Pluperfect
Active Member
Mechanised Kastolar Platoons
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To make a generally useful troop which people within the the Silver Jedi Concord can use. For instance, if they want to have their character command a troop of soldiers with a neat transport.
- Image Credit: Credit given in the order they appear in this submission
DeviantArt: TaskForceLegion
Skyland Games: Article by Kevin, unknown if he is the artist.
CGSociety: Rawalanche - Role: It is a portion of the rank and file of the Silver Jedi Order and is well suited for ground based guerrilla warfare, disruption and frontline combat.
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: [ Provide links to any relevant threads, characters, companies, locations, etc here. Canon or otherwise. Especially obscure references, or events important to the submission.]
Silver Jedi Concord
Phaseera Manufacturing
Kastolar Sector
Devil You Know: Campaign to SJC Held Myrkr (Myrkr, Velmor, Orleon, Azure, Katarr)
Return of the Jedi: SJC Campaign to TSE held Voss (Jabiim; Nespis VIII; Chandaar; Ossus, and Voss Hexes)
- Unit Name: Mechanised Kastolar Platoon
- Affiliation: Silver Jedi Concord
- Classification: Mechanised infantry platoons
-
Description: The Mechanised Kastolar Platoons operated in two rather different primary ways. The platoons could form a strong frontline composed of well equipped infantry supported by various means to gain better staying power and lower death rates. The platoons could also use guerrilla tactics and abuse the small size and high maneuverability of their Frittata transports to make their way around the field of battle. Although the platoons primarily consisted of troops from the Kastolar Sector of Concord space, they still went wherever they were needed and participated on numerous fronts such as Myrkr, Velmor, Voss and Ossus. Their emblem is the sihlouette of a Frittata Transport.
- Unit Size: Medium 39-51
- Unit Availability: Common
- Unit Experience: Trained
- Equipment: The Kastolar Platoons carry a wide range of equipment such as mortars, medkits, combat knives etc. Below, I will list speciality equipment.
Sundae Shells - Artillery shells
L'Escargots - Slugs
Espresso Revolvers - Slugthrower sidearm
Emmental Rifle - All-around blaster rifle
MEAT Launcher - Launcher specialised against armour, both ground and air based.
Pimento Point Defence Drone - Drone made to protect against missiles and other projectiles by destroying the projectile or diverting its path.
Kroket Combat Outfit - A Light combat outfit with reasonable protection
Frittata Transport - Transport & Support vehicle
-
Combat Function: The tactics and strategies used by the Mechanised Kastolar Platoons revolved around clever usage of the Frittata Transport as well as a heavy reliance on their versatile infantry. The relatively small transport could easily move troops way faster than they would have been able to move themselves and once the troops had debarked, the vehicle would create a soft defence around itself and the troops near it. But it was not alone in increasing their survivability as the Pimento Point Defence Drone also served an important role as it could ward off hostile missiles, rockets or other large projectiles. These drones were very small and could be transported with ease and also deployed en masse. Furthermore, the Kroket Combat Outfit also increased the troops survivability as it provided protection whilst remaining lightweight. This all made for infantry which could surprise foes both by how mobile they were and how hard they were to get rid of.
Although the fighting force consisted of infantry, they still packed quite a punch. Not only did they carry powerful Emmental Blaster Rifles well suited for long range combat, but they also carried the Espresso Revolver. It was relatively uncommon weapon as it fired slugs rather than laser bolts - but along with the L'Escargot slugs, they gained a potent armour piercing capacity which could be further enhanced and adapted to fit the situation by switching what charge it carried. Furthermore, they also used MEAT Launchers which allowed for more substantial anti-armour capacities, giving the platoons plenty of firepower.
This offered two main approaches in regards to the Mechanised Kastolar Platoons' function in combat.
