Community generated battlegroups and specialist squadrons

[Thamoz 1,086]

Ahoy fellow inventive scientists! The time is here to play with our brains and come up with some better ideas than the lacklustre battlegroups and squadrons found in our ORBAT.

First, a word from our lord an master: Spartan Derek

"Finally, we have opened up the testing of the upcoming Specialist Group Squadrons and Battle Groups to all players. These are explained in the relevant Force Lists (and in the rulebook), so we won’t go into too much detail here. Suffice it to say that they allow players to field their models in new ways and gain bonuses when they do."

-Spartan Derek, from the spartan blog post "New Dystopian Wars Statistics"

 

From this we know that these battlegroups and squadrons should give us new ways to field units (specialist squadrons) and a bonus for doing so (a "free" TAC card for a battlegroup)

Now the official battlegroups are just the boxed sets with, I think, an arbitrary card linked to them. Missed opportunity there.

The official specialist squadrons are linked primarily to odd-models, ones that through their old packaging or new squadron sizes tend to be going spare. For example, Fresnel squadrons used to be 3 models, but are now two. The new specialist squadron allows you to field that odd third Fresnel with a pair of friendly platos!

 

So here is the design brief;

Make up battlegroups of models that make sense to go together and either choose a TAC card to go with them or make one up. Added points for the card being fair and the group encouraging the use of sometimes sidelines models.

Make up specialist squadrons of models that would be fun to field together (though not too strong! No squadrons of battleships!). Added points for using models that people may too many/not enough of.

 

If I can, I will try to keep this post updated containing all the battlegroups and specialist squadrons that are generated (after they have had some community input)

Lets see what we can come up with!

 

*Guidance from the designers*

I like the creativity being put into these. However, do remember that anything requiring you, for example, to track which drones came from which launcher, isn't going to work

Do remember all cards are 20, 40 or 60 points.  30 is just odd.

-James

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Battlegroups

 

Drone Nexus Battlegroup

1 squadron of 1 Pericles fleet carrier

Two squadrons of 1 Hyperbius control flyer

 

Free card:

Hardened Drone Network 

Recover D3 +1 drones removed from play and place them in the scrapyard to be relaunched.

20 points

 

Notes:

A nice, basic battlegroup that focuses on supporting the vulnerable drone network, bringing 9 of them to the table, making them a bit harder to kill via the Hyperbius combat coordinator and adding an new card (shamelessly stolen from Naz's idea of a card that returns drones).

 

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Specialist Squadrons

 

Mu Squadron

1x Epicurus Sky Fortress

2x Icarus Flyers

 

Notes:

Icarus are a bit overlooked really, especially when compared to Cleomedes. This squadron though, would give them a bigger brother to help hand out pain. Lots of opportunity for linking weapons and with options for being better at long range or short. Inspired by the official specialist squadron of 2 capeks with an epicurus, but I think this version makes a lot more sense. Bonus points claimed because Icarus were sold in a blister of 2 models!

 

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Phi Aerial Supremacy Squadron

1x Hyperbius Control Flyer

2x Capek Interceptors

 

Notes:

They've both got Air Hunter rockets and those little Fore E-Guns, so it seems like a natural grouping. Definitely has a specialist purpose, too- hitting flyers, as the big strength of one of their rockets is Hunter +2. It also means that if we can do some air control without drones, we won't have to rely on them so much. As an additional plus, both models feature the big round engine design, which makes them work together stylistically.

 

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Lambda Surface Control Squadron

1x Daedalus-Beta Large Flyer

2x Ptolemy Mine Layer Flyers

2x Alea Mine Layer Escorts

 

Notes:

Another way of improving the Daedalus would be to give it multiple specialist squadron options. This one might be a bit much, but it does something that wouldn't be possible with another squadron- in this case, the most mines. Alternately, give the Daedalus a mine controller generator instead of including the Aleas in the squadron.

 

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Iota Heavy Sky Monitor Squadron.

 

1x Daedalus Beta

2x Icarus flyers

 

Notes:

These models weapons all link together and help each other very well. Both somewhat lacklustre models are improved by this partnership,

 

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Olympus Command

 

1x Euclid

3x Capek

 

Emergency drone reserves
40 points
Any drones that ditch or are destroyed within 12" of the target carrier ignore drone feedback and are placed directly into the scrapyard.

 

Notes:

A very very very expensive squadron that bolsters the secondary armaments of the Euclid. The card could be used for a battlegroup utilising this squadron of retooled into a special ability?

 

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Eta Squadron

2x Cleomedes Cruisers

3x Diogenes Frigates

 

Notes:

A specialist squadron for games on less terrain dense tables. The Cleos and Dios synergise well on their torps and broadsides, the entire squadron can become small for line of sight, and it allows the Diogenes to bring their own cover for use with hit and run, hiding behind the Cleomedes.

 

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Psi Squadron

1 Hipassus Battlecruiser

2 Diogenes Frigates

 

Bonus effect: the Hipassis gets the Hit and Run mar.

 

Notes:

Together they have 9 AD Torpedos and a broadside of 11.

