Giving law to the Old Man [Starmada vs. Hassassin]

My tie in the first game of the current TTS tournament brought me against a newer player in the TTS-circuit, Duddsen. I already heard the stories about HB in N4 and saw some lists, so I was curious, how this challenge may turn out. The mission was highly classified, so I thought myself a bit favoured due to my experience and the potential of Starmada in this mission.

Rauhnächte 1 HCustom
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 1  10  / 1
 ANDROMEDA (Infiltration [+6]) Submachine Gun, Zapper, Flash Pulse, D-Charges / Breaker Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (0 | 33)
 VARANGIAN Submachine Gun, Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Heavy Pistol, AP CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 PARVATI Submachine Gun(+1B), Flash Pulse ( | GizmoKit, MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 38)
 SHONA CARANO Submachine Gun, Nanopulser(+1B), Flash Pulse / Pistol, EXP CC Weapon. (0 | 27)
 BETATROOPER Spitfire, Nanopulser(+1B) ( | TinBot: Firewall [-3]) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 41)
 KAPPA (Lieutenant) Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1 | 12)
 KAPPA Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 KAPPA Missile Launcher / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 17)
 KAPPA (Hacker, Hacking Device) Submachine Gun ( ) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 12)
 PSI-COp (Multispectral Visor L1) Nanopulser(+1B), MULTI Marksman Rifle ( ) / Heavy Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 25)

GROUP 21
 VARANGIAN Submachine Gun, Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Heavy Pistol, AP CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 CRUSHER (Forward Deployment [+8"]) Submachine Gun, Nanopulser, D-Charges / Pistol, E/M CC Weapon. (0 | 29)
 LAMBDA (Doctor) Combi Rifle ( | MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 16)
 YUDBOT PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 3)
 KYTTÄ Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 WARCOR (360º Visor) Flash Pulse ( ) / Stun Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 3)

 4.5 SWC | 299 Points
Open in Infinity Army

During our local escalation league, I got my first experiences with the Beta haris, so I thought it would be a great chance to try it again here. To give the maximum potential for classifieds in this working horse, I added Parvati and Shona. Parvati should keep the Beta shooting and care for the doc and engineering classifieds. Shona should get me the CC related classifieds, since she is in the center of action most of the time in that link. If things go south, a Psi COp in the defensive Kappa-link can break through and fill in the gaps. The ultimate back-up is the Crusher on a different flank than the Beta-team. Andromeda also is a solid pick in this mission, since she may do some classifieds on her own without any problems and can shut down enemy scorers right in turn one.

 
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 1  7  
 FIDAY Rifle, Light Shotgun, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (0 | 26)
 GHULAM (NCO) Rifle, Grenade Launcher, Smoke Grenade Launcher / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1 | 15)
 GHULAM (Doctor [+3]) Rifle, Light Shotgun ( | MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 15)
 ASAWIRA AP Spitfire, Nanopulser / Pistol, Shock CC Weapon. (1.5 | 39)
 FARZAN  (Forward Observer) Rifle, Light Shotgun, Flash Pulse, Shock Mines, D-Charges / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 23)
 YARA HADDAD AP Marksman Rifle / Heavy Pistol(+1B), CC Weapon. (0 | 25)
 BARID (Lieutenant, Hacker, Hacking Device) Rifle, Pitcher ( ) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1 | 17)

GROUP 25  / 3  
 DAYLAMI (Camouflage [1 Use], Infiltration) Light Shotgun, Panzerfaust / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 6)
 DAYLAMI (Camouflage [1 Use], Infiltration) Light Shotgun, Panzerfaust / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 6)
 SHAKUSH Heavy Machine Gun, Heavy Flamethrower / AP CC Weapon. (1.5 | 58)
   SHAKUSH PILOT Light Shotgun / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 0)
 LEILA SHARIF  (Hacker) Shock Marksman Rifle, E/M Mines, D-Charges / Breaker Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 20)
  SHUJAE Submachine Gun, Flammenspeer, E/M Mines / Breaker Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 24)
 FANOUS REMOTE Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 NAJJARUN Engineer Rifle, Light Shotgun, D-Charges / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 15)

 5 SWC | 296 Points
Open in Infinity Army

Duddsen brought everything he needed for the mission. The core link around the Ghulam doc with Yara and the Asawira as hard hitters provided smoke for itself and got the Barid for hacking-classifieds, while a Sharkush posed to be a second hammer in the list, dragging Leila around to be safe and to score classifieds where the big link won't reach to. A Fiday is never a bad option, as well as the Shujae. Three camo-markers, two of them as panzerfaust Dayalamis to slow the enemy down as much as possible. If you have read my last reports, you know my curse against panzerfausts...

