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Is there an errata around or reasoning that savior protocols don't work with Tau vehicles?

 infamousxiii wrote:
Is there an errata around or reasoning that savior protocols don't work with Tau vehicles?

Saviour Protocols don't work for vehicles because the rules say so. The rules explicitly say "If a <SEPT> DRONES unit is within 3" of a friendly <SEPT> INFANTRY or <SEPT> BATTLESUIT unit when an enemy attack successfully wounds it..." To my knowlege no T'au units that have the VEHICLE keyword also have either the INFANTRY or BATTLESUIT keyword.

Not sure what the rules question here is.

I think the rules question here is why do they not have a rule protecting their vehicles.


As for the answer, only Codex: Tau will answer you good sir.

Aww shucks. Feels like Tau are in a bad spot right now. Hopefully the codex brings some hope.

Tau aren't actually that bad, one of the stronger index armies for sure if you build them in specific ways.

Currently a Tau player is in second place overall in the Louisianna 40k state series. (6 undefeated games)


If you ignore their vehicle choices completely you can do quite well.

 Eihnlazer wrote:
Tau aren't actually that bad, one of the stronger index armies for sure if you build them in specific ways.

Currently a Tau player is in second place overall in the Louisianna 40k state series. (6 undefeated games)


If you ignore their vehicle choices completely you can do quite well.

I mean, this means less and less as there get to be fewer index factions, though.

Orks, Sisters, and GSC probably take top slot for index factions currently, they're the only ones I've seen actually placing semi-consistently in lists at major GTs.

Then yeah, Tau are the only other one I've seen of the factions that still are in the indexes. Barring Ynnari if you count them, but they're gone now essentially.

That leaves Dark Eldar, Wolves, and Harlequins, and then just "misc imperial". and if we're talking about "misc imperial" then we should mention how potent assassins have been in the tournament scene and how frequently they turn up in lists...

So at best middle of the pack for indexes, which are solidly the bottom third-ish of armies currently, usually below the weak codexes and seen much less often than the stronger ones.

It's because... well, the reason is... surely there's a good explanation... erm...

There's none. Just mechanical limitations that AGAIN make suits way better than vehicles.

Tau Drones view Tau vehicles as arrogant, so refuse to help them.

Software bug, the Drones waste too much time calculating where the shot’s going to hit the vehicle because of the Tau vehicle’s large surface areas, so they just sort of freeze up in midair and drop like a rock. After a few casualties from glitched-out drones hitting infantry in the head, Earth Caste IT decided to disable that feature until they could develop a workaround for the freezing.

 Vector Strike wrote:
It's because... well, the reason is... surely there's a good explanation... erm...

There's none. Just mechanical limitations that AGAIN make suits way better than vehicles.

Tau tanks* have BS3+, which allows them to get a 97% chance to hit, as opposed to a suit's maximum of 78%.

(the Stormsurge and Razorshark can also do this)

Fluffwise, I would say it's because the drones' IA is set to try and save the life of a Tau, but doesn't care about other machines (although you could argue that a vehicle exploding results in many dead Taus).
Gamewise, it would be way too powerful, as savior protocol is a lot better on multi-damage, good AP weapons that on single damage ones, which is precisely what you aim at vehicles.

There is a way to protect Longstrike by having Crisis bodyguard nearby to soak up damage into mortal wounds which you can then daisy-chain onto nearby drones IIRC.

Verviedi wrote:Software bug, the Drones waste too much time calculating where the shot’s going to hit the vehicle because of the Tau vehicle’s large surface areas, so they just sort of freeze up in midair and drop like a rock. After a few casualties from glitched-out drones hitting infantry in the head, Earth Caste IT decided to disable that feature until they could develop a workaround for the freezing.

fresus wrote:Fluffwise, I would say it's because the drones' IA is set to try and save the life of a Tau, but doesn't care about other machines (although you could argue that a vehicle exploding results in many dead Taus).
Gamewise, it would be way too powerful, as savior protocol is a lot better on multi-damage, good AP weapons that on single damage ones, which is precisely what you aim at vehicles.

Did you guys know that Ta'unar KX139 can be protected by drones too?

Alcibiades wrote:

 Vector Strike wrote:
It's because... well, the reason is... surely there's a good explanation... erm...

There's none. Just mechanical limitations that AGAIN make suits way better than vehicles.

Tau tanks* have BS3+, which allows them to get a 97% chance to hit, as opposed to a suit's maximum of 78%.

(the Stormsurge and Razorshark can also do this)

But suits have way greater rate of fire, which is king in warhammer. Also, they don't have expendable ammunition. Ah, and they have deep strike.
Also those good chances to hit are dependable on markerlights - which are flimsy and easily removable.