CAV: SO Friday Feature [1/16/2015]

[CAVBOSS 3204]

Welcome to the first Friday Feature for CAV: SO in 2015!

Rulebook Update:
The last of the artwork finally made it in and we have updated those sections that were waiting and will be forwarding them on to the printer who is waiting on them to give me the print run date. Our final page count ended up at 144 and is in full color from front to back. While I would love to set a final release date based on the printer's estimated finish time, I hate to get burned should something come up. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I hope to have some information on a digital copy release but I haven't been given the green light on that announcement yet.

Rule Update:
We have made a change in models with the SA: Bulky in regards to squad creation. Going forward the only models automatically with this SA are Extra-Heavy Chassis Combat Vehicles, Super Chassis CAVs, and Powered Armor. I will be updating the available data cards with this change as quick as possible.

COG Update:
We have been getting the new CAV:HQ website ready for role out which includes they COG sign up/info page. I will be sending out a link to those that have already submitted their requests so you can get that part done. This will help us get our show schedule for 2015 set up as well and will post in Feb.

For the Feature this week I decided to post the Faction Doctrines for those people still on the fence as to what faction they want to support. Each faction receives two doctrines with the initial rulebook release and we will add more later down to road for more variations.

Adon Economic Confederation Faction Doctrines


Fire and Fury Warfare Doctrine
Aggressive Electronic Warfare
Much of the technology in use by the Adonese remains at least a generation ahead of that fielded by the other star nations. The use of electronics in warfare to help identify, target, and hinder an opponent remains a prime directive of NADO and its associated member-state militaries.

Game Rules: All Adonese models with the SA Active Phase Array or ECM receive an additional 6†bonus to the base range of their area of effect.


Hyrwyda Dyrnel Doctrine
Optical Camouflage
The Adonese have taken adaptive camouflage a step further with the use of retroreflective materials and nano-tech in the combat uniforms and armor of their infantry. Optical camouflage projects the scene directly behind a soldier onto their clothing, creating an illusion of “invisibilityâ€. This illusion though is only convincing when viewed from certain angles.

Game Rules: All Adonese infantry models receive the SA Rat at no extra cost.

and

Martial Arts
Whereas most militaries reserve more advanced hand to hand combat techniques and training for their special forces, all Adonese military troops are taught “Hyrwyda Dyrnel†which basically translates to “battle by touchâ€, earning additional mastery levels throughout their military careers.

Game Rules: All Adonese infantry models receive a +1 close combat attack bonus vs other infantry models. This bonus will stack with the SA Grenadier.


The Almirithil Principality Faction Doctrines


The Lend-Lease Doctrine
The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend
By the time modern-era CAV designs began deploying in 2240, the manufacturing base of the Principality was not yet to a level to build these intricate machines from scratch. The First Chief Directorate of Foreign Intelligence Services was tasked with securing the technology needed. Since that time several Adonese-built CAVs have been “transferred†to the Principality and brought to the Topolov Defense Collective. Head engineer Mik Fra’Kov and his team then reverse-engineered the designs to develop their own prototypes.
In addition to their own strides in manufacturing, the Principality has established official diplomatic relations with the Ritterlich, allowing for trade and an influx of advisors to help with modernizing the Almirithil’s armed forces.

Game Rules: When choosing models as part of an Almirithil force group, players may also select any CAV models from the Ritterlich force list to include as part of their overall selection.


The Dogs of War Doctrine
No Price to Big, No Job to Small
Over the last ten years the Principality has taken to hiring Templar “Free Companies†to supplement their own armed forces on several outer rim systems.

Game Rules: An Almirithil force group may select, as a specialist squad, a Templar attack squad. In addition, each Templar model will receive the upgrade: veteran for free (no additional TVP).

The Ritterlich Republic Faction Doctrines


Superior Tactics Doctrine
The Hunter’s Edge
With their uncanny ability to anticipate the actions of an enemy commander, the Ritter always seem to be one step ahead.

Game Rules: Once per turn, a Ritter force group commander may select the initiative card that was just turned over and send it to the bottom of the deck.


Lightning Warfare Doctrine
Blitzkrieg
Ritter commanders spend their entire career training to fight while “on the moveâ€, exploiting any weakness the enemy may show.

Game Rules: Every non-infantry model will receive the SA: Assault +1.

The Empire of Malvernis Faction Doctrines


Fanaticism Doctrine
The Hammer of Khardullis
During battle, followers of Khardullis have been known to commit “martyrdomâ€, sacrificing themselves in a last-ditch attack to cause as much damage as possible before dying.

