Trial of Possession, of Revenge, and of High Stakes

Once again, I have to apologize for the lack of updates. Unfortunately, much of what we've been doing has been posted on Facebook or Instagram, so it hasn't made it over here in a bit. To sum up a couple of our past games, though.

We had some serious Clan ruckus to start. A "team" four way Trial of Possession for a world on Clan Wolf's Periphery border. Jesse had his Ghost Bears in full gear, with a Stone Rhino, Wyvern IIC, and Mad Dog. Sean also brought a Stone Rhino, as well as a Nova and Hunchback IIC. Guest player Jen had 'Mech selection help from Sean, and ended up with a Turkina, a Cauldron-Born, and...something small. I actually don't remember what her third 'Mech was, as it died quickly. I'll get to that in a moment. I, of course, represented Clan Wolf well, with a Dire Wolf, Blood Reaper, and Hellion.

The initial plan was to divide into two sides - Wolf/Bear vs Falcon/Spirit. What we actually decided on once 'Mechs hit the field is that the winner of the Bear vs Blood Spirit fight would match with the winner of the Wolf vs Jade Falcon scrap. Then, to make it even more interesting, we added a house rule - lose a 'Mech, take a Jagerbomb. Now, I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone out there how bad an idea it is to mix drinking with BattleTech, especially when we were all drinking a bit, but it's a bad idea. As in, several hours to play three turns bad.

So what happened here is that on the Spirit/Bear side, a super lucky shot from Jesse's Stone Rhino head capped Sean's Stone Rhino, and then later took down his Nova. Whilst not losing a 'Mech. Which put the Hunchback IIC at a disadvantage, especially with blowing through UAC/20 rounds like hot cakes.

On the Wolf/Falcon end, the smallest Falcon 'Mech died on turn one, the Cauldron-Born died on turn three, the Turkina couldn't hit the Hellion but did damage the Dire Wolf a lot.

Because we were all getting soused (Jesse and Sean especially), we called it with a Ghost Wolf win over the Blood Falcon forces.

However, to paraphrase a quote from Patlabor 2, in the aftermath of an unjust peace lay the seeds for the next war...

So then we came to the Trial of Freebirthasskicking, aka Sean is really upset that Jesse beat him so badly that he wanted a rematch. And no teams this time to blame it on. I called total weight. Unfortunately, we had an unforeseen complication - one of Jesse's friends from Minnesota planned on surprising him by being here waiting. In his excitement, he ended up selecting far underweight and as the defender, he also chose the maps (which gave Sean the choice of map edge), which also did not end up in his favor.

Ghost Bears rocked the Stone Rhino, the Mad Dog, Solitaire, and Bear Cub. Blood Spirits brought a Kodiak, Timber Wolf, and a pair of Crimson Langurs. You see the problem here already?

The banter between the guys and our guest made the game pretty light hearted, but the Bears faced a daunting uphill battle against a seasoned veteran of multiple campaigns and pick up games.

Then it went downhill fast...

At which point Jesse tried self immolation to gather his warrior spirit...

But it did not help..

Jesse's Mad Dog takes three shots from Sean's Kodiak - two slugs of LB 20X and a medium laser all in the CT. Lots of boom. Bears call it being basically down two 'Mechs ('Dog and Solitaire). Sean, being who he is, took no pleasure from the win and is willing to give Jesse a rematch when he can focus more on the game. And also at a point where I pick the mapsheets and ensure both sides are matching tonnage. Just in case.

Now, part of the reason that updates have been so slow is that we'd planned on also starting a D&D chronicle, which we're still building characters for, and then I got back into playing Magic with Rachel, and also with Tiffy and Jer at some point, in exchange for the two of them playing more BattleTech. And with my upcoming marriage & family time stuff, my gaming time has severely been curtailed for right now. Look for more updates to be coming in the near future doh!

