First Impressions: Phase 2 Shaltari

We're as angry as you are! What are we angry about again?

Next on the review conveyor belt, and I sense the most anticipated of the lot, are the cosmic Galagos (google it) and the most recent additions to their roster. It seems that in order to not break tradition these new units have been designed to be somewhat controversial, a trait that apparently the Shaltari seem to love being! We have touched on a couple of these already, but thought it worth a full review for the three newest units (and a couple of extras thrown in).

Unlike my positive review of the Scourge, before I even start writing this post I know it is likely to be full of cow pats, so grab your wellies and shovels and let's get knee deep.

Crocodile

Of all the famous commanders to be converted into a unit for general use, the Crocodile was at the very bottom of my list of possibilities. An Ocelot cannon on a Caimen chasis, that has a MF 6"? I call bullshit, and can hear (and in fact did during Alpha release) multiple Talons second the motion. The alpha rules were ludicrous, with the skimmer being unbelievably potent, but I'm glad to say it's been toned down somewhat. Toned down enough? I can't really work that out.

I know, that's not what you wanted from this review, but without game time I have no idea where on the see-saw of balance it sits; does the heavy choice soar high into the air, with a big fat smile on its face, or is at the bottom of the playground toy, plank and arse dropped into a pile of bullshit. Having an Ocelot cannon on a skimmer is a bad idea, period, but it does have the same MF as an Ocelot if wants to use the howitzer. Being a skimmer does open it up to double tapping more efficiently; moving 6" and having a shot with the toned down E10 alternative, to activate first next turn and lay down the pain. This is a predictable move though and can be avoided, which brings us to another question; does its speed make it worth 25 points more than an Ocelot?

Yes and no. Yes, because it can claim focal points far more easily than an Ocelot as it won't require a gate to shift around the board. No, because it can only move 2" if you fire the daddy cannon, and really that's what you're buying it for; demolition and elite unit sniping. I have a suspicion that only players who use Ocelots will want a Crocodile, but may not often want or be able to find the points to 'upgrade' to one.

Verdict: It's still riding that see-saw

Mikes technical input: I find the Crocodile an interesting concept. I think it will play similarly to how the UCM use Katanas. Drive on and use the demo ability for a couple of turns while you get yourself in a position to affect the game in the later turns. I like the power drop if moving fast, I think it is a great rule, I do wonder if it will be worth it though. It is versatile in it's anti-tank output but lacks versatility overall. This is a good thing. I think it does it's job very well. Expensive though. 

Joe 2pence: I feel this is a bit of a lazy choice for a unit. They had to cap that MF speed with a special rule, otherwise this would also become bullshit. The Ocleot had so many birthing problems, changing from mf 0" to 2" was a big change for a unit. The Ocelot still doesn't get much field time because only 1 shot and easy to avoid. So the Croc can move but do you want to be paying more than a Caiman for a 1 x E10 shot if you do? I know what id prefer, the one that can move and have 3 shots. Some would say then just use it for demo. Yeah the Caiman option can do the same output while moving full speed. 

Firebird
We glanced at the Firebird in the past when the experimental rules first came out, and since then my feelings toward it haven't changed; it's a good gunship! Not great, but definitely a solid choice in the right Shaltari build. If you're looking for a close up, aggressive list then you will probably want these birds. If you're looking for a unit to target very specific backboard units, then again, you will probably want these birds.

The balancing act for most Gunships is making sure that their load-out is not too potent for the survivability of the unit, and Hawk have pretty much nailed it with the Firebird. It is potentially a very survivable unit, with E2 and P5+ countermeasures (Mike will have to do you the maths...), but due to the range of the gun, a mere 6", you need to take risks to actually get to your target.

'Nuff sed, I like it. That is until a squad disintegrate my Oppressor. Then they'll be bullshit.

Joe's 2 pence: I have used these, and a Thunderstorm was taken as a trophy. The short range is a set back. It means that most AA will have at least a reaction shot at them before they get to shoot. It becomes a little obvious after 2 turns of careful moving who their targets are! The damage output of these guys is very rewarding though. Watch out, lower armoured multi wound models. I would have liked to see the range up to 9"

Leopard
If any unit is going to bring the brick back into contention, it's this beast. A true master of close
encounters, you never want to be within 9" of a Leopard if you're any kind of ground unit. Boasting either three E12 shots or 2 E12 and 24 E4, whether you are a tank or infantry squad you're looking at having a straight up James-Blunt-Bad-Day, and all for a mere 85 points. It sounds too cheap doesn't it? There are other factors to take into consideration though; effective range, gate costs and deployment issues, and potential vulnerability without a Dreamsnare nearby.

