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.

So I should probably explain better than the title....


I've returned to the hobby primarily to paint, I don't know whether I'll have the free time to game as well. But it makes sense to build a balanced army should I wish to return to gaming, I'm hoping for a bit of advice on here. I should start off by saying I've decided on tau for the time being.

My concern starts as soon as I buy some fire warriors. Two different types of rifle. And I will probably pick up a broadside as I love the model, but missiles or the badass looking rail gun?

I left the hobby with a first addition squat army, and a 2nd edition dark angel army, and that was the last time I played! Is there anywhere that will give me a rough outline of the evolution rules-wise since I left?

Seeing as the rules have gone through a lot of change since then, id suggest getting a rulebook (maybe get the smaller one from the Dark Vengeance set off ebay) and reading through it until you feel comfortable with the rules. Its really not an easy thing to give a quick update on as there is so much.
Also, get the Tau codex and start looking at what sort of army you might like to play them as. Mobile (i.e. lots of suits and fish), Gunline etc. You can use the codex to learn what options you would like to model onto the units you've chosen.

The rules are vastly changed. 2nd Edition was still Hero Hammer, kind of.

There is no easy guide to the changes fro so long ago BUT... I did do an article on this when the changes happened. Ive learned a lot sincethen but I can share that with you:
http://www.40kunorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2012/07/first-games-in-6e.html

July 2012 posts cover a lot of newr edition things and changes so I'd start there.

I am also a Tau player, so if you want any suggestions, you can visit some of the Dakka threads I am in or just ask.

Herb: I did think about a rule book purchase, but it's eating into paint and model money might look at the Tau codex on my iPad, the sample looks very good for a digital download.

Jan: cheers for the link dude, looks a good place to start. Will probably have more than a few tau questions now I've decided to start them! I will be picking up some fire warriors tonight, just need to decide on their loadout!

Broadsides are a non-problem. They are built in a way to make them extremely easy to change weapons on. Generally, you don't even need to magnetise them. Just don't glue the weapons systems on.

the Firewarriors have traditionally used primarily pulse rifles, but in the latest codex the pulse carbines got a well needed buff. I'd still say pulse rifles dominate though. I think if you make 2 units of rifles and 1 of carbines, you're equipped in a way that will allow you some diversity, without really losing any strength.

Besides, a little diversity looks so much better on the shelf, and what with how you are getting into it, I'd say that has to have atleast a little weight aswell.

Cheers dude, I'll go for the pulse rifles on my first set now. Although my GW is shut today for some reason, so I'll have to wait!

Most UK GWs shut on Monday-Tuesday, due to having 1 staff-member, and working weekends.

Your best bet, after popping along when your GW is open, is to find a local club that plays. Sit in on a couple of games, and talk to players of your armies.
As for the squats, look at the Imperiam Guard book and use them as proxies.
With 6th-ed, almost all armies (not 'nids) can take an allied detachment, for a pick of each slot of their codex. You can get to use your old armies with current codices, and ally in your Tau until you get enough to run them on their own.

For the fire warriors, the rifles are better for fire warriors that are moving around on foot, while the carbines are better for fire warriors that will be carrying EMP grenades.

As for the broadsides, choose between lotsa shots or nearly 100% death. Both are good options, but personally for me the missiles have too short a range.