I'm not sure I like ethereals.

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**Jaxler**

They seem like a big risk and can die quickly at a great cost. They seem to either go big or go home, which I don't like. I also find the idea of a guy in robes and no armor going out and being a field commander when snipers and what not are about is just plain foolish. The fact they have no real armor on, and exposed head just irks me, it's like begging to get picked off by a guy with a scope (a have a similar problem with any model that follows the logic of no helmet = higher rank. Since when did lower rank = less protection?)

I realize a fireblade can't do nearly as much, but they seem less likely to lose you the game, make the fire warrior team shoot twice at full range and actually bring armor (even if they don't have a helmet on the standard model). I know an ethereal is viable and a solid choice, but I just don't like the play style/fluff behind having one on the battle field when a fireblade makes for more sense from a logical perspective.

**kingbobbito**

A wise prophet needs not armor, for the Greater Good will protect him.... or some crap like that I assume.

**the_kraken**

If you keep him behind your other units, he's much less likely to die. I only use Ethereals when I run a gunline and I usually bring an ADL which adds to the bodies that I already stick him behind. It's all about proper use of cover and playing it safe.

**Roknar**

Chalk it up to faith I guess. Any tau on the battlefield would instantly recognize the ethereal and fight that much harder.

And vice versa he puts his faith in the rest of the army. And he has bodyguards and drones that would...wait for it... look out for him.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also the more prominent ones enjoy more protection that your run of the mill ethereal I guess.

**Co'tor Shas**

I don't really like etherials either. They do not work well with my army. Any ethereal is probably only going to effect one squad a turn they way I play, so it's not worth it to me.

**Roknar**

Not to mention tehy have the longest range firepower in the game, so a guy with a scope isn't any different than the entire tau gunline.

**Tamwulf**

He is cheap, and gives some nice buffs to a gunline. You just have to hide him well.

It's fun when you have a Cadre Fireblade and an Ethereal and an enemy unit at 15" of your Fire Warriors. 4 shots for all my friends! I call this formation the Tequila Buddies.

**Co'tor Shas**

Just imagine taking a shot for every time a gunline FW fired. You'd be dead at the end of the game.

**Vector Strike**

You have some options to protect the Ethereal:

1. Inside a unit. Riskier option, but he gets lots of wounds.
2. Behind impassable terrain. Barrage and scattering blasts notwithstanding, nothing else will be able to hurt him. Fast stuff/deep strike are a problem, of couse.
3. Inside a Devilfish. Speedy and resilient. Prone to explode, but won't kill him.
4. Inside a building. This is the most resistant place, but the one which will kill him if collapses (be sure to put him with a squad). I find the Imperial Bunker one of the most interesting options.

**Ratflinger**

I tend to spring for the Devilfish. Gives him a few inches extra range on his aura like effects.

**Toofast**

If you aren't using buffmander you're doing it wrong...

**Ratflinger**

That depends. If you are running a fire warrior heavy list you probably want an Ethereal. Not that there is a reason why you cannot have both.

**Jaxler**

Toofast wrote:
If you aren't using buffmander you're doing it wrong...

Who said I don't? You know you aren't limited to 1 HQ

**the_kraken**

Toofast wrote:
If you aren't using buffmander you're doing it wrong...

I can't remember the last time I used Buffmander and I'm on a winning streak.

**Co'tor Shas**

Yeah, I don't really like the buffmander either. To much invested in one unit for my playstyle.