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Alright, this idea came from a desire to model the Mototerminators from the recent movie. Then with models, I figured I'd try to find a way to play them. So a paragraph of fluff later, this is what I have. Opinions?

Dronecycles fill a small but important nitch in the Tau military. As the 3rd Sphere expansion continues, the Tau find themselves more and more in control of planets with very low population densities. The task of efficiently patrolling these hundreds of miles of open road proved difficult for conventional drones who’s repulser drives were unable to maintain high speeds nor long term operation. To fill this need, Earth Caste engineers returned to an old wheeled vehicle design and outfitted it with the latest in independent drone technology. The result was a drone able to sustain speeds above of 100mph for days between recharge times while still being combat ready at a moments notice. In addition, being free from the delicate anti-grav systems allow Dronecycles to take far more punishment then their flying counterparts.

Being a patrol drone, rather then a frontline combat drone, Dronecycles are not attached to any particular cadre. Instead they are generally called in from their patrol on a moments notice when a Tau commander is in need of additional support.

Dronecycles 100 pts [Fast Attack]

WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv
2 2(3) 4 4 1 5 1 7 4+

Unit Type: Bike
Unit: 4 Dronecycles
Equipment: Burst Cannon, Targeting Array (included above)
Special Rules: Feel-No-Pain, Outflank
Options: May have up to 4 additional Dronecycles for 25pts each
Any Drone may replace it’s Burst Cannon with the following:
Short Range Missile Pod (Free) [18”, Str7 AP4, Assault 2]
Fusion Blaster (+5)
Cyclic Ion Blaster or Plasma Rifle (+10)

Obviously this is not meant to be a game-braker unit, just something fun to throw in. And yes, I realise a Hydra would eat a squad of these for lunch.

I like it. It looks pretty good. I like the fluff and the concept and I think its rules are balanced against its cost.

Just a couple of thhings really. Why is its I so high? 5 seems an awful lot for a drone. Its as fast as a SM captain. Also isnt the cyclic ion blaster special issue? I dont think it makes sense for what is effectively some law enforcement tobe equipped with state-of-the-art experimental weaponry.

underpriced for Feel No Pain + Outflank, and there is no precedent for Feel No Pain in the Tau codex, imo.

I would suggest reworking the FNP a bit perhaps a 4+/5++ [or 4++ but that's questionable] save and reduce the points a little bit, as there are no drones with FNP in the tau (as stated above) so it wouldn't make good sense. Instead of outflank; give then scout- this is usually given to bikers so I would think tau commanders could figure out to use screening/flanking/scouting forces.

Perhaps they should be jetbikes? and have appropriate special rules because they tau don't really have anything vehicle was that doesn't float; it would add a little more fluffyness (is that a word?) to the unit.

Thanks for the imput guys,

The I5 (which is one higher then drones usualy have) was both to repersent them just being physicaly faster, as well as give them a better ability to leave combat w/o being wiped out. I was already considering droping it to the usual 4.

There is FNP in the Tau codex, but your right, it's not a drone. Just a 4+ save seems to vulnerable for a bike unit with out making them quite cheap. At first I was going to give them 3+ armor, but we don't have any non-battlesuits with that kind of armor, and the model really doesn't have thicker armor then a normal drone. Plus every biker is already 3+. I though about T5, Which is possable, but still leaves them quite volnerable to AI weapons like heavy bolters. I thought about an Invulnerable save, but I don't have a good reason for them to be able to ever survive a hit by an anti-tank missile. So FNP was really all I had left. Gives them very high survivablity aganst rifles, 50% survivability against AI weapons, but still gives them no way to survive a AT weapon. (FNP is only as powerful as the Toughness and armor it's under)

Your right about the Cyclic Ion blaster, It doesn't really make sense as a special issue weapon, just fits the model nicely. I'll drop it.

The reason I gave them outflank instead of scout was to reinforce the idea of them being called in reserves driving in from where ever they were at the time, rather then planned advanced units (which are stealths, pathfinders, etc).

They don't float because I was coming up with rules for a model I have (mototerminators) not making one up from scratch post rules. Fluff wise it's for endurance, and to keep the Tau from 'cetching up' with eldar tech.

Dronecycles 100 pts [Fast Attack]

WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv
2 2(3) 4 4 1 4 1 7 4+

Unit Type: Bike
Unit: 4 Dronecycles
Equipment: Burst Cannon, Targeting Array (included above)
Special Rules: Feel No Pain, Outflank
Options: May have up to 4 additional Dronecycles for 25pts each
Any Drone may replace it’s Burst Cannon with the following:
Short Range Missile Pod (Free) [18”, Str7 AP4, Assault 2]
Fusion Blaster (+5)
Plasma Rifle (+10)

Regwon wrote:
I dont think it makes sense for what is effectively some law enforcement tobe equipped with state-of-the-art experimental weaponry.

Yeah, until you have an outbreak and rebels are storming the streets waving signs for "the greater bad." That's what the Dark Tau support.

Bike are about speed, not so much about survivability Playing Chaos I learned that Bikers have limited usage.

So other than Space Marines and their derivatives, Bikes give 4+ armor so (I would need ot double check this but I don't think Ork or Eldar give 3+)... I would argue that bikes aren't cheap based on other things they give you.. for these drone bikers, I think going with Cannerus suggestions.

I also think the Burst Cannon is "too good" as base weapon.

120 Points for 4.
up to 6 more bikers can be add at 30 points per model

Unit Type: Jet Bike
Equipment: Pulse Carbines (Might make arguable case for twin linked pulse carbines), Targeting Array
Specials: Scout
Up to two models may replace their Pulse Carbine with Fusion Blaster for +10 points each.
maybe add other weapon options, but max two per unit can add special weapons.

