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Hello Dakka,

I was browsing forgeworld and noticed two different units that caught my eye, the Tetra Speeders and Great Knarlocs and I have some questions:

Are these units overpowered or unfair?

Also are these units effective?

In general it is yes on the tetras and stay as far away from anything kroot.

Tetras are very cheap and well balanced with Tau IMO. I've used them extensively and seen others use them. They aren't game breaking or anything like that. It's a tough and fast unit so it may make an opponent a bit upset. The biggest thing is that its A10 2HP and no real weapons, its not overpowered by any concerns.

The Gnarlocs are all junk though.

The Tetras are amazing. They're the markerlight platforms pathfinders wish they could be, and replace pathfinders entirely. If you want a dedicated markerlight unit at all get some Tetras.

The Kroot stuff is just bad. It might not cost you the game, but they're all below-average choices compared to the other things in their FOC slots.

What makes a tetra better than a Pathfinder team? I dont quite know its combat role.?

Tetras are a fast skimmer that can fire it's Heavy 4 markerlight on the move. It's a bit more expensive than 4 pathfinders but it's upgradable to BS4 and doesn't require the purchase of a devilfish.

So you're getting more mobile markerlights, that hit more often thanks to BS4, and it's more durable thanks to a 3+ cover.

Tetras are the sauce, better than piranha's IMO, gnarlacs are getting upgraded next codex to be worth taking so if you like it, go for it.

I would definitely recommend getting the Barracuda as well, has made a huge difference in my games that I've played as tau.

Well the Tau are supposed to be getting 2 or more flyers soon, so there's a chance those would be better than a Barracuda. I'd hold off on trying that until I see what the new codex brings in regards to flying.

And Gnarlocs aren't getting upgraded. They made an entirely new MC that's somewhere between the Krootox and the Gnarloc. Why? Because why sell two models when you can sell 3. Though all the rumors from playtesters have pointed out that the Kroot MC never gets used or dies too quickly because they can't figure out a good rule set for it.

The gnarlocs will only be effective if taken as a herd (2 minimum, 3 better). 3 gnarlocs can cross the field and soak up Tons of fire if you leap frog them. And once they hit the lines they can do some damage. Their points value is a bit high, but if you use them correctly they can earn their points back. They are generic MC's, however they do not benefit from the better armor save most MC's have. Another downside is that if you have to buy 3 to make them worth it then it is way too expensive currency-wise.
I would not recommend gnarlocs until they get some sort of buff. They cost tons, are tricky to use, and are only synergistic with other kroot. As SavageConvoy mentioned, we may be getting a better MC soon with the new codex. We'll have to wait and see if they were able to make it work in a Tau army. I personally hope they make KrootOxen worth taking, but I digress...

Tetras, as has been covered, are the final word in Markerlight Support. Two tetras can put out the same amount of markerlight shots (at a better BS) as the equivalent points of pathfinders, can split fire, and carry the same marker beacons a pathfinder devilfish has. All this while enjoying a 3+ cover save in the open, staying mobile, and without the drawbacks of devilfish tax. Every type of tau army can make use of them (even if they are your only vehicles, your opponent has more dangerous things to shoot his heavy weapons at) and they are the cheapest, most accurate, most survivable (generally) markerlight platform available to Tau commanders. If you can afford to buy a devilfish and pathfinder models (even FW's converted into pathfinders) then you should put the money towards a Forgeworld order instead, and maybe have some leftover to try out a Plasma Turret or Sensor Tower

I would suggest on holding back on Tau right now, especially with the Tetra. The Markerlight mechanic is something that I think we all knew would see an update, but much speculation as to what would change. The only rumor that I've seen for markerlights involve seeker missiles and a single +1BS bonus to every unit firing at it. Apparently removing cover saves was "too powerful" for a xenos army to have.

This would make a single markerlight much more effective since it benefits multiple squads for one shot. However a Heavy 4 markerlight like on the Tetra would put them right back to their original version, assuming you're not going markerlight heavy. Forgeworld should put out an update relatively soon after the codex release, but I don't really trust Forgeworld when it comes to Tau personally.

The point I'm trying to make is that Tetras will see a change soon. I'm not sure by how much, but I'd hold off purchasing something like that until you're sure what the unit is. Right now it may change within a few weeks.