The new update got me thinking that all of the NA2 forces some love. I think they could use some additions or change of troops. Druze It’s been mentioned before but Druze could use some HI and I think they would be welcoming to “particular” troops. Vokolak Dog Warriors Wulver They already have Wolfgang so bring in his buddies! These three seem like a great fit for Druze. It gives them some toughness and assault ability. Ikari I still have no idea why they got Kiutan Imposters. They are not bad, but JSA/Shinden just got a bunch of new troops. So, these are troops I think that should have also been added to Ikari. Kyojin Killers Kurayami Ninja Nokizaru Kunai Ninja I feel the up-close killers would be the ones to join Ikari. It would be cool if they had like an AVA1 Domaru Lt. too. It just fits the theme for me. The Nokizaru sucks but there's the hope it will be made better. I vote it best looking figure with bad rules. Dashat They lost their one good Lt. with the Zuyong. They really need something back. My thoughts. Naffatun Zhayedan Unique Lt. version of Miranda Ashcroft I’d like to see more Yu Jing but I’m not sure what’s appropriate. Maybe an upgrade of Zhencha to a Daofei. This could also help with the lack of Lt. options. Starco I don’t know enough of SC to really be able to say anything. Does anyone have ideas? White Company Honestly, I don’t think they need anything. But I’m sure someone has ideas? I’d like to see a comeback of some Tohaa/Sprial into some of the existing NA2 forces. All but Starco have at least 1. I’d like to see maybe the Tagmaa, Krigel, Draal. Or maybe a troop where you MUST take a haris 3 or none at all.
For druze i think could be nice aditions for HI Al fasid, Who IS in dashat, or azra'il, for some low tech hi. Cheers
Its the White Company and they have enough. Mostly Svarlaheima & White Banner with a Aleph dot and sprinkles of NA/Haq. I did not understand why they got Black Op and Blockers also. For Druze I could see Jannissars with low AVA. In general Druze are low on MSV and have no Albedo. Koyin Killers are basicaly Beast Hunters. So yes BH for Ikari is something I would take. Nokizaru would also be fitting but otherwise I would not give much of the new troops to NA2. Dashat´s weakness are Lts. Same goes for Druze and Ikari. I think CB want it that way. Star Co has better options and WC does not care. In general I would like to see some unique troop type like the Druze itself for Ikari and Dashat. Maybe a MI version of Zhanshi for Ikari and a downgraded Khawaris für Dashat.
For Druze, IMO, the right approach would be scratch them off and get back to the drawing board. They were developed as a narrative faction for the Outrage mission pack, and I'm of the opinion never given a consideration as an actual army. They were then caught up with by the rest of NA2, and then left in the dust. Only given fractional updates by adding some new units - but not really in any organized, thought through way. Meaning they are, IMO, the lamest duckling of the 8 armies I play. 3 of which are NA2. So, CB, get back to the drawing board and think - who are the DBS meant to be, and how they are meant to play?
Fixed to Company. I wish they had a more original name. I doubt they will make anything new for NA2. Why make new when you can push existing? I feel like they were meant to be the "Vanilla" of NA2 and changed. I agree they need original things but I doubt it will happen. Like I said above.
IMO they do not need original things (as in, "things exclusive only to them"). There are tons of puzzles in the game already, and CB can put these puzzles into different sectorials with different combinations. There is enough space to design with existing pieces. Sure it would be nice to have some unique entries, but realistically, we do not need to multiply entities beyond necessity... What they, in my opinion, need, is for someone to sit down on their figurative butt and give this sectorial (and some other ones, too) some serious consideration. Answer the questions: what are they meant to be? how are they meant to be played (preferably in several aspects, as to not make them an one-trick-pony)? what is meant to be their strong suite? what is emant to be their weak point? Once these questions are answered, grab the big box of puzzles the Infinity units are, pick those that fit (both thematically and game-wise) and put them into army list. Then check if it clicks together - maybe something needs replacement, maybe something needs a boost. In the entire DBS, after all, only Druze Shock Teams & their character are mandatory entries (to keep it a "Druze Bayram Securities" sectorial).
