Battalion Lance Compositions

Battlemech configurations are very important for role warfare.  Gatekeepers Battalion restricts the use of chassis and weapon systems in order to further our role warfare philosophy.  By assigning a loose guide with a few key points to each role and weight class, the battalion assures the needs of each combat formation will be met.  

Our battalion's strategic doctrine revolves around the idea of role warfare, and thus far we have only examined in depth one of the three tiers of composition:  the battlemech itself.  However, the combat group is more than the sum of it's parts.  The other two tiers are the lance (composed of 4 battlemechs) and the company (3 lances).  This article will detail how lances are developed and arranged from these basic battlemech roles, a quick primer for which is here.

It's true that some units may have you believe otherwise, but our philosophy notes that a successful unit must work together from the very beginning to bring out the synergies in each of it's formations.  Since we created the Favored 'Mech list and began to exclusively use those chassis, our performance as a unit has grown with every passing practice.  Now, we must begin to use those synergies with the wider unit in mind. 

As a battalion, we have so far focused almost exclusively on the role of individual 'mechs.  When building a lance, we must consider what is required to perform the chosen strategy and use the composition guidelines to create a unit that is as heavy as possible on synergies.  When composing a lance within a larger maneuver group, we must also look at the other lances within the group to create a composition that capitalizes on the synergies we have developed.  

Mechwarriors are assigned to individual roles within a drop group, as chosen by himself (with his battlemech configurations) and approved / finalized by the Drop Commander depending on the size of the drop and the 'mechs and pilots available.  In this article, we are only examining each type of lance cursorily.  Additional, more detailed lance composition notes will follow in Exomecha Tactica.  For now, you need only familiarize yourself with the basic concepts we will be using to compose our combat lances.

A lance composition is based primarily on two things:  the lance weight, and it's designated role.  The Role Warfare Primer notes which 'mech weight classes are permissible to Gatekeepers who select that duty.  Certain weight classes are barred from being arranged into some lance types due to battalion doctrine's focus on other areas.  Each weight class is shown on the table below with the types of lances our Strategic Revision permits for it.  Take a look at the following chart:

Red boxes denote lance weight classes that are not utilized in that role.

Weight classes are denoted by rows on the left, and the columns correspond to the lance roles at the top of the chart.  Cross-indexing the weight classes with the lance roles will get you either a red box or a green box.  If the box is red, the company does not field lances of that weight / class combination.

A lances' weight class is determined by it's most numerous weight class among the battlemechs, in most cases.  

Let's recap from the Weight Class article on Lance Composition by Weight:

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A light lance consists of 3-4 light battlemechs, with 0-1 'mech from any other weight class.  These lances are invariably composed mainly of Interceptors supported by medium Hunter-Killers.  The lance can sometimes are supported by a heavy or assault Battle Line, Direct Fire or Missile Artillery 'mech, creating an Engagement Lance.

A medium lance consists of 2-4 medium 'mechs, with 0-2 light 'mechs and/or 0-1 Heavy or Assault 'mech.  This unit can be configured for a variety of lance roles (except Battle Line or Missile Artillery) due to it's flexibility.  Entirely dependent on loadout and intent, these lances need to have a coordinated drill ready when they drop against our enemies.

Heavy lances consist of 3-4 heavy 'mechs, with 0-1 'mech from any other weight class.  These lances are always Battle Line, Direct Fire, Missile Artillery or Engagement lances.  Heavy lances should contain well-disciplined pilots, as it represents a massive amount of the total tonnage we are able to commit to action.

An assault lance consists of 2-4 assault 'mechs, with 0-2 'mechs from any other weight class.  These units are only utilized as Battle Line or Missile Artillery Lances and excel at both tasks.  These lances tend to be very slow, so when committing them to battle exercise extreme caution in deployment.  Even more so than heavy lances, assault lances need to contain the drops' best pilots so the investment in tonnage isn't under-utilized.

