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| COMMIT TO: Inquisition
Record 2103 624-2000
CROSS FILE: Inquisition of the Vindicators INPUT DATE: 3746914.M36 |
AUTHOR: Inquisitor
Ryjak
TRANSMITTER: Astropath Secundus Ariel RECEIVER: Astropath Prime Domini |
| SUBJECT: Army Selection | THOUGHT: Many battles are decided before they even start. |
Lord, I have included this section from the Codex Astartes as a reference to compare to the Vindicator's battle doctrine. While they may have committed heresy in other areas, they seem to follow this section to the letter.
When selecting troops to fill out a detachment, there
are several things a commander should keep in mind. First and foremost
is the opponent. If hordes of lightly armed troops are expected,
take weapons like a flamer that can fell many creatures with one blast.
If the enemy is strong and well fortified, take weapons like the plasma
cannon which can blast holes in anything. However, intelligence may
be inaccurate, so prepare for that which is not expected. There is
little worse than facing a tank or dreadnought with no way of damaging
it.
However, many times a commander will not know what
he will be up against, and so must take a generalist approach to warfare.
In so doing, he must also select what he is comfortable using, and fits
his style of leadership and warfare. Therefore, follow these guidelines
when selecting your force.
Troops: Basic troops should never be less than
40% of your total force. This will give you the numbers to destroy
other infantry and absorb casualties, as well as the flexibility to handle
a changing battlefield. Always consider how many basic troopers you
are sacrificing in order to field other kinds of troops and equipment.
For example, if you have 1500 tons of supplies, you should aim to have
40 Space marines in Tactical squads. Theoretically, you could support
100 Marines with 1500 tons of supplies, but they will lack the support
infantry needs.
Heavy Support: Tanks and heavy weapon teams
should never be more 25% of your total force. While they can lay
devastating barrages of fire, they lack the mobility necessary on a flowing
battlefield, and could easily be flanked by a more agile foe, especially
if you sacrifice infantry for more heavy support. 1500 tons of supplies
can support 3 tanks, but other forces would need to be sacrificed.
Fast Attack: Land speeders and bikes should
never be more than 25% of your total force. While they can quickly
take advantage of holes in the enemy line and throw the enemy off-balance,
it is easy for these forces to get isolated from your main line and fall
prey to the enemy. 1500 tons of supplies can support several Land
Speeders or a 10 man Assault Squad, but you might be lacking in other areas.
Elites: Terminators and other elite forces
(such as a commander's cadre) should not be more than 15% of your army.
Elites are your most dependable troops. Properly equipped, they can
handle almost anything, but require much more support than other forces
in your army. Also, if they do fall, you might find yourself hard
pressed to handle the opposition. 1500 tons of supplies can support
5 marines in Terminator Armor.
HQ: The commander should rarely need more
than 5% of the army's supplies. While Chaplains and Librarians can
handle many times there number in combat, an army cannot afford to concentrate
its leadership in one area. 1500 tons of supplies can support 1 well-trained
leader.
Special Equipment: An army should never need
to devote more than 5% of it supplies to the ammo and maintenance of the
special equipment of its leaders. While the leader is capable of
doing much, he can't be everywhere at once. That's what your troops
are for, to be everywhere at once. I would much rather have 2 brother
marines at my side than a pair of lightning claws or a jump pack.
If you have been paying attention, these percentages total 115%. This means that you must sacrifice some supplies from one category to support another. For example, I find it is acceptable to sacrifice a 5 man squad of terminators for 3 tanks, but it is unacceptable to sacrifice 15 Marines for those 5 in tactical dreadnought armor. The ultimate decision in what a commander selects depends on his preferred style of warfare.
If you need to contact me Lord, send your transmission to Inquisitor Ryjak
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