Know Your UNSC Forces

The UNSC:  UN Space Command

UNSC fighting forces are organized into three branches, The Army, The Fleet and Marines.  Minor service branched exist, such as the ODSF, Technical Corps and Science Service.

The UNSC Army

The UNSC Army is distributed among all core-world and colony planets.  The Army is considered a territorial organization  responsible for local (planetary) protection.  It is organized and equipped accordingly.

UNSC Marines

UNSC Marines are the UN's rapid response and primary war fighting force.  UNSC Marines are deployed in two arms:  Fleet Marines (rapid response) and Colonial Marines (war fighting).

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UNSC Fleet Marines

UNSC Fleet Marines are light infantry embarked upon the UN's general fleet, they form the UN's rapid response fighting force.   Fleet Marines are expected to excel in small-unit tactics as they will almost exclusively act in that role supported by assets from whatever UNSC ship they deploy from.  

 Fleet Marine light infantry in temperate battledress

A Marine FAC (Forward Aerospace Controller), NCO and Marksman.  FACs provide a vital link between Marines on ground operations and Fleet assets in low orbit. 

Specialist Marines, armed with an ATGM system, a heavy sustained fire MMG (gyro-stabilized harness) and a FAC with a laser-designator to direct Ortillery bombardments.  Graffiti on the shield of the designator reads “Press the ‘Smite’ button”

Orbital Drop Special Forces (ODSF)

Seen above, ODSF in light-infantry combat dress.  The ODSF is the primary Special Operations units of the United Nations Space Command.  ODST role in the Fleet is to act as Pathfinders and Special Forces. They are elite troops trained as an orbitally-deployed light infantry and special warfare tactics force.  

Where speed stealth are most essential the ODSF uses Exo-atmospere Insertion Pods ('Drop Pods') to deliver troops from low-orbit to planetary surfaces.  Seen above an Insertion pod in descent, final approach mode

A Drop Pod landed, cover ejected and ODSF trooper deploying

ODSF Spartan Force

ODSF Spartan teams are highly trained special forces trained and equipped for the most hazardous and dangerous missions.  They are the only troops who routinely used powered exo-armour.  The suits the Spartan teams use are at the cutting edge of human ingenuity and technical capabilities.  It is rumoured that Spartan team armour integrates capabilities derived from alien technology.

  

Spartan teams have a wide degree of latitude to select weapons and equipment most appropriate for mission success.  Seen above a Spartan Team preparing for deployment, note the varied weapon loads and armour modifications.

  

Support Equipment and Vehicles

M233 HMG on tripod

The M233 HMG is a mainstay of Fleet Marine sustained fire support.  It has proven reliable, robust and accurate over its service life

M10B Fox HMLV

The Fox is a High Mobility Light Vehicle, typically carrying a medium-machine gun.  It has excellent off-road handling, however, its payload has proven to be restrictive.  It is unable to support heavy weapon mounts or carry Spartan Team members.

M12A1  Warthog HMMV

The Warthog High Mobility Medium Vehicle was designed to address the capabilities gap created by the Fox series.    The Warthog is used as a weapons carrier and Spartan-support platform.  It has proven an excellent substitution for the Fox, retaining superb off-road handling (especially for a large vehicle) with outstanding payload characteristics.

M12G1 Warthog LAAV

A modified M12A1 Warthog armed with additional power couplings to support an anti-vehicle gauss cannon (designated: Light Anti-Armour Vehicle)

Pelican Dropship

The Pelican transatmospheric capable VTOL used by the UNSC for the transportation, insertion and pickup of personnel, vehicles and equipment. The Pelican is well armed, it is capable of loitering as gunship support for deployed Marines.  Seen above, a Pelican in flight

Seen above, a Pelican landed ready for Marines to disembark

Vulture Gunship

The Vulture is a heavily protected and armed gunship used for close air support of deployed Marines

Kestrel VTOL

The Kestrel is most commonly seen in UNSC army service.  Where Marines are deployed on operations with the Army the Kestrel provides an excellent transport option for Marines. 

M808 Scorpion Tank

The Scorpion series is an air-portable Main Battle Tank.   A Scorpion is seen above fitted with additional ERA blocks

Other UN service branches

UN Science Service

As Mankind pushed out into the stars the UN created the Science Service to accompany UNSC ships.  The Science service is there to explore new opportunities wherever they appear, from ancient alien artifacts to interactions with Alien species. The Science Service recruits the best and brightest scientists, and employs cutting-edge AIs in its research.  In a relatively short period of time the Science Service has amassed an enviable treasure trove of knowledge in its data-banks.  Seen above a small science team and its support AI (as holographic presentation)

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Huzzah!, Huzzah! I say...

I'm finished painting the 'Inspired by a video game' set, all figs and vehicles are done.  So I thought I'd round out the 'know your forces' set with the human faction.  I'm going to use this set for a game at the upcoming Ground Zero Games, East Coast Convention (GZG ECC).

http://www.warpfish.com/gzgecc/gzgecc21/index.shtml

Now I'm off to finish off some Hammer's Slammers Combat cars for another GZG ECC game...

The Peoples of the Yan'drassi Collective

The Yan'drassi are an alien force created by Eli Arndt via Kickstarter and now available from Alternative Armies. 