Taking all of this into account I think 85 points is almost fair, but a tweak in the potency is probably needed. Instead of a points increase I would (and some of you may have seen this coming) reduce the amount of E12 shots it spews out onto the battlefield. I mean, three, is that really necessary? Keep the 85 points, keep the Dragon Cannon AT alt to be E12 and make its E12 top gun a single shot weapon. For comparison let's take the most similar unit from another army, the Odin. That costs 65 points and boasts two E11 shots, which have to shoot at the same target. Granted these shots have a much, much better range, but they don't double up as a very good AI weapon. Both are about as robust as each other, but within 13" the Leopard is twice as dangerous for an extra 20 points.

The idea of playing against a Leopard Brick build which contains two Leopards and a Dreamsnare, producing a ridiculous seven E12 shots a turn, makes me sigh both internally and externally. In fact, my external sigh may even sound like the word 'Bullshit'. Sadly, I know the Leopard won't be changing in anything apart from perhaps points. Why? It's got Dreamsnare guns, and Dave won't want to change the convention of E12 on them.

Mikes technical input: I really like the Leopard, but certainly agree that it has too many shots. 2 (at 2 targets) would be enough. It is brutally efficient, and removing one from as far away as possible will be essential. How you do that is a different story altogether; Dan touched on my idea above, to resurrect the Shaltari brick. It's fucking horrendous! Can you imagine 2 Leopards and a Dreamsnare dropping in next to you. Backed up with some Kukri for good measure. Fuck it, add the Gharial into the bubble for 9 E12 shots!! I do like the model and again the concept, I think it is a touch too far. I guess we will see. 

Joe's 2 pence: I agree with all of the above, the only thing I would add, is that the short range does have its drawbacks. Means whatever the Leopards shooting at is also in range to shoot it back or first!! Now we all know I love my Thunderstorm, 2 of these are cheaper by 25pts and have 2 more shots that doesn't blow your own face off (on rolling snake eyes to hit). Also don't forget armour 9 over 8 and that passive. Yeah he is a commander, just food for thought on those high energy guns.


Panther
Before we get into this bullshit sandwich, I am going to do my best to be constructive in my criticism of the Bull- I mean Panther, but I'm not going to apologise if I turn down the wrong tunnel and begin to rant. These type of things just bring it out in me. Those of you who have heard or read my opinions on the Panther's alpha and proposed beta rules in the past will know which direction this review will be going, and that direction is firmly down, straight into the sewers where the rules belong. So, anyway, the review:

Unsurprisingly, this unit is Bullshit.

Look, I want everyone to understand that I'm not just saying this for the sake of causing hysteria, or through sheer hardheadedness, I firmly believe that a total lack of thought, play testing and a basic understanding of how the game is played in practise has caused these rules to be released. In order for me to give a thorough explanation let's focus on the Ocelot, the mother of the Panther. The Ocelot is a two function titan, and is fully committed to demolition and extreme range anti-tank. Being able to hammer a building for 10 points in one shot or snipe a tank from the other board edge on paper seems extraordinarily broken, but in practise it isn't nearly as strong as you would think. For maximum demolition damage the Ocelot has to roll a heap of good dice, and to snipe a tank you have to wait for your opponent to provide an appropriate target in the open, which due to the level of LoS blocking terrain in Dropzone could be a rarity. In the end the chances are your Ocelot will never make its points back, either in influence on the warzone or in literal points; the very nature of the battlefield blunts the teeth of the Ocelot's bite.

The MK Dons of the Dropzone Commander world

Losing the demo and AT of the Ocelot (it should be said that it's still not bad at AT, specifically when targetting skimmers), the Panther is more streamlined to its main function, which is to provide unparalleled AA cover anywhere on the table. Being able to target an aircraft at any range is just mind-blowingly bonkers! This is a fact anvil I feel I shouldn't have to drop, but losing an aircraft is not the same as losing a tank. You blew up my Sabre? Fine, whatevs. You annihilated my troops transport carrying my exotics from 46" away? Erm, excuse me, what just happened?

See, the thing is AA has been traditionally limited to an average of 18", with the very best and most expensive units reaching 24". I have always been in the understanding that this is due to how open a battlefield can be for aircraft, bearing in mind that you will normally only have five buildings taller than 6" on a table. These 24" AA units are a solid pain in the arse and can be deployed to tear giant holes in your opponents plan-blanket, but they need to be deployed correctly to provide this level of support which takes time. Also 24" is far, but not unavoidable. The Panther doesn't offer either of these disadvantages. In a game which is mostly about air-to-ground deployment, infinite range AA from the first turn is far, far too dangerous, and removes a level of tactics from the owner of the Panther. That real thorn, nay, spike in my side is the reaction fire and the number of shots it produces. Reduce the range, or get rid of reaction fire. Removing RF is admittedly too far, but it seems I have to be over the top in order for things to change sometimes.

