Igao Re-Review

I’ve been pretty negative on the Igao in the past, but Human Sphere drastically improved this unit.  We wanted a Tohaa ninja, we got a Tohaa ninja.  Suck it, human ninjas.

I must apologize to Igao-lovers for all the poo-pooing I did of her last year.  Recently I was embarrassed to discover that Surprise Attack is, and has always been, a -6 mod, instead of a -3 mod.  The old Igao was still not a great unit, all things considered, but that made her significantly better at close combat than I let on.

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 GAMEPLAY

The modern Igao is a marvelous, frightening, murderous, furious devil.  An Igao stacks together a pile of Close Combat abilities to breezily force -9 to -12 martial arts engagements on her foe.  She will easily cream targets with stats that peak at 13, such as line infantry, remotes, and basic heavy troops.

Recently, the Shotgun profile was updated to carry a superior DA CCW.   Both profiles were upgraded with Stun Grenades, I-Kohl, and CC+2.  Zowie.  I would have been happy with just I-Kohl!  Altogether, she is far better for her model’s purpose (chopping) than the original release.  PH13 is good as always to Engage in ARO, particularly with her Kinematika and I-Kohl, but you may find better results using the Shotgun or Nanopulser―or hiding in your Camouflage state while you still have it.

The Igao still has Frenzy, so should she survive her first glory turn, she will then become Impetuous, and cannot camouflage again for the rest of the game.  Since Frenzy triggers specifically “on your next active turn”, it’s wise to not have her score wounds on the first player turn if it’s your enemy going first.  A big part of her cost is her CH: Camouflage skill, and it’s a shame to waste.

A cornercase tactical note:  The Combi/Nanopulser pairs excruciatingly well with a Nimbus Clipsos for first round carnage.  Nimbus modifiers, being visibility modifiers, apply to Dodge rolls.  Because Nimbus has the reflective trait, it applies to Multispectral Visor users, too.  It does not, however, affect Close Combat or Direct Template Weapon use.

So, to ensure maximum manslaughter odds with maximum nerf to your opponent, list these two girls together, and Nimbus›Igao anything to death.

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HOBBERY

I own only the real Igao, Madame Igao.  Pendragonstn has extensively converted his Igaos, if you would like to see what can be done with them.  Shotgun Guy Igao reminds me of the Knife Guy Kamael in the starter, yuck.

Speaking from what I own, Madame Igao is a basic and simple assembly, with her head, torso, and left leg in one piece.  The arms pinch together, and the CCW extends about a half inch behind her base.  It requires a little sanding to fit perfectly together, but assembled, it’s in my top three favorite Infinity sculpts.

I rate the Igao 4 out of 5 artichokes.

TL;DR Excellent melee skirmisher.