While you don’t get a +1 SD for a Marut, I can’t really say it NEEDS it. It can do fine without. The real advantage is having a specialist with your TAG who can put it back together with a re-roll if needed. And can use a command token yet to re-roll again due to Rem Presence. (I think you can, not sure). But the better one might be Max anyway. Marut is great but Max just has a bit more to offer with the Immunity, better CC, smaller is better too.
It's disappointing that Marut wasn't adjusted this time. With other units getting updates, I don't really see a reason to use him anymore. Plus, Poxy.4 brings a great BS Attack(-3), while Maximus doesn't care about CC or Missile Launchers, meaning he won't get taken out by a single unlucky shot. Even though it seems like I’m constantly complaining, the OSS optimization this time is actually pretty good. This is just one of the few minor letdowns.
Don't be so negative on the TAG on heels. It is still one of the best around. Obviously a little Hacker -3 couldn't have hurt, but then again the Arjuna FTO is a wildcard that can work nicely (granted: you don't get the ENG in the same DUO to patch it up... depends on missions and opposing forces, also considering that the lady comes with a Gizmokit PH13...). One thing I could see useful would be something to counter Martial Arts... she's a bit exposed to that even with +1B and CC18. An Oniwaban can be terrifying. Max compensates that being NBW and ImmunityARM...
Like most TAGs you build the list around them. Marut is a premium TAG and when we look only for a good duo partner the Arunja brings tinbot support and the Artalis is an engineer with a better range weapon then the Arunja but lacks mimetism, both are 23 pts, both offer a "free" move order (NCO or TA). Personaly I would go for the Engineer and get the firewall by EVO Support. The choice between Marut and Max has some main-questions: Do I want Strategos? Do I want to negate any optical mods against shooting? Or do I want a TAG that can push deeply into the enemy table side without beeing afriad of cc-capable troopers? In shooting and pure arm and bts the Marut is superior. While max can take on ML and MSR AROs without beeing killed by a lucky crit. He also brings immunity POS.
I agree with it. Looking at it specifically it's a K1 Combi vs an AP SMG. I am not so much expecting to face somebody at medium to high range with the "sidekick". For that the Marut is more than enough (choice of 2 large teardrop and a MULTI HMG). The decisive point here is ARM=0 vs ARM/2. The former is good all-around, can threaten a Hatamoto too (just to exemplify a unit with nanoscreen), while an AP SMG is a close quarter ARM/2 weapon that still has its usage. Bottom line I would agree on the firewall from an EVO (that requires an order to achieve), but I wouldn't discard outright an Artalis with Yudbot supporting a Marut/Arjuna combination. It depends on the rest of the list more so than a "this is better, period" kind of argument.
A tinbot is nice but with an ENG, even if the TAG is hacked, the ENG can fix it. Also if hit by E/M. One of the nice things about the Arjuna is, not the AP SMG, but the E/Mitter. Both are good. I think it might just depend on the mission. For ones that need points on the board, I’d do ENG. For others the Arjuna. For me, the Marut, is target priority #1 in area control missions.
