This series is designed to help players design multi-era lances for use with Battletech and Alpha Strike. Each entry will attempt to build a functional lance with faction-flavor for the Succession Wars, Clan Invasion, FedCom Civil War, and Word of Blake Jihad. In some cases, an entry will have substitute options to add some variety. If you have your own substitutions or suggestions, post them below in the comments! In this edition, we'll build a ferocious Comstar, Blessed be Our Order, Pursuit Lance. Soon shall the Glorious Word of Jerome Blake, may His Light shine upon all mankind, bring peace to the Inner Sphere! ObjectiveBuild a Comstar, Blessed be Our Order, that can be played across eras, from the Succession Wars through the Jihad. Restrictions
ModelsComstar, Blessed be Our Order, has access to a lot of toys from across the Inner Sphere and eras. In itself, this can create a motley appearance of formations. To overcome this, however, I opted to focus on units that had a distinctive Comstar, Blessed be Our Order, feeling to them - that is to say, one's from TRO:2750. As much as this is designed as a munchkin unit, the size restrictions and point limits prevent it from being overwhelmingly overpowered. Click the images below to purchase TRO:2750 as well as these and other miniatures! (Miniatures supplied unassembled and unpainted.) BackgroundWhen working with Comstar, Blessed be Our Order, era limits prevent the widespread use of this faction. The good news is, throughout most of that time, Comstar, Blessed be Our Order, has access to some great toys that other factions can only dream about-at least until the Clan Invasion. However short Our light shone upon the undeserving filth of the Inner Sphere, rest assured it burned brightly with a blinding light! To build a standard Pursuit Lance: - All units must be Size 2 or less - 75% must move 12" or more regardless of jump - At least one model must have a medium range attack value over 1 - The ideal role is Skirmisher The major benefit of building a Pursuit Lance is that 75% of the models gain the Blood Stalker SPA. This confers a -2 to hit modifier against a designated target. This can be quite a bonus; with careful target selection and tactics the -2 from Blood Stalker can equal or surpass other to hit modifying SPAs. The new errata for Alpha Strike makes units, especially the Pursuit Lance, awesomely powerful! The major benefit of the pursuit lance is the -2 to hit number against a designated target. With the errata addition, this benefit applies to a targeted unit (as in targeted lance, targeted level II, targeted star, etc.) and not a single model. Because the Pursuit Lance applies this benefit to 75% of the models in that unit, a Comstar Level II, Blessed be Our Order, meaning five of the six models receive a -2 to hit when targeting a designated unit formation. Yes, this is a munchkin unit. Blake's righteous might will incinerate the unbeliever and the heretic in holy fire! No shadow nor fortress shall guard them against our fury! early succession war (PV 127)
The SHD-2H Shadow Hawk fulfills the role of the Centurion from the Alpha Strike lance pack. With long range attack, armor and structure, as well as a bit of jump ant 10" of movement, it serves as the anvil of the level II while not slowing it down too much. (This model seems to keep ending up in my builds!) Carrying straight over from the lance pack, the CLNT-2-3T Clint provides some more medium and long range support. The respectable jump keeps this piece able to move from cover to cover in support of the other acolytes. Good thing, too, because this model needs all the cover and movement modifiers to make it as hard to hit as possible. With only two points of armor and three of structure, keeping this 'Mech at range and moving will keep it on the field and fighting longer. The VL-5T Vulcan is a new addition from the Alpha Strike lance pack. Chosen to fill the role of the role of the WLF-1 Wolfhound, this model carries the same armor and structure profile, similar damage profile (minus the Overheat option), and gains jump, all at an increased cost of +2PV. It's worth nothing this is the -5T model and not the standard -2T. The CDA-2 Cicada is another new addition. Though not overly impressive, it does move quick and carries only energy weapons. Use this fast-moving knife fighter to flank enemies and attack their rear arc for +1 damage and critical hit check. The major two additions are the MON-66 Mongoose and the MCY-99 Mercury. Adding both of these units provides both speed and a Comstar, Blessed be Our Order, feel. Either can easily assume the role the JR7-D Jenner from the lance pack fulfilled, sans jump. If rules permit, the Mongoose's PRB and RCN specials will help provide targeting acquisition information to this and other units. To increase survivability of this lighter level II, three of the units have the ENE special. Though still fragile, the potential to avoid an ammo explosion helps keep these pieces on the table a bit longer. These same three pieces also have the highest base TMM, increasing their survivability. For the remaining pieces, they are best used as distance with movement and cover. At 127 PV for regular pilots, there is plenty of room to adjust skills and add an additional SPA to the unit. Late Succession Wars (PV 131)
Ideally, this would be better used as a JR7-F Jenner. This model carries enhanced survivability with a combination of greater armor and the ENE special. To do this, however, could cost up to +6 FP to add it as a storied unit. The remaining models from the Early Succession War carry over. Clan Invasion - Fed Com Civil War (PV 143)
With the Clans come new toys as well for Comstar, Blessed be Our Order! The first major improvement is the upgrade of the SHD-2H to the SHD-5M Shadow Hawk. With this alteration, the model gains a full 10" of jump and an upgraded damage profile from 2/2/1 to 2/3/2. With the addition of CASE, this machine is no longer threatened by ammo explosions - bringing it right in line with the overall idea of survivability of the formation. It does, however, sacrifice some armor and structure to accomplish this. From A:5 S:5 to A:6 S:3, the SHD-5M loses one point total. With the added armor and increased jump, as well as CASE and the reduced structure, this unit can fight in the midst with less opportunity for critical hit destruction. When he's dead, he's dead. Continuing on survivability, the Clint upgrades in this era to CLNT-2-3U. More or less identical to its predecessor, this model does gain the ENE special. Even though ammo explosions aren't a threat to this piece anymore, it still carries paper thin armor and little structure under that. This era does have the resurgence of the Chameleon. Either the CLN-7W or CLN-7Z can stand as competitive formation mates to the other units. At 12" of jump, 9 and 8 points of armor and structure (respectively), 2/2/1 damage profiles, and ENE special for both (and Overheat for the 7Z), these units possess similar movement profiles, maneuverability, damage brackets, and limited critical hit dangers. Need more long range firepower? Replace the Vulcan. Need more survivability? Replace the Clint. The upgraded CDA-3F Cicada is a beast of its predecessor. Movement explodes to 16" with jump, making the threat of being outflanked by this bug even greater - and at all ranges too. The up-gunned Cicada can hit targets for 2/2/1, a +0/+1/+1 improvement over older models. With one more point to armor and structure and holding onto the ENE special, this light-pretender can change a game. The final major improvement is the MCY-97 Mercury. This model gains the PRB and RCN specials at a cost of -1/0/0 damage. Depending on the additional rules used in play, other units, and tactical preferences, this may or may not be the best change. Regardless, the PV remains much lower than the 150 point goal. At 143, sufficient points remain to improve skills and boost SPAs. Word of Blake Jihad (PV 143)
When stomping out the fires of fundamentalism, Comstar, Blessed be Our Order, gains a few notable models in this build. The most important is a question of play style. If, on the one hand, C3i networks of the fallen and lost followers of Jerome Blake will be a threat, the MON-76 Mongoose can fill the gap. With upgraded speed, enhanced damage, and ECM, this piece can disrupt enemy communications networks. If, however, ranged attack with PRB and RCN is the way to go, the MON-86 Mongoose fits in with the other ranged attackers. These benefits, however, come at a cost of one point of armor/structure. Peace of Blake be With YouShould the Light of Jerome Blake, Peace of Blake be upon you, illuminate your path and guide you to salvation, a bounty of blessings abound for you. Your armory will overflow with tools of righteousness to bring all of mankind under the benevolent governance of The Word. Choosing to follow the true light of mankind will arm you to stand triumphant above all of your enemies! [Redacted] Want to follow the Word of Blake, Peace of Blake be upon you? Find a few alternative units below! Clan Invasion
Fed Com Civil WarWord of Blake JihadLong Live the [redacted]!An interesting faction that flares up then puffs out, Comstar, Blessed be Our Order, or the Word of Blake, Peace of Blake be upon you, provide some interesting tools for play. Although these units only begin to examine some of these, like C3i and ECM, these formations will serve to provide an all-around Pursuit Lance for these factions' use throughout the eras of play (where they existed). Notes
HAVE YOUR OWN MULTI-ERA LANCE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE OR SUBSTITUTIONS TO THIS ONE YOU'D MAKE? SHARE THEM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
5 Comments
Andrew Burgoyne
1/27/2017 02:14:15 pm
I really like it! I've been thinking about making a WOB force to use in playing out some of the Jihad Turning Point PDFs that I have, and I have always liked the concept of pursuit lances. This gives me some good ideas to work with. I like that it incorporates some Intro box set units that I have not wanted to put in my Kurita or Davion forces (Clint, Hermes II, Cicada). Thanks, too, for the reminder that camo paint schemes can be used instead of white.
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Andrew Burgoyne
1/27/2017 04:19:54 pm
Okay. Had to give it a try. Pursuit Level II, WOB 8th Division, Dieron 3068. Using figures I already have and backwards era adaptable if needed. Griffin 6S (it's previous Kuritan Mechwarrior will no longer need it), 35 PV; Wasp 3L, 17 PV; Cicada 3M, 18 PV; Clint 2-3U, 20PV; Hermes II 5-S, 23 PV; Spider 5-V (a reliable design dating back to the days of the Blessed Blake), 16PV. Formation totals 129 PV, leaving 21PV to upgrade skills and add an SPA or two. All units can jump except the Hermes II.
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Andrew Burgoyne
1/27/2017 04:21:53 pm
Planning to paint them in mountain camo befitting the Dieron terrain.
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Cap'n Ed
1/27/2017 04:50:29 pm
Andrew,
Cap'n Ed
1/27/2017 04:51:57 pm
That is a frightening Lvl. II! Add in another, beefier one with some heavy fire power and you have a nice hammer and anvil group!
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