• Theme: “Honor the dragon”. High mobility, heavy armor, melee focus.
• Structure: 1 command lance + 4 companies of 3 lances each.

Overview

• Number of units: 52
• Number of lances: 13
• PV value (All Skill 4): 1295

Battalion staff (command lance)

Focus: elite status, high durability and symbolic power.

1. Grand Dragon DRG-1G: (Commander) The epitome of Kurita-Tech. Fast and deadly.
2. Warhammer WHM-6K: (Kurita variant without MGs, more heat dissipation).
3. Catapult CPLT-K2: The Kurita variant with PPCs instead of rockets (direct fire support).
4. Grasshopper GHR-5H: Highly mobile, perfect for flanking maneuvers and close combat.

1st Company “The Iron Fist” (heavy attack)

Focus: Frontal attack and firepower.

Lance A: Heavy Battle Lance (The Wall)

• Atlas AS7-D: The bodyguard. Attracts fire.
• Marauder MAD-3R: The classic partner of the Warhammer.
• Stalker STK-3F: A slow but devastating assault mech.
• Archer ARC-2K: Ranged combat support (Kurita variant).

Lance B: Striker Lance (The Cavalry)

• Dragon DRG-1N: The workhorse of the DCMS.
• Quickdraw QKD-4G: Mobile and designed for short range.
• Ostsol OTL-4D: Underestimated, but fast with many lasers.
• Jenner JR7-D: The most important light mech of the House of Kurita.

Lance C: Fire Support Lance

• Panther PNT-9R: Slow, but dangerous with PPC. Iconic for Kurita.
• Trebuchet TBT-5N: LRM firing.
• Dervish DV-6M: Flexible missile carrier.
• Whitworth WTH-1: Lightweight LRM support.

2nd company “Shadow of the Dragon” (speed & flank)

Focus: Fast maneuvers and pursuit.

Lance A: Battle Lance (Heavy Cavalry)

• Victor VTR-9B: Jump-capable with AC/20 – the close combat nightmare.
• Orion ON1-K: The “Mini-Atlas”, very solid armoring.
• Thunderbolt TDR-5S: Tough and versatile.
• Crusader CRD-3K: missile boat with good armor (Kurita variant with heat sinks).

Lance B: Recon Lance (reconnaissance)

• Phoenix Hawk PXH-1K: Without jump jets, but more armor/weapons (Kurita style).
• Assassin ASN-21: Fast and hard to hit.
• Vulcan VL-2T: Anti-infantry and close combat.
• Spider SDR-5V: Maximum mobility.

Lance C: Mechanized Infantry Lance (Rapid Reaction Force)

• Maxim Hover Transport: (vehicle, transportation).
• Maxim Hover Transport: (vehicle, transportation).
• Foot Infantry (SRM): (Infantry, riding in Maxim).
• Foot Infantry (SRM): (Infantry, riding in Maxim).

3rd Company “Stahlsturm” (Combined Arms)

Focus: Cooperation between mechs and heavy vehicles.

Lance A: Assault Vehicle Lance (Tank)

• Demolisher Heavy Tank: Double AC/20, destroys any mech in close combat.
• Demolisher Heavy Tank
• Schrek PPC Carrier: 3 PPCs per tank. Massive firepower.
• Schrek PPC Carrier

Lance B: Battle Lance (middle line)

• Wolverine WVR-6K: (Kurita variant, heavy laser instead of AC/5).
• Griffin GRF-1N: Ranged skirmisher.
• Shadow Hawk SHD-2K: (Kurita variant, PPC instead of AC/5).
• Hunchback HBK-4G: AC/20 urban fighter.

Lance C: Air Assault Lance (airborne infantry)

• Karnov UR Transport: (VTOL Transporter). Attention: Infantry is transported as cargo!
• Karnov UR Transport: (VTOL Transporter). Attention: Infantry is transported as cargo!
• Foot Infantry (SRM): (Infantry, flying in Karnov).
• Foot Infantry (SRM): (Infantry, flying in Karnov).

4th Company “Guardians of Honor” (Garrison & Reserve)

Focus: Light units, urban combat and reserve.

Lance A: Pursuit Lance (Hunter)

• Wolfhound WLF-1: (If available from 3028) or Wolf Trap (too late). Replacement: Firestarter FS9-H.
• Locust LCT-1V: The classic Scout.
• Wasp WSP-1A: Standard Recon.
• Stinger STG-3R: Standard Recon.

Lance B: Defensive Lance (City Defense, Medium Battle Lance)

• UrbanMech UM-R60: Slow, cheap, AC/10.
• Blackjack BJ-1: Solid fire support.
• Vindicator VND-1R: (actually Liao, but often used as loot/reserve) or Clint CLNT-2-3T.
• Panther PNT-9R: (Here is the 2nd Panther of the battalion, allowed because other company).

Lance C: Mechanized Lance (Armoured Infantry)

• Goblin Medium Tank: (Vehicle).
• Goblin Medium Tank: (Vehicle).
• Motorized Heavy Infantry: (Infantry).
• Motorized Heavy Infantry: (Infantry).

Taktische Doktrin: Bataillon “Drachenzorn”

The tactical approach of the “Dragon’s Fury” battalion is based on an aggressive hammer-and-anvil doctrine that combines the high mobility of the Draconis mechs with brute melee force.

