Editing Star (Formation)

[[Image:ClanStar.jpg|thumb|right|Map Designation of a Clan Star]]

==Description==
A '''Star''' is the basic building block of [[Clan]] military forces.  It consists of five [[Point (Clan)|Points]] working together to provide the most firepower in a unit with the smallest logistical footprint.<ref name=FMWC1112>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', pp. 11–12</ref><ref name=FMCC910>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', pp. 9–10</ref>  A Star is commanded by a [[Star Commander]].

===BattleMech Stars===
This formation consists of five [[OmniMechs]] or, in the case of garrison and some second-line units, five standard [[BattleMechs]].  At the Star level, 'Mechs are organized together based on capabilities; grouping together 'Mechs of wildly varying weights, speeds, and offensive proficiencies is generally seen as an invitation for the enemy to divide them in the field.<ref name=FMWC10>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 10</ref><ref name=FMCC8>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 8</ref>  However while Stars are defined by the weight composition of their Points in a way similar to 'Mech ratings - light, medium, heavy and assault - each type need not contain only 'Mechs of that weight rating.  The following table shows the various compositions that are typically used. It is unusual for a Star to contain all four 'Mech weight ratings, and so it is omitted here.<ref>''Total Warfare'', p. 265</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Star Weight Composition
|-
!Light Star!!Medium Star!!Heavy Star!!Assault Star
|-
|5 light||1 light, 4 medium||2 medium, 3 heavy||1 medium, 2 heavy, 2 assault
|-
|4 light, 1 medium||5 medium||1 medium, 4 heavy||4 heavy, 1 assault
|-
|3 light, 2 medium||4 medium, 1 heavy||5 heavy||3 heavy, 2 assault
|-
|2 light, 2 medium, 1 heavy||3 medium, 2 heavy||1 medium, 3 heavy, 1 assault||2 heavy, 3 assault
|}

===Aerospace Stars===
Clan [[OmniFighter]] Stars consist of ten fighters and differ from 'Mech Stars in that mixed designs and weight classes are common.  Medium-weight fighters dominate among the Clans' ''[[touman]]s'' along with lower-end heavyweight designs, although not to the exclusion of other weight types.  Clan Naval Stars will contain five or six vessels, either [[WarShip]]s, [[JumpShip]]s or [[DropShip]]s, often with an additional command vessel<ref name=FMWC10/><ref name=FMCC8/>

===Armor Stars===
Armor Stars consist of ten vehicles, but due to the Clans' prejudice against [[combat vehicle|conventional armor]] these formations are commonly found in ''[[solahma]]'' or, more rarely, garrison units.  Light and heavy-weight types are preferred, while medium-weight vehicles are particularly rare.<ref name=FMWC11>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 11</ref><ref name=FMCC9>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 9</ref>

===Infantry Stars===
Clan Infantry Stars can consist of either [[Elementals]] or conventional [[infantry]].  Elemental Stars consist of 25 Elementals and play a far more prominent role in Clan warfare than conventional infantry thanks to their [[battle armor]].  Conventional infantry Stars consist of 125 soldiers, but are largely ''solahma'' or [[freeborn]] units and rarely incorporated into the standard Clan order of battle.<ref name=FMWC11/><ref name=FMCC9/>

===Mixed Stars===
In general, Stars which mix different unit types see their overall combat effectiveness severely weakened.  One of the few exceptions to this rule is the strategic command Star, a formation first pioneered by [[Clan Wolf]], but presumably based on the Star League's [[Air Lance]] formation.  It combines four Points of either OmniMechs or Elementals with an aerospace Point for reconnaissance and escort duty.  The success of this formation has caused other Clans to adopt it, albeit in more limited numbers.<ref name=FMWC1112/><ref name=FMCC910/>

[[Clan Snow Raven]] also maintained a specialist Star formation known as an '''R-Team'''.  Composed of two 'Mech Points, two Elemental Points, and a team of combat-trained technicians, its primary purpose is the recovery of battlefield salvage, or ''[[isorla]]'', while under enemy fire.  Generally the technicians will call in special recovery vehicles to transport the matériel once it has been secured, although the R-Team's 'Mechs are equipped with hands and nets to manhandle the equipment back to friendly lines if necessary.<ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 123</ref>

[[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] and its successors, [[Escorpión Imperio]] and the [[Scorpion Empire]], utilize a '''Composite Star''' or '''Stinger Star''', consisting of two 'Mechs, two battlearmor points, and an aerospace fighter point. This star acts as a stable command and battle element capable of delivering a coup de grace to engaged forces.<ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 108</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]''
* ''[[Total Warfare]]''


[[Category:Clan Terms]]
[[Category:Military Formations]]