Now that retirement is gone, what are the best pieces available to play? I know that people will have different opinions, but I'm looking for the pieces that can go into any army. . .

My partial list includes:


Bannson's Raiders
Killer Clowns-Combat Engineers
Sprint Scout Helicopter
One-Eyed Jack
Peasant Company
Towed Gauss Rifle
Solitaire

Dragon's Fury
DI Schmitt
Gunsho Jun'ko (Marksman Tank)
Scout ATV
Bounty Hunter (Marauder II)

Steel Wolves
Arrow IV Artillery Tank
Thunder Fox
Kal Raddick
Tora's Battle Pack (especially the Hoverbike)
Zahn Transport

Liao
Zahn Transport
Scout ATV
Combat Technicians
Targe
"Yen-Lo-Wang" Centurian

RotS
Zahn Transport
Kelswa Tank
Elite Infnatry
Peacemaker + Marcus Randall
Mason Dunne
Solitude + Jonah Levin

Highlanders
Kelswa Tank
Sniper Team

Jade Falcon
Hoochipoochie Tank
Kelswa Tank
Black Rose
Sylph Battle Armor
Goshawk
Loki

Clan Nova Cat
Morrigan
Nova Cat (TSEMP)
Nova Cat (Pulse)
Scout ATV

Spirit Cat
Arnis Drummond
R10 Mechanized ICV

Sea Fox
umm, ya . . .

House Davion
Damocles + Julian Davion (L-030 or 039)

House Kurita
Hashira Shiro
Kaminari Shiro
Yami Shiro
Solitaire

House Steiner
Verfinsterung King Crab + Maximillian Marius (L-021)

Rasalhague Dominion
Kodiak
Ravager Battle Armor

Stormhammers
Towed Gauss Rifle
Towed Thunder Launcher

Swordsworn
Arrow IV Artillery Tank
Crusader Curiass + Duke Aaron Sandavol

Wolf Hunters
Shamash
Kelswa
Mjolnir
Thor
Seka's Pride

Clan Wolf / WiE
Thor
Vengance + Phelan Ward

Merc and Gunslingers
Fa Shih Battle Armor
Zahn Heavy Transport
Sniper Team
Milagro Jade Hawk
Blackout Malice
Grinder Nova Cat
Quantum Hellion
Jack Nightstalker
Bartleby Thunderfox
Requiem Maruader IIc

Thanks for reading all the way through. I believe that every piece on this list will see play with retirement gone. What did I miss? Are there any that don't belong on my list? Will the metagame force some of these pieces back into the box, and bring others out? D

Let's see :
Stainer
Stainer TTL is far better then Stormhammer one
Ravager BA (both versions)
'Scion' (right gear and he will shine)
Havoc (accurate,reactive armor,JJ )
Raptor II (just decent)
Stalking Spider (360 arc with 14 range, 10 attack, 3 vent....)
Centaur BA (not TTL, but AP and 19 defense for range)
Hellstar

Stormhammer
Behemoth II (10 IT with 14 inch range, slap on SH FP-super IT)
Jes II (no repair markers)
Aesir (16 range,with 9IT and AP for 46 points)
Miniguncycle (cheap and effective)
ATV
Purifier BA (9JJ with 10 range)
Hellstar
Elemental BA
Ken Roos (again with SH FP, is very effective unit for 207 points)
Galleon light tank (3 pulse, 10 attack for 33 points, camo)


Steel Wolf
Sadia Wolf
Geoff Bakker
Blade
j-37
Arrow IV
Fenrir BA
Alpha (it won EC in Elites hands)

All of it form the top of my head, not all game breakes but still very efficiant for their cost.

You nailed it for CNC with the :^^: and :^^^: Nova Cats. I will say that I like playing Sabertooth and Lossey, his special ability can really rack up the points for a medium mech. Also, if you want the TSEMP ability and don't want to spend a lot of points, there's a Phoenix Hawk I with 16" TSEMP and hits for 3 out there too.

and you forget:
Kenneth Medchelke
Stefani Ehli
JI100 (that point D is incredible)
Bazil Kozaka
Fa Shih (the only one with speed 10)
SRM Teams (speed 7 with infiltrate)
Elite Infantry (more defense lowering point defense for repair attempts)
"Persuader"
Glory Fire Support Tank (who doesn't love a 23Decoy defense?)


The LE marksman isn't so hot. The LE Giggins, on the other hand...

Don't forget the Maxim Mk2 and its easy break hover speed mode.
Kanazuchi
Mobile HQ (they're fairly fast so make good move formation buddies)
Tora's Raiders (command and 14" range)


The J-37 is far superior to the Zahn. Kal Raddick was poo. Most of the LE infantry were too.

... and you forget:
"Alpha" Mangonel
Padilla Artillery Tank
Fenrir Battle Armour
Blade


The Kelswa isn't really that good. And what about...