This should allow the squadron to swap between the role of long range sniper and close combat, but require careful positioning since both of these weapon system have restricted arcs.

 

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Xi Ground Assault Squadon

1 Archimedes Command Robot

2 Colossus small robots

 

Notes:

Adds a bit of beef to the close combat abilities of the Archimedes.

Buffs AP to 10 (if none of the Colossi is lost to defensive AA)

Claw Guns can link to 13 in RB 1 which still seems reasonable.

All in all this is a squadron which can threaten larges in RB1 but requires very careful maneuvering as all of the units have mv 6''.

 

Bonus points because the Colossi where sold in packets of 4.

[Sebenko 978]

Sounds like fun.

 

Specialist Squadrons

 

Phi Aerial Supremacy Squadron

1x Hyperbius Control Flyer

2x Capek Interceptors

 

They've both got Air Hunter rockets and those little Fore E-Guns, so it seems like a natural grouping. Definitely has a specialist purpose, too- hitting flyers, as the big strength of one of their rockets is Hunter +2. It also means that if we can do some air control without drones, we won't have to rely on them so much. As an additional plus, both models feature the big round engine design, which makes them work together stylistically.

 

Lambda Surface Control Squadron

1x Daedalus-Beta Large Flyer

2x Ptolemy Mine Layer Flyers

2x Alea Mine Layer Escorts

 

Another way of improving the Daedalus would be to give it multiple specialist squadron options. This one might be a bit much, but it does something that wouldn't be possible with another squadron- in this case, the most mines. Alternately, give the Daedalus a mine controller generator instead of including the Aleas in the squadron.

[Grim110 13]

I was going to suggest the above mentioned Phi Squadron. Perhaps the card for it out of the current selection could be devestating barrage, could do very well with the E weapons.

[Thamoz 1,086]

I like the Phi squadron. The models suit each other very very very well, synergise nicely and can link up for some absolutely fearsome firepower when all the energy comes into play! The downside of course being that Capeks are basically made out of recycled danish cruiser (just slightly stronger than cardboard) and will want to be close to the enemy where they can most easily be eradicated.

 

Lamda squadron brings all the mines! But I think it needs the mine control generator to really take advantage. It is also similar to the existing ptolemy+alea specialist squadron in its purpose. It would be very effective sky-control with that amount of ack-ack though too!

[Sebenko 978]

Well, there has to be a downside to it compared to just taking two separate squadrons. In this case, a location optimal for the Hyperbius might not be great for the Capeks, and vice versa.

[Thamoz 1,086]

Indeed, that is why I like it A very good compromise meaning the squadron is sufficiently different from taking them seperately, with benefits and downsides apparent and fair.

[interviglium 156]

Iota Heavy Sky Monitor Squadron.

 

1x Daedalus Beta

2x Icarus flyers

 

 

 

 

Next one is likely way too strong:

 

Olympus Command

 

1x Euclid

3x Capek

 

Free card:

Olympus Protocol

30 Points

Drone Squadrons launched by the Euclid this turn may ignore the drone network feedback rule. 

 

 

The Euclid lacks punch imo, outside of it's PA. An expensive squadron to bolster it's secondary armaments.

[Bunnahabhain 1,758]

I like the creativity being put into these. However, do remember that anything requiring you, for example, to track which drones came from which launcher, isn't going to work..

 

Free card:

Olympus Protocol

30 Points

Drone Squadrons launched by the Euclid this turn may ignore the drone network feedback rule. 

 

Do remember all cards are 20, 40 or 60 points.  30 is just odd.

Also, tracking which drones came from where would be lots of work.  Some kind of check if within X" of XXX would be much easier...

 

James

[thyphs 498]

I like the creativity being put into these. However, do remember that anything requiring you, for example, to track which drones came from which launcher, isn't going to work..

James

I agree on the whole - but couldnt that be achieved by using those small cube shape things you get in a little bag provided by spartan....

[Grim110 13]

Perhaps...

Emergency drone reserves

40 points

Any drones that ditch or are destroyed within 12" of the target carrier ignore drone feedback and are placed directly into the scrapyard.

Or even simpler...

Any drones that ditch or are destroyed this turn are only removed from the game on a 1 or a 2 of the drone feedback roll.

[Sebenko 978]

Thought this one up last night, and it seems to work very well for a simple idea. It helps use the Cleomedes more, which is a model I'd like to justify bringing out more often. It also makes the Diogenes easier to use- a model I really like, and am convinced is really good through hit and run, but not one I've ever gotten a handle on using.

 

Eta Squadron

2x Cleomedes Cruisers

3x Diogenes Frigates

 

A specialist squadron for games on less terrain dense tables. The Cleos and Dios synergise well on their torps and broadsides, the entire squadron can become small for line of sight, and it allows the Diogenes to bring their own cover for use with hit and run, hiding behind the Cleomedes.

[Gasbow 15]

Xi Ground Assault Squadon

1 Archimedes Command Robot

2 Colossus small robots

 

Adds a bit of beef to the close combat abilities of the Archimedes.

