Infantry digging in & fortified positions – Tactics guide for sappers

Infantry digging in & fortified positions – Tactics guide for sappers

In the world of BattleTech Alpha Strike, infantry is often extremely vulnerable on the open field. But experienced commanders know that their soldiers are by no means helpless. One of the most effective methods of protecting troops is digging in or – for specialists – setting up fortified positions.

In this article, I will explain in detail how these rules work and how you can maintain your position.

Who is allowed to dig in?

Not every unit can simply dig trenches. The standard rule for digging trenches is specifically for conventional infantry (foot soldiers, motorized infantry or jump infantry).

Important restrictions:

• Unit types: Units with the Mechanized (MEC) special ability or troops that do not use the Foot (f), Jump (j), or Motorized (m) movement types cannot use this standard action.
• Terrain: You cannot dig in on roads, paved surfaces, in buildings or in water.

The process: “Digging In”

Digging in is a conscious decision that binds the deployment of your troops for one round.

1. Declaration: At the start of your movement phase, you must announce that the infantry unit is digging in.
2. Cost: During this turn, the soldiers may not move, attack or perform any other actions.
3. Completion: No dice roll is required; the process is considered completed in the final phase of the same turn.
4. Marker: As soon as the unit is dug in, a 2-inch marker (centered on the position) is placed on the playing field. This marker symbolizes the fortified positions.

Specialists at work: Fortified positions (TRN)

If your force has units with the special ability Trenchworks/Fieldworks Engineers (TRN), things get really interesting. These pioneers can construct fortified positions that go beyond simple digging.

• The construction: The pioneer unit must remain stationary for a full turn and may not attack, act as a spotter or take any other actions. During this time, it can easily be hit as a stationary target (+0 TMM).
• The marker: In the final phase of the following turn, a 2-inch template is placed to mark the area as fixed.
• Versatility: In contrast to simple digging, fortified positions can be erected in any terrain except buildings or water.

The massive advantages of the cover

As soon as a position exists (whether through “Digging In” or pioneers), it offers enormous bonuses:

• Defense bonus: All attacks against infantry in such a position receive a +2 modifier to the target number (TN).
• Hull-down synergy: This is the highlight for your vehicles and ProtoMechs! They can use the fortified positions to automatically assume a hull-down position without having to make the otherwise necessary success roll of 7+.
• Durability: If a unit leaves the position, the bonus remains for any other infantry unit that later occupies this template.
• The price: Units in these positions always have a target movement modifier (TMM) of +0.

The weak points: What you need to consider

Despite the protection, you are not invulnerable. There are weapons that simply ignore the +2 cover bonus:

• Heat attacks (HT).
• Inferno ammunition.
• Area Effect (AoE) weapons.

My tactical pioneer tip

Use your Trenchworks Engineers to prepare strategic points early in the game. A fortified position where a heavy tank automatically “Hull Down” while infantry with +2 protection crouch next to it is a nightmare for any attacker!