Post by madmorgan on Feb 3, 2016 16:25:04 GMT
The use of the Ambush rules recently got me thinking about a strange situation buried in those rules. The rules talk alot about how within 12" of a Detector an Ambush is revealed. Why would anyone put an Ambush close to a Detection Tower? So I'm purposing one or two rules for allowing 'mobile' detectors. Please remember that any blip (inf/arty/cav/tank et al) can be fired on with a Def 5 and Arm 4 stat - a hit removes the hidden status, doing no other damage. AoE are good for doing this as well. Please give me feedback on this new element to our game.
1/Any Scientist drone is automatically considered to have on board Detectors (maybe those 'horns' on it?). These have the normal effect of the static Detectors on blips, see pages 66 and 129. The roll should be taken before any firing and it is done instead of the Scientist firing (?). It also allows the 12" detection of Ambushes when within 12" automatically, per those rules (pg 67) . Whether we should charge extra for these (+25 pt) and is it a use instead of firing are the questions.
2/Detection Drones. These are a new type of drone, which uses the rules from page 129, modified as follows: the Detection Drone squad may target up to 1 blip per drone and this is exclusive of firing that phase. They may also target terrain for ambushes instead of blips; this is not an automatic detection like its tripod counterpart. As far as model, this could be an all new look, even a multilegged thing with a radar like dish or some such. Stats for the drone is the same as a regular drone - with a hooked (like Scientist 'horns') on its top if converting a AD drone. Cost is +10 pts (?) per drone. As an alternative, this could be an add on to a standard drone squad, at 25 pts (?), you may upgrade a single drone with "Detection Horn". Rules convert to the standard ones from page 129 if this option is used (? due to cost?).
This idea adds a new idea to the Martian cause, giving them a counter to the whole blip/ambush setup favoring the humans. It seems logical that the Martians would develop something to counter the humans ability to hide in terrain.
3/Stealth Drones are a new type of drone, originally mentioned without rules in the pdf from AD. Stealth drones are usually deployed by written means prior to the first turn of the game and become revealed (pg 66) per the rules about infantry blips. The Stealth Drone has the same stats as a regular Drone with the only difference being a cost of 70 pts per 3 element unit. Its armed with the Light Heat Ray as well. Its also logical that the Martians would try and develop some sort of stealth capability as well.
4/Booster Drones are a new type of drone that gives a movement boost to on table tripods. They can be of any design (e.i. model) players prefer as they are a one use element. There are 3 elements to a unit, each such drone has a port that a tripod puts a tentacle in to give the tripod a one phase boost of +2" move. This can be done in any phase and lasts till used. So, you could boost in the first move phase, close an additional 2", then fire. Or boost on turn 1 and use it on turn 3. A marker will be needed to show the 'boosted' status. The drone itself has the stats of a standard drone, without a Light Heat Ray. It is unarmed. Cost is 30 pts for 3 element unit.
Hopefully, these ideas will add to game balance and entertainment value whilst presently logical extensions of the Martian arsenal. Enjoy & please comment on these.
1/Any Scientist drone is automatically considered to have on board Detectors (maybe those 'horns' on it?). These have the normal effect of the static Detectors on blips, see pages 66 and 129. The roll should be taken before any firing and it is done instead of the Scientist firing (?). It also allows the 12" detection of Ambushes when within 12" automatically, per those rules (pg 67) . Whether we should charge extra for these (+25 pt) and is it a use instead of firing are the questions.
2/Detection Drones. These are a new type of drone, which uses the rules from page 129, modified as follows: the Detection Drone squad may target up to 1 blip per drone and this is exclusive of firing that phase. They may also target terrain for ambushes instead of blips; this is not an automatic detection like its tripod counterpart. As far as model, this could be an all new look, even a multilegged thing with a radar like dish or some such. Stats for the drone is the same as a regular drone - with a hooked (like Scientist 'horns') on its top if converting a AD drone. Cost is +10 pts (?) per drone. As an alternative, this could be an add on to a standard drone squad, at 25 pts (?), you may upgrade a single drone with "Detection Horn". Rules convert to the standard ones from page 129 if this option is used (? due to cost?).
This idea adds a new idea to the Martian cause, giving them a counter to the whole blip/ambush setup favoring the humans. It seems logical that the Martians would develop something to counter the humans ability to hide in terrain.
3/Stealth Drones are a new type of drone, originally mentioned without rules in the pdf from AD. Stealth drones are usually deployed by written means prior to the first turn of the game and become revealed (pg 66) per the rules about infantry blips. The Stealth Drone has the same stats as a regular Drone with the only difference being a cost of 70 pts per 3 element unit. Its armed with the Light Heat Ray as well. Its also logical that the Martians would try and develop some sort of stealth capability as well.
4/Booster Drones are a new type of drone that gives a movement boost to on table tripods. They can be of any design (e.i. model) players prefer as they are a one use element. There are 3 elements to a unit, each such drone has a port that a tripod puts a tentacle in to give the tripod a one phase boost of +2" move. This can be done in any phase and lasts till used. So, you could boost in the first move phase, close an additional 2", then fire. Or boost on turn 1 and use it on turn 3. A marker will be needed to show the 'boosted' status. The drone itself has the stats of a standard drone, without a Light Heat Ray. It is unarmed. Cost is 30 pts for 3 element unit.
Hopefully, these ideas will add to game balance and entertainment value whilst presently logical extensions of the Martian arsenal. Enjoy & please comment on these.