well, i agree, if you get the -4 incl. MP it is ok
BUT
- they have 6´weapons. beeing in MP is only so good.. 1-10 derivation -> few targets/effective shooting
- 6+2+1 incl. SS & OE runs 285 P... a full unit of 8+3+1 382 P !
lets assume you have 10 HI next round (a lot, but no specialist in example)
lets say 30 shots at 4 -> 6 hits -> 2 to 3 dead shocktroopers.
(no aiming may be more effective, perhaps..)
if you want to maintain smoke your shocktroopers only have 2 A
-> 18(x2) shots at 8 (smoke) -> 14 hits -> 7 dead
(may be more due to speacial weapons, if in range and not dead/prone, lets say 9)
sounds good, but this is only at 6´ and if all shocktroopers shoot !
i bet after 1 or 2 HI they are no more in PB
- some dead or far away -> lets say 9-3 dead = 6
- some out of (effective) range after some kills -> lets say 4 dead HI
things go down from then. they need to stand up, move and smoke for 1 round -> no attack or no smoke
6+2+1 ST
-- they come down, land, prone, etc. and kill 2-3 HI on their round down
(captian would boost this, of course, but so would any enemy shotgun/hmg char close to shocktroopers)
> 3 dead from waiting troops or bad jumps
3+2+1
then loose 2 shocktroopers to 7-8 HI 1+2+1
next round some stand up, some shooting, perhaps 2 HI dead
5-6 HI kill 1-2 ST and then its really up to range..
there should be no models very close to the ST now, so they loose again actions to moving
all this at 190 P opposing force..
of course, a cluster of HI with 2-3 shocktroopers landing in 6´ with 2 A will get some seriouse damage, but the return fire (from other units) will wipe them out. just one better HMG in 6-12´will shread them. shotguns are not mentioned..
(btw: 1! minimal squad of ics agents killed 4+1 mashinator mkII+ablative armor in last game... uuuh do you want ST in mp in 12´of a RC9-11 HMG?)
.
.
.
don´t get me wrong, i think they are cool and all, but the shocktropers and paradeploy rules don´t cut it, imho..
perhaps if mortars where more easy to get and 12´shooting ... but since this is about shocktroopers -> no good, just cool (style over substance)
cu´s
p.s. same goes for reavers. cool but no meat and no fish. good shooting+good CC+good armor+1 W
*edit:
@Dragon62
i disagree about the quality! the romanvo blitzers are great, for example. FT or RL with 12´2XS9 guns..
all at 25 P
no smoke, but they shoot more and loose less actions to move into range! (or shoot 1atS8...)
even better perhaps BB because camo2 (MP is cover and then AR with longer range, derivation less bad)
the shotgun guys are again very risky.. but just 1 stormtrencher landing good with 2 A is very sweet...
i would perhaps also take the LMG (basic romanov weapon....) just range and shots. no risks with FT and derivation..