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I am on the fence about if they would make it a gargantuam creature. Its not that much bigger than a tyrannofex or trygon. Certainly smaller than the bloodthrister. But it is clearly considered in the same category as knights and the wraithknight.

I actually think the tau will get nerfed. I know eldar might be the new precedent but I think that just shows that very different principles are going into each codex and theres no standard treatment.

Probebly, although that that nerf really needs to be is some points changes. For example, the IA should not be a 5 point upgrade on the HBC. Maybe some re-pricing on the upgrades as well.

That's what I'm hoping for. Take out the riptide and it's IA, and the tau is strong, but definitely not OP.


Edit: I certinaly hope they don't treat the tau codex like the eldar one. It's bad for the game, and we get enough hate already.

Honestly, it'll probably be a gargantuan. GW has learned one thing in 7th and it's that the only kits that sell are the ones they make either mandatory or colossally broken.

So it doesn't matter if it makes the riptide 100% better in cc than any cc focused non-colossal. If it'll sell expensive kits, it'll be a colossal and they can fix it later by blanket nerfing the colossal rules so they can sell other kits in 8th.

GWs general pattern is:

-new edition. Use the new rules to nerf whatever general thing is strong and buff whatever isn't strong. In 6th flyers and MCs were buffed.

-Release new strong things that fit the new strong categories. See 6th ed monstrous creature/flyerpalooza.

-Next edition: nerf all those strong things by nerfing the category and rinse and repeat.

I'm not sold on the gargantuan idea. The wraithknight is way taller than other MCs in the game (non-apocalypse), while the Riptide, as pointed out by the OP, is similar in size to tyranids MCs.

Also, I'm not sold on the nerf idea to the codex. They noticed how well Necrons sold, and the pattern may repeat with Eldar. SM will get a codex by June (regarding the newest rumour) and I doubt it will be weak. It's likely Tau will follow (as the next box will be RG x Tau) and the trend could continue.

It'll probably get a nerf, though. If Crisis receive a new model kit, they'll get quite a buff so they'll sell more. A lot of people already have Riptides (not me :()

 Vector Strike wrote:
I'm not sold on the gargantuan idea. The wraithknight is way taller than other MCs in the game (non-apocalypse), while the Riptide, as pointed out by the OP, is similar in size to tyranids MCs.

Also, I'm not sold on the nerf idea to the codex. They noticed how well Necrons sold, and the pattern may repeat with Eldar. SM will get a codex by June (regarding the newest rumour) and I doubt it will be weak. It's likely Tau will follow (as the next box will be RG x Tau) and the trend could continue.

It'll probably get a nerf, though. If Crisis receive a new model kit, they'll get quite a buff so they'll sell more. A lot of people already have Riptides (not me :()

Well, the Trygon used to be a GMC (a T7 one no less) before being brought down to MC status for the 5e book.

That's because it wasn't selling because it wasn't regular 40 k. GW sold a grand total of three apocalypse only models before apocalypse became a part of the normal game. Now it is and it's strong so every army gets one. See: sixth ed flyers.


Zero doubt in my mind the Ork Mini-stompa and riptide will be Gargles before 8th drops and nerfs gargles/supers.

 Kain wrote:

 Vector Strike wrote:
I'm not sold on the gargantuan idea. The wraithknight is way taller than other MCs in the game (non-apocalypse), while the Riptide, as pointed out by the OP, is similar in size to tyranids MCs.

Also, I'm not sold on the nerf idea to the codex. They noticed how well Necrons sold, and the pattern may repeat with Eldar. SM will get a codex by June (regarding the newest rumour) and I doubt it will be weak. It's likely Tau will follow (as the next box will be RG x Tau) and the trend could continue.

It'll probably get a nerf, though. If Crisis receive a new model kit, they'll get quite a buff so they'll sell more. A lot of people already have Riptides (not me :()

Well, the Trygon used to be a GMC (a T7 one no less) before being brought down to MC status for the 5e book.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the Trygon is a GC in the next Tyranid codex. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if they become a GC brood of 1-3.

the_scotsman wrote:
That's because it wasn't selling because it wasn't regular 40 k. GW sold a grand total of three apocalypse only models before apocalypse became a part of the normal game. Now it is and it's strong so every army gets one. See: sixth ed flyers.


Zero doubt in my mind the Ork Mini-stompa and riptide will be Gargles before 8th drops and nerfs gargles/supers.

I bought a Stormlord back before it was a mandatory part of 40k (pre-Escalation period) because I thought it was a cool model. GW may trying to shoehorn these colossal models into the regular game (or things that don't make sense on a tiny battlefield like fighter jets and bombers), and it may have increased sales of those kits, but I think it's coming at the expense of sales overall as people lose interest.

I think the Riptide is pretty fine where it sits. It's on the upper end of what I (personally) feel is reasonable for the game before you start getting into Apocalypse-scale stuff (things like Knights are a good example of that).

