Using Deva w/ devbot effectively

[Mr.darkness]

Hello fellow aleph players!

I've heard good things about devas with devbots, so am definitely looking at buying/converting one.

My question is how do these guys usually act in game. Are they pushing forward Rambo-esque? Or sitting in good ARO positions?
What about if he is your lieutenant? This gives an extra order to use for runs, but equally you want to expose him less, so as not to risk LoL.

Any other thoughts on deva/devbots in general would be welcomed.

[Claudius Sol]

So... I've yet to play with my Devas (or even my ALEPH), but I've been theory crafting a lot. Please, bear with me.

I'm moderately experienced in using coordinated orders (Aragotos within JSA). G:Synchronized is very similar in bearing to a coordinated order and the applications are fairly similar. Move-Move being a common option as well as Move-Shoot.

The best thing you can use the Deva(bot) combo for is to force your opponent into a decision of which model to react to.
Do you shoot the Devabot with a normal roll, but take a template and get shot at with normal rolls?
Do you shoot the Deva with a FtF roll, but take that template anyway for the chance to take out the controller (and thus remove both models as threats)?
Do you try dodging, risking your opponent will simply move up closer or even still shoot you?

Having those two models both see the enemy is a very powerful tool.

The unit operates very similarly to the Auxilia within PanO with the exception of one major item: V:No Wound Incapacitation.
Having the NWI makes the Devas much more resilient (provided the right targets) and allows a much more aggressive play style before needing to be conservative as the Auxilia are delegated to play.

Generally, when approaching a corner to shoot, make it so that the Devabot can round the corner fully (without exposing itself to multiple AROs, hopefully) within range of the template while the Deva takes cover. This exacerbates the decision for your opponent and tips it in the favor of the Deva to successfully remove that target. If your Devabot survives, great! Otherwise, expect to expend the bot as a sort of one-time gimmick.

Anyway, just some general thoughts.

[Section9]

The best thing you can use the Deva(bot) combo for is to force your opponent into a decision of which model to react to.
Do you shoot the Devabot with a normal roll, but take a template and get shot at with normal rolls?
Do you shoot the Deva with a FtF roll, but take that template anyway for the chance to take out the controller (and thus remove both models as threats)?
Do you try dodging, risking your opponent will simply move up closer or even still shoot you?

My thoughts as well, though I'd always shoot the Deva/auxilia. I'm going to eat the template anyway, so I might as well try to kill two pains in the butt with one shot.

[Claudius Sol]

But it's a safer bet to destroy the Devabot with the first reaction so the next reaction won't have to make the same decision. It's usually pretty tough to take out the Deva, otherwise.

[Ursun]

The real evil catch is the NWI on the Deva... if you´r not shooting with shock/DA/EXP you just simply can´t take out the deva with one ARO, so dodging is the usual reaction I see when people try to survive this situation ... often dying while trying

[Mr.darkness]

Ok, so it looks like an offensive role then, playing very fast and loose with the devbot. Perhaps not the best lieutenant then?

[Claudius Sol]

The Deva isn't necessarily a bad Lt.

You could always bring a Myrmidon officer with Chain of Command to counter the Loss of Lt. situation.

Of course, Deva + Devabot isn't a bad defensive option, either. It gives another layer to the onion of your defensive lines.

[JBRocky]

I play both PanO and Aleph but I started out as MO and Greeks. Well with the introduction of the new NeoTerran set I started that Sectorial and one of the things I grabed was a Deva that I can use in a lot of different situations. It seems if there is something I need done pick the right deva for the scenario and it will get it done. Very good model now I just need to expand in Vanilla Aleph.

[TheBugKing]

I use the Deva Lt. a lot. It's a cheap (For ALEPH) Lt. option. I do almost always take the Myrm Officer CoC to counteract the loss of Lt. though.