Someone found it very funny to play the second mission of the tournament on the finish-line map from VaulSC, originally build for the second TTS-league, if I remember correctly. The catwalks make it quite difficult to move your models on the ground and drawing LoF gets crazy from time to time. Nevertheless, the ground level is seriously obstructed, adding more complexity to this map. It is a challenge and playable rulewise, but in practice it causes some pain.

I win the Lt-roll and decide to go first. I get assigned the south deployment zone.

First I thought to deploy the core team on the right side, partly on the staircase. But my previous experiences on this map showed, that you can be shot quite easily, once something is moving on the catwalk, so I changed my mind and deployed the link on the left around the crates and fences. One Varangian on each side to get some more eyes for incoming Fidays. The Kytta overwatches the far right, where the haris is deployed, too. My Crusher screens the core-team, which also overwatches my HVT.

The core-team is scattered behind the walls on the right, while the Fanous overwatches the HVT on the left. That side is reinforced by the Sharkush and Leila with the engineer nearby. In front of them the Shujae is deployed. Two camo markers are put on the catwalks, one marker is a bit advanced on the right on the ground level.

Since there won't be more than one Fiday and I go first, Andromeda starts on the centerline on the left, from where she can disable one Dayalami and the Shujae and probably go for the Sharkush and Leila then without problems. Bob from accounting takes her back.

Starmada 1: Group one is reduced by two orders. I don't want to be surprised by panzerfausts, so the right Varangian advances, trying to bait out at least one Dayalami. Over the course a Farzan appears and dies in CC. Now the Beta has to risk it on the right Dayalami-marker, directly recieving one wound. Parvati patches him, scoring test run, and then the Dayalami dies. In the center Andromeda has better luck when it comes to reactive markers. While the Shujae is killed in CC by guard after planting an E/M-mine, the Fiday and the other Dayalami miss. In return, Andromeda only kills the Fiday with her SMG and gets isolated by the mine. Luckily the dogged Varangian is able to shoot the Dayalami in the back and kill it. 

HB 1: Everything is concentrated in group one. Smoke is set up in the center and the core link advances towards my DZ and my HVT. On the way the Barid scores datascan on Andromeda, then she is shot by Yara. The Ghulam Doc inokulates the HVT and the Asawira takes care of my ML Kappa and the Crusher.

Starmada 2: All eggs are in one basket in front of my DZ now, so my Beta only needs to eat through it without risking Parvati. The NCO Ghulam is dropped with ease by the climbing REMs, but the doc, the Barid and Yara are aligned in a way, prone and on a stair, that I don't want to risk it over the catwalks. So I go for the midfield, drop Yara directly and shoot down the Asawira in two orders. Since it goes prone, I can't get a position to see it for a finishing shot and fiddle the last order, which only gets the Doc in LoF, which dies. Shona and Parvati have some positions in the center, covered for the Sharkush, but not for the Asawira, which regenerates.

HB 2: The Asawira knows no friends here: First the beta, then the Warcor followed by Shona and finally Parvati. All shot with no chance of revenge. Suppressive fire from the Asawira, while the Sharkush advances.

Starmada 3: With some smoke, I would be able to drag my core-team towards the HVT, scoring my personal classified and datascan on the way, which would get me back into the game. The first smoke grenade finds its target but in a bad spot, but the second one wiffs, so I need to cross LoF of at least the Sharkush. My link advances and with the only order I can invest to it, my Kappa hacker fails to scan the unconscious Ghulam Doc and gets isolated. On the way towards the HVT, the Psi COp is shot by the Sharkush, so things are done for me.

HB 3: Again the Asawira is on fire, dropping the last Kappas and scoring in extremis recovery on my Psi COp.