Buffs AP to 10 (if none of the Colossi is lost to defensive AA)

Claw Guns can link to 13 in RB 1 which still seems reasonable.

All in all this is a squadron which can threaten larges in RB1 but requires very careful maneuvering as all of the units have mv 6''.

 

Bonus points because the Colossi where sold in packets of 4.

 

Psi Squadron

1 Hipassus Battlecruiser

2 Diogenes Frigates

 

Bonus effect: the Hipassis gets the Hit and Run mar.

 

Together they have 9 AD Torpedos and a broadside of 11.

This should allow the squadron to swap between the role of long range sniper and close combat, but require careful positioning since both of these weapon system have restricted arcs.

[Grey Mage 168]

Just remember that the Hipassus doesnt have faster torpedoes.

[Grim110 13]

Just double checked. It does.

[Tezeech 9]

im pretty sure the only thing that lost faster torps was our torp bombers

[interviglium 156]

Perhaps...

Emergency drone reserves

40 points

Any drones that ditch or are destroyed within 12" of the target carrier ignore drone feedback and are placed directly into the scrapyard.

 

 

I like that - gives incentive to put the Euclid in harm's way, by having it stick close to bombers making strike runs, or plunging into a SAS dogfight. 

[Thamoz 1,086]

Edited first post to include the ideas generated thus far (and James guidance regarding card costs)

 

Some really nice ideas here I think, I especially like the Icarus+Daedalus combination, since those two units seem to poorly regarded.

 

Can anyone think of some more battlegroups?

I am tempted to put my Fresnel/Diogenes grouping into a battlegroup...

 

Energy Artillery Battlegroup

 

1 squadron of 1 Aristotle Battleship with the energy turrets upgrade

1 squad of 2 Fresnels

1 squad of 4 Diogenes

 

Free card:

Focusing Crystal Matrix

20 pts

Play on any squadron at the start of that squadron's shooting phase. Any attacks with energy weapons made by that squadron during this activation gains the "piercing" munitions type and the "pinpoint" MAR.

[Oml 207]

This I like.....but not sure where the Diogenes fit in?

[Thamoz 1,086]

All the battle groups seem to have at least one large/massive, at least one medium and at least one small. Admittedly this is because that is how the boxes were packaged, but I think it works as a rule for battle groups. I chose the Diogenes for the small because it has the long range sniper role as well (and because Spartan have not yet accepted my bribe to create an e-weapon equipped small.)

[Oml 207]

It's funny you say that as my first thought was 5 Thales with mini energy turrets. Possibly same rb1 & 2 with 3 dice on each

[Sebenko 978]

The Bombardment Battlegroup is entirely Mediums. The do, however, seem to be at least three squadrons.

 

Close Assault Battlegroup

3x Zeno Armoured Cruisers

5x Thales Corvettes

3x Plutarch Heavy Destroyers.

 

Free Card: Storm Troopers

 

For getting that up close punch that no-one expects of the Covenant. Downside is, you have to be really going for the assault to make it work.

 

Covered Assault Battlegroup

2x Fresnel Gunships

3x Zeno Armoured Cruisers

4x Diogenes Frigates

 

Free Card: Devastating Barrage

 

Gets you that Devastating Barrage card, but means you're going to have to take some up-close units- no free superlaser if the entire fleet is just hanging around at the back of the board!

[Thamoz 1,086]

Look at the Plutarch and tell me that is not an e-turret on its back! I dare you!

 

That is a nice and simple one Sebenko, though I would be tempted to stick a time orb in there too (maybe as an optional squadron?)

[Oml 207]

Look at the Plutarch and tell me that is not an e-turret on its back! I dare you!

That is a nice and simple one Sebenko, though I would be tempted to stick a time orb in there too (maybe as an optional squadron?)

It's not a....dammit Thamoz....you know I can't disagree. The Galen gun also looks very e-turret mind

[interviglium 156]

Well, I guess we could ask how far you can take the bonuses for building a battlegroup?

 

You could say:

 

'The Diogenes-class Frigates of the Energy Artillery Battlegroup are experimental support models and replace their standard broadsides with a 3/3/3/3 energy broadside'

[Sebenko 978]

That is a nice and simple one Sebenko, though I would be tempted to stick a time orb in there too (maybe as an optional squadron?)

 

Possibly. But what use would an optional squadron be in the battlegroup? Surely you could just take the battlegroup + TDO.

Also, i think that good ol' sneaky advance is a tactic that the CoA need to employ more of.

 

Synergistic Management Solutions Resolution Committee Battlegroup

1x Hippassus Battlecruiser

1x Hyperbius Control Flyer

1x Euclid Sky Dreadnought (Must be equipped with at least one of: Combat Coordinator (Acrobatic Pilots) upgrade, Combat Coordinator (Sustained Fire) upgrade, Target Painter Generator upgrade or Mine Controller Generator upgrade)

 

Free Card: This might have to be a faction specific card. Hopefully one relating to re-rolling generator effects

 

When you've got a plan, that plan has to go off without a hitch. Which is why you need to load up your Euclid with the Synergistic Management Solutions Resolution Committee.