[KemVar] Leader 2.0

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[KemVar] Assassin 2.0

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[KemVar] Shock Trooper 2.0

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[KemVar] Monkeywrench 2.0

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[KemVar] Spy 2.0

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[KemVar] Booster 2.0

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[KemVar] Engineer 2.0

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[KemVar] Heavy Assault 2.0

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[KemVar] Sniper 2.0

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[KemVar] Demo 2.0

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Photo Update 2

So that's all my Keizai Waza photos updated, now onto updating my KemVar photos!
Yeah... using the MERCS Recon: Assassination Protocol box as a backdrop for miniature photography was a bad idea!

I'm still working through basing my GCC, so hopefully I'll be able to snap some photos of the completed faction this weekend - stay tuned!
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[KemVar] Complete!

My first completed squad for MERCS 2.0 - KemVar! Here's a quick-and-dirty group shot of the KemVar set up on my easily accessible Corvus Belli Navajo Outpost Scenery Pack.
These models were really fun to paint, and I'm keen to see how they fare on the table in MERCS 2.0!

For my KemVar page check out my [KemVar] page under the MERCS 2.0 section of my blog, or for all KemVar related posts, follow the KemVar tag here.

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[KemVar] Demo

And this rounds off my first completed MERCS 2.0 faction - KemVar! The Demo is another great model that made it to MERCS 2.0 from the first edition, and like the Booster, has a healthy mane of hair exposed to make him stand out from the rest of the faction.

This week I've started work on my remaining Keizai Waza models, which I'll photograph over the weekend and post up next week - stay tuned!

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[KemVar] Booster

It's been 3 months since I've managed to paint any MERCS models, so here is the KemVar Booster to end the drought!

Pretty standard pose, but the exposed mane of hair makes him stand out from the rest of the KemVar faction.

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Assassination Protocol Reinforcements - Assembled Part 2

Continuing with assembly of my All Your MERCS Are Belong To Us, here are the final models from the factions in the MERCS: Recon Assassination Protocol box - KemVar and Keizai Waza!

So far the quality on these models is noticeably better than what I experienced with previous shipments, which has been a nice surprise!

Booster / Demo

Spotter / Forward Observer

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Overpowered Active Camo

Active Camouflage - KemVar is always considered to be at one higher tier of cover than their position as long as their armour hasn't failed.

What does that mean in practice? If a KemVar model is in

• the open, with No Cover, any shot against them counts as Weak Cover (+1FN)
• Weak Cover, any shot against them counts as Strong Cover (+3FN)
• Strong Cover, well, you technically can't draw LOS to them to take a shot anyway

That means that a KemVar model that has elevation and cover would have a +4FN modifier to any shots fired on them. When the general FN of models is FN6, you'd already be at FN10 to make your shot!
At a glance this seems like a very overpowered Corporate Trait, but here are some pointers to ensure fun and balanced MERCS games. Note that while this was written with KemVar in mind, it does apply across all factions.

MERCS Appropriate Terrain

Firstly, ensure you are playing on MERCS appropriate terrain.
Specifically, ensure terrain elements that offer optimum firing positions (that is, both elevation and weak cover) are limited and are located mid-field.
This ensures that both teams have an equal opportunity to secure these positions, and the most valuable firing positions on the field are rare and have to be fought for.
As an extreme example, if you put all the buildings that provided elevated cover in the KemVar deployment zone, then the KemVar would have very little motivation to give up their prime firing positions to expose themselves - they would just sit there and shoot down the opposition that came towards them.

A good example of MERCS appropriate terrain from the rulebook

Missions/Scenarios/Objectives

Similar to the extreme example above, if there are no in-game objectives or missions to accomplish, once a KemVar model has secured an optimum firing position, there is very little incentive for them to move from it and expose themselves.
This is where good missions and scenarios significantly improve games - by helping to ensure units are forced into action, as well as adding an element of narrative to the game.

Squad Selection - Template Weapons and Armour Failure

It should be noted that Active Camo only affects weapons with an FN - so things like grenades thrown at the ground, that auto-hit anything within their template, are not affected.
Furthermore, note that the Active Camo ability does not work once a KemVar unit's armour has failed - some units have abilities focused on causing armour to fail, which is invaluable against Active Camo.
This battle report (specifically Game 2) shows how it's done. After the KemVar stole Game 1 by surprising the CCC with their speed, the CCC then played defensively and brought their template weapons to bear. The template weapons destroyed the KemVar - the Incinerator's flame thrower, the Demo's Frag Grenades and the Leader's Emp Grenades made short work of the KemVar.

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[KemVar] Spy

A great addition to the KemVar line up for MERCS 2.0, the Spy has a colourful and dynamic pose, while maintaining the KemVar aesthetic we all know and love.

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[KemVar] Monkeywrench

A very dynamic running pose, this classic sculpt is welcomed back to the KemVar as part of MERCS 2.0!

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[KemVar] Sniper

I was so happy to have this model in plastic, as opposed to metal, because the hair on the old metal model was delicate and tricky to work with - but in plastic it was an absolute breeze!

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[KemVar] Reinforcements Painted!

Wrench, Spy, Sniper

Next off the line for my MERCS Recon Kickstarter Wave 2 shipment are the KemVar! Three more great additions to the faction, with great dynamic poses that align very nicely with the KemVar aesthetic.

Stay tuned - individual model photos this week!

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