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Varuna speculation

Discussion in 'PanOceania' started by Wombat85, Feb 18, 2018.

  1. Ayadan

    Ayadan Knight of the TAG Order

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    Or maybe with ORCs. After all, the ORCs Core will be costy if it is full of them. A Clipper in a Core of ORCs could fit well.
     
  2. AdmiralJCJF

    AdmiralJCJF Heart of the Hyperpower

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    Well, I don't think that is going to happen.

    A cheap filler unit to pad out an expensive HI Fireteam is a "nice thing"...

    And we all know that PanOceania doesn't get those.
     
  3. Make PanO Great Again :P

    Make PanO Great Again :P Varuna, with the deadliest reptiles in the sphere

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    @Magonus [​IMG]
    Mangel Halto Beach, most awesome beach of the island and with almost no turist around, pic from less than 3 weeks ago.

    You say sorry to my Crocmen!!! you ask for an apology to those wonderful bastards right now !!!!
     
    Magonus and barakiel like this.
  4. AdmiralJCJF

    AdmiralJCJF Heart of the Hyperpower

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    To be fair, I'm never going to diss literally the only tiny sliver of Kiwi culture (and Maori culture especially) that appears in Infinity.

    Croc Men are the best!

    (even if they should be called Taniwha: http://hauntedauckland.com/site/taniwha/ )

    Nevertheless, even with all our midtable options in the same list PanOceania aren't even in the same league as most of the other factions in terms of Skirmish capability.
     
  5. Barrogh

    Barrogh Well-Known Member

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    To be honest, that's rather unusual that in this case Infinity doesn't use a cultural reference it's normally rather fond of.

    But then again, that would be something that sounds exotic and unique, and that's not PanO.

    Am I doing it right?

    I would go as far as to say that bad boy sold more new Druze than own merits of the latter. I doubt this will happen, to be honest, as one too many features like that and DBS loses most of their selling point as PanO units to go side by side with those shenanigans and their own remotes will likely be more efficient.

    Especially if speculations about "PanO Hunzakuts" will end up being correct :D

    There are plenty of other cool remotes to fill your links though. They probably won't be as awesome to get link bonuses as Sierra and Clipper (both will probably not happen), but a Pathfinder may end up going a long way there (admittedly, the idea is by no means new).
     
  6. Make PanO Great Again :P

    Make PanO Great Again :P Varuna, with the deadliest reptiles in the sphere

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    Yes, yes they are, they are awesome!!
    But for real, every faction (but Ariadna) has a variant of the "infiltration+TO" template and each with something that gives it some faction flavor.
    Ninjas have CC (no mines), Tuareg high wip and doc, Spekter high wip and some BTS for the AHD..... you get the idea.
    We have a good long chat in my meta, and of all of them the Crocman came out on top, that Xvisor is SO DAMN GOOD with him. It turns him into a SF nightmare and if you can clean a flank for him he will abuse everyone out of cover no mater the distance.
    For real, the only other competitors were the Dasyus (too expensive and no minelayer option) and the Clipsos (dirty cheap).


    Why ?
    We have Crocman, which we already established are awesome all around (incredible flankers, best SF unit in the game, great surprise shot from longer distance than expected, minelayer option).
    We have Locust, the one with Dropbears can be a pain to take out and can put mines in the enemy DZ turn one or have fun with some nades.
    We have the Order Sargent, SWC expensive in vainilla, but a great wip 13 specialist one order away from the objectives.
    We have Pacemaker, great tool to help the Hexa KHD deliver deep, plus all the utility and deadliness of the kamikase Auxbot.
    We have Konstantinos, say what you will but this guy has always deliver for me, he can go hunting first turn or if you go second becomes a great bait, has been a priority kill of all my opponents and always takes more points (direct and indirect) that his cost.

    True, we dont have Kitsune or impersonators, but dose are few and far between, and now with SoF we can even get Saito!!

    This is the list im mostly using right now, it has been really successful (undefeated even), and a lot of it is because no one expects "old boring PanO to have dirty tricks". Had a game of Frontline this week against JSA (O-yoroi, Karakuri Haris, full Keisotsu Core and a Ninja), at the end my opponent (great friend and player) told me it was frustrating as hell to have so many mines, dropbears in his DZ and infiltrators gibing him -12 mod everywhere.
    Never had the need, but you can even change the Nisses MSR for a Kamau and turn the Crocman to FO for some "i have 4 infiltrating specialist" shenanigans if the mission demands it.

