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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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 Posted: 15-Nov-2006 18:27 Post subject: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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In putting together a set of Liao-based scenarios I had the occasion to think carefully about Capellan designs and the tactics these designs encourage.
Unlike virtually any other force in 3025, House Liao has a relatively distinctive and standardized line-up, both in terms of 'mechs and support vehicles.
'Mechs
Cataphract (experimental in 3025)
Raven (experimental in 3025)
Catapult
Vindicator
Urbanmech
Blackjack
Vehicles
Po (not 3025 in canon, but it probably should be)
Hetzer
the local Vedette clone
SRM and LRM carriers
These units make up the core of virtually any Liao regular army unit. Obviously, there would also be some recon units on hand, most likely Stingers, Wasps, Locusts, and the occasional Phoenix Hawk or Wolverine. Only House Kurita, with its reliance on the "holy trinity" of the Dragon, Panther, and Jenner, comes anywhere close to the level of standardization in Liao units.
So, what can we make of this. Liao units are very strong defensively, but less well suited for raiding or taking up the offensive in a situation. A lance of Vindicators or Urbanmechs supported by a couple of Catapults can make for a very tough nut to crack. I found this to be the case when I ran a test run with a Davion attacker...Davion's Riflemen just can't take many PPC hits. The Hetzer is a purely defensive unit as well.
All of which probably explains why House Liao isn't an especially popular faction. After all, who wants to play a force who's best tactic is to find the best clump of cover you can and rely on your defensive shell to see you through. Not the most exciting force to play when compared with the more flexible lineups of the Davion or Kurita military.
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 16-Nov-2006 02:58 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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Liaos have their own Wasps, Crusaders, Marauders Warhammers and Chargers, and they also tend to use Clints, which are otherwise rare (a possible bonus for PCs in a campaign, because Clint parts may bring them some additional money) and even Grasshoppers and Cyclops. The 'Mech forces of CC were heavily damaged in Succession wars, so they were assembled from whatever was at hand, so damaged machines may still be fielded. Occasionally including a Davion or Marik 'Mech may be fine. They also captured a Victor manufacturing line. They may also have some of the more common 'Mechs like the Stalker and Hunchback, or old and outmoded ones like 3E Banshee.
Otherwise the CC armies had higher than average percentage of vehicles and infantry, because the manufacturing lines for Battlemechs were overstressed. CC has it's own Condor.
They also use Guardian conventional fighter extensively to make up for dwindling number of aerospace fighters.
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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| Posted: 16-Nov-2006 18:22 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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I forgot about the Clint...that would be a key recon unit for Liao.
If memory serves, they also have a full battalion of Goliaths in 3025.
I'd think that a lot of their 'mechs like Marauders would be concentrated in elite battalions under the direct supervision of the Chancellor. The front lines are held by Vindicators, which can be replaced.
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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: 16-Nov-2006 23:32 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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Do not forget also Chargers, CC had the highest concentration followed by the DC. Also CC used many antique designs moved from storage and museums to bolster flagging defenses. Emporers are one i can recall off top of my head. Downgrade all the advanced tech and add minor problems, (+1 heat, -1 to hit, -1 move) to simulate the unit's age. Also CC had tons and tons of infantry and supporting units( APC's etc..) Add Scorpions, Hunters, and other common tanks to the conventional line ups.
Capellan Confederation had a unique military strategy. Defend a few points and respond after the attack has started. Bluntly put, the CC had more planets to defend than they had effective combat units. They tended to concentrate their forces on several key systems and kept jumpships on standby to send troops to nearby systems to respond to an attack. Local militias would try to hold their own until backup arrived. House Davion used this against them to great effect just prior to the formation of the FC. Problem that arose was that as the size of the territory shrunk, it became harder and harder to take worlds.
In post 3050 you can add the few units that came about. Regulator comes to mind. Wonderful tank there. Basically a GR on a turret that goes 9/14.
-edit- The Goliath mech group was a mercenary group. Forget the name right now. They were pretty much so indebt to the CC they were treated as regular troops.
[ This Message was edited by: Seraph on 2006-11-16 23:34 ]
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CO_17thRecon
Kell Hounds
Major
Joined: 10-Sep-2002 00:00
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Location: United States
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| Posted: 17-Nov-2006 07:11 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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The unit was Cochraine's Goliaths. But after the opening stages of the Fourth War, there's nothing left of them anyway.
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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| Posted: 17-Nov-2006 16:15 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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It was Cochrane's Goliath's.
Looking through the old Liao Housebook, it turns out that Liao also used to control a Rifleman factory, and have an Earthwerks T-bolt factory.
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AWAD
Draconis Combine
Chu-sa
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| Posted: 18-Nov-2006 15:09 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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But you look at those and you still have the same problem. Lack of mobility. Stronger designs, good for defense and toe to toe fights and assaults but sucks for raiding and maneuver warfare.
The BlackJack? Need to check your facts on that; is that not an almost exclusive FS Mech?
The trick to playing CC correct is trapping. Not just a tough nut but a soft sticky interior to trap attacking troops. You need to suck them and whack them.
Vehicles seem to be a major portion of their fast forces.
But in the 3067 canon universe it makes sense to try and get Taurian and Magistracy troops to play with them. Gives them more light and striker type elements. Plus during the rebuilding more incredible than the Marshall Plan or Hitlers Ruhr industrialization, the Capplleans have some bad ass and loads of Mechs now.
