This is to discuss some of the new troop. How they do themselves and how they work with older. I found out yesterday that Kyra Sharma and Johnny Kao are amazing! Though I should say neither of us were using Aleph, but I think it still applies. I used Kyra in O12 and my opponent was using Kao in White Banner. We played the mission, The Dig. Kyra did both of my secret objectives and well as getting two hyperthermal tech to consoles. She is do damn fast! Something I wish I used was her WildParrots. I had the opportunity but totally forgot about them. The Kao was used against me. Damn that plasma carbine with an X-visor is rough! He got one of the cards for my opponent and killed a few things too. Other things I’ve played against is the Kinnara infiltrator which killed my MI spec op a few games ago. Another good all-rounder. Due to good weapons, movement, specialist, and CC. Infiltration with 6-2 move is awesome right now with the missions we have.
The Optimate Claire Lazhari has been nice for slot Compression in Haqqislam. She is Haqqislam level doctor with a discoball and an OK turn three shooter.
I think the optimates are just great and it makes me laugh that somebody would like to nerf VHs when there are already substitutes to the role and then some. In the interplanetario final match Axel effectively used Kyra like a VH being a jet pack infantry. In addition being an infantry model and a specialist (in fact all of them are) Kyra is particularly fast at pressing buttons with WIP14 and SuperJump +3". I think in OSS they are a great addition and one of the reason why OSS sits at 170 matches played, above NW at 150. Claire is a Doctor that can get to WIP17. Johnny is an exceptional Engineer (Gizmokit +1B, WIP 14 and reroll) plus he's a threat to deal with Plasma Carbine (or MULTI rifle) and mono mines. They cost like a Tarkshia (on average, Kyra is a tad more expensive and Claire is a tad less) and one can put them in cover, press buttons, shoot things and do other things that are necessary
I just remembered that the one time I did play Aleph, I used a Yakshas SO with mine dispenser. It was fantastic to use Forward Deploy +8”, one order to move up 6” and then put a bunch of shock mines into the opponent’s half of the table, if not into their DZ. Then also hitting on 13. I’ve thought of trying the madtrap version but it’s not a specialist and I prefer the BSG. Has anyone used a Shavara yet? They seem too expensive for throwing at the enemy like a Taiga or similar. But their CC and movement skills are fantastic. Move 6-6 with super jump and Forward Deploy +4” seems scary as hell though. If used right, they can go after cheer leaders. Even CC specialsits are going to need to be wary of them since they have NBW with CC -6. In OSS they can be in fireteams but I feel that might hold them back too much. Unless you get used to move them up and then just let them go. But it’s hard to give up that they count as Dikpala, Yadu, and Samarathan. I’d love to try an assault team of 2 Shavara and a Dawon.