Today we're diving into the Shasvastii Expeditionary Force, and in particular trying to answer the question "why *would* you play Shasvastii?". And it's a good question; playing Shasvastii is hard, and anyone asking that question is not.
Just came here to say YESSSSSSS 🎉 SO HYPE TO WATCH THIS!!! You always have unique perspectives and bring up different points that get me thinking about a faction. Ao excites to see you do my favorite one
You couldn't have picked a better time to release this - Literally just decided that Shas was going to be my next army at the weekend (so far I've played Ikari and Kosmoflot and got podium positions with both at local tournaments) - very excited to listen to your thoughts!
You are very right about having to be mentally On-Point when playing Shas. I played it quite awhile (over a year) to generally very good results. My Day 2 is such a drain after a night of partying. Playing tight is almost its own reward. Protheion and booty and metachemisty are my RPG-style game play. I guess morpho scan too. In that you can improve your model. Which is very rare in a game system Speculo minelayer is now an area denial weapon. So I agree with Nazeem that you place it to prevent those link team deployment options or to dissuade 1W AROs. You can also set it up to guard objectives. Shasvastii is tough because it presents significantly more thought than almost any more army. It’s exhausting to play. You have to consider every option significantly more than a normal army for many reasons you outlined.
I have had Shasvastii for almost 2 years. They are the faction that got me really interested in playing Infinity. Loved their backstory. I have not assembled them due to being intimidated by playing them. Way too many rules to remember to make them work properly & no one told me not the faction to start with. However, with that said, after watching this, I will start trying them out. Thanks again
Really excellent food for thought - somehow I'd entirely overlooked Sheskiin, so she's next on my painting table. Loved your rant about the Gwailo - I had definitely looked at playing around the MSV profile (and I probably still will) but my expectation is not high after hearing your thoughts! I like the idea of the sniper rifle on the shrouded occasionally, as I'm a real sucker for snipers in infinity (especially from unexpected angles) . Double Q-drones are going to make many an appearance in my early games as they just seem great!
Thanks Robert. Another great faction review! Reading the Airaghardt Infinity novel right now and didn't know shit about Shasvasti. This filled in a lot of gaps. Please do Caledonia next and keep the novel theme going! 😊
The Shasvastii special rule used to be worth the extra points you paid for each model. With changes to scoring and such the rule has become less and less useful. Right now it's only a rule that only works if things go the right amount of bad. Too bad and the rule is just a tax, too little and it's useless and a tax. The Shock effect is also more common. Contrast this with Morats for whom LoL and Isolation can be completely ignored. It always has an effect. The same with the Unidrons, having two Unconscious States and being a legal target for Support Ware is rather big. I think the Shasvastii rule should be replaced with something like this: Ambush If a model benefits from one of these during an Order used in the Active Phase: 1. Stealth. 2. Attacking a target from, outside LoF. 3. Benefits from Surprise Attack. Then the model gains Ambush (X) for that Order only. A model affected by Ambush gains the (effects). For example, Nox could have Ambush (Shock). The Noctifer with Spitfire could have Ambush (T2), etc, etc. Different models should have different Ambush effects.
Very dope, loved hearing about Shas (my workaround for the pronunciation). Please take it easy and make sure you are in good health, drink lots of fluids.
@6:49 is the most accurate summation of what playing Shas is like. I am trying to put taigas in tough spots that could bite you, I am trying to make you think twice at moving into a fire lane with Noctifer, I am making you reconsider letting me go first with speculo who can touch your expensive TAG or HI with no martial arts. Also Sphinx being fast and deadly to low armor models. The threats and things to consider is dread like. But yeah a bad beat or a single crit and I got nothing to bail me out. also lack of anti tag options esp with Gator running around are rough for me.
Super helpful video, the one profile that I also found useful is the Tensho Expert in a sheskin 3 team link, its 2 points more than the nox but you get boarding shotgun immunity to shock and regen and its still a specialist as well, having the templates in the link has been very useful in some games and its only 2 points more
The Nox having zappers really gives the little link some scary template potential by themselves, but it's a good point that you don't really need multiple zapper models, whereas a shotgun presents a threat to a wider array of targets.
Hey I also painted my shas up as protoss! The design litterally begs for it, almost as much as patchers scream Terran Marines. I'm still looking for a good model to make a Stalker, which would be a perfect sphynx.
I quite enjoy the Gwailo, because my enemies are usually Hassassins and FRRM. Gwailo with HMG is my go-to when I know I'm fighting those two factions, as he's ridiculously hard to kill if you're mainly using viral weaponry, as BTS 9 and shock immune make them perfectly suited to taking even otherwise bad engagements, forming them into a sort of "mini-TAG".
