Taking this part over here, cause its more appropriate. Jup, if the Al Fasid wouldnt bring that kind of versatility, he would be hardly viable in Ramah with what we know so far. His other profile is built in that direction to. The Mines are an additional layer of protection, when you decide to get up the field with him for the reactive turn. His weaponry allows him to gon into supression, which is a good defensive tool to, and then you also have the HRL if someone manages to outrange your Suppfire. On the offense, the combination of laying a Mine around a corner and then attack with your SMG is also quite good.
PanO already have a Mechanised Deployment LGL with BS14, I don't see Halqa being any more broken, especially as fitting 5 troopers in the 8" bubble could leave them quite vulnerable
No, I'm not suggesting you get a Mechdep BS14 HI with a DTW. Ariadna also get a BS14 LGL with AD:2 that's even easier to get into the good range. I'm saying that a Mechdep BS14 LGL isn't outside the boundaries CB have set for the game,(E.g. No Ranged Burst 3 EXP, no burst 6) and considering the weaknesses of a Fireteam deployed so far forwards I don't think it would be broken.
So I was thinking about it lately and it seems there just might be a niche for him, albeit not without competition. But depending on list composition, he may end up being a situational answer. Interestingly enough, Ramah doesn't seem to have a lot of long-range firepower. Unless I'm missing something, ofc. Here's what it looks like so far: - Ramah will likely have standard Ghulam Core. This is where one of our HMGs comes from. - Naffatun Core is something I expect as well. Hypothetical so far, but it's safe to assume that for all their advantages, they aren't exactly a heavy weapon platform, and unlikely to become one. - Khwarijis are likely to become a trademark unit of Ramah, but they are short-to-medium range specialists. - There were rumours of something special in terms of fireteams, and we are likely to see mixed links. The most likely option will be Zhayedan(s) + Ghulam/Naffatun or just Ghulam+Naffatun. This is the main "make or break" point for our Al-Fasid. Zhayedans are, in my humble opinion, are straight up bad, or at least absolutely uninteresting, aside from their MMSL2 profiles (breaker and sniper). In the list above I didn't even mention their pure link because if you want to pay 10-12 points for +1BS to your Ghulam (I don't buy that other stats they gain are relevant more often than once per like ten matches), be my guest. This means their HMG option is not that attractive. So, what we end up with is that if you need some long-ranged active turn piece, Fasid HMG is one of your few options when you want Naffatun link. Unless it can be mixed with Ghulams or you are willing to take Zhayedan HMG. Or it is a Maghariba list. That's quite a lot of "ifs", but there's that.
Well, at this point in time the Fasid is really one of the few HMGs in Ramah, but I am sure that will change. Most likely there will be a MI with HMG. The Khawarij could be a solution if they really get their HRL. A linked BS13 HRL isnt to bad for long range engagements. Yeah, the non MMSLV2 profiles of the Zhayedan are quite underwhelming. As I stated earlier in this thread, I would play them despite that, but I really cant wrap my head around the fact, why not all of them got the skill. It would make them a truly unique unit in Haqq because they would be really good at killing stuff. Real glass cannons by the book. Also the profiles would be more interesting outside of Ramah. With a Spetsnaz HMG and a Clipper ML in a Core we have compareable choices in this game already, so I hope the profiles get revised when Ramah is released. Also if they really have to have some bloat, give them Regeneration instead of AMK. Its Haqq unit after all, and the Shock immunity would help a lot. If they stay as they are, its a really though sell at their points cost. Concerning the Al Fasid, it would take some very compelling choices in Ramah to not take him more often than not. That Ghulam HMG can lose its bonuses fast and is susceptible to crits, especially Shock, and hasnt got the plethora of uses that the Fasid has. A Zhayedan HMG with MMSLV2 would be a far better gunner, but then again, he only has an HMG, which makes the Fasid still viable in a list.
Kinda have to agree that i dont know why Zhayedans didnt get MMSLV2 base in their profile, just remove the missile launcher profile or specifically say that one doesnt have it. The BS doc profile wont be a broken unit from that upgrade, and the HMG wouldn't either. Theres already Rui shi, Lu duan, tsyklons, lunokhod, dakinis, garudas, unidrons, total reaction rems, all capable of MMSLV2 on deadly weapons with efficient points cost to skills/equipment ratios. Like the rui shi is a msv2 spitfire, bs 12, can get MMSLV2. That things horrific in the right hands and for only 26 points i believe?
