Seems that everyone lost faith that Bolts will get anything ;P The change I would love to see (after mentioned Bolts) is some more diversity for Auxilia's Auxbots! Hopefully those changes will be bettar than what have come to MO in 3O.
I have a feeling they will get mixed link similiar to Varuna and ASA - base fusilier link + some MI (Bolt or BF) + Orc or Aquila.
Yes, thats seems like most probable outcome ;( Although Haris of Aquila and Bolts might make some sense....
I was still holding out for the nonsense on the Aquila's shoulderpad actually turning out to be something. Shame it wasn't. Also, if they'd wanted to fix Bolts? They would have done it ages ago. That's why nobody has faith in that happening.
I am but I have lost hope in this forum as some here prefer salt and stomping FtF units above any utility belt like Veteran L1 and Bioimmunity are (which I find funny when I read all the yelling about E/M LGL being OP). Well, I'm hoping to see Bolts getting at least the cost of DB updated and a Haris profile and Wildcard. Mxing ORC long range firepower and and close range brutality and resilience of Bolts would be wonderful. Being able to call it a Fusilier FT to put Bipandra in would be something super nice too. Clipper or Pathfinder wildcard, Squalo Duo and in my wet dreams Aquila getting a Haris profile or being able to link in a ORC or Bolt Haris. If Aquila get a Haris profile, I would love to see a MULTI MMR in it. Maybe there will be a TA profile on Bolts or Aquila but I wouldn't bet on this. A new Locust or Hexa profile too? Not all of those together I think but some of them. I know our usual salty guests will say that Bolts suck if the unit isn't redone entirely but I think this comes more from your meta and you rather than from Bolts. I agree with you that if the Combi+LSG profiles are cheaper, this would help the unit a lot too but the unit as it is right now is nowhere garbage with all the units in the game now that don't want to make BS FtF to begin with. Jammers, LGL E/M, Mines, E/Maulers, E/Marat, Zappers, Hacking are all what NCA has poor tools against except Bolts. Yes, you can throw Auxbots in but I think my opponents are glad to isolate a Auxbot rather than seeing a Bolt coming and being able to do nothing.
I still like to see the Aquila Guard get some type of inspiring leadership or advanced command type of skill.
Nah it's just that camo is cheaper/better defence against that than a veteran ;) Updating cost of DB as you mentioned might be actually enough tto make them much more appealing :) Another great move would be just to recost Combi+LSG (and Combi+Assault Pistols......). That might be just enough for Bolts to be actually vialable alternative. What about ORCs+Bolts mixed links ?
Camo is absolutely useless for protecting against anything when your troopers are in a Fireteam... ORCs and Bolts don't seem like a good fit, the ORC doesn't have FD1 and their heavy weapons are at odds with the Bolts' preference for CQB. Maybe the Multi rifle or BSG as a way to facetank a Mine or CK, but the Bolts have a better chance of saving against mines thanks to BTS 6 + Bioimmunity plus you're adding in a weakness against AHDs/Cybermines/Jammer etc
Bolts would instantly get better with 1) better linkability options, so we could field a Haris (especially mixed Haris) of them, instead of full core, and 2) fixing some cost problems, namely shotgun tax and Drop Bears premium. ORCs would be a better fit for Fusilier Core, while Bolts could mix well with BF and Aquila (and Deva, but that's pure wishlisting).
I think it would be cool to see Counterintelligence on Hexas. They are our main info war units, fluff-wise.
I have mixed feelings about Bolts and ORCs linking together. The thing that makes ORCs palatable in VIRD and Acon is that they link with 10-point troopers, not minimum 19-point ones. Those 10-point troopers are also 4-4 MOV, so they can keep pace with the ORC if it needs to relocate or advance. ORCs and Bolts together would be expensive. But if you had Wildcard Bolts, with ORCs able to join Fusiliers... That would be interesting. Other thoughts: Aquila HMG LT Aquila LT choice made more appealing. Bring back Forward Observer for Auxilia Auxbots (wishful thinking I know, but this was amazing.) Emily (hey, she worked for the Hexahedron once upon a time.) Locust revision. This one's trickier. The Zulu Cobra very much feels like the unit the Locust could have been. I'd gladly trade away that ODD for limited camouflage, Mimetism and a point decrease. I don't know that we'll see any kind of radical changes though.
I think Aquila Guard should have Lt. L2, which I find fitting if you consider their fluff. I think CB did a good job on making Zuyongs viable by giving them TA, I could see them getting the same for Bolts, which would also fit their fluff.
What I fully expect form the changes: – No points costs are adjusted. – Bolts get that haris everyone wants, but it still doesn't really fix anything. – Orcs and bolts can now join a Fusilier team in a similar fashion to Varuna and Acon. – Clipper gets wildcard – Aquila can join any duo or Haris in the sectorial – no new profiles
I like your suggestions. Realistically, I expect some linkability, with zero changes to point cost or profiles. That's in line with the revisions we've already seen.