The United Terran Federation

[TaleSpinner]

Can I ask how many points that is???

 

A little over 8000, though the largest force my son can field is 5000 (he has 3 different faction forces and I only have one, though much larger and more diverse).

 

 

One area your lacking in is anti-soft. Most people would recommend a sabretooth or a vaquisher. I perfer the Starhawk V and the Dingo for terrains. The five as well as the dingo are versitial. Their GGCs can hurt both hard and soft targets and they are both cheap (254 for the five and 178 for the dingo). You'll want to pair them an EW model to make sure they have enough punch to deal with heavy armor. I like the Raptor for spotting (Talon for defensive and back-up EST). The last errata update (1.2) made the Raptor usable. Not only do they make good spotters but they also have AA to give gunships headaches.

 

OK, not to sound ignorant, but I am still somewhat new to the game. What is an EW model (electronics warfare???) and what do you mean by spotting?

 

I wish I could play with someone who knows how to play. Figuring out all the rules and how to apply them by yourself sucks.

 

You could use some AA capability. The easiest solution for this are Raptors and/or Dingos, which can also be used in other roles as needed. Also, it wouldn't hurt to boost your infantry a bit (at least one blister of Armored Infantry and/or two blisters of regular infantry).

 

What is your play-style; aggressive, conservative, offensive, or defensive? (Maneuvre, Sniping, Short-range, Assault, etc.)

 

That is a good question. I've been trying different styles and task force configurations with almost every game. I guess I am somewhat aggressive. Last game; however, I fielded my new Thunderhawk for the first time. I essentially used my heavy armor sections as a shield to keep the emperor and dictators away from my thunderbird and then used it to beat them up from afar. Once they were beat up pretty good my heavy armor waded in and mopped up.

 

I'm not very comfortable with infantry yet. I don't think I am using them right. I also haven't seen a lot of advantage in the aircraft. They seem to get wiped out pretty fast and don't do much for damage. Again, I think I may be using them wrong.

 

One of the reasons I don't have a lot of soft killers is that my son (being 10) REALLY likes CAVs so his forces tend to be hard target heavy.

[Chrome]

OK, not to sound ignorant, but I am still somewhat new to the game. What is an EW model (electronics warfare???) and what do you mean by spotting?

Yes, EW would be Electronic Warfare. Saints most likely referring to Recon models w/the EST/ECM Pods like Panthers, Kahns, etc. You've got a Spartan and 2 Talons, so while you're not using the best of the best, you've still got the capability and those models provide some unique abilities of their own.

 

I wish I could play with someone who knows how to play. Figuring out all the rules and how to apply them by yourself sucks.

AFAIK there's no CAV Black Lightning reps up in the cities any more. But if you're willing to travel a little bit, there's a convention in Madison, SD in about 6 weeks where they'll be playing CAV. You can find out more at http://www.clubs.dsu.edu/gaming/nanocon.html - Madison is a little northeast of Sioux Falls.

[joshuaslater]

8000!! Too cool. We've been playing 4000 point games on 4 X 4 tables, and having a blast.

 

Terrans have the air superiority doctrine allowing for a lot of extra airstrikes. The right planes and infantry can call them in if you've got'em.

 

Dave McGee blows me up with this technique often.

[TaleSpinner]

OK, not to sound ignorant, but I am still somewhat new to the game. What is an EW model (electronics warfare???) and what do you mean by spotting?

Yes, EW would be Electronic Warfare. Saints most likely referring to Recon models w/the EST/ECM Pods like Panthers, Kahns, etc. You've got a Spartan and 2 Talons, so while you're not using the best of the best, you've still got the capability and those models provide some unique abilities of their own.

 

So what's the best? I thought the Talons and the Ashigarus were as good as it got in a Terran force. (The Spartan I bought back before I knew anything about anything, just because I liked the way it looked. )

 

As for traveling to play, that's just not feasible for me at this time. I'm hoping to get some of my other gaming buddies into the game, so I can play with adults occasionally.

 

Thanks!

 

8000!! Too cool. We've been playing 4000 point games on 4 X 4 tables, and having a blast.

