The Day the ORC Stood Still
The last time I played Hunting Party was I think back in the days of Wotan. With Hunting Party in our upcoming monthly tournament, I asked if anyone was up for a practice run at game night, and Isaac had a list all ready to go, chock full of sticky Bolt-y goodness with a nougat-y ORC center. Burst 2 ADHLs galore! I’ve been meaning to mess with some more 10 order lists, so I took this opportunity to plunk one down on the table.
Overview
- Mission: Hunting Party
- Forces: Nomads versus Neoterra Capitaline Army (300)
- Deploy First: NCA
- First Turn: NCA
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/logo_501.png[/img][b] Hunting Party[/b]
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_4.png[/img] [b]INTRUDER Lieutenant[/b] Combi Rifle + Light Flamethrower, Grenades / Pistol, CCW. (0 | [b]35[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_22.png[/img] [b]ZOE & PI-WELL[/b] . (0 | [b]47[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/sep.gif[/img] [img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_22.png[/img] [b]ZOE (Hacking Device. UPGRADE: Stop!)[/b] Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]28[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/sep.gif[/img] [img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_22_2.png[/img] [b]PI-WELL[/b] Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]19[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_34.png[/img] [b]ZONDBOT[/b] Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]3[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_16.png[/img] [b]INTERVENTOR Hacker (Hacking Device Plus)[/b] Boarding Shotgun, 1 FastPanda / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | [b]26[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_5.png[/img] [b]REVEREND MOIRA[/b] MULTI Rifle + E/M Light Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Shock CCW. (1 | [b]34[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_26.png[/img] [b]PROWLER[/b] Spitfire, D-Charges / Pistol, CCW. (2 | [b]36[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_11.png[/img] [b]SPEKTR[/b] MULTI Sniper Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | [b]39[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_10.png[/img] [b]ZERO (Deployable Repeater)[/b] Combi Rifle, E/Mauler / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]19[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_32.png[/img] [b]TSYKLON[/b] Spitfire, Pitcher / Electric Pulse. (1 | [b]31[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/501/logo_36.png[/img] [b]CARLOTA KOWALSKY[/b] Combi Rifle + Light Flamethrower, Adhesive Launcher, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]30[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_regular.png[/img]10 [b]| 6 SWC | 300 Points |[/b] Open in Infinity Army
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/logo_104.png[/img][b] Neoterran Capitaline Army[/b]
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_25.png[/img] [b]ORC Lieutenant[/b] HMG / Pistol, Knife. (2 | [b]44[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_25.png[/img] [b]ORC (Fireteam: Haris)[/b] Boarding Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | [b]36[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_25.png[/img] [b]ORC[/b] MULTI Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]40[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_3.png[/img] [b]BOLT[/b] MULTI Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | [b]26[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_3.png[/img] [b]BOLT[/b] Missile Launcher, Light Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | [b]27[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_3.png[/img] [b]BOLT[/b] Boarding Shotgun, E/M Grenades / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]19[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_3.png[/img] [b]BOLT[/b] Combi Rifle + Light Shotgun, Drop Bears / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]25[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_3.png[/img] [b]BOLT Paramedic (MediKit)[/b] Combi Rifle + Light Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]24[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_24.png[/img] [b]LOCUST Hacker (Assault Hacking Device)[/b] Breaker Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Shock CCW, Knife. (0.5 | [b]38[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_20.png[/img] [b]MACHINIST[/b] Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | [b]15[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_17.png[/img] [b]PALBOT[/b] Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]3[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/104/logo_17.png[/img] [b]PALBOT[/b] Electric Pulse. (0 | [b]3[/b])
[img]https://assets.infinitythegame.net/infinityarmy/img/_logosweb/orden_regular.png[/img]10 [b]| 6 SWC | 300 Points |[/b] Open in Infinity Army
Deployment
Isaac won the roll-off and decided to go first, so I made him deploy first. Given that he had a Core Link and a Haris link, his deployment was pretty straightforward. His Bolts hung out by a building in the center, watched over a a palbot to their left.
The ORC Haris came down on Isaac’s far right, backed up the the Machinist himself and the remaining Palbot. With that, deployment went to me. The first thing I did was to hidden deploy my Spektr MSR watching the diagonal firelane that the Bolts would have to cross to get anywhere. Isaac conveniently was helping teach a new player and so had already walked off to answer some rules questions, so I took the opportunity to snap this pic to document my hidden deployment.
The rest of my deployment was pretty straightforward. I put the Tsyklon on the right, which I think was a mistake. Probably best to put it on the left where I could make the most use of its repeater and pitcher to attack the ORC link. I’m not sure what I was planning there, honestly. I recall thinking that it was a bad idea but then I thought I needed some sort of gun on the right… but all I had on the left was Zoe. My Intruder Lt sat on top of a two-story building in the back left of my deployment zone, totally safe from everything except for a sensor bot driving all the way across the board, and I didn’t see one, so I figured he was fine.
