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It was just a joke, man. That's why I included a

Good to hear more hints about Chaos in the pipeline, though. Trying to write a pure legion army list with the current codex is just depressing.

I already have a large number of Tau models so I need a new codex much more than new models, unless some super new units (e.g. Orca gunship) are released.

Some of the older models are rather old and tired. The battlesuits in particular are difficult to assemble and pose.

Revised kits would be a boon for new players, and by making the weapon sprues separately available as Bitz, GW could enable existing players to adapt and upgrade their current models.

In terms of revisions to the rules, the Crisis suits are fine as they are. They should just be a bit cheaper and you should be able to take more of them. A unit limit of four would make more sense than three. The sections that need real work are Troops and Fast Attack.

I really hope they update the normal crisis suits as well as the broadsides, the normal suits are so clunky, you have to do so much work to get them looking streamlined - I hope they move more towards the forgeworld style (and allow you to use some of those great models in the codex). The legs for the crisis suits are too spindly, and the arms are too fat and awkward to pose. They could probably just recut the sprue a bit, change the arms and add some armour to the legs with a few more head options and you'd be well underway, although a smaller backpack would also be welcome.

Hoping we also see more alien races - better vespid models, demiurge (I think allowing demiurge as elites and maybe a character or walker, that are slow but good in combat would be a nice way to add to the tau repertoire whilst expanding the fluff and doing a bit of fan service), possibly one or two extra races. An extra elite or fast attack kroot unit would be good for those who like to play kroot mercenary armies.

The codex needs points changes most of all but it would also benefit hugely from characters that allow you to change the force organisation chart - suits as troops, kroot characters, etc.

Kilkrazy wrote:..........Revised kits would be a boon for new players, and by making the weapon sprues separately available as Bitz, GW could enable existing players to adapt and upgrade their current models.....................

Ever hopeful eh KK.

That would suit [geddit!] me down to the ground as I have an almost complete Tau Army on the sprue in storage awaiting a revamp. The problem being that I'm sure GW will sell the battlesuit as a small box again meaning that most of the options will be across a number of small sprues. I'm not sure I have seen that type of thing available as a sprue only option from GW (just the vehicle acessories?).

Anyway, who are we kidding GW want to sell more new kits not allow you to reuse your existing ones.

Now since we are wish listing other than revised battlesuits (if GW even change them! )I would like to see;
Decent HQ options other than the Crisis,
Human Auxillaries (surely these must be fairly common in the Empire by now + GW sell more cadians!),
Weird one but vehicle transport options for Kroot - a bit fluffy but I think they might pick up the occassional chimera or whatever whilst Merc-ing about the universe and allow better integrated support than just Krootox
Troops options - they mush have developed support weaponry by now!
Seeker missiles for 5pts or as an unlimited (one use per markerlight per turn for a single squad) vehicle option for say 15pts - that way you can load up and have AT support the ground troops. At 10pts I'm reticent to use them.

Cadaver wrote:
I do believe all the usual reliable rumor guys have said Tau are a ways off.

Right, but " a ways off" and "soon" both have the same problem of meaning anything between 3 months and 3 years. Next summer is well within the range of "a ways off" and "soon" depending on who you ask.

darrkespur wrote:They could probably just recut the sprue a bit, change the arms and add some armour to the legs with a few more head options and you'd be well underway, although a smaller backpack would also be welcome.

Not likely. Plastic is moulded at very high pressure and the machines needed to produce even small sprues are rated in the 5-20 ton range or more. Moulds are cut so that there are not large, empty spaces to one side which can easily be used to adapt the sprue at some indefined time in the future, but that maximum available space is used - possibly getting multiple sprues out in a single cycle, or making all the sprues necessary for a single model which are then cut into sepperate sprues and boxed.

Therefore any alterations to existing models requires either throwing away the mould that has been used, and may be towards the end of it's life anyway, or making a mould for just the extra bits. Adjusting existing moulds is expensive, does not guarantee results, and certainly will be met with complaints from the consumer as the new bits will be that little bit sharper and better moulded than the old ones. Much better to make a complete new mould, especially if the old one is near the end of it's life.

This may be, in fact, the deciding factor of why GW releases a new codex/range of models when they do. Why have a brand new mould made of a Tau Devilfish that is exactly the same as the previous version if in a years time they are going to replace it with something that requires a couple of extra bits and incorporate the Hammerhead sprue at the same time, thus reducing the need to have different boxes printed, quality control ensuring that Devilfish go in Devilfish boxes, not Hammerhead ones, etc.