 

Operation Annwyn Rising - Unit Spotlight: Clan Blood Spirit

BattleMech Y3 Facility
York, Clan Homeworlds
5 September 3067

"I bid the Carmine Guards."

Star Colonel Zane Schmitt's soft voice rarely carried over the din of his compatriots, but this one sentence alone was enough to quiet the gathering of Clan Blood Spirit's Bloodnamed warriors.

"Star Colonel, the established cutdown for this operation is a full Galaxy. Even if a single Cluster could take the targeted worlds, holding them would prove problematic. We cannot risk losing gains before they are adequately reinforced. Or would you risk the death of our Clan?"

The rebuke from his Clan's junior leader, saKhan Troy Boques, did nothing to diminish the rare smile on Schmitt's face. In fact, he was expecting his bid to be challenged immediately. Any sibko graduate could read the Khan's invasion outline, timetable, and minimum force requirements. What took a true strategic mind to read was the way in which much of the initial requirement could be circumvented entirely, or at least quickly.

The murmur of voices once again began to rise in support of the saKhan. Khan Karianna Schmitt, senior leader of the Blood Spirits, remained silent, urging her warrior to continue in his assessment.

"With due respect, my Khan, you are in err. We are the true inheritors of the great Kerensky's vision. We alone have followed His wisdom and for that, we have endured a hardship beyond any other Clan. We have been marginalized and pushed into the fringe of Clan society. To many, we are barely elevated above that of the Dark Caste. No, my Khan, failure would not be the death of our Clan. Failure would be the death of Kerensky's dream."

The silence was deafening. Not a warrior dared to breathe noticeably. The weight of the proposed operation and of Zane Schmitt's words pressed heavily upon the gathering.

"The Star Colonel speaks truth. I stand corrected. So tell us, then, what you can do with a single Cluster."

As Schmitt laid out his machinations, both Khans slowly shared his smile. Their acceptance and support was quick in coming.

Trial Grounds
Marshall, Clan Homeworlds
1 October 3067

The impressive light show of extended range large laser shots being traded lit up the night sky of Marshall. On one end, a fifty ton Crimson Langur OmniMech danced nimbly, relying on speed and the dogged determination of its pilot to dodge and weave the incoming fire. On the other, an eighty five ton Blood Kite BattleMech deftly maneuvered to turn successful hits into glancing blows. What had begun as a Trial of Possession, a Harvest Trial really, for a portion of Clan Fire Mandrill's Mattila-Carrol force, devolved into a personal duel between the two 'Mechs.

The remainder of two Binaries worth of Clan forces stood at the edges of the circle, watching their leaders tear into each other with a reckless abandon usually reserved for forces with a deep hatred of one another, not allies. Banter and wagers on a common frequency belied the ferocity of the battle.

Darting into shorter range, the Langur utilized its powerful targeting computer to lay accurate laser fire into the heart of the Blood Kite, adding paired heavy medium lasers to the extended range barrage. The Kite rocked backwards, but the MechWarrior at its controls was prepared for the onslaught, and responded by unleashing a hellstorm of long and short range missiles. Though the heat build up was intense, it had the desired result. The yellow and red parade scheme of the Crimson Langur was ruined, its armor melted in a dozen places.

Attempting to back peddle, hot cycling its weapons despite the risk, the Langur stumbled and lost the one advantage it held. Without speed and the ability to evade fire, the duel became far more one-sided. The Blood Kite contained a strategist, a tactician, a thinker known more for his skill at the planning session than on the field, but the outcome had been decided before Star Colonel Zane Schmitt climbed into his cockpit. Avoiding the Langur's battered head, the Kite emptied the last of its missile ammunition into the internal structure of its legs, severing them both at the knee.

"Yield, Amanda Carrol. This Trial is concluded. Welcome to Clan Blood Spirit."