    [​IMG] PanOceania
    ──────────────────────────────────────────────────

    [​IMG]9 [​IMG]1
    [​IMG] JOAN OF ARC Lieutenant MULTI Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, AP CCW. (+1 | 49)
    [​IMG] CROC MAN (Minelayer) Combi Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 31)
    [​IMG] CROC MAN (Minelayer) Combi Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (0.5 | 31)
    [​IMG] SPEC. SERGEANT (CH: TO Camouflage, Infiltration, Forward Observer) Combi Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (1 | 27)
    [​IMG] BROTHER KONSTANTINOS Specialist (Infiltration) Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Assault Pistol, CCW. (0 | 34)
    [​IMG] LOCUST Boarding Shotgun, Grenades, Drop Bears / Pistol, Shock CCW, Knife. (0 | 30)
    [​IMG] HEXA Hacker (Killer Hacking Device) Combi Rifle / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0 | 27)
    [​IMG] NISSE MULTI Sniper Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 34)
    [​IMG] NISSE HMG / Pistol, Knife. (1.5 | 34)
    [​IMG] WARCOR (Aerocam) Flash Pulse / Stun Pistol, Knife. (0 | 3)

    5 SWC | 300 Points

    Open in Infinity Army

    (not picking a bone with you @AdmiralJCJF , but i really think we are one, if not THE strongest alpha strike factions in the game. Maybe is just in my meta, but fell that is one of the biggest assets of PanO and no one tends to use it or even notice it .)

    Bonus pic of my lovely Crocman saying hello to a Moran before killing the enemy Lt. and some other guys from the opposite ledge of the building.

    [​IMG]
     
    #66 Make PanO Great Again :P, Feb 22, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2018
    the huanglong likes this.
  7. barakiel

    barakiel Echo Bravo Master Sergeant

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    ORCs as a Core link could probably use some help, one way or another. This could be a cheap link filler profile (SMG + double nanopulser would be at the top of my list) but I wouldn't mind seeing Pathfinder or Fugazi linked in there too. Fugazi with a WIP16 Mimetism Flash Pulse, Repeater to help deter enemy Hacking, and Sniffers in case Camo shows up, that's all pretty cool. Even a baggage bot wouldn't be bad, despite ORCs not having anything to reload. A cheap 8 point link filler is compensated by the fact that you're dragging around a huge base that can't go prone and is a magnet for Targeted, shotgun blasts, etc.

    Come to think of it maybe the Mule isn't a great idea after all...

    The point standing though, ORC Core could use mixed links.

    The more I think on it though, the more do like Croc Men and PanO "Hunzakut" Helots.
     
  8. AdmiralJCJF

    AdmiralJCJF Heart of the Hyperpower

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    I really don't want to continue to argue the "PanO are weak midfield" debate, as I feel like a 10 order list which pushes up against the maximum limit of possible midfield options in the entire faction really only proves my point.

    I'm not going to argue against our Alpha Strike potential 'though... it's better than most people give us credit for (and IS a good reason to pick up PanOceania).

    But both points are relevant to Varuna only tangentially, so let's leave this part of the conversation there hunh @Make PanO Great Again :P ?

    -----

    I would LOVE to see the ORC Fireteam Core get something other than a character (which I don't have a lot of hope for, looking at our other character choices... especially outside of MO).

    But I just don't think it's going to happen.

    And no matter how much I think it fits the background and setting info for Varuna I think integrated remotes won't happen for us either. It's not just a "nice thing", but it's also one which is now the "sthick" of the Druze. And that just makes me think we aren't going to get it as well.
     
  9. barakiel

    barakiel Echo Bravo Master Sergeant

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    Awww.

    *Takes the "Helots with Protheion" idea and puts it back in the "Nice Things" bag, next to "Kamau X-Visor SMG" and "Echo Bravos with MULTI Marksman Rifles."*
     
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  10. Magonus

    Magonus Well-Known Member

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    Ah you are saying you went to Aruba, and wouldn't want a terminator like Atlanda there. I was reading your comment as referring to some "Aruba" sniper unit in Varuna.
     
  11. Janzerker

    Janzerker Well-Known Member

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    Is there any reference to Helots feeding on corpses in the role book? because I seriously doubt Panaoceanian colonists would be living together with that subyugated native specie if they knew about such disgusting habits. Just imagine the panaoceanian social media negative opinion! who the heck would go to spend their holidays there? Just because they are aliens doesn't mean you have free way to pick whatever exotical skill you covet. As part of a civilized human faction you're tied to ethical rules and somethings are clearly a taboo.
     
