I do think MULTI weapons are a valid comparison here, and they do suffer from this as well. I almost included them in my example .
At least multi weapons all have the same 3 ammo types, so it's easy to remember them and make quick decisions at the table. AROing against a scary multi-wound model starting its attack run? Use stun. Otherwise, use DA unless the target's ARM is higher than like 7 or so. Doesn't waste any time once you get used to it. Whereas I never got used to the hacking programs. My killer hackers always declare redrum because I forgot that skullbuster is probably better against BTS 9. Trinity is probably never the right choice over redrum or skullbuster. And the assault hackers are even worse, do I want to immobilize them for two turns or just one, or would isolating or possessing have better success odds? Too much time flipping back and forth to the Hacking Helper. I'm glad they're gone.
You do realize, that with the new hacking rules you are still in the same situation? And if an app uses to much of your time, just dont use it and live with it, if you do not take the "optimal" choice.
I have no compliants if the barid would get any upgrades but I dont really think they needs it assuming that they stay being rather cheap. I mainly use them in HB, where I dont like using Ghulams as hackers. In vanilla, there are plenty of hacker options that I enjoy playing more (camo, droptroops)
For sure, but currently they seem to be supperior hackers and I would like to see if that gets reinforced in some way.
It seems like hacking isn't changing in points, at least the Naga hackers have stayed at exactly the same points as in N3. So I think there's a good chance the Barid will be basically unchanged in skills and points, and remain like the cheapest pitcher hacker in the game. But now in links! Of course, the closer we get to Friday the more pointless it feels to speculate :-) But the urge remains.
I'm not sure Nagas are the best comparison since they are also a Camo unit which is rumoured to have increased in points. I seem to recollect that we saw the N4 profile of the Kappa hacker a few weeks back and that profile had gotten cheaper since N3.
That's possible too, yeah. But if I recall, the non hacker Nagas also kept the same points. But if Barid gets cheaper, even better! Although line troops are supposedly getting slightly more expensive, and Barid is basically a line trooper. Argh! Three more days.
To list the most common ones: N3: HD 8 HD+ 8 AHD 6 EVO 17 KHD 3 N4: HD 5 (seen everywhere) HD+ 6 (seen on Asura) EVO 7 (from the leaks) KHD 3 (seen everywhere) Most AHDs became HDs, which made them 1 point cheaper (AHD: Lightning Deva BSG got a KHD now). HDs all stayed HDs and got 3 points cheaper. We have heard about Upgrade Programs, but the leak had 0 Info on them. Highly likely they're still there, since Hacking would be awfully bland without them and several troops, for example Kerr Nau, were basically built around having stuff like White Noise available.
I expect the Barid to be cheaper as a result of the hacking device changes. Upgrades are still if I'm not mistaken, so this might give the Barid an edge over regular Ghulam hackers other than their pitchers and higher BTS. Even without upgrades, they'll still be damn good for their expected low-ish pricepoint. I expect to field more Barids myself since there will probably be more heavy infantry and TAGs running around.
The Barid was always my go to Specialist for HB, the pitcher was invaluable for placing a spotlight. However, the Forward Observer LT. is typically my LT. for a lot of my tournament lists. The ability to score an objective with an LT. order was always useful.
Well, I liked Barid Hacker Lt in N3. The Lt. Order was often spent on utility actions, eg. buffing REMs, or guiding Ragiks to their landing zone. Seems that this won't be a thing in N4 though, given that REM boosting is solely EVO Hacker's ability. Nb. since they went with Hacking Device & Killer Hacking Device, logical for me would be to call the EVO a Support Hacking Device. That ship has already sailed, though.
Well, he did keep an upgrade kinda. Unfortunately he lost the upgrade on the normal hacking device (previously assault hacker), leaves him in a wierd place next to the Ghulam hacker option.
The Barid seems just straight better than the Ghulam hacker to me. For only one point you get the pitcher, 3 BTS and an extra BS if you need it. The only loss is the shotgun. Especially since it can jump into the Ghulam link.
