Changes are in ARMY. Biggest changes to existing units that we haven't seen look to be Rodoks and Kurgats. A few profiles trimmed here and there too, for example combi rifle Suryat is gone. Rodoks lost all the twin light shotguns and the HMG. Gained a Spitfire and an SMG profile with Strategic Deployment. Kurgats gained a point of BS I think (sure they were BS11) and a bunch of new profiles including an AP combi rifle. Bultrak is an S6 TAG with a HRMC or an Autocannon. Rindaks are indeed paramedics some with FD8 and are interestingly STR1 HI with NWI.
I hope Rodoks changes are a mistake, otherwise two of the current models are invalid loadouts (I know, proxies, but still). Also sucks to lose the other cheap profile for Suryats
There seems to be a fair bit of detail missing in the mobile app around fireteams. Particularly the number of fireteams allowed and the designations for the composition bonus. For example (Morat) is missing from the relevant units. Caused me a fair bit of confusion until I cross checked with the web version.
It makes some sense given that they can only go in Haris teams now and one new option has Strategic Deploymemt so a Spitfire seems appropriate over a HMG. Yes, its a bit annoying that some of the minis are now obsolete but I'll just proxying.
Yeah, I didn't see the army update post until after I posted here. Gotta say, the fact that so many of our other changes were to lose options kinda stings. But the new Fireteam flexibility in the face of other teams becomes more restrictive at least makes Morats relatively better off.
kurgats got more options, Suryat and Zerats got some updates, plus if I am not mistaken Sogarat and Raicho have new cc weapons.
WTF happened to the Rodoks? The HMG is just gone? It's not like it was one of the last good profiles for them... Did this unit really deserved the nerf bat again? EDIT : damn, the twin LSG + combi is gone also...
Sogarats and Raicho getting new CC weapons isn't really a good thing when they have NO cc skills though. The new TAG with B2 on CC is better off than they are even though it's only CC17, it can at least bully low CC models, something the raicho and the sog can't. As usual, I am mixed with this update. On the one hand: the problems with the army continue the same. On the other hand, the army keeps getting better ways to project force and the added fireteam flexibility IS welcome. So the proof now is putting the models on the table and trying them out.
Rindak Emergency Brigade seem pretty neat. For years I've been hoping we'd see Morat remotes to replace the CA remotes. These and the Taryot obviously aren't filling the same roll as the remotes, but its neat to see (what I assume must be) Morat robots on the battlefield. I'm sad to see the Kurgat's Mk 12 go. The Combi is nice, but I would have preferred that in addition to the Mk12. I really wish Sogarat's had some small CC skill to go with the rest of their close combat kit. I'm already missing the Zerat's grenades. It still seems bizarre that the Raktorak only has NCO on one profile. The Bultrak is almost the exact TAG I suggested a few years ago and everyone here told me would never happen. While I'm sure thats a coincidence, so many of the MAF changes over the last few years seem to come directly from player feedback. Nearly every major change we argued for here a few years ago has been instituted in some way. Its nice to know that CB is either finally listening to MAF players or at least coming to the same conclusions. Now if only they could finally fix Vanguard Can we have a Lieutenant option for the Raicho so ! can do a 4 TAG list? It would not surprise me at all if Rodaks are just quietly phased out at this point instead of hetting resculpts. Speaking or resculpts, when the Yaogats come back around I hope we get the shoulder mounted Panzerfausts back. Losing those was such a bad choice.
Yeah mixed bag so far I think. Bultrak for example, hits like a brick but at BS13, CC17 and no CC skills or vis mods hitting will be the trick. A lot of the changes to units look bad on first glance cause stuff is gone but I think they need to be taken in the context that the tool that's gone can now be filled by another unit it could never link with before. Expect Rodoks, definitely the biggest unit change. I quite like the move to mid-field hunters though with strategic deployment. Shame about the lack of twin shotguns cause that mini is my favourite of theirs.
Bulltrak is an awesome bully though. He will struggle against mimetic models, true. But against anything else it will shred, and with superjump he WILL get there AND shred. And we have a lot of MSV options to smash mimetic models now. An one-two punch with a full core led by a Suryat MSV, Kaitok MSV or Kyosot MSV followed by a bulltrak smashing through will make a lot of oponents sweat Sure, it means getting the first turn is a big deal for MAF, but MAF never played well in reactive anyways.
Well, since I was looking in the direction of MAF for some time now I'm quite happy with the changes. Regarding whether a change is a nerf - please note, that while it might be a nerf if you want the unit to fulfill the same role as before in reality it might be a move sideways. Always look for new ways to use units, instead of trying to push them into a role they don't fit anymore. Rodoks are a perfect case, I remember them being described as one of the best MAF units, now their role changed from long range fire supremacy (though I believe that ML to be still perfectly capable) to midfield contestation, making it easier to support Zerats. I wish it was the Oznat who got Strategic Deployment, but I'm still happy with what I see here. I like new Kurgats, for example. No Mk12 sucks, but additional antiarmor loadouts - and the ability to include them in a variety of fireteams - is great. Bultracks are a bit sick as a fire support unit. And jsut look at its Pilot. Rindaks are a very nice unit. Now there's an aggressive combat medic. Another unit that will make it easier for MAF to contest the middle. Kyosots - I see them in a Haris with Rindak and either Suryat, Kurgat, or Yaogat, advancing towards whatever needs to get pwned. edit: One minor doubt here - I don't really see the point of plain SMG option, I think almost everyone will try to upgrade to MSV1/Chain Colt loadout. Pure SMG would be better off with, say, Boarding Shotgun instead. Oh, and the Shock weapon on them is as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike, due to them sporting the usual Heavy Pistol.
I generally really like the new Morat changes, altho I can't help but think that the Kyosot is a unit that's bonkers with no context and really lacklustre in reality - he pays for a lot of armor with just one wound. I'd love to see dogged or nwi on him - he is meant to get up close and personal but has no way to take a hit back from the inevitable templates he'll encounter. It'd be awesome if CB could take a quick look at some of the new profiles while they are still fresh and add a few things here and there. Tyrok and Skurgot losing berserk is a big change too, it's one of the things that made them really good in my opinion. With bs11, b3 and no smoke she won't be going round murdering stuff - same goes for her little helper, with no templates, he'll have a hard time getting into cc. I think there's still time to recondsider a few ideas and make some of the profiles more realistic and in line with how the game is really played
I wish they would bring back mines to the Paramedic! IDK why it is +3 points from N3 and lost mines, especially with the nerfs to superjump. Liked that profile a lot in N3 They also lost the ability to form a 5 man team...