That's partially why I made a list of existing troops they could add instead of new troops. Ones I think are appropriate and can give them either something lacking or strengthen something they already have. Right now the only troop that's unique to NA2 armies are the Brawlers and I'm find with that. More JSA troops just make sense for Ikari. Especially Ninja. Dahshat needs a Lt. and I suggest Regular version of some of the troops just for them. Like Hunzakuts or Bashi. In fact it would be interesting if all NA2 had slightly different versions of existing mercs that others can have. Whether this is Regular versions or different weapons and equipment.
Note: I have just received the Operation: Mazebreaker box, and went to town on the fluff. Corregidor's Vigilantes, Territorials and especially Bearcats all have StarCo mentioned as their point of origin. Yet none of these are available to StarCo. Interesting. As to Brawlers, specifically, I dislike these guys. They are obviously designed to slap-patch ability holes present in specific NA2 (i.e. the sole MSV L2 in Druze being the Brawler Sniper), but at the same time they are 15pts Line Infantry - with a profile that IMO isn't worth it. If we are talking about specific NA2 - I can speak only about Dahshat, Druze and StarCo. For those I do play. StarCo being okay-ish, albeit they could use some extra thought. And maybe some of the new Corregidor troops. I'd trim / modify some entries, too - honestly I can't ever find a reason to field a Cateran, for example. Knauf does outclass him by far too much. Druze.. I made my opinion on them clear above. Dahshat needs some more command options and better hacking, especially a KHD entry - they don't have one. Again, they would all benefit from CB getting back to the drawing board on them, and perhaps starting from a (mostly) clean slate.
StarCo has few Lt. but not as bad as Ikari or Dashat. They have one good one with Mobile Brigada, then cheap ones where you can afford to have decoys. Meanwhile WC has 7 to choose from and some of them pretty good, like Hannibal.
If CB genuinely wants to give NA2 the attention they deserve, there is a lot of groundwork that needs to be done first. 1. Define the identities of the main factions clearly Right now, the core identities of the main factions have become somewhat blurred. If they can't even get the main factions straight, I doubt they can properly differentiate and define the unique traits of NA2. 2. Release dedicated, standalone product packs for NA2 As it stands, NA2 often ends up being a "third choice." Players usually buy into White Company only after they already own PanO and YJ, rather than picking White Company as their very first starting faction. This issue isn't exclusive to NA2 either; it applies to QK (Qapu Khalqi) as well. 3. The challenge of game balance Just look at White Company as an example. In N5, both PanO and YJ received significant buffs, which naturally made White Company much stronger by extension. The more shared units there are, the more severe this balancing issue will become.
I get it but I doubt they will do any of that. 1. How do you define something that's made of of all these different parts? I think that's actually a defining part of mercs IS that they can't be defined easily. They are a lot less rigid than main armies and they can even "sub-contract" making it even weirder. 2. I don't think they will make NA2 exclusive figures, other than Brawlers and a few like Triphammers, Diggers, (who are mostly NA2). UNLESS they came out with a whole new NA2 "vanilla" faction. Which I think they could. It would take coming out with many new troops though. I'm not sure how many would be into buying something like this though. I might be but I'm now at a point I can't do any more factions . 3. White Company doesn't need anything more. They are pretty playable. Though I can see them adding in some Aleph units to WC and Some of the new Nomads to StarCo. No idea what they would add from the Aleph side though. Maybe one of the optimate characters.
To be blunt, I see the current NA2 as merely a crude business strategy. It serves simply as a pretext to encourage players to purchase a second faction, rather than a sincere attempt to develop the NA2 setting and lore.
I agree in part. It was something that players did want. I've been playing from the start and a Mercs faction was wanted for a long time before they even created NA2. It's something that's been in the background too. But the way they did it is like you said and feels like they didn't put much work into it.
Yes. The demand was there first. I think Druze was on of the first or Druze, Ikari Starco. I also think its not worth for CB to put too much effort into it. Making exclusive figures for them is a niche in a niche. Maybe it works. Druze and KTS saw the their 2nd incarnation already, but both are in QK (which was, more or less the first merc faction). Before Druze exist as an own sectorial a friend of mine painted the Anaconda and some other troops in the same way as his Durze - this looked very good on the table and was effectly a QK army. White Co came indeed after Kaldström und is at the moment the best NA2 faction. I dare to say they are too good. Putting together most of the good things of tho different factions (sectorials) incl. good fireteam combos. If they need any, then a tone down. A bit more Aleph could help to justify the fluff. I realy would like to see some uniqe troops for Ikari and Dasaht.
