Re: [GZG] New to the list, and 2 questions: lift/jump infantry rules, and 15mm alien 'natives'

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think there are some simple amendments to movement restrictions and
movment orders that could be given to jump troops.

Jump troops could primarily move like infantry and use their jump gear
to navigate any linear obstacles like rivers. They could then react to
enemy fire like normal infantry but would not be slowed down by the
terrain feature.

Jump infantry could make an elevated march move " a bounce" leaping over
terrain features to get to a location at speed at the expense of
increased vulnerability. Any waiting enemy can draw LOS to a point of
the move and fire as a reaction. Would be similar to an infantry unit
running between two bits of cover, any faster speed of movement could be
offset against the predictable balistic path of the jump move.

Jump infantry can also deploy from airbourne APCs either with the APC
hovering like a helecopter or using the grav belt like a parachute with
or without wings to assist in gliding.

Jump infantry might also be able to embark on an airbourne APC.

I don't like the idea of jump troops being able to fly around like
Superman. I think they should be a choice over leg infantry with
advantages and disadvantages. 

Tech levels seem to even out with weapons and armour developing in
competition and if everyone is wearing battle dress powered armour then
weapons are high energy or micro missiles that defeat the armour with a
direct hit.

________________________________
From: Kenneth Coble <kmcoble@gmail.com>
To: gzg-l@vermouth.csua.berkeley.edu
Sent: Monday, 12 January, 2009 11:16:38 AM
Subject: Re: [GZG] New to the list, and 2 questions: lift/jump infantry
rules, and 15mm alien 'natives'

So I didn't get around to working out v1.0 of these rules yet, but I
thought I'd solicit a bit more feedback.  In an attempt to remain
somewhat streamlined and yet cover two semi-opposing design criteria
('A' being to replicate the concept of flying/jumping/hopping infantry
as put forth in several scifi settings, and 'B' being the notion that
floating gently at 100' like a hot-air balloon is a real good way to
get shot), here's my first revision idea:  

Keep something similar to my initial 'jump troop' terrain list, but
include a provision that using it opens the unit to reaction fire, even
if it's only using one of its actions for move that turn (as opposed to
2 movements per the official rules).  Alternately, the unit can use the
regular infantry movement chart and be treated as infantry in all
respects.  Stuff like speed and loadouts can be fine-tuned based on
setting.  This would allow for a jump unit to cross the board quickly
if out of enemy range, but still penalize them for not going to ground
when at actual fire distances.  It sort of abstracts in the TL
difference/spoofing/etc issues as well, as presumably your High Tech
jump unit will be at least comparatively well-armored when compared to a
lower-tech adversary; and if they're of equivalent TLs then things
should even out.  

I was thinking of trying to include some kind of deal where a flying
unit could quickly go to ground, taking a quality test similar to the
'dropping from hovering craft' rules (treating all terrain as dangerous
for this purpose), and therefore avoid the reaction fire issue.  But
without any tabletop experience with this ruleset as of yet, I'm not
certain if that would make grav troops too powerful or not.  I'll have
to think about it - which of course means that I hope you guys will
think about it and give me feedback!

Thanks again for all the good and though-provoking responses to this
topic.  Keep it coming!