After reading the AoD rules, I'm now a little confused about mercs. Here's how I think mercs work now. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

quoted from the rulebook (pg. 29):

Mercenary units may create formations with any other faction, though mercenaries do not allow factions not of the same faction or allied to create formations with each other.

As I understand it, this means that mercenaries may be included in formations of any 1 faction, but does not allow you to create formations of more than one faction (unless, of course, those factions are allied). This is a complete reversal from DA, where mercs were not allowed to be part of a formation, period.

However, the wording "any other faction" is the first thing that bothers me. Does that mean mercs cannot make formations by themselves. Suppose I play an entirely merc force. Can I make a formation? It was done in the quick play game, but the above rule seems to say otherwise.

On to Mercenary Contracts.

I have 2 questions.
1)A Mercenary Contract essentially gives a merc unit the faction symbol of the card. Play a Highlander MC, all your mercs are to be considered Highlander pieces. Correct?

2)If so, this now allows mercs to take advantage of faction abilites, faction pride, situational alliances, etc. Correct?

Thanks to anyone who can clarify or correct my interpretations.

I would take it to mean that merc can't formation with merc because they are, strictly speaking, factionless as they have no fction symbol. If you use a contrct card then I think they could since they now all have the same faction.

1.) correct

2.) correct

Just reread the CEC section and answered my last two questions myself. I'm right (for a change). :)

That's what I was wondering.

Thanks Drogeney

Mercs can make formations without a non-Merc in formation. Page 31. At the top. Three merc units make a formation to fire at the Jade Hawk. Seems pretty cut and dried to me.

Wow, it's so odd the stuff I received such smackdown for suggesting over a year ago is now taken so well.

Where's the crowd that says this is insanely unbalancing, since mercs formerly received such a gigantically massively hugely gartantuanly great discout on their point cost since they don't go into formations?

Funny stuff, although I do concede this does make a seldom used SS infantry unit pretty much worthless now (since a likewise pretty much worthless merc infantry piece is better now in every way..albeit still subpar by a longshot).

Take care,

Rick

Miko's Blade's Just became as valuble as Gold nowgood thing I have mine. Hmmmm 12'' JJ Movement Merc Purifire w/ Liao Faction Abilities worth the price of the card any day.

OK, while we ponder the enhancement of Mercs in AoD... what is known about getting the Merc Contract cards? What will be in the starter set only, and what will be gotten from boosters, expansions, etc? I know it was posted somewhere, but I can't find it...

stahlie- Starter only...And you get them all at once. However not all factions are represented with the contracts, but it shouldn't be to much trouble. I would imagine the remaining merc contracts will be released later on.

I never though mercs were all that great, sure they might have a point of two higher in some values or one click more of special equipment. But really they cost about the same as a compareable faction unit and could never make formations on their own. If anything they tended to be free points for the opponent or a haraser at best. Without the ablitiy to hit what they were aiming at I left them behind, now though they show some promise maybe even more.

It's still unbalancing, however a majority of the unbalanced units are being retired. The remaining 'old style' Mercs will be gone in a year.

So you can thank retirement for making this change possible.

Oh the change was possible before, and feel free to demonstrate what merc is truly 'unbalanced' from this change.

By unbalanced, I mean "gee, now this piece is an incredibly good deal now that it can fire/move in formations". When you consider that most broken pieces are artillery (which seldom formation move, and is so accurate formation fire is pointless even when possible), VTOLs (which have no formation activity) or mechs (which can't move in formation, and usually have a high enough attack or are so busy running away from everything else in the game that formation fire is rarely viable), it's just not that big a deal.

But I eagerly await to see what 'old' merc unit is now unbalanced.

Take care,

Rick

In playing under the new rules the Merc Kanazuchi was generally the infantry of choice. 18 points for infantry with an 8 attack w/IT, 8" range, and the life span of a battle armor.

Merc FaShih, not only has grapple and bypass down its entire dial - it can now formation attack to capture.

The Zahn becomes a tank-dropping king with its higher speed (originally because it was merc), but now also has the ability to formation move with any faction.

And while artillery formations are typically something only seen on paper, merc artillery still benefit tremendously from this change. Give the artillery a base screen that it can formation move with. Fire the artillery, then when your opponent fires back, move the artillery and base screen as a formation. It gives your artillery a second token, but avoids the push damage, and possibly the counter-fire as well.

I wouldn't hold your breath about getting Merc Contracts for Clan powers. Clans don't use Mercs (according to fluff). Although... that was the past... maybe they will change.

However, imagine this: Clan Sea Fox Mercenaries.

By gaining the Sea Fox symbol, they are prevented from joining formations again! LOL

Ooh, good counter-arguments...but the Kanazuchi is awesome all by itself, formation fire is almost as excessive there as it is with most artillery.

Similarly, the Zahn's a great piece anyway.

While the fah shih can now formation attack to capture...this is still such a dangerous and unreliable move, that calling it game-breaking, or a 'must have' is a bit much. Why would you formation move to capture with the fah shi, as opposed to the other units in the formation? THe grapple is just as effective whether or not its in formation, after all.

Basically, anything that was an exceptionally good deal before is still an exceptionally good deal, I admit. So, I do concede in this respect, the pieces always used before (i.e., already 'broken') will now always be used (i.e., still broken). Not much of a change.

Ooh, that IS a clever use of artillery, and that will change the game...but artillery is already broken on so many levels that one more hardly makes a difference, and just how many merc artillery pieces are truly better than faction artillery?


But what piece was bad before is now really worthwhile, what seldom used piece before will now be a 'must use' piece, on the same level of the amazing Kanazuchi and Zahn. The fah shih is better, yes, of course giving extra abilities will improve a piece, but what goes 'over the top', and can match, say, the DF Schmidt for true awesomeness?


I gotta admit, that merc Mars Assault tank looks good now...but I'd still rather use the Schmidt. Maybe the merc Condor Tank, as a big anti-personel shot might sometimes be worth formation firing for. But does it really shut down other options for anti-personnel power in a force?

Take care,

Rick

Would someone tell me what helicopters can carry a tank. I have heard of it being done (See emouse's message above) but I am not sure how it is done.