The first approach to combat stemmed from their impressive staying power along with their the versatile nature of where they could direct firepower. The platoons were well suited for frontline combat. They offered the strategic staff the option to deploy a fast and hardy unit which improved their possibilities to gain the most favourable terrain. When several Kastolar Platoons worked together, they could utilise different Frittata set-ups which gave them an even wider range of utilities in a combat scenario.
The second approach to combat made full use of the mobile nature of the Frittata. It was both silent, small and maneuverable which meant that it could slip in between enemy lines. With light and mobile infantry carrying a substantial amount of firepower, these units excelled at wreaking havoc behind enemy lines and could quickly hit softer infrastructure before moving on to the next target. This could make it significantly harder to maintain supply lines and could be damaging to enemy morale as it made retreating a far less appealing option. When engaged in these kinds of guerrilla tactics, the Kastolar had a significant advantage in often being able to pick which fights to engage in.
- Mobile: Frittatas are small, silent and maneuverable which means that they can move about rather freely on a battlefield. The infantry personnel also has the same characteristic as they carry light combat outfits instead of armour.
- Adaptable: The weapons and armour carried by the soldiers of these platoons are well suited for many situations and are very adaptable. They have rifles which functions at numerous ranges, and anti armour capabilities and the L'Escargot slugs can be chosen depending on what foe they are facing. The Frittata transports also possessed a degree of modularity and could be adapted to numerous situations. These were tools, but the quick minds of the Kastolar platoons made the real difference.
- Staying power: With the Pimento point defence drone and the support of the Frittata along with their above-average Kroket outfits, these troops have an impressive staying power.
- Hard-hitting: Armed with weapons which are above average. Abnormally many of the soldiers in the platoon carry MEAT Launchers because of its light weight and their otherwise low encumbrance.
- Infantry: The Mechanised Kastolar Platoons mainly consist of infantry. While the equipment of individual soldiers may vary, it is extremely rare to see one in a powersuit or piloting an armoured combat vehicle which means that
- Not fast on the run: Frittata Transports only has a speed which is around the average of other transport vehicles. This means that speedier vehicles can be problematic to deal with if chased since the Frittata is very poorly armed. If a Kastolar Platoon is forced on the run, a fast foe can be problematic.
- Reliant on communication: Communication between the soldiers themselves and between multiple Kastolar Platoons is essentials. They will perform worse if communications are cut. While a single platoon can often communicate internally more traditional methods, it will still reduce their effectiveness - especially if the communications between the soldiers and the Frittata pilots is cut.
- Transport value: The Frittata provides a lot of support to the soldiers. Their foes might target it and its systems which will make the soldiers more vulnerable if successful.
In 861 ABY, The Mechanised Kastolar Platoons were relatively newly formed. It was the rising tensions along the Concord borders which lead to the creation of the platoons. Most of the troops which the Kastolar platoons consisted of came from the Kastolar Sector of Silver Jedi Concord space.
While the experience of the platoons as a unit may be limited, it often consisted of troopers which had seen combat in the past. Still, they had managed to partake in the battles of Myrkr, Velmor, Voss and Ossus. While the platoons performed relatively well, they did suffer a few defeats. These were all handled with humility, however. After a period of mourning, they would soon bounce back and try to learn from their mistakes.
With this, the Mechanised Kastolar Platoons started increasing their focus on training, working together and making their routines and internal priorities better. Of course, they still had flaws and there was still risks of honest mistakes - but nobody would deny that they had done a good job in reducing the risks of bad outcomes.
In general, many of the Kastolar troopers were creative thinkers and a number of commanders had given them praise for that. While on the field, they often worked together with good dynamism and great flexibility. The time it took from a decision being made to execution was often short, but rarely lacked a good understanding of the risks involved.
The combatants of the Mechanised Kastolar Platoons tended to be less experienced but with a fair number of veterans sprinkled in. Most troops had gone through arduous training before joining and often had a good idea of how to handle a wide range of different weapons, ordnance and other equipment which made them flexible on the field. Still, a few more battles would be needed to truly harden them.
Last edited:
