At no stage has anyone from CB said that these would be sectorals. That is and always has been just some speculation from the players. I have no problem dumping on CB when they get it wrong (and they do) but in this case it isnt them in any way.
Bostria did outright say the the Haqq half of Red Veil would double as the Ramah starter on the Beasts of War Red Veil week. No timescales were mentioned, but it's not just player speculation.
Yea, it has been stated by CB that the Red Veil starter will double as the Ramah Starter. Similar to what they are doing with Cold Front, TAK starter is the also the Vanilla starter, and the OSS starter is also the Vanilla Starter. Also what they did for Combined Army/Onyx, same starter box. I personally have a feeling Ramah will be released this year as the last sectoral as it will finish up the Starter Box Sectorals currently available. Additionally it is further along than Varuna.
I would love to see some linkable HI there, alltough i know that Janissaries are the cheapest HI we will have, we rely on LI here. But that is the thing, i don't feel like playing Khawarijis and Zhayedans current interesting profiles are those with mms2.
I think RTF is going to have elements of the newer way CB is approaching links. I think there will be a Khawarji haris with the option of adding Tariq. Zhayedan will probably be a core along with Ghulam and Naffatun being mixable. If CB wanted to do something that would set RTF apart they would put the Maghariba Guard in a link. A different approach to having a HI pain train because it would be surrounded by LI (like Ghulam or Naffatun). Outside of it's size the Maggie has a bland loadout that was found on a lot of TAGs. Now that the Raicho has been altered from the same formula I could see it happening to the Maggie. Assuming the Maggie is in RTF.
Actually adjusting Maghariba's profile is not out of question, too. Not a big adjustment, but still. Say, making the other half of the turret setup something - defensive smoke launchers on modern tanks are quite a common thing, why not give Maggie sometihng like that (I'd rate that as Smoke Grenades x2, to represent the multibarrel launcher with limited range). As to being bland... is there any other TAG with 360-degree Visor? ;)
I thought that was the Advanced ECM device on the tail? Also Maggys bland profiles is what helps keep her cheap. I do not really see a need to change her. She is a tank with a big gun, not much else is really needed on a Main Battle Tag.
Well it is an explaination -Advanced ECM device (i.e. hard-kil system). Still, in all those years playing Infinity, a few weeks ago it was the first (and so far, only) time I was able to shoot Smart Ammo at a TAG... which makes me think it is very rarely useful.
Granted I don't have a ton of experience with the Maggie but I've yet to come across a situation where I thought to myself "man I wish I had spent 20 more points on my Maggie" lol. For me my Maggie has beefed it only in the reactive and from something running straight at it. And so that 360° visor just seems like a gimmick. The Advanced ECM is a gimmick too. It's basically a "gotcha" power to use against that one guy who is still trying to use smart missiles...once it doesn't work though they will just stuff the Maggie with traditional means. If the Maggie is going to be the biggest target in the game it needs a little more to it than a bland multi hmg, ARM8 (reduced to 4 usually) and heavy flamer by the numbers TAG. I would be happier spending more on a TAG that does more than make my opponent complement the paint job and say it's the coolest looking TAG (next to the Sally).
I mean...I would pay 150 points or the price of a Pano tag to take 2 also...just saying...A good upgrade would just taking that AVA 1 and making it a 2...
Something I don't think I've seen mentioned is I want some more characters. Specifically I want a V2 HI Saladin. One showing when he rolls up the sleeves and takes infidels to paintown. And then give him Haris with Fasids.
I would much prefer a brand new character, even to fill the role you propose. That way you keep the option of including both in the same list and you get some spicy variety.
That wouldn't really fit Saladin though. Saladin is a tactician and poet, historically and in the game. A HI Saladin would not sit comfortably into the fluff. I wouldn't mind a HI character though, I am sure they could come up with a Fasid Character or a new HI profile character.
I don't see either of those keeping him from fighting. Besides Saladin is a fake human made to order and can literally just be whatever he is made to be. If a V2 needed to lead the front line then that is what he would do. Also it's not like any of the other recreations are remotely accurate. But if we need another hero I call a recreation of Gamal Abdel Nasser. Failing that I wouldn't mind a Fasid hero with a unique weapon loadout.
So Ramah has most profiles already released. It is possible Ramah will drop simply as an Army update like Druze.
That seems kind of lazy but right now I would take something over nothing. I would even take needing to proxy stuff for a little while if they haven't come up with a look for the last 3 or so (I'm not sure how many units a sectorial is supposed to have) units. Really all they need to do to get some hype going again is to release a Khawarji and a Zhayedan box respectively. I think the best we can hope for is a closed battle list going into next year and ITS10. Side note, did anyone else notice that the new Shaytaniyah remote's smart missle launcher looks exactly like the Maghariba Guard's Adv ECM thingy on it's tail. New profile with a heavy smart missile launcher in the future?
I am betting it's IA to be honest. IA seems to be much farther along. We haven't heard anything about RTF or seen any dossiers other than the Hakims which if I remember was a surprise. But if you are right, I shall be happy.
