So what does everyone think ISS need in the spring? We've got plenty of hackers, a decent amount of FO. Really I think we just need a cheaper alternative to the Sophotech for Doctor and Engineer. Sophie is great now but there's times I just don't want to pay that expensive price. The only other thing I can think of right now is I'd like more skirmish. Ninja is good but only AVA1 and expensive. Right now I haven't been all that happy with the new Kanren.
ISS doesn't need it, but I think it would be neat if the wu-mings got a paramedic or engineer option.
I think they need a doc/medic and engineer. Just not sure on Wu Ming though. I'm positive they are going to get 2-3 all new troops. That's just the way CB does these. New always outsells old with new sculpts. The Bakunin set had 9 figures. Of those, there were four figures of three new troops. 1 Orphan (specialst/line troop), 1 Penitent (HI Vet), and 2 Cenobite (HI, Vet, cheap). I don’t think ISS will get as many new troops as Bakunin did. Because, well… Nomads. In the upcoming set I can imagine the existing below being in the set. They are made up of troops that are in both ISS and vYJ. Then the new ones will be ISS only. This would be to irritate those that want vanilla but not ISS lol. 1 Hsien 2 Zhanying 1 Pheasant 1 TAG Pilot 4 figures of 1-3 New troops
I'm picking the new box will have Bao because they have been discontinued for a while now. Rules wise some more Tac Aware and some NCO would make us feel less forgotten. Maybe a Sun Tze rework because he's not really a great piece currently. (he would also be a good choice for the box) Maybe a new unit that's a master hacker with a HD+? I also don't love the change to Kanren to decoys they feel like they went from borderline useful to too hard to use. From a thematic stand point I don't love that so many of mu list in N4 depended on Bounty Hunters, CSU mercenaries and Aleph units so if we could have some units that were Yu Jing and filled some of those rolls that would be cool.
For me the ABH and Aleph troops are thematic and would hate to loose them. The ABH are only AVA2 and that’s good. I think a good hacker would be very helpful. Right now, I think the best one is the Deva. But I’d also want it thematic as well. Like a hacker that specializes in fighting rogue AI, Criminal hackers, etc. Like a very good Killer Hacker with Trinity +1 B and PS=5. Or comes with his own Tinbot -6 without the need to attach to Wu Ming or Hsien. Tinbots are very much a "YJ thing". I’m thinking one of limited edition, either the bundle or Adepticon figure, will be Sun Tze. I’d like a comeback of the Marksman version. I find the HI version to be too expensive. The cost outweighs the benefits of the Stratego. I’ve always wanted a troop that’s sort of Civil Service garrison troop. One that doesn’t fight much. Troops that help in disasters like earthquakes, floods, etc. They would have light weapons and be medics, engineers (or SO with gizmokits). Skills like Sensor, MSV, for finding people. I thought of a rule that they get +3 to CivEvac. Thematic and cost nothing because it’s very mission dependent.
The usual main army box are usually followed by a series of expansion packs, some repacks, character blister and tag box. At first, I also hope that ISS will maintain the Aleph loan (at least as a sign, that YJ is realy a friend of new AI techs and to fight rouge AIs) and the ABH thema. New units a hard to speculates. Maybe Bao get a complete rework incl change of the name. Speaking of Bao this is a unit that constanty are in the need of a rework followed by Pheasant (which are in a okay state now). Bao in N5 is better but far from very good. They are totaly visor and totaly squishy. At least they have a weapon now, that operates outside combi range and is not a sniper. Here would like to see a MMR or better B4 weapon like the Red Fury (or a MMR+1 B). Also I would like to see Albedo is moving to another (maybe new) troop. CGs are ripped of their SWC weapons which is bad for people like me, that have the miniatures and played the sniper or the spitfire from time to time. The not use of SWC weapons on 1 W line troopers is a result of the mixed fireteams. In general I would like to see the return of five man line troop fireteams that will not only serve as a transport for HMG-HIs or the like. Maybe a special bonus ... but back to ISS. Celestials also get some riotstoppers and could use some fancy stuff like a hacker with tinbot or a nice upgrade carbonite -1 SR woud be fitting, a trooper with repeater or one loadout with MSV1. A lt. option like +1 CT would also be welcomed. I still like to see some enhanced CG. Like an officer maybe with NCO wich is rare in ISS. Thematicaly I would like to see the Deva Lt go. ISS should not relay on Lt from the outside - not even Aleph. Deva and Dakini could also reduce the AVA on 2. It should be a YJ sectorial with some Alpeh flavor not the other way around. Sun Tze could get a massive rework and of course a fresh mini. I like the new Kanren but only in theory I not tested ISS in N5 yet - too busy with IA and WB. Still not happy with Pheasnt as hackers - its too dangerous to risk your CoC. Zhanying agents would be happy without D+1" and even more if they get WIP 14 - and so we get a very powerful hacker. Maybe imm BTS also? I have the ML (it was in the starter anyway) but honestly I used him only 2-3 times ... so maybe get rid of the heavy weopons in this unit and give them ligter stuff. If not, what about a ML +1 B? Good unit for albdeo by the way. Crane ranks could use a polishing ... do I see a powerful albedo option here too? Bring back Mehmet MI (and give him to WB, I realy miss him there). Wu Ming wants their Panzerfaust back - please! Sadly Kuang Shi will not get their dogged back, so skip explosive also and make them 5 pts again please. A bike unit would be a thing (hello O12) and I would not say no to two new bike units because I would like to see Mongols for WB ;-) So I am curios what new units we will get. A cheap one-use camo order monky with template weapons or cheap flashpulsing, riotstopping fireteam filler unit? A deep infiltrator unit (I know its not their thing, but could fit for the police theme) or even a light impersonator (undercover)? Or a NWI (shIMM) unit, that will replace the Deva? Anyway in the box I would expect (but not want, because I have enough) 2-3 Celestials, 2-3 new units, a Bao (or replacement), a Hsien with MMR, kinda new Pheasant but not SunTze, not the TAG and not a Cat. So where will be the heavy weapon? Oh now I know - we need a Feuerbach! Yes!
