List Building: Gao-Rael Sniper vs Nikoul?

In most situations the Gao Rael is preferable to me, because I generally don't have another source of MSV 2 and they are linkable. If I'm not bringing my defensive triad for some other reason (Gao Rael Sniper + Sukeul ML + Kaeltar CoC) then I might consider the Nikoul, but only if the mission isn't forcing me out of my deployment zone (which is the most common reason to not take the aforementioned defensive triad).

 

the eternal question

 

nikoul are better for scenarios with saturation zone.
they work best as your reserve troop, so you can plop them down with line of sight to either an impetuous smoke user or a tag in the long range band

 

Yes Nikoul is good if there is a saturation zone in the middle pretty much in every other case the gao rael is better, if you are playing without scenery nikoul is better but when you are playing infinity wrong in my opinion ;)

 

Why not both? It can be fairly hard to position the Gao rael along with his triad whereas the Nikoul can be easily plopped to cover a firelane. Both got hid fairly hard by the symbiomate deployment faq so be wary of using them as a reserve.

The Nikoul is a good backup pick if your local scene is low on terrain or are attending a tournament where you think the tables might be sparse.

The Gao rael is a beast all round especially if you can get the smoke from a kerail over him.

 

I am a big fan of the Nikoul because of its Minelayer profile. However, I am finding it more and more difficult to work it into the list. The major downside to the Nikoul is with only MSV1 it is vulnerable to White Noise, and Smoke tricks. Generally if they are out in an overwatch position, you can expect them to die in 2-3 orders (Even with a 'mate).

I tend to be a little more aggressive with my MSV2 so I generally take the Gao-Real with Spitfire instead of the sniper, but I have found the Sniper to be best if it is placed prone for the first turn and pop up in the second or third turn to take shots at things which have moved out of place.

 

Because those points could easily be used more effectively to cover a different gap in your list instead of being redundant.

 

With two aro pieces? The only other model I can think of that offers a similar role for us is the missile Sukeul who has her own drawbacks.
By utilising multiple aro pieces in Tohaa you leverage one of the factions greatest strengths, its resilience, without needing to spend any orders yourself.

 

The Gao Rael Sniper and Sukeul ML are complementary and synergize due to Triad. Nikoul fills the same niche as the Gao Rael and has the same weaknesses.

 

At which point your forced to keep them within coherency. I'm not much of a fan of the multiple aro link but obviously your mileage may vary.
I don't especially agree that the Nikoul and Sukeul don't occupy similar space in a list, whilst that missile launcher and all round better stats overshadow the sappers statline the freedom of placement earns it a place in my lists.

Edit: Out of interest what do you feel the Nikoul and Gr are weak against that the Sukeul isn't?

 

White Noise.

 

Fair shout, I cant say I see it used often enough to influence my list building.It would be nice to see it handed out more freely as an upgrade to break up the Mimetism Visor dominance.

 

Yup, that's a big one. Also high Damage Sniper Rifle with Shock, vs. the AP/EXP option of the Missile Launcher, scares very different types of opposing troopers.

I've seen white noise used in 2 out of 3 of the last events I've been at. Double MSV ARO pieces would be screwed.

 

On the plus side that does mean they aren't negating your mimetism.
Being on the receiving end of it can suck but find It doesn't dictate games in quite the same way smoke can.
For reference here is something I took to interplanetario last year and picked up wins against white noise wielding Nomads and Tohaa

Inter
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

GROUP 1 8 1 2
SUKEUL HMG, D-Charges / Pistol, Breaker Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 35)
MAKAUL Heavy Flamethrower, Eclipse Grenades / Pistol, Viral CCW. (0 | 13)
KAELTAR (Chain of Command) Light Shotgun, Flash Pulse + 2 SymbioMates / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0.5 | 21)
GAO-RAEL Sniper Rifle / Pistol, CCW. (1 | 31)
MAKAUL Heavy Flamethrower, Eclipse Grenades / Pistol, Viral CCW. (0 | 13)
KAELTAR (Chain of Command) Light Shotgun, Flash Pulse + 2 SymbioMates / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0.5 | 21)
GAO-TARSOS Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 28)
DIPLOMATIC DELEGATE (iKohl L1, Specialist Operative) Nanopulser, Flash Pulse / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 5)
KERAIL PRECEPTOR Submachine Gun, Smoke Grenades + 1 Surda SymbioBeast / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0 | 20)
SURDA SYMBIOBEAST Pulzar / Viral CCW. (0 | 8)

GROUP 2 6 1
KAAURI Sentinel Submachine Gun, 2 Nanopulsers, Nullifier / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0 | 12)
KAMAEL Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 16)
SAKIEL Lieutenant Viral Combi Rifle, Nimbus Plus Grenades / Pistol, Knife. (0 | 24)
MAKAUL Heavy Flamethrower, Eclipse Grenades / Pistol, Viral CCW. (0 | 13)
KERAIL PRECEPTOR Submachine Gun, Smoke Grenades + 1 Surda SymbioBeast / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0 | 20)
SURDA SYMBIOBEAST Pulzar / Viral CCW. (0 | 8)
NIKOUL Viral Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 28)

5.5 SWC | 300 Points

Open in Infinity Army

 

I generally do not see it often, but funny enough it was to take out the Gao-Real sniper/Sukeul missile triad with great effect.

 

I really like both Gao Rael and Nikoul. Even with the proliferation of white noise the Nikoul can be a headache due to the minetism, MSV1 and VSR. The native defensive mode even a -3 can be a huge psychological advantage. The nikoul is also one of our best independent ARO pieces that can switch it up and become an active kill piece.

My issue with the Gao Rael, Sukeul Triad is that I often will inevitably use one/both pieces in the active turn. If both are in a triad something is getting hit by an opponent with good Aro presence. Not that they're hitting both at once but I wouldn't want them knocking one off or a mate even to a normal roll. Having said that I've only used this triad once and I know others have used it well. It probably is more about play styles.

Interesting list. I'd be tempted to make group 1 a complete group of 10 regular orders. Switch out the Gao Tarsos with the Nikoul and Kaauri. This way group 2 can still throw smoke for group 1 and if you have 1st turn you have more orders to alpha strike or HMG, sniper things down. If the opportunity presents itself as well the Gao Tarsos can also jump in and get some flanking shots.

 

Case by case i think.

I usually pick Gao-Rael with other Triad.

Sometimes pick both.

 

I play Gao+Sukeul ML#Kaeltor CoC quite often with quite good effect, i extremly rarely use it in active turn but as aro pieces there isn`t a lot that isn`t afraid of one of them. My ML took out TAGs, HIs and anything else the gao makes it harder to smoke trick the sukeul etc

 

I love the Gao-Rael, he's usually my MVP (either Sniper or Spitfire), and the Triad bonus + MSV2 is huge.

But, that said, the Nikoul is also a great ARO piece difficult to kill thanks to Sapper + Symbiobt Armour (+ extra resilence if you add a Symbiomate). Also, as it works as a lone trooper and brings cover with him, you can surprise your oponent deploying it in last place in an unexpected location.

So... both are good, switch them from time to time.