Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I haven't played since I bought my 4th ed book and already it's obsolete.

So as I look at picking up the new rules, the question begs: hardbound rulebook or the boxed set?

The hardbound book is obviously cheaper, and has more fluff and pretty art - things that actually interest me, unlike when I was playing 3E.

But IIRC, the Battle for McCragge (sp?) box had a much more tabletop-friendly format rulebook, and I imagine Black Reach has the equivalent. Plus I could use a few extra marines for my Deathwatch company. Seems like a no brainer spending the extra $30 or so (USD). But I don't know the quality of the components in the box, or the level of interest in the fluff I'd be missing out on. I also don't know if the box set rulebook omits other features such as missions or optional rules or what-have-you.

I need to pick one or the other up stat before I can really put any serious thought into the new Guard army I'm theorizing.

Thoughts?

(side note: is there a 5E Tau codex? FLGS has a 2008 reprint of my (never-played) 4E codex in stock but nothing later than that.)

I have the big rulebook, and a friend got the black reach set. He was starting a space marine army so this made sense, and the little rulebook is a lot more easy to keep near the or on the table while gaming. But the qaulity of the space marine models is not great, the dreadnought is the best in the box( i also quite like the commander, but i dont think alot of people use him as a commander more as a sargent for a vetern squad). But more recently we have used my big book in games as we find it easier with bigger pages and there is alot in the book to give you ideas when starting out.
So i would go for the big book you will get more from it in the end.
Also i do not think there is a 5E codex for tau.Only FAQ updates.

Get the AoBR book off e-bay or from a 3rd party vendor. It'll be like 10 bucks.

Anacrucis wrote:
I need to pick one or the other up stat before I can really put any serious thought into the new Guard army I'm theorizing.

If you are going to play IG, there is little reason to buy Assault on Black Reach.

If you just want the blast templates and small rule book, check ebay.

The small rule book typically sells for $10-15.

It isn't a simplified book. It is the entire rule book, in smaller format. The pages are exactly the same as the big rule book. The exception is the big rule book has more pictures and optional stuff in the back. Get you a small book to keep in your carry on bag when you travel like I did.

As for the models, they are just fine.

1) The tactical marines are static (not much variation in their positioning). they are snap fit, so customizing/converting them is stilly. But you get flamer and missle launcher, the most basic tactical squad build. I like to convert the sergeant with pistol and chainsword, though.

2) The dreadnought has the Multi-melta and DCCW. No other options, but it's a solid dreadnought.

3) The terminators are just fine, but basic. You don't get the optional weapons that terminators can have (no heavy flamer, ass/cannon, or cyclone missle launcher). Just 5 dudes, 4 with powerfist and stormbolter, 1 with power weapon and stormbolter.

4) Warboss: Great attitude on this guy. Basic Loadout: Shoota and PowerKlaw.

5) DeffKoptas: nothing wrong with these.

6) Nobs: Boring. Just shootas and Choppas.

7) Boyz: Just shootas and Choppas.

So, if you play orks or Marines, you get a decent starting force for either, the rules, dice, and templates.

If you just want the rule book, just go to ebay and be done with it.

Thx for the input folks... the big rulebook sounds like it might be more what I'm looking for though I do have a marine army that currently lacks termies or a dread (started life as a White Scars army.) Is the capt. the same one available sold separately or also a simplified model?

Simplified. Sorry, forgot to add that.

The captain looks ok, but he has a boltgun and a power sword. Dumb loadout, if you ask me. You can convert it though. Just takes a little work.

Do a search on google to see som painted up and assembled. Decide for yourself if you're interested in them.

(side note: is there a 5E Tau codex? FLGS has a 2008 reprint of my (never-played) 4E codex in stock but nothing later than that.)

Yes there is one its here
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat440286a&prodId=prod1060321

blood pie wrote:

(side note: is there a 5E Tau codex? FLGS has a 2008 reprint of my (never-played) 4E codex in stock but nothing later than that.)

Yes there is one its here
http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat440286a&prodId=prod1060321

Blood Pie, that came out during 4th edition.

A new Tau book has not come out since 5th edition.

Forgive the newbie , then how do people play tau ?

using the 4th Edition Codex. There are quite a few "useless" rules(ones that reference target priority, etc) in there but most translate well to 5th.

As far as what to get, OP, definitely just get the AOBR rulebook from Ebay/any third party vendor(perhaps you FLGS)

if you do decide you want to add to your marines you will find that the Simplified Termies and Dread may not be exactly what you are looking for(the termies are un-upgraded, as is the dread)

Well, I had decided on the BBB and went to FLGS to get it... and it was out of stock. Needing my fix, I got the box. I have to say for being pre-posed and potentially more difficult to customize, the minis look way better than I expected. And now it's got me thinking about combining the Orks with the ones from my dusty old 6th ed WHFB box and getting a little WAAAGH! going.

A battle force(or 2) the Contents of The AoBR box, and a few Boxes of lootas/Burnas are the beginning of an Excellent Waagh.

It was how my Wife built her's and there are very few extras that were needed beyond that(of course we bought a megaforce when it was available instead of a second Battleforce)

Buy the book on e-bay as others suggested; the AoBR box is only worth it if your starting marines or orks

blood pie wrote:Forgive the newbie , then how do people play tau ?

You use the most recent printing of the codex. It doesn't matter when it came out.

Black Templars were a 4th edition codex, and that's what I use.

My buddy plays with the Tau codex from 4th edition. He does pretty well.

kronk wrote:

Anacrucis wrote:
I need to pick one or the other up stat before I can really put any serious thought into the new Guard army I'm theorizing.

If you are going to play IG, there is little reason to buy Assault on Black Reach.

If you just want the blast templates and small rule book, check ebay.

The small rule book typically sells for $10-15.

It isn't a simplified book. It is the entire rule book, in smaller format. The pages are exactly the same as the big rule book. The exception is the big rule book has more pictures and optional stuff in the back. Get you a small book to keep in your carry on bag when you travel like I did.

As for the models, they are just fine.

1) The tactical marines are static (not much variation in their positioning). they are snap fit, so customizing/converting them is stilly. But you get flamer and missle launcher, the most basic tactical squad build. I like to convert the sergeant with pistol and chainsword, though.

2) The dreadnought has the Multi-melta and DCCW. No other options, but it's a solid dreadnought.

3) The terminators are just fine, but basic. You don't get the optional weapons that terminators can have (no heavy flamer, ass/cannon, or cyclone missle launcher). Just 5 dudes, 4 with powerfist and stormbolter, 1 with power weapon and stormbolter.

4) Warboss: Great attitude on this guy. Basic Loadout: Shoota and PowerKlaw.

5) DeffKoptas: nothing wrong with these.

6) Nobs: Boring. Just shootas and Choppas.

7) Boyz: Just shootas and Choppas.

So, if you play orks or Marines, you get a decent starting force for either, the rules, dice, and templates.

If you just want the rule book, just go to ebay and be done with it.

Two of the Ork Boyz have big shootas.

Big book has pretty pictures. Black Reach has pretty miniatures. You decide.