So I've been building tonnes of lists for OSS lately, and I've realized that I've never once considered the Danavas in a list. It's a decent enough profile for a power-hacker, but it just doesn't seem to stack up with the glut of amazing hackers in the sectorial; AHD Deva, KHD Naga, and HD+ Asura being my personal favourites. It seems to me like the other profiles just pack enough extra utility, efficiency, and/or firepower that the Danavas doesn't compare. So, have you folks been fielding the Danavas, or have they been condemned to the sidelines because of the fierce competition for their role?
Pitcher and cost for a Wip15 hacker are great, but lacking NWI/Dogged is what seems to hurt her. I ran her a little in my first games, but I have to face a HGL Squalo NCA list in my dominant meta... and with pants Ph, low armour, lack of marker state turn 1 and no Dogged/NWI it's easy to plop a template or two on her and she's gone.
I haven't used the Assault Danavas, as I feel like there are better platforms for that Device (such as the Deva, or our Skirmishers). The Hacking Plus is useful for a Supportware Hacker if I'm not already bringing an Asura (or I want multiple Supportware running, but that's rare). Typically, that'll be on higher Order-count lists, where I'm not going to fit an Asura. She definitely edges out the Deva Hacker, which I don't want in a Fireteam. For Limited Insertion, I can't say she shows up often in my lists, either.
Her main problem is the new HD+ Asura Lt2. There is no point in taking both of them in a single list, and Asura can fill many purposes.
Having Rudra as Attack Piece it is shame not to use her repeater with White Noise. Especialy with increased number of MSV in links lately. It is kind of difficult sometimes to put Rudra and Asura in 1 list, especialy if we want some other toys and bigger order pool. In this situation Danava is our pick.
I use the Danavas as second Hacker besides Deva or MK1 for a second Assisted Fire. Moar AF is moar good. Dakini + Rudra/Garuda shred like no tomorrow.
So, I made an effort to fit a Danavas in a list and took it for a spin today. And the verdict is... luke warm. It performed just fine in a game of Comms Center, OSS versus Varuna, but it also wasn't exactly stellar. All it did the whole game was Immobilize a Peacemaker's Auxbot and put Assisted Fire on my Dakini HMG. For a 25 point model though, I can't really complain. I could have deployed it a bit better, and it was my first time playing a spammy ALEPH list (L.I. is very popular here, not because it's enforced, but my local players like building single beefy combat groups), and I feel like she has a spot there, but I'll need more practice games to decide for sure if she's the right gal for the job. 8/8 Orders ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 8 DEVA (Multispectral Visor L2) Spitfire, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife. (1 | 33) DEVA Lieutenant Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 23) DAKINI Tacbot MULTI Sniper Rifle / Electric Pulse. (1.5 | 21) DAKINI Tacbot HMG / Electric Pulse. (1 | 21) DAKINI Tacbot Combi Rifle / Electric Pulse. (0 | 13) CSU (Specialist Operative) Rifle + Light Shotgun, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 12) PROXY Mk.1 Doctor (MediKit) Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 10) PROXY Mk.5 (Forward Observer) 2 Submachine Guns, Nanopulser, E/M Grenades / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 10) NETROD . (0 | 4) GROUP 2 8 NAGA Hacker (Killer Hacking Device) Combi Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 30) GARUDA Tacbot Spitfire / Electric Pulse. (1.5 | 28) DANAVAS Hacker (Hacking Device Plus. UPGRADE: Maestro) Combi Rifle + Pitcher / Breaker Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 25) APSARA (Killer Hacking Device) Boarding Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 19) DALETH Rebot Combi Rifle, Sniffer / Electric Pulse. (0 | 17) DALETH Rebot Combi Rifle, Sniffer / Electric Pulse. (0 | 17) CSU Boarding Shotgun, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 11) NETROD . (0 | 4) 5.5 SWC | 298 Points Open in Infinity Army And my opponent's list for reference Varuna Immediate Reaction Division ────────────────────────────────────────────────── 10 ORC (Varuna Div.) (Multiterrain: Aquatic/Jungle, Stealth) HMG / Pistol, Knife. (2 | 45) PATSY GARNETT Submachine Gun, Nimbus Plus Grenades, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 37) KAMAU (Multispectral Visor L2) MULTI Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 32) BIPANDRA Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 23) FUSILIER Hacker (Hacking Device) Combi Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 18) CROC MAN Hacker (Assault Hacking Device) Combi Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 36) CROC MAN (Minelayer) Combi Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 31) ZULU-COBRA Lieutenant (Sensor) Combi Rifle, Jammer / Assault Pistol, Knife. (0 | 29) PEACEMAKER Spitfire + AUXBOT_3 / Electric Pulse. (1 | 27) AUXBOT_3 Heavy Flamethrower / Electric Pulse. (- | 4) BULLETEER Heavy Shotgun / Electric Pulse. (0 | 17) 6 SWC | 295 Points Open in Infinity Army