[Battletech] Marian Hegemony: The II Cohors, IV Legio Comitatensis REDUX

Ok, I was crunching numbers again (does it ever stop?) and decided that I had a mess on my hands. As cool as the idea of a completely AC-using unit was, I had speeds and ranges all over the place. Plus, the poor little Hunchback was just along for the ride!

If you want to see the previous incarnation, it is here.

My supposition is that the Marian High Command has decided to fill out the TO&E post-Jihad but to keep its peculiar vehicle-heavy formation as an experiment (and a cost saving measure, as well). There are no infantry units listed  becuase each legion has an attached Auxiliary Legion from which the infantry assets are drawn (and to fully fully developed at a later time).

Note also that anything with a * is a mech I own. The others (mostly vehicles) I need to purchase.

II Cohors Tempestas of the IV Legio Comitatensis (35112 BV)

I Manipulus Grandines (12670 BV) 

I Centuria (5961 BV)
1. Orion ON1-M (1414)*
2. Thunderbolt TDR-7SE (1809)*
3. Centurion CN9-A (945)*
4. Vindicator VND-1R (1024)*
5. Panther PNT-9R (769)*

II Centuria (6709 BV)
1. Wolverine WVR-9M (1617)*
2. Ghost GST-11 (1244)
3. Griffin GRF-1N (1272)*
4. Shadow Hawk SHD-5M (1430)*
5. Dervish DV-6M (1146)*


Completely shuffled with some new designs. The I Centuria has a 4/6 movement profile, the II Centuria a 5/8 (except for the Ghost which is 6/9/0). The ACs are spread around so if I use specialty ammo it's better utilized.


II Manipulus Vertex (7459 BV)

I Centuria (3705 BV)
1. Spider SDR-5V (622)*
2. Fulcrum Hover Tank (1167)*
3. Gladius Hover Tank (586)*
4. Gladius Hover Tank (586)*
5. Kanga Hover Tank, AC (744)*

II Centuria (3754 BV)
1. Locust LCT-1V2 (568)
2. Fulcrum Hover Tank (1167)
3. Saracen Hover Tank (673)
4. Saracen Hover Tank (673)
5. Saracen Hover Tank (673)


III Manipulus Fulgur (7286 BV)

I Centuria (3709 BV)
1. Spider SDR-5V (622)*
2. Fulcrum Hover Tank (1167)*
3. Pegasus Scout Tank (640)*
4. Pegasus Scout Tank (640)*
5. Pegasus Scout Tank (640)*


II Centuria (3577 BV)
1. Spider SDR-5V (622)*
2. Fulcrum Hover Tank (1167)
3. Saladin Hover Tank (596)
4. Saladin Hover Tank (596)
5. Saladin Hover Tank (596)


Mixed up the centuries in these two maniples. The range bands work together better.

And we still have Big Bertha (the punishment Kanga).


IV Manipulus Boanerges (7697 BV)

I Centuria (5641 BV)
1. Awesome AWS-9Q (1875)*
2. Shrek PPC Carrier (935)*
3. Shrek PPC Carrier (935)*
4. Heavy LRM Carrier (948)*
5. Heavy LRM Carrier (948)*

II Centuria (2056 BV)
1. Warrior VTOL H-7A (292)
2. Warrior VTOL H-7A (292)
3. Warrior VTOL H-7A (292)
4. Karnov VTOL (Periphery) (590)
5. Karnov VTOL (Periphery) (590)

The only change here was moving out the Panther in I Centuria and replacing it with a -9Q Awesome (thank you, MUL design people!). Now I Centuria can throw out PPC x10, LRM-20 X 8, and ECM! The Awesome is named "Maximus." That's "the best" in Latin and is a reference to Zeus's Roman title of "Jupiter Optimus et Maximus." 

[Battletech] Marian Hegemony: The II Cohors, IV Legio Comitatensis

Well, I'm working on painting up a whole Marian Legion. Here's the TO&E for what I'm currently working on: 40 vehicles and 'mechs. This is my snapshot of the Legion's Second Cohort as of 3085. Prior to the Jihad, the IV Legio had already been through the meat grinder and the II Cohors was down to 1 full maniple of Mechs (2 centuries of 5 mechs each). The other maniples had "light recon" mechs with the centuries filled out with vehicles, especially Saracens and Saladins. The IV Legio is described throughout the different books as a fast response unit that prefers hit and run tactics. It weathered the Jihad fairly well and made it through with 85% strength; by 3085, it's listed as 105% of strength.