Staging Point Alpha
Helghan Enclave, Colleen System, Clan Homeworlds
18 November 3067

Iota Galaxy Commander Zane Schmitt, architect of Operation: Annwyn Rising, slowly and methodically approaches a podium erected for this one moment, this moment that will be broadcast to all in-system ships and transmitted to allied forces throughout the Kerensky Cluster. Banners bearing the blood red teardrop insignia of Clan Blood Spirit flutter in the breeze kicked up by the exhaust of dozens of DropShips landing and departing. This moment of time, this small slice of existence, has been building for more than a decade. Since the Clans returned to the Inner Sphere, since the failed intervention during the Burrock Absorption, since the loss of the Great Refusal, since the founding of the Colleen System and the Star Adder invasion of York, it has been coming. This culmination of choices made since Nicholas Kerensky named the Blood Spirits for the esprit de corps of the original 800 founders. This is a moment where the entire course of a people's history will change and he will be there to spearhead it. To spearhead a return home. To take Khan Karianna Schmitt's vision and make it an undeniable reality.

Hundreds of warriors, thousands of the lower castes, below await his words. Trueborn and freeborn, MechWarrior and Elemental, Scientist and Laborer, Spirits all.

"My people...

Sons and daughters of Kerensky. For many years, we have been a broken Clan; shunned, oppressed and invaded by those we sought to escape!"

He pauses as the assemblage nods in agreement whilst shouting for death to their dishonorable enemies.

"Ten years ago, our Khan asked for time and that time was granted by you; the strength in my arm, the holders of our dream."

The roar of a Union DropShip leaving for orbit muffles the sounds of his warriors, but cannot compete fully with their volume.
 
"Our Founders embarked upon the greatest Exodus in the history of all mankind; an Exodus for freedom. The Kerensky Cluster became that freedom! To survive on these new worlds, we changed our bodies. At first, the reliance on iron womb technology weakened us. In fact, we were growing stronger. We were becoming... Superior.
 
In the time you have given me, I have rebuilt our Touman. I have rebuilt our strength. And I have rebuilt our pride!

Our enemies in the Homeworlds have been re-educated. We have given them new insight into our cause. On this day, we stand united once more. On this day, those driven to divide us, will hear our voice! On this day, we shall act as one and we shall be ignored no more!"

Breathlessly, he pauses again. He has them. He knows he has them.

"Defenders of Clan Blood Spirit, now is our time!"

This time, not even the engines of the DropShips can match the thunderous cacophony of the assemblage. 

As he steps out of the light, he feels an elation he has never experienced before. Each and every warrior, every scientist and technician, every merchant and laborer. Every single member of Clan Blood Spirit would fight and die and cleave a path straight to Terra if he so commanded. Galaxy Commander now, but soon Khan, and then ilKhan, Zane Schmitt feels the terrible weight of purpose pressing down upon him and finds it a sensation to which nothing in the universe could compare. He embraces it like a lover as he prepares to depart for the Inner Sphere.

(Scolar Visari, how I picture this entire scene adapted wholesale from the Killzone 1 intro.)

The Wars of Reaving book put the most logical end to the Blood Spirits that FM: Updates made available - their eventual destruction. The smallest, most isolationist of Kerensky's Clans, it was almost as if they were set up to die a dramatic death... It's an outcome I've never disagreed with, especially given how well it was written. That being said, I'm still left with a beast Iota Galaxy cluster-in-progress and, well, since the Horses have never been one of my favorites... Thus we have a moved up timetable for the Spirits colonization efforts in the Colleen system to 3062, and added the claiming of the command binary of the Mattila-Carrol Kindraa, along with the elite 61st Firestorm Cluster and newly formed 1st Fire Assault Cluster (and the Lola-III Rage) to form the core of a reconstituted Delta Galaxy. With Honor and Haven as a spring board, the Spirits get a jump on the Horse's invasion time table, throwing the BattleTech Universe into a different direction.