 

The largest game we've played is a 5000 point game. That is the largest my son can play by combining the Open models in his Adon and Ritterlich forces into his Rach force. I am trying to talk him into spendinf his Christmas and Birthday dollars into building up one of his forces better, but he wants one of each. Right now he can field a 5000 point Rach, 4000 point Adon, or a 3000 point Ritterlich force, though only the Rach force really has any soert of diversity. His basic play style right now it to hide until he has to shoot me. Nothing funnier than an Emperor cowering behind cover because he's afraid to take defensive fire from my Rhino. That said he has managed to win 2 of the 6 games we've managed to paly since we started.

 

Andy

[joshuaslater]

Sounds brilliant, even if your opponent is ten years old. Enough gaming, I bet he picks up enough to play other adults sooner than you would think.

 

I'll be forty in January, but I bet I don't know much more about all the special abilities and tricks than your son!!

 

Are you using the current RAGE Chronicles for CAV and all the resources from Mil-Net???

 

The Mil-Net force builder chombie is the only thing I use. We're really spoiled with it.

[Chrome]

So what's the best? I thought the Talons and the Ashigarus were as good as it got in a Terran force.

I forgot for a second that we were talking Terrans. I play Ritt and face Adon a lot so I'm used to dealing with Panthers and Recluses often. IMHO they're heads and shoulders above the rest. But they're not available to Terran armies, so they don't count. The Talon is probably your best bet then.

 

As for traveling to play, that's just not feasible for me at this time. I'm hoping to get some of my other gaming buddies into the game, so I can play with adults occasionally.

I was just offering that as a one time event where you could learn to play from some of the best so that you know you're doing everything right. I know there'll be 3 BL guys there running CAV and Warlord. Asides from learning from them, your best bet is simply to ask questions here. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. We've all done stuff wrong before.

[Chrome]

The Mil-Net force builder chombie is the only thing I use. We're really spoiled with it.

I think you mean Steve's force builder over at the CAV Command Console. That's one sweet app.

[joshuaslater]

Dang, I mistyped!! The Command Console is so good to us. Go there, you'll be happy.

 

Thanks Chrome, I goofed that one.

 

I need to see where the datacard for the Vanquisher '74 is. I'm not seein' in on the CC.

[Saint of Sinners]

The Talon is the best all around Recon/EW model, having both EST (which I refer to as spotting) and ECM. Add in its Weapon systems, armor and speed and you got one of the best electronic warfare CAV in the game. Even the open market version is excellent.

 

The Spartan big gimmick used to be its heavy armor (in comparison to other recon models) and its high CCV. Its now bout average.

 

The Raptor is a good spotter with its EST and has AA which allows it to fill a vital role in Terran task force.

[TaleSpinner]

Thanks guys.

 

Yeah, I am using the force builder and a custom Excel speadsheet of my own to build the Task Forces. I also have the latest Rage Chronicles which I have hand added to the core book because I couldn't remember what was changed and what wasn't which caused huge amounts of extra time checking two sources. I'm REALLY looking forward to the new updated Core rules PDF.

 

My son and I have yet to try to use Faction Doctrines as he's had enough to worry about with getting the basic rules down without trying to factor in extra things we can do. Our problem is that we let too much time go between games and so we end up forgetting a lot of what we learned in the previous game.

 

I'm sure that when/if I ever get to play with an experienced player, I'l be saying a lot of things like "You can do that?!" and "Oh, so that's how it works."

 

I currently seem to stress about whether I should move or Target Lock. It seems strange that you can't do both, seeing as how each model has both a pilot and a WSO. I would think that the pilot could be moving a CAV while the WSO is target locking the enemy and geting ready to fire. Anyway, it just seems like one of those areas where the game fluff and the rules do not match.

 

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.

 

Andy

[Chrome]

I currently seem to stress about whether I should move or Target Lock. It seems strange that you can't do both, seeing as how each model has both a pilot and a WSO. I would think that the pilot could be moving a CAV while the WSO is target locking the enemy and geting ready to fire. Anyway, it just seems like one of those areas where the game fluff and the rules do not match.

