Part 17: In Which Everyone Does A Terrible Job - Combat

Update 14 (Combat): In Which Everyone Does A Terrible Job
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Music - Briefing


Here we are, the mission required to progress into March. This one is the first real attempt at a challenge the game will give.


Our drop in point is here at Drill Ground 2. I'm not likely going to be taking this path, since it manages to be more inconvenient than the main pathway. I'll set some units there anyways.


You see, the waypoint base there connects to this upper left one, and the enemy leader is at the normal base in the bottom right. They can stuff a lot of enemies in those sharp corners.


This is the final team I decide on. I put Marion in the vehicle slot just so she starts forward a bit more. Normally, it's just like that so the tank doesn't displace everything upon spawning. Lavinia will see some use today, but not immediately.

Music: Exciting Battle




Marion's up first.


Going for the flag, she tries to attack a shocktrooper only for him to dodge out of the way. At this point in the game, enemies actually have an evasion stat, and thus can actually dodge attacks.


She dodges in return. That was a waste of CP!


Time for Avan to help out a bit.


: "May I accompany you, Avan?"

So, once a unit's storyline is complete, Avan is added to the list of units they like and they get a few new lines that acknowledge his presence.

(Yes, I did this intentionally to show this off.)


He doesn't dodge that time, and he really should've.



Avan grabs the flag and waits in the grass for an ambush.


The enemies are no longer holding back on damage output, and Marion's down half her health. I send her back to get recovered before I bring her back out.


It's time for Taxi! to show some fools that their tank ain't nothin' compared to ours. Don't bring your tanks to fight Class G- we'll only blow it up for fun.


Damn, can't wedge through to get behind it.


I take a risky shot instead.



Didn't work. Also not a great position to end your turn on.


Noel's happy to do the job she signed on for and send a rocket this dude's way.


As expected.


I send Noel back because... well, I'm dumb, I guess. She would have been fine for holding the flag. Anyways, because Marion is still more wounded than I'd prefer, I bring in Franca for I think the first time.

She was the second highest voted trooper on the list, given priority because she was first, I guess.


She promptly runs into a mine, making this whole first round a bundle of mistakes.


Either way, I need her to at least clear out the lancer.


: "Learn some respect!"

She manages that, barely.


After that, I have her delete the sniper with a grenade. Units can still dodge grenades- they'll take half damage and not be knocked back by it.


: "Think about it!"

Snipers are flimsy enough to not survive it either way.


Not a lot of progress for the first round, really, but I'll take it.


I leave Franca to guard the flag, despite her low HP. The regen bonus from the flag should help.


The enemy decides to attack Zeri and Melissa, on the map I'm mostly ignoring.


Wait, what!?


HAH


I figure the AI would've realized that lances have terrible accuracy, but I guess not.



Zeri shoots a dude.


Melissa moves up to help him with taking out this shocktrooper.


Scout and trooper isn't nearly as good a pairing as two troopers. Zeri was on his last bullet.


I'll just leave them there now. I recall Lavinia and to send her after the boss.


You people and your stupid mines! You don't even have promoted techs, you cheaters!


: "Major damage!"

Damn, that one hurt. Lavinia's also sitting on one right now as well, so she's not moving anymore. When mines click as you set them off, you can stand in place and it won't trigger them to blow. At that point, you'd usually do best to send a tech to disarm it from under their feet/treads.


These people also have two tanks. Each class only gets one you gigantic cheaters!

Ah, well, these wimpy things crumple under just one shot and they reward tons of morale. Thanks for making it easy, jerks.


Willoch, you're up. Clear this joker out for me.


Note that the radiators get progressively more red the more damaged a vehicle is. It's a neat touch.


: "Hey, I got 'em!"

Fire is also a nice touch. Class G loves its explosions, after all.


With that out of the way, I send her to confront the enemy boss.


...With a little backup, of course.


...Though I must've been a bit short a few tools in the toolbox the day I did this. I'm making mistakes everywhere. At least shooting this guy shows you how ridiculously overbuffed boss enemies are.


Yeah, so this might not end well for one of our girls.


...Unless the enemy is having as bad a day as I am. Why would you even attack another lancer with another lancer?


Wow, okay, they're really on top of it today. Thanks for picking up the slack on my terrible strategy today, folks.


She's standing right there, and he's probably going to hit her in the head with that shot at this angle-


...

How the hell are these people even rated as high as Class C? How is this dude class chair!? You just whiffed a sniper shot into the sandbags you're taking cover behind.

_{Yes, I know the AI sometimes has poor recognition of where their bullet is going.}


The enemy closed their round with from this horrible whiff by this enemy lancer. He hit the wall beside Avan and failed to even hit him with splash damage.


...The AI has really lost it here. I don't even know what it thinks it's doing anymore. Noel, please end this.



What is it with people today and dodging? Eh, whatever, I just wanted your sandbag gone, jerk.


: "I'm feelin' good, really good!"

I'll take that as well. Ammo Refill is one of the most useful potentials for lancers, given their poor ammo count. It fully refills their ammo and randomly triggers after an attack.