Prior to the start of a 5th SW/Jihad era Inner Sphere in Flames campaign, the Blood Spirit Iota and Delta Galaxies (with an elite cluster of Alpha) hit Clan Wolf's Periphery holdings in a Wars of Reaving style mini-campaign, securing a planetary beachhead for what will become a slugfest of epic proportions. Depending on player involvement, the Falcons may still feel the sting of a Hellion's-type invasion, or the Bears could bear (pun intended) the brunt of that scenario. All other Clans are still a wild card here but as it stands, the Spirits will not be going down into the footnote of history without one helluva last fight.

CLAN BLOOD SPIRIT
TASK FORCE: ANNWYN

Unit Commander - (Iota)Galaxy Commander Zane Schmitt
Aide de Camp - (Delta)Galaxy Commander Amanda Carroll
Location - Noveaux Paris, Deep Periphery

Carmine Guards Alpha Command Star
Blood Kite 2 – (Iota)Galaxy Commander Zane Schmitt
Stone Rhino 2
Direwolf H
Direwolf A
Kodiak 3

Alpha Surat Star
Blood Asp Prime
Warhawk H
Marauder IIC 2
Timberwolf D
Hunchback IIC

Carmine Guards Bravo Command Star
Crimson Langur A – (Zeta)Galaxy Commander Amanda Carroll
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime

Bravo Striker Star
Ice Ferret Prime
Arctic Cheetah H
Kit Fox H
Kit Fox H
Mist Lynx H

Bravo Elemental Star
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser

Carmine Guards Charlie Command Star
Warhawk Prime
Blood Kite
Blood Kite
Blood Kite
Blood Kite

Charlie Lineholder Star
Shadow Cat Prime
Nova A
Hunchback IIC
Crimson Hawk
Adder Prime

Carmine Guards Delta Command Star
Hellbringer Prime
Crossbow Prime
Ice Ferret H
Storm Crow H
Jenner IIC

Delta Support Star
WVR-7H Wolverine II
MON-66GX Mongoose Gunslinger
MON-66GX Mongoose Gunslinger
UrbanMech IIC
Enyo Pursuit Tank
Enyo Pursuit Tank

Delta Salamander Star
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser

ALPHA GALAXY, RED GUARDS

Unit Commander -  Star Colonel/Cloud Cobra ilChi Carmen Zadok
Aide de Camp - Star Commander Stefanie Polczyk
Location - Bazaar, Deep Periphery

Alpha Command Star
Direwolf - Star Colonel Carmen Zadok
Blood Asp
Blood Asp
Gargoyle
Timberwolf

Alpha Battle Star
Kingfisher - Star Commander Stefanie Polczyk
Blood Asp
Blood Asp
Spirit Walker
Spirit Walker

Alpha Sweep Star
Crossbow
Coyotl
Nova
Hellion
Night Chanter

Bravo Comand Star
(Blood Kite) - 
(Blood Kite 2)
Kingfisher
Rifleman IIC
Night Gyr

Bravo Battle Star
Crimson Langur 
Crimson Langur
Ebon Jaguar
Black Lanner
Huntsman

Bravo Strike Star
Battle Cobra
Clint IIC
Clint IIC
Arctic Cheetah
Jenner IIC

 

Charlie Command Star
Turkina E - 
(Septicemia)
(Osteon)
(Cephalus)
(ProtoMech A)
(ProtoMech B)
(ProtoMech C)
(ProtoMech D)
(ProtoMech E)

Charlie Assault Star
Annihilator C2 - 
Atlas C2
Guillotine IIC
Archer C

Archer C

Charlie Battle Star
Pillager
Thunderhawk
Hoplite C
(Spartan C)
Shogun C

Delta Command Star (P)
(Mars
Mars
Donar
Donar
Joust
Joust
Epona
Epona
Athena
Athena)

Delta Beta Star (M)
Morrigu
Morrigu
Ares

Ares
Asshur
Asshur
Shamash
Shamash
Svantovit
Svantovit

Delta Charlie Star (P)
Demolisher C
Demolisher C
SRM Carrier C
SRM Carrier C
Von Luckner (Royal)
Von Luckner (Royal)
Pike C
Pike C
Pike C

Pike C

Echo
Some kinda infantry, probably just 75 Elementals

Note - ilChi Carmen Zadok is responsible for coordinating joint actions and trials between the Blood Spirits and Cloud Cobras as Operation: Annwyn Rising swings into full effect.

