No Way Out!

Played this scenario from the Fourth Succession War scenario pack on Saturday. Gavin and I agreed that we could do without the usual crazy concentration of forces for published scenarios and cut the number of 'mechs involved by half.

The scenario places a heavy non-jump lance in a swampy mapsheet, cornered by a superior force. It's mission is to escape off one of the narrow map edges


Stalked from other flank: I deploy my lance in the central four rows first, and then Gavin deploys his anywhere on the other two mapsheets. The challenge is to not tip my hand and allow my opponent to fortify the obvious route


Long trek around or through the swamp begins. I've chosen the way past the more manoeuvrable trio (Stalker aside) but at least this way I'm going straight through the jump-capable Phoenix Hawk and Jenner (who could've caught up with me no hassle if I went the other way)


Rifleman starts to take fire - he takes an enormous amount of damage throughout the encounter, and does quite well for a lightly armoured 'mech


Phoenix Hawk looking for trouble - overheating and damage causes him to choose discretion over valour over the next few turns


Heavies pursue the lance, I try to keep terrain in between them and my forces, but they still manage to get off some long-range missile and laser/PPC shots


Rifleman's leg taken out by close-range barrage from the Stalker


Lance finally gets free of the swamp - although just in time. I'm starting to take fire from the forces behind me


Battlemaster exits forest and turns to take on the Stalker (we did make some jokes about this pose suggesting a kneecap shot!)


Long Range Missile from Crusader kills Warhammer! Having previously taken a large laser to the head, a missile salvo destroys the internal structure. Mostly undamaged and just in brawling range of the blocking units the Warhammer is a big loss to the lance


Stalker seriously damaged, including two leg actuators (kneecapped indeed!)


Rifleman continues to fight from the ground, and with the Stalker pilot unconscious, the prospect of damaging an immobile 'mech is seriously tempting the Battlemaster to stick around


Jenner's intervention unwise, a single PPC shot from the Battlemaster destroys its right arm entirely


The Stalker, satisfied that the danger has passed attempts to rise, but falls back down. The pilot's in serious danger of falling unconscious from repeated bangs


The Battlemaster and Archer escape, the nearby Phoenix Hawk and Jenner are both probably unable to press matters any closer, but there's no time to dawdle as the intervention of the Zeus and Crusader could prove fatal


A nice little game, a draw is declared as I've gotten two 'mechs off in pretty good shape.

We did comment that it could've only ended up this way with 3025 technology, anything more advanced and the battlefield would have been a smoking ruin!

Camlann Lancers ready for battle

Four posts in four days, and more to come after the weekend. Don't let this become a habit or people will expect the same level all the time!

Off to Galway for a spot of BattleTech with these guys. Classic heavy 'mechs with some real personality - though I have no idea what they'll be facing...

Heavy lance moving through urban area


Battlemaster leads the way


Rifleman provides fire support


Archer ready to loose missiles


warhammer providing some heavy firepower


The lance concentrates at a junction


Scenario writing for Gaelcon is coming along nicely. Got an order from S&S Models last week (great service by the way) so I want to paint up their hotspots and IEDs as well as finish painting a few buildings. So (fingers crossed) in pretty good nick as far as preparations are concerned.

Results of the Poll on using casualty figures are in:
Absolutely - The more flavour pieces, the better 12 - 46.15%
I Should - But usually I can't be bothered 6 - 23.08%
Maybe - If they're available 5 - 19.23%
No - Don't see the point 3 - 11.54%
Never - I don't want to be reminded of the realities of war 0 - 0%

Interesting. Personally I love the flavour they add to a game, and if they're available I try to use them. But I would never not play a game or think the less of a setup if it didn't have casualty figures.

Battle of Vernaw Woods (Susquehanna)

2nd Wave
Susquehanna (Free Rasalhague Republic)

Clan Ghost Bear Forces:
96th Battle Trinary (14th Battle Cluster, Beta Galaxy)

Defending Forces:
Regal Death (Mercenary Company)

Bravo Battle Star finds the Regal Death deep in the Vernaw Woods, but there the mercenaries had prepared a devious trap for the Clan warriors. Pit traps and minefields destroyed three of Bravo's 'mechs, and the mercenary 'mechs fired out of concealed positions to seriously damage the other two.