Game Rules: The Hammer of Khardullis allows any non-infantry model to “sacrifice†itself (removed from play), regardless of its current damage track, in an attempt to destroy an enemy model in one last desperate attack.
A variant of salvo fire, a player will make a number of combat rolls equal to twice the number of direct-fire weapon systems being used for the ranged attack, each receiving the salvo fire situation modifier bonus.

Example: An Assassin CAV firing both medium MACs at a target as part of a Hammer of Khardullis attack would make four combat rolls, each receiving a +1 situation modifier (in addition to any others applicable ones) for the salvo fire bonus. Upon completion of the attack, the Assassin is removed from play.


Conscription Doctrine
Defense Force Militia
A Malvernian male can be called up for military service at any time. As a result it is common for force commanders to activate additional troops from planetary militias to bolster their regular troop strength before a battle.

Game Rules: Each Malvernian infantry or mechanized infantry squad will receive two additional infantry models for free (no TV cost), regardless of normal squad limitations.
Upgrades and transport must be purchased separately.

The Greater Empire of the Rach Faction Doctrines


Children of the Storm Doctrine
Storm Strike
Rach warriors favor close-in fighting, sacrificing defense in an effort to overwhelm their opponent and take them out in one devastating blow.

Game Rules: Non-infantry Rach models conducting a ranged attack at point-blank range receive a (+2) situation modifier to their attack instead of the normal (+1).

and

Storm Winds
In an effort to get in close as fast as possible, the Rach will override the safeties on their machines breeder in an effort to increase their maximum speed.

Game Rules: In addition all non-infantry Rach models will reduce their armor values by (-1) and increase their base movement value by (+2).


No Mercy Doctrine
Berserker
Rach that have become too old to pilot CAVs or other combat craft typically finish their time as a warrior in the infantry. These highly skilled troops will close with an enemy, attacking with abandoned frenzy as they seek an honorable death in combat.

Game Rules: Rach infantry models acting as the primary attacker in a close-combat assault will do one additional point of damage on any successful attack.

The United Terran Federation Faction Doctrines


Air Superiority Doctrine
Dedicated Air Support
The Federation Fleet works closely with the legions to provide close-air ground support, attacking enemy targets in close proximity to friendly forces. To improve coordination, the Fleet provides Forward Air Controller specialists that deploy directly with the legions they are assigned too.

Game Rules: A Terran force group will receive a Forward Air Controller (SA FIST 3) that may, once each turn, request a free Gunship Assault (see Battlefield Support Strike Packages) during the activation of any friendly squad. An attack not used by the end of a turn is lost.

and

Air Power
In no military does air power play such an integral part as that of the Federation, assigning multiple assets to support the troops on the ground.

Game Rules: A Terran force group may purchase an additional flight squad for each primary squad taken that does not count towards the normal primary/secondary squad ratio.


Artillery Superiority Doctrine
Dedicated Artillery Support
The majority of Terran legions include a dedicated artillery force to directly provide fire support to the units they are assigned to.

Game Rules: A Terran force group may, once each turn, request a free Artillery Strike (see Battlefield Support Strike Packages) during the activation of any friendly squad. An attack not used by the end of a turn is lost.

and

Networked
Federation infantry receive extensive training as forward observers to improve the accuracy of artillery fire, especially when requesting a “danger close†fire mission over the BattleNet.

Game Rules: All Terran infantry models receive the SA FIST 1 at no extra cost.

The Grand Order of the Temple Faction Doctrines


Elite Training Doctrine
Bonds of Brotherhood
Many Templar soldiers spend their entire active careers in a single unit, resulting in a fanatic-like devotion to the men and women they serve with. This has led to an unwillingness by the Templar high command to move troops from one unit to another, resulting in many units fighting below their authorized force levels.

Game Rules: The following squad types, as part of a Templar force group, have their minimum model requirement reduced by one: Attack, Fire Support, Flight, and Recon.


Superior Equipment Doctrine
Cutting Edge
The Templars have always been on the cutting edge of new tech development, devoting a large portion of their annual budget to state-run research facilities and the engineers and scientists required to man them. Much effort is also spent by the Order of Scientific Intelligence in the gathering of “competitive intelligence†across the galaxy in the form of economic and industrial espionage.

Game Rules: A Templar force group will receive additional specialization points, equal to 10% of their starting threat value pool, to use on any non-infantry models for the purchase of battlefield upgrades only.

[falstius 2402]

I'm excited to hear plans for a digital version of the book. Also, Almirithil Principality? Did I miss something, are they new, or do they have another name?

[yeahbowen 60]

Yeah there were 6 listed in the Kickstarter but 7 listed here. Is the new group just fielding Ritterlich?

