Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance – Alpha Strike Analysis: Tactics, Formation & Integration

1st Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance

Some battles are won not by agility, but by sheer, unrelenting firepower. When your commanders make a plan that involves advancing directly into the enemy front line, you need ‘Mechs that can carry the load. This is where the Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance (Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance) comes into play – a Force Pack born in the Clan Invasion Kickstarter campaign, designed to be at the forefront and deal massive damage.

This pack gives you four iconic Heavy and Assault BattleMechs, all known for their tough armor and deadly direct fire capabilities. It’s the ideal pack for players who want to not only fend off the enemy onslaught, but return it with full force.

2. the units included in detail

The Direct Fire Lance unites four icons of the inner sphere, each of which plays a decisive role in the fire roller that forms this formation.

You can find an unboxing video here.

3. the formation: role in the Alpha Strike

This lance is the tactical equivalent of a sledgehammer. Its role in Alpha Strike is clear: powerful, concentrated direct damage at medium and short range.

3.1. Focus on the formation

• Name of the formation: Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance
• Definition & Purpose: This formation is designed to form a battle line, advance slowly and eliminate enemy units through concentrated fire and massive armor. It leads the attack and draws fire while faster units flank or secure other objectives.
• Alpha Strike Tactical alignment: The focus is on high DMG and maximum armor/structure.

3.2. Tactical use of the formation

• Primary strategy: Focus Fire. Select a single enemy target (ideally the most dangerous mech) and have all four units of the lance fire at it in succession. Thanks to the high DMG values of the Assault Mechs, even elite opponents can be eliminated quickly.
• Synergies in the pack:
  • The Atlas is the leader and the tank. It draws the fire and holds the line.
  • The Marauder II acts as a primary damage dealer at medium to long range, ideally from a supporting position (e.g. in Heavy Woods for cover).
  • The Orion acts as a versatile fire support unit and can close gaps in close combat or pursue wounded targets.
  • The Crusader (or at least its direct fire variants) provides additional fire density, often through masses of missiles that soften up the target’s armor.
• Movement and positioning: The lance is slow (often only 6 or 8 inches of movement). Positioning is everything. Move gradually and keep the formation close together so that units can support each other and all reach the main objective at the same time. V formations are ideal, with the atlas at the front.
• Key unit: The Atlas. If the Atlas falls, the entire lance falls in terms of morale and ability to absorb damage. Protect it, but use its massive armor as bait.

4. integration into the larger army (Alpha Strike)

The Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance is a powerful but specialized tool. It needs support to compensate for its weakness in mobility.

• Supplement for other Lances/Stars: The Direct Fire Lance acts as an immobile, heavily armored anchor point. It fills the gap of pure firepower in a force. Combine it with:
  • Recon Lance (reconnaissance lance): For flanking, spotting targets and distracting enemy Fire Support Mechs.
  • Striker Lance (attack lance): With fast medium mechs (e.g. Phoenix Hawk, Griffin) that overrun enemies weakened by the Direct Fire Lance.
• Point value consideration: As the pack contains two 100-ton trucks, the total point value (PV) is high. Expect around 310 to 400 PV for the entire lance (depending on variant chosen and pilot skill). This is a substantial part of an Alpha Strike army and requires careful point management for the rest of the force.
• Suggestion for army composition: Combine the Direct Fire Lance with a light Cavalry Lance (e.g. a Jenner, a Wolverine and two other fast Medium Mechs). The heavy mechs hold the center, while the lighter lance secures the flanks and takes over reconnaissance.

5 Conclusion and evaluation

The Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance is not a subtle force pack. It’s a loud, heavy statement that says to the enemy, “We’re coming and we’re firing first.”

Overall Verdict: This pack is a must-have for any Inner Sphere player looking to add a tough, relentless Assault component to their army. It is ideal for players who are looking for direct conflict and are prepared to take a slow and methodical approach.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars (deduction only because of the slow speed!)