New Tau 'dex

Picked up a copy of the new codex today. I've been reading the interwebs the last couple of days so nothing terribly exciting (except there is already a GW FAQ to edit missile drones, sigh). Also picked up a riptide because I only saw one and couldn't help myself! If you guys want I'll do a little unboxing of it later.

is it superfantastical awesome?

Faqd already? Jesus do they not learn....

Roland wrote:Faqd already? Jesus do they not learn....

I can forgive the first one (grammer on the paragraph before the warlord trait table), but the second irks me (limits missile drones to broadsides, kinda a big deal).

So far the riptide kit is fairly impressive/intimidating. I have never put a large kit together like this (vehicles were the largest before). I'll post some pics as I get further into assembly.

Am I the only one freaking out about the implications of the Positional Relay?

Planes wrote:Am I the only one freaking out about the implications of the Positional Relay?

Yes.

Planes wrote:Am I the only one freaking out about the implications of the Positional Relay?

From what I understand it is only kinda goofy rather than crazy. The rule limits it to units outflanking from codex tau, which are either kroot or stealth teams. in which case they could have just infiltrated there and saved you the hassle of buying the upgrade and running within 6" of that table edge.

Having spent the last day or so rummiging through the codex I think I am ready to make a verdict.

I likes it.

There isn't anything crazy overpowered, or even best in slot. The are very few useless items/upgrades. All the special characters except Aun'Shi are good ( I am even considering a list with Aun'Va ). About the only thing I am perturbed about is the downgrade of Broadsides*. And with this I am not even perturbed since I saw it coming from a mile away. I think between how much better fusion blasters are, the Riptide, and Hammerheads being cheaper anti-tank will be tougher but manageable. I think flier based armies are now going to have a much rougher time of it, except possibly the helldrake. I will be theory-crafting some lists over the next couple of days and posting in the army lists section if I have time.


*For how many points they cost and what they can do I think there are just better options in the codex. Combined with the fact that they are still only T4 and W2 and now on dreadnought sized bases and do not have invulnerable saves base (nor do they give their armor saves to shield drones) they do not justify their price. Even the High Yield Missile Pods I don't see as particularly useful since str 5/7 ap 5/4 shooting the rest of the army brings for much cheaper.

I don't have a book yet, but I thought for 65 points, the broadside was still quite interesting.

S8 AP1 twin linked with good range is still pretty swanky, on a 65 point model with 2+ and 2 wounds. That's 5 points cheaper than a base Obliterator, it comes with two weapons, has a blacksun filter for free, and is twin-linked with shooting. It also gets plasma rifles or SMS for free (?? Not sure here ??).

I think the kicker is, do you upgrade them with a support system for skyfire, interceptor, something else, or leave 'em as is (is that an option?)

For 195 points, you get a squadron of 3. If a person were to build a "suit army", 9 broadsides would be quite a thing to put on the battlefield.

Something like, Commander with suits, some more suits, stealth suits, riptide, fire warriors for scoring, a unit of drones maybe?, and 9 broadsides.

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Although, if I were building a new Tau force, I'd throw "good" out the window and grab 15 Piranha's :-)

I'm not saying they are not good, but what do they bring to the army that soemthing already doesn't for either cheaper or better. If you want low ap shooting crisis suits are boss now, especially with the new wargear. For anti-tank hammerheads are the way to go.

After playing against the new tau earlier tonight, I can say broadsides are still good.
Lost a triarch stalker and barge to 2 broadsides, in a 1000 pt game.
Ap 1 is sick, you get a pen with this on any necron vehicle, boom boom.

The riptide is pretty gross. Especially when the big Gatling cannon is nova'd up.
Also forgot it was a mc in cc, my praetorians learnt that the hard way.
From what little I've seen, the new tau are pretty sicktor.

And a glance at the all missile version is retarded. 65 pts for what is essentially a rifleman dread, but with a 2+ save? Waaat.

How did he bring down your Quantum Shielding Paz? Either those were very lucky Broadsides (since they now need 6's to pen AV 13 and cannot damage, only glance, AV14) or something else brought down your Shielding. Unfortunately I can't rely on them to Penetrate higher AV vehicles anymore. I will admit that the High Yield Missile Pods are interesting, possibly awesome, but Tau (in my experience) have never lacked for S7 AP4 or S5 AP5.

