Since we don't seem to have much to debate about these days... what do you guys think is going to change for us with the coming of 3rd Offensive? I don't think we'll see any updates to our troops with the book, and I'm pretty sure there will be no (Haqq) Sectorial updates. The Vanilla is going to gain access to Liberto, but that's about it... I'm hearing word that Ramah might come in in 2019 Q1, but that's basically gossip overheard at the bazaar. So take it for what it is worth. Perhaps we'll get some updates to other troops / sectorials with it. 3rd Offensive itself, well.. we're going to have our hands full keeping our territories on Paradiso from the Combined Army, and the Al Haddiye Elevator is an installation of utmost importance. I guess QK is going to be earning every fiq of their pay there these days... and I guess the Hassassins will be busy like heck, too. Seems we'll really need to call in Ramah to take over...
I agree, Otherwise I think hassassins and QK need a rework as pano sectorials. ramah will be great but I want to play the others too.
Just the final version of FAT2 it seems so far. I still hope hope for a change of Lvl. 2 (unlikely) and that the Khawarij apart from Spitfire get it, because it makes no sense like it is now.
I don't think we will really see much in the way of Haqq stuff, which is disappointing. I am still waiting on any Ramah news, but considering CB's complete lack of any Ramah rumors or talk lately, I expect we wont hear anything till January at the earliest. Which sucks, because the Vanilla starter IS the Ramah starter, you would think we would have gotten something sooner. I am excited though at the prospects, considering all these new rules and toys other factions are getting, Ramah will have the benefit of coming afterwords with all that available.
After the GenCon seminar, I already decided to expect RTF not until after AdeptiCon. To be on the safe side I lowered my expectations to November for them to be released. So everything before November is now a bonus for me:-D
At Gencon Bostria did mention that small tweaks would be coming to most armies in november. It could be something like what Shock Army got, but it also might not be even as much as that. In the first 3rd Offensive video, he hinted that some of these new rules like NCO and Tactical Awareness would be getting added to existing profiles in a bunch of armies, so that could be what he was talking about at Gencon. Which is certainly simpler than what Shock Army received. It could also be something in between: the retroactive addition of the new rules plus one or two spice of life changes (like how the Raicho got that mine launcher).
@Xeurian I don't believe Bostria said what they were, he simply indicated that 'final' version of rules like Full Auto and Fatality would be included in the book and that the final versions of these rules have taken player feedback into account in some fashion.
Somewhere in the forum this got clarified that it wasn't a tweak to all armies but several including MO. Now with details of 3rd offensive out, I guess we know that was a reference to stuff getting revamped in the book. Although there's also subtle changes like NCA getting access to the upgraded Deva profiles. In one of the last 2 3rd Offensive videos, Carlos says their changing their business practice so the rules come out with the miniature. My interpretation was that he was referring to sectorial rules not just individual model rules. With that in mind, surely they'd launch RTF soon next year given so much of the range is already in circulation. I think the only meaningful impact of 3rd Offensive for Haqq will be to figure out if the fish monster merc has a place in Vanilla lists and to work out counterplays to some of the new threats. Namely, AD: Explosion landing on my squish LI.
So you're suggesting QK will be the one to take the fall when Ramah is released? ;) /duck Any changes incoming will be what they are. Not a fan of the new tact being taken so I'm just sitting back.
I think we have discussed that already? Seriously though - no, I don't think QK is scheduled to take a sabbatical along with Ramah release. The threshold seems to be releasing 4th Sectorial, not 3rd. So, I assume, Gabqar Khanate will be the point where one of the existing sectorials will be rotated out. Even if I'd be able to accept QK rotating out now. I agree with you about the geeral way of "updating" sectorials by CB. That's basically adjusting Fireteam structure (which on its own is interesting), yet without bringing the Sectorial up to speed with new skills and equipment available. And definitely not addressing the problems observed, say, with characters. But I'm afraid this won't be done for a few years.
But honestly, with all the new mixed Fireteams we are seeing, QKs schtick is not even migitated anymore, its not even a thing anymore. Without an overhaul, there is imho nothing special or interesting in that sectorial anymore. So its either big changes or dropping sales to the point where they get oop'd.
