WISHLIST WEDNESDAY- Ninjas in N3

In yesterday's post I talked about a different tactic- TEAM NINJA. Do not mistake that for me "liking" the current rules for ninjas- they are the depths of disappointment to me- it is only through sheer force of will I have made something workable from that which CB calls NINJA

The VERY first thing that brought me to Infinity the game, was ninjas. I had played rezolution and other games in the past- playing various asiatic factions, but I had never had NINJA models that I had really liked. These models were awesome, techno cyber NINJAs that were ready to KICK ASS

Pictured here- also not a ninja

Sadly, I was pretty completely wrong. Ninjas are among the WORST of the TO skirmishers in the game, with no mines, few options, mostly basic stats, and a huge points garnishment for CC ability- in a futuristic shooting focused game.

All of infinity happens up in the top left corner

This means that NINJAs end up being overcosted, middling troops that have to be used very awkwardly to gain any use from their "advantages".

So, rather than just whining, and with the approach of N3, lets see what I would do- IF I RAN THE ZOO

I think that, currently, ninjas dont reflect either their anime nor their historical roots- so I am going to give TWO possible builds!

ANIME NINJA (the direction I feel CB should/ wants to go)

Flipping around, killing stuff, and shadows- this is the stuff of ninja! At Phis 12, Infinity NINJA are some of the worst models in the game for climbing and jumping- Barely better than a line trooper- Meta Agility would go a LONG way to displaying these characteristics. Ranged weapons could even be removed from the stock unit- as assault rifles (combis) is really not a flavourful item anyways. The sniper (and the proposed new Bow) would be fine profiles for ranged capacity. Keeping them slim keeps them cheap, so possibly plentiful (another ninja trait). I even considered removing infiltration!

BASIC ANIME NINJA
CC 20 BS 11 PHIS 12 WIP 13 W 1 ARM 0 BTS 0
Meta- agility, TO camo,  Infiltration
Basic ninja; 30points; pistol, Shock CCW
Ninja Sniper; 42points: pistol, Multi Sniper, Shock CCW

HISTORICAL NINJA (a Direction we COULD go)

Historically, NINJA were all about infiltration, blending in with enemy troops, disrupting communications, supplies, and morale. This is a very different direction for NINJAs but could be just as valid, and serve just as important role, perhaps even more so, as what JSA needs is an dependable way to stall the enemy so that the potent short range troops can get into position. Ninja disruption could be key to setting up JSA strategy!

HISTORICAL NINJA
CC 17 BS 11 PHIS 12 WIP 13 W 1 ARM 0 BTS 0
Impersonator,
Basic ninja; 30points; Combi, pistol, Shock CCW, mines,
FO Ninja; 33points: Forward Observer, pistol, Shock CCW
Disruption Ninja: 38 Points: pistol, shock CCW, Jammer


So this gives us 2 profiles, with very different roles and capacities- What do you think? Do you think Ninjas are fine the way they are?