CA model status

Fraacta and Maakrep are fairly modern. Maakreps could probably use some new sculpts to cover a few more profiles, but they could also probably use a minor refurbishing of those profiles. Either way, the HMG model that is available isn't going anywhere any time soon. Oznats are also decently up to date.

Zerats are definitely showing their age. If you're wanting a more modern interpretation, the Dire Foes Anyat model would make for a solid proxy.

The CA starter should also be perfectly fine for now. It and the previously mentioned Fraactas and Maakrep are all modern.

Ko Dali is a bit older, but has two new sculpts on the way.

As far as trouble pieces go, the Hungaries are absolutely ancient. The Skiavaros is in a similar boat, and has just been set to be discontinued, with no resculpt announced in sight yet. Neither has really aged particularly well.

The Anathematic is a relic from another era if there ever was one, but it's also one of the most well-aged models in Corvus Belli's entire range, at least aesthetically speaking. It's become a bit of an icon at this point, and I wouldn't be surprised if CB is anxious about the idea of approaching a replacement for it even if it is showing its age in some places. It might be the one model to stick around until the EI figures out transcendence.

 

Speculo got a regular release, though it's fugly:


No idea about the Taighas; they might get a regular release somewhen next year, or there might be some new stuff taking CA release slots.

 

The blister fraacta are probably a bit thicker/taller than the average LI human mini. The starter fraacta is about the same size. Same goes for the Maakrep.

The wings break real easy however. All three of mine broke.

 

I think it's a not uncommon opinion that the original Hungries look better. To the point that a couple of players in my local meta made sure to track them down. One of the guys even uses both the new and the old models. Biodiversity! They are bigger and heavier though, so you'll need to weigh your bases so they don't tip over.



I'm also fond of the old Speculo and am using it as a Aïda Swanson proxy. I did paint some pants on it since they were on the dossier. People need pants! Even alien people.

 

I disagree, I only wear pants when I'm forced to by my office's dress code. Shorts are where it's at!

 

I don't actually think we were given much of an explanation, or at least an in-universe explanation. The hungries were redesigned because their base size was reduced. New hungries don't need their bases weighted. Other models like the Speculos were redesigned with a whole new aesthetic making them redder, buffer, and a good bit more monstrous. I've been told this is cause they weren't selling before but I have no way to confirm that. Regardless, SHAS play loose and funky with genetics it seems, so anything goes. Mix and match as you will, IMO.

To give you an idea of the old aesthetic, here's what the old starter pack used to look like.

Fair! And honestly, I would have settled for underwear. As I do in life.

 

Just a minor correction, the HMG model is actually the sniper model, CB made a mistake with the labels.

You can compare it here:

 

Starting with the MAF starter box, most of the Morat range has gotten redesigned. The only "old" Morat models still around are the Zerats and the spec-ops.

I like the current Hungries, although they're a pain to assemble.

Shasvastii are also in the process of a big aesthetic redesign; much like the Morat one it's mostly mini aesthetics, rather than any in-setting story change. They have had a much higher number of redesigned army mechanics, but that's because the previous SEF design was a bit of a disaster.

The Combined Army starter box is from the launch of N3 and is all current digital sculpts.

 

The maakrep and fractaa are sygmaa; “evil” tohaa (or are they the goodies?).
The models match the 3D sculpted Tohaa perfectly, to the extent that arms swap with almost zero adjustment.
The solo maakrep is one of the best minis in the entire catalog, for my money.

 

Pretas have a little backpack symbiote (which is a chain rifle in game terms) you can tell them by the two extra claws coming from the shoulders.

Any that aren't on the Corvus Belli online store.

Much much newer, by about an entire edition. The CA/Onyx starter was among the first wave of N3 "Modern" sculpts along with Operation: Icestorm.

 

Currently you can take them normally in Vanilla, in MAF you need a control device (Oznat).

Of course, this could change on the 25th.

 

Tohaa are the evil Tohaa

 

Also, there's a missed (at least for now) opportunity to make an NA2 with both Tohaa and Sygmaa units, banding together to flee from manipulation and control from their respective masters. Tohaa Nomads, if you will.

 

If they bring one of their huge wooden ships they can be the fourth Mainship and directly join Nomads

 

That would be cool, as long as they stay with the Sygmaa-Look. But I doubt Nomads would really trust them enough to take them in.