
> slot in against one another. Note that one of the reasons the force 
> numbers are coming out the way they are is that I'm trying to build 
> slightly non-conventional forces out of the 15mm squad packs 
> available....
>      I haven't finalized on weapons/equipment yet, except as noted 
> briefly below (and what I have is tentative), so suggestions will be 
> appreciated there too....
> 
> So, here's my first draft. Comments appreciated:
> 
> NAC Fast Reaction Force
> 
>	1 * PA Command Squad	(4)
>	4 * PA Line Squad	(5)
>	1 * PA Heavy Squad	(6)

WOW, that's a powerful platoon. Six PA squads will probably go thru the
forces below like you wouldn't believe.

What to you mean by a 'Heavy Squad'? More SAWs & support weapons?
Close-assault specialists?

> 
> FSE Colonial Legionnaires Force
> 
>	1 * Command Section	(4)
>	3 * Line Squad w/ APC	(7)
>	1 * Heavy Squad w/ APC	(7)

If this lot have decent APCs/IFVs, they'll do OK against everyone below,
and *might* hold against the PA.

I use these Infantry Fighting Vehicles: Size 3, Armour 3, Hover Mob,
GAC/2
TU, 2xSAW, 8 troops. They'll take out most things lighter than them,
although you have to remember that these *aren't* tanks! (A problem with
real-world IFVs too, I gather...)

> UNSC Reaction Force
> 
>	1 * Command Section	(4)
>	4 * Line Squad		(5)
>	1 * Heavy Squad 	(5)
>	1 * Heavy Weapons Team	(2)
>	1 * Sniper		(1)

A nice re-enforced platoon, although I'd say the line squads are a bit
small. The UNSC's full armour isn't PA, and the difference will show in
the field.

The weapons team would be something like a man-pack GMS/L, or maybe a
light mortar?

> NSL Grenadiers Platoon
> 
>	1 * Command Squad	(6)
>	3 * Line Squad		(6)
>	1 * Heavy Squad 	(8)
>	1 * Powered Squad	(6)

Another nice re-enforced platoon.

> These forces may also be balanced somewhat by leadership/experience 
> levels. I haven't really thought about armaments, except that I'm 
> planning (if possible) to use mostly the example equipment from SG2.
>
>      The vehicles belonging to the FSE force will be intended to hold 
> the entire force, but I'm not sure who will be where. I may get a 
> vehicle just for the command section if it seems reasonable. I'm 
> currently envisioning a size 2 vehicle with light armour (maybe only 
> armour 1) and not much more than transport space and an APSW (in 
> Dirtside terms). The heavy weapon is likely to be a mounted machine 
> gun or equivalent, POSSIBLY an antivehicle weapon, but unlikely.

OK, this lowers the capability of the Legionaires a bit. Little vehicles
like this can be dangerous in SG2, but often they're really only
dangerous
to the poor saps crewing them! Don't forget all those IAVRs, and GMS/Ps
-
those'll carve up Arm 1 vehicles cheerfully. Used carefully, light
machine-gun carriers can be important, though.

As laid out, I like most of these platoons, except that the NAC PA unit
needs more serious opposition that just one of the other platoons on
your
list. Maybe drop the PA down to one HQ squad, 2 line, and one heavy;
they'll have more of a fight that way, but they'll still be powerful.

For the record, my usual force of Mechanized Infantry are as follows:

1x HQ squad (8) w/ IFV
3x line squads (8) w/ IFVs

I run 'heavy' HQ squads as platoon command so they can act as reserves
as
needed; I also don't often run the full platoon - four of those IFVs w/
full infantry load is a powerful, flexible force

My PA is currently only a short platoon:

1x HQ (4)
2x line (6)

Eventually (ie when I get around to painting them) there'll be a third
line squad. The force has a good mix of heavy weapons (infantry plasma),
rifles, and close-assault flamers, so they're fairly scary.

My $0.02,

Brian - yh728@victoria.tc.ca -