I gave the Shakush a shot yesterday, and I'm not super impressed. The more I look at the more I realize its a less flexible but overpriced Asawira. Both have AP spitfires with BS14, same MOV. But the Asawira is Just a lot more flexible. The only 'penalty' I see on the Asawira is it has Frenzy, but that is very easy to remedy with a fireteam duo. Sakush +1 Dam +2 ARM +1 W/STR H. Flametrhower (vs nanopulser) Tactile awareness Asawira ++FIRETEAM BONUSES++ MA L2, +6 CC +3 BTS Regen Smaller silhouette Excluding scenarios that need tags is there any really reason to take a Shakush over an Asawira. Spoiler: List I used HB with tag mk1 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── GROUP 1 10 2 SHAKUSH AP Spitfire, Heavy Flamethrower / AP CC Weapon. (1.5 | 58) SHAKUSH PILOT Light Shotgun / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 0) LEILA SHARIF (Hacker) Shock Marksman Rifle, E/M Mines, D-Charges / Breaker Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 20) YARA HADDAD (Lieutenant, Strategic Deployment) AP Marksman Rifle / Heavy Pistol(+1B), CC Weapon. (0 | 28) BARID (Hacker, Hacking Device) Rifle, Pitcher ( ) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0.5 | 17) GHULAM (NCO) Rifle, Grenade Launcher, Smoke Grenade Launcher / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1 | 15) ASAWIRA AP Spitfire, Nanopulser / Pistol, Shock CC Weapon. (1.5 | 39) MUYIB (Tactical Awareness, X Visor) Heavy Rocket Launcher, D-Charges ( ) / Pistol, CC Weapon. (1.5 | 25) FIDAY Rifle, Light Shotgun, Shock Mines, Smoke Grenades / Pistol, DA CC Weapon. (0 | 27) FARZAN (Chain of Command) Boarding Shotgun, Shock Mines / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 28) FARZAN (Forward Observer) Rifle, Light Shotgun, Flash Pulse, Shock Mines, D-Charges / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 23) GROUP 2 3 DAYLAMI (Camouflage [1 Use], Infiltration) Light Shotgun, Panzerfaust / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 8) DAYLAMI Light Shotgun, Panzerfaust / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 6) DAYLAMI Light Shotgun, Panzerfaust / Pistol, CC Weapon. (0 | 6) 6 SWC | 300 Points Open in Infinity Army
I haven't used the Shakush in a while, but when I did, it was always the HMG profile. The HMG is pretty nice - it's our best option for shooting outside 24" IMO, and the pilot can push buttons without having to duo with a specialist, which is a significant advantage over the Asawira. Tac Awareness is nice. But I would say the biggest function of TAGs is that they do both offense and defense. Shakush on ARO duty has a better rangeband, more armor, and an extra wound. An Asawira can provide decent AROs to defend itself up to 24", but a Shakush can really cause a headache as an ARO piece. It will go down, but it can eat a lot of enemy orders in the process. That said, Asawiras are just so good, that I never find I have the points left for a Shakush anymore. Even though they have different roles.
@QueensGambit I agree it can be a better ARO piece than the Asawira, but I tend to rely on Daylami as my ARO pieces. As for HMG over AP Spitfire, I find with N4 I see more heavily armored guys and the AP is better in general.
I mean, sure, but I'd definitely take the Asawira AP Spitfire over the Shakush AP Spitfire. The Shakush's HMG profile is the one I find interesting, given the existence of Asawiras.
I think pretty much as @QueensGambit or you @Cannon Fodder about the "shasku", but why do use of the shasku instead the asawira? The answer is simple: because you can do it. Right now when playing hassasin you don't need asawiras, you can or not put them in your list, same with the shasku. If you want to play a TAG, you will choose the TAG, if not, you will pick the asawira, even neither and you will play with a lot of muyibs. Or maybe 3 fiday... Right now I can't think one profile you need to align in hassasin without hessitation... Maybe daylamis? The thing is in this moment when you face hassasin you really don't know what will come, and that is one of the better things to play in N4 hassasins: multiple options. While "asawira" could look better than Shasku, the thing is that you need, at least, put one companion with the IP in order to avoid frency from the very beginning, so, if you want a resilent alpha strike without put other resources at risk, then you will choose the Shasku, it is as simple like this. What profile? Spitfire AP or HMG? This will be dependant on what do you think your rival will bring to the table. I did great use of Shasku when I played 400 points games. Even in 300 points you can put Shasku and Asawira in the same list, like the one you posted @Cannon Fodder. Best regards.