With that, I lose horribly 8-1. Duddsen made some good moves with his core-team. In my eyes it was a all-or-nothing action, since it gained him a questionable position and some classifieds on the way, but allowed me to take out most of his value. The map and the positioning then lost it for me. I probably should have forced my way through the link with nanopulsers from the catwalk, dropping the Barid and taking lower risks for Parvati. In the end, two orders in the end of my second turn lost the game for me, since I chose to try a shot with the Beta on the prone Asawira, instead of activating the Psi COp with clear LoF and good chances. I simply wanted to get Shona into cover. Bad decision here. But also the real counter-deployment of his HVT caused major damage. The classifieds were not directly in Starmadas favour, even with Parvati able to do two of them. But she was on the wrong flank with the wrong pace.

Again, all hopes are up for the last round to not come in last again.

Taming Cerberus [Starmada vs. CA]

With the test-run of my Mindwipe-list turned out quite well, I started confidently into the first round of the 'Quadratekämpfe Rauhnächte' tournament, organised by Tristan228. My opponent for the first round was Locustron, a pretty skilled player from southern Germany. This should be a really tough start and I already planned for a loss.

 Rauhnächte Mindwipe V2
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 1  10  
 ANDROMEDA (Infiltration [+6]) Submachine Gun, Zapper, Flash Pulse, D-Charges / Breaker Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (0 | 33)
 HECTOR (Lieutenant [+1 Order]) Spitfire, Nanopulser, Grenades ( | TinBot: Firewall [-3]) / Heavy Pistol, EXP CC Weapon. (0.5 | 67)
 BLUECOAT Adhesive Launcher(+1B), Heavy Riotstopper / Pistol, Shock CC Weapon, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 13)
 BLUECOAT Adhesive Launcher(+1B), Heavy Riotstopper / Pistol, Shock CC Weapon, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 13)
 KAPPA Missile Launcher / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 17)
 KAPPA Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 KAPPA (Paramedic) Combi Rifle ( | MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 14)
 CRUSHER (Forward Deployment [+8"]) Submachine Gun, Nanopulser, D-Charges / Pistol, E/M CC Weapon. (0 | 29)
 FUZZBOT (Minesweeper, Repeater)  ( ) / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 8)
 KYTTÄ Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)

GROUP 25  / 2
 VARANGIAN Submachine Gun, Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Heavy Pistol, AP CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 VARANGIAN Submachine Gun, Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Heavy Pistol, AP CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 CHO (Chain of Command) Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 20)
 FUZZBOT (Minesweeper, Repeater)  ( ) / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 8)
 CRUSHER (Forward Deployment [+8"]) Submachine Gun, Light Rocket Launcher, Nanopulser, D-Charges / Pistol, E/M CC Weapon. (1 | 35)

 3 SWC | 300 Points

[url=https://infinitytheuniverse.com/army/list/g+oIc3Rhcm1hZGEYIFJhdWhuw6RjaHRlIE1pbmR3aXBlIFYygSwCAQoAgxQBBQAAgvIBBAAAhfkBAwAAhfkBAwAAhacBBAAAhacBAQAAhacBBwAAhegBAgAAhb0BAQAAhbsBAQACBQCFtQEEAACFtQEEAACF7QEBAACFvQEBAACF6AEDAA==]Open in Infinity Army

As planned, I chose the designated Mindwipe-list as it was discussed in the report against Commoner1.

 
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 1  10  
 SHROUDED (Forward Observer) Combi Rifle, Flash Pulse, Shock Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 23)
 SPECULO KILLER Combi Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, Monofilament CC Weapon. (1 | 32)
 MED-TECH OBSIDON MEDCHANOID Combi Rifle, D-Charges ( | GizmoKit, MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 22)
 Q-DRONE Heavy Machine Gun / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (1 | 25)
 R-DRONE Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 R-DRONE Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 SLAVE DRONE PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 3)
 SHESKIIN (Lieutenant) Red Fury, Pulzar, D-Charges / Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (1 | 54)
 CALIBAN (Chain of Command) Submachine Gun, Pulzar, D-Charges / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 29)
 ÍMETRON . (0 | 4)
 IKADRON (Baggage, Repeater) Light Flamethrower(+1B), Flash Pulse / Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 9)

GROUP 23  / 1  
 RASYAT (Specialist Operative) Combi Rifle, E/Mitter, D-Charges, Eclipse Grenades / Heavy Pistol. (0 | 34)
 LIBERTO (Minelayer) Light Shotgun, Shock Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1 | 8)
 IKADRON (Baggage, Repeater) Light Flamethrower(+1B), Flash Pulse / Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 9)
 NOCTIFER Missile Launcher / Assault Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 32)