I wouldn't say it's impossible to handle a super in a regular game, I just think super rules need some tweaking. For starters, there should be a 25% total point value limit on them, stuff like 5 WK lists and Adlance is just slowed in 2k games. My last 2k game I played Eldar vs my AdMech and we brought a knight and a WK to the table. Neither paid back their points and both were killed by something other than the opposing super.

Well, if Eldar are any indication the Riptide will become a Gargantuan Creature, but don't worry the Ion Accelerator will cost 20 pts and be strength D...

I mean the Wraithknight became a GC, gaining FNP, independent targets, Poison resistance, ID resistance, Strength D, and Smash.... so over 50% increase in durability, Strength D, improved CC, all for a 23% increase in points....


I've sold everything but my Farsight... part of me hopes they really break the Tau dex and make the Riptides broken GCs... so I'll get more money when I sell them.

My advice, just don't be an ass. If you don't play "broken" tactics there is not problem. I play mobile tau, and people play against me just fine. If people don't play you just because you are playing tau without knowing the contents of your army, tell them to go feth themselves.

I vote home.

 Accolade wrote:

the_scotsman wrote:
That's because it wasn't selling because it wasn't regular 40 k. GW sold a grand total of three apocalypse only models before apocalypse became a part of the normal game. Now it is and it's strong so every army gets one. See: sixth ed flyers.


Zero doubt in my mind the Ork Mini-stompa and riptide will be Gargles before 8th drops and nerfs gargles/supers.

I bought a Stormlord back before it was a mandatory part of 40k (pre-Escalation period) because I thought it was a cool model. GW may trying to shoehorn these colossal models into the regular game (or things that don't make sense on a tiny battlefield like fighter jets and bombers), and it may have increased sales of those kits, but I think it's coming at the expense of sales overall as people lose interest.

I think the Riptide is pretty fine where it sits. It's on the upper end of what I (personally) feel is reasonable for the game before you start getting into Apocalypse-scale stuff (things like Knights are a good example of that).

I agree! Each edition seems to bring another APOC unit into the game unnecesarily. When I started in 5th a Landraider was a beast of a tank and now when I am looking to units to move my Zeerkers around I look to a Spartan Assault tank because I need the extra firepower an HP. I would love to see the game move back to MSU of troops and not a massave bring all the superbig super power units.

Making the riptide GMC won't change the fact that tau players lack anti-tank outside of fusion guns. Hammerheads currently are extra bad at killing tanks, they might get D treatment, but it will only help slightly.

I would argue we will see a tau codex during the next edition or one that heralds the changes coming in the next edition.

A riptide as a gargantuan creature would make them incredibly strong in CC (dat stomp) which is the opposite of how Tau are suppose to be. They might make the Riptide's nova charged ion accelerator fire a focused shot as Str D or its current S9 large blast.

Hammerheads might become Str D on their rail guns.

Not that GW should keep pushing Str D onto the game (I'll just use them as Str10 AP1).

 Vankraken wrote:
A riptide as a gargantuan creature would make them incredibly strong in CC (dat stomp) which is the opposite of how Tau are suppose to be. They might make the Riptide's nova charged ion accelerator fire a focused shot as Str D or its current S9 large blast.

Hammerheads might become Str D on their rail guns.

Not that GW should keep pushing Str D onto the game (I'll just use them as Str10 AP1).

Str D should be reserved for only the largest baddest weapons...

Lately I think GW has been working with Oprah while rules writing.. "You get the D, you get the D, and you get the D. You all get the big D!"

If you know what I mean .

No, bad, stop that.


I don't really think S: D has any place in 40k. It should stay in apoc, where it belongs. Same for Gargantuan and super-heavy.

Agreed. Although the designers seem super intent on making it nearly unavoidable. It really just messes things up.

 Co'tor Shas wrote:

I don't really think S: D has any place in 40k. It should stay in apoc, where it belongs. Same for Gargantuan and super-heavy.

100X this! Dont get me wrong I love super heavies and S: D weapons.... in APOC games. Running 2 squads of Trukk Boys up to be Vaporised by the new flavor of S: D Boltguns is getting a little too much.

I doubt they would go from MC to GC. I could definitely see the Hammerhead going Str D, but unless it gets more than 1 shot it will still sit on the shelf.

I'm hoping they make points adjustments to all suits and give us the option for stealth suits in Troops. Devilfish cost needs to be reduced. They also need to make our flyers more deadly so that they are worth taking. Make Vespid useful would be nice too.

I'm not sold on the Riptide becoming a GMC, mainly because of the size. At least the WK is an appropriate size, a Riptide couldn't physically do a stomp attack based on model.

Now the Riptide getting a Str D shot is another matter all together, and I fully expect that the overcharged shot will be Str D.