Dropzone Commander Battle Report #3 - UCM vs Shaltari

Our third Dropzone Commander installment sees the United Colonies of Man at war with the Shaltari Tribes once more. This time we pushed the points total to 2,500 in an attempt to try out some of the different units we haven’t found space for in the past. We played the Targets of Opportunity mission on a 6’x4’ table.

The Armies

UCM Fleet Marine Security Force TF-109

United Colonies of Man – 2,500

UCM Field Command

COMMAND – Kodiak ACV – Colonial General

SCOUT – 4x Wolverine LAVs – Type A

SUPPORT – Ferrum Drone Base

Colonial Legionnaire Corps

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaires, Bear APC

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaires, Bear APC

Shared Condor Dropship

SUPPORT – 3x Rapier AA Tanks

            Condor Dropship

Colonial Legionnaire Corps

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaires, Bear APC

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaires, Bear APC

Shared Condor Dropship

SUPPORT – 3x Rapier AA Tanks

            Condor Dropship

Colonial Armored Formation

STANDARD – 9x Sabre MBTs

            Condor Dropship

SUPPORT – 2x Longbow Howitzers

            2x Raven-B Light Dropships

SUPPORT – 2x Falcon Gunships

UCM Special Ordnance Section

HEAVY – 4x Gladius HBTs

HEAVY – 2x Scimitar Tank Destroyer

            Albatross Dropship

UCM Expeditionary Group

SCOUT – 2x Praetorian Snipers

            Raven-A Light Dropship

EXOTIC – 2x Praetorians

            Raven-A Light Drophip

EXOTIC – 2x Praetorians

            Raven-A Light Dropship

Ubii Tribe War Group

Shaltari Tribes – 2,500

Wings of the Chieftain (Gate Pool)

Gaia Heavy Gate

3x Eden Medium Gate

2x Spirit Light Gate

4x Haven Terragates

Court of Elders

COMMAND – Coyote Warstrider – High Warchief

HEAVY – 2x Ocelot Warstrider

EXOTIC – Firstborns

Shaltari Warrior Clan

TROOPS – Braves

TROOPS – Braves

SUPPORT – Thunderbird Gunship

Shaltari Warrior Clan

TROOPS – Braves

TROOPS – Braves

SUPPORT – Thunderbird Gunship

Shaltari Swordpoint

STANDARD – 6x Tomahawk Main Grav-Tanks

SUPPORT – 3x Kukri AA Grav-Tanks

Shaltari Swordpoint

STANDARD – 2x Tarantula Battle Strider

STANDARD – 2x Tarantula Battle Strider

SUPPORT – 2x Birdeater Battlestrider

Shaltari Warfist

HEAVY – 2x Caiman Heavy Grav-Tanks

SUPPORT – 3x Kukri AA Grav-Tanks

Shaltari Speartip

SCOUT – 5x Yari Light Grav Tanks with Light Ion Cannons

EXOTIC – Firstborns

  

Post-game Thoughts

The early damage I was able to put on buildings in the UCM deployment zone really turned the initiative sideways in the early game. This left his infantry pushing on the central buildings, where they met an equally destructive display of firepower. This was especially true in the central building, where 40 DPs were knocked out in a very short amount of time!

The strategy of moving my skimmers on from the board edge has worked wonders, since they’re fast enough to reach their intended targets quickly, without soaking up  precious gate energy. This is the first time I’ve given Caimans a try, and I was really impressed by their damage output. They were absolutely devastating against buildings, and in a different scenario I can see their Gauss Triads being put to excellent use against enemy armor as well.

I’m looking forward to the next game. With each time we play, I feel I’m gaining a ton of insight on how the Shaltari function and where I need to improve. Hopefully my Warchief will continue to learn and become a more deadly opponent to those who stand against the tribe of Ubii!