The Warhawk (Inner Sphere Codename: Masakari) and the Timberwolf (Inner Sphere Codename: MadCat) are separated in their attempt to get out of trouble, and mercenary lances harass them with the expectation that they will fall eventually.
The War Hawk has taken serious damage, with armour severely depleted on the right-hand side, and with the valuable Targeting Computer and a Large Pulse Laser out of action.



The remainder of the Trinary intervenes quickly, with Charlie Battle Star relieving the beleagured 'mechs and Alpha Star attacking the rest of the mercenary command.


Warhawk retreats out of heavy woods

Sigmund Jorgensson, the Warhawk's pilot quickly brings the other Clan warriors up to speed on the situation and urges them to ignore the Clan's traditional rules of engagement.

As the Warhawk (Config C) backs out of the heavy woods, Chen's Mad Dog (in primary configuration once more) and Petra's Viper (this time in the B configuration with single ER PPC) hurry to intervene before it's too late.
The mercenary Wolverine (WVR-6M) has hurried around the main ridgeline behind the War Hawk to cut off its retreat, but this move is countered by the Viper. The merc Guillotine (GLT-4D) and the Phoenix Hawk (PXH-1D) jump in beside the larger Clan 'mech to riddle it with laser fire.


Guillotine and Phoenix Hawk make point blank attack while Viper and Wolverine duel

The Warhawk pushes across the ridge hoping to find a good position rather than exposing his back by taking the direct route towards the supporting Mad Dog.
The concentrated fire destroyed the Warhawk's right arm taking with it it's second Large Pulse Laser. Now it is left with two fearsome ER PPCs.


As Warhawk crosses ridge right arm is destroyed

Petra's Viper continues to harass the attackers, taking up good overwatch position considering the Warhawk's likely route. Here the Mad Dog's fire should prove decisive with the Phoenix Hawk neglecting evasive movement in order to continue his attack on the Warhawk. However Chen's fire is inaccurate and most of the laser fire and all of the LRMs go astray, and with it the Mad Dog's heat problems become serious.


Viper struggles to keep harassing forces occupied

The lone Stinger (STG-3G), intimidated by the vast amounts of firepower exhibited by the Clan 'mechs braves fire from the Mad Dog to work around the flanks, and come up in front of the Warhawk's escape route.


Stinger braves open ground controlled by Mad Dog

The mercenary 'mechs push their heat sinks to the max, and continue their point blank assault on the severely damaged Warhawk. Their fire finally drills through the torso and the Warhawk's engine is forced to shut down. It crashes to ground, but the pilot is unharmed.


Warhawk goes down

The Guillotine and Wolverine, both with huge heat problems begin to withdraw, seeking to avoid any fire from the Mad Dog, and in a supporting position to dissuade the Viper from pursuit. The Phoenix Hawk has had to withdraw into the edge of the woods to avoid fire from the Mad Dog, and this allows the Viper to pick him out, with instant effect. Left without weapons and now shorn of its left leg the Phoenix Hawk is a mission kill.


Viper ignores retreating 'mechs to concentrate on Phoenix Hawk

The other mercenaries flee the field of battle


Mad Dog forces retreating Mercs to leave crippled Phoenix Hawk behind as day breaks

Battle of Silver Lake (Susquehanna)

Clan Ghost Bear's First Wave attacks went smoothly and well ahead of schedule. The Second Wave was to be more challenging. Because of the failure of the Clans to adequately garrison conquered planets, uprisings and guerilla attacks occured, and these were almost lethal to Ghost Bear's supply lines and timetable. The dishonourable actions of mercenary companies raised the ire of warriors throughout the Clan, nowhere more than in the 14th Battle Cluster.