I would use the Haiduk MMR as a denial piece. Just plop them down somewhere you feel the opponent wants to go through and put them in Suppression Fire. Now the opponent has to deal with a B3 BS -9 to get through.
"this could work with dazers..." is how the madness starts. There's a surprising amount of terrain total you can potentially access. *Surely* there's something there...
I cannot imagine a viable list that takes advantage of that, but maybe in 400pts limited insertion events like those madmen in Melbourne run annually...
You forgot the biggest reason to take a Gwailo in a fire team vs MSV. Move the Gwailo + an M-drone into LoF of the MSV ARO piece and they are forced to shoot at the M-drone or forfeit their ARO, giving the Gwailo a Normal roll against them
Today we're diving into the Shasvastii Expeditionary Force, and in particular trying to answer the question "why *would* you play Shasvastii?". And it's a good question; playing Shasvastii is hard, and anyone asking that question is not.
One of the advantages of Shasvastii is that nearly the whole faction is immune to AP ammo.
Ahaha, good one
🧠🧠🧠
Just came here to say
YESSSSSSS 🎉
SO HYPE TO WATCH THIS!!!
You always have unique perspectives and bring up different points that get me thinking about a faction.
Ao excites to see you do my favorite one
Thank you for doing these, they're so great. Don't plan on playing Shasvastii, but it's great to have insight into other people's game plans.
You couldn't have picked a better time to release this - Literally just decided that Shas was going to be my next army at the weekend (so far I've played Ikari and Kosmoflot and got podium positions with both at local tournaments) - very excited to listen to your thoughts!
You are very right about having to be mentally On-Point when playing Shas. I played it quite awhile (over a year) to generally very good results. My Day 2 is such a drain after a night of partying. Playing tight is almost its own reward.
Protheion and booty and metachemisty are my RPG-style game play. I guess morpho scan too. In that you can improve your model. Which is very rare in a game system
Speculo minelayer is now an area denial weapon. So I agree with Nazeem that you place it to prevent those link team deployment options or to dissuade 1W AROs. You can also set it up to guard objectives.
Shasvastii is tough because it presents significantly more thought than almost any more army. It’s exhausting to play. You have to consider every option significantly more than a normal army for many reasons you outlined.
Very apropos indeed. Just on the way out to pick up some old Shas minis for a project inspired by reading Airaghardt.
Great Job!!!!!
Great ideas & insight.
Thanks for the video
I have had Shasvastii for almost 2 years. They are the faction that got me really interested in playing Infinity. Loved their backstory.
I have not assembled them due to being intimidated by playing them. Way too many rules to remember to make them work properly & no one told me not the faction to start with.
However, with that said, after watching this, I will start trying them out.
Thanks again
Thanks Rob! I really appreciate you covering shasvastii, I forgot I signed that as my gamer tag pretty funny to hear it out loud though
2:28 and already at my first shot. Dare I continue?
As always, thank you for making these videos. They are greatly appreciated!
I went deep into Defiance. So it's great to see this!
Really excellent food for thought - somehow I'd entirely overlooked Sheskiin, so she's next on my painting table. Loved your rant about the Gwailo - I had definitely looked at playing around the MSV profile (and I probably still will) but my expectation is not high after hearing your thoughts! I like the idea of the sniper rifle on the shrouded occasionally, as I'm a real sucker for snipers in infinity (especially from unexpected angles) . Double Q-drones are going to make many an appearance in my early games as they just seem great!
Thank you for doing this!!
Thanks Robert. Another great faction review! Reading the Airaghardt Infinity novel right now and didn't know shit about Shasvasti. This filled in a lot of gaps. Please do Caledonia next and keep the novel theme going! 😊
Caledonia is definitely on the list :)
The Shasvastii special rule used to be worth the extra points you paid for each model. With changes to scoring and such the rule has become less and less useful. Right now it's only a rule that only works if things go the right amount of bad. Too bad and the rule is just a tax, too little and it's useless and a tax. The Shock effect is also more common.
Contrast this with Morats for whom LoL and Isolation can be completely ignored. It always has an effect. The same with the Unidrons, having two Unconscious States and being a legal target for Support Ware is rather big.
I think the Shasvastii rule should be replaced with something like this:
Ambush
If a model benefits from one of these during an Order used in the Active Phase:
1. Stealth.
2. Attacking a target from, outside LoF.
3. Benefits from Surprise Attack.
Then the model gains Ambush (X) for that Order only.
