If NCO works how IJW has described (the using Lt orders on it counts as regular orders so doesn't break links) - an Asura Hacker Lt2 with NCO Yadu and Haris Yadu would be solid
This could easily end up being a staple of mine... along with a dakini link and depending on SWC elsewhere - using shakti instead of haris yadu
I've found the more I play in Army, the fewer SWC I end up spending, but boy does the 300 point limit hit hard. Mk.12 backed with a HMG and a Lt.2 + MR for ~160 points, then either a couple of SWC spent on Posthumans, or a couple spent on Dakini and Naga/Dasyu, 4.5 seems to be about it.
I'd kill to be able to link Deva, Asura and Yadu all together right now. Sensore Haris Deva would fill out the LT2 and NCO link nicely
I'd like Deva NCO option, and Rudras in Deva Harris instead of Yadu one. But CB knows just how much Yadu is meh*, so they have to make it up by requiring them for more interesting links. Note: When I say Yadu is meh, I mean it's price is prohibitive for what it provides. That doesn't mean they are overpriced, or that they can't do stuff. Problem is they do lot of things a bit and nothing particularly well - and not in a good way. I mean, for literally a few points more you get Shakti who can shoot with decent gun, do specialist stuff, kill Hackers and just generally be a standout unit.
Yadu's are basically HI that cost a bit less than HI of mostly equivalent stats and aren't hackable, which makes them pretty awesome IMO. And they have loads of loadouts, weapon options and flexibility, which I love. Lots to do there! Shakti is really good though, no lie. I'm not sure why you'd take a Yadu Haris option. Well actually no, it has Drop Bears and with limited Haris role slots that's pretty good. And costs less.
I kinda wish they went with a "Everything links with almost everything" kinda theme, so that you could build some sort of ad-hoc specialized mixed teams, with Shukra, Sophotect and Danavas should have been fireteam fillers as well. I think that would fit the "special operations" theme of the sectorial well (and kinda be like a GITS Section 9 on steroids) That would probably be broken though, i think?
Oh right i had forgot the artichokes, but hey, hypothetically at least that would not be like Enomotarchos or triads everywhere, just a core, a haris and duos. But yeah, that's a good point!
It's not only the number of Wildcard troopers, but the array of options they provide. Both sectorials are extremely flexible. Dakini links can include Devas, CSU and Samekh. Yadu Haris can include Asura, Deva, Samekh and Rudra. Shakti is near perfection. Deva/CSU Duo is deceptively simple, but there's lot of utility there. Asuras can drag cheaper Devas - or Yadus - and Samekh behind. You can mix and match these units to provide the exact balance of firepower and Specialists you need.
There is critical lack of some options, and even options we have are quite restrictive: Dakini only in core links CSU either Core or Duo Rudras requires "Yadu" link Shakti requires "Yadu" link there are only 3 ARO-class weaponry: MULTI Sniper Dakini, Missile Launcher Samekh, Heavy Rocket Launcher Yadu notably, you may only mix 2 of these in a single link this means most links are quite shortranged only Wildcard is Samekh AVA 1 fixed at one extreme long range loadout Deva and Yadu mix only in restrictive 2+1 combination Asura can get into Harris with either Deva or Yadu So no, OS feels more like Fireteams from a few year ago, when they were just starting with mixed Fireteams. Would Rudra be so powerful if able to join any link, not just Yadu? Or at least Deva links? What we do get good is useful Harris options. Asura Spitfire Harris and Shakti especially.
I disagree almost entirely. Dakini and CSU limits are par for the course, first is the "basic infantry" for the sectorial, second is a merc. Rudras might require Yadus, but Yadu Haris is very flexible. It can contain Deva or Asura, Shakti, Rudra, Samekh. This is a very flexible pool of options. I disagree about 2+1 being restrictive, when both parts of the link can include such a wide array of tools. Lack of ARO weaponry is noted; this looks like the built-in weakness of the sectorial. I'd however include K1MR (especially with Assisted Fire) as a good ARO option. We also have a few other, unlinked troops that can pull ARO duty.
And why don't you include all our MULTI rifle in ARO weaponry ? Linked DA is not enough ? Plus all our FO/flashpulse options, which are numerous and with very good WIP ? Plus all our PITA-grade suppressive fire options ? (ie: nagas, dasyus, solo dakinis ...) And the Zayin ? And Mk.4 posthuman ? Don't you think you are excluding many of our options then saying "we lack options" ?
And still the composition for the SPECIAL fireteam is exactly 2 Yadus + Asura, and nowhere does it say "Rudra counts as Yadu" so i think this needs at least a clarification