 5.5 SWC | 298 Points

[url=https://infinitytheuniverse.com/army/list/glkNY29tYmluZWQtYXJteQEggSwCAQsAgfUBBQAAgfcBAQAAgfsBAQAAgf0BAQAAgf8BAQAAgf8BAQAAgg4BAQAAghUBBAAAghABAwAAgg8BAQAAghQBAQACBACCBwEEAACE+wEEAACCFAEBAACCBAEDAA==]Open in Infinity Army

As always, I don't remember the list correctly. What I could extract from my notes comes down to something like that. One piece is missing and the groups are not 100% accurate, but the important stuff is there. Sheskin to murder things and maybe even my server after the Shrouded has activated the console. The defense is is build by the REMs and the hidden Noctifer, who we all love. Plan B is the Rasyat, ready to do whatever it takes to win the game.

I probably lose the LT roll and start in the south.

One Varangian start on the left behind the building where both Fuzzbots are liyng on. This time I plan to send the real Hector along that flank, so Cho goes to the opposite flank. The Kytta reinforces that side together with the LRL Crusher, this time a bit advanced, The core-team is scattered on the mid right, while the ML again covers the right firelanes. The last Crusher takes the same positions on the right together with the second Varangian as in the previous game on this map.

The Q-drone awaits me on the central building, the other one is taken by a flasbot. The other flasbot secures the left flank together with an Ikadron. Dr. Wurm sits in the back and four camo-markers are scattered in front of the DZ. Sheskin starts on the right side and one impersonator tries to engage me on the street behind the bus.

Hector starts on the left, even with some concerns to the flashbots LoF. Andromeda finds no place to engage the Q-drone unharmed by the other flashbot, so she should be the reinforcement on the left. Something is placed in hidden deployment.

Starmada 1: Two orders go missing from group one. I set up some smoke on the left console, while te Speculo does not take the bait. So the Crusher there tries to activate it but fails. Hector advances on the left until a Noctifer appears. Two shootouts later it goes dogged and Hector takes safety next to Andromeda. The attack here is stopped. The other Crusher fails two times on the right console and enters suppressive fire with Hector.

CA 1: Sheskin starts directly, taking out both Varangians. She gets LoF to Hectors back, shooting him two wounds until he critically dodges out of her LoF. She advances further to reach his back again, crossing LoF with the Kytta and gets stunned. The Libertos takes out Andromeda with a dirty mine-trick and a coordinated order lets the left Ikadron shoot Hector down with its pistol. Over the course, a Shrouded is revealed in the midfield.

Starmada 2: In the second try the right Crusher activates the console and forces the Shrouded into cover. The AI sits in a server the Crusher probably won't reach, but he pushes further. While taking one wound, he manages to get a position on the right, unseen by the Q-drone but in LoF of the last camo-marker and the right flashbot. First the flashbot dies to the SMG in 10", then the CoC Caliban dies to the nanopulsar, taking the Crusher out in return. The core-team shifts towards the center. First the ML outranges the Q-drone, dropping it, then Sheskin is shot unconscious by the ML.

CA 2: In LoL and with several slots blocked in group one, not much happens. The Shrouded approaches the left console, while the Speculo takes down the Kytta.

Starmada 3: Only the Kappa-team is alive, so I go on full denial and advance into the center. One Kappa climbs the building to shoot the Speculo, but gets blasted away. Leaving one Gluecoat behind to have something on my servers, three guys approach, shooting the Liberto dogged and overwatching the console after the Shrouded is blasted.

CA 3: Dr. Wurm is shot on his way towards the console, then a Rasyat drops next to it. While activating it, it is blasted, too. Now the Speculo seeks some revenge but doesn't manage to take out the last two Kappas. 

No server is touched and no classifieds are done, so it ends in a 4-4 tie. Both sides have less than 100 points left on the field. Dice on both sides were not that favourable over the course, while I got more luck in the second half and Locustron loses his rolls from there on. I probably misplayed Hector a bit while forcing him boneheaded over the left side, since a Noctifer was more or less foreseen. On the other hand I had no thrill on attacking Sheskin, covered by the Q-drone and a flashbot. Maybe that should have been the better plan with Hector.
Since I am not used to use core-links in any active way, the performance of the line trooper team was more than impressive and saved the game for me. Once the units are a bit scattered and single targets can be picked, a full linked ML is a real thread.

