My bet would be on the "jumper" being something new for Haqq. Doesn't seem to fit any pre-existing Haqq troop.
The front model looks like redone Lasiq with Viral Sniper Model. (I am basing it on the distinct Lasiq backpack and coat. Also the weapon does not look like the Marksman Rifle). I wonder if the jump trooper is a remodeled Ragik, but the redfury and heavier armor points to a new unit. Need. More. Pictures!
All Beyond boxes have an S4 or S5 miniature, and most Operation boxes did until Kaldstrøm and Crimson Stone. As a guess I'd say it was due to material costs. It'll be interesting to see if Blackwind has any larger minis and if they're pewter or Siocast
And Ajax is precursor to Achilles, so lore wise there is no particular reason ALEPH to have more S5 models.
Fluff is fungible, it evolves and changes with new releases. Shifting to fighting the Combined Army in a more open warfare setting on Concilium rather than guerilla jungle warfare on Paradiso could very well inspire the creation of heavier, larger power armours for elite Myrmidons. The KotHS already had a similar change, retooling the order to specialise in heavy firepower using larger exo-frames to wield TAG grade weaponry, rather than their traditional fighting styles. Edit: N4 already advanced the timeline to one of larger scale conflict, even if the individual battles are on the smaller scale. There were comments by CB during it's launch that the Human Sphere is ramping up military production, focusing on materiel that can be used cheaply and effectively now, rather than solely investing in research that might make more effective weapons after years of funding and tinkering. The major factions are also hiring increasing numbers of mercenaries, often using improvised or repurposed gear, all these comments came before the release of TAG-Raid and it's repurposed industrial TAGs and mining armatures.
What's beyond packs and boosters have to do with operation battle boxes, they are a different product. The statement was no S5 in Operation Kaldstrom and Crimson stone, no words were said about beyond packs.
Jumping/flying/falling guy is super intriguing. Not crazy about how bulky he is or the thing on his sternum keeping him from looking down. Aspects of it remind me of the Asawira. A reworked Ragik would be nice but this seems too much, especially as they have nice, relatively new models. As others have pointed out, Haqq seems spoiled for AD, between Ragiks, Bashi Bazouks, Hakims, and Nahabs.
I think jumper guy is a reworked Ragik. Heavy armor looks mean nothing, look at the morat Rasyat and Kyosot for reference. I do think the big buff guy at the front is a heavy infantry, but I'm iffy on him being S5. Could just be a very large s2 dude like a KoJ. Some people thought the thorakite on the back was something even bigger, but it's just a thorakite, so we can guess the 3 we saw with the marut are all in this box. That leaves 1 big guy and two misterious units on the ALEPH side.
This is why im thinking its a fake-out. Im guessing its super jump, not AD. But could be both/either.
Really liking the look of the new haqqi stuff so far, would love to see more minis though. Looking forward to the new army profiles too… long live the fighters!!! (sorry, I couldn’t resist)
Since they released achilles v2 hoplite armor people have been curious about hoplites or hoplite variant myrmidons. Thats my guess, s2 but big HI myrms with arm4 bts3/6 and mimetism instead of ODD
You're definitely right the look of the armor should be taken with a grain of salt but I still really hope this isn't the case. If 2 of the 4 non-line troop models are a Ragik and Lasiq based on the box art that makes for a very disappointing box unless both are getting big profile changes.
taking the Morat remake as a basis, the new box did come with some rather lackluster updates to old profiles, or in the case of the raktorak and vanguards, no update at all. However, focusing on these specific profiles rather than the full picture is a recipe for feeling frustrated too soon. We might get amazing and fun new profiles, might get new fireteam rules. It's too early to be upset about anything. Take it easy, mates.
