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Now, I'm a gamer on a seriously tight budget - I can't actually afford the models to play 'proper' 40k, so I make paper proxies to use instead. I have yet to purchase the new Tau Codex, and realistically won't be able to buy it until I can either grab it dirt cheap or scab it from a friend.

I've made up the paper proxies for the new Tau models, however, being new models, there's some wargear and support systems that I don't recognise. Could someone with the new Tau codex please identify the following weapons and support systems - that way I can properly label the proxies in my 'archive'.

Thanks in advance:



1- Crisis Battlesuit Commander:


There's a Plasma Rifle on the arm, but I'm not sure about the rest



2- Broadside (Including Drones):

Definitely has a Rail Gun. Is that a twin-linked Plasma Rifle on his shoulder? Do those drones have Missile Pods? Do they have a different name - or are they still called Gun Drones?


3- Another Broadside:

Missile Pods or Smart Missiles? Twin-linked? How many guns?


4- Riptide 1:

Is that just a MASSIVE Burst Cannon? Is that a twin-linked plasma rifle underneath, or two plasma rifles? I can see the multi-tracker, am I missing anything else?


5- Riptide 2:

No idea here.



6- Pathfinder Squad (Circled Models):

What weapons are the circled Pathfinders carrying? I don't recognise the drones either.



7- Sun Shark 1:

Twin-linked Fusion Blaster underneath each wing? And is that a twin-linked Smart Missile System or Missile Pods on the tail?



8- Sun Shark 2:

I assume that's a Burst Cannon on the nose. Is the 'pointy thing' at the very back just decoration, or does it do something?





Thanks alot,


40k Pirate

Just get the codex man. People wont play you unless you have it.

Dakka is not a replacement for a codex.

^what they said

Step 1: Buy Codex
Step 2: Read Codex
Step 3: ?????????
Step 4: Profit (in knowledge)

Show me where in the codex it points out what the cyclic ion blaster and airbursting fragmentation projector look like. Codex doesnt even show you what the support bits are.

He is going to need to codex to play the models either way, so he might as well get it.

 shock_at wrote:
Show me where in the codex it points out what the cyclic ion blaster and airbursting fragmentation projector look like. Codex doesnt even show you what the support bits are.

Doesnt matter he shouldnt be playing the game with models he doesnt have the rules for and then coming here to get details on them

 40k Pirate wrote:
Now, I'm a gamer on a seriously tight budget -

You picked the wrong hobby... or you need to get a job son

Or play it online with Vassal.

actually, most codex do have a section in them that illistrates what each weapon looks like, and some background on it. i can only assume the new tau one does the same. at the VERY least, it will have a color "hobby" section that advertises "this is a fire warrior with this gun, or a crisis suit with this, riptide with that and so on.

IE: page 59, BA codex, page 23 eldar codex, and others (i dont have my cron, sm, older tau or DE books handy)

pick up the codex... it will answer the above questions, plus give you the rules, fluff, and whatnot... and you can be a proud owner of a 60$ hardback full color 100 page book that scratches that "must get new shiney" itch.


edit: also some of the newer boxes actually contain WORDS telling you what piece is what, and where it can go. I imagine that would be in place for things like crisis and riptide suits, and the vehicles. - but you have to buy the kits, or codex or both. on the same track the various digital products also likley have this info... again gotta pay for and download them first though

 shock_at wrote:
Show me where in the codex it points out what the cyclic ion blaster and airbursting fragmentation projector look like. Codex doesnt even show you what the support bits are.

I agree with everyone else in the thread. That said, I do get confused which bits are what sometimes since the Codex doesn't clearly identify them all. In fact, on the page where the Codex is identifying all these items, it has a picture of some dish looking thing but no context. It's just a "hey, look at this picture, it's supposed to be glued there. Donno what it is tho"

While I agree that you should have a codex for every army you play (and I will not play people unless they own one), this is indeed a confusing issue, and I think asking 'what is this' is perfectly valid even if you don't play the army. What's more, I DO own a Tau codex, and am mystified myself by some of these. Finally, while Dakka has a hard policy against quoting rules to people in lieu of them buying a codex, I don't really think identifying models/bits falls under that umbrella.

Soooo-

1. The Tau commander has a plasma rifle on his right arm, what I believe to be a cyclic ion blaster on his left, and a support system on his back that I cannot identify.

2. It's a heavy rail rifle in his hands. (Which is totally different from the rail gun you are used to!) That is indeed a twin-linked plasma rifle on his shoulder. Those drones do indeed have missiles, and are not gun drones. This picture is, unfortunately, clearly displaying things that are self-evident in the codex. In order to play the army, you really should buy one before you get anything else.

3. The second, green, Broadside is also using a new weapon that has been introduced in this codex. It's called a high-yield missile pod. (He's actually using two different kind of missile systems. The ones on his back are smart missiles.) This is another one that is only confusing without a codex, since there are clearly labeled pictures of it in there. Not judging you, you understand, just trying to emphasize the importance of the book.