[Vil-hatarn 1638]

Yes, the Almirithil Principality are a new faction in CAV:SO. Given the removal of Open Market models (in the CAV 2 sense), I am somewhat puzzled by their doctrines--I can only assume they will be receiving a faction list consisting either of new models or perhaps a selection of those specific to other factions, with the two faction doctrines offering additional Ritterlich or Templar units.

 

Otherwise, these appear essentially unchanged from their CAV 2 (non-War For Sale) counterparts. I'm concerned about the Adon Fire and Fury Warfare doctrine; with the Recluse removed, the Wasp and Challenger mk4 presumably retconned out with the timeline change, and the loss of access to open-market recon units, the Adonese lack any dedicated electronic warfare units to take advantage of this doctrine, with the possible exception of the newly added Cobra and Kestrel.

[Mallus 27]

Thanks for the update, CAVBOSS. That really helped to get a feel for how the factions play. Unfortunately, it also convinced me that I'll be dropping a lot more on Rach when the pledge manager opens back up...

 

... and down the line dropping a lot more for the rest of the factions...

[Maredudd 2927]

I'll be dropping a bundle on LOTS of BIG STOMPY ROBOTS shortly . . . go all factions! :-)

[SparksMurphey 495]

Yes, the Almirithil Principality are a new faction in CAV:SO. Given the removal of Open Market models (in the CAV 2 sense), I am somewhat puzzled by their doctrines--I can only assume they will be receiving a faction list consisting either of new models or perhaps a selection of those specific to other factions, with the two faction doctrines offering additional Ritterlich or Templar units.

 

Otherwise, these appear essentially unchanged from their CAV 2 (non-War For Sale) counterparts. I'm concerned about the Adon Fire and Fury Warfare doctrine; with the Recluse removed, the Wasp and Challenger mk4 presumably retconned out with the timeline change, and the loss of access to open-market recon units, the Adonese lack any dedicated electronic warfare units to take advantage of this doctrine, with the possible exception of the newly added Cobra and Kestrel.

We may need to wait for the CAV:SO stats to come out. Some CAVs have already changed significantly from CAV 2 stats, so we may yet see more Adonese units picking up EW gear they previously didn't have.

[Vil-hatarn 1638]

That's definitely a possibility...wouldn't really feel right on most of the models I can think of though. Like you say, we'll really have to wait for the full stats.

 

Another concern: the Almirithil Dogs of War doctrine doesn't scale to game size, making it less useful as force size increases. There should probably be a threshold where a second (or even third) section becomes available.

[CAVBOSS 3204]

My intention is to flesh out factions with new models to fill in any holes they may have based on the new rule set.

 

As far as the Dogs of War Doctrine. That was a concern we had but found it hard to set the threshold as its a pretty powerful squad (due to the veteran upgrade) and setting it as a special squad (which means you can only have one per force group). We also plan to flesh the doctrines out more down the road. These are the base versions for the rule book release. Im hoping when we do actual faction books we can get more doctrines out there and/or alternate versions of these.

[Qwyksilver 16622]

Faction books.  <shudder>  I'd rather see the Doctrines get ironed out now, rather than having to wait for a specific book to come out at some unknown time.  And having to deal with the inevitable power creep as certain factions got their new shiny toys, while others have to sit back and wait.  Unless it's a "Faction Expansion" book that contains expansions for everyone.

[CAVBOSS 3204]

Sorry for the dismay. We are not going to do one book for each faction. Everyone will be in the same book.

[Qwyksilver 16622]

Sorry for the dismay. We are not going to do one book for each faction. Everyone will be in the same book.

That's much better to hear.  There is nothing worse than having to wait <X> months for your faction to get new toys while having to watch everyone else get new stuff.  Glad it will be consolidated into a single book.

[Skrill 2273]

Noob question about "The Almirithil Principality":
Does it mean I can build up a task force mixing Ritterlich CAV (Cougar + Tiamat) with Attack Templar (Halberd) under the banner of the Almirithil Principality?

If so, that would be a nice way to use the few Rit and Templar models from the Kickstarter.
The only issue I may see is that the Attack Templar is considered a Specialist squad in there. So I would still need at least another regular attack squad. Right? (I may use some infantry for that if allowed...)
 

Anyways i guess I will be painting my Bones Halberds the same colors as my Cougars and Tiamats.

 

[Vil-hatarn 1638]

You have to pick a single doctrine, so you can have either unlimited Ritterlich models OR the veteran Templar section in addition to the normal Almirithil model selection (which we haven't seen yet).

[Skrill 2273]

Oh...   Too bad.
I guess I'll have to run them as Mercs/Pirates in that case.
Thanks for the clarification.