I agree on the Deva Lt. but maybe a chain of command version? I can see how Aleph goes to the ISS and leads a team to take down rogue AI. But ISS wants to be in command of their own team. I understand about the CG special weapons, but other troops have had worse changes with weapons. I don’t think I ever used the SWC weapons and I can understand why they are gone. I think the Multi-Marksman is a good replacement because it’s cheap and 0 SWC. You can also easily proxy with the spitfire. But so far in every N5 list I’ve made I’ve had NO CG at all. Kanren hackers can cybermask even without the KHD. So, they do have impersonation in that sense. The things that hurt me in the games that I’ve played with them, now 4, is that the SMG is too short ranged and low powered. The combi didn’t help me much either. They lost their CC abilities, so they have no defense against good CC troops. Two of the games I played, my Kanren was eaten by Sheskin. It wouldn’t have been so easy if they still had their CC. I already thought all of the forward deployed, non-camo units, in the game were shit. Now especially even more. Especially the ones that only have an SMG. I’d rather they bring back WIP 13 on Wu Ming! I lost a game because I couldn’t make the dam wip check on an HVT! Kuang Shi are dead and I hope they stay dead. I’ve wanted bikes in YJ since we lost Aragoto. I’m always hoping for a good, cheep specialist in YJ. But sadly, they just keep giving us super expensive ones that compete with other YJ troops. Then make sure they have the shittiest weapons so they can’t do their job.
As fun and interesting as this looks, it should not be playable for ISS. ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 8 2 2 MOTORIZED BOUNTY HUNTER Boarding Shotgun, Heavy Riotstopper / Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 8) MOTORIZED BOUNTY HUNTER Boarding Shotgun, Heavy Riotstopper / Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 8) BOUNTY HUNTER Boarding Shotgun, Heavy Riotstopper / Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 12) BOUNTY HUNTER Spitfire / Boarding Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (1 | 21) MIRANDA ASHCROFT Combi Rifle, E/Mitter(+1B), PARA Mine / Boarding Pistol, Monofilament CC Weapon. (0 | 28) DEVA (Lieutenant) Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 24) DEVABOT Heavy Flamethrower / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 4) DEVA (Hacker, Hacking Device) Combi Rifle, Nanopulser ( ) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 25) DAKINI Heavy Machine Gun / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (1 | 21) DAKINI MULTI Sniper Rifle / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (1.5 | 19) SOPHOTECT Combi Rifle, Pulzar, D-Charges, Armed Turret(Mk12) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 34) YUDBOT PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 3) YUDBOT PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 3) GROUP 2 5 GARUDA Spitfire / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (1.5 | 25) CSU (Specialist Operative) Breaker Combi Rifle, Nanopulser(+1B) / MULTI Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 14) CSU (Specialist Operative) Breaker Combi Rifle, Nanopulser(+1B) / MULTI Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 14) RUI SHI (Multispectral Visor L1) Red Fury, Mine Dispenser(Shock) ( ) / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0.5 | 21) LÙ DUĀN Thunderbolt, E/M Carbine, E/M Mine / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 20) 6 SWC | 300 Points Open in Infinity Army
They were rarley seen in N4 also. Except from Combi for Lt, SGL for Kuangs and maybe a Hacker or FO here and there. So CB make CG useful again, please. Proxing with Spitfire or Sniper is not my thing. I would do it for testing but I am not happy to paint my "new" Spitfire to say this is my MMR. We will see, what CB has in mind for them.
Well like I said somewhere else, this game depends on proxies. There's many troops we will probably never see like the Liu Xing spitifre or MR. Hell, they already fucked up the Jackboots. They just game out a few months ago and they can no longer use the Spitfire or combi rifle. The now get an HMG and Thunderbolt. I shouldn't say they will NEVER come out, but not likely going to see those figures anytime soon. I think the same can be said for most of the REF troops. I have no high hopes for seeing a HRL Haetae, Mk12 Dokkaebi, or BSG Sulsa. So get converting or do without I guess.
