Bostria’s Challenge: The Tohaa

Bostria challenged us to write an article following these guidelines:

I would like to read about 300pts army lists, ITS effective, with existing good looking miniatures, no proxys and no model from a box left over.

Just like in the case of the Hassassin Bahram list, we had to skip certain boxes because we’d either be left  with profiles that we could hardly make any use of (Starter Ectros with a Viral Combi, why are you there?), or we just didn’t need so many copies of the same model (3 Makauls are fine, but 4 Makauls is a little too much). This meant that we had to go light on Triads, using models that come in blisters, and we couldn’t include the latest amazing release – the Kerail Preceptors with the beasts, as the models in the box are incompatible with the challenge (No proxies and no leftovers in the challenge, and in the box we only get 1 Kerail and 2 different beasts, making at least 1 model impossible to field!)

However, this allowed for an interesting list with emphasis put on models that don’t make it to fully-optimised ITS lists very often.

Image 300 Points Gorgos list
──────────────────────────────────────────────────

Group 1 Image Image Image 10 Image0 Image1
Image GORGOS Spitfire, 2 Flammenspeer, Nanopulser +1 Chaksa Peripheral / Viral CCW. (2 | 81)
ImageImage GORGOS Spitfire, Nanopulser +1 Chaksa Peripheral / Viral CCW. (0)
ImageImage CHAKSA PERIPHERAL Light Shotgun, Flash Grenades / Pistol, Knife. (7)
Image GAO-RAEL Spitfire / Pistol, CCW. (1.5 | 36)
Image NEEMA Lieutenant Combi Rifle, Light Rocket Launcher, Nanopulser / Pistol, CCW. (42)
Image HATAIL Combi Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (12 / 12XP)
Image ImageMOV:4-4 CC:13 BS:11 PH:12 WIP:14 ARM:1 BTS:0 W:1
Image ImageHacking Device, Doctor, Engineer, Minelayer
Image KAELTAR (Chain of Command) Light Shotgun, Flash Pulse + 2 SymbioMates / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0.5 | 21)
Image KAELTAR Light Shotgun, Flash Pulse + 2 SymbioBombs / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (15)
Image KUMOTAIL Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (22)
Image CHAKSA SERVANT Hedgehog Weapon. (3)
Image CHAKSA SERVANT Hedgehog Weapon. (3)
Image CHAKSA AUXILIAR (Baggage, Sensor) Heavy Flamethrower / Pistol, CCW. (10)
Image CHAKSA AUXILIAR (Baggage, Sensor) Heavy Flamethrower / Pistol, CCW. (10)
Image CHAKSA AUXILIAR Smart Heavy Rocket Launcher / Pistol, CCW. (1 | 15)

Group 2 Image Image Image1 Image1 Image0
Image DIPLOMATIC DELEGATE (iKohl L1, Specialist Troop) Nanopulser, Flash Pulse / Pistol, Knife. (5)
Image CHAKSA AUXILIAR (Neurocinetics, 360º Visor) HMG / Pistol, CCW. (1 | 25)

6 SWC | 300 Points

Open with Army 5

280914-0451_3

Yes, your eyes do not decieve you, it’s a Gorgos

The centre-piece of the list is definitely the Gorgos. This imposing giant clad in Symbiont armour is a hard nut to crack even for a list that is prepared to take down TAGs. Despite what you may read on the Internet, the Gorgos is not a complete waste of points. Admittedly, if your oponent does know you will be fielding the Tohaa TAG, he will probably bring a lot of flame in order to try and get a lucky insta-gib. In a more random ITS environment, however, even if you make it open knowledge that you will be fielding the Gorgos before the tournament, not too many people will tailor their lists to counter that, as that would mean they are over-preparing for a threat they might not even face. The Gorgos is amazing not only because it has 4 effective wounds plus a decent statline (only 6 armour, though, so be mindful of cover!), but also because of the  Chaksa that is Synchronized with it. Very often your AROing opponent will find himself between rock and a hard place, having to decide whether to ARO  one of the two of your models with Shoot, letting one of your Synched models roll unopposed or to Dodge and hope he beats all your Rolls with his single PH roll. I managed to kill a Total Reaction drone that way, where the Chaksa was in cover and close enough to get a positive range modifier on its Shotgun. That, coupled with the fact the Chaksa also has the CH:Mimetism skill, meant that shooting at it was relatively pointless for the drone player, because the total modifier for the HMG was -9 to the Drone’s BS of 11. By putting your enemy into a lose-lose situation you are maximizing your gains with each order. The Gorgos can also be put in Suppressive Fire somewhere in the centre of the table, and it will prove a very difficult obstacle to dislodge. You just have to be very careful and evaluate the options in the enemy’s force when leaving the TAG to ARO in the middle of the table. Making use of the Chaksa is very important to using the Gorgos to the fullest.