This is undoubtedly why GW are releaseing the new Necron models in boxes that can make either of two variants - it saves them money, time, and hassle.

if there really is a new tau army i just see one major problem. at their core they are (i believe) a shooting army. they are going to have to get real creative cause well.... how in the world are they going to deal with space marine drop pods?

cant really get excited for even this casue well the current codex is crap and the whole idea behind them being a shooty army just got done all wrong. eldar do it so much better.

hopefully thoughh they get something to deal with marine drop pod lists

Rather than shoehorning assault auxillaries into the list to cover the glaring CC inadequacies, I would rather see improved defensive measures that adversely affected the capacity to assault or move by the enemy. Weapon drones that take advantage of rumored overwatch shots of 6th ed to pin assualting troops before they even get moving. I don't always want to see every troops type in every list, but I think that there are ways to control each phase of the game by manipulating existing machanics.

notprop wrote:That would suit [geddit!] me down to the ground as I have an almost complete Tau Army on the sprue in storage awaiting a revamp. The problem being that I'm sure GW will sell the battlesuit as a small box again meaning that most of the options will be across a number of small sprues. I'm not sure I have seen that type of thing available as a sprue only option from GW (just the vehicle acessories?).

Anyway, who are we kidding GW want to sell more new kits not allow you to reuse your existing ones.

Now since we are wish listing other than revised battlesuits (if GW even change them! )I would like to see;
Decent HQ options other than the Crisis,
Human Auxillaries (surely these must be fairly common in the Empire by now + GW sell more cadians!),
Weird one but vehicle transport options for Kroot - a bit fluffy but I think they might pick up the occassional chimera or whatever whilst Merc-ing about the universe and allow better integrated support than just Krootox
Troops options - they mush have developed support weaponry by now!
Seeker missiles for 5pts or as an unlimited (one use per markerlight per turn for a single squad) vehicle option for say 15pts - that way you can load up and have AT support the ground troops. At 10pts I'm reticent to use them.

The Tau fluff states that they specifically try to equip every firewarrrior as well as possible and don't believe in squad support weaponry for that reason. Why give one guy a str7 weapon when the whole squad deserves a 30" str5 upgrade! Of course, as the Necron rumors show, fluff can change significantly with a new codex so maybe they'll change their mind.

The Tau crisis suit current design doesn't fit the style of the other vehicles in the army. While the various fish, drones, and stealth suits have curvy design features, the crisis suits (and broadsides) are too blocky. Forgeworld hit the design nail on the head with their take on the suits and I hope that any redesign basically copies theirs. While I'm not a big fan of the newer hazard suits, I do see something like that entering the codex as well.

I'd love to see some sort of "Anti aircraft fire" abillity where Tau get a round of shooting against incoming deep strikers. I think they had something similar in Planetstrike (or maybe Cities of Death?)

And since they dont have any sort of psychic powers (and I'd like to see it stay that way) I'd like to see them have a psychic resistance, sort of like how dwarfs in fantasy get extra defense dice against magic.

It would also be great if Ethereals were useful and gave some sort of different inspirational buffs to firewarriors etc, like for one round a unit of firewarriors gets to reroll failed hits in the shooting phase or something like that.

Anyway, back on topic, in past rumor posts Demiurge seemed like a good solution to Tau's inablity to actually defend objectives. Also, the rumor that markerlights would be streamlined/simplified would be kinda nice too.

I haven't liked the way the Ethereals have worked in either codex, and I think the models have been even worse with the pinacle of terrible inspiration being the pope mobile. I would like GW to revisit the enite concept of Ethreals and overhaul the imagery and application of this HQ unit.

Every time someone mentions an IG wave I cringe. This would be...what...their 4th wave? What about Tyranids, eh? Still not even had a 2nd wave.

Tau would be a simple update for rules but the standard Imperial/Xenos sales plan would not allow a Xenos/Xenos release. HERESY.

Drop pods aren't dangerous to Tau. Proper deployment with kroot actually can cripple the army before they get started. I've been killing drop pod lists since they were introduced.

The imperial guard is the Hydra, the griffon and other bombardment type tank and the plastic storm troopers. There is a thread on it on warseer.

I have three painted ethereals and honestly, I can't tell you how that even happened. The rumors from awhile back was that ethereals will be getting a major overhaul, but I think Tau in general (rules wise) will be so different as to be mind blowing. I look forward to the death of the current castle method that bores me to tears.

I'm hoping tau get a host of deployment methods including coming in from the opponents board edge. In the background they always talk about vertical envelopment, and hunters attacking. I hope Tau end up with an army that plays very well from reserve to disrupt the enemy. Deploying on the table and getting into a shooting war is very IG, not tau, IMHO. But we'll see, I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever they do.

I kinda take hope that Tau will be getting a new codex soon because the only finecast model they have gotten was/is the sniper drones. That was welcomed due to the fact metal sniper drones fall and when the do they fall hard. It would be nice to have Tau be a 6th edition release because that would allow me to order some forgeworld models but at the same time if they are pre-6th then I would know what to buy from forgeworld and what not to.

Some rumours from Warseer:

DuskRaider wrote:Last I heard was Tau were next (whenever that may be), then Chaos. Eldar are supposed to be coming shortly after that.

ghost21 wrote:It matches what I've heard.

I think a new mercenary race is obligatory. Demiurg /wishlist.

No need to wishlist there.

Frgt/10 wrote:All the new Tau models are done; Dave Thomas worked on them for roughly 18 months and he's finished them all now.
They're just waiting for a releases slot, I don't now when that is but my guess it is has since been locked in since I found out this info.