Sadly it look like more and more. Some releases look like: Here you have one mini, use it for all loadouts. Some newer releases like the Jizamurai (wich have one SMG and several LSG loadouts) offer 2 LSG and 1 SMG visually. The Koijin Killers have two loadouts and both are available in one box - normaly one blister with a "joker" model - sword in hand, no visible BS weapon would be enougth. And as you point out correctly Yu Jing still waits for Liu with MR or SF (before the release of IA, CB pushed out airborne troops like popcorn (Fraacta, Hellcats). And now the O-12 RF box - which should be packed with N5 in mind has loadout changes that are no longer represented by the miniatures, three month after release... (or so). I made a conversion with 3D printed double HRL on the shoulder and cut the asspi out of the HMG. Now, that it got a AP-HMG I would like to have a second one, but the would look to similar.
It'll be even worse in N5 IMO, there's just no reason to pick more than 2 CGs as a "cheap" fireteam base to give the special dice to something that can use it, like a dakini.
I don't think that's too bad. For me, the main thing I’d want CG for is the SGL. It’s the only source of smoke in ISS. Since they can only form a haris or core I’d have have two CG SGL and the third is CG Hacker, or Deva or Tao Wu or Dakini. But it can be filled out to a pretty good core too. The team below is pretty good for getting smoke down and moving up with the Deva. But it’s not bad for getting specialists up as well. The Deva can be changed to a hacker of course. CELESTIAL GUARD Combi Rifle, Smoke Grenade Launcher / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 13) CELESTIAL GUARD Combi Rifle, Smoke Grenade Launcher / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 13) DEVA (Multispectral Visor L2) Spitfire, Nanopulser ( ) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1 | 29) DAKINI Heavy Machine Gun / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (1 | 21) DAKINI (Paramedic) Combi Rifle ( | MediKit) / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 15) 3 SWC | 91 Points Open in Infinity Army
I think next on my "try it" list is going to be Bao Thunderbolts. The TB has been pretty good the last few time I used it. They automatically get +1 Burst but then +1 SD in a team. They feel to me, to be like Ariadna camo killers. So I'm going try them with Adil or a Crane hacker.
I have been playing around the idea of ISS and tried to come up with a reasonable list. This is my first ever list with more than 12 models (and I've been playing since N2 paradiso) ! The idea is to have a Haris of Wu Mings and Dakinis take center and do consoles, while Group2 have enough Orders for the Garuda to screw around and the Sophotect to do emergency repairs. Also the ever green smoke + Hsien HMG combo is still there, because ISS . Police open up! ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 9 WÚ MÍNG AP Heavy Machine Gun / Boarding Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 33) WÚ MÍNG Boarding Shotgun ( | TinBot: Firewall [-6]) / Boarding Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 22) WÚ MÍNG AP Submachine Gun, E/Marat / Boarding Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 19) HSIEN (Lieutenant) Heavy Machine Gun, Nanopulser / Pistol, DA CC Weapon(PS=6). (1.5 | 49) PHEASANT IMPERIAL AGENT (Minelayer) Boarding Shotgun, E/Mitter, Madtraps / Breaker Pistol, PARA CC Weapon(-6). (0 | 23) DAKINI (Paramedic) Combi Rifle ( | MediKit) / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 15) DAKINI (Paramedic) Combi Rifle ( | MediKit) / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 15) DAKINI Heavy Machine Gun / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (1 | 21) CHAĪYÌ Yaókòng Flash Pulse / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 7) GROUP 2 6 3 GARUDA Spitfire / PARA CC Weapon(-3). (1.5 | 25) KUANG SHI Chain Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 6) KUANG SHI Chain Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 6) KUANG SHI Chain Rifle / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 6) CELESTIAL GUARD Monitor Combi Rifle, Smoke Grenade Launcher / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 13) SOPHOTECT Combi Rifle, Pulzar, D-Charges, Armed Turret(Mk12) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 34) YUDBOT PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 3) YUDBOT PARA CC Weapon(-3). (0 | 3) 6 SWC | 300 Points Open in Infinity Army
Has anyone used the Long Wang yet? Personally, I can't get psyched about it. It costs nearly as much as a Gujia but doesn't have the firepower, armor, or CC of a Guijia. The blue wolf's AP Sptifire is actually better than a his HMG (when it gets in range). Yeah it's a little smaller but I can't say that's a big deal. The BS Attack (-3) seems to be it's only advantage.
I can only say that only two models of the whole video are interesting to me (the drop troop that points to the removal of Aleph's Garuda at the very least, and the Guardian troop), and one I find utterly disgusting. Who had the genius idea of resculpting the Wu Ming as Special Marines? The only good thing I can say about that thing is that I will run to grab one of the current boxes. Seriously, if I wanted to play with those sculpts, I would use the plastic original ones I have, not that it's hard to get some after three series of weekly leaflets...
I have no idea what Special Marines are so they look cool to me. My only problem right now is that half of the box I wouldn't use. I rarely take a Crane Never Pheasant RF Rarely CG Wu Ming I will The new ones of course unknown.
