After reading the rules clarification on Point Defense being a replacement value, and pilot modifiers would stack on top of it, it occurred to me that this would be a very powerful combo.

For this month's 600 point scenario I ran Aiko in Esperanza with Decoy and the Highlander Kelswa drop. Simply put, It was unhittable. A 25-26 defense with decoy that formation drops were even having trouble hitting. Simply shield the Kelswa with the mech to prevent it from being hit.

For reference, this was my army:
"Esperanza" Loki
+ Aiko Ryohara
+ Decoy

Merc Zahn
Highlander Kelswa

Merc Zahn
Highlander Towed Gauss Rifle
Merc Sniper
Merc Sniper

RotS Trackbike
RotS Trackbike
RotS Trackbike
RotS Shamash Recon Vehicle

Amazing build and faction pure too.

Aiko in Alpha or in the Clan Nova Cat, Nova Cat battlemech are also solid choices.

A light mech with any pilot that gives +1 to defense value, evade, and decoy would have a 27 defense with decoy in base with the HL Kelswa.

Artillery is a concern, but there are other ways to combat them also.

Not trying to rain on your parade, but I get 582 points from what you have listed.
Also, you realize you have to pay 20 points for the Highlanders Merc. Contract
card, right? Otherwise, you can't have Mercs. in your force. At least, that's how I
understand it. ;)

I do like the concept, though! :)

You don't have to pay the cost of the Highlander Merc Contract if you don't want too. All that does is give the mercs the highlander faction symbol which in this army isn't needed since mercs can now formation with anyone. Looks like an impressive army and would be very hard to take down if you weren't prepared for it.

really like the concept, a great use of Aiko an the HL Kelswa - LMK how you would combat arty that was protected?

Why dont you swap out the Kelswa for a Paladin?

you can swap out the second merc Zahn for maybe a Vtol or something to fly aircraft-carrier from the paladins PD also

First of all the army he was playing was for the scenerio with no artillery and VTOLs so there could be one reason why he didn't use them. Secondly the Paladin only shares a 22 defense while the Kelswa shares a 24/23 meaning that you get a 24 defense with the paladin and a 26/25 with the Kelswa and the Kelswa has more hitting power than the Paladin too.

This deffienetly is a good idea though. I may consider using this in the scenerio myself. I think I'd be more inclined to use Consuela Dagmar instead of Aiko though for the higher attack. Just changing the Shamash into a RotS Gray Death Scout (for AnP) and then Aiko into Conseula will put you right at 600 points.

Then I stand corrected, good sir. :) I knew that about the faction symbol, but I
thought I'd heard someone else say that it was necessary also to play the
merc contract in order to play mercs. It makes more sense to me not to have to.
;)

Primo army concept, Khanslayer! You may have just given me the perfect army to
wreak vengeance at my venue with! :devious:

I also like this army and may consider using it this weekend (if I can find all the figure for it :rolleyes: ). hopefully, if I don't have them, a friend of mine will let me borrow what I don't have. Gee.. choices, choices, choices for this senario for me. should i go CJF, play RotS using "Duke," or play something with House Kurita??? Lots to think about over the next couple days. Good thing I don't play until Sunday afternoon. ;)

Sorry about my list, it is missing the RotS Elemental Battle Armor for an even 600 points.

Yes it is for this month's scenario with no arty and no VTOLs, the Elemental BA is there to soak up the Minefield damage.

Don't be afraid to drop the Kelswa and not shoot. Then walk your mech in front of the Kelswa to shield it (again not shooting). You'll give your opponent first shot at you, but with your high defense plus decoy, you just need to make sure they can't get a strong formation on you.

On your next turn, drop your infantry in formation with your 'mech, and shoot with them. That's a 17 attack for 5 damage engergy.

I use a similar tactic to take out vehicle artillery. By turn two, you can drop the Kelswa within range of your opponent's DZ. If you can shoot, take the shot, if not, that's okay too. Then walk your mech up and shield the Kelswa (that's why I prefer Aiko to Consuela Dagmar, I need the extra movement). They drop pogs on their next turn, Esperanza salvages their artillery on your next turn.

Towed Thunder Launchers and Centaurs are a problem, however, as they are not as effected by the Loki's energy weapon. This is where Alpha or a Shiro might work better.