Two New CAV Miniatures Available from Reaper Games
Reaper Games has released two new mini’s, the first since the Vanquisher ‘74 was released about a year ago. Say hello to the Crusader and the Kraken…
Crusader
|
Crusader Affiliation: Templar/H-M Points: 371 Type: CAV/Recon Move Type: Walker |
|||||||||
| DMG | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Mov | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | - | - | - |
| Exp | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - |
| CCV | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - |
| TC | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - |
| Rpr | - | - | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | - | - | - |
| EDV | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | - |
| DV | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | - | - | - |
| G.S.A.: Assault, ECM/2, EST/2, FIST, Rugged, Shielding/3 | |||||||||
| PBG | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Thunderstrike II: DA x2, Range (32), Linked, Piercing/3 | |||||||||
The Crusader looks like the Templars answer to the Kahn (Rach) and the Talon (Terran) recon CAVs. However, upon closer inspection it is really a very different vehicle. For starters it is much more expensive – 120 points more expensive than the Talon. Its ECM and EST are 1-inch smaller than the Kahn and Talon and it is slower.
So, what value does a slow, expensive recon CAV have? Well for starters, it has two extra damage tracks. These tracks are backed by better armor and the Rugged and Shielding/3 SA’s. This makes the Crusader, very survivable. The Crusader also has linked main guns equivalent to a Katana, with the Assault SA to use both guns on the move.
To me, this combination screams Forward Observation CAV. If you have invested a lot of points into strikes, losing your FIST models to call those in can be devastating. The survivability of the Crusader, means that it can get up front and call in those strikes to soften up the enemy for your main line attack CAVs.
The following forces are known to field the Crusader:
- Templar
- Red Spades
- The Blade
- General Drake
- MercNet’s “Maestro” rides in one as well.
Kraken
|
Kraken Affiliation: Rach/KW Points: 104 Type: Gunship/Transport Move Type: Air |
|||||||||
| DMG | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Mov | 19 | 15 | 11 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Exp | 6 | 5 | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| CCV | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| TC | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rpr | - | - | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| EDV | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| DV | 10 | 8 | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| G.S.A.: Soft, Transport/2 | |||||||||
| GC | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gkw LC: DA x1, Range (24), Linked, NRF, Piercing/4 | |||||||||
The Kraken is one of the few gunships with the role transport. This makes it very versatile to deploy. As a transport it can be part of a Mechanized Infantry section or a Transport section. As a gunship it can be part of a flight section. When used in a flight section the Kraken can get the Orbital Insertion Upgrade and drop behind enemy lines, mid-game, with infantry to disrupt your opponent.
As a gunship the Kraken isn’t bad either. It only has one attack, but that is linked with +6 to hit hard targets. Its fast with a move of 19 and cheap at 104 points. Even without the Orbital Insertion Upgrade it can cross a table quickly and deposit troops in an uncomfortable position for the enemy. With good hitting power on its own, your opponent now has to prioritize multiple targets behind him, while your heavy hitter move up from the front.
Kraken’s are fielded by the following forces:
- Rach
- Black Rose Pirates
Steve
blog comments powered by Disqus