My Interventor hung out on the right, along with Zoe’s Zondbot, who was covering the Tsyklon, just in case. Pi Well sat near the center, ready to race up the board, and my Prowler Spitfire lurked on a roof overwatching the ORC Haris, prone. I put my Zero in the middle of the table, totally forgetting that Bolts have Veteran L1 and do not care about E/M at all. Zoe herself hung out on the left, ready to run up the board and push some buttons if necessary, but really just preferring to hang out in the backfield and hack things and repair stuff with her Zondbot.
Isaac’s AHD Locust appeared out of his reserves in the center of the table, and my Moira did the same opposite him.
With that, we were off!
Turn 1
Top of Turn 1 – NCA
Isaac’s first order of business is snagging a classified. My HVT was pretty close to the center of the table, so his Locust gets an easy Data Scan by just scooting a little bit forward. With that box checked (with minor order expenditure, even with PanO’s notoriously bad WIP), it’s time to get the Bolts into the fight!
The Bolts make their way forward, with the MSR as the tip of the spear. As planned, they cross the firelane where my Spektr is lurking… but I wait for the Bolt MSR to make his way entirely through the gap so I can pounce on tail end Charlie.
Isaac starts a new order, advancing his Bolts again, with the MSR still as a leader. This is the time! I reveal my Spektr and take a shot at the Missile Launcher Bolt, and the whole team dodges in response. I wish I had more AROs to this, but I deployed pretty conservatively. The ML Bolt takes it in the faceplate, failing both ARM rolls and crashing to the floor.
Eager to avenge their downed comrade, the Bolts attack! The MSR Bolt climbs atop the Locust’s building and takes a shot while I try to take out the Boarding Shotgun Bolt with my Spektr, trusting in my TO Camo to protect me. Alas, with the relative heights, the Bolt MSR can see over my Spektr’s base and I’m not granted cover.
While I hit the BSG bolt, he passes both his ARM saves and my Spektr quickly goes down. You can see Isaac proudly pointing out the well-armored Bolt below.
Now that my Spektr has been dealt with, Isaac has his Bolts mine up the center field by throwing some Drop Bears and getting everyone settled into cover. He finishes out his turn by advancing his ORC Haris to protect his right flank, his HMG Lieutenant leading the charge.
Bottom of Turn 1 – Nomads
Well, I’d really like to get my Moira into position to drop some grenades on his ORCs, but Isaac’s blasted Bolt Sniper is in prime overwatch position. I don’t want to use the Moira to handle the problem, because there’s a chance she could get crit and I really need her E/M LGL to deal with the ORCs, so my remaining tool is the Tsyklon or Prowler. The Prowler can be seen by the ORC Haris if I stand him up, so that’s no good, leaving the Tsyklon, which I had hoped to just race across the board and start dropping pitchers everywhere.
I throw Assisted Fire onto the Tsyklon and promptly get it knocked out by the Bolt MSR. Thankfully, Zoe’s Zondbot is right there, so I push her up the board a little and pick my poor ‘bot back up. A second round of shooting and I knock out the Bolt (I choose not to use the shock part of Marksmanship Level 2 to prevent Isaac from using Bioimmunity). The way clear, I advance the Moira and gun down the nearest Drop Bear as I go.
With the NCA top cover gone, I coordinated order to get Pi Well, the Moira, Tsyklon and the Prowler into slightly better positions. I am now in E/M LGL range of the Bolts! I throw an order at them and isolate them, but that doesn’t actually… do… anything… Although I guess it counts for the scenario? I dunno. Embarassed, I coordinate another order with the Tsyklon as the spearhead, retreating the Moira and advancing Pi Well into a better position as I do so. I shuffle the Intruder around, not sure what to do with the other coordinated order slot. The Tsyklon and two Bolts trade ADHL and Spitfire rounds, and after the smoke clears and the goo hardens, I’ve got a glued Tsyklon and Isaac has an unconscious link leader Bolt, breaking the team.
Well, I had hoped to throw the Tsyklon into suppression, but I’ll settle for throwing Pi Well and my Moira into suppression instead.
Turn 2
Top of Turn 2 – NCA
With the link broken, Isaac coordinates an order to shuffle the Bolts into better positions and tries to pick up the downed Bolt, but the Bolt Paramedic grabs the wrong gun out of the wrong holster and kills the poor sod instead. The Bolts are in prime position to cover my Zondbot’s approach to the glued Tsyklon now, so there’s that.
