Tau – The Fire is Starting to Spread
The codex is creeping out and we’re getting some solid rules information now…
Summarised on 3++ linking to original sources.
So some main things –
Ethereals have army wide buffs and are the same price as before.
Fireblade is 10 points more expensive and is an HQ with the improved shooting for a squad ability.
Farsight does not FoC swap.
Riptide is 60 points cheaper than a Land Raider and BS3. NOVA charging boosts the Ion Accelerator to S9 AP2 Barrage Large Blast but it can be boosted to S8 AP2 from overcharging the Ion weapon normally (Gets Hot!). NOVA charging also allows double shooting of secondary systems, 3++ or 4D6 Jetpack move and takes a wound if it fails the roll (not indicated what happens to weapon if roll failed).
Crisis suits are 3 pts cheaper and come with Multi-trackers and Blacksun Filters.
Stealth Suits are same points cost with decreased defenses, improved Overwatch and squads of 12.
Fire Warriors are a point cheaper and with photon grenades.
Kroot and Hounds are a point cheaper but Kroot lose S4 in combat. Krootox can infiltrate and are half the original cost.
Devilfish still same points cost, DPods are +1 cover as rumored but can also take Missile Drones at current Gun Drone cost…
No other Troops.
Pathfinders are 5+ armor and do not need Devilfish.
Recon Drone = Burst Cannon, helps units come on specific table edges
Grav Inhibitor = harder to charge unit
Pulse Accelerator = more pulse shots
Vespid = 18″ gun, no other news
Bomber has conflicting rumors but the bomb is still pretty blah and side AV is 10 which makes it quite expensive and vulnerable. If front AV is 13 and it has a Heavy 4 markerlight though…. but…
Figher is cheaper but 11/10/10, no drones and 4x S7 AP4 shots (or overcharged large blast).
No news on hover or not.
Broadsides 5 points cheaper base and can take skyfire upgrade. Railguns are S8 AP1 (rail rifles S6 AP1, Railcannon S10 AP1) – no news on cost of upgrades
Hammerhead much cheaper and 4 HP
Sniper Drones no longer have Rail Rifles
Burst Cannons Heavy 4
Fusion Blasters Range 18″
Lots of other little tidbits of information – click through to see them all laid out and head back to original sources as well. Tau is looking good on paper though a few things are still going to be nutted out and specifically the end points result and upgrades. Enough things seem to have gotten a points dip to help out but how extra heavy drones can be brought in (marker drones, missile drones, etc.) is going to be very important. All the new stuff is expensive though if the Bomber does have AV13 front (maybe Hover) and Heavy 4 Markerlight…. Riptide if less than 230 should be okay as well…
Anyway, I’m very excited :)!