Regulator II Hovertank
Paladin Defense System
Hadur Fast Support Vehicle
Fenrir
SRM Team
Hoverbike Squad
Gnome Battle Armour
Elemental Battle Armour
J-37
Alyson Pelayo


Why leave out ...
Loki
Scout ATV Squad
Gray Death Scout Battle Armor
PAL Suit
Gossamer
Bishop Transport


Crusader I disagree with. And what about...
Thunder Fox
Paladin Defense System
DI Towed AA Artillery
Mortar Squad
Hoverbike Squad
Hazen's Strikers
Laser Team
SRM Team
J-37
Hendrene Michalik

Clan Nova Cat
Nova Cat (either :^^: and the :^^^:)
Morrigan
Scout ATV
Gossamer
Bishop Transport
Nebula + Kisho Nova Cat (anticipate)
Phoenix Hawk I
Anubis
Enyo
:^^^: Thunderbird BA as primary attacker
:^: Thunderbird BA as secondary attacker
:^: Clan Battle Armor

I could not help but notice how lackinbg house Davion and the Dominion was in your eyes.

Davion:
Hellstar, Zeus, Loki, Hellion, Havoc, JesIII, Centaur, TTR, TGR, Kinnol

Dominion
Headhunter, Ull, Hermod, Balder, Frigga, Raptor II, Anubis, Violator, Scourge R10 ICV, Gnome, Undine, CBA (Both Versions)

and Again with the Lyrans

Eisenfaust (you can not beat the versatility of that machine), Jackalope, Raptor II, Hellstar, Hauder, Bellona, Bishop, Kelswa,

Add this.

Steel Wolf
Maxim --- Transport with Reactive
Hanse --- from AoD. 14" with streaks, peak damage 6, peak attack 10, peak defense 22. Nice streak tank.

Stormhammer/Steiner
SH and HS Hellstars, King Crab (can't spell the name)
R10 from AoD --- Reactive armored, AoD R10s generally tougher than Vanguard R10s.
Bishop from An.
Towed Field Artillery --- Pogger with Improved Targeting
Balac --- beware of VTOLs with Antipersonnel
Ravager --- 8 clicks in an infantry
Behemoth II --- Another tank drop horror, the next best after the DF DI Schmitt. 5 AP, 14" range, 10 attack with IT. TD fans should love this.
JES II -- 14" streaks with 9 attack with IT.

Swordsworn/Davion
Garrot --- Cheap fast cap 3 transport
Mars Assault --- From Firepower. Expensive tank, but the faction's best tank since AoD. 14" range with streaks, 10 attack for 2 clicks, 22 defense. A favorite of mine, a great streak tank.
Osiris --- Seemingly ordinary, but has excellent basic stats with a 10 attack and 20 defense with 3 damage. This is what you call a basic well rounded workhorse of a light mech.

Adding.

SC/CNC
Behemoth II --- From the Dark Age, nasty tank with 10 attack, 4 AP for 12" and 23 hardened defense.
Rising Sun (Wendigo) --- This is my favorite of all the CNC mediums. Gets 13 attack with special abiltiy.
Light foot (Shadowcat) --- Almost too expensive to obtain for rarity, Lightfoot works best in high points games with lots of mechs to use her Command and special ability with. Like Lossey, Dot Nostra is a 2 defense pilot.
CNC Shamash --- Harasser, much longer movement than ATVs.
SC Hoverbikes --- harassers.
SC Enyo --- Almost a copy of the CNC Enyo.

Consider the following borderline

SC Novacat --- 16" range, good ride for Kev, not as good as the CNC cats though.
Anima Cave Lion --- I like his free spins. Very stable damage curve, holds 10 attack for 4 clicks, then 9 for 3 clicks after that.
SC Uziel --- 14" sniper. This mech had some use until the Wendigos came.
SC Thunderfox --- 21 defense with decoy. You can make a medium RHDM with Lossey or Nostra on it. Poor range and damage though.
SC Morrigan --- 21 defense with decoy. Light mech as a potential RHDM. Poor damage though, but has TSEMP.

LCAF (House Steiner):

- Vanguard Ravager BA (pricy, but has deep Stability)
- Minigun Cycle (never underestimate this with FiP Pride and its pulse)
- Bishop VTOL ('nuff said)
- PAL Suit (overlooked, but can be a very annoying infantry)
- Hellion (dirt cheap light with great reach and versatility)
- Havoc (reactive, 10 attack, 20 def - all for 101 points)
- TTL (a little more accurate than its Stormhammer Cousin)
- Raptor II (one our our most stable platforms)
- Combat Techs
- Stalking Spider (it slices, it dices, it make jillions of fried infantry, vehicles, or 'Mechs with the right gear and pilot!)
- Skanda Lt. Tank (cheap sniping!)
- "Verfinstreung" (w/ unique Max Maris) (one 'Mech you don't mind to run hot and dish out trouble)
- "Scion" (I don't think I have more to say on that, save that LE Jasek makes it dangerous at all ranges)
- Hellstar (little Clyde Joyce, but in better taste to me!)