Nevertheless, a tie against Locustron is a very good result for me. Even if one TP in the actual scoring system is not much, it was an important boost to the morale and boosted my confidence with the aggressive style of Starmada, too.

TAG-date with Mr. Tinder [QK vs. PanO]

The last week of my days off during the holiday season included a casual game against TJE, one of the organizers of the German Masters in southern Germany, newly called 'Mr. Tinder' for some podcast-reasons. We 'met' each other during the ENTE and my following tournaments and had a little chat about TTS events after that. So a game was overdue. The mission was frontline and I wanted to try out a new QK list with a modified game-approach. TJE decided for vanilla PanO. German speakers can watch the game here:

Smoketrick
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 1  9  / 1  / 1
 YUAN YUAN Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (0 | 8)
 DJANBAZAN (BS Attack ) AP Sniper Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 31)
 DJANBAZAN (BS Attack ) AP Sniper Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 31)
 SEKBAN Heavy Rocket Launcher, Chain-colt(+1B) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 21)
 HAFZA (Forward Observer) Rifle, Light Shotgun, Flash Pulse ( | Deployable Repeater) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 17)
 HAFZA (Lieutenant) Rifle, Light Shotgun / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 15)
 DJANBAZAN Heavy Machine Gun / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 34)
 FANOUS REMOTE Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 FANOUS REMOTE Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 FANOUS REMOTE Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)

GROUP 21
 YUAN YUAN Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (0 | 8)
 AZRA'IL AP Heavy Machine Gun / Heavy Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 40)
 SEKBAN (Doctor [+3]) Boarding Shotgun ( | MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 28)
 HAWWA' (Forward Observer) Boarding Shotgun, Flash Pulse, D-Charges / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 22)
 HAWWA' (Minelayer) Sniper Rifle, Shock Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 23)

 6 SWC | 299 Points

[url=https://infinitytheuniverse.com/army/list/gZMLcWFwdS1raGFscWkKU21va2V0cmlja4EsAgEKAIF6AQMAAIEyAQMAAIEyAQMAAIFTAQMAAIFGAQMAAIFGAQQAAIEyAQIAAIE+AQEAAIE+AQEAAIE+AQEAAgUAgXoBAwAAgUoBAQAAgVMBBQAAgUsBAwAAgUsBAgA=]Open in Infinity Army

The quite expensive defensive core around two Djanbazan AP snipers served me quite well in the last games, so it should be the anchor for a single Djanbazan HMG, exploiting smoke-interactions. The back-up is foreseen in the Azrail together with the Sekban Doc. The Doc here is crucial, since he increases the order-efficiency, can revive Azzie and is able to click consoles on the way. If needed, the core-link can take actions, too. One Yuan Yuan should be deployed directly to smoke out the Djanbazans in place, while the second one should take the flexible part.

 
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

 7  / 5  
 DRÃGAO Hyper-Rapid Magnetic Cannon, Heavy Flamethrower / AP CC Weapon. (1.5 | 73)
   CRABBOT Flash Pulse / CC Weapon. (0 | 0)
 SERAPH Spitfire, Nanopulser / EXP CC Weapon. (1.5 | 74)
   CRABBOT Flash Pulse / CC Weapon. (0 | 0)
   AUXBOT_3 Heavy Flamethrower / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 4)
 TIKBALANG Heavy Machine Gun, Heavy Flamethrower, Shock Mines / AP CC Weapon. (1.5 | 68)
   CRABBOT Flash Pulse / . (0 | 0)
 MONSTRUCKER Submachine Gun, Chain Rifle, Drop Bears / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 PALBOT PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 3)
 REGULAR (Triangulated Fire, Minelayer, Sensor) Combi Rifle, Shock Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 13)
 REGULAR (Triangulated Fire, Minelayer, Sensor) Combi Rifle, Shock Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 13)
 HELOT MILITIAMAN (Camouflage [1 Use]) MULTI Sniper Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 17)
 FUSILIER (Lieutenant) Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 10)
 AUXILIA (Forward Observer) Combi Rifle, Flash Pulse ( | Deployable Repeater) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 15)
   AUXBOT_1 Heavy Flamethrower / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 4)

 6 SWC | 298 Points

[url=https://infinitytheuniverse.com/army/list/ZQpwYW5vY2VhbmlhASCBLAEBCgALAQEAAIU1AQIAABUBBgAAFQEGAAAlAQEAACIBAQAAIQEBAACExgEGAAABAQoAABYBAgA=]Open in Infinity Army

There may be something different in the squishy part of the list, but what matters is there: Three (!) TAGs, none of them like the Anaconda, but real TAGs. Three of them. To avoid silly assassination-runs on the order pool or Lt, Auxbots and Regulars with mines set up as many obstacles as possible. If one TAG goes down, there is a hired engineer to repair it.

