Dropzone Commander Battle Report #22 – Shaltari Tribes vs United Colonies of Mankind

Strap yourselves in, boys, we’re in for some chop! Dropzone Commander goes back to 2,500 points this week, with the Shaltari and UCM squaring off in an attempt to capture more Focal Points!

The Armies

UCM Fleet Marine Security Force TF-109

United Colonies of Mankind – 2,500

UCM Field Command

COMMAND – Kodiak ACV with Colonial Field Marshal (CV6)

EXOTIC – 2x Praetorians

            -Raven-A Light Dropship

SCOUT – 6x Wolverine LAV Type-A

MAIN

STANDARD – 3x Sabre MBT

            -Condor Medium Dropship

STANDARD – 3x Sabre MBT

            -Condor Medium Dropship

SUPPORT – 3x Rapier AA Tank

            -Condor Medium Dropship

MAIN

STANDARD – 3x Sabre MBT

            -Condor Medium Dropship

STANDARD – 3x Sabre MBT

            -Condor Medium Dropship

SUPPORT – 3x Rapier AA Tank

            -Condor Medium Dropship

INFANTRY

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaires

            -Bear APC

TROOPS – 3x Colonial Legionnaires

            -Bear APC

            -Sharing Condor Medium Dropship

SUPPORT – Eagle Gunship

INFANTRY

TROOPS – 2x Colonial Legionnaires

            -Raven-A Light Dropship

TROOPS – 2x Colonial Legionnaires

            -Raven-A Light Dropship

SUPPORT – 3x Longbow Field Gun

            -3x Raven-B with Missile Pods

HEAVY

HEAVY – 2x Scimitar

SUPPORT – Ferrum Drone Base

AIR

AIR – Archangel

AIR - Archangel

Ubii Tribe War Party

Shaltari Tribes – 2,500

Wings of the Chieftain

Gaia Heavy Gate

3x Eden Medium Gate

4x Spirit Light Gate

2x Haven Terragate

Court of Elders

COMMAND – Coyote Warstrider with High Warchief (CV5)

HEAVY – 2x Ocelot Warstrider

Shaltari Swordpoint

STANDARD – 2x Tarantula Battlestrider

STANDARD – 2x Tarantula Battlestrider

SUPPORT – 3x Kukri AA Grav-Tank

Shaltari Warrior Clan

TROOPS – 2x Braves

TROOPS – 2x Braves

SUPPORT – 2x Thunderbird Gunship

Shaltari Warrior Clan

TROOPS – 2x Braves

SUPPORT – 2x Thunderbird Gunship

Shaltari Warfist

HEAVY – 2x Caiman Heavy Grav-Tank

HEAVY – 2x Jaguar Warstrider

SUPPORT – Dreamsnare

Shaltari Speartip

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

EXOTIC – 2x Firstborns

Shaltari Arrowhead

AIR – Warspear

AIR – Warspear

After-Action Review

This game made for a very interesting change of pace. It seems that we always roll up missions that are based on Objectives, so when I realized there was little to no place for Building demolition, I had to rethink the strategy I typically use in my games.

I’m a big fan of the changes Hawk has made to the game. Even without cause for Building destruction, my Ocelots felt infinitely more useful than they have in the past. From walking on and cutting into the Scimitars, to repositioning and knocking out the armor on the extreme flank, they just brought so much more to the list, and gave me a nice base of anti-armor fire that I wouldn’t have possessed when they were MF0”. The Thunderbirds were also an absolute ton of fun, as their speed let me provide close air support for the infantry as they made their push into his flank.

With that said, I’m still not a fan of Fast Movers, at least as a Shaltari player. I didn’t have any video of their arrival, but both of us had a stroke of luck and had them show up on turn one. My opponent then spent the first turn hiding until my turn to activate, when he chose to Intercept. I didn’t realize you could do this, since I’ve never really used them much before.

The Warspear is so many points to just get dumped from the sky, and I think Dave’s rules for Interceptors are significantly flawed. When I consider the fact that I can replace them with six Kukris for only a slight points increase, their relegation to the shelf seems even more logical. Perhaps we played it wrong, but it seems that you can skip your activation as a Fast Mover, then still get the jump on Fast Movers later in the turn. With the ability to intercept from any angle, this just leaves them feeling like a waste of points. It seems that the logical course of action winds up seeing both groups of flyers sitting on the side of the board, daring the other to blink. In the meantime, no one gets to play with their models.

The UCM also felt improved, with Scimitars moving on and threatening me from massive distances, and the Kodiak knocking out tanks even when it “missed.” I wish my opponent had Falcon models; I cannot wait to see them in action as well!

It was also fun to test some of the Shaltari’s maneuverability. My opponent made some good moves early, and showed why he is a veteran at Fast Mover warfare and I am a noob! He quickly earned air superiority, and my stationary positions were threatened when he picked up to advance again. I took a gamble by shifting everything to the flanks, and luckily I was able to maneuver clear of the push, forcing him back down to defend. Time and again, I’m impressed by the Shaltari’s maneuvering power.

Stay tuned, folks, more Dropzone coming. In the coming weeks I plan to dust off the Scourge, and defend against the Reconquest. Join us then!