I've run Kaeltar with bombs in two out of three games with the Kiuutan so far. It's a major headache because you can't reserve drop them if you put bombs on them. Basically, the tactic is viable on paper but extremely challenging to execute in practice even if you take two Kiuutans in spiral and put a bomb on each, which I did. I'm hoping it's a learning curve thing, though. Also, in fairness, the scenario I ran the two Kiuutans in was Acquisition, which has thick deployment zones that keep them from getting the most out of their inferior impersonation.
Why is that? Also Can you infiltrate, Hidden deploy etc with mates? Just trying to find out what you can and can't do with mates attached...
The kaeltar and mates are deployed simultaneously (just like other deployables such as that mine you've laid). So if you hold back a trooper after the kaeltar has deployed the mates/bombs will already be on the table.
Assuming bombs follow the same rules as mates like they usually do for placement we cannot place bombs nor mates on the imposter. Source being the new rules pdf..
I think you might be able to deploy far upfield and not be in impersonation state to be able to carry a bomb/mate tho.
After release of full rules, still feel like the profile for vanilla is a do nothing troop. Basically a gao tarsos with no weapon options or ability to be a specialist.
Per the wiki at time of writing, putting a bomb on a Kiuutan is totally legal, putting a mate is not.
Correct. Differing from Mates it doesn´t include the Model clause: Mate adds I tried this guy in vanilla last night. With me going second and he burned 4-5 orders before going down. The Hyperdynamics L1 was quite useful vs Fury Warbands who had to delegate its removal to more Bursty troops. Unfortunately did I miss that he could´ve deployed with Bombs. Isolating that HMG Grey in a 5 man link had been neat. Further I noticed that deploying Impersonators is a whole chapter by itself which I hadn´t thought through. It´ll be very interesting going forward.
Just wanted to note that the idea of putting a Bomb onto a marker-state Kiuutan is no longer valid with the release of the FAQ 1.6, which errata-ed that interaction. However, I think it (deploying the Kiuutan without the IMP-2 state, but with a Bomb assigned) is still quite a viable strategy to disable or at least temporarily block certain annoying pieces such as Apsara+Dakini Core, Intruder, Djanbazan etc. Most of the time you can estimate where these pieces will be deployed by reading the 'signals' from other, already deployed troops. I mean stuff like, when playing against Nomads, a Daktari and a Jaguar positioned next to each other are signalling that an Intruder is about to be deployed somewhere nearby.
Played a game with Tohaa this week, trying out some of the new units. I went first and deployed both a Grief Operative and a Kiuutan prone on rooftops right outside the enemy DZ. My opponent didn't know any better and dropped a Brigada/Alguacil core (Corregidor) on a nearby rooftop. I deployed the Kaeltar in reserve and slapped a bomb on the Kiuutan. First order of the game, I activated the bomb and isolated the Brigada ML, dropping him out of the link and making my turn much easier. That Brigada was still a bitch to bring down, but at least he wasn't getting fireteam bonuses in any of our engagements. 30pts is pretty steep for this trick especially in Tohaa. I would imagine it's even more valuable when going second, as they play "unpin the fireteam" instead of moving forwards. I don't know how often I'll use it, but just because you have a Kiuutan in your list doesn't mean you have to deploy him without impersonation. Consider me a fan.