2nd Wave
Susquehanna (Free Rasalhague Republic)

Clan Ghost Bear Forces:
96th Battle Trinary (14th Battle Cluster, Beta Galaxy)

Defending Forces:
21st KungsArme Armoured Regiment

The 21st KungsArme retreat from the 96th's landing zone and set up a defensive position near Silver Lake, but close enough that their counter-attack will threaten the retreat and survival of the attacking force.
The Regiment comprises almost thirty armoured fighting vehicles.
The 96th plan to frontally assault their position, and Charlie Battle Star will pin the strong supporting elements on the flank nearest Silver Lake and prevent them from flanking the attack.

Chen in his Mad Dog (Prime) (Innersphere Codename: Vulture) and Petra in her Viper (Config A) (Inner Sphere Codename: Dragonfly) will hit this unit's flank while the rest of the star cut off any cooperation between these and the main FRR force.


FRR unit hit in the Flank

Although both sides are somewhat aware of their enemy's abilities, this is mostly hearsay and conjecture (those are kinds of evidence, right?). As the battle develops early on, lack of experience shines through. As the Mad Dog races to the dominating hill on the battlefield to engage the Enforcer (ENF-4)facing, the pilot leaves his right flank completely open to the rest of the Rasalhague lance.


Mad Dog engages Enforcer on the hill

As initial fire is exchanged between the sides, the Viper surprises the Hatchetman (HCT-3F) by revealing its extreme jump capability. If previously the Rasalhague mechwarriors had been impressed with it manoeuvrability they were to be even more impressed with its firepower. Mounting 5 ER Medium Lasers (each almost the equivalent to a standard Inner Sphere Large Laser) it had the ability to cut one of the Rasalhague 'mechs to ribbons in seconds.


Viper outmaneuvers Hatchetman

The Hatcheman is aggressive in its defence and pushes the Viper backwards, taking a swipe with its hatchet. Meanwhile the rest of the lance closes in on the Mad Dog whose room for manoeuvre has been cut down immensely by its slipping in the shallow waters along the lakeshore.


While Viper is occupied, remainder of FRR unit closes in on Mad Dog

With a lance of vehicles approaching (a cursory examination identifies them as Patton Heavy Tanks) the two Clan 'mechs are in danger of being overwhelmed, and the Viper swoops into the mix to draw off some of the heat, giving the Mad Dog the opportunity to concentrate its firepower.
It has now become evident that these Inner Sphere forces have no respect for the hallowed traditions of the Clans, and their Rules of Engagement are purely pragmatic.


Viper draws off some of the heat

The Mad Dog cycles through its weapons, dealing with some heat problems, and is taking some damage to its internal systems already. However Chen decides to push his opponents to the limit by remaining where he is and applying as much firepower as possible to the Enforcer before switching to the Wolfhound (WLF-2) which has shown itself to be a dangerous opponent.


Mad Dog is confidant in his superior firepower

The Enforcer survives, but only just, and jumps away over the hill to break contact.
As the area opens up the Mad Dog attempts to shake off its opponent and open the range to something more advantageous, but it is too late.


Wolfhound pursues Mad Dog with instant effect

Brilliantly concentrated fire on its right flank drills through to the engine and knocks out the Mad Dog. Now, the Viper is alone on the battlefield. Although communications from the rest of the cluster indicate the they have hit the main Rasalhague lines and the heavy tanks have been withdrawn.


Mad Dog goes critical with multiple engine hits

The Viper extracts a heavy price against the limping Hatchetman, and brings that 'mech crashing to ground on top of the hill.
Using it's superior manoeuvrability, the Viper attemps to harass the Enforcer as it jumps from the field of battle, leaving the Blackjack out of the action.


Viper extracts revenge on Hatchetman

The Wolfhound covers this retreat, almost bringing the Viper to grief with a one-in-a-million shot. The Viper decides not to press too hard, as it too begins to feel the battle damage.


Wolfhound covers battered Enforcer's retreat

The Blackjack (BJ-1DB) follows across the river, and together the two 'mechs shepherd themselves off the field, mindful of the Viper's long-range abilities.


Blackjack makes it across river

Aftermath
The rest of the Cluster overwhelms the defending Rasalhague regiment, but no sign of the mercenary company is to be found in the vicinity.
Bravo Battle Star is sent out to investigate...