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DarkAdder
Clan Star Adder
Star Commander
Joined: 10-Jan-2004 00:00
Posts: 604
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 Posted: 13-Jul-2004 16:36 Post subject: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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I admit, I like combat drops. I like them alot. Does anyone else use them, and if so, how effective are they?
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Horhiro
Draconis Combine
Samurai
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1625
Location: United States
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2004 16:42 Post subject: RE: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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I've used them a few times when I was running a campaign. It's a nice change from: "your side enters from the north on turn one, while the defender sets up first....blah blah blah".
The failed piloting and scattering of forces makes for interesting regrouping tactics.
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Seraph
Blighted Sun Battalion
2nd Company
"Seraph's Slaughter"
Major
Joined: 11-Mar-2004 00:00
Posts: 1744
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2004 18:45 Post subject: RE: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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I've used them to help make a change-up in tactics and to rattle my friends a little bit too. Nothing like dropping a company of mechs into the midst of a defensive postion in random groupings and turn intervals.
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SaberDance
Federated Suns
Colonel
Joined: 07-May-2004 00:00
Posts: 837
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| Posted: 13-Jul-2004 22:18 Post subject: RE: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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It isn't something I use all the time, but I have been known to start games in space, make the players escort the dropship into position, and drop the mechs through the atmosphere.
It's overly complex and I don't do it much anymore (the first three times it was exciting, after that it was just redundant).
I do use it from time to time against my players. They can think they have this great defensive position, then BOOM, suddenly there are a dozen assault mechs behind, in front of, and beside them.
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Nightmare
Lyran Alliance
Kommandant-General
Joined: 03-May-2002 00:00
Posts: 2214
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2004 09:18 Post subject: RE: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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I've tried combat drops a few times, but it's generally not worth it.
You're almost certain to lose mechs in bad landings, and being scattered about is not good. In a worst case scenario your divided forces will end up in a close-range slugging match with superior enemy forces.
It's something for elite units that really, really want to get somewhere.
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-Mud
ex-Jade Falcon
Bounty Hunter
Joined: 04-Nov-2003 00:00
Posts: 1082
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2004 10:36 Post subject: RE: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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In campaigns, I use them all the time. The mere threat of a combat drop can keep defending forces tied down to their bases and defending their airfields. As the defender, I try to keep a squadron of fighters on a Leopard CV in orbit at all times if I suspect the attacker is holding forces in reserve. Nothing's more demoralizing than having your assault lance shot to pieces during a drop. 
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Erenon
Blighted Sun Battalion
2nd Company
"Seraph's Slaughter"
Sergeant
Joined: 04-Jun-2004 00:00
Posts: 976
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2004 19:44 Post subject: RE: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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Methinks combat drops are one of the key reasons why Battlemechs exist in the first place.
If your aerospace forces can hold off the defenders aerospace forces, you could potentially hit nearly any target, though some might be riskier than others.
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"My job is to keep the majority of people in this country alive. That's it. If fifty-one percent eat a meal tomorrow and forty-nine percent don't, I've done my job." - The Beast (AKA The President), Transmetropolitan
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Rigel
Lyran Alliance
Private, 1st Class
Joined: 13-Jul-2004 00:00
Posts: 38
Location: United States
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| Posted: 14-Jul-2004 21:35 Post subject: RE: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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I use them quite often though only with my Jump capable units one of my usal tatics in a assault campain was to hot drop in a mixed med/light recon company to secure the LZ and then bring in the heavy stuff. I have also done oribatal drops with good sucess.
But when ever the situation is calm enough for a normal landing and deploy I will take it no use risking just for the sake of fun.
I have also done hover drops thats great stuff and quite a suprise. Takes a damn good DS pilot to pull it off though.
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-Mud
ex-Jade Falcon
Bounty Hunter
Joined: 04-Nov-2003 00:00
Posts: 1082
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| Posted: 15-Jul-2004 00:58 Post subject: On a related topic |
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I think combat-dropped battlearmor, or VTOL inserted battlearmor has a world of tactical and strategic possibilities. In addition to the Special Operations realm, Ranger type units could easily be inserted behind enemy lines in order to hit supply dumps or ambush your enemy's J-27s.
