If what you enjoy can be done, then do it. Different players will build and succeed with different lists. I would have struggled with Kedzio's 5 khawarij list, because that's way too much points for not enough durability for me. Does that mean it's bad? No. Does that mean it isn't competitive? No. I'd build a list completely different from that. And I'd do better with my list than that one. But some people will do better with the efficiency of 5 khawarij than they would with the extra orders. Or would really value the raw threat of Tarik more than I do, or be more able to leverage it as a strength. Personally, I'll be sticking with my mixed core, my 15ish order lists, and my unhealthy obsession with mukhtar. Not because it's objectively better than other options, but because it works for me.
I think also you gotta remember that ITS is often a dual list format. You don't always build for any scenario or opponent, in fact you probably don't. If Armoury, Acquisition and Looting/Sabotage are the scenarios and you have two lists then you'll build something different for the scenarios where you need to nuke that box than for Acquisition. And I tend to find RTF is great for that because the Ghulam link is so flexible you can build it for whatever job you need.
I guess I disagree. Not all lists are created equal. Some are simply more forgiving than others or allow more adaptable play. As many have stated, and as I have said, RTF isn’t bad. It doesn’t let me play at the competitive level I’d like to while also using the units I’d like to use. Can I still win with fun fluffy lists? Absolutely! Are they the best choice to run at a mildly-highly competitive event? @Koval if you really buy into the “it’s not your list, it’s you” type of reasoning, I think we’re at an impasse and I guess I’ll drop the subject. @Solar please don’t assume I forgot how ITS works. My argument is that pure (or nearly pure) turban lists aren’t as effective in a multi-round ITS even specifically because the ghulam link has more flexible, sustainable, and forgiving options than if it were composed purely of turbans. The desire for this (as many turbans as you can fit) to be the best way to run RTF in an ITS format is a personal one for pure aesthetic reasons. I enjoy the play style of our other units and think RTF can be a scary beast if ran to peak efficiency. (Meaning not all the turbans).
I am about 50/50 with my Ramah win/loss, I do a lot of experiments (3 Nahab, 2 Hakim, or double Maggy, etc.). Ramah I am finding really needs a good blitz, to generate momentum. A lot of your good attack pieces start in your deployment zone and sometimes it can be order intensive to get out. Once they are out, keeping them alive can be an issue.
I mean if you deliberately limit the troops you take then that is fair but it is not a weakness of RTF but rather a self-imposed limitation. As written I think RTF is fun, flexible and cool. I'm not sure why people are disappointed with it.
It umm....did things. It was fun for sure, and the shock of a duo'ed maggy was for real, but maneuvering them across the board was an absolute nightmare. I have since been testing double base maggies with two duo rafiqs. This has worked out MUCH better as they drag a specialist. In one game I was able to fire on defenders while my rafiq moved at the same time towards a button. 3 orders I had eliminated 2 targets and pressed a midfield button, while maneuvering Maggy for a good long aro lane. Far more efficient and easier to work with. Only reason it came down to a loss was my core team getting crit to death over 4 orders with shock ammo....it was terrible.
Curious what your ideal setups have been so far. I've personally been leaning towards running something like: Ghulam core w/ Khawarj MK12 or Spit Nahabx2 Mukhtar duo or solo (with a focus on the MSV2 guy, its really hard to afford the Haris though with a lot of attack pieces) as my attack piece setup. Really wouldnt mind a Tuareg either
I have come to really enjoy the Ghulam Core of LGL, Khawarij HRL, Kharaij Spitfire, and double Naffatun. Doctor sits outside core but can be pulled in (no bots assigned). I usually run the Nahab KHD or Spitfire, fairly evenly. I have only done the Mukhtar Haris a couple times but both times have been amazing.
Am i the only one in this boat or do others have trouble figuring out where the hakims kinda fit. I mean, i know their role, but they kinda have some stiff competition both in and out if ramah. Tuareg doc, akbar jan, nasmat bots, mukhtar doc, humble ghulam doc. I know they still fit a unique niche but they just feel off to me. They have terrible shooting, they are only doc+, and ad infiltration is good but can be negligible to infiltration, or superior movement and such in a variety of situations. They are cheap ish, and are somewhat tough with arm2 bts3 and regen, however i just cant find myself getting around to using them as often as id like. Does anyone have and good stories of how they were used really well in their niche to turn the tables.
Have you found the flexibility of the HRL as an active/reactive to be superior to the self-sufficient smoke shooting of the MSV2 Khawarij?
Hakims are there if you want a really good Doctor+ to be able to come in and fix people/grab objectives extremely reliably. I've used them and they're less fighty than Nahabs but better at pressing buttons and getting guys back online. But I'd usually take them based on what else I'm using: if my investment is heavily in Mukhtars and Namurrs they aren't useful. Khawarij, Jannissaries and Ghulams? They absolutely are.
My core is generally built around khawarij Mk12, ghulam NCO, and ghulam doctor. Depending on points, sometimes I'll mix the khawarij HRL in there too. Then ghulams/naffafun to get up to five. I'll also usually put another ghulam sniper or two in that same group. They can be in the team if I'm going second as a cheap ARO piece, or just post up solo if I'm going first to provide fairly cheap orders to the team and a bit of a speed bump. The mukhtar haris is expensive, yes. But I often do run it, generally in a group with some flash pulse bots. I tried Carmen on a whim a while back and was very impressed by the range of tools she brings. She ends up in most of my lists because of that.
I tried the MK12+smoke for a while, but honestly, the price and bang for buck just wasnt worth it. I have gotten for more mileage out of the HRL simply as a template weapon more than anything to be more useful. Hes good as an aro switch to active turn unit, and with super jump he can get into and out of those aro positions easily. I was always handicapped by the Mk12's range. 8-24 is good, but first turn was always a bit more difficult. I personally have gotten away from the smoke and msv2 through a bit ago as its just extra orders. If I am using smoke its so I can double move. If I want to shoot, I will just shoot.
Because they have NWI so they don't fall unconscious to be doctor'd. Duo em generally. They're fantastic for a lot of missions, because they're fast and tough. I want to put a Spitfire in a Ghulam team at some point though.
You make some good points, but this is exactly why I like the smoke/Mk12 combo. I play the Mk12 fairly similar to how I would a spitfire, with the added benefit of being able to shoot through the smoke. For me, the main job of the smoke is to help help get the Mk12 within 24", rather than to stack mods. Of course, this doesn't work against MSV, which forces me to look at other options. The HRL is absolutely a valid way to go, and I have had success running both of them, but I prefer using more mobile tools to get close and take out that ARO piece. Regarding hakim, I'm struggling with them as well. One very small niche I see for it is in support of a solo Tarik. Basically, the idea would be to run Tarik aggressively up a flank, with a hakim off-guard waiting for him to go down. Other than that, I dont see myself not spending the points for a nahab instead.
You can doctor wounded NWIs, that's right there in NWI rules. And tbh Mukhtar doc would be pretty shizo otherwise, as well as some other similar units. But now he can block stuff with his face, patch up after going 6" anyway and keep going, not to mention backing up RF Mukhtar in a Haris.