It used to be that they were our elite midfield specialist option. Now that Domaru can bring a specialist in their link, have the Karakuri been edged out? They're tough, they've got a variety of load outs for midfield engagement, they're all specialists, and they're one of only 3 profiles in the army to have BS13. However, you're looking at around 111 points for the 3 man haris (102 if you 'thin' the pack with a domaru). And for not too many more points, relatively speaking, you can bring a five man samuari link. I'll be the first to admit that it's been ages since i've run karakuri in JSA, even pre-split (which means I should probably try them out in a list or two). Anyone out there who liked the unit before still running them after the secession?
I'm a fan on Karakuri - last time I ran them in an ITS tournament I was undefeated. It all depends on the mission imo. They are absolutely bonkers at something like unmasking, where they can ALL push buttons, lock down a zone and gun down anything that comes close. personally, I would always include the Domaru Harris option now - as that gives them a very nice CC option. They also combo well with a REM heavy list as all of their weapons went up in SWC. I think post succession they've only become stronger.
They are much more difficult to remove when parked in the midfield than Domaru/Tanko are. BTS6 + Total Immunity, STR instead of Wounds, and they have V:Dogged. And oh, at BS13 they're top tier shooters in JSA. The Mk12 is a beefed up Spitfire in a Haris. Being able to take the Haris Domaru makes the link even cheaper, gives you a CC threat, and adds E/M weaponry.
Even as a JSA player who knows JSA, I continue to be impressed with how much trouble Karakuri can be. I ran into them at Rumble in a Haris team, and even when they parked very close to my lines, and I had a TAG and ~15 Orders to attack them with, it still took essentially an entire turn to kill the Haris. Very impressive. Playing JSA myself, I'm having a hard time with ARM3, no-Mods HI at such a steep pricepoint. I totally acknowledge their amazing arsenal of tools and their surprising durability, I just haven't really reached for them myself yet. I'll have to try them out soon. It's a bit of a shame that they're restricted to taking the Domaru Haris if they want a Domaru in the mixed link... I'd love to get a Domaru Boarding Shotgun in with two Karakuri.
107 pts for 6 wounds, order efficiency and a lot of resilence is anything but expensive. What are your cheaper HI options anyway? 36 pts Domaru FO or 47 pts Shikami Rambo? Ninjas and the like save orders yet die from a simple flamethrower synced bot if they ty to hold a position (or a lowly chain rifle model), they just can’t do what HIs do. And while ARM3 is not much, put it behind cover for 6 and ignore special ammunitions, and even 15 damage weapons have less than 50% chance to make it through.
They've actually already had one resculpt, when they went from a single model blister to the box of 3. But a less-fiddly resculpt would be very nice! Things are a real pain in the ass to build.