Note 2 - Khan Schmitt's Trial of Refusal Star can be built out of this to fight Hohiro's Genyosha detachment, if one so chose. It's almost impossible for the Genyosha to win though, despite my enjoyment of Hohiro, without significant luck or writer fiat. 

Trial of Refusal Star
Blood Kite - Khan Karianna Schmitt (2/0)
Battle Cobra B - saKhan Troy Boques (2/1)

Kingfisher C - MechWarrior Matthius (2/3)
Kingfisher A - MechWarrior Jason Keller (1/2)
Crossbow A - MechWarrior Norris (3/3)

Of Bears and Wolves

I've been meaning to post this all week, but life tends to take over. Add that to the twelve other blogs I have saved to add later.

Breaking out the training map sheets, Clan Wolf's Alpha Galaxy (fielded by myself) sought to break in a new player (Jesse), utilizing the "Nordic Klingons" Clan Ghost Bear's Tau Galaxy. Working on a quicker than normal game, we broke away from Clan tradition of stars to each command a trio of points. To the left, we have an Alpha Mad Cat Mk II, Hellion, and Sun Cobra. To the right, Tau Gladiator/Executioner, Ryoken/Stormcrow, and Bear Cub. The Bears took the east end of the map, whilst the Wolves hit up the west.

First turn, as normal, was spent maneuvering into shooting range. Second turn, however, the Wolves tore into the Bears with reckless abandon. Disregarding zellbrigen (possession of this particular world is more important than personal honor), the Hellion, Sun Cobra, and Mk II all focused on dropping the Bear Cub. With well placed salvos, the armor melted away until a core breach caused it to crumple inward.

The Bears learned from their early Trial miscalculation. The Executioner chose to anchor the Bear line near the eastern pond as the Stormcrow pushed north for a flanking angle. Using cross-pattern shooting solutions, the Tau pair landed solid blows against the Sun Cobra, spoiling its aim against them. The Mk II and Hellion spread their damage outward, as the Wolf trio guarded each other like a true pack.

The Executioner and the Mk II face each other as equals, but the veteran skills of the Wolves see their lighter elements tackling the Stormcrow on the other side of the pass. Trading armor for time, the Stormcrow manages to take down the Sun Cobra, but is finished by the Hellion.

Blurry as hell. And yet, there it is. The Mk II headcaps the Executioner, killing its pilot there beside the pond. The Wolves take ownership of the planet, looking forward to using its resources to strengthen the Clan's Touman.


Jesse did great for his first time out, picking up all of the rules as he went and a lot of the background of the universe. Pulled the FM: Warden Clans out of the library and loaned him that, along with the universe sourcebook from the box set. It grows and grows and grows.

Looking forward to many more Clan games in the future. I imagine the Bears will be a powerful for in the 5th Succession War.

Roster and Records - Retired

I'll be posting this one as a sticky to track our wins, losses, and campaign achievements. Via Word, I tend to make a brick to follow stats but since I'm not as good at doing it within the framework of blogspot, I'll just keep it up as a roster list.

This is a full-on reset. Only games played from 23 Jan 14 on will count. Campaign ribbons earned previously will still count, however, as they're still on-going. E-mail me the outcome of any games played so that I can keep this as up to date as possible.

