Fast Ideas

You're only 2 turns too late, not to worry...

DzC is a game system which gives a lot to its players, and rarely allows the Lady of Luck to take away from it. The core mechanics are so balanced that they could have walked the tight rope between the Twin Towers which that hairy guy walked over. Or at least got half-way over; it did look super difficult. I have found though that on the few occasions when you solely really on luck rather than simple tactical majesty, the system can come up a little lacking sometimes. Take Recon for instance. I have seen at least five variants of this mission created by fans (us included), but hardly the rest of the rulebook games have been changed.

Something even more frustrating than being ground through the gears of the irritation machine that Recon can be though is Fast Movers. Even with the introduction of Forward Air Controllers they remain too random to count on, and jut awkwardly out of the roof of the very balanced DzC house like an ugly, wobbly chimney. We covered FM's a long while ago, and every now and then they seem to crop up within the community and split public opinion. A few people wouldn't leave home without one or two, whereas it is fair to say the majority of players leave them in the bunkers to gather dust.

For now I sit in the second party, and for a long while have done. Way back when I played Shaltari (the memories are tinged sepia now) Warspears were incredibly overpriced (although are great now), and far more recently with Scourge I could never stomach spending more than two hundred points on Corsairs to make them worth while.

What's my point I hear you ask? Well I want to take Fast Movers dammit! Thematically they are great, and the ability they have to turn games on a pinhead is something I want in my army. Sadly as things stand they are just too random for me to consider. Also I think all of the models are great, and I only own one (Foley's Hellhog) and only because I won it!

So, I've been thinking of a few changes, or rather additions, that could be added to the current format. These haven't had any kind of maths put into them, so take everything with a pinch of salt! I will also note that I like the reserves roll, although it should become automatic from the 4th roll rather than forever being 2+.

1) Abolish the Attack Run roll and make FM units more expensive:

Now, I am fully aware that this will 100% never happen. Dave is adamant on there being an attack run rule of some kind, due to it being more 'realistic' (although I'm not 100% convinced it is, but hey, his game his rules). Also FAC have been added, which means in order to remove the attack run roll this would also need to go. As I said, it's not going to happen.

But forget all that. Let us theorise, nay, let us imagine and dream of a world where an Archangel costs 90 points but never needed to make an attack run roll. FM's would then need to be much more expensive (90 points for instance probably being far too expensive, but as I mentioned no maths has gone into this post) but you get a unit which as soon as it comes out of reserve is 100% useful. If this was the case, I would definitely take FM!

See, they exist! Right now!

2) Tokens which let you auto pass a roll:

All modern armies have scout drones, advanced radars and satellites, and why is DzC any different? From my understanding fast movers don't always turn up because they don't know where the enemy is, or aren't able to plot in the most optimal attack runs and end up doing show routines like the Red Arrows outside of the warzone.

These satellites / scout drones would be a one use purchase pre-game as part of your army list selection, and would give you the ability to declare an attack run roll as an automatic success. You could purchase one or two at 25-30 points a pop, and have the ability to strike when and where it matters. FAC would still be a viable rule and would bring questions into list building. i.e. Do I need a scout drone, as I plan to be manning the walls with my FAC? There wouldn't really be any book keeping to manage either. Simply cross them of an army list, or flip a specified token over once declared. Easy peasy, FM squeezy.

3) Introduce FAC on a larger scale:

I point specifically towards vehicles, and multiples off them, or unit upgrades. Currently the role is limited to Infantry, and those of you who listened to our latest podcast will probably have gathered that being on the windows to spot for units can be very dangerous. Very dangerous indeed.

The creation of a vehicle, or group of vehicles, which could spot in addition to their regular duties would add a different choice to list building, spice up any existing units and add great potential for new ones. I am sure UCM players would like a brand spanking new radar dish scout unit, or perhaps a squad of Wolverine C's with the FAC rule built in. How about you PHR players? Your forever-promised gunship being able to call out targets to an approaching Athena?

There is of course the chance that these kind of units would be used as rarely as flame, but with a dash of creativity they could be assembled with enough utility to warrant taking them.

4) Units which don't require an attack run roll:

This is similar to the first point, but would only be for very specific air units. The best of the best; a Siren piloting an Athena for example. I'm not too keen on this idea personally, and prefer the all for one (one for all) ideas, but never the less it would be an interesting addition.

These are all thoughts that I'm throwing about loosely like moist clumps of jelly. They're not bound to stick to anything, but have a pleasing initial taste when you're hit in the maw by one. Some don't take into account how decimating a first turn can be if you lose one or two of your dropships, but perhaps this would encourage the use of APC's more.

If you have feelings about how to make better use of fast movers in general within the game, I'd love to hear them!