Tau Rumours

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**pretre**

DakkaHammer wrote:
Have they ever taken a weapon/unit that has been the same for two versions of the codex and super-nerfed it before?

Sure, just take a look at Codex: Tyranids.

**MechaBeast**

I think the rail "cannon" will be for the vehicle versions of the gun. This way there is a clear distinction in terms between the ones mounted on the broadsides and one mounted on a Hammerhead that can shoot in a straight line and or sub-munition.

Just thinking out loud

**wyomingfox**

pretre wrote:
DakkaHammer wrote:
Have they ever taken a weapon/unit that has been the same for two versions of the codex and super-nerfed it before?

Sure, just take a look at Codex: Tyranids.

Deathspitter: Strength 6, Assault, Blast nerfed to Strength 5, Assault 3
Barbed Strangler: Strength 8, Assault, Large Blast nerfed to Strength 6, Assault, Large Blast

**Micky**

MechaBeast wrote:
I think the rail "cannon" will be for the vehicle versions of the gun. This way there is a clear distinction in terms between the ones mounted on the broadsides and one mounted on a Hammerhead that can shoot in a straight line and or sub-munition.

Just thinking out loud

Yeah, given that they're so vastly different in size

**Archonate**

I'll be shocked if Railguns don't get the ability to draw a line. Such a mechanic would be realistic as far as what a real Railgun would do. A projectile that travels several miles per second is not going to simply be stopped dead in its tracks by the likes of some dinky Land Raider.

**DakkaHammer**

Archonate wrote:
I'll be shocked if Railguns don't get the ability to draw a line. Such a mechanic would be realistic as far as what a real Railgun would do. A projectile that travels several miles per second is not going to simply be stopped dead in its tracks by the likes of some dinky Land Raider.

Unless you roll a 3.

**pretre**

via Anonymous playtest Comments on Faeit 212 wrote:
I tested this battlesuit. That startling is correct, the 4+ invul. Comes from a shield generator. It does not have Inteceptor/skyfire

the "Big Battle Suit" I tested was noted as being on the large oval base, it's picture showed that it is VERY similar in design to the Golden Daemon Bot. It comes with the Rail Cannons if you would like for it to. It has BS 4 similar to the Hammerhead. It again, follows that profile. People are wondering is what it offers instead of the Broadsides. First, it's more flexible. Second, it can't be instant deathed (by high strength weaponry). Lastly, broadsides have gone up in cost slightly. What do broadsides provide? Dedicated anti tank and more railguns for the price. I find it likely that more dedicated tau armies will opt for the "Big Battlesuit" and more allied contingents will opt for broadsides.

**Kilkrazy**

pretre wrote:
Absolutely, because there's no way that a projectile could pile right through one object and into another in a straight line.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, although obviously it would be rare, just that it is a stupid, childish combat mechanic.

A railgun projectile usually wouldn't go through anything solid because it gets vapourised on hitting the target, which is what does the damage. What might shoot out the other side is a cone-shaped cloud of super-hot gas and spall debris. Should the railgun be give the ability to create a small blast opposite the hit point on a target, to reflect this?

**pretre**

Ooh. That'd be kind of cool. Maybe a flamer template out the other side of the unit.

**MechaBeast**

pretre wrote:
via Anonymous playtest Comments on Faeit 212 wrote:
I tested this battlesuit. That startling is correct, the 4+ invul. Comes from a shield generator. It does not have Inteceptor/skyfire

the "Big Battle Suit" I tested was noted as being on the large oval base, it's picture showed that it is VERY similar in design to the Golden Daemon Bot. It comes with the Rail Cannons if you would like for it to. It has BS 4 similar to the Hammerhead. It again, follows that profile. People are wondering is what it offers instead of the Broadsides. First, it's more flexible. Second, it can't be instant deathed (by high strength weaponry). Lastly, broadsides have gone up in cost slightly. What do broadsides provide? Dedicated anti tank and more railguns for the price. I find it likely that more dedicated tau armies will opt for the "Big Battlesuit" and more allied contingents will opt for broadsides.

I'm saddened by the cost upgrade, but in a meta game of alliances, who wouldn't want to take a Broadside for some anti tank.

