So the Duo skill just got added to the Yan Huo, and unlike the special Haris it doesn't require FTOs to create a basic Duo for IA. So now we can do funny shit like this Slightly trolly, although we should consider that the Neurocinetics tinbot is something we are capable of switching off and on by breaking and reforming the duo link. So it's conceivable in the active turn you can opt to break the link, BRRT away with the HRMC, then when you're done reform it at the end of the turn and resume the BRRT in your opponents turn. If we want to be less all in we could also view the Neurocinetics as a way for Wildcards to get access to their max burst without needing to be in a full link. The MSR Haidao is a competent ARO piece even at burst 2. The Yan Huo is about the same cost as giving him 4 Zhanshi to hang out with, but it comes with a second credible and very scary ARO presence with the twin missile launchers that can sit in cover with ARM8 and be difficult to dislodge.
As interesting an option as it sounds, I'm going to wait a bit for CB to iron out the kinks before I commit to buying a ML Yan Huo. I don't know how long something like this will be allowed to last.
As far as the subject of the link itself goes, the HRMC might optimize meme potential, but there's probably more mileage to be gained with a Shang beast. It covers up the biggest vulnerability potentially facing the duo, and provides more utility for when it comes to your own turn.
Yep, entirely plausible. I think there's actually a bit of depth that can be explored as to what to link with it.
As for other duo options: Red fury haidao has probably the more bangs for your bucks, and the dual smg hulang FTO can simply unleash hell at very close range. edit: I seriously hope it's a feature and not a bug, because this would be the single best answer to IA players's plea about the sectorial's lack of defense
I mean, why not? Leave it with us for a season (CB said they will review the data and that "broken" units showed up as not being overpowering in the data, so... give this a chance to happen, foreseen or not). This is good. It is 100pts, so MORE than elite TAG cost for N4. It is a niche application of two beautiful models, it makes you model your list around it, gives us an arquetype, can be dealt with by common tools (like Smoke and Hacking)... Come on CB, let me have this. If you reduced the cost of the alien minelayer bugger we can have a Neurocinetic Duo!
I had to check, but unfortunately Neurocinetics does not work for Hacking, or I'd have stuck a Shang-Ji HD or Haidao KHD in there.
I don't see how anyone could be concerned about balance here, it will crumple to the oldest trick in the book, Rudy with smoke almost as easily as a 25 pt TR bot. Can't negate any of the negative mods. The only army with something to fear from this build is ironically Invincible Army and maybe MO.
I noticed this and raced to tell folks just cus I thought it was so amazing it had to be done. Glad others noticed it. Is it good? Not really, but its hilarious.
HRMCs do have that extended 0-band, could be fun to stick a Neurocinetics Duo way off at the back of your DZ to inflict a -6 mod on enemy HMGs between Range and Cover. That puts a reactive Yan Huo HRMC on even dice with a Core-linked ORC.
You can also always drop out of the fireteam for active turn shooting if necessary, and the missile launchers aren't exactly pushovers either. Honestly, I hope they keep it and experiment with other things that could go in tinbots for rules.
I have the feeling that they are gonna take this out of the picture on future army/linkteam updates. If they keep this in some degree it could definitely be interesting for yanhuo. Krit, haidao, quiang-gao, taisheng, cheong-hee-jeong... it brings a lot of interesting combinations A double ML It's surely a non desirable thing to move forward... but it can give some protection to wildcards as a passive trait on your deployment