Most of the mechs in the entire legion are old school designs. By canon, only 15% of the 'mechs have been upgraded. It is unclear to what level. For instance, is a 3050 variant an upgrade or not? I have erred on the side of caution and only 3 mechs out of the 15 are "modern" (defined as 3050+ designs). Also, the numbers are a little higher becuase the II Cohors is listed as a "reinforced" cohort; I've added a "combat support" maniple (the IV Maniple).


My supposition is that the Marian High Command has decided to fill out the TO&E but keep its peculiar vehicle-heavy formation as an experiment (and a cost saving measure, as well). It's almost like an RCT on a battalion level but with an almost C*-like Level system with a Clan base of 5 units instead of 4 or 6. Also, there are no infantry units becuase each legion has an attached Auxiliary Legion from which the infantry assets are drawn.


Everything below is available to the Hegemony with one small exception noted below.


Note also that anything with a * is a mech I own. The others (mostly vehicles) I need to purchase.

II Cohors Tempestas of the IV Legio Comitatensis (33596 BV)

I Manipulus Grandines (12374 BV) 


I Centuria (6376 BV)
1. Orion ON1-M (1414)*
2. Bandersnacth BNDR-01Ar (1522)
3. Shadow Hawk SHD-5M (1430)*
4. Centurion CN9-A (945)*
5. Hunchback HBK-4G (1041)*


II Centuria (5991 BV)
1. Thunderbolt TDR-7SE (1809)*
2. Dervish DV-6M (1146)*
3. Griffin GRF-1N (1272)*
4. Vindicator VND-1R (1024)*
5. Assassin ASN-23 (740)*


The I Manipulus is the command maniple and is surnamed Grandines or "hailstones" because of the first Century especially: it is made up of AC-using units. It is most assuredly "dakka-dakka" and follows up the II and III Manipuli.




II Manipulus Vertex (7277 BV)


I Centuria (3523 BV)
1. Locust LCT-1V2 (568)
2. Fulcrum Hover Tank (1167)
3. Saladin Hover Tank (596)
4. Saladin Hover Tank (596)
5. Saladin Hover Tank (596)


II Centuria (3754 BV)
1. Locust LCT-1V2 (568)
2. Fulcrum Hover Tank (1167)
3. Saracen Hover Tank (673)
4. Saracen Hover Tank (673)
5. Saracen Hover Tank (673)


II Manipulus is surnamed Vertex or "Whirlwind" for the speed and ferocity of its attack. Each century is supported by a Locust for 'Mech support and a Fulcrum for ECM ability. I wanted light mechs that could keep up with the hover vehicles, so I am somewhat limited in my choices. This is the Vanguard unit that sweeps in fast.




III Manipulus Fulgur (7345 BV)


I Centuria (3640 BV)
1. Spider SDR-5V (622)*
2. Fulcrum Hover Tank (1167)*
3. Pegasus Scout Tank (640)*
4. Pegasus Scout Tank (640)*
5. Pegasus Scout Tank (640)*


II Centuria (3705 BV)
1. Spider SDR-5V (622)*
2. Fulcrum Hover Tank (1167)*
3. Gladius Hover Tank (586)*
4. Gladius Hover Tank (586)*
5. Kanga Hover Tank, AC (744)*


The II Manipulus is surnamed Fulgur or "Stroke of Lightning." In Latin, this is not the bolt itself, but the flash and power of the strike; it can also mean "Glory." This maniple strikes after the II, punching through the softened-up defenses and paving the way for the I to mop up. Again, I needed light 'mechs to keep up with the hover tanks and the Spider is quick. Also, there are fulcra for ECM support. 


The Kanga is the one thing that shouldn't be here per canon. All Kangas were destroyed in the Jihad and even then there was a mere 50 or so in the hands of Comstar and the Word of Blake. This is one of the non-jump capable units, downgraded to a pure hover vehicle at some point during the Succession Wars but with a better AC. I wanted to add a little color to the unit and this is the Cohort's punishment vehicle. It's kept running with spit and baling wire. Frequently heard in the II Cohors is this admonition to FNG's: "Hey, don't tick off the legatus or you'll be serving on 'Big Bertha' in the next assault." 




IV Manipulus Boanerges (6591 BV)


I Centuria (4535 BV)
1. Panther PNT-9R (769)*
2. Shrek PPC Carrier (935)*
3. Shrek PPC Carrier (935)*
4. Heavy LRM Carrier (948)*
5. Heavy LRM Carrier (948)*


II Centuria (2056 BV)
1. Warrior VTOL H-7A (292)
2. Warrior VTOL H-7A (292)
3. Warrior VTOL H-7A (292)
4. Karnov VTOL (Periphery) (590)
5. Karnov VTOL (Periphery) (590)


This is the extra maniple for the cohort and is pure support. It is surnamed Boanerges or "the Sons of Thunder" which is the title given by the Lord Jesus to the two brothers James and John. And that is what this maniple brings: thunder and lightning from above. The I Centuria is supported by the Panther as a bodyguard but we have 6 PPCs and two of the Hegemony's shiny new Heavy LRM carriers. The II Centuria is air support: some striking and spotting. The Karnovs are the Periphery gunship variant.