I don't think Broadsides are bad. I just don't think there isn't something in the Codex that does their role better now.

I will admit I am excited to playtest my Riptide. After looking through its rules I can see the potential of a very useful unit that has to be dealt with. Especially if you get luck with the Nova roles.

The missile load-out on the Broadside is this... right?

Broadsides have multitrackers built in, so can fire 2-weapons each. The big missile thingy is S7 AP4 36" Heavy 4, then they have a small missile thingy with is S7 AP4 Twin-Linked 36"?

There's something to be said for massing S7 Shooting...

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As for popping quantum shielding, it's about equivalent to Psycannons taking down a ghost ark, which happens to me quite a lot while playing against grey nights. Stalkers don't get a jink-save either. Once the shields are popped, it'd be easy pickings for a broadside. (I agree with what you're saying though Tom)

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It's what... 140 for a Hammerhead with a Rail-Cannon and Disruption Pod?

Yakface on Dakka battle report with the new tau book and his old models. He uses a bunch of Kroot, I haven't gotten to what they did on the board, I'm predicting bubkiss.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/519017.page

I'm pretty high on the book, bought it and a Riptide on Saturday and will flesh out the rest in the next little while. I doubt I'll ever get to the stage where I'm fielding Tau as a primary detachment but I can't think of a better ally contingent for Eldar. A Riptide, Crisis Commander (O'shavah maybe), Broadsides and some Fire Warriors go well with just about any Eldar list imo.

One thing I'm happy with is the change to Missile Drones, after my first read through I was shocked at how dumb they were being with letting units take Drones with Missile Pods (2 shots at str7ap4 36' range) for 12 points a pop. A 3-man Crisis Suit Team with 2 Drones each would pump out 18 str 7 shots, all at BS3, on a unit that can move, shoot and move again, for less than 200 pts...but they fixed that straight away (now if they would only look at the Vendetta!).

Overall I'm excited to see them back in action!

Ya, they're battle brothers with Eldar too, so you can fortune those Missile-broadsides.

Edit: And by fortune, I mean Guide.

Lore Weaver wrote:Ya, they're battle brothers with Eldar too, so you can fortune those Missile-broadsides.

Edit: And by fortune, I mean Guide.

Still no Mark, guide/fortune are targetable to eldar units, you can take prescience though at least.

Hey, I heard on the internets somewhere that a drone controller now moves its user's ballistic skill to the drones, potentially yielding BS 3,4, or 5 gun drones?

Now that pulse carbines are Assault 2, that seems kinda alright at higher BS, especially if the drones are cheap.

Lore Weaver wrote:Hey, I heard on the internets somewhere that a drone controller now moves its user's ballistic skill to the drones, potentially yielding BS 3,4, or 5 gun drones?

Now that pulse carbines are Assault 2, that seems kinda alright at higher BS, especially if the drones are cheap.

Indeed. It would be crazy scary vs IG/Orks/Nids for critter removal. 12 Gun drones + commander drone controller, whole bunch of bs 5 ouchies.

Drone Controllers are what makes Sniper Drones usable, i.e. 9 Sniper Drones puts out 18 s5ap5, rending, precision shots at 24', 9 shots at 48'!

miv305 wrote:Drone Controllers are what makes Sniper Drones usable, i.e. 9 Sniper Drones puts out 18 s5ap5, rending, precision shots at 24', 9 shots at 48'!

I dunno if I like the new sniper drone teams. The drones themselves are nifty (although the new rail rifle stats would be awesome on them) I'm at a loss for the drone controller dude though. I'm not a huge fan of non-dedicated markerlight units. but if you only take one now you run the risk of the single controller getting sniped.

miv305 wrote:Drone Controllers are what makes Sniper Drones usable, i.e. 9 Sniper Drones puts out 18 s5ap5, rending, precision shots at 24', 9 shots at 48'!

That'd be a pretty effective way to remove special weapons and items from dudes on foot.

Forgot to mention the Drones are BS5, I don't like that special weapon troopers chances...