A question I basically come across in every DBS list is which hacker to put into the Link Team!? Main contenders are Gromoz and the Druze Killer Hacker, followed by our Assault Hackers (Druze or Brawler). So what are Valerya's and what a the Killer Hackers Pros and Cons? Valerya for me has the main advantage of enabling a freer Link Team composition. So you can take simply 2 Brawlers in a regular Druze Team, which normally isn't possible with out her. The KH does gain a lot from SSlv2 though, so other hackers entering the Repeater net will be more careful to do so. I suppose it's always kind of a wash, and has a lot to with the opposed list (no need to boost your KH, when playing against Adriana as the most obvious example.).
As @TheDiceAbide pointed out on another thread the AHD gains as much as the KHD with SSL2. There is an awful lot of Stealth on AHD targets in some factions. I love the cheap Brawler profile over the Druze AHD in most cases. As for which hacker(s) is in the link, it will likely come down to a deployment decision based on what I expect to be facing. All of the lists I'm building are incorporating link redundancy, so I am not locked into a core fireteam by list composition. If I have Gromoz, and AHD, and KHD; I feel most comfortable with the Druze KHD in the link as the default specialist. To me, it just feels more survivable in the reactive.
I usually play gromoz solo (she can fill up any link team after i have taken casualties, but I don’t activate 5 models for supportware) and have a khd in my core link. I haven’t played the ahd yet but have already missed it... so I will check that out soon
I would say linking the AHD or HD is more important than linking the KHD, because if you only have a linked KHD, then stealth HI/TAGs can move around freely. Since the AHD/HD can target anything that is hackable, you can ARO hack, which will force them to do something non stealthy (like Reset), which will then allow your other hackers to target them. I personally keep an AHD and a KHD in my link, with gromoz and a doctor nearby to fill the holes should either go down.
That brings us to the next question: Two Hackers in one Link Team or rather spread them out, so the team isn't double vulnerable (loosing two members to an hacking attack)?
I've been running an assault hacker and gromoz in my 5 man links. Lets me put out a massive hacking area with pitchers as the move up. And I find the two of them together add more versatility than the KHD. I also like have Druze hackers over brawlers she possible. More durable and pack alot more punch on the offensive if they have to start shooting.
I personally leave Gromoz out of the link as long as possible, you want her out to use supportware without activating the link and triggering AROs. Having the AHD in the link is the best option IMO, with SSL2 you can ARO against anything moving through your net, and when they reset, Gromoz and possibly the KHD can also get some AROs in as well. It's a brutal hacking ARO, which I've used to neutralize many HI and even enemy KHD.
I've played two tournaments with Druzes so far. First, two weeks ago, ITS 200pts, and last Sunday YAMS 250pts. In the first tournament I was using Spec Op Brawler Hacker (WIP13) and Gromoz in a link and it was a bit of an issue - in one game I had to be very careful not to loose them and weaken my link. The repeater net that we have in Bayram can be a problem and I had to use Pathfinder to discover some irritating camo that came ou to be a KHD Bandit to kill it with Valerya going solo before risking the move of my entire link. In another battle some mean Ninja KHD killed my Brawler, fortunately Valerya defended herself better and destroyed Ninja. After that I was thinking which guys take to link - maybe still Valerya, with KHD close, to hunt down enemy's hackers. But I change my mind - in the last sunday's tournament, 250YAMS, I decided to take Druze KHD into link, simply because she's tougher than Valerya (BTS 3 helps) and works better in the defence and offence. Valerya was lurking close to the link, as the sixth unit that can be linked, to help them, upgrade Clipper and finally refill the link after first loss. This time I wasn't attacked by any hackers - quite contrary, my Druze hunted down some PanOceanian hacker. Even though we have many repeaters the Pitchers also are very helpful, I used them in 2 of 3 battles. So, summaring, in lower pts battles I think I'll still be using Valerya in my links, as she's cheap (which is important factor in that army) and still very good with WiP 14. In higher points I think that taking Druze KHD in a link is safer, with Valerya sticking around to rebuild the link et cetera. I wasn't thinking yet about AHD Brawler - his WiP really hurts my eyes ;) And giving 0,5SWC for a hacker with WiP 12 in such SWC-expensive army just don't work for me (at least now). PozdRawiam
