I was startin to get real down with this game. The proposed rules changes by WK has lifted my spirits some. Then I saw the sneak peeks (up until this one) and got quite discouraged again. This, however, has lifted me back up and shown me a glimmer of hope. I think if the stats on this thing are good then we may be back on track to rebalancing things out , that is, if the proposed rules changes go in to effect at least (since you will need to have 450 pt. in order to afford an effective strike force and also include one of these AA units).

Bottom line ... looks excellent WK. Kudos.

SS MHI Defense AA Tank
SS Partisan AA Vehicle x2

Ultimate AA formation.
(Rinse/repeat with SW Partisans/MHI combo)

Finally an AA unit that does more than 'plink' at VTOLs. A much needed unit. 4-5 damage, that's a lot from a 50-60 pt range unit. Of course, something had to be done about VTOLs, they could take out anything. Mechs, arty, vehicles, other VTOLs. Can't be based, rammed, charged. Their LOS is not blocked. And, they could move and shoot. Definitely, kings of the battefield.

The only concern I have is that VTOLs were the only units that effectively countered arty, except for other arty. These AA Tanks may swing the favor back toward arty. Set up your arty on each side of your DZ, put a AA Tank in the middle of your DZ, and keep a couple of VTOLs on each side. (Even easier to do with 450 pts to use) Now, what's going to take out your arty? Hummm... looks like only other arty. Unfortunately, I still don't see Mechs in the equation. You wanna play some PogWarrior?

Well, I'm sure it's been said before, but I hope this thing has no minimum range.

And BTW, the Highlanders have the LE Partisan, Tameka Pryer.

I didn't know that "the favor" had swung away from artillery. Looks like another huge boost for arty-turtles.

ekarl, IMHO opinion VTOLs could relatively easily counter arty, especially if accompanied with an arty unit or 2 of their own. Once VTOLs got atry in their range (which for the SS Balac is 22 and the DF Donar is 18) there was no stopping them from attacking (and probably hitting) the arty unit. It was near impossible to keep the VTOLs from taking out the arty.

And, yes. I agree. Another huge boost for arty turtles.

I see them having 7 (w/IT) or 8 AV's to balance out the point costs.

4-5 Ap with Armor SE? YIKES!

Most people would not define units that are useless after 2 clicks as 'kings of the battlefield'.

Yes they're hard to hit. Yes they have stupid range. BUT they do take pushing damage. So chase em down with a locust, force them to push to escape, then walk up and pick them out of the sky.

And I'm still ticked that the fluff mentions a guy getting shot down by SC AA, and we don't even get one. Wud up wid dat?

It's a good thing they're going to start SERIOUS playtesting after CounterAssault.