Starship Troopers

The Skinnies have raided the borders of the federation for years but the Mobile Infantry has concentrated its military might on the far more dangerous Arachnids. Now, the Skinnies have declared outright war on humanity and no amount of diplomacy or politicking seems likely to stop them.

The Skinnies Army Book reveals this mysterious race - their culture, their technology. . . and their motives.

The WASP flight packs seem bulky and unwieldy devices but they can grant an entire squad of cap troopers an unprecedented degree of battlefield mobility. Designed so the MI's normal weaponry can be used while in flight, the WASP pack is a relatively cheap upgrade that can far extend the jump distance of a squad.

The WASP Troopers squad box set contains 5 troopers with WASP packs.

Building upon the advancements of the Pathfinder neodogs, the Mk II neodog is a natural scientific progression though it is only now beginning to find its way into active Mobile Infantry units. Demand from the frontline still outstrips supply and only veteran troopers or those handlers who have managed to escape the worst effects of losing a previous caleb are granted the chance to bond with a Mk II. As well as the advanced sensory suite carried over from the pathfinder program, the most distinctive advantage of the Mk II neodog is the ranged capability granted by the integrated skull-mounted laser weapon system, adapted from the Trench Sweeper used by troopers on their Moritas.

Any Mobile Infantry model with access to Heroic Traits may use the Mk II Neodog. Rules for a complete Neodog squad appear in Signs & Portents Wargamer 33, a free download.

Every good trooper knows the benefits of support from the fleet and these missiles can bring some heavy bug-killing action to any battle.

The Flamberge is a heavy ground attack missile fired from large gunships miles form the combat zone. The default warhead is the Scatter Bomb but more powerful Firestorm or Pee-Wee Atomic Munitions can be fitted instead, allowing you to rain death upon any bug hoard, no matter how hard it tries to evade the guns of your Troopers.

If the Flamberge is not enough for you, try the Sarissa Space Combat Missile. Launched form ships in orbit to deliver pin point strikes on Arachnid swarms, it is capable of defeating even the heaviest of Plasma Bug anti-aircraft fire. As well as the warhead options of the Flamberge, the Sarissa is the only support missile currently available that can carry the awesome Ajax Atomic Munition, the heaviest tactical nuclear weapon available to the Mobile Infantry.

If you are having trouble bringing your guns to bear on fast moving Arachnids, these two missiles may well be the answer to your prayers!

An elite force needs an elite tool - the Neodogs used by the Pathfinders are advanced models, the experimental forerunners of the rumoured MkII Neodog. Tougher, faster and smarter than the original Mobile Infantry canines, these dogs are used to sniff out concealed bug holes and to help navigate Arachnid colonies when the Pathfinders are tasked with infiltrating occupied nests.

Truly, man has never had a better friend. . .

Dubbed as Militia by SICON, the actual role of these Skinnies in their society is largely unknown. Despite lacking the armour of the Raiders, these units show an unusual degree of discipline on the battlefield and come equipped with the same lethal Constrictor Rifles that make a mockery of even the heaviest armour.

A typical raiding force will feature large numbers of Militia, allowing them to ignore casualties as they march inexorably to their objectives.

The most commonly sighted form of Skinnie fighting unit, the Raiders use power suits similar in effect to that of the Mobile Infantry's but with very different weapons. Their constrictor rifles make a mockery of armour while their nerve beams can scythe through whole squads.

Skinnie Raiders are adept at striking at valuable targets, capturing their objectives, and then fading out of sight before a determined resistance can be mounted.

Blessed with a natural ability of inspirational leadership, warchiefs liken themselves to the heroes of old during the Age of Tribes. Dressed in armour similar in style to the ancient metal plates said to be worn by these heroes, he also charges into battle astride a pecadon into battle, a reptilian riding beast that once carried tribal kings. As skilled an orator as he is a military leader, the warchief is able to make great speeches of the glories of the old days, bringing huge numbers of common Skinnies into his force and moulding them into an effective fighting force. Though archaic in his approach, the warchief is capable of stunning heroic feats on the battlefield, serving to further inspire his devoted followers.

If you are looking for a well-rounded Skinnie army that has a tough leader able to tackle most enemies in close combat, then the Warchief is for you!

Placed under the control of a senior trooper, a TAC UAV grants a squad a longer punch and better eyes.

Circling above the battlefield, this craft is capable of reconnoitring an area and then lending support when the squad moves in.

Twin Fifty autocannon and two Scatter Bombs give the TAC UAV a punch that cannot be underestimated and its ability to stay on station for hours before retiring to the rear lines to rearm and refuel enables a force to remain under its cover for whole operations.