I think we havediscussed that already? Just trying to joke since you pointed out what is approaching a trope in the story lead up to that . :/
And about that you are absolutely right. There were things unique about QK - back in the 2ed. Haris Fireteams, inexpensive universal Fireteam filler / pseudo Wildcard. Now basically everyone has some form of Haris, and flexible/mixed fireteams, usually with troops more powerful than Hafza, are the new black. In the same time, QK has lost one Fireteam completely, and two other can not be Hafza-reinforced anymore. QK needs to adapt. Fluff-wise, we're good at that. The question is how well are the gmae designers at handling that. As I wrote above, 3rd Offensive seems to be skipping Haqq (as well as Nomads and probalby Tohaa) alltogether. I just hope they'll be brought up to speed once Ramah makes na appearance. Can't say CB are making much to keep that hope alit. On the other hand - we aren't one of the big powers of the Sphere. And yet, in the Kurage Campaign, we were able to achieve our goals. Whether you call these goals to be "humble" or "reasonably set", is your call :P
I am assuming the 3rd Offensive book will release in January (which was detailed as the release of IA). Varuna is coming out November, so I think they may just release on their own. This probably puts Ramah out to release as the next N that year which is like April or May if memory serves? Also, it is highly unlikely any of our Sectorials will drop models, we don't have enough. Once we get passed 3 Sectorials then it is probable. I doubt we will have as much fan faire for our sectorials as CA, Pano, or Yu Jing. We are not as popular, and our presence in fluff is pretty low compared to the others. We make the silk, we profit from trade, we have no stories about our heroism on Paradiso, we have no stories about our presence in the Trade wars. Haqqislam exists, Haqqislam profits, and Haqqislam counter-intelligences.
@theGricks Everything I've seen in the videos indicates that the book is dropping in November along with changes to army. Apparently IA's box will drop in January but it seems like their rules will appear before that. @Shoitaan I'm cautiously optimistic we might still seem some changes. In the Morat video and the Varuna video Bostria mentions again how "many armies" are getting tweaks in November. I don't think it's a stretch to think one or both of our sectorials will see similar treatment to Morat/MO/Shock Army. Which is to say: updated fireteams, retroactive application of 3rd Offensive rules, and possibly minor profile tweaks. We could still get flat out ignored, that's why I'm only cautious in my hope. After all, NCA didn't seem to get the same love that it's siblings received, or at least it wasn't spotlighted. But then again, Shock Army didn't get a video, and neither Shock Army or NCA really have new product to move like Varuna and MO do, so it also makes sense to spotlight them more. At any rate, I suppose all will be revealed in a few weeks time.
All these other factions oohing and ahhing over shiny new stuff. My Fiday just shrugs and say, oh well, that’s just a wider variety of targets for the knife.
Looking at some of the new profiles being shown I am reminded that Haqq pays a lot of points for no reason on a few units. Zhayden seems like it needs a 10pt drop right now compared to some of Varuna/IA stuff. The Azrail needs something other than being an over priced machinegun turret. I suspect we won't see anything significant in 3rd Offensive other than any rule changes that Haqq units happen to have as well. Maybe the really small chance some random units will see a new profile. I would shoot for a Response to the 3rd Offensive book that releases RTF and updates the other sectorials some time around Adepticon 2019.
Agreed. I don't think we have a lot of new rules or profiles coming out with this book, but I'd expect something with RTF next year. We've received a lot of new profiles and models over this last year, so it does feel a little weird to pause in the revamp. But patience is a virtue and we are obliged to act with virtue in all things. If we DO get changes here, I'd expect them to be mostly tweaks for QK. HB has been pretty modernized already, so QK is the logical choice. Adding specialists to Odalisques, for instance.
He said at one point that some older models are getting new skill added to them. I believe it was just as he explained that one of the skills lets a model get a second irregular order. If Daylami or Hunzakuts gets it, it would be fun. If Ghazis get that, they would go from good to broken.
