It’s funny how Assassins have come almost full circle. In 2nd ed their stats were nigh on the same (except they had 4 wounds). In the Hunter’s dex’s they got reined in but had useful ability’s. Now their stats are better but these abilities have been nerfed out, taking away some of their character as well.
The Callidus could potentially be annoying but I don’t see her surviving after she shows as she’ll just get shot and that’s an expensive distraction. If she survives then she’ll be good value for your following turn.
I’m gutted they all lost Infiltrate, which would make the Eversor a lot better. I’m underwhlemed in general. An Assassin should strike fear in your opponent as soon as you pull the mini from your case, for me they don’t live up to it.
I’d rather have super skills of death (like the Eversor exploding with a Strength 5/6/7 AP 2 blast hit when he dies, the Vindicare shooting into combat etc) give them 3 wounds and pay 50-70 pts more for them.
The Culexus is useful against Nids but with Incinerators and Purifiers I see little point, unless you can cheese his Animus up as some of you guys have suggested although I personally wouldn’t tailor an army list so I could beef up one fragile mini’s weapon. This said I had one locked in combat with a Hive Tyrant for two turns once, trying to soul drain/kick the thing to death until he finally got sliced in half.
I think the Vindicare not being able to shoot into combat is a sad loss for the game, as it was very cool & unique. As it is you want all your squads in combat as quickly as possible, so if you’re engaged across the board what use is he then? He may snipe hard but you’re opponent will still get cover saves and wounding on 4’s doesn’t cut it for me. If you’re lucky you might take out a vehicle or two, perhaps a couple of guys but that’s about it. He will give your opponent something to think about and if you have a Techmarine and put him in some high, solid cover he could get a 3+ cover save to boot. I don’t know. It comes down to playtesting and how much you want to accomodate your army/strategy to fit the Assassin in.
On the positive side the Apocalypse data sheet for them is now awesome though, imagine 3 or 4 Eversor’s charging into combat going boo-loo. Yes please!