Having a look in the Shaltari toolbelt now, I can see it's almost full. They are at the top level for infantry, demolition, and now anti-air. They are even pretty close for anti-tank too! This isn't a balance any race should have.

I've gone on for long enough, and will let you make your own mind up about the unit. I will always think that it fundamentally goes against the principles of the game in this state of rules, even if it turns out to never be used and is actually garbage in practise. I know a horde (not hoard) of people will disagree with me, and I respect the opinion of those players, I just sincerely don't share it.

This all said, I do like the sculpt though. The gun looks 'infinitely' better than all other walkers weapons...

[Ed]
Don't know what all the fuss is about...

Mikes technical input: Dan has said it all....Bullshit! 

Ok, lets try to be rational. I see a lot of arguments saying that you can just ignore the Panther, just fly low, or fly more cleverly. I whole-heartedly disagree with that. A canny Shaltari player knows where best to place his Panther (or 2). It will be exactly where you need to get to. Yes you can hide behind buildings, either landing or going to the deck, but at some point you will have to make 'that run' the one that gets your infantry to the objective building. 

Each element of the Panther is individually fine. The Warstrider base, perfectly ok. An infinite range gun - fine, we have seen them all over the place. 3 shots E8 AA is actually ok, Accuracy 2+ is reasonable too. The problem is the combination of all that in one package. Lets take infinite range as an example. EVERY single infinite range gun in the game (pre-panther) has 1 shot. You get the benefit of being able to reach across the battlefield, but the drawback is the minimum 30% chance (or more more often than not more) of nothing happening. Having multiple shots gives you some redundancy, especially with hitting on a 2+. It all adds up to me hating this unit. 

There are so many ways that I could and would improve it for the game. 

• Range reduction to 30" - still the longest AA but not horrible, may mean you forgo walking on in favour of gating on.
• Accuracy increase to 3+ - this changed would probably be my favoured. It means that the reaction fire is on a 6+ which makes sense for the 'slow to traverse' special rule. Currently 'slow to traverse' means that the Panther is still just as good ans the majority of AA guns. 
• No reaction Fire - Have the 'slow to traverse' actually mean something. 
• Make the Mf 0" - Means that a gate is crucial and stops 'turn 1' dropship sniping.

Doing any one of these would certainly help balance the unit with the game, giving it an actual drawback.

Joe's 2 pence: I don't think this unit will be as bad(!!) against veterans of the game compared to the newer folk. If I was new to the game this would make me not want to play. It shouldn't have been made and I cant think of anything that would make it fit in. The Shaltari have merged into a walk on the table edge and shoot army

Other Reconquest: Phase 2 Tweaks

Ronin cheaper by 1 point - Er, okay, sure? Not sure why they bothered changing it by a point.
Samurai cheaper by 3 points - Cool. Still probably won't take them, they suffer general flame unit issues
Pungari points increase by 3 points a base - Link back to my post when the Hoard (Horde) rule came into play. Bump in points necessary after seeing them in use.
Ghariel points increase by 10 points - Unexpected, would have preferred a reduction to a single E12 shot rather than it being worth more on a FP or CL

Mikes technical input: I'm glad the Ronin and Samurai got cheaper. I like them (now they are suitably fixed) the models are cool too. I hope to see more across the battlefield.

Pungari absolutely had to have their points increased with the introduction of the Hoard rule. I did think that it would be introduced for all 3 and 4 based squads. Looks like I was wrong. 72 points for 2 searches was so so cheap. Now it is 84, still cheap but better - Pugari will now be the staple of the Shaltari army, meaning they will be able find objectives quicker (based on number of searches) than the other races. 

The Gharial is certainly the better Command choice when it comes to what it can do in differing types of scenario. Making it more expensive is not the way to fix it. It's sat at the right place, I am inclined to agree with Dan that making it only one E12 shot would have been the way to go. Could have made it 5 or so cheaper with that as well.

Joe's 2 pence: All good changes! Shaltari scouts though I feel are all under powered for how many point they cost, they all need some extra loving!!! I would have liked to see the Coyote go down in points, then the Gharial up.

Overall
I find myself getting frustrated every time conversations regarding Shaltari spring up. Some people think they're fine, some don't, others just don't care, and a small collective just won't bother playing them as they want to 'enjoy their games'. Recent tournament results suggest that Shaltari are on the rise again after the initial nerfs were made (about a year ago I think), which is admittedly a little worrying, and these most recent releases will only help push Shaltari up the ladder I feel. My opinion on the Shaltari is that they were designed to be a puzzle, a complex riddle to piece together and feel reward from solving. They are beginning to become a jumbo kids puzzle with minimal 3" large pieces, which for a faction who have distinct advantages over the other races is an issue that will need to be addressed. The puzzle needs to be put back into the Shaltari.