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I searched but couldn't find so here it is.  Do Stealth and Broadside Shas'vres have access to "Special Issue" wargear?

Here's the setup.  I wrote a Tau Empire update for ABv2 and put it up for Download.  I got a request to allow the Stealth and Broadside Shas'vres access.  In the codex it specifically mentions the Commander, his bodyguard, and Crisis Shas'vres have access to the special stuff.  At fist, I thought that maybe they thought Stealth and Broadside Shas'vres with certain special issue stuff would be overpowered and that the 5 point upgrade was simply for the stat boost.  Now though, I'm thinking maybe it WAS a typo and that everyone is going to allow any Shas'vre access to the special goods.

So, I think we know what the RAW answer is.  What I'm looking for is a consensus on the regular playing method for those of us that use ABv2.

Thanks!

RAW obviously is that no, the Stealth and B'Side Shas'vre cannot get the special issue items.

As far as intent, etc. goes -- I know it's a weak argument -- I would say the following:

1. The CIB and Frag Launcher fit very nicely in range with the burst cannon, so are obvious choices for a Stealth suit.
2. Typos are equally likely in AB as in the codex. (Does AB actually count as official rules?)
3. On balance, I feel the codex is correct on this particular point.

However, I am not an ABv2 user as it's not available for Mac OSX (AFAIK...), so feel free to disregard my comment.

Edit: Ignore me. I'll just go and have another coffee...


(And no, Stealth and Broadside Shas'vres do not have access to SI items.)

Posted By Kilkrazy on 05/17/2006 4:09 PM
(Does AB actually count as official rules?)

Never.

AB is a list building tool, nothing more, nothing less.

Thanks to those who responded. In an effort to not draw this out any further I'll just end it here. It doesn't seem like this topic is of much interest anyways. I'll keep the file as is. In other words Stealths and Broadsides will continue to NOT have access to special issue wargear.

yea which is a shame, as broadsides are the only useful place to put a positional relay. if they can't have it, the item is useless (because of escalation)