Isaac tries to break Pi Well’s suppression by spec-firing some E/M grenades at Pi Well, the center of the template marked by his die below. I gamble and let him have a normal roll and he whiffs a few times before changing tactics.
Unable to shift Pi Well, Isaac tries to shift my Moira, throwing some orders into solving that problem. After some ineffectual shooting from both of us, he finally sneaks two shots through, but I pass both BTS saves and stay in suppression thanks to Religious Troop. Woo! With his last order, he puts the Bolt watching the Tsyklon and the Zondbot’s approach into suppression.
Bottom of Turn 2 – Nomads
I shuffle the Moira away and snag a critical shock hit on the way out. You can see Isaac’s over-the-top Tarantino-esque small-teardrop rendition of the headshot gore here:
After getting my Moira into position, shifting Pi Well up a little as I do so, I begin raining grenades on the ORC Haris.
It takes me a few orders to range them in, literally, as I’m not really eyeballing 16″ right, but the third time’s the charm and I stick an E/M grenade, taking 2 ORCs out of the fight, one of which is Isaac’s Lieutenant!
I coordinate an order with Pi Well, the Moira, and my Zero, trying to walk the Zero around the Bolt in suppression. I touch the left antenna as I do so with Pi Well. Isaac gleefully (and rightfully) points out his other Drop Bear that he threw back in turn one! GAH! Dastardly Bolts! I throw away the second half of the coordinated order and just have Pi Well push the button. He does so with grace as the mine’s shrapnel clatters off his plating. Huzzah!
I dash Pi Well up to the ORCs and flip another order to Oblivion Isaac’s palbot over there to force him to actually walk his Machinist into position to fix his ORCs. I’m out of orders, but bring in Carlota on her order on the right side of the table, primarily to get a specialist in position.
Turn 3
Top of Turn 3 – NCA
The BSG Bolt tries to discover my Zero, but I shoot back and knock out the meddlesome trooper.
The other bolt spins around and tries his luck too, my glued Tsyklon makes enough frustrated R2-D2 noises to get my Zero to notice this and she downs the other Bolt handily. With his last order, Isaac tries to drop Pi Well with his remaining ORC, but Pi Well out-dices the ORC. Being a sturdy heavy infantry trooper, the ORC tanks the combi-rifle as well as Zoe and the Interventor’s hacking attacks without any trouble. Isaac passes the turn after laughing at the silly situation.
Bottom of Turn 3 – Nomads
My dice luck takes a turn for the worse, and it takes Carlota three orders to push the right button. She does manage to secure my Extreme Prejudice classifed for me, as well as securing hte HVT. I only have a few orders left, so I try to shift Isaac’s remaining ORC with my Prowler…
and roll terribly. Isaac manages to make the reqisuite save but fails guts and retreats out of Pi Well’s LoF.
This lets me get Pi Well in position to stun pistol the Machinist with a stun pistol he doesn’t have… whoops!
Correcting for the cheating of using a non-existent stun-pistol, it’s now a
8-1 Nomad Victory!
Notes
- I remembered to use Zoe as a hacker this game! Hooray! She still is very lackluster… I suppose it’s nice to have a hacker and an engineer in one package, but… she feels kinda boring. Pi Well is much more useful. I’m sure I’ll come around as I use them more.
- This game was a good example of how to use an infiltrating sniper rifle. It wasn’t a great trade in terms of points, but it did eat a bunch of Isaac’s orders.
- Pi Well is awesome, even if he doesn’t have a stun pistol.
- I deployed the Tsyklon on a weird side… in retrospect maybe I thought it was okay because of my Prowler being on the left.
- Picking up the Tsyklon immediately felt pretty awesome!
- Isaac mentioned after the game that he expected my camo tokens to be AHDs, especially the Prowler, so he carefully avoided it with his ORC Haris. Probably good for me, even ODD in suppression has a hard time against linked PanO HMGs.
- I remembered the Bolts’ bioimmunity but NOT their Veteran L1! Silly me.
- Perhaps too conservative with the Prowler…
- Moira E/M LGL continues to be amazing. Really happy with my converted model too. Nomads have such great anti-armor toys.
- E/Maulers are much scarier against not-bolts.
- I think I did a bad job of using the Tsyklon in that coordinated order that got it glued. Had I been smarter, I wouldn’t have wasted the order on grenading the Bolts and used that on the Tsyklon. Ah well.
- I think once I get much better at eyeballing 16″, the Moira E/M LGL will be even scarier… and it’ll be time to start playing Tohaa, haha!
- I think E/M is better than ADHL (except against Bolts and other things with Veteran) in Hunting Party. Especially against HI. It’s easy to get carried away making a list with TONS of ADHL for fun, but a serious list has a balance of killing power and stun, E/M, and ADHL.