In case your enemy did take a lot of flame-based weapons, we bring the Kaeltar and the Symbiomates they provide to protect us. The SymbioMates Kaeltar performs doouble or even triple duty, as he is also a Specialist and a Chain of Command model, which means we can play with an aggressive Lieutenant. Both Kaeltar have access to shotguns, so it means they are decent at defending your Deployment Zone versus AD units.

Gotta catch 'em all!

Gotta catch ’em all!

Talking about the Lieutenant of the force brings us to the next model in the list, the heroic Neema Saatar. Chosing an LT for this list was difficult because of the framework of the challenge – most Lieutenant profiles are in boxes we couldn’t get. Therefore, I decided to field Neema in that role, as she is sturdy, and is a strong, reliable model in her own right. She also synergises very well with the other Kaeltar that we are bringing. The Symbiobombs are attached to Neema and the Gorgos, so they don’t disappear after the model gets shot (both models have at least 2 wounds on the Symbiont, in comparison to the last Symbiont wearing model in our list, the Gao-Rael.). Normally, I would say that Neema is still a little too expensive for what she brings to the list. However, in a list where each model counts, being a tool-box is actually a benefit. She can engage enemies up to 24 inches away with no negative modifiers, comes with back-up damage dealer in the form of the Gao-Rael and even has a Specialist tagging along – the Hatail Spec Ops, kitted out to fix his commanding oficer lest she falls. All in all, a solid choice.

The Gao-Rael itself is a solid unit. Being the only model in the Tohaa army with access to MSV2, he can prove indispensible if you are facing a faction such as Ariadna or Shasvastii. I wouldn’t probably put the Symbiobombs on him simply because the other two models are better suited to that role. The Gao-Rael will have to focus on using his Spitfire.

We are getting 2 more boxes to round up the list – the Kumotail is the first of them. Having played a lot of Haqqislam I really value what Doctors bring to the list. Not only do they bring Specialist skills, and healing of your downed units. They also make the enemy reconsider his choices and spend orders on making sure Unconscious models are Dead, for fear of having the Kumotail pick them up. In this list, the Kumotail has access to 2 Chaksa helpers, so that no patient will be left unattended. Additionally, she could fill in for one of the dead members of Neema’s Triad, but unless the rules for Servants are FAQed again, that would only happen after her Chaksas are dead.

Someone called a Doctor?

Someone called a Doctor?

Speaking of Chaksas, they are the last box that we are getting. The Chaksas are a great unit, and the basic Heavy Flamer/Sensor/Baggage profile for just 10 points is a steal. They are great at protecting your Deployment Zone and flanks, can serve as an active model hunting camo with both the Sensor and the Flamer and also provide extra points in missions such as Frontline or Anihhilation thanks to their baggage. The HMG Neurocinetics Chaksa is also very often chosen by Tohaa players, as it provides board control and can also do what normal Total Reaction uits can’t – go Prone or be healed by Doctors. The Chaksa SRL profile is usually the one that stays home, but in this list it will play as a second major ARO threat.

Last, but not least, the best unit in the Tohaa force – the humble Diplomatic Delegate. For 5 points we get a Specialist, with a Nanopulser and a Flash Pulse, which also means she can ARO.  She can and she will win you games. Especially in ITS, where objectives matter more than the weapons you bring.

The Hatail, if you’re playing without Spec Ops would have to be swapped in for a Kamael – if you can find the points to shave of something, best fit would be Kamael Paramedic.

This list is remarkable because of 2 things – it’s lacking even a single Clipsos, which is widely considered one of the best, if not The Best Tohaa unit, and secondly, it brings a Gorgos – widely considered one of the worst, if not The Worst Tohaa unit. We have 11 Regular Orders, 1 Irregular order and 4 Specialists, we are also fielding a TAG. If the Gorgos is played correct, there should be no problems with securing board control, and preventing the opponent from scoring objectives. Only 4 specialists mean that you have to be very careful with using them, as each casualty will be deeply felt.

Let us know what you think of Bostria’s Challenge in the comments below. If you have a different take on the topic or want to provide us with a list for a different sectorial, don’t hesitate to share that!

Patrycjusz 'Alkasyn' Piechowski

Warcor for Warsaw, Poland. Plays Haqqislam, USARF and Tohaa. Enjoys S-F books and board games. Owner of https://roamingwarcor.wordpress.com/ blog about Infinity locales in Central and Eastern Europe

You may also like...

6 Responses

  1. VisOne says:

    Hmmm,

    Interesting why can you not use the Starter Box?

    What is it about the Extros that makes it unuseable the Viral Combi Rifle is a viable LT and standard choice for a good solid HI choice. Well for Tohaa that is.

