Dropzone Commander Battle Report #7 – UCM vs Shaltari

The Shaltari Tribes are back at it again, going to war with Fleet Marines in an armored slugfest to accomplish a Land Grab!

Welcome back for another battle report. We’ve gone back to the frantic Land Grab mission once more, in an attempt to continually stir the pot for different approaches to missions. This keeps the tunnel vision to a minimum, and allows us to experience a wider variety of what Hawk Wargames has in store.

The Armies

Ubii Tribe Raiding Party

Shaltari Tribes – 2,500

Wings of the Chieftain (Gate Pool)

Gaia Heavy Gate

3x Eden Medium Gate

4x Spirit Light Gate

2x Haven Terragate

Court of the Elders

COMMAND – Coyote Warstrider with Shaltari Warchief (CV4)

HEAVY – 2x Caiman Heavy Grav-Tank

SCOUT – 4x Yari Light Grav Tank with Light Ion Cannon

Shaltari Swordpoint

STANDARD – 6x Tomahawk Main Grav-Tank

SUPPORT – 3x Kukri AA Grav-Tank

Shaltari Swordpoint

4x Tarantula Battlestrider

Shaltari Warrior Clan

TROOPS – 2x Braves

TROOPS – 2x Braves

SUPPORT - Firedrake

Shaltari Warrior Clan

TROOPS – 2x Braves

TROOPS – 2x Braves

SUPPORT – Totem Warspire

Shaltari Warfist

HEAVY – Jaguar Warstrider

HEAVY – Jaguar Warstrider

SUPPORT – Dreamsnare

Shaltari Speartip

EXOTIC - Firstborns

EXOTIC - Firstborns

SCOUT – 4x Yari Light Grav-Tank with Light Ion Cannon

UCM Fleet Marine Security Force TF-109

United Colonies of Man – 2,500

UCM Field Command

COMMAND – Kodiak ACV with Colonial Captain

SCOUT – 4x Wolverine LAVs – Type A

SUPPORT – Ferrum Drone Base

Colonial Armored Formation

STANDARD – 9x Sabre MBT

            Albatross Heavy Dropship

SUPPORT – 2x Longbow Howitzer

            2x Raven-B Light Dropship

Colonial Legionnaire Corps

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaire Squad

            Bear APC

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaire Squad

            Bear APC

            -Sharing Condor Medium Dropship

SUPPORT – 3x Rapier AA Tank

            Condor Medium Dropship

Colonial Legionnaire Corps

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaire Squad

            Bear APC

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaire Squad

            Bear APC

            -Sharing Condor Medium Dropship

SUPPORT – 3x Rapier AA Tank

            Condor Medium Dropship

UCM Special Ordnance Section

HEAVY – 6x Gladius HBT

            Albatross Heavy Dropship

UCM Expeditionary Group

EXOTIC – 2x Praetorians

            Raven-A Light Dropship

EXOTIC – 2x Praetorians

            Raven-A Light Dropship

SCOUT – 3x Praetorian Sniper Team

            Raven-A Light Dropship

After Action Review

I think my opponent dropped out of this game too early. Objectives were still floating everywhere, and with two more turns to play there was a lot to still happen. The final objective was right where he needed it to be, giving him a chance to grab it (along with the other floaters) and make good his escape.

I’m still not sure what I think of Jaguars. I do have more positive feelings toward them now, but at the same time I’m still left wondering if they’re truly worth the points they fill up. They are a very valid Shaltari unit, but my army is based more around maneuverability, and they almost feel too slow and too Mass-heavy for my approach. I’m going to continue playing them for now as my anvil, and see if I can figure out some other approach to test.

The Dreamsnare, on the other hand, proved itself useful as always. I don’t know how many Passives I have saved on a 4+ when this guy is around. I need to give it some more time, but I’m starting to look at replacing the Jaguars with Ocelots. This will give me more options when the inevitable PHR army rolls around, and the Ocelots aid greatly in my zone denial strategy.