It's a really nice use of the x-visor too. Two dice on 9s for that long range band is just good enough to try, especially if it means laying that template on a pile of squishy targets.
I think I'd be a little more inclined to take the BSG profile if it came coupled with a specialist option, a unique piece of equipment, or something of the like. as of right now FO option just takes the cake for me. possible minelayer if I'm feeling it.
if you are going to shoot something in cover there is no point to the BSG, the combi is far better, shooting sideways to maximize template damage in a DZ or link in cover is the only scenario were there is any point taking this guy.
I find I sometimes take the shot with cover, due to their being mines that would threaten the Croc, or perhaps the best angle for hitting multiple units demands taking the shot while the target's in cover. I did assume Partial Cover when I mentioned 9s, as @MikeTheScrivener mentioned, but yes it sure is nice to deny Partial Cover with that shotgun.
I’ve been playing a bit of Naga Minelayer + BSG in acon lately, especially because the Montesa means both my Nagas don’t have to be specialists anymore. I love that surprise shot BSG quite a bit and having a TO variety with a little utility attached to it would be just gravy.
Five test games in and I can say that boy howdy the Kamau sniper feels a bit like cheating. (We have a lot of locals who favour smoke plus warband play as their solution to link overwatch, which goes right out the window against that monster; they'll adapt, but it's making an absolute mess of them in early engagements). Second best thing about the faction is being able to say ''tactical visor activated" when a Zulu Cobra uses triangulated fire.
I'm loooooving the potential of the Croc minelayer. A hidden deployment TO figure that also puts out a camo marker in the midfield to mess with people, which could potentially be a Zulu or Helot? Gold.
It's also sometimes worthwhile to allow your target cover if getting them out means you have to give up your own cover. After all TO + Surprise Shot + Cover = a -12 to-hit and a whole heaping helping of "fuck you, you don't even GET a shot back" for many targets. In those cases it's worth taking the penalty on your own attack (especially if you can still clip a couple of targets). But it sure would be nice to have a Boarding Shotgun option WITH something else going for it. Because it's a nice attack option, but just feels a little... lacking... compared to the kitted out alternatives.
I've been bouncing this around but having to give up a lot of deployment space for the mine to convincingly mimic a Zulu or especially a Helot is holding me back. I think I will get to it at some point though.
You don't give up that much to be able to chuck a mine 8" behind you into the FD lvl 1 band. But it IS a consideration.
Hell, the Oniwaban (TO boarding shottie) is pretty evil without the XVisor. Croc with it is probably better, since you can take the shots at longer ranges. Was going to say that I often ended up with the mine more or less in the middle of the YJ Roulette clump, and they're all on my side of the table center.
I hear you. If the Minelayer profile was also BSG, like the Naga, I think it would be a fantastic VIRD unit. Keeping the opponent guessing about whether a Camo token is a mine... A jammer... A KHD... A flash pulse... A shock Marksman rifle would be amazing. So the Combi Minelayer works well enough, certainly can skirmish at range and is no slouch when suppressing, but I don't know how often I'll reach for it when there are almost a dozen amazing profiles for roughly the same cost.
Offhand have we seen anything to suggest that the ORC troop haris profile couldn't form a link otherwise comprised of two Kamau wildcard troops?
I know this is off the current topic but does anyone know what day in November that the army builder update drops? I'm excited about building some lists for the new sectorial and MO revamps.
Wildcards can count as anything when it comes to Fireteams, so ORC Haris with two Kamau is no different to ORC Haris with two other ORCs. Or even Kamau Haris with an ORC and another Kamau.
Late in November. Don't expect to use anything before December. Yeah, I've certainly gotten plenty of mileage out of combat Croc Men. They usually surprise opponents with how dangerous they can be (which they shouldn't, but it is what it is. I kinda half expect cool new stuff for Croc Men, and kinda half don't. I guess we'll see!
