I think an auto medkit might actually make the Minutemen a little better than other HI in their points range,(even accounting for the couple of points for the medkit) but I don't actually object to doing that... Giving them the x visor as standard isn't a great option for me since it would make the shotgun pretty much the only profile needed and make the AP rifle just a little bit less special... Now if we want to talk about bumping them up to marksmanship 2, even if it puts them in the 35-40ish point range once all the changes are made I think that would make them a deadly factor in any situation and actually make them complete with the marauders for more people...
I don't get why Ariadna can't have a 2 wound HI, except for VetKazaks that have a pseudo one, Blackjacks and Ratnik that aren't linkable and surely not gamebreaking, Grey Rifle and Mormaers that have Dogged (so they will inevitably die at the end of the turn). I got it, we're the 200-years-behind Faction, but this is just physical resistance, not some kind of high-tech creation. I don't want to compare cross factions, but just make Minutemen 2 wounds like Wu Ming (similar cost) or give them NWI. Then they will be taken more often.
Automedkits plus shock immune is an interesting way to get the pseudo hi feel without trampling on toes/being a reprint of the vet Kazak. I might argue that nwi still isn't the full vet l2 package though. Ph13 might be risky though, then again it's encourage your opponent to spend the order to keep them down or else. Though be careful about saying automedkit too loud or else people are going to storm the thread over how unoptomised it is.
Ohio are proof that MI problem is not with their 4-2 movement, it's with their design philosophy. Because Ohio are HI only in name, and are actually more like ( bad ) MI of other factions. Maybe CB will understand how to make these profiles properly one day.
Sure, it's more about exploring their design space with the models they've produced. The AP rifle still has a good space though, being both AP and Shock thanks to the MML1, plus the boarding shotgun lacks a direct template. The X-Visor was more of an after-thought anyhow, I think that the automedikits would be far more interesting and unique, x-visors would mostly be a tax. Haha, that's an interesting problem, though on PH13 it's a 65% chance to get back up, which is significant, and strangely optimized for their profile (since they also have shock immunity).
A Minuteman with AMK is essentially carrying around a 112 in his pocket as they're both looking at 13s. Not too shabby (depending on cost). They're also still 2 PH lower than a Sogarat with Automedikit.
Xvisor on an aphmg with an automedkit. I think I may be an interesting alt to the murder machine that is the vet Kazak aphmg. Especially if they get wildcard or good enough mixed links to make them worth sprinkling into a more traditional USARF list.
To be honest, the flat 0 range on a bs 13 aphmg in suppressive fire is enough to make the link bonuses a secondary concern. Sure the vet will keep going after the first hit while the amk minute would break suppression standing back up, but the vet will only survive it once, were the minute could possibly pop up and down like a big green yoyo...
I didn't even consider the x-visor sup fire combo. Sounds like a guy that'll make a fire lane a nightmare. Almost like these guys are the reliable ones meant to hold the breach?
Anyone know what time of day, historically, CB puts out the update? I work night shift in the US and I’m hoping I’ll have some new reading to do tonight!
Looks like just 1 MM in grunts, Minutemen Haris with no SWC cost, Wild Bill is a grunt, Wildcard Rosie, Wildcard UKR with Mk12, MM Duo and Marauder Duo All the rest of the profiles look the same still. So no improvements for any of the duds. No Enginners or Doctors. One new Anti-Material weapon, but for some reason hidden behind another character. I guess there is a reason to take a 1 MM now when we use a grunt link team.
Mk12 Unknown Ranger pleases me greatly. (Too bad we'll never see a model. Hopefully the Vet Kazak will get his sooner than later) that's gonna be my go to leader for my link teams now. Teaming up with Wild Bill. That Dam14, B4, Shock Rifle that ignores cover is gonna be a great approaching piece. And those pistols will be great at close range. (In a link once he hits his +3 range he's hitting on 19's unless your target has ODD or a Camo Skill) Our haris teams dont pay any swc tax anymore ^^
I feel like the Ohio APHMG is just better. The points start adding up and there is so much shock on the table. With a Paramedic you can just revive the Ohio on 50% role.
But the positive ranges for the mk12 raise it up quite a bit. Once your under 16" it's still operating great and does have a penalty for point blank fire. I'll still have both in the link but the Ranger is gonna be my point man. And if shock is an active turn threat I'll swap between the two.
That is a good point about the range band. I still don't know that I would want to have them all in a link together like that though. The best advantage to me seems to be the points. Bill and the MM feels like it will be my go to. Humorously you can do like a 5 man link with a different model of each type lol. Like 1 UKR, Wild Bill, Rosie, 1 MM, and 1 Grunt. You could paint them up special and call it team GI Joe.
I still really like the rangers button pushing and CC skills in a link. He can also steal a cool piece of gear as you go. I already got a theme going. Metal Gear. Snake (Big Boss) is my Unknown Ranger, Bill is going to be my Revolver Occelot. The rest are largely an assortment of MSF mercs.
Welp I guess it's no big mechanical overhaul for some of the profiles with a few blemishes. But the toys we got to play will probably see me writing some new lists to try out some stuff. Any thoughts on adding a missile launcher Ohio into the classic grunt sniper tower? Seems like a good way to pile on extra misery into the link that shuts down a table. The mk12 unknown ranger might see plenty of use on my end. While not nearly as aggressive as the molotok one it does spare me some swc which is nice. Also @Kreslack I'm glad to see I'm not the only MGS USAriadna player out there. My color scheme was based odd of the diamond dog's. And my big boss miniature should be arriving soon to replace the one I converted from snaker.
If they weren't fucking idiots, they would release the Mark 12 Unknown Ranger with an alternate arm letting him rock the Rifle that they were so bloody stupid to have as a GenCon exclusive. Shame they bothered wasting time doing this now instead of just actually making USARF more viable in N4. Shame they did exactly as I was afraid of and just added the "wildcard" link nonsense. Also, SO GREAT TO SEE THAT BLACKJACKS ARE APPARENTLY STILL OP TO FORM FIRETEAMS BUT RATNIKS AREN'T. What a bunch of laziness.