I'm trying to reason why it would make a difference between a dedicated tau army would take the Mech vs an alliance army taking broadsides.

**HoverBoy**

Because Broadsides can be taken in units and i guess the new thing will be solo (not counting drones).

**Savageconvoy**

So... Giant walker with two railcannons and a good save. Where does this leave the hammerhead?

**Kevin949**

Savageconvoy wrote:
So... Giant walker with two railcannons and a good save. Where does this leave the hammerhead?

Who knows? Though it's still a higher AV than this purposed walker. Maybe there's weapon options available to the hammerhead only. Maybe it's not in the same FOC slot as this walker.

**MechaBeast**

Kevin949 wrote:
Savageconvoy wrote:
So... Giant walker with two railcannons and a good save. Where does this leave the hammerhead?

Who knows? Though it's still a higher AV than this purposed walker. Maybe there's weapon options available to the hammerhead only. Maybe it's not in the same FOC slot as this walker.

If the playtesters rules stay as is, it sounds like it will have MC rules

**Tauownz**

If it's a MC, where does it fall? Elite choice, heavy support, possibly HQ w/ battlesuits as troops. If it's heavy support, will it compete with the FW turreted hammerheads or broadsides. They' re both devastating. I'm anxious for anything Tau at this point. Bring on 2013.

**hotsauceman1**

What about on a roll of a 6 to hit, the thing makes a traight line?

**Kevin949**

MechaBeast wrote:
Kevin949 wrote:
Savageconvoy wrote:
So... Giant walker with two railcannons and a good save. Where does this leave the hammerhead?

Who knows? Though it's still a higher AV than this purposed walker. Maybe there's weapon options available to the hammerhead only. Maybe it's not in the same FOC slot as this walker.

If the playtesters rules stay as is, it sounds like it will have MC rules

Even more of a reason then, Hammerhead can't fall victim to tesseracht labyrinths or Time's Arrow or Eternity Gated (three immediate examples I can think of of abilities that remove models, bypass eternal warrior, and don't care about toughness).

**Archonate**

Kilkrazy wrote:
pretre wrote:
Absolutely, because there's no way that a projectile could pile right through one object and into another in a straight line.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, although obviously it would be rare, just that it is a stupid, childish combat mechanic.

A railgun projectile usually wouldn't go through anything solid because it gets vapourised on hitting the target, which is what does the damage. What might shoot out the other side is a cone-shaped cloud of super-hot gas and spall debris. Should the railgun be give the ability to create a small blast opposite the hit point on a target, to reflect this?

I'm not sure that's how the physics work, unless you're thinking of a specific type of ammunition specially designed to fragment in such a way. But everything we read says Tau use a solid projectile just like the U.S. Navy's railgun prototype. I suppose the projectile could break, but it's not going to vaporize. The explosive force and plasma plumes follow in the wake of the projectile... According to all the footage I've seen anyway.

**RogueRegault**

Archonate wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:
pretre wrote:
Absolutely, because there's no way that a projectile could pile right through one object and into another in a straight line.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, although obviously it would be rare, just that it is a stupid, childish combat mechanic.

A railgun projectile usually wouldn't go through anything solid because it gets vapourised on hitting the target, which is what does the damage. What might shoot out the other side is a cone-shaped cloud of super-hot gas and spall debris. Should the railgun be give the ability to create a small blast opposite the hit point on a target, to reflect this?

I'm not sure that's how the physics work, unless you're thinking of a specific type of ammunition specially designed to fragment in such a way. But everything we read says Tau use a solid projectile just like the U.S. Navy's railgun prototype. I suppose the projectile could break, but it's not going to vaporize. The explosive force and plasma plumes follow in the wake of the projectile... According to all the footage I've seen anyway.

Projectiles do damage by transferring kinetic energy. If a projectile punches through a target and out the other side, than the energy is staying with the projectile.

**stubacca**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWZPp3aEjuM

It's a sales pitch, but hey, it's about railguns so it can't all be bad.

It starts off with the dart but eventually different ammunition will be developed for it. This is essentially the musket ball of future weapons, god help anyone on the receiving end!

