[Guide] Nog's "Fun with Ninjas"

[Nogbad]

Hi all,
I'm seriously liking the new tactical possibilities opened by the new MMA General.
Here is a brief Witch of the Swamp guide based on Tage's excellent map which shows you what he can really do.
As I was polishing off the finer details, Tage updated his guide and almost beat me to the punch, but the final assault on the Witch Tower I believe is unique. It might be possible to fine tune it using the simulators, this is my "SAFE" version for Vet/MMA using XBs and Elites:

So, using Tage's map and camp positions, here we go:

You will need: 1 Vet, 1 MMA, 1 Normal Gen (for blocks).
Troops: - 400R 250C 44S 172E 90XB

Camp 1: Either: Vet with 250C
Or: MMA with 1S 145C. No losses.

Camp 3: MMA 1R 1E 218C (No loss on C2 intercept, 0-1R loss on C3)

Then move normal Gen to position A, MMA to position B, and tuck the Vet in the LZ below to save walking time.

Camp 4: MMA 1R 1E 218C (0-1 R loss)

Block
Send both generals together.

Camp 5: Block with normal Gen from A using 53E
Camp 6: MMA 38R 44S (33-38R loss)


Then move normal gen to position A above the lake, Vet to position B below, and again to save time, MMA to the coast left of the swampy lake just SW of Camp 7 so he doesn't obstruct the direct path of the other two gens.

Camp 7: MMA 37R 1S 182C (31-37R loss)


Block
Send both gens together.

Camp 8: Normal Gen 193c (block)
Camp 9: Vet 78R 172E (66-78R loss)


Now for the MMA 'master stroke':

Camp 10 - Witch Tower:
1st send MMA with 180R as a suicide wave. (180R loss)

Then, Vet with 53R 2S 105C 90XB (approx 29R loss) !!!

This has a huge margin of safety, and could probably be fine-tuned.
Using the MMA as the suicide wave really dents the Witch's support troops, allowing for many more XBs to be brought to bear in the final round, and Witchy goes down much quicker.

Enjoy.

[Nogbad]

Now to see what he can do on other advs, going to be testing him out on SotV and Traitors - time and energy permitting.

[Ozzymandeus]

Camp 3: MMA 1R 1E 218C

I use 2E 218C - it has such a small chance of losing an Elite it's practically negligible. (0.02%)
Same goes for Camp 4, where the chances of losing an Elite are even less.

Then, Vet with 53R 2S 105C 90XB
This has a huge margin of safety, and could probably be fine-tuned.

...try 30R 1E 144C 75XB :-)

[Tage]

...try 30R 1E 144C 75XB :-)

Or reduce the number of recruits in the suicide to 143:

Camp 10a) 100 Cultists, 1 Witch of the Swamp, 99 Dark Priests
MASTER of Martial Arts: [143R (143R)]

Camp 10b) 33-41 Cultists, 1 Witch of the Swamp, 49-54 Dark Priests
VETERAN general: [57R 5S 99C 89XB (40R - 54R - 57R 4S)]

Thanks Nogbad for starting this.
I had fun optimising the setups for all general types, and it took most of my Sunday...

[Nogbad]

Thanks Tage and Ozzy.
I was toying with dropping the cav proportionately with the lower support troops the MMA leaves compared to a normal suicide wave, and upping the damage dealers, so that 2nd solution looks very appealing.
Will take a look at both variants, both look better than the daft one I came up with using LBs as part of the suicide. It works, and as I generally can't find a use for them much these days, to me they are 'throwaway' troops anyway, but they do up the 'real' cost.

Just hope more people see the new tactics this guy can bring in, seen so many who only see him as a built-in 40-50 cav guy which of course could never compare to an MG, but used in the right way, he can open new doors. Seems like BB created the perfect "suicide bomber".

[Ozzymandeus]

...seen so many who only see him as a built-in 40-50 cav guy which of course could never compare to an MG...

Since getting the Martial Artist, I haven't played a single adventure where I didn't find at least one camp where I could reduce my losses using him rather than my MG, usually camps involving dogs, enemy cavalry, etc.

However, he does allow for some interesting possibilities in regards to suicide attacks as well.

To truly use him to his full potential, you need to be open minded about both.

[SmurfAsH]

Since MoMA I found no use of my MG in WotS.. Only needed a VET to finish WT.