I just hope the lore book updating ALEPH/Haqq/Tohaa is due soon, and trying to the new Operation would probably mean one or two of them. ALEPH only has two sectorials, Tohaa is probably not being updated model wise.
It has been a while since ive posted here, but I want to pop in just to say that as a Haqq player and somone who has played QK for a long time, I genuinley do not want to see them updated right now. We just got some updated models and units and a unique spin on them by rebooting as reinforcements. I would much rather see Haqq receive their 4th and final sectorial in the way of the Gabqar Khanate. This sectorial has been known about in the lore and been spoken about by CB for years now. I want the 4th so Haqq can feel complete as a faction even if it means QK has to wait for a full reboot. Also as a side note, do we have full confirmation that USARF will be the adepticon solo box? They could be half the 2 player box facing Aleph ala coldfront pt 2. Then maybe Haqq gets the box for adepticon? Unlikely but fun to think about.
The rules might be fine, But many don't play because there's no figures! Have you seen how much an Azra'il goes for? I think almost as much as a Sogorat. Haqq in general has only received 37 new figures in the last 5 years. They have also changed weapons on some troops. I think they need new Oda and Az at the very least. The REF box is nice but it doesn't make up for the rest. Also they could ad a new troop or two. There's still a box available of Oda on their site but, sorry ladies, you are showing your age.
A 4th Sectorial would be awesome. But I am annoyed by the gaps Haqqislam currently has. I would love a new Odalisques Box with Laxmee and a Jannisaries box. We really really need a new Jannissary HMG model (which was from 2014). This!
So far there was no Nomads vs. Aleph or vs. Yu Jing box before and by the lore of N5 we know Nomads have established a foothold on Shinju whith the Island of Aztlan they're fighting over with Yu Jing. Or rather have fought.Thus I could imagine to see either one of the two majorily bad factions facing against the righteous defenders of freedom; with more weight to Nomads vs. Aleph since the conflict with Yu Jing lies in the narrative's past and the boxes were always about contemporary developments. My bet is on Corregidor vs. OSS because one is CB's poster child carrying the Nomad lore on Shinju and the other in dire need of an overhaul (and obviously because I assembled my own N5 demo set from Icestorm Nomads and Coldfront OSS ) Also the Box' theme might be somehow cold, snowy blue/white themed, but that's mostly due to me interpreting a pattern and lore accuracy here.
As usual I won't believe anything CB says. The hate comment might be a total lie or the will forget about it or the person who wrote the comment knew absolutely nothing about the factions. I swear most of them don't know or play their own game.
Indeed Aleph vs Nomads would be a) yes they hate each other and b) this conifg is new to the battle box but I would say Tunguska vs OSS just because the last big update for CJC with the crimson stone box and on the Alpeh side SP was last. Or they put a 3rd Aleph Sectorial out of the box ...
This is where I'm thinking too - Tung vs OSS. Though I like my Tunguska collection as they are great models - I'm happy to see new models, but can't afford it if they pull them out the bag.
Ruby Monday is in Kestrel, Shindenbutai, Next Wave, Corregidor, and OSS, has recently had a marketing spotlight, and would make sense as the bonus mini for the next 2-player box. Although Tunguska, who doesn't have a dedicated starter box, would make sense, I feel like that's some evidence for CJC vs OSS.
It could be just vanilla Nomads and OSS. That way all Nomads get something. But CJC is the oldest of the three.
Operation Crimson stone was only in 2021, so Corregidor has relatively recent models. While I think @QuantronicWombat is right that it will be CJC versus OSS, maybe Nomads will get a 4th Sectorial and Aleph a third one instead.
It reminds me about two groups of mercenaries. I really would like to see their confrontation, yet CB would not do that. Druze vs. Kaplan. But what a battle it could be!..
White Company is a very questionable place to represent Kaplans. More like the home for elderly for them. Druze had their sectorial with their name. Yet it is better than multiplying NA2 sectorials after each Operation set.
Here's my hot take: OSS will be the Adepticon redesign, and the 2-player box at Gen on will be USARF vs. NCA. Ariadna and PanO definitely hate each other after the neo-colonial wars, it would fulfill the promise of a "medium term" USAriadna redesign, and would bring back a PanO sectorial that CB officially lists as playable in the army app but needs new models. Makes perfect sense and if you disagree you're wrong of course
I was thinking this "hatred" could also be a new thing in the upcoming book. Not something already established.
USARF vs OSS! Special Character that looks just like Sarah Connor! New OSS nanogoo Remote that can shapeshift!
I think Haqq deserves to be somewhere this year. They have gone a very long time with few new figures. I think them getting their flyer recently foreshadows them getting new QK. Wether that's in a set by itself, or a part of a 2P set.