Interesting, I didn't know that. Maybe "despite" is a strong word for what I wanted to say. Most of the time, I don't have problem with homage as you can paint the mini as you want anyway. What I wanted to say, is "Ok, it's Storm, but I'm cool with it and I find the HI design super cool". The catbot is number one in my heart. I think I'm goiing to try surgery on the HI Gui Feng to replace the head by a helmet (I may have something in my bits box). But for all Spec-Ops, I think the ones sharing the same head between both versions are giving and odd vide. The Vortex has the original Vortex head, with added galsses. Thanks for pointing the topless HI design. I couldn't put my finger on it. Luckily, this something, easy to fix with paint.
So, where is the Rumbler HI version? Will that even exists? After all the book+box+excl rumbler packs were done, a normal rumbler Spec op box will come out?
Has not leaked out yet? Neither did the Gort SpecBot. The Rumbler that's part of the Hyperthermal release is, after all, a Limited Edition promo one. Meaning the regular release of the Rumbler is not there - (hopefully) yet. Maybe at some other time.
From the newer ones my favorite is Storm and her HI buddy is so much different, the haris will not look goofy. But I don´t play O-12 and will not start them. JSA is also nice and different enough. But spec op without EXP its bit boring. The concept to sell the hairs is good enough for some games though. At lest some nice minis (not you Nomad HI). Especialy Pan O and Yu Jing will look like a twin team (clones maybe). YJ mini Su Jian is nice, but I have the TAG Raid dog already. I don´t think there will be one. At least not soon. Lucky people have the BSG ABH ;-) or some old Haq HI maybe. A REM is also missing.
This will probably be resolved by "Oh, you can proxy all Minis" And technically only Druze would "need" the actual Rumbler models whilst the other NA2 Sectorials could easily just take their parent faction's Spec-Ops. I wish the HI had the Brigada or EVAder chestplate design though