What would people suggest as the most important things to get when expanding a JSA force into Ikari? Ive got basically everything for JSA, so that side of things is pretty much sorted. I've been working on some Yuan Yuan conversions, and am thinking about what to convert up to be Brawlers (maybe Ghulams?), but... what's actually important and useful in an Ikari force?
Question is what core fireteam you want to build your list around. The Keisotsu + Tanko ML+ Brawler MSV2 core is really solid, but you could also go for a Druze + Tanko ML or Wu Ming + Clipper, depending on what you like best. - Yuan Yuan are a must for their cheap and reliable smoke support and DTW - Libertos are also a must at this point, since they are brokenly good value - Bashis are the hidden gem in my opinion. They are relatively cheap and can fulfill multiple roles as an assault piece, AD specialist and decoy for your otherwise very obvious LT (Holo 1). The E/Mauler loadout is the only E/M ammo if you are not committing to Druze LGL. - Krakots are also great value - Al Fasid can provide additional smoke, defense (Mines) and an HMG but is rather expensive and limited to Red Veil - Authorized Bounty Hunters can be nice fillers with additional yet inconsistent flexibility thanks to Booty L2
4 Yuan² and 2 desperados (dual ass pistols) is the way I go in Ikari, you will need one brawler sniper VMS2, one regular rifle brawler and sometime one AHD brawler, the rest of the roster is JSA if you can grab 2 wu ming (HMG and chain rifle) you could try the haris, very cost efficient Druze and wu ming core are bad just don't ^^
It might be viable, of all HI Wu Ming are pretty cheap, but probably not as cost effective as a defensive core with solo pieces and a haris on attack.
It feels a little clunky and inflexible. You need exactly four Wu Ming and a Clipper ML, the latter of which means you're forced to spend 1.5 SWC and take an S3, ARM0, W1, non-prone-capable model in your otherwise sexy S2 HI fireteam. The Clipper isn't all bad, as with Assisted Fire from a hacker it's potent offensive piece, but I'd really rather be spending those SWC on a Wu Ming HMG or HRL. Compare that to the Wu Ming Haris, where you not only get a 0 SWC Haris profile, but the option to have pure HI or slot in a Brawler or Clipper. I'm a big fan of Wu Ming Haris + HMG + Brawler MSV2 Sniper as a panoply of firepower, but there's a lot of cool and interesting setups you can try that I feel are just lacking in the Core.
Not sure I can add much, but there’s a lot to like. Since you might want to start out with a heavy use of JSA, here’s what I really like. Since the TI changes, and before, I’ve loved Karakuri. You get so many good things in one troop! HI specialist good on attack and defense. Ninja FO! He might be expensive but in Ikari you make up for it with other cheap troops. I’ve only used Tanko in Keisotsu, Brawler, or Druze link. But they are fantastic in those teams. Especially the ML. Everyone says Yuan Yuan’s and I agree but after playing them a few times against your friends they learn to expect them. Then you switch to just setting them up in deployment to throw smoke for the Rui Shi or Brawler MSR! I know they are “throw away” troops but make sure it’s a good throw away. Bashi can be great too. I actually like the Rifle and E/Maulers. Nothing more fun than coming on from the side and putting mines down in the enemy deployment. Again after a while people got used to it. Then you move them to deployment to holo as a Lt. or something. They can actually be pretty good defense by putting them in Suppression (SMG). I love Druze, great on the defense but I don’t think bad on attack either. You take 4 of the Combi and Panzerfaust and then a Tanko Missile and move shoot, move shoot. I wish the Haris guy was better but a Haris of them can be great too. EVO remote. Almost a must have for keeping links together and then the YY really do need the +3 to the jumps. Wu Ming are a good HI. The Multi-Rifle+LGL being a star.
