Lance Tactics: Engagement

In our series of articles so far, we've explored how we build and refer to lances.  Many of the individual 'mech designations have their own lance tactics, focusing on that particular type of loadout and playing to it's strengths.  Examples are Front Line lances or Fire Support lances, wherein multiple 'mechs with the same build guidelines execute specific battlefield missions.  Today we explore the last the formations we will be training in, the ubiquitous Engagement lance.

What is an Engagement lance?  There are no 'mechs listed as Engagement, not according to the Tactical Manual.  Simply put, an Engagement lance is a group of battlemechs that either has an eclectic blend of weapons, or a lance that has predominately Hunter-Killer or Close Support 'mechs in any configuration.

In our original lance build article from last year, we mentioned Hunter-Killer lances as a basic lance type.  Hunter-Killer lances are now folded into the Engagement category for ease of reference.  Below, we explore several possible Engagement lance formations and how to employ them on the battlefield.

Lance / Mission Types

• Close Support Lance
• Consists of 3-4 Close Support Engagement 'mechs and up to 1 supporting Recon or Fire Support 'mech.
• Missions Range:  Ambuscade and Point Attack
• Hunter-Killer Lance
• Consists of 3-4 Hunter-Killer 'mechs, with up to 1 supporting Recon, Close Support or Fire Support 'mech.
• Mission Range:  Ambuscade, Point Attack and Reaction.
• Escort Lance
• Consists of 1 Heavy or Assault Fire Support or Front Line 'mech with 2-3 Close Support Escorts and up to 1 supporting Recon or Hunter-Killer 'mech.
• Mission Range:  Ambuscade, Escort Detail, Point Attack and Reaction
• Attack Lance
• Any arrangement not falling into one of the above categories that contains at least 2 Close Support or Hunter-Killer 'mechs with no more than 1 of any other type of battlemech.  Attack lances are designated as such only when it cannot be classed anywhere else.
• Mission Range:  Any

Mission Details

• Ambuscade
• Close Support
• Unit waits at a grid point, covered by friendly ECM and guarded by the rest of the company.  Unit attacks on command once enemy engages at Close Range.
• Hunter-Killer
• Unit waits at a grid point, covered by friendly ECM and guarded by the rest of the company.  Unit attacks on command once enemy engages at Close Range, focusing on target weight class.
• Escort
• Unit bands around the heavy / assault 'mech (the Escort) to protect it.  The Escort (usually a Front Line or Missile Artillery Battery in this configuration) remains hidden until ordered into combat, but the Escort Detail focuses on any 'mechs within that approach within 500m, especially enemy Recon or Close Support units closing on the Escort.
• Escort Detail
• Escort
• Unit bands around the heavy / assault 'mech (the Escort) to protect it.  The Escort is a military asset and will either support the Front Line or remain behind our lines to bombard with missiles.  Direct Fire 'mechs are unsuitable to be The Escort in this configuration.  The Escort calls targets during combat, but the Escort Detail focuses on any 'mechs within 500m, especially enemy Recon or Close Support units closing on the Escort.
• Point Attack
• Close Support
• Unit moves into called grid attack zone on command, as the second wave behind a Front Line lance or Front Line Escort lance.  Unit coordinates fire to bring down closest threats to the formation.  Unit must remain in attack zone (grid) and not pursue enemies unless ordered.
• Hunter-Killer
• Unit moves into called grid attack zone on command, either from a flank or as the second or third wave of a frontal attack.  Unit coordinates fire to bring down lights attempting to disrupt the attack formation.  Unit must not pursue enemies outside of the called grid unless ordered.
• Escort
• Unit moves into called grid attack zone on command, and conducts attacks according to the type of Escort and the 'mechs in the detail.  In Company formation, this will always be a Front Line or Fire Support Escort.  Front Line Escort Details move into an area to secure it, coordinating fire with the Escort.  Fire Support Escort Details move into an area where the Escort can deliver it's payload, while the 'mechs in the detail avoid incoming fire and intercept 'mechs attacking the Escort.
• Reaction
• Hunter-Killer
• Unit waits in a called grid or within company formation with the other lances.  Unit protects the other lances from Disruptors, Vultures and other Hunter-Killers while the other lances deliver damage.  Reaction units will also double as Point Attack lances during pushes, but the main objective is the destruction of enemy lights near or among our own formations.

Now that we have defined the parameters of all our lance types and designations, we'll begin to show how we can use them within a company.  We'll publish a sort of "cheat sheet" for designations and missions to show how commanders can use the Tactical Manual to put together new and inventive strategies in short order.  So, while this is the last of the main lance types we will explore in Exomecha Tactica it's literally just the beginning for the House Liao Strategos.

Whether or not you agree with the above tactics and strategies, these are the ones we will be practicing and employing on the battlefield.  If you feel something should be changed, bring it up in the Command Tower with your superior officers.  However, many of your concerns can be assuaged by changing the designation of your lances, and the configuration of the 'mechs within it according to the material put forth in our Tactical Manual.

It's time to get serious about this nomenclature and the use of our tactical and strategic material.  For the time being we will focus on what has already been published, but rest assured we have much more for you to consider.  House Liao is far from over.  Together, we will build a powerful and disciplined Gatekeepers Battalion.