What follows is a combination of background created by Eli and embellishments of my own. If you wish to use any of this please feel free...

...As Mankind spread out into the stars they quickly found out they were not the first, nor were they alone.  Man first marveled at impossibly ancient artifacts found on habitable planets.  Then they came across The Collective; The Collective were welcoming, they shared knowledge and resources, then the demand came: Mankind had to join The Collective.  It took the World Government two days to decide, No.  Relations with The Collective became tense, then frosty.  Mankind and The Collective slipped into a state of cold war, with each seemingly content to harass shipping and occasional isolated colonies.

Recent reports indicate there has been a significant theological shift within the Collective.  Intelligence indicates massive troop movements among the Yan'drassi. It seems clear that a significant escalation of military action at the hands of these imperialist aliens is imminent.


::UNSC Background Briefing: The Yan'drassi Collective::

The Yan'drassi Collective is an interstellar empire made up of dozens of species presided over by the Yan. The Collective appears to be organized in a hierarchical, quasi-religious, manner focused towards the 'greater good' of all species, as seen by the guiding hand of the Yan.

Most species of the Collective contribute through economic and scientific means, however, several species make their contribution primarily through military service.  This briefing will focus on the forces UNSC troops have so far encountered

Neeks

Neeks are creatures with a very low intelligence. Due to their nearly endless numbers Neeks have become the bulk of the Yan'drassi armed forces. Lack of discipline, motivation and courage requires that they be led to perform even marginally well. Neek squads are led by low-ranked Tavshar leaders.

Horgosi

The brutish Horgosi are ill-tempered and savage but make highly effective assault troops made even more potent through the use of triggered injections of biochemicals that can send them into a frenzy.

Horgosi refuse to be overseen by Tavashar leaders, Hogosi squad either act independently or led by a Horgosi Prime. 

Especially violent and low intelligence Hogosi are formed into berserkers via biological manipulation and mechanical implants.

Tavashar

The Tavshar are the professional core of the Yan'drassi fighting body. Sleek and athletic, theirs is a culture of warrior prowess. Even outside of their service for the Yan, they are a proud, martial culture given to duels and the development and perfection of lethality. Squads of Tavshar form an elite backbone to the masses of Neeks and other species.

 Tavashar warriors who lose esteem are often demoted to lead Neek squads

Tavashar warriors who rise in esteem are promoted to become Tavashar Elites

Elites are often accompanied by especially adept warriors armed with weapons for close-in fighting

The Tavashar use technology not available to all Yan'drassi, the Gun Skimmer provides rapid-response patrol and fire support to the Yan'drassi on the battlefield. 

Kaamados Dominion

The Kaamados Dominion, is a minor bloc of reptilian races absorbed recently into The Collective, internecine struggles indicate this integration may not be going as smoothly as the Yan may prefer.

Naga

Naga society is divided into clans, the fractious nature of Naga society led to their downfall at the hands of The Collective. Within The Collective, Naga have little status and are subservient to all but the Neeks. In combat, Naga typically serve as snipers, defensive fighters, and scouts due to their excellent senses of sight, smell, and hearing.

Draco Aganath

Draco Aganath have not been observed outside of their massive Maxima Battlesuits.  No live example has been captured, recovered suits reveal what is assumed to be a Draco Aganath entirely encased in the battlesuit's armoured thorax carapace.

A visual guide to forces of The Collective

Collective forces vary greatly in size and comparative anatomy

Non-Military units encountered: Nimuan Orator and Sh'm Controller

Nimuan Orator

Nimuans are an artificial race created an age ago by the Ancients. They wander the worlds of the Collective speaking and singing of the glories of the Collective.  Within the Collective they act as priesthood and inspirers of devotion.

Sh'm Controller

Sh'm Controllers are often seen with Nimuan Orators, their role is unknown.

A Nimuan Orator accompanied by a Sh'm Controller addressing a group of Neeks and their Tavashar leader



Why the Yan'drassi Collective? 

Two reasons:
1.  They are a great excuse to amalgamate all the small alien groups I have under one umbrella.  Over the years I've got lots of odds and ends of figs.  Using the Collective banner I now don't feel the need need to 'round out' forces, playing Ambush Alley-type skirmish games using a mishmash of troops is fun.
2. They appear to inspired by a certain video game, which, while I don't actually play the game* I really like to look and feel of it, so I've been slowly building a small skirmish force to play an 'inspired by' version of the game

*OK, so I have played the game, my friend Mark's lad used to play it, we tried too, we were terrible at it.  The last time I played the mission was a 'simple one', we had to kill off 30 aliens; it was a 'see who gets the most' type of game.  I was pumped after I killed my second alien, I went looking for the rest to find there were none left.  Score: Me = 2, Mark's Lad = 28.  I sucked so bad he never played with me again...   ...that's teens for you!

The Yan'drassi were created by Eli Arndt and are now available from Alternative Armies.  Other figs above came from Critical Mass Games (now Ral Partha Europe?) or 15mm.co.uk (now back under Alternative Armies)


And Finally, Why no games?
Simple: My basement game space is FREEZING!  We have only a partially finished basement and this past couple of weeks have been brutally cold here in the NE, its been way too cold to play.  Hopefully we are heading back into the normal temp range soon so I can get some of these figs into action!