So building on the thread about active turn shooters in Vanilla Ariadna, I think there is an interesting discussion just about what units people prefer in Vanilla. Since we all know and love camo units, let's talk about what some of the Non-Camo options have to offer. I'll start by saying I LOVE heavy shotgun toting Devil Dogs. Loved them in N3, but now with the shotgun changes, they're even more monstrous.
The Spetsnaz ap rifle... On a more serious note the Mormaers are extremely cool now and 36 points for a damage 15 ap t2 rifle with x visor on a arm 5 13 bs dogged platform is really nasty as a throw away rambo piece that if it survives and goes into SF will be a royal pain to remove all the while risking taking a hit from that t2.
Bears of both types, obviously. Cameronians. Unknown Ranger. Wallace and Highlander Greys (yes, in vanilla). Dynamos. Veronin. Caledonian volunteers, bless their 6pt hearts.
Mostly yeah - I prefer the Cameronian just lightly over Dog Warriors because they start out gassed up and don't need to take a wound first or risk multiple hits at lower ARM. They're also higher ARM transmuted. But it's a close thing, I like them both, just Cameronians a little more. The comparison with the Devil Dog is closer again and I actually really need to play the 23pt Devil Dog (I don't mind the 33pt one either but I strictly cannot afford it in most lists) with antipode soon. I'm not too cut up about losing the second burst on the chain rifle but will definitely miss the grenades (most of the kills my Cameronian scores are with spec fire on 13s), but getting a whole extra body including B2 melee potential and sensor is really nice at the cost. It may end up overtaking Cameronians when I'm not being cost-conscious.
Inline with the dogface type units, the n4 William Wallace is pretty interesting, he feels a lot like Wolff and Cadin but is just a little faster and brings his own smoke as well as a Exp cc weapon. Also makes for a amazing lieutenant if your first one goes down early, since his inspiring leadership can then kick in in vanilla. I thought I was the only one who loves that profile, everyone always brings up the boarding shotgun like its the only real chose.
AP Rifle Spetsnaz is the first unit to go into my list and is a non-negotiable. The unit/skill package on him is highly optimized and there is really no fat on the profile. Punches way above his pay grade and can solve almost any problem. If he survives and drops into SF, he is an absolute nightmare to dig out. I like to combine him with dual Irmadhinos. I’ll put one on each flank so I have the option of bringing the spetsnaz in under smoke cover. If I have the points I’ll upgrade one Irmadhino to a Dog Warrior.
The Shotgun Spetsnaz was king in N3. The old shotgun impact template was insane on him. Entirely ignore your opponents cover. Hit 2+ enemy models on 18+ with 2 dice. The shotgun change in N4 made the Spetsnaz shotgun much less desirable. And the rifle version upgrading to AP was a huge shift. I absolutely agree with everyone here that the AP rifle Spetsnaz is top choice in Vanilla and TAK. I don't like taking them every game because my opponents hate them. But once in a while I'll take 2. The HMG Spetnaz is such a great assassin. If I need some key piece dead immediately he's my go to. I still feel the Sniper Spetsnaz needs to either gain AP or drop down to .5 SWC like every other barebones sniper. I've only ever taken him once as a joke because I took the other 3 profiles. I think Col Voronin is a great piece that often gets ignored. Both Vanilla profiles can do alot for you. He's a pretty cheap sensor with great WIP. Sixth sense is unfortunately not as useful as it once was. But in tight quarters this guy is a CC beast. ARO CC on 25's while also throwing out a -3 at up to 8 inches. Your opponents pretty much require a template to deal with him.
Yeah, for an army without Combat Jump, it's airborne deployment game is on point. Paracommandos are really damn good for their points, I love the gear package on the Airborne Ranger with Rifle and Assault Pistol... and that's before we get to Mirage-5 and Van Zant. I really think the N4 profile revisions and the additions from Kosmo is turning vanilla into a much more itneresting army.
I have been looking into USAriadna and the Airborne Rangers were surprising. They are so good in Close Combat with CC23 and MA 2. I could definitely see the case for using them in Vanilla.
When I played USARF, the ABR FO profile was an auto include for me. Won me so many games. Im not sure how I feel about him in Vanilla. I don’t like starting with too many orders off board and I know for a fact I’ll be running the Spetsnaz. I’ll probably also be running Strelok FO’s already. It kind of makes him redundant. And that’s a shame because the model is beautiful.
Another profile attack piece that I feel is underrated has to be the Ratnik, its changes and SWC drop in n4 has really allowed me to add it to lists finally, sadly he is still outclassed by other units like the UKR but I mean what does not? He feels worth the points at lest.
I’m not sure I love the Blackjack on paper. That said, any time I’ve taken the T2 Sniper Blackjack, he only rolls crits.
A lot of people forget the Blackjack has chest mines when they close in on him. It's actually really helpful for keeping some the more fighty CC pieces away
Currently playtesting CHA and have to say that the new Grays are realy cool especialy when you can have them in links to counter their frenzy. Wallace is also a beast, but kinda tend to have them parked as Lt. in Caledonia lists. The T2 NCO Mormaer is definately one of the best shooters in Ariadna. It doesnt win so many FtF Rolls as the shooters with mimetism or MSV1s, but man when he hits its gets ugly. Often killing TAGs and HIs in one order.