The map is from Cabaray, found in the White Noise-collection, designed for frontline. The center sees a watery channel with some boats on it, while the other scoring zones consists of elevated areas with symmetric obstacles and a second level under them, which you can enter from ladders or from doors out of the DZs. The billboards guarantee closed firelanes.

TJE wins his first LT rolls in ages and decides to go first. The DZs are the same for each side, so I simply deploy second.

The Seraph starts behind the elevated area on the left, the Dragao also on the left, next to the staircase. One camo-marker overwatches the field from the right building, while markers, Auxbots and cheerleaders are scattered in and around the buildings.

It seems like a good idea to pin down the Dragao directly, placing my link on the right with one sniper on each building and the rest on the ground. Azrail and Sekban go behind the left building, together with a Fanous. This combination seems solid, so Azrail and the Fanous are out to ARO on the left flank. The other two Fanous go on the building. The Hawwa sniper supports the core-team on the elevated space and the FO Hawwa memes a hacker, taking a bath behind the left boat. Yuan 2 starts next to the staircase.

A Tikbalang is deployed on the right and my Djanbazan HMG joins the Yuan Yuan.

PanO 1: The Dragao starts the shootout with my Djanbazan sniper, which takes some orders until it is removed completely. From there, the Dragao removes both Fanous on the building, giving quite free reign for the Seraph, which advances on the left. Meanwhile the Tikbalang drops the second sniper. The Seraph reaches my DZ with enough orders to kill my Djanbazan HMG and the Yuan Yuan, while the Auxbot pins down the last Fanous and the Azrail after he recieves one wound. The sniper regenerates.

QK 1: The second Yuan Yuan enters my DZ and smokes out my remaining sniper. He can see the Tikbalang and the Seraph and with some shoots, the Seraph is unconscious and the Tikbalang dodges into safety with one wound remaining. Azrail advances into the lower level in front of my DZ, while my core-team changes positions and take the far right building again.

PanO 2: Since the Dragao is still unharmed, he manages to gun down my Hawwa sniper, the Yuan Yuan, the Djanbazan sniper again and the Sekban HRL. This frees the path for the Monstrucker, reactivating the Seraph. My sniper regenerates again.

QK 2: The core-link is reformed with what is left. While the sniper fails to drop the Seraph again, I have misjudged the distance to the Dragao and the sniper goes down again to its HFT. The Sekban Doc has to drop the Auxbot to reach the Seraph but does nothing more than the Auxbot by reaching the elevated part. Azrail can't climb up since the Seraph is standing on the hold of his ladder. The sniper comes back a third time.

PanO 3: The Dragao finally kills the sniper. Now the Seraph goes wild, first slicing the Sekban in CC, then joining Azrail in his basement and also wrecking him in CC.

In retreat, I have no option to do anything (maybe the Hawwa FO is shot somewhere before). TJE sits in every zone, so it is a clear victory for him. For this mission, three solid TAGs with enough orders in the back are simply outstanding. Together with the fact that nobody expects such kind of list, his proper play made it very difficult to keep my head up.

Nevertheless, I was quite confident in the beginning, since there was no MSV in his list and I had taken all the things TAGs normally don't like. Unfortunately, I made a bad play with the Djanbazan HMG, deploying him to open and having the Azrail pinned by the Auxbot nailed the coffin. With at least one offensive weapon in position for turn one, Two dead TAGs wouldn't have been a problem and I would have gained a good position. What didn't disappoint me was the Djanbazan-core with two snipers. Having one regenerating three times is nothing usual, so two are a solid choice for not too many points. If at least three other guys in the link are alive, they then can be a real pain in the active, too. The only thing I missed was a hacker in the midfield. Upgrading the Hawwa from a bluff to a thread would be nice, but would force some unpleasant decisions in list-building...

Calling Hector [Starmada vs. SWF]

In the beginning of December the 'virtual' German Infinity-community started to organize itself a bit better in terms of tournaments, leading to a steady supply of competitive games this winter. To prepare for the next tournament in TTS, Commoner1 gave me a game of Mindwipe. For me, it was the first really aggressive game with Starmada, while he gave SWF a try.