Target Locking is not the simple act of aiming the vehicle's weapons. A CAV's targeting computers are always actively scanning for targets (and jamming incoming scans too). Target Locking is the explicit act of spending every available resource that the vehicle has at hand to burn thru the other guy's electronic defenses to get an even better shot. You're shifting all of your available energy over to your TC, so there's not enough left to both move and fire your guns. Like in Star Trek when they shift full power to their shields. Well when you perform a Target Lock, you've designated enough energy to your weapons so that they can fire, and then put everything else to your TC and there's nothing left to move your legs.

 

It was a lot easier to understand in CAV 1, b/c back then Target Lock was a part of every single attack, and what we now know as TL (using pods, etc) was a whole extra step. In CAV 1, everything that you did required Power, and your model only had so much Power to use during its turn. You normally had enough power available to move and shoot every turn, but if you wanted to do something like use an ECCM or Chain Fire Pod, you usually had to not do something else to free up the power. Of course tracking your power every activation, plus performing Target Lock rolls every time you shot, added a lot of overhead to the game mechanics, which is why they were removed in CAV 2 and streamlined with Actions.

 

So in CAV 2, don't think of Actions as what the Pilot and Wizzo are doing - that will never work out right. I had the same issues trying to wrap my head around that when we first started working on CAV 2. (I went so far as to suggest to Matt that we use Pilot and Wizzo Actions instead of Combat and Non-Combat ) Instead, think of Actions as limited by what the Model can do. In this instance, there's just not enough juice in a CAV to power its legs, and its guns, and divert extra energy to its TCs, on top of what they're already normally using.

[TaleSpinner]

I currently seem to stress about whether I should move or Target Lock. It seems strange that you can't do both, seeing as how each model has both a pilot and a WSO. I would think that the pilot could be moving a CAV while the WSO is target locking the enemy and geting ready to fire. Anyway, it just seems like one of those areas where the game fluff and the rules do not match.

Target Locking is not the simple act of aiming the vehicle's weapons. A CAV's targeting computers are always actively scanning for targets (and jamming incoming scans too). Target Locking is the explicit act of spending every available resource that the vehicle has at hand to burn thru the other guy's electronic defenses to get an even better shot. You're shifting all of your available energy over to your TC, so there's not enough left to both move and fire your guns. Like in Star Trek when they shift full power to their shields. Well when you perform a Target Lock, you've designated enough energy to your weapons so that they can fire, and then put everything else to your TC and there's nothing left to move your legs.

 

It was a lot easier to understand in CAV 1, b/c back then Target Lock was a part of every single attack, and what we now know as TL (using pods, etc) was a whole extra step. In CAV 1, everything that you did required Power, and your model only had so much Power to use during its turn. You normally had enough power available to move and shoot every turn, but if you wanted to do something like use an ECCM or Chain Fire Pod, you usually had to not do something else to free up the power. Of course tracking your power every activation, plus performing Target Lock rolls every time you shot, added a lot of overhead to the game mechanics, which is why they were removed in CAV 2 and streamlined with Actions.

 

So in CAV 2, don't think of Actions as what the Pilot and Wizzo are doing - that will never work out right. I had the same issues trying to wrap my head around that when we first started working on CAV 2. (I went so far as to suggest to Matt that we use Pilot and Wizzo Actions instead of Combat and Non-Combat ) Instead, think of Actions as limited by what the Model can do. In this instance, there's just not enough juice in a CAV to power its legs, and its guns, and divert extra energy to its TCs, on top of what they're already normally using.

 

Got it! Great explaination, thanks.

[Chrome]

Got it! Great explaination, thanks.

Actually thank you. Having played this game for so long, it gets easy to forget that not everyone knows the full history of the game and how the mechanics came to be. I'll be sure to go change the descriptions for TL and Jamming so that they better explain what they are doing.

[joshuaslater]

We love playing this game, having no inkling of what came before. It's really got us. The Second Edition is great, but there are times where we think it needs a little tidying up, when we're in game and trying to find something.

 

I know some people want the CAV, hardback, deluxe, edition, right now, but I'm okay with the current state of things, all the feedback going back and forth, Mil-Net and the forum here helping with everything, and the Command Console helping out.

[Chrome]

Given the current costs of printing books, I doubt the hardcover edition will see the light of day, but the rest of it isn't too far away.

 

Maybe Reaper could make a hardcover version available on a print-on-demand basis. (That's just me thinking out loud, nothing official.)