As a pure button pusher it's fine. If something happens to shuffle into stabbing range whilst you're in hidden, that's a bonus,. It I wouldn't count on it or look for opportunities to go for CC though. Just be happy to take one if the opportunity arises.
*Hidden Deployment Infiltrating Specialist that grants access to REMs for 29 points 0 SWC. The real gun is the CCW, but optimally you don't get to use it. Also, Redrum on -6 to the enemy hacker is a real threat. Good protector of TAGs and some HI alike.
While it's true, I don't think it's that relevant for yu-jing and other ninjas factions. The rui-shi is just so damn good that you're likely to take one and the hacker to buff it anyway.
When playing either vanilla YJ or Nomads, if my normal HD ends up being crucial and the opponent tries to KHD him, I'll sometimes pop my own KHD out in ARO. If they're trying to take down my EVO before drop troops come in, for example. Splitting burst is a temptation that few players resist well, and at the very least you'll probably piece-trade their KHD for your HD. Regarding ninja snipers popping out midfield after the opponent has advanced past them, I much prefer using a combi for similar stuff and just getting backshots. You don't need -12 when the opposing model can't shoot back at all. The FO model is great for the points. Also a real bear to remove when in Supp Fire pretty close to an objective, unless there's tons of DTWs running around.
Oh, I get you. Enfilade fire is great. I just find the opportunity cost of sitting away at sniper range with a ninja too high even with a plum position, when the same effect can be achieved with a backshot from a combi that is then also positioned to accomplish objectives, engage in CC, or become a Supp Fire roadblock. It's also easier to reposition for new targets when in the middle of the board. I used the Ninja sniper pretty frequently in N2, where camo was nastier. Even then, not worth it compared to even an AHD ninja.
No argument there, but I try to not take the stupid-good profiles, to force me to play better to make up for their lack.
I ran this list last time I played IS, it was the first time I noticed that the Ninja and Kanren KHD are identically costed. Seems most people would take the ninja right? Spoiler Hsien HMG haris ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 10 6 CELESTIAL GUARD (Kuang Shi Control Device) Combi Rifle + Light Smoke Grenade Launcher / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 13) KUANG SHI Chain Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 5) KUANG SHI Chain Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 5) KUANG SHI Chain Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 5) KUANG SHI Boarding Shotgun / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 11) KUANG SHI Chain Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 5) KUANG SHI Chain Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 5) ZHÀNYING (Fireteam: Haris, Sensor) Breaker Combi Rifle, Nimbus Grenades / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0.5 | 27) ZHÀNYING Hacker (Hacking Device) Breaker Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0.5 | 32) HSIEN Lieutenant HMG, Nanopulser / Pistol, AP CCW. (2 | 61) GROUP 2 6 HÙSÒNG Yaókòng HMG / Electric Pulse. (1 | 25) HÙSÒNG Yaókòng HMG / Electric Pulse. (1 | 25) CSU (Specialist Operative) Rifle + Light Shotgun, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 12) CSU (Specialist Operative) Rifle + Light Shotgun, Nanopulser / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 12) KǍNRÈN Combi Rifle, Chain-colt, MadTraps / Pistol, Monofilament CC Weapon, Knife. (0 | 28) KǍNRÈN Hacker (Killer Hacking Device) Combi Rifle, Chain-colt / Pistol, Monofilament CC Weapon, Knife. (0 | 29) 5.5 SWC | 300 Points Open in Infinity Army
Maybe? Kanren KHD loses a few points of CC but gets a monofilament CCW, having a cybermasked Kanren walk up and surprise attack a TAG in melee with that monowire sword seems viable in theory. Coupled with FD2 and starting in holo state, that might be a nasty early- to mid-game surprise in Show of Force?
I mean, the Ninja is also severely lacking when it comes to a real weapon, compared to the Combi Rifle and Chain Colt of the Kanren. It's certainly hard to argue with a Specialist that can pop out of Hidden Deployment at a crucial time for a game-winning button push, but the Kanren's definitely bring great general-purpose tools that the Ninja lacks.
On reflection, the Ninja KHD is probably the better choice than the Kanren KHD when the list already contains the Kanren Madtraps like mine did. If the midfield goes completely to shit, what kills one kanren kills 2 just as easily. HP2 doesn't keep Kanren safe in the reactive turn, in fact it ended up blocking my LOF at a crucial moment, resulting in death. The ninja can survive a bad midfield fiasco by not being on the table, although it would be sad not to have the order in the pool.
Would it make a difference if you used cybermask? Which one would be more useful? Cybermasked kanren or hidden ninja? Ninja KHD can cybermask too. So given the same cost, which would you pick?
If i had used cybermask (and succeeded) The kanren would have taken at least one more order to die, which would have been significant. Can't remember if I had orders to spare to try masking. My conclusion is if you already have the Madtrap Kanren to clear mines and disrupt the midfield, the ninja is a better pick for the specialist role. That said it looked cool having two kanrens and that is also important. If you only had 29 points to spend on your midfield totally, I don't know what to do.
The Kanren KHD's primary weapon is the fact that a Kanren AHD is one of the more cost effective means of having an AHD both on the board and in a forward position for Yu Jing. Except when the Kanren AHD is a Kanren KHD which can be a nasty surprise for a hacker not respecting an AHD, unless the Kanren AHD actually is a Kanren AHD and they walk the TAG over next to the Kanren AHD that they think is masquerading as a Kanren KHD. But judge the surprise on their face when the Kanren AHD that's masquerading as a Kanren KDH turns out to not be hackable and their light infantry fireteam has now walked close to a Kanren FO with a BSG. Still, the Kanren is very expensive and I seldom find a use for their costly martial arts.
This reply makes me HDazed. Kanren shtick is kinda awkward though - I gladly shoved it into suppressing TAG, but using an AHD could be nice
The way i see the Ninja KHD is this: You are agreeing to play 30pts down, just so you can have a specialist in midfield to push buttons turn 3. Playing ISS, it's hard to get efficient button pushers. So, it's far easier to have a turn 3 TO come out and push buttons, then slowly win your fire-fights and move up the board with your other specialists.
Do you need to unlock REMs? Do you need a Infiltrating Antimaterial Option? Do you need the safety of a TO Specialist for last minute Objective run? Can you afford having a 30 point piece with a CC range threat bubble? I've really fallen out of love with the KHD Ninja. It's still good for a variety of ITS Missions, still, you really want a better reason than "it unlocks REMs" nowadays. Can't believe I'm saying that, but I'd even give the AHD (if I need the TO Specialist and it needs to fight) some consideration before including it. If I want a Ninja in YJ/ISS my go to would bere likely the DA CCW Combi (for missions not requiring button pushing or where Hackers are a liability). It's not an Oniwaban, but it's what we have and not terrible.
