Raider Campaign w/ Bells 'n' Such

[Proteus454]

Actually? I quite like this proposed idea. To be honest, I always thought the Raiders list was...well, let's not start what has undoubtedly been a bone of contention in the past a-rollin' again, but they did always look a little sad and lonely to me.

Of course, at the top of MY wishlist is always mo' fleet lists mo' fleet lists mo' fleet lists. I can be patient.

 

[David Anla Shok']

I don't think that the raiders fleet list was meant to compete with the others. They are best used as a foil in campaigns....

 

[locarno24]

Where is the proposed idea in question?

 

[Shadow Queen]

Planet mongoose

 

[Burger]

On Planet Mongoose blog.

 

[Funbeast]

I have a rather large Raider fleet (10 FA at battle and growing), so i'm really looking forward to this.
I just hope it does happen.

 

[Proteus454]

I don't think that the raiders fleet list was meant to compete with the others. They are best used as a foil in campaigns....

I dunno. Something about that attitude always seemed to be like they were having it both ways.

I mean, it always made sense to me that Raider fighters and cap ships are NOT as good as the regular navies of the major, and even minor, races. Fair enough. But with the point/priority system, you should at least be able to stand toe-to-toe WITH sufficient numbers. (Obviously, working out a decent explanation for WHY the Raiders have gathered in such world-killing numbers is the player's responsibility.)

Of course, they could STILL use a tune-up and/or a little variety, and it's not like it's beyond Mongoose's ability or even the storyline to do so - The V2's and Nova refits are proof enough of that. If they're not even theoretically meant to compete with the other lists, it raises the question of why they're slotted in, place of pride, alongside the rest of the fleet lists in the first place.

I don't even PLAY Raiders, and the condescending tone of their alleged "tactics" S&P article some time ago made me want to hurl. The characterful tweaks a Raider player gets in a campaign game is a start, but it still makes them feel like the "ironic" choice that Early EA fleets were NOT supposed to be. Something that at least makes their little pigeonhole interesting would be a BIG step in the correct direction.


*'hem* Sorry to get off on a rant there folks...

 

[skavendan]

Logically speaking they would ambush ships and once adrift "liberate" the ship for there own perpose.

In a campaign I'd say give them a huge range of ships to chose from also make it so that all ships cost double to buy like the vorlons/shadows showing that it's not easy to recover from a big lose.

 

[David Anla Shok']

I don't think that the raiders fleet list was meant to compete with the others. They are best used as a foil in campaigns....

I dunno. Something about that attitude always seemed to be like they were having it both ways.

I mean, it always made sense to me that Raider fighters and cap ships are NOT as good as the regular navies of the major, and even minor, races. Fair enough. But with the point/priority system, you should at least be able to stand toe-to-toe WITH sufficient numbers. (Obviously, working out a decent explanation for WHY the Raiders have gathered in such world-killing numbers is the player's responsibility.)

Of course, they could STILL use a tune-up and/or a little variety, and it's not like it's beyond Mongoose's ability or even the storyline to do so - The V2's and Nova refits are proof enough of that. If they're not even theoretically meant to compete with the other lists, it raises the question of why they're slotted in, place of pride, alongside the rest of the fleet lists in the first place.

I don't even PLAY Raiders, and the condescending tone of their alleged "tactics" S&P article some time ago made me want to hurl. The characterful tweaks a Raider player gets in a campaign game is a start, but it still makes them feel like the "ironic" choice that Early EA fleets were NOT supposed to be. Something that at least makes their little pigeonhole interesting would be a BIG step in the correct direction.


*'hem* Sorry to get off on a rant there folks...

I have a small pile of Raiders. Haven't played them yet but there you have it. I can see them being used in a pitched battle. Perhaps the local authority has decided to stomp out the local raider mob only to find that it is a bit more substantial than they had anticipated. A successful raider clan could grow large after a while, reusing captured hulls, perhaps getting support from a government rival to the one/s they are plundering (Drazi vs Enfili), that sort of thing. In a long term free form campaign, where battles aren't necessarily balanced, and where fleets might have to defend supply lines or minor bases, the Raiders would come into their own.

 

[A Lonely Raider]

I like lower level games. Even in every great war there is also smaller fights not just big battles. I think there are more smaller fights and less big battles. I would like to see good scenarios for Raiders. Except Raiders I have some LONAW and 3rd Age EA fleets. Brakiri, pak'ma'ra and Vree as merchants would be natural targets for Raiders.

I don't think the Raiders are ever ment to be played as a fleet against other fleets. They are pirates, not a war fleet. Their tactics are an ambush or a hit-and-run.The Raiders truly need scenarios of their own and a campaign of their own.

A lots of possibilities for interesting scenarios: robbing/defending ships-space stations-colonies, taking/trying to liberate hostages, two Raider groups make temporary allience for robbing bigger colony, fights between Raider groups for what they have robbed, fighting against police patrols, hunting a scout that found a Raiders hiding place and so on.

 

[Proteus454]

ALR: Quite right. But once again, if they aren't MEANT to be used outside of these special campaigns or assymetrical scenarios, it raises the question of why they're listed amongst the "regular" fleet lists, rather than in specialty limbo like the Techno Mages et. al.


The notion of low-level games, along with David's conjecture, is valid, though. As a matter of fact, the now-defunct Sky Full Of Stars book listed a wide variety of "Raider" armies, including various low-level or paramilitary groups fighting for their own concerns that could be used to justify a large Raider list along with the 1-point of Other Fleets to provide colour/ support.

Like I said: It really would be nice to bulk out/build up the Raiders list a little more - not a LOT, they are still mostly pirates, after all - to make them more than an "ironic" choice, to use Mongoose's own words. Let us, the players, worry about what the excuse is to be fielding a coalition of pirates large enough to justify 4-5 War points worth 8b

 

[David Anla Shok']

ALR: Quite right. But once again, if they aren't MEANT to be used outside of these special campaigns or assymetrical scenarios, it raises the question of why they're listed amongst the "regular" fleet lists, rather than in specialty limbo like the Techno Mages et. al.

I suspect because "raiders" are regular protagonists in this universe. The odds on seeing a Techno Mage much less engaging one (not to mention a fleet!) would be on the astronomical side of the odds.

" I got news for you, right now your chances are slim and none, and Slim just left town"
anon

 

[Silvereye]

..., adding upgrades to his secret base, ...

Cool, I wonder if I can fit a Sharlin tank to it.

I do like the sound of what is going into the book, especially if there is a well thought out underdog campaign in it.

 

[noobdelux]

looks interesting