"Dropzone Commander- transports only w/ own battlegroup?" Topic

One more question about DZC. Can transports, like the Condor for example, only be used by the vehicles from their battlegroup? One of my Condors was destroyed so I thought I would use one from another battlegroup to pick up some vehicles from another battlegroup.
The rulebook seems to say this but it is not completely clear. Sometimes the rules blur with the descriptive text.
If anyone can give a definitive answer and source on this, it would be appreciated!
Darn overcoat-wearing aliens!

Unless change ,transports are specific to each group and cannot be shared
The Hawk lads brought this up on the Beasts of War vid on You Tube
C

I agree with clifblkskull, you can only dance with the transport that brought you.

We ended up house ruling that one, as it seemed really odd that a different squads transport would not pick up some comrades in need.

I have to agree GM … based on my experience as a Rifle Plt Ldr and later a Mech Cdr … Like in GW Epic SM2, the APCs had to stay within something like 6cm of the dismounted infantry … That's not the way it works in RL. In SM1, dismounted Infantry and APCs, became separate units. I've left my APCs behind and/or in a support-by-fire covered position. Usually each track had the Driver and Track Cdr(TC) stay with the PCs. The XO, 1SG, etc. would be the overall PC OIC. Especially when moving in closed terrain like thick woods … And with radios on every track, the dismounted element could call the tracks forward or to move to another location, etc. … Like in Germany or the ROK, we'd move dismounted thru woods or othe cover to the vicinity of another vill/location. And meet up with our tracks there. Now that being said, I don't know how that will impact the other rules in DZC. But IMO, once a unit dismounts, it and it's PCs should be become two separate units. Until they link up and mount up again. So sending PCs to pick up other dismounts, it is not really out of the question. In the 101, we mounted up on PCs of a Armored CAV unit. Or in the ROK, we had a USMC Co. attached to our Mech Bn. They road on the back decks of the attached Armor Co. … and I could site other examples as well. My 2 cents … but always do what works for you and your gaming crew …

Legion4, DzC transports are separate units from their cargo, and have no requirement to stay near them.

Not being able to casually carry other units seems broadly realistic to me. A dropship that still has active troops on the ground needs to stay ready to respond to their calls, not play taxi for another unit that's lost its ride. A dropship that has had its original cargo killed off to a man should be getting the heck off the table (perhaps with a load of injured men), not shoving itself in harm's way in an attempt to salvage a situation that's already gone bad.

A more reasonable rule would be for transports who no longer have troops on the field to withdraw, with perhaps a rule for them to be re-organized off-table by a forward air controller and sent back in later to evac other troops that have lost their rides.

I did not know that the transports are separate units … I don't have the rules … But yes, I see your point Chief. True, the transports should be a available to transport it's organic troops. In the 101, the UH-1Hs and UH-60s were not organic to the Infantry Bn. But a Separate Lift Ship Bn. Once they dropped us off, they may or may not be available again. Of course, later I was also a Bn Air Ops Officer in the 101 and did all the coordinations for birds coming and going. As opposed to the M113 APCs of my Mech Co., they were organic and belonged to the Company. But again, sometimes troops that were not organic to the Company would hitch a ride … So I guess it is easiest to play DZC by the written rules … hence, as I said, always do what works for you …

I appreciate everyone's comments, especially those from real life. I haven't been able to join the Hawk forum yet but when I do, I will ask for a page number reference.