@Barrogh @emperorsaistone Good point about the scarcity of HMG/Long range firepower in what we know of Ramah. I wonder if this is a deliberate direction for the sectorial. Maybe as the assault sectorial, RTF will be more like MO-lots of Spitfires and CQB weapons, but only a few long range supports. Zhayedan's are still kind of disappointing though, even if this is the focus. They seem to be one of the profiles that will need to be touched up when RTF is officially launched.
Bahram isnt any different. There you have, Daylami, Ghillim, Govads and the TR bot. I would like it a lot, if RTF became CQB oriented Sect. This is one of the things I like in Bahram, especially the Asawiras are good with their combination of high BS and CC. If RTF puts even more emphasis on on that, it will be very intriguing. I would be perfectly happy with Zhayedan in Vanilla and Ramah if just all of them get MMSLV2.
HB also has the Lasiq and Ayyar snipers, nasty profiles which give a little bit extra ranged oomph. The RTF equivalents (Tuareg? Zhayedan?) are less impressive. But you're right to note the paucity of HMG in both. MMSLV2 for all Zhayedan would help, but I fear the cost bloat. I would only take them in a Ghulam link, like Highlander Greys. I would love an Asawira style assault piece for RTF, but isn't that kind of Tarik?
Tarik does still have a role that doesnt cover all the bases of a unit you are looking for though ( although if he had BTS6 that would maybe be different story), and id personally like to see some sort of Ubermensch Tank unit that uses abilities like Total immunity and Bioimmunity coupled with Average arm and bts to just not go down. Honestly think like a haqq Karakuri.
Actually, because of what HB has, Ghulam link was always seen as "will do" by me. You basically need to remove certain AROs to enable your ghazi / infiltrators / haris do their thing. I think the reason I've noticed the trend in Ramah (aside from overthinking Fasids) is because I personally don't look forward to the sectorial to field the same Ghulam link as a basis again, especially since link options are rumored to be something that partially sells RTF. And when you exclude Ghulams, well, that's what you run into.
Having rewatched the GenCon 2017 Infinity Seminar right now, I am sure we wont get RTF this year. When talking about Army Packs he asked the crowd if they would like Varuna, Tunguska and IA. In the Q&A Section he also said that TAK will come in 2018 eventually. So with JSA thats already all of the 5 Sectorials for this year. Of course, schedules might have changed, but it looks like we really shouldnt get our hopes up to high for this year.
So what happened to 5 new sectorals? I count 4, 3 if you count Druze which to me was released last year. 2 IF you consider JSA was an existing sectoral.
That's an interesting point. Other factions have different LI options for each of their sectorials (Fusiliers, Order Sergeants, Irregulars; Grunts, Volunteers, Metro etc...). Could RTF follow suit? A revamped Naffatun would seem to fill that niche, but they'd need SWC weapons and specialists to really work. Certainly flamethrowers give a CQB edge. Hmm. That's depressing. I really can't understand the delay though. Red Veil+Beyond Tarik, Naffatun Box, Tuareg Hacker, Al Fasid HRL, leaked Hakim all point to Ramah. Why build up to something without the follow through?
I was at Gencon 2017, I would not put too much into the lack of discussion for Haqq. When listing all the armies to see who played what Carlos skipped Haqq. Even when one of the guests mentioned it, he skipped over it. I got the feeling he was specifically avoiding mentioning anything that could be construde as islamic. He was a technically a foreign citizen visiting a US based convention with lots of people which could have been a "target". Its probably in his best interest to not get flagged since he is the spokeman for CB. As a white Canadian I can 'sneak' into the US and blend in. A couple friends of mine who are non-caucasian (Mexican, Brazilian & Egyptian heritage) and Canadian citizens stop going to the states just due to the hassle. I know Canadian Passports are one of the best ones to have when traveling, and they still get flagged. Canadian Born 'Hussein' schedules 4 extra hours when driving across the border because its normal now for him. When I was backpacking threw Europe, the Canadian passport let me threw all border checks with a 30 second check, when virtually everyone else got a more thorough check. I'm not sure how well a Spanish passport fairs when traveling, but i don't think its as well regarded as a Canadian passport. Which may explain his reluctance to be flagged.
Well, look at it that way: We have been spoiled in the last years with resculpts and even new profiles and can be grateful that we are not in a position like Tohaa or Aleph. On the other hand, not everything is set in stone and even if it is, I think it has some advantages to get Ramah later. More thorough playtesting I would assume. May FAT2 is beeing revised or our Supersoldiers need more finetuning. And to make your own picture of the situation: at 33:00 and 1:23:00 he talks about the new sectorials.