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Note:  Standard Lances have been omitted.

The reasons behind these limitations on composition are very simple, and should be familiar to you by now.  By focusing on these specific types of lances, we will build skill and experience at a faster rate without bogging down in all the minutiae.  Also, we have only a handful of lance types to learn, rather than all the myriad types that Battletech has gifted us with over the years.  Similarly to how our focus on Favored 'mechs allowed us to deploy and arrange the echelons very rapidly, the focus on these lances will soon see all Gatekeepers more familiar with their composition and adroit with their utilization.

Light Engagement Lance

With four types of lance, it is very easy to commit it all to memory.  Once all Gatekeepers are familiar with the system, it will be much easier for everyone to see what's needed within a company composition.  Drops will come faster, and everyone will know their position and role innately.  Let's go over the four types, leaving weight class out of it for now.

Battle Line lances should be fielded in almost every drop, unless the drop consists of only one lance.  These are the meat and potatoes of the Attack Echelon, and are required in some capacity for almost every strategy.  By restricting the Battle Line to Heavy or Assault chassis, we guarantee that the armor and weaponry we need are carried.

Engagement lances are catch-all units that carry a mix of 'mech roles to fulfill one specific role on the battlefield:  the open engagement of the enemy.  These units can carry Close Support, Hunter-Killer or Interceptors in the majority, unlike other lances types where those specialists are limited in number.  On the other hand, the Engagement lance may be built around a certain 'mech or group of 'mechs along with their attendant role-specific 'mechs.  One example is that of the a favorite lance among the Gatekeepers:  3 Close Support and a Battle Line or Missile Artillery.

Medium Engagement Lance

Direct Fire Support lances are more specialized, and will be arranged in echelon to take advantage of their particular type of firepower.  Direct Fire lances need LOS to attack, but can do so safely from the Exploitation Echelon, especially if their lance or group includes Close Support or Hunter-Killer 'mechs to keep them safe.  The lance is able to mass pinpoint firepower and engage enemies that the Attack Echelon has yet to get visuals on.

Missile Artillery lances are much the same, but their ability to fire indirectly begs for assistance from an Interceptor or Electronic Warfare 'mech.  However, their vulnerability to close range firepower and speedy light chassis means that Close Support or Hunter-Killer 'mechs are very useful to place in these units.  Very rarely will a Missile Artillery lance contain four missile 'mechs - more commonly, an Electronic Warfare, Interceptor (Spotter), Hunter-Killer or Close Support will be assigned that spot.

Heavy Direct Fire Support Lance

So why are there no lances dedicated to Interceptors, Electronic Warfare, Close Support or Hunter-Killer roles?  In general, these 'mech roles are complimentary to the main battle formations.  Interceptors and Electronic Warfare 'mechs have much more important duties to perform than haring off by themselves in a group.  Close Support 'mechs cannot engage at range, mitigating their usefulness.  Hunter-Killer groups can be effective, but fall into the Engagement category when deployed as a unit.

Assault Battle Line Lance

Implementation of these lance compositions goes into effect immediately.  Training on role recognition, 'mech configuration and unit composition is set to begin during the weekdays.  Feel free to ask any questions you may have to any of the Command Staff, but remember:  this is only a cursory glance at lance composition.  Detailed ideas, suggestions and unit duties will be covered in an Exomecha Tactica for each of the four major lance types.

We are ready, Gatekeepers!  We've learned synergy in our favored 'mechs, and now we are taking it to the next operational level.  Soon, you'll know instinctively what is needed by your Drop Commander based on what 'mechs have been readied.  From there, the lance identity will take a firmer shape in your mind - which will be needed when we begin to apply composition guidelines to full companies.

Good Hunting, Gatekeepers.  Battalion morale is currently very high in the wake of our improvements, and there are very few MechWarrior units as disciplined as ours.  With this intense familiarity with operational procedures, you can be certain that None Shall Pass!