100 - Fen
Faction; Clan Wolf (P), Mercenary (S), Draconis Combine (T)
Unit; Golden Keshik/1st Wolf Assault Cluster/13th Battle Cluster/Wolfkin Keshik/11th Battle Cluster (P), Kuroi Kaze (S), Otomo/1st Genyosha (T)

Standard - 17/6  46 Kills
Alpha Strike - 6/5 40 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Outreach Campaign
Operation: Nachtfalke Campaign
Operation: Frostbite Medal
Ace (Obsidian)
Robeslayer
Waterly Memorial Medal (5)


101 - Mitch
Faction; Lyran Alliance (Primary)
Unit; 4th Skye Rangers (Primary)

Standard - 2/0 4 Kills
Alpha Strike - 0/1 4 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Operation: Frostbite Medal
Waterly Memorial Medal

102 - Rachel
Faction; Word of Blake (Primary)
Unit; SIGNs (Primary), 53rd Shadow Division (Secondary)

Standard - 4/3 5 Kills
Alpha Strike - 5/5 31 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Outreach Campaign
Ace (Bronze)
Waterly Memorial Medal (5)
Mercslayer
Clanslayer
Operation: Frostbite Medal

103 - Sean
Faction; Federated Suns (Primary)
Unit; 1st Davion Rangers

Standard - 6/10 23 Kills
Alpha Strike - 4/3 24 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Standard Bearer
Ace (Platinum)
Waterly Memorial Medal (2)
Operation: Nachtfalke Campaign
Clanslayer

104 - Jer (KIA)
Faction; Mercenary (Primary)
Unit; 26th Royal Tyran (Primary)

Standard - 2/1 4 Kills
Alpha Strike - 

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal (3)

105 - Tiffy (MIA)
Faction; Free Worlds League (Primary)
Unit; 19th Marik Militia (Primary)

Standard - 0/3 1 Kills
Alpha Strike - 

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal (3)

106 - Jesse
Faction; Clan Ghost Bear (Primary), Capellan Confederation (Secondary)
Unit; 1st Bear Regulars, Tau Galaxy (Primary), Three Kingdoms Lancers (Secondary)

Standard - 2/6 6 Kills
Alpha Strike - 

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal (2)
Ace (Bronze)
Operation: Nachtfalke Campaign
Operation: Frostbite Medal

107 - Lindsey aka Amanda (KIA)

Standard - 0/1 1 Kills

Ribbons and Awards

108 - Brian

Standard - 0/1 0 Kills

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal

109 - Poppy

Standard - 0/0 0 Kills
Alpha Strike - 0/0/1

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal

110 - Kilcoin

Standard - 0/0 0 Kills
Alpha Strike 1/0/1

Ribbons and Awards
Waterly Memorial Medal

Members in Absentia

1XX - Mikal Fangrender
Faction - Mercenary (Primary), Clan Wolf (Secondary)

Standard -
Alpha Strike -

Ribbons and Awards
Operation: Nachtfalke Campaign

'Tis The Season (To Fire At Will)

"But who is Will?"

Yes.

Now that we have the tired joke out of the way, I apologize deeply for not keeping up posting games & what not but 1) we took a small break for a bit during the busy external season and 2) many of the things that I would post here, I've actually just been throwing on Facebook for the convenience of it all. However, with 2013 coming to and end, it's time to get back up on 'dis shit right hurr.


WHAT HAS PAST
November was a big month for us collectively. We had a few good games, but this one was easily the best/largest we've played in a long while.

Warm welcomes to Tiffy and Jer, on their first game with the 357th. Completely new to the game and universe, we split them up and paired them with a seasoned vet for a double lance stand up fight; Coalition (26th Royal Tyran and Kuroi Kaze) vs Alliance (Word of Blake and 19th Marik Militia). Normally, we do single lance on lance but I figured the best way to teach someone how to utilize their pieces is to give them plenty. Fortunately, both caught onto the rules quickly with only a few reminders of how to tally up rolls. Because they're both competitive (like all of us), the shit-talking was flying fast and furious.

