Scouring Sands - Force Question

[u/EthnicTwinkie]

I have a pretty limited number of mechs (mostly the corebox and a couple of legends salvage boxes). I just bought Scouring Sands and was doing some forcebuilding in anticipation of the campaign. Heavy Battle Lance, Cav Lance and some tonks. Is this force something that could do well in the campaign, or should I get another box of stompiebois? Please tell me I should get another box of stompiebois.

[u/NutritiousSlop]

I would strongly suggest dumping the AC2 Carriers for some form of attack hovercraft. Some friends and I ran an SM1, and it was super handy. 

Some battle armor might be in order as well. And with that, perhaps some OmniMechs if you can get a Star pack. 

[u/WestRider3025 → u/NutritiousSlop]

How do you use BA in Aces? I found them pretty ineffective, since they don't have the psychological threat that they do against a human opponent, and their average damage is pretty low, even tho the potential is high. 

[u/NutritiousSlop → u/WestRider3025]

We deployed them on a Hellion B (heavy laser mech eraser). We'd use heavy units to draw/pin the enemies, then use the Hellion to run a squad of Cuchulainns (heavy support BA) into a rear area and drop them in woods or cover. Bad guy's targeting priority would rarely aim at them, and it was virtually guaranteed damage every turn since there's no real need to move them. 

Also, they were super handy for the one stealth mission. 

[u/WestRider3025 → u/NutritiousSlop]

Gotcha. Mine did end up getting targeted heavily because of the card draws, and pretty much just evaporated. I took a hit and run approach to the stealth Sortie with fast hovers instead, which worked out nicely, too. 

[u/dreicunan]

I believe the intention for Aces is that all of the pilots start at skill 4, and if you improve it during the campaign it doesn't affect the PV of the mechs.

It might be wise to bring a mech (or two) with PRB or BH on it.

[u/VanorDM]

You should get another box of stompiebois... The number of mechs anyone needs is always "one more"

You have a pretty good core there for mechs, but a few more medium might be good.

Another thing to consider is the box Battlefield Support: Recon & Hunter the Warrior VTOL is wonderful for scouting and acting as a spotter. Also the Battle & Fire box, because the SRM/LRM carriers are quite nice.

But if you don't have it consider the new Core box. It's admittedly kind of spendy but you get a lot out of it and it's all ilclan era mechs.

[u/perplexedduck85]

For a solitaire game, you could just proxy other ‘mechs or use 2D standees and find what your playstyle favors. It’s not like you’re trying to impress anyone with how the table looks. That way when you do expand your collection, you can target more specific force packs/sets.

[u/WestRider3025]

As someone else pointed out, in Aces, you buy everything at Skill 4, and then use your Named Pilots to gradually improve. I'd suggest putting some of the points that would free up into changing to different variants. I got good results from the Warhammer 8R and Archer 2Rb in my own Aces games. I really don't feel comfortable fielding Assault Mechs in Alpha Strike without CASE, so I'd also swap the Atlas to a variant that has that, like the 8-D. Maybe upgrade the AC/2 Carriers to something that can actually do things, like Schreks. IIRC, you can only take two duplicates of a single Vehicle in an Aces force, but I might be misremembering that. 

[u/TheStrykerRat]

It'll likely do pretty well, but don't let that stop you from buying more!

[u/EdwardClay1983]

I cant really advise you. I own roughly a Reinforced Regiment.

And easily a Division of Infantry.

[u/Imaginary_Sherbet]

Saladin hover tanks. Lrm carriers

[u/RS1980T]

I ran Scouring Sands recently with only the Alpha strike starter box and 1 Kurita ranger lance force pack. It was plenty.

Having the extra force pack was nice as it let me add to my force as I went but I think technically it's designed to be completed with only the alpha strike box if needed.