A model affected by Ambush gains the (effects).
For example, Nox could have Ambush (Shock). The Noctifer with Spitfire could have Ambush (T2), etc, etc. Different models should have different Ambush effects.
Very dope, loved hearing about Shas (my workaround for the pronunciation).
Please take it easy and make sure you are in good health, drink lots of fluids.
Awesome review Rob! Combi Army is full of flavor, really stands out from other skirmish games, and Shas are a big part of it.
Awesome! Thanks !
Great summary! Get well soon.
@6:49 is the most accurate summation of what playing Shas is like. I am trying to put taigas in tough spots that could bite you, I am trying to make you think twice at moving into a fire lane with Noctifer, I am making you reconsider letting me go first with speculo who can touch your expensive TAG or HI with no martial arts. Also Sphinx being fast and deadly to low armor models. The threats and things to consider is dread like. But yeah a bad beat or a single crit and I got nothing to bail me out.
also lack of anti tag options esp with Gator running around are rough for me.
Not gonna lie Rob, I am very relieved to hear you change the pronunciation of Shasvastii.
Super helpful video, the one profile that I also found useful is the Tensho Expert in a sheskin 3 team link, its 2 points more than the nox but you get boarding shotgun immunity to shock and regen and its still a specialist as well, having the templates in the link has been very useful in some games and its only 2 points more
The Nox having zappers really gives the little link some scary template potential by themselves, but it's a good point that you don't really need multiple zapper models, whereas a shotgun presents a threat to a wider array of targets.
I also forgot to mention that it is WIP 14 and has veteran as well, another reason to consider it
I loooveeee your videoooooooooos
Hey I also painted my shas up as protoss! The design litterally begs for it, almost as much as patchers scream Terran Marines. I'm still looking for a good model to make a Stalker, which would be a perfect sphynx.
Regarding the example list at the end of the video, do you keep 1 slave drone at each Q drone? or do you keep 1 at the caliban?
Would it be possible to make a video about Morrat Agression Force to understand it better?
It's on the list :)
I quite enjoy the Gwailo, because my enemies are usually Hassassins and FRRM. Gwailo with HMG is my go-to when I know I'm fighting those two factions, as he's ridiculously hard to kill if you're mainly using viral weaponry, as BTS 9 and shock immune make them perfectly suited to taking even otherwise bad engagements, forming them into a sort of "mini-TAG".
Shas may not be strong but I really love the models and like that they are not focused on link teams
Thx for this Video, What is your opinion on the Jayth Cuttthroats ?
They're a little bit terrible unfortunately. They're fragile, close assault units that start in your deployment zone and don't move quickly.
@@R0bertShepherd , Thanks to you , will have my fun in the next games xD if the dice in the game are merciful
My poor liver
I would use the Haiduk MMR as a denial piece. Just plop them down somewhere you feel the opponent wants to go through and put them in Suppression Fire. Now the opponent has to deal with a B3 BS -9 to get through.
Now I'll be prepared next time I go up against a Shasvastii... Or I'll fail the lieutenant roll and get my whole deployment blown up by two speculos.
This is the way
I need a link to this glamrock tohaa you speak of
facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1636284743077186&type=3
Thanks!@@R0bertShepherd
Just thinking, Sphinx has terrain total, could work with the dazers
"this could work with dazers..." is how the madness starts. There's a surprising amount of terrain total you can potentially access. *Surely* there's something there...
But Caliban do not! 😞
HAHAHA!! "I hate Gwailo" needs to be made into a tshirt for the next tournament🤣
Literally realised halfway through the rant what I was saying with that one. XD
Nice video, make one for TAK please
Why? For the love of God why? Why would anyone unleash list like this upon the world? Its great and im going to have nightmares about it.
It's so good. Perzan created something terrible and beautiful.
lol I just realized sphinx has Ava 2.
I cannot imagine a viable list that takes advantage of that, but maybe in 400pts limited insertion events like those madmen in Melbourne run annually...
10 secs in... already took 2 sips. 👀
This is gonna be a long video. 🤣
Damn, thats how you pronounce Schastvahsti-eye?
You forgot the biggest reason to take a Gwailo in a fire team vs MSV. Move the Gwailo + an M-drone into LoF of the MSV ARO piece and they are forced to shoot at the M-drone or forfeit their ARO, giving the Gwailo a Normal roll against them
That no longer works with the N4 changes to AROs.
😳 guess it’s just useless then
@@skreppeknekker unfortunately yes - makes a great proxy though, it's a lovely model.
Why should you play Shasvastii? Because you bought defiance and have all the models!