This was turn two. The Koto hit the high ground to the north and the Griffin/Red Shift flanked the southern half. That Bloodhound started its own flanking maneuver as Blake and Marik formed a solid advancing line. Maneuvering around the lake slowed the advance of my Tetsubo but Jer's Marauder II ensured that anything getting too far out would be in for a world of hurt. 

By this point, the two forces gave up most pretenses of a battle plan and clashed centerline. The middle of the battlefield ran molten with the streams of melted armor and shattered flakes of ferro composites as we hammered into each other. The Ninjato hit the ground this turn, and the Jackrabbit bought the farm. The Euyuleka really got battered but weathered the attacks quite well. Not bad for a Canopian-designed 'Mech.

Same turn, Koto/Bloodhound brawlin'.

Endgame. We played to four kills and this basically finished things up. The Marauder II, the Atlas II, the Awesome, and the Tetsubo could have easily gone for three or four more turns barring head shots. But it was getting late and the Coalition dominated. Well, not so much dominated since it came down to a one kill difference, but we did kick some serious ass.

WHAT WILL COME

So then, 2014 is right around the corner and that leaves us open to resolutions and goals. As a group, we want to continue to expand and bring new players into the fold. I have several that I'd like to see sit down for a game & a couple that I would like to get into things on a regular basis. That's also a personal goal. I need to get back into playing every week or two. My skills and memory get rusty if I'm not exercising them often.

Unit goals;
Got a few of these. First and foremost, I need to finish painting up the Draconis Combine Otomo (one left currently) and 26th RTM (four left) companies. I have about a lance or so each for the Marik Militia and Capellan Warrior House units that need to be assembled and painted, and the usual odds & ends for the Kuroi Kaze. Ghost bear Tau is almost combat ready and I still have a couple Blood Spirit Zeta/Fire Mandrill Matilla-Carrol to go. Might have a stray Wolf being prepped too.

New stuff for 2014 will include a Diamond Shark Beta Galaxy trinary+ (already have a star primed), possibly another Clan that we're lacking (Goliath Scorpion/Escorpion Imperio maybe, a Society Jaguar unit, or Snow Raven/Raven Alliance), a new mercenary outfit (Freya's Faithful - a collection of former Jarnfolk sell-swords with 'Mech training and aspirations towards glory), and a new pirate-esque band known only as The Remnant (thinking fringers that remember the days of the Rim World Republic using old RWR Rampages, retrotech and the more common Star League units). And, Clan Wolverine/The Minnesota Tribe/The Immortals/The Blood. I've been looking forward to building this since Operation: Klondike came out. With all the Jihad books finished, there is plenty of information that makes it easy to believe the Wolverines roam around Koryo and the Hidden Five. Time to bring them out to play.

Continuing stuff for 2014 will be the Kuroi Kaze, as usual, and another binary of Wolves for sure. I'd like to pick up some of the new sculpts for the Unseen/Reseen (especially the Marauder X) for the 26th RTM and proceed to prioritize whichever units are seeing the most use.

Campaign goals;
Nachtfalke. 5th SW. Massive multiplayer offline table top wargaming.

Stay tuned and I will really do my best to get back into this.

AAR 8 Dec 2012 (Part 2)

To continue our Saturday adventures (two weeks later)...

Game 2 of the day was a standard lance vs lance using identical mapsheets for both sides of the field. Laying them out so that we had the maximum amount of distance between us led to the usual "first turn no fire" scenario while we positioned forces. This game was an amazing test of our comparative strategies, equipment knowledge and luck. Mitch's force was built around a C3 network, with almost all of his 'Mechs having the ability to jump. Countering that on my end, was a single ECM 'Mech (a Red Shift) and only a single jumper. Overcoming his ability to out maneuver me was the first priority of my strategy.

And, unlike the previous game, this one did not last 4 turns, it lasted almost 15.

