Comments on: Diggin’ Into The New Tau Empire Codex: The Flyers

By: Zweischneid

Zweischneid — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:57:00 +0000

I do like the idea of this “switch-up” synergy, i.e. ground-based Tau Units taking care to clear the skies, and Tau fliers in return devastating the ground.

But the Tau flyers seem not to be designed that way. They are… compared with the Dark Angels, rather more anti-air (more Str. 7) glass-cannons and less air-to-ground focused.

To make that concept work, they probably would’ve had to be more (!) like the Dark Angels flyers, i.e.

- less Str. 7 (making them rely on other to kill other flyers)

- rules like hover strike, strafing run, etc..

- Good Anti-infantry weaponry that’s not dangerous to flyers/vehicles (e.g. Hurricane-Bolters (or Hurricane Pulse-Rifles?), low Str. low AP templates, things like poison, pinning, ignores cover, etc..).

As they are, I don’t see where the “synergy” comes in combing them with ground-based anti-aircraft units. They are anti-aircraft-focused units, just not the best ones in the Codex.

By: Deathblooms79

Deathblooms79 — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:47:00 +0000

You are one of the few people online that look at the flyers in even a bit of a positive light, to this i respect your words!
I however am hoping to let the light of the greater good shine a little
brighter by adding the following thought… Sure the tau fighters might
be scared by the firepower of Vendetta/Heldrakes in a 1 on 1 fight but
Nothing in Tau is designed to 1 on 1. Every tau has the back of its
brothers in arms hence the fluff of “the greater good” and hence the
battle abilities of marker lights and synergies of the tau. Considering
tau have the greatest anti-air of any 6th ed codex and can wipe out whole air army’s, this leaves Tau flyers almost unopposed in air combat. I personally think in this regard the flyers are quite good but sadly there are better synergy options in the same slot and this will be there great undoing and reason other options are used instead.

By: Zweischneid

Zweischneid — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:05:00 +0000

Many thanks!

Always nice to hear other people enjoy (some of) my ramblings (other than myself!)

By: Michael Dudek

Michael Dudek — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:53:00 +0000

I suppose we will see what happens in the future. Mr. Vetock seems like a nice enough guy from his White Dwarf columns. Just not a pilot, I’d guess, from the underwhelming fliers in his two codex books so far

Anyway, thanks for your blog. I appreciate someone having reviews of the more limited or out of the mainstream stuff, like Black Library exclusives or audio dramas, as well as the more ‘usual’ things. I hope more people check out Andy Chambers Dark Eldar book series. 2014 seems like a long wait for Path of the Archon. The 2 novels so far are among the top things I’ve enjoyed from Black Library in the last few years.

By: Zweischneid

Zweischneid — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 07:38:00 +0000

Yeah.. tried to cover that as well. Arguably, the Razorshark may even be better than the Nephilim for a laid back approach to gaming, given that is a bit cheaper and has lots of Str. 7 to throw out.

It’s certainly not “Mutilator-bad”.

But the Vendetta/Heldrakes are out there, disproportionately so because they are very good, so it’s the benchmark for the moment.

As for point-cost changes, I believe the Helbrute was to bring different printings in-line.

I would believe the avoid this if at all possible,especially point-increases, as you might suddenly end up with players having an “illegal” army, only because they didn’t have the latest FAQ and just read their Codex.

Point-cost reductions for “overpriced” stuff should work, in theory (e.g. Helbrute). The “worst” that would happen is a player using a non-up-to-date-list not using his full points-allotment.

By: Michael Dudek

Michael Dudek — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 07:04:00 +0000

I’d say either the Heldrake needs a points cost increase, or power reduction to bring it in line with other fliers. Will we see it? I kind of doubt it, given their track record so far in 6th edition FAQs. The only point cost change I’ve seen is the almost pointless 5 point drop in the Helbrute from 105 to 100.

That said, I still bought a Nephilim jet fighter for my Dark Angels. Because it’s a cool model. A mediocre battlefield weapon, but it looks nice. That’s okay for the casual player I am; not a tournament power gamer. I buy stuff because the models or fluff is cool most of the time, not necessarily their battlefield effectiveness.