Irresponsible Sectorial Speculation - Varuna

[Savant]

Based off of what we have seen from the existing PanOceania sectorial a what should we expect a Varuna sectorial to look like in form and function? Do fusiliers or Kamau bear the burden of being the sectorial's link team? How should it play? Let the speculation fly!

[Scorch]

The fluff mentions them as a SWAT team. I guess it will feature not many HI because of it, and a focus on non-lethal weapons too. the Cutter is also part of Varuna, so that will make Kamau, Cutter and yes, I am expecting Fusiliers. I somehow have the feeling we'll see the ORC as Varuna's HI, as it is the most basic HI option and, all blue in the official scheme,

People have mentioned hover bikes, but more wish listing than speculation.

What we have right now ( I think):
2 LI: Fusilier, Kamau
1 HI: ORC Troop
1 TAG: Cutter

We need a MI option, one or two. And SK. I don't expect WB myself.

[Section9]

I'm quite sure Varuna will have Fusiliers, as the original Fusilier art with the 'forage cap' aka 'garrison cover' (also aka some rather vulgar terms) said Varuna Fusiliers.

Kamau and Cutter are givens, just because of the Aquatic terrain.

While the Croc Man is THE skirmisher for PanO, I'm not sure it really belongs in Varuna. I may be mistaken, though.

An MI like the current-day SEALs or Marine Force Recon would be nicely thematic. Probably be called "(Marine) Commandos" after the UK's Royal Marine Commandos or "Special Boat Service," the Naval equivalent of the SAS.

The other major unit I'm expecting to show up in PanO is the Gurkhas. But I'm not sure that they'd belong in Varuna. Gurkhas are mountain infantry, after all, so that would make them more Svalarheima than Varuna.

[Scorch]

Haha, I forgot about the Crocmen. Frankly, I can't see them anywhere else, although their fluff says they are from Paradiso.

What is your source on the Gurkhas?

[JBRocky]

The other major unit I'm expecting to show up in PanO is the Gurkhas. But I'm not sure that they'd belong in Varuna. Gurkhas are mountain infantry, after all, so that would make them more Svalarheima than Varuna.

Might find them in the Earth Bastion Army, but yes would be neat to see some Gurkhas.

[Savant]

The fluff mentions them as a SWAT team. I guess it will feature not many HI because of it, and a focus on non-lethal weapons too. the Cutter is also part of Varuna, so that will make Kamau, Cutter and yes, I am expecting Fusiliers. I somehow have the feeling we'll see the ORC as Varuna's HI, as it is the most basic HI option and, all blue in the official scheme,

People have mentioned hover bikes, but more wish listing than speculation.

What we have right now ( I think):
2 LI: Fusilier, Kamau
1 HI: ORC Troop
1 TAG: Cutter

We need a MI option, one or two. And SK. I don't expect WB myself.

Don't you think we'll likely see the ORC in Svarlheima instead? The croc man style wise could be an interesting fit.

[Savant]

The more I think about it the more it seems to me we'll see the Kamau lose the aquatic movement and see the whole mechanic scrapped in N3, it just doesn't seem to get any use for the points that you pay for it.

[Scorch]

The more I think about it the more it seems to me we'll see the Kamau lose the aquatic movement and see the whole mechanic scrapped in N3, it just doesn't seem to get any use for the points that you pay for it.

That's entirely up to you. Lots of metas work with the terrain rules. They are there. If you decide to don't use them, that's up to you.

My reasoning for the ORC is the SWAT anti-terror idea of the sectorial. Most SWAT teams have medium and light infantry, nothing heavy. The ORC is a basic heavy, so he could fit well, as just the basic.

[Section9]

What is your source on the Gurkhas?

200ish years of history of the Gurkhas volunteering for duty with the British and Indian armies. "Gurkha" is a generic term for all the tribes of Nepal serving in either the British or Indian armies.

Gurkhas are closely associated with the Khukuri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife and have a well known reputation for their fearless military prowess. The former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, once stated that "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha."

[Stiopa]

If any army will see a Gurkha-based unit, I expect it to be ASA.

Varuna as a AT squad could be focused on elite units - Kamau as main LI, limited access to Fusiliers - AVA 3/4, new MI, maybe a light TAG. I could even see Dakinis and Garudas on loan from ALEPH finding their way here.

[Scorch]

If any army will see a Gurkha-based unit, I expect it to be ASA.

Varuna as a AT squad could be focused on elite units - Kamau as main LI, limited access to Fusiliers - AVA 3/4, new MI, maybe a light TAG. I could even see Dakinis and Garudas on loan from ALEPH finding their way here.

If you describe them like this, they sound like the PanO ISS. Not bad at all! Not sure f they need a light TAG when they already have the nasty Cutter, but it would be nice to have it as an option. After all, PanO is te TAR faction!

Damn, I'm excited about this sectorial! And I really hope to see some more Indian/Hindi influenced units in there as well.
Aleph additions will almost be auto include for fluff reasons.

[Stiopa]

PanO ISS is exactly what I thought about But where YJ uses various tricks and unconventional tactics, PanO is straightforward - get in, shoot bad guys in the head, call it a day

If we keep to the anti-insurgency and counter-terrorist themes...

