Seraph is 67 points with an HMG in the leak. Definitely a good replacement for your obligatory HMG, considering the more than affordable cost. Hospitallers got cheaper by 1 point and also doctor now always has a Multi for the cost of old Combi. Teutons are incredibly cheap, lost a BS point, but otherwise identical. Not something I see myself taking. Santiagos are the same, but lost the Tinbot option for a drop troop BSG KHD. Tikbalang in Vanilla also got significantly cheaper. OS TO troops got changed to a new unit, which is now cheaper, starting at SMG 23 points, having a Minelayer and a dirt cheap 28 point Sniper option probably without infiltration. That's what I remember seeing.
Wuhuuu santiago bsg. That would be a nice suprise. But reads as "not for fireteams". Hmmmm. 360° double template aro would be sooo sweet. Tinbot going away sounds like an sku decision. Was a nice idea to make knights more viable. No tofoo with infil would hurt a lot. And infil on the sniper was a fun way of always getting that "nearly in dz"-sniper tower. But i love me some new order sergeant models and quite happy i havent converted some to be proper hexagonal skirt combi dudes.
Fw on hosp sounds off. Feels more like a teuton skill if knight skill at all. First in line first to die isnt exactly a thing for the rescue knights. Improved doc profile however totaly would be fluff. Esp. With new docbros as competion.
Seraph also has very useable CC (CC23 MA1). Makes me consider the HMG more since the Auxbot isn't as necessary to win a CC vs something semi competent. At the same time makes the Spitfire Seraph that much more deadly. The Triarch (new TO OS) is a strong contender for best TO Skirmisher in the game. FO, BSG on top of TO and Minelayer is a very versatile package. Cheap TO Sniper without Infiltration looks promising. The Hexa MSR can keep up thanks to gaining Shock Immunity. Magisters didn't look done yet. Likely wouldn't need any changes for N4 anyway. Cheaper Magisters would be bonkers, crazy enough looking at Domaru and Tanko that is somehow a real possibility. Good old OS look like they can finally link everything that doesn't have an Auxbot, somehow doubt it's going to be enough to continue competing for Core Link duty outside of defensive Links. AD Santiago didn't impress me due to a lack of Parachutist. Being forced to drop in makes it a gamble with a fairly expensive HI. Was looking forward to MO hacking with the KoJ's BTS9 on top of a Tinbot. There might still be a way to still get there with Fairy Dust. DeFeresen is about 10 cheaper and ofc gained a HD rather than the extinct AHD. Upgrade Programs were missing from the whole thing so he might still be able to pull double dutiy with Trinity. If that's the case it's a noticeable buff, graduating from the worst to the best (well, only) KHD Program, getting Spotlight ARO utility vs nonhackable, more valueable targets for Carbonite and Oblivion and of course the changes to both of these programs.
Played nearly serpah only last year in pano vanilla. Hmg only cause of spitfre joan and spitifre hexa. Had auxilia for burning duty. This change would finally make the spitfire version viable for vanilla and add more variety. Crossing the midfild vs hidden cc specialst was way to risky. They could just engage past your flamer bot and spitfire shots. Now you can just plonk them reliably and with auxbot para ccw giving -3 they wont get happy on the follow up turn if they survive. Ofc you are still screwed if order sequence didnt allow you to position the bot for back up or if its a mono specialist with high ma.
I'm still hoping for another hmg option out of hosp/tag, but I guess chances are low. Maybe new koths... Teutons seem like another lost chance to do something truly fun, but we'll know in 4 days. I suppose the Trinitaries will get new sculpts? If these are on the line of BF or Infirmarer, sign me in!
more cool order dude-variants for me pls. the brother line is the weakest of all the mo stuff i feel.
What's actually going on with Magisters, and what is going to happen to Fireteam composition, are our two big unanswered questions. So, setting those aside, we have big positive changes for MO. 1: The 15 order environment means they aren't trying to fight uphill against armies with double their activations. 2: The HI points reductions mean that the bulk of their key units are more affordable. 3: The changes to Order Sergants mean that their support is better. 4: The changes to Crits mean that they are going to be harder to manage for opponents. 5: They are less impacted by the changes to hacking than many other forces, especially with their light use of Remotes. Military Orders will be my next major project, after I've played Varuna for a season (was supposed to be this year, but 2020). I'm looking forward to it now, and I wasn't really before.
View attachment 20307 If you want to play MO go for Hassasins and Asawiras, they get better main HI (arguably) and better tricks&support troops. SuperJump been nerfed (you pay for falling down), Guijana also got this (SJ plus good CC). Magisters are funny when compared to tankos, and Teutons still are Teutons. Also: check image
New Magisters are a bit sad, but Sepulchre is still S2 and now can be Lieutenant. Both TAG also feel better and less a burden to bring in such point-challenging army (also: TIKBALANG OF MONTESA).
Tik price drop is dope, not really feeling Seraph, can't figure out why I would want to pick him over Tikbalang
Because Auxbot jumping on a roof or through a window and burning some "safely" hidden troopers is hilarious. But in general I agree with eciu - meh. They'll be playable, but boring. There were some interesting ideas thrown in, like FD Hospitaller, or Combat Jump Santiago, but their execution feels half-baked. CB still doesn't know what to do with PanO.
They neither have brains to change Teutons nor balls to finally kill them off. What a waste of time. (heh, CB was also nice to kill off this weird if funny option of MO to deploy 9 TO guys.... )
Maybe they simply don't see Teutons as a problem. Which is mind-boggling. Anyway, it saddens me to look at how CJC got revamped, and then looking at MO. Again, they won't be weak. Just... uninspired. There are some cool things here, but not enough for me to have fun while playing.
