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Retinue rules explicitly state that IC with a retinue counts as an upgrade character (ie, not an IC) as long as any models are alive in that unit.

Drone rules explicitly state that IC with drones form one unit but they can still join other units - or have a bona fide retinue (Bodyguards or Honour Guards). So in effect

-Tau IC's can have two retinues, of which one has special rules or

-the Character and it's drones form a three-model Independent Character or

-Drones ACT like retinue in many respects but are NOT retinue. Kinda like drones in vehicles, which are treated like passengers in some ways but which are not passengers, but vehicle's weapon systems.

-Or did I just open another can of worms?

A question: If I'm assaulting with a Shas'el with two Drones which is attached to some other Tau unit (not Bodyguards), do the Drones also need to get into base-to-base contact with enemy models? Because it says that Shas'el + Drones form one unit, which obviously still has IC status?

Ridcully wrote:They and the IC are one unit in the game, yes. Have you still not grasped what i'm meaning?

"taken together with a special unit"

Bodyguard/retinues are special units with a unit entry, options etc. Drones are not this. Drones form a unit with the IC. The IC unit is not fielded with a drone unit, with a drone unit entry.

But buy buying the drones, you are fielding him with a special kind of unit, one that is both Wargear and models and has special rules.

XV8 'Crisis' Battlesuit bodyguard team: 1-2 Shas'vre
Inquisitor's retinue squad: 3-12 henchmen for an Inquisitor; 0-6 for an Inquisitor.
Honour Guard: 6-12 Fire Warriors

Drones merely form unit with the IC. Drones aren't a special unit in any sense. None. The IC and drones form a unit.

Gwar! wrote:

synchronicity wrote:

Gwar! wrote:An IC who has had it's retinue (which the drones Are, like it or not)

Not quite. p32 of the Tau codex states under rules for a Commander Independent Character: "If accompanied by drones, he may still join other units as an independent character." So he's not restricted to the same restrictions of a true "retinue" when accompanied by drones.

It is still a Retinue, which is simply a unit the IC cannot leave. Wolf Lords et al. with Wolves are the most recent units to have a retinue.

By all technicality, it is Wargear, Wargear with special rules regarding Morale tests for the owner, but no other rules specifying anything about regrouping.

Therefore it uses the Wargear relevant rules for regroup, which is that Wargear, unless stated otherwise, has no effect on regrouping.

Thank the heavens, someone's still posting on topic!

Also what are you two arguing about exactly, who cares if we call drones wargear retinue or even carrots, an IC and his drones area a unit, that unit can join other units have bodyguards and is worth 1 KP why are names so fething important!?

Retinues and Independent Characters are each worth a kill point. If you're going to use the terminology, you have to use it correctly.

Saying drones are a retinue unit is the same as saying they're worth a kill point by themself (ie. if you kill the drones, that's one kill point. If you then kill the commander, that's another kill point).

Backfire wrote:Retinue rules explicitly state that IC with a retinue counts as an upgrade character (ie, not an IC) as long as any models are alive in that unit.

Drone rules explicitly state that IC with drones form one unit but they can still join other units - or have a bona fide retinue (Bodyguards or Honour Guards). So in effect

-Tau IC's can have two retinues, of which one has special rules or

-the Character and it's drones form a three-model Independent Character or

-Drones ACT like retinue in many respects but are NOT retinue. Kinda like drones in vehicles, which are treated like passengers in some ways but which are not passengers, but vehicle's weapon systems.

-Or did I just open another can of worms?

A question: If I'm assaulting with a Shas'el with two Drones which is attached to some other Tau unit (not Bodyguards), do the Drones also need to get into base-to-base contact with enemy models? Because it says that Shas'el + Drones form one unit, which obviously still has IC status?

The Tau Empire codex containing many cans of works regarding drones even under 4e. It's not surprising things have got worse under 5e.

Ridcully wrote:Not this again.

Wasn't me Archchancellor!

I haven't said anything since our last conversation on this

Andrew