As you may have noticed, I am not that used to an aggressive playstile, which is favoured in N4 a lot, especially with Starmada.

 Rauhnächte Mindwipe V2
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 1  10  
 ANDROMEDA (Infiltration [+6]) Submachine Gun, Zapper, Flash Pulse, D-Charges / Breaker Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (0 | 33)
 HECTOR (Lieutenant [+1 Order]) Spitfire, Nanopulser, Grenades ( | TinBot: Firewall [-3]) / Heavy Pistol, EXP CC Weapon. (0.5 | 67)
 BLUECOAT Adhesive Launcher(+1B), Heavy Riotstopper / Pistol, Shock CC Weapon, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 13)
 BLUECOAT Adhesive Launcher(+1B), Heavy Riotstopper / Pistol, Shock CC Weapon, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 13)
 KAPPA Missile Launcher / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 17)
 KAPPA Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 KAPPA (Paramedic) Combi Rifle ( | MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 14)
 CRUSHER (Forward Deployment [+8"]) Submachine Gun, Nanopulser, D-Charges / Pistol, E/M CC Weapon. (0 | 29)
 FUZZBOT (Minesweeper, Repeater)  ( ) / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 8)
 KYTTÄ Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)

GROUP 25  / 2
 VARANGIAN Submachine Gun, Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Heavy Pistol, AP CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 VARANGIAN Submachine Gun, Chain Rifle, Smoke Grenades / Heavy Pistol, AP CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 CHO (Chain of Command) Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 20)
 FUZZBOT (Minesweeper, Repeater)  ( ) / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 8)
 CRUSHER (Forward Deployment [+8"]) Submachine Gun, Light Rocket Launcher, Nanopulser, D-Charges / Pistol, E/M CC Weapon. (1 | 35)

 3 SWC | 300 Points

[url=https://infinitytheuniverse.com/army/list/g+oIc3Rhcm1hZGEYIFJhdWhuw6RjaHRlIE1pbmR3aXBlIFYygSwCAQoAgxQBBQAAgvIBBAAAhfkBAwAAhfkBAwAAhacBBAAAhacBAQAAhacBBwAAhegBAgAAhb0BAQAAhbsBAQACBQCFtQEEAACFtQEEAACF7QEBAACFvQEBAACF6AEDAA==]Open in Infinity Army


The sectorial has not much to offer when it comes to defense, so a Kappa ML-core is mandatory somehow and two Crushers for the better feeling also. The aggressive element here is Hector as a single rambo-piece, supported by Andromeda to take out annoying ARO-pieces. Varangians support this quite good, so two are a must, especially for their low costs. One Crusher should be able to activate one console in the early game, so that Hector, Andromeda or a Crusher can break through and start their work on the servers. I see good CC-attacks more valuable here as the erase-programm, so I skipped the hacking part in my list. The Bluecoats should protect my servers as good as possible. But in the best case, Hector left nothing to attack them.

 
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 1  10  
 FUSILIER Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 10)
 FUSILIER (Lieutenant) Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 10)
 FUSILIER (Paramedic) Combi Rifle ( | MediKit) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 12)
 FUSILIER Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 10)
 KARHU Feuerbach(+1B), AP Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 35)
 FUSILIER Combi Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 10)
 KNIGHT HOSPITALLER (Doctor) MULTI Rifle ( | MediKit) / Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (0 | 35)
 KNIGHT HOSPITALLER Heavy Machine Gun / Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (1.5 | 37)
 KARHU Feuerbach(+1B), AP Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 35)
 NØKK (Hacker, Hacking Device) Combi Rifle, Light Shotgun ( ) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 30)

GROUP 25  
 FUGAZI DRONBOT Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 FUGAZI DRONBOT Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 NØKK (Forward Observer) Boarding Shotgun, Panzerfaust, Flash Pulse / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 25)
 FUGAZI DRONBOT Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7)
 NØKK (Minelayer) Combi Rifle, Light Shotgun, Shock Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 27)

 5.5 SWC | 297 Points

[url=https://infinitytheuniverse.com/army/list/agl3aW50ZXJmb3IBIIEsAgEKAAEBAQAAAQEKAAABAQkAAAEBAQAAhc0BAwAAAQEBAAAGAQcAAAYBAwAAhc0BAwAAhcwBAgACBQATAQEAABMBAQAAhcwBBQAAEwEBAACFzAEEAA==]Open in Infinity Army

The SWF-list consisted of a Fusilier-core around the Feuerbach-Karhu as a defensive stand and to push forward, two Hospitaller Knights got an other Feuerbach-Karhu to wreck whatever there is in the midfield. Fugazis give some orders and a soft defense, while three Nokken can push the buttons and defend the midfield. The Hospitallers with their DA-weapons were the only ones to get rid of the servers.

