Vanilla Company Ideas

[Grass4hopper]

I'm building 3 companies, so that I can play with my friends who aren't into MFZ (yet). I've already decided to have six frames for each company. I'm looking for suggestions on what systems a company should have (All three companies will be clone to start with).

I know that the rule book suggests 3 Soldier Frames. And I really like the idea of a double melee scout. But I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[VitorFaria]

Throw some for artillery, good and old delegators. They're fairly safe and easy to use, and may introduce your friends to the double yellow special rule.

As far HtH goes, it's fairly easy to get a safe and standard loadout since they get the . I would recommend or maybe some so you get all collors.

[David Artman]

...or maybe some so you get all collors.

How do you get five systems? (Maybe I need to read the rules for changes since Mechaton! )

The is legit because the is "free" with .

NOTE: I'd be more-inclined to show automatic d8s like this, to be totally clear:

• ( ) ( )
• ( )

I do not see how you can get (quoted in this post) without also getting automatically, nor do I see how you can continue to add the three more systems .

Sorry if I'm just not knowing a significant rule change.

[VitorFaria]

is free, if you have no ranged weapons. is a single HtH system, a double would be .

So my sugestion is ( )( )( )( ) .

I'm omitting the here, of course.

[spacemonkey]

I do not see how you can get (quoted in this post) without also getting automatically, nor do I see how you can continue to add the three more systems .

The icons are representatives of dice not systems. The first red system gives 2 red d6 and the second red system of the same type gives the red d8 (see pg. 68 of the rulebook); so showing " " is a proper representation of one Hth system.

[Blorf]

Sometimes I like to field a to back up my soldiers. It follows a bit behind and acts as a harder-hitting "cleanup crew" after the spot chain the Soldiers have been running, but is still fairly versatile if things don't go to plan.

Vitor's other choices would work well. I find Delegators are most effective in pairs, but all together you're exposing players to almost all of the rules this way. They can choose later to build something around a given strategy like that.

[Hackjob]

Good luck getting your friends into the game!

However-

(All three companies will be clone to start with.)

I recommend against this, the game is designed for the forces to be unbalanced, both set up (deployment), PPA, and initiative (determined by score) reflect this. The Primary Defender is supposed to be "underpowered" and thus gets a point bonus and more control of set up. While the Attackers are more powerful, and as a result pay a penalty in PPA and have less control over deployment.

Depending on your groups experience with wargaming, you might want to try Lumpley's Demo Rules for a first game. If I were going to make 3 forces designed to be used more than once to play each other, I would probably have them something like this:

Defender- 4 Frames, all have full systems (16) PPA=7. Starting score with 2 stations is 42
x1 Soldier
x2 Delegator
x1 Charger: , , ,

Secondary Attacker- 5 Frames, 2 have full systems, 3 have 3 systems (17) PPA=5. Starting score with 2 stations is 35
x2 Soldier
x2 Mini-Soldier: , , , (free)
x1 Armored Spotter

Primary Attacker- 5 Frames, all have full systems (20) PPA=3. Starting score with 2 stations is 21
x2 Soldier
x2 Brawler
x1 Commander: Split / , , ,

As you can see, the Defender starts with twice the starting score of the Primary Attacker, suddenly being a frame down doesn't look so bad! Also the Secondary Attacker has a distinct points advantage over the Primary Attacker, showing the advantages of "underbidding". Yes, the Defender has everyone gunning for them- they must be cunning and get the others to fight each other. And yes the Attacker has a steep uphill climb- they must be aggressive! After the first game, have eveyone play a different force so they can see how the different deployments work. If the Secondary Attacker is winning too much, you could knock them down to 5 Frames, 1 fully loaded, 4 with 3 systems.


Both VictorFaria and Blorf are right on about loadouts. I recommend giving Blorf's Commander's Handbook a look.

Some thoughts on loadouts-

The Soldier: , , , , is very versatile and more powerfull than it appears, being able to use 3d6 for whatever action you deem most important that turn (useing white dice).

The Delegator: , , , , affects the flow of the battle by forcing enemy frames to activate, and laying big, juicy spots to encourage damage where you want it.

The Brawler: , , , , (free) , is in my opinion one of the best loadouts of the game. The terrifies opponents, the double blue protects the frame and it's close support, while it gets to use the free effectively giving it 5 systems!

The Armored Spotter: , , , , is unnasuming and often ignored, but the double yellow effect can't be! High spots are what ultimately cause the most damage through the game. Meanwhile it has the to discourage attacks and gets to use the free , making it as well equipped as many 4 system frames.


So obviously these are just my opinions and suggestions, feel free to ignore/change any and all of em.

Hope this helps!

[Grass4hopper]

I appreciate all you guys advice. I tell you how it works out.

[Blorf]

However-

(All three companies will be clone to start with.)

I recommend against this, the game is designed for the forces to be unbalanced, both set up (deployment), PPA, and initiative (determined by score) reflect this. The Primary Defender is supposed to be "underpowered" and thus gets a point bonus and more control of set up. While the Attackers are more powerful, and as a result pay a penalty in PPA and have less control over deployment.

Yes, definitely. I guess I may have assumed you meant that everyone got these frames with which to select their forces from. But Hackjob is totally correct; the game really should be asymmetrical. Don't let the use of the term "unbalanced" set you off; the game really is best that way.

[Grass4hopper]

I'm definitely glad that I asked you guys, because that completely changes my plans. If you can't tell I've never had the chance to actually play yet, so my strategy for builds isn't very good.