Here we are at turn 2, my Red Shift and Marauder II anchoring the left flank while my Huron Warrior and Ti Ts'ang head for the shelter of a small rock outcropping. His left flank is heavily fortified with the Gunslinger in command, followed by a Quickdraw and Spider. Odd man on the right side is a Wolverine closing in on the Shift.

Couple of turns later and the battlefield looks completely different. The speed and jump distance of the Spider made it a C3 threat, but my Red Shift is right there to stop it. The Ti Ts'ang was in trouble, though the Huron Warrior had its back as the Wolverine and the Marauder II went toe to toe.

Sorry for the blur. 6ish turns in and still a full field. This is the longest we've gone without at least one kill in a game. Shots have been traded all over the place but neither of us can seem to get it done.

Turn 8 and we've backed off to regroup some.

Turn 9, the Ti Ts'ang is down from leg loss. It still survives, in deep pain. The Spider? She no survive at all no more.

Turn 11, approaching end game. The Ti T'sang and Huron Warrior have been sent to the salvage heap, while the Wolverine and Spider are there a-waitin' the outcome as well. And this is the turn where everything fell apart for the 4th Skye. The Gunslinger soon went down. A couple more turns of fighting to flank one another and the Quickdraw fell as well, leaving the Marauder II and Red Shift alone on the field. Neither of them were doing well by then. The Shift had lost an arm & half its weaponry with it. The Marauder II (with a fragile IS XL engine) had a single point of internal structure left in its right torso, leaving it one shot away from blowing up.

This was easily the most epic lance battle we've ever played. Neither of us could get any lucky shots (the Marauder II took two head shots from small weapons) and we really had to grind against some high TNs to hit/to be hit.

AAR 8 December 2012 (Part 1)

After a good bit of a hiatus, Mitch was finally able to get some BattleTech time in over the past weekend. Having just ordered two companies of 'Mechs, he felt it was time to drop on the field of battle and see where the victory would lie.

We got a couple of games in on Saturday. The first match saw four points of Clan Wolf's Alpha Galaxy square away against an equal tonnage of 4th Skye Rangers in a semi-Trial of Possession for an abandoned military base.

Though I saved it as turn one, this is actually turn two, and the first turn where we started firing. Actually, I think this was the start of the turn, because Star Captain Kerensky claimed the little beach house on the island as isorla prior to moving. The Rangers held the north end of the map and decided against using the military base for cover. The Uratha on the island and the Mist Lynx supporting the Sun Cobra both have jump, none of the Rangers do.

Finishing up the move, the Uratha has decided to hold the mountain by himself against the combined might of the Commando and Kit Fox, while the rest of the star moves up the middle of the map. Mitch's Fafnir and Defiance menace the three Wolf 'Mechs from afar, awaiting the call to rain death upon them.

This is where I actually thought "I am well & truly fucked." Short range against a pair of HGRs? I was fairly certain my Dire Wolf (and Star Captain Kerensky) were about to be sent to the scrap heap. Despite its light armor, the Sun Cobra was unscathed from last turn, as Mitch focused fire upon the Uratha, hoping to score the first kill. Instead, he freed me from any reliance on zellbrigen and I planned on unleashing a full spread from the Dire Wolf combined with the Sun Cobra. Didn't quite work out that way... The Dire Wolf fired its UAC-20 first in the round, scoring a hit, then scoring both rounds and the first location rolled was his Fafnir's head. Insta-kill. We both sat back for a second, then he rolled for his HGRs. The shots spread, putting my Dire Wolf in no real danger. The Uratha ripped an arm from the Commando last turn and the Kit Fox this turn. He was in a bad way at this point...

Which led to a fourth turn concession. Horribly outgunned by my remaining 'Mechs, he chose to honorably call for an end to hostilities. Having captured the island and the military base, the Wolves stood poised to push deeper into Lyran holdings...