What is everybody’s opinion on JSA when it comes to quantronic combat? I’ve always felt that the sectorial has been a bit lacking in this department, though N4 definitely brought some welcome changes (namely a new profile and cost reductions). I wanted to put together some community thoughts on options and strategies we have going forward. Hackers Overall, I’d say JSA is still on the weaker side here. Keisotsu are perhaps the cheapest hackers money can buy in Infinity, but with limited access to repeaters (and with the removal of supportware from standard HD profiles) you’re really getting what you pay for. I think the cost reduction to the Ninja is probably the most exciting thing here and really makes that profile usable where it was basically dead weight before. Aragoto really didn’t change much, but they always struck me as more of a specialist than a dedicated hacking platform, and for one more point you can grab Kuroshi. Maybe I am undervaluing their ability to make cross-map plays and get within ZoC? Ninja + Forward deployable + Hidden deployment + Marker state + Surprise attack + Mimetism (-6) + Decent shooter (BS11 SMG) - Very expensive Aragoto + Fast movement + Impetuous order + Mimetism (-3) + Good shooter (BS12 Combi + LSG) - Can’t use partial cover Keisotsu + Very cheap + Fireteam: Core - Bad shooter (BS10 Combi) - WIP12 - Poor defense Killer Hackers I think the Ryuken profile was a huge boon to the sectorial and I find that I actually prefer it over the Ninja because of how much better of a gunfighter she is. With both of them starting in the midfield, the real question is how much you value a marker state over mines. Motoko can't revert to camo like the Ninja can, but she also has BTS 3 which makes her a little more durable vs other hackers. Aragoto is still the cheapest option here, but the other two seem to bring more to the table. Ryuken + Forward deployable + Marker state (Cybermask) + Mines + Mimetism (-6) + Good shooter (BS12 X-Visor + SMG) - Expensive Ninja + Forward deployable + Hidden deployment + Marker state + Surprise attack + Mimetism (-6) - Expensive - Bad shooter (BS11 Tactical bow) Aragoto + Fast movement + Cheap + Impetuous order + Mimetism (-3) + Good shooter (BS12 Combi + LSG) - Can’t use partial cover
I've actually been waiting for someone to start this thread, I'd hoped some neat ideas would somehow be presented that I was just not seeing but really, I think it's mostly gonna be the EVO support that stands out. JSA still seems like it is best played to its strengths while just trying to mitigate your opponents strengths.
Given how well JSA builds lists with little to low SWC use, you should be able to build a list that uses Keisotsu on the simple principle of weight of numbers. If you throw a huge amount of WIP 12 Oblivion on an Avatar, one will eventually stick. E.g. O-Yoroi LT Oniwaban SMG Yuriko Oda E/Mitter Kempei BSG 4x Keisotsu Hackers Chaiyi Lu Duan - Pangolin Ryuken HRL (Hadoken?) Ryuken SMG There's some concessions in there to make it playable (e.g. the Oniwaban); but I think you can see the themeing. Or if you're feeling real gutsy and want to rely on Oniwaban; Shinobu LT Kempei BSG 6x Keisotsu Hackers 1x Keisotsu HMG Oniwaban SMG - Oniwaban SMG Pangolin Chaiyi Lu Duan Ryuken HRL This list when it comes to countering someone who loves TAGs does rely a lot on good positioning of the Lu Duan's Deployable Repeaters and you'll probably be spending a bit of orders from group 5 establishing a front line - but that's going absolutely nuts on the theme and you'll probably be wide open to infiltrating assassins like Ninjas or Do Castro, so you better be really damned sure it's a TAG connoisseur or IA-style player.
She can Cybermask without a roll. I think she is the better KHD pick over the Ninja atm. Although the Ninja can bring benefits with coming from HD and kill stuff in CC.
Ryuken SMG got oddly expensive, KHD is nice and brings a Specialist, automatic Cybermask also nice, yet I don't think it's a good platform for a KHD. My attention switched to the HRL here, in the context of JSA it's one of the best ARO pieces and a heavy MOD gunner with HMG Rangebands and a template, something you can find a lot of use for. Ninja KHD no longer necessary to unlock REMs etc, with more hacking Pistol/Tac Bow/DA CCW is very hard to do damage with. Much prefer the FO, can't be hacked, real gun to stay outside Hacking (Spotlight) range and got the DA CCW and Flaspulse to round out his kit. Ninja Hacker is nice. Any Hidden Deployment Infiltrating Hacking Device is worth considering in N4 against HI/TAGs. The best KHD in my eyes is likely the Aragoto, despite being unable to Cybermask. Gained the B2 DTW from his LSG, Combi Rifles are better than before due to Shotgun changes and ofc the Mobility to close up on any Hacker or push buttons very efficiently.
I think JSA's great at it, in the 8'' you have deadly programs like Martial Arts 3.0, 4.0, 5.0...Crazy Koalas, Berserk (a Comms Attack if you shout), E/M CCW that shuts down the Hacking Device, you know, the whole Silhouette 2 Hacking Device. . . . I think JSA's hacking game is average, Ryuken and Ninjas have WIP13 which isn't stellar, but it's not bad. EVO plays a good role allowing you to be safer with all the HI goodness and also bringing much needed Baggage for the Koalas, Mines, Panzerfausts, Blitzens, etc.. If you want a Repeater Network, Lu Duan is actually pretty good to set it up and has BTS 6 to boot! But, jokes aside, I do think that if JSA is faced against a high priority Hacker their best bet is to shoot/slash it down. Hence, the Ninja and Ryuken are the best Hackers, one because of Hidden Deployment and Mimetism-6, the other because Cybermask/X-Visor which give her a ton of safe engages. I haven't thought much about using Aragoto to fight opposing Hackers, to me they are more of an objective grabber. Go in, yeet the thing, yeet itself outta there. I don't really see an advantage over the Ninja or Ryuken.
Yeah things like Arogoto and not a hacker but in the same vein, Shikami, being highly dependent on what the mission is. I will say that I find the Ninja and the Ryuken very complimentary.
JSA might be one of the the factions that can comfortable play a low hacking game. Because their slashing game is good enough to kill enemy hackers in the DZ and that one midfield hacker with Ryuken/KHD. EVO is a good addition for the mentioned benefits to bring a low budget firewall. I only dislike that there is not combat jump synergie possible. :-)
I feel like EVO could have give in general some deployment advantage. Like maybe +3 to infiltration or +4"... cause forces like corregidor effectively have a force of hidden deployment troops. I would play test the shit out of this though cause it's possible effects on the game are too big for me to really quantify. I'll admit it might be a bad idea but it might also be great. I also like the idea of the ninja spotlighting something that it or the Ryuken want to shoot at instead of getting close. The Ninja then reapplying a surprise attack mod to shoot or the Ryuken showing effectiveness at ranges others just didnt expect
I think the Evo Device is to cheap now to justify such a great impact. Some factions will hardly be able to use some of the programs. But it has something in store for everyone.
Maybe those don't count as factions anymore. Okay, okay I forgot about some special cases. (wait that's not much better,uh uh )
