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With the new (free) release of Forgeworld's Tau rules comes three new battlesuits for Tau commanders: the XV81, XV84, and XV89, costing +20, +15, and +20 points, respectively. Each of them has different advantages and disadvantages. I want to know how - and if - you plan on using these new battlesuits.

For those of you who haven't downloaded the update the update (and if you play or play against Tau, why the heck not?), the new commander battlesuit variants are:

XV81: For 20 points, you can trade one hardpoint for a smart missile system.

XV84: For 15 points, you get a Target Lock and a Markerlight.

XV89: For 20 points, you get a 2+ armor save, but the assault-phase jetpack move goes down to d6''.

In my opinion, the XV81 is the best. The smart missile system is a pretty powerful, especially given its ability to selectively ignore cover. The XV81 seems like a way to create an "informal" XV88 commander. Give the commander and the XV88s an Advanced Stabilisation System, and the entire unit can maneuver while firing Railguns and/or Smart Missile Systems. Give the XV81 Commander a hard-wired Target Lock and he can use the Smart Missile System to engage enemy units who get too close while the XV88s continue to engage more distant targets with their Railguns.

I'm not too fond of the XV84. The Markerlight is a support weapon, and the XV8 series is more of a main combat unit. I'm also not clear on whether or not the XV84 escapes the gimping of the XV8s Jet-Pack-granted Relentless quality. If it does, then the XV84 might be a good way to get jump-shoot-jump Markerlights onto the table. A really expensive way to get one Markerlight onto the table. You know what? Still not impressed.

The XV89 is possibly ok. Again, it might be a good way to make an informal XV89 commander. Make it a deathrain (dual missile pods) and it can hang out with the XV88s. Since he's hanging out with units that aren't jump infantry, it won't matter as much that his assault move is gimped.

Anyway, what do you think?

Considering their all for the HQ Shas'o and 'El, I think their all pretty much worthless given the current Jet Pack rules in the Tau Codex AND that you could basically buy Iridium Armor from the Armory...

The smart missile system is kind of meh...

Now the other things in the update sounds FAR more appealing.

Twin-linked Long-Barreled Burst Cannons for the Hammerhead please! And don't forget those Tetras!

And...

KROOOOOOT GNARLOOOOOCS!!!! SQUUUUEEEEEEE!

The Xv81 doesn't help at all. Smart missiles are situational and str 5 ap 5, the army doesn't need more.

Xv84 doesn't do jack. Really, target lock is fine but forgoing firing a battlesuit weapon for a standard markerlight? Nope.

And the Xv89 already exists, for the same exact points with the same exact rules in the tau book (iridum armor)


So to sum up my reaction to these "Forgeworld" suits:

I can't run an HQ stealth suit or broadside yet? I don't give a damn then.

They need more close combat. And squads of monstrous creatures might just help with that. I like these rules.

KplKeegan wrote:Considering their all for the HQ Shas'o and 'El, I think their all pretty much worthless given the current Jet Pack rules in the Tau Codex AND that you could basically buy Iridium Armor from the Armory...

The smart missile system is kind of meh...

Now the other things in the update sounds FAR more appealing.

Twin-linked Long-Barreled Burst Cannons for the Hammerhead please! And don't forget those Tetras!

And...

KROOOOOOT GNARLOOOOOCS!!!! SQUUUUEEEEEEE!

I dunno, Im not fond of burst cannons. I'd probably still run Railheads in high points games, in lower points I'd probably run plasma cannons.

I think the thing with the XV89 is that you don't get the special issue-limit for the armor for your commanders but only for your teamleaders and shas'ui

I don't know, I wouldn't buy it anyways...

Well, since they've been around since IA4 (4?), I'd hesitate to call them new. But I have still thought about buying at least one, either an 89 or R'myr.

Dheneb wrote:Well, since they've been around since IA4 (4?), I'd hesitate to call them new. But I have still thought about buying at least one, either an 89 or R'myr.

IA3.

Call it newly free, then, as the rules were just released as a free download, rather than as part of a $70 book.

Burst Cannons are great its the range that sucks balls with them.....

I think AP4 would be more handy as well for a weapon with a S of 5......

36" range S5 AP4.... Sounds good.

Well at least the leak from Forge World means that the Tau aren't getting their Codex anytime soon...

KplKeegan wrote:Well at least the leak from Forge World means that the Tau aren't getting their Codex anytime soon...

That's not how forgeworld releases work.

The Tetras look nice. I'll have to print those rules out and see about dropping Pathfinders for Tetras.


EDIT: So by dropping my pathfinders(and some Flechettes that never work) I can get 3 tetras with Targetting arrays

So I would get the same number of Markerlights, but at a Higher BS AND way more mobile. I'll see if anyone is up for the Tetra Challenge and see whether they are better than Pathfinders (Obvious answer is Obvious)