Can someone clarify how recon works, specifically the part that says "A Recon move takes the place of one of your deployments..."? Does it mean that if one squad uses Recon, another squad must start the game in reserve since the Recon rule says "takes the place of" rather than "is in addition to" (or something along those lines)? Or does using Recon basically give you a "bonus" deployment? For example, place a squad then use its recon move (rather than deploying a second squad), then your opponent deploys 2 squads. If it gives you "bonus" deployments, is there anything to stop you from making Recon a Faction trait so all your squads get free deployment moves?
Thanks
Recon allows you to move as a deployment. It does not put another squad in reserve. Essentially you get two deployments and then its your opponents turn to deploy, he/she takes two and then its back to you. One of these two deployments is used to move a Recon squad instead of deploying. Both players deploy until they are done with deploying squads and any recon/infiltration. This does nothing to other squads. its a bonus deployment, that helps you in a couple clever manners when using it.
Taking a up a deployment on your first squad.... deploying and then doing a recon move (takes up both your deployments) can make the opponent put more squads on the ground so you can see what they are doing.
Allows you to move forward into the Area of Conflict to report on enemy squads to get a jump on going first.
There is no reason why you cannot take Recon as a Faction Trait. The only times a trait cannot be taken as a Faction Trait is if it says its a "Class Trait Only".
Playtesting there were many times an army took Recon as a Faction Trait, and then had infiltrator and Sentry classes to attempt to control the game during deployment often with snipers and other ambush type squads. Essentially a game of cat and mouse before the game even starts to gain the upper hand once the Game Rounds begin.
Both Humanoids and Biests do deployment games very well, and opponents will learn quickly the value of Sentry abilities and powers to try and take out Recon and Infiltrators right away.