The Day The Sky Fell

"We had no chance, they hit the elevator first.  The rings fell from the skies, they hit like great bombs. As they hit, the city died.  The impacts were furious, the shockwaves leveled whole districts, the dust created huge choking clouds.  Then the dropships came, The Collective came to finish us by hand."
--transmitted from remains of Summerville City, New Haven.

In the aftermath of the Collective strike on New Haven UNSC units scramble to extract essential personnel

A Pelican inbound over the remains of Summerville

The Pelican lands, the mission: locate and retrieve two UNSC scientists trapped in the area

The Scientists have gone to ground, they could be in one of three locations (UNSC roll to test, 5-6 for first, 3-6 second, and automatic for last)

The Collective roam the area hunting down survivors

Tavashar elites lead teams of Neeks

Naga lurk in the ruins

Fleet Marines debus from the Pelican, they fan out into the rubble

An NCO briefs alpha fire team and support echelon

Bravo fire team move on out

Alpha moves to eliminate a hotspot

Naga interrupt

A Neek squad interrups

Fortunately the support echelon were on Overwatch

The Naga are pummeled by fire, the survivor's nerve fails

The Neeks go down too, the Tavashar leader steadies their nerve

The Neeks fire on the Marines, wounding one

Marines return fire, killing one Neek, again the Tavashar leader holds the squad in check

Marines contact the hotspot, then...

...open up killing the Tavashar.  Remarkably the Neeks' nerve still holds

Bravo team comes under fire

Overwatch takes down Neeks

Bravo adds to that score.  The Elite holds the remaining Neek in check

Another Neek team interrupts Bravo

This time causing one casualty

Bravo's return fire is ineffectual

Bravo consolidate their position in the crater

A group of elites advance under cover of the rubble

Marines dig in, preparing overwatch placements

The collective gain reinforcements

Bravo medevacs its wounded and is reinforced by the NCO

Alpha medevacs

And secures the hotspot (by end of turn)

Overwatch is brutal.

The Collective response equally so

Bravo is down!

Elites adavance to finish the job off

Perhaps not, overwatch drops one elite

The Collective surge towards the vulnerable Marines

Overwatch does its job

This time the elite cannot hold the Neeks, they flee to safety

Its not looking so greta for the UNSC, they have been pinned back into their deployment area, at this rate they will never recover the scientists

We need a HERO!

A Hero for the morning light, he's got to be strong

And up for the fight...  ...A Spartan is inserted via Drop-pod (random entry via hotspots)

More Naga appear, right next to the remains of the last group (this hotspot has had all the reinforcements so far!)

The two groups link up to form a new one

I spy with my little eye... ...nothing, no scientists here

But what's this?

BLAM BLAM

Why, its dead collective!

Meanwhile, elsewhere, the elites shoot up the NCO

Not so good for the UNSC

However, overwatch is sweet revenge.  If only it had happened before the NCO got shot up

The Neeks take hits, but their nerve holds

Still holding

The Spartan closes on his next victims

Casually shooting up the Naga

Then lining up on the Elite's squad

Neek down

The Elite loses its nerve again

Overwatch makes it pay

The Naga engage the Spartan

They manage to take down his shield

The Neeks are back at it

Fire! One Neek down, morale holds

Return fire!, one Marine down, morale holds

Phew look at all those kill markers.  This turn the Collective fail to get reinforcements

The UNSC push on, the Spartan advances into the crater

The Spartan finds the two scientists,

but he has other things to worry about, like the Naga over there

BLAMMO!, one down, one shrinks, no more Naga

"Its just a flesh wound", the Marine is back into the fight (next turn)

Still, here?

Not for long

BRAAAAAAP!  But their nerve holds!

The collective gets some reinforcements, a unit of Elites appear on the edge of the battle area

The Spartan gains dependents, time to get them outta Dodge

The Spartan hands off the scientists to the Marines

This is going to be close

Marines sprint across the street to provide cover for the scientists

They finally kill off one of the Neek squads.  The other hunkers down in place

Run!

Next turn, things don't go well for the Collective, no reinforcements.  Those Elites have along run ahead of them

Get

to

Tha

Choppa!

Chaaaarge!

Run away!

Hold in place

Zappo! the Elites take down the Spartan's shield

BLAMMO!  the Spartan pays that forward

BRAAP! as does Overwatch

We are outta here!

The scientists are rescued from the battle area.  The mission is a success

Phew!

Collective reinforcements appear (at that same hotspot, the smoke marker really works)

The Marines check on Bravo team, to find only the NCO can fight on.  With the scientists rescued and their ride gone, the Marines now have to organise a fighting retreat to the next UNSC defense line for pick up

That was fun!  The elites really made the Neek squads much tougher, without the Spartan there was no way the Marines would have been able to pull this mission off.

And now, scenery.  I realized while playing that I made this destroyed building terrain nearly fifteen years ago.  I was reading a set of rules (Crossfire, I think) and it had a 'how to make scenery' section.  As I was a low-on-funds postdoc at the time I gave it a go,  I'm pretty happy how they came out and for a set of bodged together terrain they have lasted really well.  The craters and rubble were more recent presents.

I have new hotspot markers.  I recently got a Plantetfall scenery box, in the box were these resin objective markers.  I think they are pretty good, so they have become my latest scifi Ambush alley hotspot markers/general objectives.

While tidying up with post-game beer I got thinking about the other little-soldier related gifts and I remembered my favourite one of all.  More on that in the next post.

Rolling Hot!

Hammers Slammers ready to take on contracts...

This is the last batch of my Old Crow Slammer's Armour, painted, but needing a warmer day for varnishing.

 Kilo company combat cars ready to slide

 Mike company Hogs

 Golf company logistics and support

 Hammers Slammer's taskforce ready for contracts

 Bravo company infantry

 Kilo company combat cars with Alpha (Support) company older pattern combat cars

 Echo company blowers and command tank

Artillery support group comprised of Golf coy command and logistics ammo haulers and Mike coy Hogs

 Command and control group comprised of Golf coy command car and support echelons

And bonus! They all fit (barely) into one of my vehicle storage boxes.  Its like Tetris, I'll never remember how I did this

And, before anyone notices, the company designations are not cannon, I just went along with the decals I had and thought looked good.  I can live with that  =8-)

I do have more Slammers so go, I have a dismounted Infantry group and some more jeeps.  As I've now finished all the armour there is a good chance I'll get these done in time for the GZG ECC in March.  I'm running a Crucible rules game on Friday of the Con, its going to be Slammers vs other Mercs.  I've finished up a couple of fun units but I won't be spoiling the surprise by revealing the Slammer's opponents.

Here's the link to GZG ECC XXI, yup, XXI.  Not bad for a bunch of guys from an email list who got together just to play with toys!

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

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).

[Break, Input...]

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[Expand: UNSC Fleet forces...]

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)

[Do you want to see more...]

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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!