AFFS (Davion):

- "Damocles" w/ Unique Julian (with pulse and a few crit hits on his attack, a Zeus can be mowed down in one attack)
- Havoc (4 damage, 12 speed; with the right pride and equipment, this can become a light from Hades!)
- Loki (one good beatstick!)
- TGRs (they faithfully carry on the SSw Tradition)
- GDS BAs (Crowd Control)
- Ravager BA (like the Vanguard Steiner Ravager, but a little cheaper and last a little less)
- Gossamer VTOL
- Bishop (beats the SSw Garrot hands down when it comes to durability)
- Hellstar (loves to run hot, but packs a great punch!)
- ATV Squad (infiltrate and base; doesn't stop them, but slows the enemy!)

Dragon's Fury:

- Erin Johnston
- Shock Troopers (work great in hordes!)
- Non-unique Marksman Tank
- Donar VTOL (shame on you for forgetting!)
- Salamander BA (great for toasting things more than capturing)
- "Kaze" w/ Bounty Hunter (not as great as his first ride, but his speed and special ability are dangerous!)
- Maxim MK2 Transport
- Garrot Superheavy Trans. VTOL

CCAF (House Liao)
- "Yen lo Wang" w/ Unique Danai (Vanguard version)
- Targe
- Avalanche
- Salamander BA
- "Paradise" w/ Pilot
- Catalina Trujillo (probably the best balanced of pre AoD Shen Yis)
- Evan Kurst (before Vanguard, probably the best brawler Liao had)
- Fah Shi BA
- Arrow IV Artillery Tank
- Long Tom Artillery (hardened armor and the most predictable drift around)
- PDS
- Combat Techs
- Jung Chae (one big, green Zombie of a 'Mech)

Rasaulhauge Dominion

- "Hermod" Solitaire w/ Nuo Chien
- "Headhunter" Kaharu w/ Unique Drogo (RHDM!!)
- Kodiak
- "Huey" Assault Tank
- Ravager BA
- Gnome BA
- CBA (either)
- R10 ICV

Forgot to add Steiner's grappling Sylph. The SH Anat is very useful too.

For BR, don't forget the Onis.

Dragon's Fury, in addition to those mentioned before like Bounty Hunter and Kaze.

Don't forget the Maxim, key to the tank drops
Go Cho Sorkin --- 14" streaker with 9 IT.
Garrot --- fast cheap 3 cap transport
Donar --- Probably the best VTOL in the game.
Shun --- fast 2 cap transport
Tokugawa --- most accurate tank since the DF DI Schmitt. 9 with IT and HB for effective 11 IT.
Mongoose --- Brawling light mech, with Agility and TSEMP.
Oni --- infantry with IT
Janina Lukic --- Cheap light mech, a Locust, Quite a bargain for 109 points, you get 11 attack with IT, 2 pulse, 14 movement with evade.
Daani Haag --- 128 points you get 12 attack with IT, infiltrate for 9 and a 12 click dial.
Erin Johnston --- Assault with 10 IT, 5 AP, 23 def hardened.
ATV --- Harasser
Trackbike --- Harasser
R10 -- Cap 3 transport
Shock Troopers --- Cheap fast infantry with IT and JJ.
Fenrir --- long before the Falcons got theirs, the Dragons got their pulsing Fenrir. Quick too.

More for DF

Hellstar --- Decent assault. DF's only post AoD assault. Kurita/DF don't have a lot of assaults, in fact, with this, they only got two. It's got a better heat dial than the other hellstars and probably a better choice of assault than the Kurita Zeus.

Jaguar --- fast quadmech with evade, good for pack tactics

Raider --- A killer in a package. 4 AP for 12", 11 attack, Evade, Hand to hand strike.

For Davion:
Anyone add the Stalking Spider? Its a beast!

For RD:
Thor (1st non that starts with long range guns and ends with an 11 base attack!)
Towed Guass(again, gives RD some starting ranged firepower)

The old shandras, foxes and vv rangers should all get another look as cost effective basers that are not subject to the infantry break away rule, are ram capable, and have large bases that mechs have to run around. Try running a formation of 5 SW foxes @ 15 (or 18?) points a piece and you'll see what I mean. CC Assault moves become much more difficult.

I gotta step up and show some love here :)


Liao
Jung Chae
Paradise + pilot
Shun Transport
Salie BA
Trackbike (love these guys)
pegasus LHT
Infiltrator MKI BA
GBSA


Shockwave & Rifleman in base w/PC dust storm in effect is still pretty decent.


Zahn Transport
Scout ATV
Combat Technicians
Targe
"Yen-Lo-Wang" Centurian


I could go on and on. There's a lot of really good units to use now, thanks WK!

CCAF