So with the Montessa Knight being re-written as a biker unit, Pan O currently has one unit, the Peacemaker, that uses Mech. Deployment. They're often AVA 2, but 1 is going to be the most likely pick, IF they don't get ignored for the more useful Bulleeteer. That leaves the Zouaves, which are part of MRRF, and also usually taken 1-2. Which leaves Halqa as the only unit in the game where the restriction of deploying all within a blast template skill has any effect. Would it make sense to cut down on rules bloat to just remove the skill and give units who currently have it Forward Deployment L1 or L2?
Well they have a little more wiggle room than the size of a blast template..... but you're right, it can probably just go away. It was kind of unnecessary in the fist place.
Most of those obscure rules are relatively unique. A good example would be Van Zant's AD: Tactical Jump Level X. It's unique to him, but there is no other rule like it. Another good one would be G: MARIONETTE, which is currently on a single Nomad model, but once again is unique. It's not the obscurity, it's the lack of uniqueness, AND the obscurity.
Mech Deploy isn't a blast template anymore, its all within ZoC of one Mech Deploying model. "All your troopers who use this Special Skill must deploy inside the Zone of Control of one of them, chosen by you" I totally agree that its a pointless rule given how massive this deployment area has become, and how few models really care about it. When it was a template there was some argument for it, but now its just Forward Deployment honestly.
And now you can see how many times I've used this skill. Zero, despite having Zouves, Montessa Knights, and Peacemakers, though I've only fielded Zouves since the others aren't painted. :)
I have one unit in any of my 6 armies that uses the skill. Peacemaker bot. I'm more likely to take a bulleteer, though - so it's just usually a skill I ignore the existence of.
His little sibling the Khawarij Spitfire also has it. That said, I'd love to see Guardian and the non vampire side of protheion folded in.
Although I agree most people take bulleteer over peacemaker, I also feel its worth noting that the peacemaker has an important niche. It's important part of the strategy of some NCA lists that try to lockdown the midzone from deployment. Locust and Peacemaker combos with a couple of other things to make sure no one can make (easy) early grabs for objectives). Since the Montessa changes, its interesting to see the people complaining about losing that for MO as well given they can no longer aggravate via MechDeployed LGLs. That being said, if ithe peacemakers MD was changed to FD2, I'm not sure I'd miss that 4" very much. I'm usually losing a couple of inches (minimum) anyway to get optimal cover.
All within the Zone of Control of one of the troops, determined by the owner. Van Zant "inherited"/shared that from Ko Dali (YJ version), Marionette should be similar to Jumper LvZ (but instead of the Jumper bringing remotes as a Haris, giving his stats to the remotes inside a Fireteam). A lot of the problems come from badly redacted rules that are "hand-made" for each unit, instead of trying to make a standard from where to "drink" parts (recycling text as much as possible). Who is on the Druze too, where there are no more Mec Deployed troops XD
Experience says, you will keep getting that, now with 4" less compared to your former average extension :P On topic: I don't think rarely used rules are issue. Clunky way to write down commonly used rules is more trouble, if you ask me.