  12. barakiel

    barakiel Echo Bravo Master Sergeant

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    Sarcasm, or cultural relativism? Can't tell...

    Personally, I'm okay with the idea of an alien species being, you know, "alien" in terms of morality, ethics, and personal behavior. If they want to eat things and get stronger, I'm definitely not one to judge.

    As for people not wanting to vacation where there's things that can kill you... I take it you've never been to Australia :grinning:
     
  13. AdmiralJCJF

    AdmiralJCJF Heart of the Hyperpower

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    I think his point is that doesn't fit with everything else we currently know about Helots.

    And I have to agree, it doesn't.

    Given the suits and other info we've got I'm expecting some level of Frenzy tied to a two-tier profile along the lines of Symbiont Armour or Transformation. And I'm still of the opinion that Helots are more likely to fall into the Magister-style pseudo-Warband (or actually Warband) mould, 'though I do see the argument that they might be a Skirmisher.
     
  14. barakiel

    barakiel Echo Bravo Master Sergeant

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    The two tier profile was my idea several months ago, and honestly it has zero basis in reality other than hearing about how PanO uses pressure suits to keep Helots docile, in conjunction with Blackjack rules just being released. As with most rumors, it's built into something that even sounds concrete and justifiable, but I came up with on a lark after that snippet from the RPG fluff was released.

    My own point being that we don't really know enough about them to form any kind of basis on what their rules will be like. We think the fluff informs the rules, but there's a good chance that CB will add/change whatever fluff component is necessary to help Helots fit into the balance and role of the game. With this season being about traitorous themes, internecine violence and betrayal, an uprising by previously docile aliens that are now crazed and flesh-eating doesn't sound far fetched at all.

    It also just came to light that fluff in the RPG book is downright contrary to fluff that's emerging in the next couple of months. Whether this is an error, or Infinity's patented "propaganda spin", is unclear. But it's definitely shown that the RPG book isn't the final say, which is why I'm expanding my speculation on what Helots might be. Two-step profile warband seemed a no-brainer. Now I'm not so sure.
     
  15. AdmiralJCJF

    AdmiralJCJF Heart of the Hyperpower

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    No it's not...

    But it IS a snapshot of the Human Sphere at a specific point in time, and the wargame timeline is continuing to advance.

    And it's fair to say that we can't be confident of what will come with the Helot (and my own disappointment with much of what I've seen for PanOceania certainly colours my expectations) but I can hope for something interesting which fits the existing setting and background (GOD I HATE the dismissive and minimising term "fluff" in this context).

    But we'll see what we see.
     
  16. barakiel

    barakiel Echo Bravo Master Sergeant

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    I didn't mean to imply that all the background in the RPG book is contrary, but there are some examples of lore in the RPG book conflicting with CB's stance, or the lore in the book painting a fragmented or misleading picture.

    If this also extends to Helots, we really have no idea what they're about or what kind of skills they might use in game.
     
    #76 barakiel, Feb 22, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2018
  17. Make PanO Great Again :P

    Make PanO Great Again :P Varuna, with the deadliest reptiles in the sphere

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    @AdmiralJCJF , yep, i also have a problem with using only 10 order list, my playstyle is....... weird i guess
     
  18. Wombat85

    Wombat85 Well-Known Member

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    Personally I think helots is very SP sounding. Could the AI play a larger role than we are anticipating with this sectoral? maybe some sort of control chips to keep the monsters in order?
     
  19. TanakoSkyler22

    TanakoSkyler22 Varunan Diplomat

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    Or at least the ones working with Blue Sea. Probably go with the idea that they are irregular skirmishers like Hunzakuts as someone mentioned eariler, but possibly Dogged/NWI to show their suits that PanO puts them in are damaged and start to go Berserk.

    Just some ideas.

    Though mostly I want to see an SWC/Unit box for Kamaus and Updated Orcs with some sort of special rules unique to Varuna ORCs (something impactful like mixed core links with Kamaus or Fusiliers being one. Mimetism would just be the bait answer and easy way out per usual for special rules on PanO).
     
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  20. Make PanO Great Again :P

    Make PanO Great Again :P Varuna, with the deadliest reptiles in the sphere

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    How cool can be a Varuna only profile for the Crocman with Superior Infiltration?
    What price would you put on him and what weapons would you allow him to have ? (some SWC cost can keep him out of auto-include, or the combi+LSG tax)
     
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