I feel this not only dilutes the unique character of Tohaa - why the hell does Sval use a weird alien slave race again? Starmada?! - but also makes specific weapons like the autocannon less unique than it was before. I have no idea what motivated this move by CB (aside from "sell more models" ofc) but if the sole idea for it is "we're releasing a new model box, it needs a broader audience than Spiral / legacy Tohaa players" then I abhor the practice and precedent. Especially since the models are moved into sectorials where they make absolutely zero point zero sense - as if Bakunin players are going to take Chaksa over Riot Girls? If Chaksa are significantly buffed, that's good for Tohaa, but if THAT is the way CB are wedging these models into all of those weirdly mismatched factions, then it's another strong dislike from me. That would mean the model gets buffed only so that it sells. So, what's the exact design and fluff space of Chaksa in all of those sectorials, what do you think? It's so weird...
They're a Mercenary unit, they show up in Winterfor because they're the only PanO Sectorial based in an active conflict zone, White Company because they're a Mercenary company with ties to SWF and Svalarheima, and Starmada because they're hiring all sorts to help combat the CombArmy invasion of Concilium space. Bakunin hire them because of all the Nomad Sectorials Bakunin have the most xenophilia. From the Triumvirate's perspective they get a whole bunch of spies in the Human Sphere with a degree of plausible deniability (they're not Tohaa, just another allied race, honest guv!)
Chaksa outside of being mercenaries are entirely feasible within SWF since there is that whole Area 51 on wheels that the Vargar are stationed on which is a mobile hotel for the legal and ethical treatment of non-humans.
Eh no different from Libertos or Krakots serving in a bunch of human forces. Well, there is one teensy, tiny difference - those models get played, and these will not unless they are significantly changed.
I mean I'd use them in any of those forces for the same reason I'll use them in Spiral, they have an autocannon profile and I love me an Ariadnan hacking device wherever I can get one.
Yes, the biggest benefit here is that now instead of just one small group of players complaining about how terrible the profiles are, there will be a slightly bigger small group of players complaining about how terrible the profiles are. The profiles are bad, and the more people who realize this, the more likely they are to get some buffs.
I don't mind personally, it's just sorta weird...yeah, spies with WIP 12, mkey. I hope they will at least prove that Tohaa designs are popular and we will see more Tohaa units in near future (I have no idea if this is how it works).
We have tried to use them friend, but BS 12, no visual mods, extremely restricted fireteam options, and but a single wound to keep you alive add up to a unit that can't do the job it's intended to do. It is hard to overstate just how poorly it performs in comparison to, say, the Tankhunter. If you need a long-range firepower piece, just take a Taagma Sniper + 2 Chaksa FTO Triad. 30 points cheaper than the cheapest Autocannon Haris and packs MSV2, Counterintelligence, and Immunity (Shock). Or the tried-and-true Draal Marksman + Tri Core combo. Unless they significantly beef the unit up, or give it way better fireteam options (which would make Spiral extremely upset), I have severe doubts it will see play in the new sectorials.
This just makes me want to play my Bakunin even less. Between the crappy minmax links, Doge McPunface and Tohaa's Least Wanted CB is killing the Sectorial's relatively tight, factional design at record speed.
If Chaksa Longarms were any good I would definitely used them in Bakunin, but hell would froze before I purchased any Tohaa miniatures to do so :P Also it's not like Bakunin would benefit from a MOD-less MI in mid point cost... I look at Chaksa as is and cannot understand why put them there, except for some stupid fluff reason.
I Don't like this decision. Probably the box is not selling at all, but shoving units in to random armies just because they don't sell well is not an acceptable solution.
There are no sales yet, the box hasn't been released yet. It was just put on preorders until end of May.
I think I could play them frequently in Starmada. The are on the more durable end of 1W MI. And Starmada lacks alot of ranged options. I'm willing to give them a try there.
I can read profiles as good as anyone else, and I've seen the threads discussing how bad they are supposed to be. And I agree, they aren't great, they aren't even fine; but I like the models, I love autocannons, and I like to try janky crap so I'll be using them.
Maybe they are filling up Bakunin, so they can split Observance into its own sectorial in the future? Might also explain why Observance got relatively little rework in n4. Pure speculation on my part (In case anyone would get excited/worried). No actual rumors that Observance/black hand is coming have surfaced.
Seems likely its part of some greater plan CB havent let us in on yet. Like when they released the Manga models for no apparent reason.
Smells like a financially driven decision to me. The sculpts seem generally well received, but Tohaa and SC might not be popular enough to generate enough sales for this box.