How to use the infiltrator models from our faction?

[Grauenacht]

As a JSA player, I'd like to use the infiltrator/superior infiltrator models as it suits the whole theme of the JSA army, but I am at a loss on how to use them properly, my current games the infiltrating model dies the turn he/she arrives because the enemy tries to explore as an ARO and with only 1 wound they die really fast. So any advice or tips would be really welcome. I also don't get why you would make Shinobu a lieutenant option because you are OOL when she isn't deployed.

[Claudius Sol]

Heya! From one JSA player to another:

Ninja: These guys are great at the mid-line. While capable in CC, I think they're stronger in the shooting game. -6 to Discover checks and Shoot attacks is pretty awesome. You can also utilize Cover bonuses to -9 MOD before range modifiers. Even with only 1 wounds, this makes them pretty tough. I prefer the hacker version as I can hold them in reserve until I'm ready to start taking objectives or names.

Oniwaban: Superior Infiltration. This makes it incredibly easy to land just outside your opponent's deployment. With the loudouts available to Oniwaban, this kind of placement is a no-brainer. Monofilament with CC 24 as well as Boarding Shotguns? If you're both in cover, that's a 9 MOD difference between your opponent and yourself when it comes to shooting at each other (assuming your opponent is equipped with a close/medium range weapon.

Are you applying your camouflage modifiers when your opponent is trying to discover you? -6 (from TO Camo) is a very major affliction to their WIP characteristic. On the plus side: if your opponent is spending a lot of orders to discover and remove your infiltrating camouflage troops, that's a plus for you since they are not spending those orders murdering other things or getting objectives.

In any case, hope you have fun!

[Section9]

As a JSA player, I'd like to use the infiltrator/superior infiltrator models as it suits the whole theme of the JSA army, but I am at a loss on how to use them properly, my current games the infiltrating model dies the turn he/she arrives because the enemy tries to explore as an ARO and with only 1 wound they die really fast. So any advice or tips would be really welcome.

Ninjas are generally midfielders. shooters with an 8" diameter "stay away" zone. The trick is to think sneaky and stay in cover. That puts you up to a -9 to-hit, so mooks at -3 range aren't able to hit you at all (-6 for TO, -3 for cover, -3 for range = -12). You are usually better off shooting, especially if the opponent has any level of MA.

Ninja Hacker is a high priority in my list-building, because she's an infiltrating specialist. Note that she has an Assault Hacking Device, so for the Armory mission she can only open all 4 doors at the same time. Same deployment/hiding rules apply, stay in cover as much as possible. And don't forget that you do carry a gun.

The Ninja Sniper is a backfielder, put her in the best spot for the sniper rifle and in cover, which is often just out of your deployment zone. Mooks/light infantry at -3 range won't be able to hit you, Elites at -6 range won't be able to hit you, and you should be hitting them on 14s. That's how I kill HMGs. Even a Total Reaction HMG can't hit you at -12.

Saito is a better ninja, he has smoke grenades to allow him to re-camo. Last Saturday, I murdered a Sphinx with him after my Oniwaban got lit on fire (damn dual HFTs). That kill made my night, even though I lost the game overall.

Oniwaban are your high-value-target killers. They can take down a TAG, courtesy of that Mono-CCW (and MA4 to give them two chances to hit)

Shinobu is an even better oniwaban, with smoke to re-camo.

I also don't get why you would make Shinobu a lieutenant option because you are OOL when she isn't deployed.

You don't HAVE to deploy a TO camo model in Hidden Deployment.

For that matter, you can deploy as a camo marker. This is less enthusing with JSA, where you only have one camo unit. But I'd consider deploying the Ninja Sniper as a camo marker in my DZ with a Raiden for mindgames.

[Grauenacht]

Thanks for the hints and tips, I will certainly try some of them out in my next game, I didn't think about a ninja sniper that usefull, but as a marker he can be very cool. The problem is the MSV against the sniper, and most enemy snipers have MSV .
Smoke and recamo is a thing I should remember, didn't thought about that.

[Icchan]

Even if the enemy snipers have MSV, they're still lower burst and suffer the Surprise Shot penalty, giving you a slight advantage. Just keep your sniper hidden until it's your turn.

[Section9]

Even if the enemy snipers have MSV, they're still lower burst and suffer the Surprise Shot penalty, giving you a slight advantage. Just keep your sniper hidden until it's your turn.

Exactly. I don't think I've found a single situation where it's worth revealing a TO or Camo marker in ARO.

[Claudius Sol]

Even if the enemy snipers have MSV, they're still lower burst and suffer the Surprise Shot penalty, giving you a slight advantage. Just keep your sniper hidden until it's your turn.

Though, MSV3 will negate the Surprise Shot penalty (not that all that many models have MSV3).

[grampyseer]

As the others have said, hidden deployment in midfield is great. All of the JSA's infiltrators are fantastic objective lurkers. The ninja hacker, in particular, is great at hemming in HI links. ONI and Shinobu can go on assassination runs, but it's a risky play. I usually only get stabby with them when I'm presented with a huge possible reward. A tag, obvious LT, or exposed LI link might make me gamble on the alpha strike.

Happy hunting.