Basically, you can't hit this guy if he can see you. Though this looked like me being an idiot again, it actually wasn't. Even when an enemy misses, units will turn to face their assailant.



This mission's a cinch at this point, so here's a nice demonstration of how much damn armor and HP this guy has. His rifle will nearly one-shot most of your units, even if he doesn't headshot. This is the bottom of the barrel when it comes to this game and boss units.


Speaking of headshots, have I mentioned that lances can headshot personnel units?





"Win by default", you said? I think you meant "free trip to the infirmary."


Seriously though, what even was that? I played awful, they played awful- that whole thing was nearly tragic.


Still got an A, somehow.



This is also the earliest you get Certificates, the credit always required to promote to the first branch of promotions. Noel in fact already has enough to promote now, but as per request, we'll hold off on that for just a little bit.

Franca also got one, though she doesn't yet have the other credits she'll need to promote.

--
Music: Theme of Class G



Dude, you can still talk? I figured you'd be out cold after taking that to the back of the head.


: It's like I'm dreaming. We actually won!
: Woo hoo! We did it! Supreme victory!


Oh, hey, you.

: That was just a warm-up!

: You certainly took your time.


: Class A put the slackers in Class C out in three minutes yesterday. Three.

Hey, uh, if a whole turn is a minute, then we did it in slightly less than that.




: There's no chance of anyone beating us with Juliana at the helm!

: Listen carefully. Victory in war depends on an able-minded commander.

You're also a gigantic cheater, but we'll get to that when we get there.


: It's only in the hands of a master that those pawns are able to win victory.
: Pawns?! How can you talk about your squad that way?
It's an apt metaphor. I'm certain your brother felt the same about his men.
: No way! Not Leon...


: I don't recall asking for your opinion, Darcsen.
: My name is Zeri.
: And nothing more. Darcsens lost their last names because of their crimes.


I'd like to take a moment to note that we're eventually supposed to like Juliana. Think about that.

: Class G was successful today because Avan brought each of our talents out.
: I sincerely doubt you could have done the same had you been in command.
: How dare you!



We're supposed to like her. At least I presume so, judging on later events. She's prevalent in the main story, unfortunately.


: I wasn't My intention was to communicate your incompetence.
: Knowing we can't rely on you means we all have to scramble to compensate.


Kinda true, really.

*Avan rushes up to Zeri*



Ah, here's Cosette to reprise her role of stopping fights. She'd make a more interesting leader, even if she is terrible in combat.



We finally made it to a new month, folks. Spring is here! But, before we end, plot!

Music: Theme of the Rebels


Time to meet the antagonists.



Hey, my man, that mascara does not work on you. You also look like Maximillian from VC1, so we all know where this is going.



Big forehead, big brain.


You thought this couldn't get any more anime.



What's up, knockoff Dr. Eggman?


*Everyone cheers*



*Someone giving slow applause*



: Think nothing of it. The pleasure is mine to have been of service.
: I pray our partnership will continue to thrive.


: Watch your tongue, boy.
: Hmph. What perfect Gallia can be build, except by the hands of her people?
: I do not know your intent in coming here, but I bid you leave Gallia at once!
: Baldren! Stop this.


You know that conversation in the thread we were having about the rebels about a month ago? This might explain some stuff.

: Do not think our successes this far have been your doing alone!
: Rrgh...


: Not at all, good Count. I am certain he will one day lead the revolution.
: His proud bearing and fiery passion are virtues, both.
: I am greatly relieved to hear you say it.
: Now, with your leave, I'll be on my way. Until the next war council, Count.

*He exits the scene*


: Audrey! Then you see no problem with this?!
: The Federation intends to use us to pull Gallia under it's influence!
: Without them, we lack the resources to continue the fight.
: We need simply to use them more thoroughly than they use us.


: Learn from your sister's example and get used to dealing with the Feds.
: ...With your leave.

*He promptly walks off*


: His father, of course. From where I stand, you two make a fine pair.
: You are excused, my dear.


She's the Yggdist believer I mentioned when that got brought up 3 updates ago.

*She walks off*


: Dirk. Collect Baldren and come to my chambers. I have orders for you.




--

Well, that's ominous. Anyways, that's all we've got for today's showing of Gun With the Wind, we'll see y'all folks next time.

New Characters:

Gilbert Gassenarl
:"The spark of revolution would have died long ago, if not for Federation aid!"
Age: 50
Supreme commander of rebels. Head of House Gassenarl, and a bold and strong fighter.

Baldren Gassenarl
:"Father! You must not allow this Federation viper to seduce you with promises!"
Age: 26
Infantry commander and the military leader of the rebels. Eldest son of Gilbert. Proud patriot.

Audrey Gassenarl
:"...From his father, of course. From where I stand, you two make a fine pair."
Age: 25
Rebel tank commander and former army major. She is also a devout follower of Yggdism.

Dirk Gassenarl
:"Understood."
Age: ??
Commander of rebel special forces. Mother not the same as siblings. Uses special armor.

Jean Townshend
:"Ah, not at all, good Count. I am certain he will one day lead the revolution."
Age: 47
Federation emissary. Supports Archduchess in public, but has secret dealings with rebels.