I feel like a lot of that match stems from Tank fast expanding with the commander before making a Lotus at base. Raiders that do well on retreat don't do so well when retreating means losing all your mexes.

Yes

So... Giving it genuine thought after seeing it action, it strikes me that to dagger, this update is more empowering than for any other raider, because of it's ability to instantly burst. Sure, duck probably likes it too for it's burstyness, but if you think about dagger... You really want them to fire ASAP and I think part of the "raider trading process" with dagger was time inbetween it aiming and firing. Now, it's critical mass instant death inducing properties are in full swing.

How is it doing against other raiders now?