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I have been looking at the rules again and I think I have confused myself

Some units can allow the inclusion of Drone models through its own data sheet. The codex refers to these Drones as accompanying Drones

The data sheet for Tactical Drones states "Note that this data sheet is also used for Tactical Drones that accompany many T’au Empire units (see Drone Support,below)."

Under Drone Support "Tactical Drones often accompany other T’au Empire units. In such instances,a unit’s datasheet will instruct you if,and how many, Tactical Drones may accompany it.Tactical Drones included in your army in this way have the Battlefield Role of the unit they accompany."

"Tactical Drones included in your army in this way have the Battlefield Role of the unit they accompany"
This reads to me as though we are allowed to purchase a Tactical Drone Unit but instead of being a Fast Attack choice it counts a "X" choice instead. "X" beings the same type as the unit use to purchase the Drones.

So when I purchase a Commander and choose to have two Shield Drones accompany him, they become a Tactical Drone unit, comprised of two Shield Drones, that are a HQ selection.
Does this count as our two HQ selections for a Battalion Detachment?

For lists that have a Cadre Fireblade and Commander both with two drones each in a Battalion Detachment, does this mean they have four HQ choices when you are limited to three?

Cheers

No they do not count towards the detachment minimums

Accompanying drones do not take up any slots in the detachment but they still have a battlefield role. This is because drones accompanying troops will also be troops and get the objective taking rule.

From page 88 of Codex T'au:

After deployment, units of accompanying Drones are treated as having the Battlefield Role of the unit they accompany...

 Ghaz wrote:
From page 88 of Codex T'au:

After deployment, units of accompanying Drones are treated as having the Battlefield Role of the unit they accompany...

Didn't read the OP, did you? That in no way answers the question posed.

To OP: no, the lists aren't illegal, because despite being instructed that these units have the Battlefield Role of the units they were purchased to accompany, they are not stated as taking up a slot in a detachment when purchased this way.

 Larks wrote:

 Ghaz wrote:
From page 88 of Codex T'au:

After deployment, units of accompanying Drones are treated as having the Battlefield Role of the unit they accompany...

Didn't read the OP, did you? That in no way answers the question posed.

To OP: no, the lists aren't illegal, because despite being instructed that these units have the Battlefield Role of the units they were purchased to accompany, they are not stated as taking up a slot in a detachment when purchased this way.

Yes, it does answer his question. You don't check to see if you have a legal army list after you've deployed.

 Ghaz wrote:
Yes, it does answer his question. You don't check to see if you have a legal army list after you've deployed.

I'm sure all tournament organizers wait into players' armies are deployed before checking to see if their lists are legal, and that nobody checks lists in any games (tournament or otherwise) before starting deployment.

 doctortom wrote:

 Ghaz wrote:
Yes, it does answer his question. You don't check to see if you have a legal army list after you've deployed.

I'm sure all tournament organizers wait into players' armies are deployed before checking to see if their lists are legal, and that nobody checks lists in any games (tournament or otherwise) before starting deployment.

Regardless, checking if you have a legal army list is done pre-game, when the drones were not treated as having the battlefield role of the unit they were accompanying.

Actually, at that point they are one unit. So there is no Drone Unit to check.

Yeah detachment legality (and stuff like rule of 3) are checked on your pre-game list, not what you have on the table at any given time.

This is no different from summoned units or Space Marine combat squads.

 Ghaz wrote:

Regardless, checking if you have a legal army list is done pre-game, when the drones were not treated as having the battlefield role of the unit they were accompanying.

Sorry, brainfarted and missed the "don't" in your previous statement, and thought you were saying you check after deployment. Long day.