Dedicated breach unit. Some kind of fast (4-4) MI (so it wouldn't compete directly with the ORCs), with ARM 3, some BTS and equipped for CQB - smgs, grenades, shotguns, maybe 0-V smoke?

Sniper/countersniper unit. I wouldn't like it to be a Haiduk/Nikoul copycat - rather non-infiltrating camo unit, possibly with FO and neurocinetics.

Surveillance unit. Infiltrator with FO Auxbot - no flamethrowers, maybe light shotgun and smoke similar to Guarda de Assalto's Auxbot_3

All in all pricy troops, higher than usual BTS, focus on getting a tactical advantage (infiltrators, FOs, TO Camo) and setting up rapid assault against defender's weak spot.

[Scorch]

Yeah, I concur with ORCs in Varuna, makes much more sense seeing their design than Svalarheima.

And I like the way you think: ISS, but straightforward, and I expect some High tech in this sectorial as well. Visors, camo, a strong support (fire power as regular support).

[Dozer]

Gurkhas are rough customers when working.

Normally quiet small men enjoying that smelly chew but on the flip of a switch, upon orders, they will leapord crawl through the muck in 55 lbs of FFO (Full Fighting Order) for a few kilometers before they cut ya in complete silence. They also have some of the best mess food... such good curry. Seeing a unit of them kicking around on the table - whoa, I'd be all in. That would be awesome and I hope CB tries to get them into the game. They have had some of the worst deployments in the Commonwealth but they keep performing every time. Tiger Hill is a recent example of the type of men the Gurhkas are. Take a look at Yogendra Sngh Yadav. Crazy stuff.

My favorite story I've every heard about Gurhkas originally goes like this -
CO has the men formed up on parade and addresses the Bn (Battalion). He tells them that they will now be Parachute Battalion. Stoney reception. Explains this means they will be jumping from an aeroplane. The Battalion becomes restless but doesn't break rank on parade and the HM (Havildar Major, think SSM/RSM) asks "How high will we jump from sahib?".
CO replies: "800 feet, why?"
More unease from the formed up Battalion and the Havildar Major says: "Sahib, 800 feet is very high!"
CO curious to comment explains: "Yes but if you jump from a lower height your parachute will not open."
The HM now understanding whoops out: "Ahh-haa we will have parachutes? Naraamro sahib!!"

Love those guys.

[Dozer]

A more recent example of Gurhka awesomeness Dipprasad Pun. Seriously awesome troops - CB you can't make this stuff up.

[Section9]

A more recent example of Gurhka awesomeness Dipprasad Pun. Seriously awesome troops - CB you can't make this stuff up.

I will point out that Dipprasad Pun was awarded the medal immediately below the Victoria's Cross for badassery above and beyond the call of duty. Though I'm sure he is ashamed to admit that the reason he had to use the tripod of the MG at his post as a close combat weapon is because he had left his bigass knife back at his tent. (oops. betcha he never made *that* mistake again!)

For the life of me, I don't know how Gurkhas can run up hills so damn fast dragging those enormous brass balls behind them...

If CB makes a unit of Gurkhas, I will buy them ALL. I am currently awaiting the resculpts of the Sikhs (to match Kirpal Singh) before buying more of them...

[Stiopa]

Both Gurkhas and Sikhs have inspiring history. About the latter - I've recently read about Saragarhi Last Stand and I was stunned. CB made a good move choosing to model some of the units after real-life groups.

Still, it has nothing to do with Varuna

[Section9]

Both Gurkhas and Sikhs have inspiring history. About the latter - I've recently read about Saragarhi Last Stand and I was stunned. CB made a good move choosing to model some of the units after real-life groups.

Still, it has nothing to do with Varuna

Gurkhas, almost certainly not. They're mountain infantry par excellence.

Sikhs, though, make up a large chunk of the current Indian army. Something like a full third or more. So they'd be a significant portion of the PanO army, and isn't Varuna an Indian name?

[Scorch]

Both Gurkhas and Sikhs have inspiring history. About the latter - I've recently read about Saragarhi Last Stand and I was stunned. CB made a good move choosing to model some of the units after real-life groups.

Still, it has nothing to do with Varuna

Gurkhas, almost certainly not. They're mountain infantry par excellence.

Sikhs, though, make up a large chunk of the current Indian army. Something like a full third or more. So they'd be a significant portion of the PanO army, and isn't Varuna an Indian name?

Yes, Varuna is the Hindu god of the Ocean.

[Stiopa]

This means we could see Akalis belonging to more than one sectorial, because I doubt CB will release another Sikh-based units. We shall see...

[Scorch]

This means we could see Akalis belonging to more than one sectorial, because I doubt CB will release another Sikh-based units. We shall see...

Yeah, that could be. But I guess the Indian Peninsula has a lot of cultural backgrounds to pick from. It's a tremendously big area (especially if you count Indonesia and Philippines too, as they both belong to PanO) with lots of diversity.

[Stiopa]

There's also question whether CB plans on releasing more units based on specific ethnic background.

[Savant]

Time for more irresponsible speculation: I just started thinking it would be neat to see the Hyper Power's anti-terrorist team supported by ALEPH in the form of Netrods.

[Lampyridae]

:NETROD INBOUND:
:TRAJECTORY ERROR:
:ERROR:
:ERROR:
:ERROR:
>splash<
:SIGNAL LOST:

Oops.