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Blackhand
Draconis Combine
Chu-i
Joined: 05-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 334
Location: Canada
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| Posted: 15-Jul-2004 01:05 Post subject: RE: Combat Drops-'Hot' Drops |
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I think of a Hot Drop a little like sucide/a cherry on top. Its really nice, but sometimes you choke on it and it kills you.
Personally if you really need rear area raiders invest in some vehicles that hover and move 8-12 or faster and harass the supply lines.
I think that if you have the option to drop units it gives you another tool in the box, and sometimes you need to dig that deep. It only really works when you can give your "hot Dropper squad", either numerical advantage or hold the entire enemy force up against your front line. You can't let the enemy deal with your Hot Drop squad piece meal... it just gets you hammered.
My ideal nasty ideal would be dropping Kage in deep into enemy territory and sneaking a few Long Tom's into range of the targets they spot for. Or Possibly some Arrow IV fighters with Tag on the Kage.
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Erenon
Blighted Sun Battalion
2nd Company
"Seraph's Slaughter"
Sergeant
Joined: 04-Jun-2004 00:00
Posts: 976
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: 15-Jul-2004 02:00 Post subject: RE: On a related topic |
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Quote:
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On 2004-07-15 00:58, -Mud wrote:
I think combat-dropped battlearmor, or VTOL inserted battlearmor has a world of tactical and strategic possibilities. In addition to the Special Operations realm, Ranger type units could easily be inserted behind enemy lines in order to hit supply dumps or ambush your enemy's J-27s.
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Wasn't a DEST team using Kage unit combat dropped during either Operation Bulldog or its sister operation?? i believed they have paratroop abilities... at least fluff wise.
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"My job is to keep the majority of people in this country alive. That's it. If fifty-one percent eat a meal tomorrow and forty-nine percent don't, I've done my job." - The Beast (AKA The President), Transmetropolitan
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Ronin
ComStar
Colonel
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 908
Location: United States
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| Posted: 16-Jul-2004 22:52 Post subject: RE: On a related topic |
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Quote:
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On 2004-07-15 02:00, Erenon wrote:
Quote:
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On 2004-07-15 00:58, -Mud wrote:
I think combat-dropped battlearmor, or VTOL inserted battlearmor has a world of tactical and strategic possibilities. In addition to the Special Operations realm, Ranger type units could easily be inserted behind enemy lines in order to hit supply dumps or ambush your enemy's J-27s.
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Wasn't a DEST team using Kage unit combat dropped during either Operation Bulldog or its sister operation?? i believed they have paratroop abilities... at least fluff wise.
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It was Operation Serpent, if memory serves. The KAge units were the only ones that the DCMS could send, since most of their forces were involved with Bulldog.
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DarkAdder
Clan Star Adder
Star Commander
Joined: 10-Jan-2004 00:00
Posts: 604
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| Posted: 16-Jul-2004 23:01 Post subject: RE: On a related topic |
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Weeeellllll, the DEST squads werent the only units that the DCMS could spare. They did send a 4-man squad of Nekekami. So why dont they have rules for them in Battletech? I could a squad or so of them from time to time.....
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Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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Erenon
Blighted Sun Battalion
2nd Company
"Seraph's Slaughter"
Sergeant
Joined: 04-Jun-2004 00:00
Posts: 976
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: 16-Jul-2004 23:09 Post subject: RE: On a related topic |
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Quote:
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On 2004-07-16 22:52, Ronin wrote:
It was Operation Serpent, if memory serves. The KAge units were the only ones that the DCMS could send, since most of their forces were involved with Bulldog.
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Good i wasn't completely wrong 
I guess in CBT terms a DEST unit would be an elite Kage squad. that's cheapening them a bit though.
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Weeeellllll, the DEST squads werent the only units that the DCMS could spare. They did send a 4-man squad of Nekekami. So why dont they have rules for them in Battletech? I could a squad or so of them from time to time.....
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Maybe they have a percentage chance of causing part of the enemy force to be delayed or just outright assassinate a mech pilot or something...
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"My job is to keep the majority of people in this country alive. That's it. If fifty-one percent eat a meal tomorrow and forty-nine percent don't, I've done my job." - The Beast (AKA The President), Transmetropolitan
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Ronin
ComStar
Colonel
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 908
Location: United States
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| Posted: 16-Jul-2004 23:23 Post subject: RE: On a related topic |
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| The Nekekami aren't DCMS.... they were sent as extra help as a personal gesture from Teddy Kurita.
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