And there you have it. I can't wait to field this. 

Additions to Wave 2/2012

I decided to go ahead and add 4 more units to Wave 2.

For the Marian Hegemony, a Kanga jump tank and a Pegasus scout tank (for some odd reason, I had just 1 sitting in my box; they're sold in pairs). Technically, Kangas are extinct post-Jihad for everybody; even prior to the Jihad they were pretty much restricted to ComStar and the Word of Blake. Only 50 survived the Battle of Tukayyid. However, Secunda Cohors of IV Legio Comitatensis is made up of fast hover tanks, and I can't resist adding a Kanga to my TO&E. This is not the jump capable Kanga, but is the downgraded AC-10 version that lost its jump capability and is now merely a hover tank. I see it as an old relic kept going by the copious use of spit and bailing wire and used as a "punishment" vehicle. "Keep the primus pilus happy, or you'll be serving on old Bertha in the next assault!"

Lastly, I went ahead and put together the second LRM Carrier for the 4th Mac and the Phoenix Hawk LAM for my ComStar Recon Level II.

So, Wave 2 is big and ambitious and the count is currently at 12 'mechs, 6 vehicles, and 4 squads of battle armor. Woo-Hoo!

Review of Battletech: Ideal War

Ideal War by Christopher Kubasik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm currently re-reading Ideal War. It is one of my favorite Battletech novels; however, among most fans it gets less love. Why is that you ask?


Well, first of all, Ideal War is set in the Free Worlds League that is lead by House Marik. The vast majority of fans prefer the Federated Suns and House Davion. Davion's enemies are the Chinese-Russian Cappellan Confederation (Liao) and the Japanese Draconis Combine (Kurita). The Federated Suns itself is a constitutional monarchy similar to England under the reign of the three Georges; that is, the monarch has more power than Parliament. Most of the novels are set with the scions of House Davion as the heroes of the Inner Sphere.


The FWL, on the other hand, is a loose democratic confederation headed by the Captain-General of House Marik. For over 300 years, since the beginning of the Succession Wars and the crisis that entailed, the Captain-General has ruled as a military dictator under the provisions of the legally-passed Resolution 288. Fortunately, the Captain-Generals have, for the most part, been benevolent and somewhat idealistic in their stance. The member worlds of the League still meet in Parliament and finance the military and can even refuse to send their own troops if they feel necessary; it is not a one-way street with the Captain-General in absolute control. In fact, he really only has a full say in matters of war and foreign policy. Enter the current Captain-General, Thomas Marik.


Thomas Marik assumed the Captain-Generalship when his father and older brother were killed in a terrorist bombing. He himself was wounded in the attack and half of his face was horribly disfigured. He was originally a member of the quasi-monastic ComStar, the organization that maintain the Hyper-Pulse Generators that allow interstellar communication. He is also an idealistic and has a plan.


You see, the Inner Sphere is gained better technology and, as a result of that technology warfare is beginning to target civilians again. Thomas is worried that total warfare will result in the total destruction of human civilization as it almost did before the Ares Conventions (think the Geneva Accords) were enacting, The Ares Conventions limit warfare and make it more of a battle of maneuver and skill rather than brute force. With the new technologies and economies of the Inner Sphere gearing up to full production for the first time in centuries, Thomas is concerned that once again the other four Successor Lords will use people like pawns in a chess game. To create a shining beacon of hope (and also to cement his control of the member-states of his League), Thomas creates a romantic vision and forms the Knights of the Inner Sphere, an order of Mechwarriors who swear personalty to him and the ideals of Chivalry.


The book focuses in on Paul Masters, the leader of the Knights on his first mission to a world named Gibson. and this is why most fans do not care for this book. Kubasik is obviously drawing on memories of the Vietnam War. Mercenaries in battlemechs are fighting guerrillas attempting to win their freedom. Masters is there to help the planetary government against these rebels. Things like body-counts, use of mechs against the civilian population all hearken back to Vietnam. Masters has to come to grips with the grittiness and horror of the war and determine a course of action that will fulfill his obligations while helping the oppressed population.


This is definitely worth reading and is most assuredly not in the vein of the usual action-adventure motif of the other Battletech novels.


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