    Therefore ending up with a list more like this?

    Tohaa
    ──────────────────────────────────────────────────

    Group 1 9 / 0 / 1
    KUMOTAIL Combi Rifle, D-Charges / Pistol, Knife. (22)
    CHAKSA SERVANT Hedgehog Weapon. (3)
    ECTROS Viral Combi Rifle, Nanopulser / Pistol, CCW. (49)
    KAMAEL Combi Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (12)
    KOSUIL Engineer K1 Combi Rifle, D-Charges, Nullifier / Pistol, Knife. (29)
    CHAKSA SERVANT Hedgehog Weapon. (3)
    SAKIEL Viral Combi Rifle, Swarm Grenades / Pistol, Knife. (26)
    KAMAEL Combi Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (12)
    CLIPSOS (Forward Observer) Combi Rifle, Antipersonnel Mines / Pistol, Knife. (25)
    KAELTAR (Chain of Command) Combi Rifle, Flash Pulse + 2 SymbioMates / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0.5 | 26)
    KAELTAR (Chain of Command) Light Shotgun, Flash Pulse + 2 SymbioMates / Pistol, Electric Pulse. (0.5 | 21)

    Group 2 0
    CHAKSA AUXILIAR (Neurocinetics, 360º Visor) HMG / Pistol, CCW. (1 | 25)
    CHAKSA AUXILIAR Smart Heavy Rocket Launcher / Pistol, CCW. (1 | 15)
    KAMAEL Lieutenant Combi Rifle / Pistol, Knife. (12)
    CHAKSA AUXILIAR (Baggage, Sensor) Heavy Flamethrower / Pistol, CCW. (10)
    CHAKSA AUXILIAR (Baggage, Sensor) Heavy Flamethrower / Pistol, CCW. (10)

    3 SWC | 300 Points

    http://www.infinitythegame.com/army/index.php?l=ODElVG9oYWElNjU0JjIyNzImMXw2NTYmMjI3NiYxfDY1MCYyMjU0JjF8NjQ2JjIyMzAmMXw3NDMmMjUyNiYxfDY1NiYyMjc2JjF8NjQ3JjIyNDEmMXw2NDYmMjIzMCYxfDY1MiYyMjY3JjF8NzE5JjI0MzQmMXw3MTkmMjQzMyYxfDY1NSYyMjc0JjJ8NjU1JjIyNzUmMnw2NDYmMjIzNyYyfDY1NSYyMjczJjJ8NjU1JjIyNzMmMiUzMDAlMyUwJQ@@

    Obviously there is SWC unused but this is a list not using a Hatail Spec Ops and if you did add one it would just become even more utilitarian than it is.

    Well whats better than 1 list … 2 I guess so there are options that and more proof that the Bostria Challenge while ….. challenging isn’t unbeatable at all.

    • Patrycjusz 'Alkasyn' Piechowski says:

      The starter box is unused because there was no point in a yet another model with a combi rifle (the Ectros). Your list is imho simply not good and there’s no going around it – where are the Special Weapons for the active turn? Do you want to Combi rifle the enemy to death? While 4 dice in a link, it’s still only DAM 13 with 16 inches of effective range. You do need heavy weapons. The Ectros itself is nothing to write home about because of his average armour value, vulnerability to fire and the expensive cost. Constructing a list within the framework of Bostria’s Challenge does not mean we have to gimp ourselves 🙂

      • VisOne says:

        I humbly disagree to all your point’s.

        But we clearly play a different style I take the midfield with link teams where the perceived lack of SWC costed ranged weapons is neither a hindrance nor an issue.

        I would be extremely hard pressed to succeed with the list you proposed even though I takes full advantage of the model range, point’s and SWC of the Tohaa while still fulfilling Bostrias prerequisites.

        Just another reason I love this game and the community as a whole. We see the same problem but come up with two different solutions to the same problem. Neither right or wrong to any greater degree than the other.

        Looking forward to the other Bostria articles now.

        • Patrycjusz 'Alkasyn' Piechowski says:

          I agree – it is the multitude of options in Infinity that makes the game so interesting 🙂

  2. Andrew says:

    I’m not a Tohaa player (yet), but that Gorgos has got to be the one model that I’m struggling against buying, just cause it’s so damn beautiful. I’d been wary about making up lists with it due to that fire susceptibility, but your article has given me food for thought. Thanks for that!

    If I ever feel “done” collecting Hassassins, I may just start saving for that Gorgos…

  3. Patrycjusz 'Alkasyn' Piechowski says:

    Gorgos is indeed not as bad as people are making it out to be. Try him out in random environments more than versus players who know you’ll be bringing Tohaa and he might perform O.K – that doesn’t mean I’d not appreciate a point reduction or a bump in Armour value 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *