Mixed Technology Re: 15mm FCT/Kwa'Zulu pics - Saeed Khalifate, etc.

> On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 17:43:38 +1000 <Beth.Fulton@csiro.au> writes:
<snip>
> G'day,

How does that work out?

Do you get much engagements beyond 48 ''? Every body here that has played the
games I have run has made it a point to close (if possible) to
at least medium range for their weapon system when facing HELs - and got
away with it.

Gracias,

G'day,

> How does that work out?

The odd pinging, particularly if there are two sets of high ridges on a board
and a deep central valley so neither side really wants to go down and then
have to fight their way up again to claim the other side. More
long range pining, air-war and VTOL troop drops.

> Every body here that has played the games I have run has made it a

That's when the DFFGs, GMS etc come in handy;)

Have fun

G'day,

Brian was so enjoying reading the archives on the Stargate thread he couldn't
help but wade in on anotehr thread too;)

Have fun

Beth

> Brian's message <<<<<<<

> That's when the DFFGs, GMS etc come in handy ;)

That observation seems to bear out John A's assertion that a mixed force beats
a lopsided reliance on one weapon type. I have to agree with him, combined
arms and a mix of weapons really do make sense, for several reasons:

1. Keeping your enemy guessing about what he'll face is always good. It means
he has to prepare for any eventuality, and is less likely to be able to
develop a successful tactic or strategy that leans too heavily in one
direction, because he knows he'll be exposing his "technological flank" to
you.

2.  Any individual enemy vehicle designed to be well-defended against
all possible threats is going to either be very expensive or undergunned. Or
both, if you're lucky.

3. In a campaign setting, the more varied your forces, the more
versatile -- the force optimized for open terrain is going to be at a
disadvantage in an urban setting, and vice versa. By having both in reserve,
you decrease your chances of bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Having said that, I can, for game purposes, see the validity in doing
some mental exercises: If, for whatever reason -- Scenario rules,
background flavor, whatever the case may be -- you must design a force
with certain restrictions, what would you do? So, in light of the current
discussion, here are a few of my feelings:

1. If you had to assemble a force armed with only 1 specific direct-fire
weapon system (weapon and class), what would it be?

For me, the answer is simple:  The MDC 5.  Pound-for-pound, the
absolutely best combination of both range AND damage of any weapon in the
game, short of artillery.

2. If you had to assemble a force wielding only "energy" weapons, what would
you do? (such as I am doing with my Goa'uld forces)

I think I'd follow Beth's example, and mix DFFG's and HEL's together --
if not on the same vehicle, or in the same platoon, then certainly within the
overall force. Each seems to be weak exactly where the other is strong.

3. If you were one of the above two forces facing the other, what would you
do?

A.  If I was the All-MDC force, I'd try to maintain the distance between
the forces, sniping at the HEL's first, trusting I could give better than I
got.

B.  If I were the Energy-Weapon force, I'd do my best to keep the enemy
busy with my HEL's at range, while trying to close with the DFFG's as quickly
as possible.

> --- Beth.Fulton@csiro.au wrote:

> 1. If you had to assemble a force armed with only 1

MDCs or HKPs.  Most versatile anti-armor weapon and
the sucessor to the main guns carried in modern heavy armored vehicles.
Different sizes are demanded by the different roles played by armored
vehicles, so I can't answer the second half.

> 2. If you had to assemble a force wielding only

I'd go out for a couple of beers and then mix DFFGs and HELs. Homogenous
platoons (so that I can fire all the platoon's weapons at the same time) and
heterogenous companies.

> A. If I was the All-MDC force, I'd try to maintain

Generally a good answer, and as good as can be given without looking at the
terrain.

> B. If I were the Energy-Weapon force, I'd do my

That's really your only hope.