Squalos

The non-GL Squalo isn't worth looking at IMO, like you say the Dragao and Jotum make it redundant.

Also you realise you can't Speculative Fire against camo markers right?

 

Advanced ECM and the side-arm are the reasons for the costing. The Lt. option is something the Dragao lacks.

 

Honestly, in vanilla Pano there is little reason not to use the Cutter or Jotum. However, if your playing NCA then the LT Squalo is your only choice for a LT TAG. Honestly though, if your going to take the Squalo, its got to be with the HGL, theres only two TAGs in the game with it and we got the superior TAG. The HGL makes it so your opponent is never safe unless their inside buildings. It really messes with your opponent.

So while the HGL is quite powerful, there is little reason to play it in vanilla when with the NCA you can back the TAG up with a Fusilier link team.

 

I've never played generic PanOceanian list properly, so I cannot compare here. But in NCA, Squalo is quite interesting option, especially in season 9, which boosts T.A.G.s a bit and 10-orders lists as well. Having a T.A.G. lieutenant is quite interesting option now, and Squalo is the only choice. Having the AP Heavy sidearm could be helpful in close ranges, and it gives you Stun Pistol in Hunting Party mission, which could be (sometimes) helpful as well.

And comparing the Squalo to Jotum... you're technically trading 20 points (and in case of lieutenant 1 SWC) for +1 WIP, +2 ARM and +3 BTS. Are you sure it is really worth of it to be an auto-option? Just asking...

 

Well, the Squalo is the Standard TAG in PanO. So, of course, you'll surely prefer the specialized declinations rather than it. But, get in mind that it is cheaper than the Cutter and Jotum and has a better reactive turn than the Dragao. And it can be Lt, yes.
Remember that the HGL on him is quite awful in scenarios with designated targets as it can be your Datatracker and kill the HVT easily without risk. And you can punish if your opponents want to play hordes and don't mind to split their guys. In Power Pack, the Squalo is able to put your opponent in a horrible position if you manage to begin.

In Vanilla, I like it in solo or duo TAG lists as its cost allows me to field a Croc Man while not lacking that much compared to a Jotum.
In NCA, I don't field it as much as I should but it never disappoints me.

 

What Ayadan says: there is noting special about the non-LGL Squalo. But it still is _the_ the generic heavy TAG.
There is nothing wrong about that.
And those few points saved compared to other more specialised (heavy) TAGS can be spend on other stuff lke Helperbots, TechBee and/or another Hacking Device which can be decisive.

 

I’ve been playing a fair bit of the HGL Squalo recently, mostly in missions where you have to kill the Designated Target, or in Power Pack where the deployment zones are packed full of models. The HGL is fantastic for killing the designated target, especially when you can get a Sniffer there in about 2 orders, Sat-Lock it with the Pathfinder, and proceed to rain grenades on 18s.

That being said, most of the time speculative fire is a trap and wastes orders very quickly. I usually only use it to remove something in Suppressive Fire, or when my opponent clusters up a huge pile of targets. TRBot+helper bot, etc.

The saving grace of the HGL Squalo is that you tend to spend the first turn completely out of LOS, which means that it is mostly unharmed when turn 3 rolls around and you can use it as a big bully with a Multi HMG.

Overall I have to say that I prefer the Uhlan for sheer fun, the Jotum in vanilla for being built like a brick shithouse, and the Cutter for absolute active turn dominance. But the Squalo has its uses, and when I need to rain speculative fire grenades all over the board, accept no substitutes.

 

Yea because NCA/vanilla can use aggressive Lt....

... oh wait...

 

The LT Jotum is only 10 points more than the LT Squalo. And yeah, its worth it. Arm 10 is quite useful. The thing about arm is that at low levels its insignificant but at high levels each extra point is more significant than the last.

 

My bad, it's just 10 points... Jotun seems much better for generic list then. The only exception is when you want to spare SWC or use the 10 points to boost the rest of your units a bit.

 

The Jotum is just such a big upgrade in every way, WIP13, ARM 10, extra PH and most important the HFT.
HFT + HRMC for the Dragao is also why I'd pretty much never run a Squalo in Vanilla - it's just plain worse.

 

The Squalo is a great collection of weapons, because of that I think it has a place in vanilla. It's just not often that you would consider the flexibility of weapon load out as more valuable than a high power option like a Jotum or Cutter. Don't forget the HGL option has a Multi-HMG, HGL and Heavy Pistol. That's a pretty good spread of options to bring to the table.

 

Thats true, there are advantages of using the Squalo in vanilla, mainly taking FO crocmen to target enemies. FO Crocmen also carry repeaters which allow you to set up a hacking net in your TAG list.

 

NCA is quite good for supporting TAGs and running TAG lists. So even though the Uhlan and Squalo are not as popular in Vanilla as some other options, they're quite good in NCA where they can be supported by linked Fusiliers, AVA3 Fugazi, and higher AVA Hexas. Being able to have both a Hexa KHD and a Hexa Sniper to help protect your TAG is very good.

 

And lets face it, taking unpopular choices in vanilla armies and making them worth using is a large part of what sectorials are all about.

 

Actually, I should add that the Squalo is underestimated. The HGL is a lot more dangerous vs large order lists who have so many models in their deployment zone that its hard to spread them all out. Its a TAG that can play very safe. First turn, spec fire some grenades and then back off to a more defensive position. Its just that theres little reason not to play it in NCA and back it up with a Fusilier link team.

Also, I really like how the resculpt of the TAG turned out. The original was always rather ugly but the new version has quite the sleek look to it.

 

Bolts. for 10 order lists, a link of Bolts and some Hexas supporting a Squalo really don't care about LOL.

 

I agree, and can't stress how often the dialogue seems to overlook this. Having a bank of regular orders during LOL is amazing.

 

I agree, though I think you'd see this come into play more often if NCA had better LT choices.