AWAD- FASA/WiZkids with a stoke of a pen, it can be undone.
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
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Location: Czech Republic
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| Posted: 18-Nov-2006 16:12 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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The CC has the second biggest number of Blackjacks, if I'm not mistaken.
And don't forget that they don't need to have any house specific units to have fast scouts. Generally available 'Mechs like Locusts Stingers, Wasps are always at hand. And I think that Liaos also have some Hussars (not sure about that.)
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
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| Posted: 20-Nov-2006 09:56 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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The thing about the "generally available" lights is that they're overmatched by the house-specific lights. For Liao, they've got to face Davion Javelins and Valkyries, and Marik Spiders and Hermes.
Also, if you don't have a factory, those light 'mechs are not going to be "generally available" for long.
AWAD's point about vehicles is well-taken. The Liao Condor is a mean laser-boat capable of giving any Javelin a good scare.
[ This Message was edited by: mud on 2006-11-20 09:57 ]
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CO_17thRecon
Kell Hounds
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Location: United States
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| Posted: 20-Nov-2006 11:21 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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Liao forces also tend to run best heavy, it seems, with nothing approaching a good cavalry element until the late 3050s. (Or at least the 3050 upgraded Cataphract.) That being said, the Liaos have some interesting designs. The CGR-1A5 Charger is a phenomenal strike unit, if you use it recklessly. (Try and keep it somewhat protected and it drops like a stone for some reason. Fear of it is its best defense.) The CGR-1L Charger is actually not a bad scout...very tough. Exteremely expensive for a scout, and thus no use to a mercenary company. But since it is what Liao has to use, price does not come up very often in scenarios with house troops. (Just look at the price tag on some of the newer designs. Ouch.) The CPLT-C1 Catapult is another solid design with very good features, but the standard low speed. Take into account as well that I believe the CTF-1X and -2X Cataphracts are some of the best heavy units in use for the 3025 age.
On the downside...Liao variants of normal machines tend to suck, horribly. The Vindicator is solid, but not a whole lot of fun. It's an upgunned Panther. As I stated before, until the late 3050s and early 3060s, the Liao force has no real cavalry. After this point, they get shining goodness like the Jinggau, the Sha-Yu, the Lao-Hu, the Huron Warrior, and the Duan-Gung. This gives them the speed they need for heavy offensive operations, and along with the Trinity Alliance troops, you see them putting this to use CONSTANTLY. I may hate Sun-Tzu for being a CapCom grease weasel, but I have to admire the man's dedication to his realm and acumen for using any opportunity presented for the greatest effect. (Great writing on his character I think.)
Also keep in mind their main opponent during this time, the Saint Ives Compact. Very heavy military mostly focusing on defense. And the Capellans ground them down quite efficiently, despite having poorer quality leaders and warriors (as suggested by the fiction, I might be wrong.) as well as home field advantage to the SICAF. But their overall strategy was better, and with the political current wrapped up in it, it worked out well.
The problem I see lies with the new Stealth Armor. Most of the machines being given it have standard engines...this is good. But they are dropping the speed of many already slow units even more. That rings all kinds of alarm bells. Even with this stealth armor, I have the feeling that if the CapCom falls back into its old, slow defensive posture, they are going to get smacked.
Wow, this post turned long.
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"What the...?! Where did you get THAT?!"
"Creative aquisition."
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bladewind
Free Rasalhague Republic
Major General
Joined: 02-Oct-2004 00:00
Posts: 1054
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: 24-Nov-2006 05:18 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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Personally House Liao XL engine mechs should be the ones using Stealth armor instead to offset the weakness of the engine. but then, it will negatively affect the mech's potential loadouts.
As for those hating Sun Tzu, hey he has to do what he has to do to keep CC alive and kicking. And he is certainly quite brilliant for his young age.
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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| Posted: 25-Nov-2006 20:02 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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It was funny how Liao equipment went from slow, stodgy defensive units to cavalry attack oriented units.
Then again, pretty much everyone went that way once level 2 technology came out, so they lost a lot of their distinctiveness.
Although I guess the real answer could be that I just don't really care enough about level 2 to actually put the time into analyzing the different Houses' lineups. That's probably it... 
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jymset
Scavenger
in pursuit of LosTech
Joined: 05-Feb-2002 00:00
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Location: Germany
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| Posted: 28-Nov-2006 06:59 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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Wasn't the CC also a rather heavy user of the Jagermech?
And if I am to believe my German version of the old House Book, then they actually also own that very excellent dual-medium laser variant of the Stinger, a home design of one of their remaining factories. (don't have the book anywhere near me, so I can't give you solid names)
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mud
Draconis Combine
Tai-sho
Joined: 23-Jul-2002 00:00
Posts: 1618
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| Posted: 28-Nov-2006 09:49 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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Now that I think on it, I believe the PPC version of the Cicada is a Liao variant as well, albeit an extremely rare one.
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Seraph
Blighted Sun Battalion
2nd Company
"Seraph's Slaughter"
Major
Joined: 11-Mar-2004 00:00
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| Posted: 28-Nov-2006 17:53 Post subject: RE: Capellan Equipment and tactics |
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What Jagermechs the CC used were captured machines from Davion space.
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