So, with the Swiss Guard and Eagle Guard (I know they're not, but whatever) being NCA staples. And the Assault Guard being SAA. Do we have any ideas if Varuna will feature their own "... Guard" HI? While "Coast Guard" are IMO a little too tongue-in-cheek (with apologies to the fine men and women of the various services around the world) even for CB. Life Guards are a possibility, there being current British and Swedish cavalry regiments with that name as well as historical Prussian regiments and we know the EU (eventually) joined PanO. Any other ideas?
BS15 HI stat line is a given. What’s their unique tech? We’ve already got the best in visual mods, the best in visual mod denial, and the best in Sophie’s Choice AROs. AD? Could be interesting. Cyberwarfare? A possibility, however remote. Close Combat? Again a remote possibility. Super specialist? Maaaaybe. AD HI would be awesome, and such a huge middle finger to Yu Jing. I’m all for it, even just for that.
What we would have to know is a) what will be Varuna's playstyle and b) how the possible new HI will tie into it. SG and Aquila fit NCAs theme of direct application of firepower. GdA and Montesa are posterboys for SAAs mobility and toolbox style. Varuna is a mystery; for now we're seeing very basic, straightforward units - ORCs, Cutter, Kamau, Croc Men, probably Fusiliers. No MIs yet (actually I won't be surprised if there won't be Varuna MI), no AD, no support/toolbox units. My money are on AD HI as well, light (ARM/BTS 3), no visual mods, but hard hitting (BS 15, some offensive skill). Most likely without DTW, as it'd be too strong a combination. But shotguns, Multi Rifle, Spitfire or Mk12, maybe Breaker weapons are a possibility. My wishlist: Tawhiri (after Maori god of winds and storms), Varuna Tactical Domination Unit CC 15 | BS 15 | PH 13 | WIP 13 | ARM 3 | BTS 3 | W 2 | S 2 | AVA 1(3) AD: Superior Combat Jump, Fatality L1, Multiterrain All loadouts: Breaker Pistol, Stun Pistol, Knife Multi Rifle Boarding Shotgun Combi Rifle, D-Charges (FO) Red Fury, Nimbus Grenades
Since Varuna is Aquatic and hopefully Oceania themed I’d assume we’d s e something recalling Australian units or else something related to water or Defence (as opposed to Aquila or Assault). As for Stats: BS15 CC17 PH 14 WIP13 ARM 5 BTS6 W2 S2 AVA 1 (2) Cube Regular HI HeadQuarters Troops Would be mostly in line with what we’ve seen so far from PanO. Barring a new SWC weapon being introduced I’d assume a Spitfire/Multirifle as HMGs are covered by Kamau, Cutter, and ORC. Possibly a blitzen or stun weapon to make it more unique/add some cost. Maybe we’ll see a PanO unit with Full Auto L2? It’d set it apart from the other Guard units, Knights, and Tags. Not super likely but it’s not a no go like plasma as of yet.
Another possibility is getting a first PanO S5 HI. While we can make S2 armors with S5 stats, increased bulk could account for some unique equipment. Like AD, Remote Presence, etc. My long time wish is getting the Hulkbuster: CC 17 | BS 15 | PH 15 | WIP 13 | ARM 5 | BTS 6 | W 2 | S 5 G:Remote Presence, Autorepair, V:NWI 2x SMG+Pulzar
Frankly, in a faction with existing elite HI that imposes negative mods on attackers (Swiss) FA2 is less unique and distinctive than it was in Nomads.
While yes it is less unique when you put it next to a Swiss or a Cutter, it would bring a higher burst and make it not care about MSV. TBH I was more trying to think of a unique unit that could exist in PanO’s current design space and really there was not much. We have excellent units in the Guards already and our restrictions on skills and weaponry leave us without much space for another unit that’s not going to step on the toes of an existing unit. However, we could always get an MSV 2 Sniper Minetism Guard Unit.
How about going the other way? not having BS15 but gaining their weight in other ways For what we know now there are 3 staples in Varuna, Kamau (kind of MI with good movility and visual mod), Cutter (TO) and Crocman (TO+infiltration). So there is a theme here of fast and negative visual mods. Sky Guard rapid response detachment CC 15 | BS 14 | PH 13 | WIP 13 | ARM 4 | BTS 3 | W 2 | S 2 | AVA 1(2) AD: Combat Jump, Full Auto L2, CH: mimetism All profiles with Pistol, Knife and D-charges -Multi Rifle FO/Paramedic or AHD (for SWC tax) -Spitfire
With regards to the combat niche, my thoughts err towards either Albedo or ODD (or both!), missing from HI but on other PanO units, with a relatively low ARM/BTS score to make up for it (why armour something that's not supposed to be seen). A deployment skill would be nice, but I'd trade it in for 6-2 MOV and multiterrain. As for weapons, it seems we're unlikely to see anything outside of the HMG/BSG/MR/CR set, but I'd love to see a Feuerbach with Full Auto 1 or 2. (as an aside, if the named ORC character ends up being an engineer, I'll be really, really happy)
Liking some of the ideas in here. MOV4-4 CC15 BS15 PH14 WIP13 ARM3 BTS3 S2 AVA1(2 in Varuna) AD:Superior Combat Jump, Multiterrain, CH:Mimetism Multi Rifle, Pistol, Knife, D-Charges Spitfire, Pistol, Knife, D-Charges Sensor, Combi Rifle+LFT, Pistol, Knife, D-Charges FO, Nimbus Grenades, Multi Rifle, Pistol, Knife, D-Charges The sensor profile I think is an interesting solution to midfield camo. Varuna (so far) really doesn’t have anything to venture into the minefield of camo infiltrators and mines and template weapons in the midfield. Only one choice of MSV so far, few to no DTWs, and no spammable camo make it a case of “guess my list is going to start with a pathfinder and 2 Fugazi again”. There should be some variation in how the profiles for this guy are used - 2 solid midfield gun fighters, a good specialist choice with some costly weight to make it a serious choice, and a very expensive but very deadly camo hunter.
Rumors fro Rumble last year indicated Helots, Echo Bravos (new 1-Wound infantry type), new AD, an ORC character, and new ORC profiles as the pieces currently missing from the Varuna puzzle. Things could have changed since then, allowing for something new like a Guard Unit. It would be interesting if Varuna had no "high end" HI... If ORCS are the best they get, with the next step up being the Cutter. It would put the focus a lot on smart fundamental use of skilled but straightforward troop types. If rumors are true though, I do think the new AD unit might fit the bill.
It would be very funny if we'll end up with some "guard" in the form of something like ARM 4 or so AD TAG. Oh damn, that would be one hell of a gimmicky list every damn time.
You have no idea how long I’ve waited for someone to get that reference. Every time I make that joke during a game my opponent will just look at me with a confused face.