**AtoMaki**

This "linear railgun" idea is ridiculous. A railgun can go through objects, but the bazillion times stronger laser beam of the Volcano Cannon can't? Come on

! And its not like the railgun is the most powerful AT in the game. We have Bastion-Breacher Shells for that job, and they aren't damage stuff in a line either.

Also, if the playtester rumours about the big-battlesuit are true, then we will finally have something solid against CronAir other than the Aegis Quad Gun. Interceptor/Skyfire Railguns on a high-Toughness platform with a 4+ invu? Yes please!

**DakkaHammer**

AtoMaki wrote:
This "linear railgun" idea is ridiculous. A railgun can go through objects, but the bazillion times stronger laser beam of the Volcano Cannon can't? Come on ! And its not like the railgun is the most powerful AT in the game. We have Bastion-Breacher Shells for that job, and they aren't damage stuff in a line either.

Because shells are designed to explode at the end of their journey, solid shot railgun ammunition isn't really. Same thing with the volcano cannon, it's a blast weapon. If the railgun put down a template then I don't think anyone would give a second thought to the shot continuing.

I have mixed feelings about railguns going in a line. On the one hand, it feels like the shot should just plow through whatever I shoot at when I roll a 6 or something, but drawing multiple 72" lines across the board is going to get tiresome quick. Especially if there's terrain in the way, or models that are really tall.

**Savageconvoy**

I don't think it's too absurd to get the linear railgun. I mean we are somewhat limited in our Anti-tank being restricted to HS. How many other armies can only take las cannons in the HS slot?

Might as well make the Railgun stand out more. Besides, it's nice to make the enemy really spread everything out to avoid lining up.

**HoverBoy**

Yes all AT is in HS, just look at all the vendettas, land speeders, dreadnoughts, lootas, hive guard, fire dragons and any others i forgot.

**Nagashek**

Micky wrote:
I really hope they dont start throwing Veritechs in there....

We dont need jetfighters that transform into battlesuits X_X

You shut your whore mouth! You bet your limey butt we do!

**Kevin949**

Keep in mind with a linear weapon that will also limit your ability to hit multiple units if you're in ruins or on battlements or something. Since, but definition you'll be firing in a straight line, if you're ever on uneven playing field with the enemy you'll be shooting down instead of straight.
Make sense?

**AtoMaki**

DakkaHammer wrote:

Same thing with the volcano cannon, it's a blast weapon.

The volcano fires a huge beam of of energy. It is the very definition of a "beam weapon".

**Shas'o_Longshot**

HoverBoy wrote:
Yes all AT is in HS, just look at all the vendettas, land speeders, dreadnoughts, lootas, hive guard, fire dragons and any others i forgot.

... Good job proving him right

Yes, all these things are in HS. If you want AT in the tau army, you're limited to fusion blasters. So it would be like any other army being unable to take long-ranged AT (like a lascannon) on anything not in their Heavy Support slot.

**Kilkrazy**

DakkaHammer wrote:
AtoMaki wrote:
This "linear railgun" idea is ridiculous. A railgun can go through objects, but the bazillion times stronger laser beam of the Volcano Cannon can't? Come on ! And its not like the railgun is the most powerful AT in the game. We have Bastion-Breacher Shells for that job, and they aren't damage stuff in a line either.

Because shells are designed to explode at the end of their journey, solid shot railgun ammunition isn't really. Same thing with the volcano cannon, it's a blast weapon. If the railgun put down a template then I don't think anyone would give a second thought to the shot continuing.

I have mixed feelings about railguns going in a line. On the one hand, it feels like the shot should just plow through whatever I shoot at when I roll a 6 or something, but drawing multiple 72" lines across the board is going to get tiresome quick. Especially if there's terrain in the way, or models that are really tall.

Exactly. Not to mention that real terrain is not the flatness of a tabletop.

**RogueRegault**

Nagashek wrote:
Micky wrote:
I really hope they dont start throwing Veritechs in there....

We dont need jetfighters that transform into battlesuits X_X

You shut your whore mouth! You bet your limey butt we do!

I'm holding out for the Water Caste pop-singer who holds concerts in the middle of battle.