Harry wrote:@Frgt/10 : I can't believe you blabbed.
(In fact ... I only know about this because I asked someone when was I going to see something else from Dave for Fantasy and was told not for a while because he had been on one 40K project for the last 18 months )
As you know I don't know much about 40K and so couldn't possibly shed any light on what it might be but ....
... amongst other things ... Dave has been working on something pretty big. (Helpful as always. )

Also Frgt/10 is correct in that Dave Thomas has been exclusiely on Tau for 18 months but he is not 100% correct. Whilst MOST of the models are done. My understanding is Dave Thomas still had some bits and bobs to do. (i am guessing finishing characters?)

But even so that means they could be in the next six months.

(But I am not expecting them quite this soon).

Frgt/10 wrote:also Harry I heard down here that he was 100% done with them, hence why he was in oz for GD. Or have you heard otherwise in the last month or so?

Mirbeau wrote:Bang on, a new vehicle besides characters to finish with, they've had it an age but can't decide on it's weapons load-out! That could be for a bit later mind. 6 months is a bit too soon, 8-10 from what I've heard.

Edit - I was quite confident that Alex Hedstrom had got involved for this too?

Harry wrote:Oh, Dave has not been working on his own.

I don't know when they are released.
I just said six months could be possible.
I have them for the early summer in my, constantly updated, release schedule as the release right before 6th Edition
(I just don't take the same interest in 40k to have nailed it down).

These rumours are hugely exciting, I wonder how many models 18 months hard work gets you...

More if there are dual kits

Obviously you are free to not answer or may not know but there is only one thing I want to know how many new alien auxilaries and I don't mean new units of Vespid/Kroot I mean new species? Pretty please

More.
OK, OK ... What I heard was ... 'The Empire is expanding to include more races' (Plural)
So that would suggest at least two "More".

ghost21 wrote:The demiurg are there as are a bizzare race, the vespid get 2 slots, and the kroot get an additional.
The guy on the left well, they have plans for him:

The Dude wrote:

Oddly, GW tends to nerf troops choices people actually use. The lack of fire warriors in almost every list these days makes me wonder if they might be improved.

The rumored changes for 6th edition will improve them a bit.
Additional rapid fire shots at long range. A gunline putting out 20 S5 shots at 30" would be rather nasty IMO (and that's just 1 squad).
I don't know what their range will be, but taking them as they are now, under the rumoured changes to rapid fire weapons, Fire Warriors will get double shots at max range (30" if that's what it is) if they stand still. That makes them a fair whack better IMO.

I just can't do Tau. I hate their models, especially those suits. Look like gak to me.

notprop for the scoop then!

Thanks for the collation Kroot.

That four armed merc/auxillary seems to have his pick of weapons from across the galaxy! Not sure I like the sketch that much (four arms is mutey territory I tells ya!) but time will tell how that translates to a mini.

Not seen one of those crystaline pistols sinec RT and Harlequins.

Just a thought, but with Vespid, Kroot, that character up there and possibly Demigurg, could Tau be fielded only using mercenaries?

deejaybainbridge wrote:

Prodigalson wrote:They did the same thing at the close of 4th edition. We got CSM in Sept 2008, then Orks in Jan 2008, Chaos Demons in May 2008 and 5th edition in the summer then Space Marine in October 2008. Three codexes that year.
So we got 3 Codexes for 2008
Then got 2 codexs in 2009 (Guard/Space Wolves)
Then got 3 for 2010 (Tyranids, Blood Angels, DE)
Then got 2 for 2011 (Grey Knights, Necrons) Sisters of battle

I think we're about due for a 3 year.

We got three, in a sense.

So the oldest 4th edition codex is Orks?

Nope Eldar got released 2006-2007 didn't they?

Wow, this is getting JUICY!

Do I get any apology from all the people who told me to "f*** off" when I said that Mantic making Forgefathers is a sure sign GW have got Demiurg on the way?

The remark by Ghost21 is currious in referral to Demigurge as 'bizzarre', which makes me wonder if they will resemble a short, stocky, beared humanoid.

Kendo wrote:The remark by Ghost21 is currious in referral to Demigurge as 'bizzarre', which makes me wonder if they will resemble a short, stocky, beared humanoid.

It wouldn't match concept sketches...

Well, a pciture is worth a thousand words.
Perhaps the brow feathers and heavily scaled skull plus its role is what lead to the 'bizzare comment.

Holy crap, substantial rumors! That concept art is pretty cool too. That's sooner than I thought Tau would come out, but great to hear. That also means two xenos races in a row? That's pretty far out.

*Sorry*

Let me remind everyone that "grain of salt" responses are spam and will be treated accordingly. Thanks ~Manchu

If only this had also applied to wish list posts too. I guess the "news and rumors" have all been posted already.

On the basis that most things get cheaper in points while RRP goes in the opposite direction, I don't think that you will be disappointed!

Tau codex would be great. Just the hope alone gives me incentive to finish my current Tau projects.

The word "bizare" when used by Ghost21 wasn't in reference to the Demiurg, but to the other four armed crazy wild man concept art.