Ariadna Camouflage Guide - Part 3: Americans

Part 3 of the Camo Guide series is short and sweet, the Americans (USA Ranger Force) only have two camouflage options, but both are cheap and very effective for what they can do.

Note from Peter: This series of articles have been written by Kyle from the Pride of Rodina, I am only adding small commentary from my perspective and of sectorials.

Part 1: Kazaks

Part 2: Scots

Part 3: Americans

Part 4: French

Foxtrot Rangers (Skirmisher)

Strengths

• Dirt cheap
• Variety in loadouts
• Did I say dirt cheap already?

Weaknesses

• Same problems as Chasseur
• Lieutenant option costs 2 SWC 

I know I’ve been saying this a lot, but if you’ve got two points to splurge, then take Chasseurs instead of Foxtrots. If you plan on taking the Light Grenade Launcher or Shotgun profile, then that’s fine. Take the Foxtrot (since Chasseurs don’t have that option), but if you take the regular rifle or Forward Observer (FO) options, try to find the room for the Chasseurs, You won’t regret it, I promise.

These troops are pretty much just Chasseurs, but with different loadouts and slimmed down to have absolutely no bells and whistles. You’re paying the points to have a cheap, camo infiltrator, and nothing else. You need some cheap midfield roadblocks or camo? Call in the Foxtrots!

Rifle (17pts, 0 SWC): Again, not really worth it when you can take a Foxtrot FO or even the Chasseur rifle loadout instead.

Boarding Shotgun (19pts, 0 SWC): Alright, now you’re talking! You get to deploy a boarding shotgun almost right in range for that sweet, sweet +6. BS This loadout, obviously, has camo too, so you can easily stack the modifiers in your favor with a +6 for you and at least a -6 for your opponent. It also excels for hunting down armor or spraying things with the template. It’s solely an aggressive piece though, and works best if you wait until the enemy comes to you.

Light Grenade Launcher (20pts, 1 SWC): The LGL already has a pretty short range to it, so infiltrating is the best way to get the most out of it. Deploy this troop on top of a building hiding somewhere, or behind a building, and rain down templates on your opponent! It’s really kind of rude, but funny. It also still comes with a rifle, so it can do some Suppressive Fire, when the time arises.

Sniper Rifle (24pts, 0.5 SWC): If you aren’t a fan of the Cateran, thanks to it being Irregular or only having Limited Camo, but still want a lethal sniper, the Foxtrot sniper if your partner in crime, partner. It can efficiently stack mods against any enemy model and watch them squirm from being shot at, by something they can’t shoot back. It’s also cheap enough, that this loadout makes for some excellent ARO opportunities, but still better as an aggressive piece.

Forward Observer (18pts, 0 SWC): Definitely worth it over the Rifle version, but is it worth it instead of the Chasseur FO? That’s something I’ll let you ponder. Anyway, this loadout is your go-to for a cheap and effective specialist. They can objectives, perform Classified Objectives, and secure any too, thanks to mines and their Rifle.

Lieutenant (17pts, 2 SWC): 2 SWC is a very large pill to swallow, just to have a camo Lt. If you really want, you can take the Scout or Tankhunter Lt instead, but they both cost more points, but they’re cheaper SWC wise (and arguably better). If you’ve got the SWC to spare, but not the points, and want a camo’ed Lt, this American is the right one for you.

Note from Peter: The Foxtrots are much more valuable in USARF sectorial, I think they compliment well the otherwise slow and heavy armoured army. These guys are the very basic Camo Infiltrators, fast, cheap and come with Antipersonnel Mines so they can help you set up defenses. In vanilla they definitely are overshadowed by the French Infiltrators, but as Kyle mentioned the Foxtrot Sniper is a very good Sniper option (6pts cheaper than SAS Sniper). Same as with the SAS, the Lt option is good for really confusing your opponent about where your Lt is. 

Hardcases (Skirmisher)

Strengths

• Ambush Camo
• Cheap as chips
• Tactical bow, for a source of anti-material

Weaknesses

• Irregular
• Extremely weak

If you’re a fan of cowboys and camo shenanigans, the Hardcase is the man for you. He is your typical Ariadna Infiltrator, but he’s Irregular (so it’s pretty obvious once you move him which one is him and easy to predict the decoy) and comes with decoys, thanks to Ambush Camo.

The big advantage of this cheap is being to have some cheap, infiltrating camo to help mask your other Infiltrators and to mess with your opponent. They also excel at harassing your opponent and being a general nuisance. Since they are so cheap and Irregular, you don’t really have to worry about sacrificing them, so they great for those occasional last ditch efforts. They also make for alright assassins, thanks to the bow and camo.

Rifle (14pts, 0 SWC): This loadout is superb for holding objectives and keeping your opponent off of them. Cheap, camo, Suppression Fire turret is nothing to scoff at!

Light Shotgun (12pts, 0 SWC): The perfect midfield harasser: expendable, cheap, and deadly. The light shotgun allows the Hardcase to tackle a majority of light and medium targets, while still tackling groups.

Note from Peter: I think these guys are amazing, one of the best units in Ariadna in terms of value for points. For measly 12pts (almost as cheap as your Line Troops), you get two Camo markers and a Light Shotgun to deploy up to half the board (or further if you want to risk it). They are brilliant at punishing your opponent for deploying or leaving units in groups. Yeah, its fair enough your opponent will know what it is once you spend the Irregular Order but I think that just means they know their doom is coming!  In vanilla you might have better options to do this kind of damage to your opponent, but in USARF I'd always recommend them to take them.The Bow can also make for a good ARO weapon thanks to Double Action ammo.