Dropzone Commander Battle Report #31 – PHR vs UCM

The Dropzone slugfest is back! Today we’re showcasing a game between the Post-Human Republic and Josh’s ubiquitous UCM Marine force. Stay tuned, as we Search!

The Armies

Gladii Argenti

Post-Human Republic – 2,500

Hand of the Sphere

COMMAND – Zeus Command Walker with PHR Supreme Vizier (CV6)

                        -3x Enyo Siege Walker

SCOUT – 4x Mercury Drones

            -2x Triton A2 with Skyhammer Missiles

EXOTIC – 2x Sirens

            -Triton A1

Battle Pantheon

STANDARD – 4x Ares Anti-Armor Walker

            -2x Neptune Medium Dropships

STANDARD – 2x Phobos Anti-Air Walker

            -Neptune Medium Dropship

Battle Pantheon

STANDARD – 2x Phobos Anti-Air Walker

SUPPORT – 2x Angelos Jetskimmer with 2x Immortals

Immortals Phalanx

TROOPS – 2x Immortals

            -Juno A2

TROOPS – 2x Immortals

            -Juno A2

            -Sharing Neptune Medium Dropship

Immortals Phalanx

TROOPS – 2x Immortals

            -Triton A1

TROOPS – 2x Immortals

            -Triton A1

Heavy Pantheon

HEAVY – Hades Type-4 Walker

            -Poseidon Heavy Dropship

HEAVY – 2x Odin Anti-Armor Walkers

            -Neptune Medium Dropship

PHR Air Wing

AIR – Athena Air Superiority Fighter

AIR – Athena Air Superiority Fighter

UCM Fleet Marine Security Force – TF-109

United Colonies of Mankind – 2,500

UCM Field Command

COMMAND – Kodiak ACV with Colonial General (CV5)

SCOUT – 6x Wolverine LAV Type-A

SCOUT – 6x Wolverine LAV Type-A

Colonial Armored Formation

STANDARD – 3x Sabre MBT

            -Condor Medium Dropship with Missile Pods

STANDARD – 3x Sabre MBT

            -Condor Medium Dropship with Missile Pods

SUPPORT – 3x Longbow Howitzer

            -3x Raven-B with Missile Pods

Colonial Armored Formation

STANDARD – 6x Katana Light Tank

SUPPORT – Eagle Gunship

SUPPORT – 3x Fireblade Light Tank

            -Condor Medium Dropship

Colonial Legionnaire Corps

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaires

            -Bear APC

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaires

            -Bear APC

            -Sharing Condor Medium Dropship

SUPPORT – 3x Rapier AA Tank

            -Condor Medium Dropship

Colonial Legionnaire Corps

TROOPS – 2x Colonial Legionnaire Corps

            -Raven-A

TROOPS – 2x Colonial Legionnaire Corps

            -Raven-A

SUPPORT – 3x Rapier AA Tank

            -Condor Medium Dropship

UCM Special Ordnance Section

HEAVY – 2x Gladius HBT

            -Condor Medium Dropship with Missile Pods

HEAVY – 2x Gladius HBT

            -Condor Medium Dropship with Missile Pods

Colonial Fleet Air Wing

AIR – Archangel

AIR - Archangel

After Action Review

What an upset!

The last time we played this mission my Shaltari ran away with it in the early game, quickly finding four of the Objectives within 12” of my own board edge. At the time we discussed changing the way the markers were placed so that a set number was guaranteed in each quarter. Even this solution didn’t feel just right, since knowing the number allowed a player to move on quickly once he knew he had reached the quota for the area he was searching. We decided to set this one randomly and give the mission another chance.

When we got started and the UCM came up with some quick points in the early game, it felt like I was out of the running. Our discussions went back to the game before, and what else we might do to balance the mission. Still, as I said in the video, I wanted to make the UCM bleed for having the audacity to stand against the mighty PHR, and in the end that approach worked out perfectly for me!

The Objectives finally evened out there at the end, with the last two near the center of the table, and a sudden tie meant that my advance with the goal of destroying his units paid off big-time. The damage he had suffered was a tactical decision, and a sound one in my opinion. He was using these tanks as buffers to inhibit my advance, insuring that he drew that last objective in the 50/50 toss-up at the center. A slight bit of luck fell to me, and the gamble unfortunately failed. That said, I don’t think I would have played it any differently were I in his shoes.

Despite his turn of WHIFF this game, the Hades is still one of my favorite units in the PHR force. It gives the enemy a monumental task to work through, yet costs enough points that you want to be careful with it along the way. I can’t wait to see what other mischief me and the Hades can find in the near future!

Let’s hear your thoughts, people. Where did we go wrong? How could we have approached the scenario differently? Most importantly, what are your thoughts on the random nature of “Search”?