The lumbering Iron Fist Company and Demolisher tanks form the immovable center (the Anvil) that holds the enemy’s attention and absorbs frontal fire. While the enemy focuses on this threat, the numerous Grand Dragons, Quickdraws and Jenners use their superior speed (the Hammer) to roll over the flanks in a wide pincer movement and attack the enemy’s weaker rear armor.

The iconic Panthers act as mobile artillery, using their PPCs to make precise pinpricks to force opponents into cover. As soon as the distance is closed, the battalion collectively switches to close combat mode: disregarding their own damage, the units seek physical contact (charge attacks) to break the enemy’s formation through sheer aggression and fanatical discipline

Excursus: The human factor: optimizing skill values

In the standard list, all units are calculated with a skill of 4 (regular). This is the average. However, for an elite House Kurita battalion – known for fanatical discipline – key units should be upgraded.

A better skill (e.g. 3 for Veteran or 2 for Elite) increases the point cost (PV) of the unit, but drastically increases its efficiency. Since Alpha Strike is played with 2D6, every point less on the “to-hit” roll increases the hit probability significantly (often by 15-20%).

Here are the best candidates from our “Dragon’s Wrath” battalion for a skill upgrade and why:

1. the “one-hit wonder” (high damage, short range)

Units that deal massive damage but often only have one chance per turn benefit most from good training. A miss here is a waste of high damage potential.

• Example: Demolisher Heavy Tank
  • Role: Juggernaut / Ambush.
  • Recommendation: Skill 3 (Veteran).
  • Reason: The Demolisher deals extreme damage at short range (AC/20). As it is slow, the opponent often dictates the range. When the Demolisher fires, it has to hit. A skill of 3 turns it from a threat into a death zone.

2. the fast duelists (high mobility)

Fast units like the Jenner or Dragon often try to get into the enemy’s rear. They often chase other fast units that have a high defense modifier (TMM).

• Example: Jenner JR7-D
  • Role: Striker / Light Hunter.
  • Recommendation: Skill 3 (Veteran).
  • Reason: The Jenner hunts enemy scouts. An enemy scout often has TMM +2 or +3. With standard skill 4, the Jenner needs a 7 or 8 to hit (high risk). With skill 3, the requirement drops, making him the perfect hunter.

3. the melee fighters (Physical Attacks)

House Kurita loves close combat. Physical attacks (such as punching or ramming/charging) in Alpha Strike are based on the skill value plus a modifier (usually +2 for melee combat).

• Example: Grand Dragon DRG-1G
  • Role: Commander / Brawler.
  • Recommendation: Skill 2 (Elite).
  • Reason: This is the heart of the army. A Skill 2 means that it hits almost automatically in close combat (Physical Attack). As the Dragon is very fast, it can perform powerful charge attacks. An elite pilot guarantees that this ramming attack will really knock the target off its feet.

4. the jump sniper

Units that can jump and carry heavy weapons can seek out ideal firing positions, but often have to contend with terrain modifiers.

• Example: Victor VTR-9B
  • Role: Ambush / Jump Brawler.
  • Recommendation: Skill 3 (Veteran).
  • Reason: The Victor jumps behind an enemy to fire his AC/20 into the unprotected back. Since he often doesn’t get any stationary bonuses when jumping and may fire through forests, the better skill secures the fatal hit.

Summary of the cost-benefit calculation

When playing this battalion, it is often wiser to cut an infantry unit or a light tank in order to improve the skill of the dragons and demolishers. Quality beats quantity here – in the spirit of the dragon.

Summary of the unit list

Here is the inventory list for your complete house Kurita Battalion:

BattleMechs (Heavy/Assault – 16 pieces)

• 1x Atlas AS7-D
• 1x Stalker STK-3F
• 1x Victor VTR-9B
• 1x Marauder MAD-3R
• 1x Warhammer WHM-6K
• 1x Archer ARC-2K
• 1x Orion ON1-K
• 1x Thunderbolt TDR-5S
• 1x Crusader CRD-3K
• 1x Grand Dragon DRG-1G
• 1x Dragon DRG-1N
• 1x Catapult CPLT-K2
• 1x Grasshopper GHR-5H
• 1x Quickdraw QKD-4G
• 1x Ostsol OTL-4D

BattleMechs (Medium – 12 pieces)

• 1x Wolverine WVR-6K
• 1x Griffin GRF-1N
• 1x Shadow Hawk SHD-2K
• 1x Hunchback HBK-4G
• 1x trebuchet TBT-5N
• 1x Dervish DV-6M
• 1x Whitworth WTH-1
• 1x Phoenix Hawk PHX-1K
• 1x Assassin ASN-21
• 1x Vulcan VLN-2T
• 1x Blackjack BJ-1
• 1x Clint CLNT-2-3T

BattleMechs (Light – 10 pieces)

• 2x Panther PNT-9R (distributed to company 1 & 4)
• 1x Jenner JR7-D
• 1x Spider SDR-5V
• 1x Firestarter FS9-H
• 1x Locust LCT-1V
• 1x Wasp WSP-1A
• 1x Stinger STG-3R
• 1x UrbanMech UM-R60
• 1x Ostscout (not listed above, but good alternative for Wasp/Stinger if variance is desired) – Wasp/Stinger are used in the plan above.

Vehicles (Combat & Transport – 10 pieces)

• 2x Demolisher Heavy Tank
• 2x Schrek PPC Carrier
• 2x Maxim Hover Transport
• 2x Karnov UR Transport
• 2x Goblin Medium Tank

Infantry (6 units)

• 4x Foot Infantry (SRM)
• 2x Motorized Infantry (Laser)