The map appears to be quite open but thanks to tons of scatter terrain, the ground level is more or less completely obstructed. The left has a quite open corridor and there are two longer firelanes on the right side, while the bus on the middle left blocks a lot of things out. There is no deployment on the solarpanel-roofs and the central building does not block much on the first storage, so everything up there may be seen a lot.

I lose the Lt-roll and get the second turn, deploying in the south.

The Fusilier-core deploys around the central building in the north with the Karhu out to ARO on the roof. The other building more on the right sees one Fugazi, the next is down on the street there. One Nokken starts behind the wall. The left corridor is taken by the two Hospitallers, thir Karhu and a Fugazi, while the other Nokken is ready to push the button of the left console.

My core-team is deployed on the ground on the mid right with the ML overwatching the right corridors. One Crusher sees the far right edge behind the adds, the other one starts near the bus. One Varangian on each side. Cho mimes Hector and starts behind the left building, where both Fuzzbots lie on. The Kytta overwatches the Crushers back on the left.

A Nokken minelayer is deployed behind the wall. Andromeda does not infiltrate and stays on my left side to support against the Hospitallers. Hector takes the right side.

SWF 1: The Nokken on the left activates the console without problems and discovers the AI on the central server. Now the knights start. The Karhu takes down the Crusher, Kytta and finally Andromeda. This takes enough orders so that the link needs to reposition in front of the left building.

Starmada 1: While the left Varangian trades himself against the Karhu on the left, the right one sets up some smoke for the right Crusher. Hector advances, shooting down the Nokken hacker and the two Hospitaller Knights. He manages to kill the doc and the hacker completely, so that only the HMG could be revived by the paramedic and damage the servers. On the right, the Varangian now trades himself for the Nokken FO and a Fugazi.

SWF 2: The core-team advances unseen, since Hector has a bad position. The Hospitaller HMG is treated in PanO-manner and dies, but the Karhu has better luck and gets back on his feet. After this, he lets his wrath rain over Cho and a Bluecoat.

Starmada 2: One Fuzzbot is taken to group one. The right Crusher activates the console to find the AI in the left server. He advances further, killing a Fugazi and a spare Fusilier from which I hoped to be the Lt (it wasn't).

SWF 3: The Karhu continues his killing spree with two Kappas and Hector, while the last Nokken deploys a mine on the designated server.

Starmada 3: In LoL, I won't reach the right server with my Crusher, so I simply wreck the one in front of him and call it a day.

With this, I win 6 to 4.

Before I will discuss the Starmada-part, there are a few words to SWF: I own them myself and was quite curious to play them, but the list-building in the actual N4 circumstances still seems quite rough. Commoner1 did his best to squeeze in some of the best units to deploy a solid list for the mission. But in the end, Nokkens were too prone to enemy fire and then you end up short with tricks. The best one of course is the Karhu with double Feuerbach, which is a perverted killer, if he won't recieve a wound somewhere. To pair it with at least one knight seems solid, since you have something by hand to clear mines. But in the end, we agreed that SWF is designed a bit boneheaded and adds not much to PanO.

Starmada on the other hand surprised me a bit. Especially the more aggressive part, even if Commoner1 guided me a bit through this, brought back some fun to the game. I totally forgot about how nice it is if you shoot multiple things in one turn. With DBS, I ended up with turns full of movement and did most of my shooting reactively, I think. This was completely different. With Hector you have a solid one man army, capable of shooting most things and tanking at least two hits with ease. The Feuerbachs here were a bit dangerous, but in everyday situations, he don't have to worry a lot about AROs. Wrecking all the mission-potential with him in turn one was the crucial action. But also the Crusher performed well here. Only armed with a SMG, he managed to break into the DZ and thanks to his great gear, the points for one server could be scored. But there is some more training needed with Andromeda and reactively used Crushers, as the falling left flank showed.