Hold the Line
This game was played at NJCon 2011 in Somerset NJ. Thanks go to Jim “RatBoy” Williamson for hosting the event and making a great game. The game used the QuickStrike rules available in Strategic Operations.
Jim debuted a new record sheet creation that proved very useful and helped to keep the game moving.
Hold the Line
The Initial Word of Blake operations on Terra were carried out by Blake agents already on planet – most notable the so-called Shadow Lancers. ComStar headquarters on Hilton Head Island was perhaps the most important target assigned to the Lancers. While Lancer BattleMech forces dealt with the two battalions of the Com Guard 201st Division at Salina, the Lancer’s armor forces struck Hilton Head. Advancing under the cover provided by bad weather that covered much of North America, the unit had traveled to within 50 kilometers of the Hilton Head HQ before the defending Com Guard forces detected it.
With their computer and communications sabotaged by the Word of Blake, the Com Guard forces were unable to prevent the Lancers from crossing to the island and seizing control of the city of Hilton Head. At the first Circuit compound, however, the Com Guard forces rallied and made their desperate stand.
You can read more about this battle and the rest of the war for control of Terra in 3058 in the Fasa scenario book, The Fall of Terra.
Comstar
Flight of Arrows II – Lambda
- Mantis Light Attack VTOL
- Mantis Light Attack VTOL
- Hunter Light Support Tank
- Hunter Light Support Tank
- Striker Light Tank
- Striker Light Tank
Great Resistance II -Iota
- Scimitar Medium Hover Tank
- Scimitar Medium Hover Tank
- Maxim Heavy Hover Transport
- Jump Laser Platoon
- Maxim Heavy Hover Transport
- Jump Rifle Platoon
Word of Blake
Assault Lance
- Scimitar Medium Hover Tank
- Scimitar Medium Hover Tank
- Patton Tank
- Patton Tank
Support Lance
- Blizzard Hover Transport
- Blizzard Hover Transport
- Myrmidon Medium Tank
- Myrmidon Medium Tank
Recon Lance
- Pegasus Scout Hover Tank
- Pegasus Scout Hover Tank
- Galleon Light Tank
- Galleon Light Tank
Objectives
The Word of Blake units must exit off the opposite side of the battlefield with at least 50% of their units surviving. The ComStar force must stop the Word of Blake forces at all costs.
Turn 1 – Comstar wins Initiative
Comstar begins the game deployed as far into the map as allowed but remain concentrated in the center. The Word of Blake begins more spread out with the Patton tanks to the far North to evade attention.
The battle begins with each force advancing predictably across the map. Only medium range shots are available to either side.
Comstar forces concentrate all fire on the lead Galleon Tank but only manage to hit once. The Word of Blake return fire and astonishingly manage to destroy a Scimitar. First blood goes to the Word of Blake!
Turn 2 – Comstar wins Initiative
The middle of the battle becomes a mess as the forward Comstar elements and Word of Blake hovercraft converge. Comstar VTOLs flank behind the hovercraft for rear attacks.
The damaged Galleon from last turn and a Blizzard Hover are destroyed by Comstar. The second Galleon is lightly damaged as well. The Word of Blake concentrates on both Striker Tanks, killing one while the other survives due to bad rolls.
To the North, the Word of Blake Patton tanks move at flank speed safe from harm for now.
Turn 3 – Word of Blake wins Initiative
The injured Word of Blake Galleon seeks refuge in nearby woods while the faster hover units sprint past Comstar defenses. The slower Word of Blake tanks creep up as fast as their treads will carry them.
Comstar forces hold the line in the center while breaking off select forces to hunt the Galleon and Myrmidon tanks. The Comstar VTOLs keep their speed up and move behind the out-maneuvered Blizzard hover tank which is destroyed in short order.
Comstar forces make good use of the turn and strip the armor from one Myrmidon and slightly damage the other. No shots against the Galleon Tank find their target.
Return fire is concentrated on the Hunter tanks which each take strong damage. The lead Hunter Tank has a crew hit criticals inflicted but lives to fight another turn.
Turn 4 – Word of Blake wins Initiative
The Word of Blake tanks in the center of the battlefield dodge into woods for cover. Hover forces remain on the field but at long range. The Patton tanks continue at flank speed across the North edge of the battle.
Comstar forces surround and attempt to trap enemy tanks where possible. Several short range and rear shots are made possible.
Comstar does a lot of missing this turn and only manages to scrape armor off the healthier Myrmidon. All other shots miss.
The Word of Blake strikes back and destroys a Hunter Tank. Both VTOLs are hit this turn, one of which is killed outright. One of the shots was made at long range from the Word of Blake hover tanks far across the battle.
Turn 5 – Comstar wins Initiative
The Word of Blake is taking no chances and exits one hover tank off the map while three more lurk close to the objective edge. The remaining tanks make best speed and dance between cover hoping to spread out the defending Comstar forces. The Patton tanks are perilously slow as they weave around terrain to the North.
Comstar ends up giving chase to the Galleon tank with the one remaining VTOL and two supporting tanks. Remaining forces try to anticipate Word of Blake movement and end up with poor shots.
Luck begins to shine again on Comstar who manage to destroy the Galleon Tank and one of the injured Myrmidons. Return fire from the Blakists is ineffective.
Turn 6 – Word of Blake wins Initiative
The Word of Blake moves three more hover tanks off the objective edge while remaining tanks move as quickly as possible. The last Myrmidon attempts to stay covered by woods as the Patton tanks continue their slow march.
Comstar is running out of available targets and swarms on the Myrmidon tank which is destroyed under a massive barrage. The Word of Blake does not manage to deal any damage in return.
Turn 7 – Comstar wins Initiative
The last two Word of Blake tanks throw caution to the wind and give up rear shots as they frantically rush towards the edge of the battle. Comstar forces converge with all forces and fire with everything in range.
Word of Blake shots miss badly. Comstar forces combine fire and whittle away armor until a lucky strike finds the ammo bins sending the first Patton tank up in smoke.
Turn 8 to the End
The last Word of Blake Patton tank pushes towards the objective edge but is surrounded by adversaries which pummel the vehicle until it is reduced to scrap.
- Word of Blake: Exited the battle with 4 live units (33%)
- Comstar: Destroyed 8 units (66%)
Victory to Comstar!
Posted under After Action Report