IMO, the above is "weaker" than what you specified, but I think its more in line with the codex and more balanced with the bikers from other codices. (Orks and Space Marines can get FNP on bikes, but it costs them a LOT more, via Pain Boy or Apothecary)

See note above on why the're not jetbikes.

I'm going to keep the unit at 4-8, as Tau are base 8, not base 10

Even regular gundrones have TL carbines, that's about as low as I'd go with these. I actualy started there but they didn't seem to have enough power to make them ever worthwhile, as they can't really CC unlike most bikers.

SM, CSM, Necron & Eldar bikes are 3+, Ork bikes have 4+ cover saves, Guard don't have bikes.

I'd have to look it up, but arn't SM bikers 30pts?

I also have everyone the option to upgrade, because except pathfinders, the're no instance of 'special weapon' troopers within squads in the Tau army.

Interstingly, you kept the the fusion blaster, which I was most washy on...

Mathhammer time:
T4 4+
B:12hits, 6wounds, 3dead
HB:12hits, 8wounds, 8dead
KM: 12hits, 10wounds, 10dead

T4 3+
B:12hits, 6wounds, 2dead
HB:12hits, 8wounds, 2.6dead
KM: 12hits, 10wounds, 10dead

T4 4+, FNP
B:12hits, 6wounds, 3FNP, 1.5dead
HB:12hits, 8wounds, 8FNP, 4dead
KM: 12hits, 10wounds, 10FNP, 10dead

T4 4+, 5++
B:12hits, 6wounds, 3dead
HB:12hits, 8wounds, 5.3dead
KM: 12hits, 10wounds, 7.6dead

T5 4+
B:12hits, 4wounds, 2dead
HB:12hits, 6wounds, 6dead
KM: 12hits, 10wounds, 10dead

FNP stops more bolters but less heavy bolters then 3+ armor. (B=Bolter, HB=Heavy Bolter, KM=Krak missile)

Drone bikers would be useful as anti tank or just heavier drone hit and run squads


Id say
Type: bikes
Size 3-8
100 points for 3
20 points per model

Ws Bs S T W I A Ld Sv
2 2(3) 3 3(4) 1 4 1 7 4+

Wargear: Twin linked Pulse Carbine + Targeting array

2 can replace for a +10 fusion blaster or +15 Missile pod

1 can become a +30 tau shield bike giving the squad a 5+ invul

Specials: Scouts

These bikes would be nice for tau blitz armies needing some random unit to pop up and mop up any armor their rail guns fail to remove

I like the idea and the model would be rather cool to see too

Ok, understanding why you have as bikes. I see Tau as floaty, but I totally understand it fits the models you have for conversion I think General_Rex's version is a good balance, with the Shield Drone Biker being a great fluff piece that gives them that Tau version of durability (not great, but very Tau), i think 20 points per extra model is a bit cheap for bikers. CSM bikers are 33 points a piece, and they are CRAP Maybe a compromise of bringing them back to 25 per model with the statline and abilities General Rex gave. I think I would be happy/content playtesting against that unit and then tweaking after a few playtests to help tune them.

Looking it over again, I think Rex does have a good version. I can actualy see those being worth 8pts more then Gun-drones.

The thing is, Blue, for your 13pts (or 8 by your value) & [carbines for bolters, no scout], your getting +2WS, +1BS, +1S, +1T, +1A, +1LD, 3+ Save, And you have biker leaders & stuff for them to protect. And at least by your end, they still suck. I think 20pts each is a good price particularly with a 40pt squad fee, but indeed, it can't be refined until playtested.

Considering the 40 point squad fee, I am actually good with the point cost, since for 3 bikers you are paying 33 points per. 4 bikers 30 points per, 5 28 per, 6 26 per, 7 a little under 26 per, and at 8 25 per which is actually perfect, imo


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I'd think I would actually be a little generous at this point and just say

Unit size: 3-8
Cost per model: 25 points

So if you wanted you could actually take 3 for 75 points.

But I think thats my Chaos centric Codex layout speak

I believe 25 pts per model would be generous IF

the tau shield drone ability was cheaper... 20 pts

the thing is you cant ask for god biker drones even with wheels they're just drones in the end and what your really paying for s a 3 drone team with 2 fusion blasters to ride up along side a leman russ put 2 shots in it and speed off

But if you wanted a cheap but great unit sadly tau don't offer long lasting units except suits

Maybe having 1 biker be a Drone "controller" on a biker, Sniper drones have the same thing and with shield drone of maybe 5+ invul or 4+ cover save "like orks " you wouldnt have a unit simply that dies when it hits its target

*cough* deff koptas *cough*

I honestly didn't think it was a 'god unit' Looking back I might have started with to much on them, but I don't think they were ever that powerful.

I originaly based it off forgeworld's Heavy Gun Drones, which are 25pts for a T4 drone with TL Burst Cannons.

Scout & Bike instead of Jetback (with Deep Strike)
TL carbines (BS3) (.75 hits) instead of BT burst Cannons (BS2) (1.5 hits)

When I first wrote up the rules, I hadn't intended them as Tank Hunters (though that's clearly their most powerful department) I had thrown in the Fusion Blaster because I was just including most of the suit weapons. I'd have no problem pulling that out again, and leaving them with Carbines & SR missile pod, or even just carbines.

I do have a hard time imagining Fusion Blasters on Drones, but the Fusion Blaster option makes look interesting, and then you realize its 2 BS 3 Meltashots, which ends up being lackluster too. :( I think its a fun unit though.

They aound like a really cool idea, be sure to put any pics up of conversions

Elliotminorkid

someday when I get a camera, sure.