4. The Riptide has all kinds of goodies on him. Yes, in broad strokes that is a hella big burst cannon, and twin-linked plasma rifles. And this one does indeed appear to be using a multi-tracker.

5. Here is one of those where I am a bit confused myself. I think that the main armament in this picture is the ion accelerator. All the Riptides come with a secondary weapon system, but for the life of me I cannot see it in this picture. He also appears to have an additional support system mounted on his shoulder.

6. Some of these confused me as well, but there is a picture in the codex that labels all the drones. (All three are new drone types that Pathfinders can take. Clockwise from the far right, the drones are the Grav-inhibitor, Pulse Accelerator, and Recon drones.) The Pathfinders you have circled are holding what I believe to be ion rifles, although I have not seen a clearly labled picture of them so cannot say for certainty. (However, the barrel shape and weapon profile matches other ion weaponry, so it seems to track.)

Hopefully this helps clear up some of the confusion, as well as show you all the new goodies that await in the recent codex.

You obviously need the codexx because most of what your asking about is stuff that becomes obvious......however......unfortunately the codex still doesnt have anywhere where it tells you what EVERY piece of wargear is supposed to represent

The codex is actually pretty sparse on providing pictures of what is what. But 90% of his questions, like regarding the Broadside suits, would be answered by looking at the unit entry and rules. Outside the XV8 suits Tau units don't have a million options each, so a little reading would tell you all you need to know.

See, if the OP had posted about "which support systems are which" I could understand. The problem is that all the pictures he identified are clearly stated in the codex (unlike the support systems)

HOWEVER; if the OP is working on a commission piece and doesn't own the rulebook, but still needs to assemble the models to paint for a client who has specified what items he wants on his models, I can see the issues the OP has, and as such I don't see a reason we should oppose explaining it to him (if for no other reason than it may help any person who works on commissions and happens to read this thread)

hotsauceman1 wrote:Just get the codex man. People wont play you unless you have it.

Yep, no-body has ever had a game of 40k without the latest codex.

pretre wrote:Dakka is not a replacement for a codex.

What exactly is Dakka a replacement for?

Somedude593 wrote:^what they said

A lot of thought went into this one. Yay! My post count just went higher!

Krellnus wrote:Step 1: Buy Codex
Step 2: Read Codex
Step 3: ?????????
Step 4: Profit (in knowledge)

Step 3: Regret buying "limited edition" codex?

hotsauceman1 wrote:He is going to need to codex to play the models either way, so he might as well get it.

Only in a tournament, or against an unknown opponent, or in a GW store - all of which are equally remote.

Somedude wrote: Doesnt matter he shouldnt be playing the game with models he doesnt have the rules for and then coming here to get details on them

I only come to Dakka to troll. What are you here for?

Belly wrote: You picked the wrong hobby... or you need to get a job son

Maybe he has a job. I have a good job, and I cant afford house repayments and this hobby at the same time.

Nice attitudes.
Did GW tell you to say that? Of course they did! Can't play this game unless you spend the $$$$$$.
I can see none of you have never proxied a new unit the see how they perform before forking out big bucks for the real thing.

Must be nice to have mommy buy you whatever you want.

Don't be butt-hurt, peer reviewed scientific research shows that the more well off you are is inversely proportional to your worth as a human being in things like honesty, trustworthiness and compassion.

The OP is just asking for identification, not the rules for them.
How about being just a little bit helpful before being a shill? Who knows, maybe they will enjoy the new models so much they might actually buy the new codex when the funds are available.
You might be so addicted to this hobby that you need to buy limited edition FineKirby belly button fluff that is only available by direct order (bitz sales on ebay is against God's will, remember?), but most people in the current economy have more important things to spend money on.

@OP
1- Crisis Commander:
On the other arm looks very similar to the Ion cannon from a Hammerhead tank, so I would guess its the Cyclic Ion Blaster (CIB)
The one on the back looks like a mortar - maybe its the Air bursting Fragmentation Projector (AFP)

2- Broadside
Definitely a twin-linked Plasma rifle on the shoulder. The drones are probably the Missile drones that have been quickly FAQ'd to be only available to the Broadside and Riptide battlesuits

3- Another Broadside
Smart missiles for the main armament, Smart missiles for the secondary armament, and a seeker missile on the back. There are only two weapon systems here, both SMS. Seeker missile is probably a wargear option the same as what a vehicle can take.

4- Riptide
Lots of stuff you are missing - the Riptide is completely new and has different options to the other battlesuits. There is a Heavy Burst cannon, a new Shield generator, and I guess twin-linked Plasma and access to the usual battlesuit armoury options.

5 - Riptide 2
A big Ion weapon, and obviously some Fusion Blasters underneath the Shield generator.

6 - Pathfinders get ion weapons now, like small versions of the ion cannon - just like the small versions of the rain gun they have.
The drones are all new - a burst cannon armed Recon Drone, a Pulse Accelerator Drone, and Grav-inhibiter Drone.

7- Sunshark 1
Those are twin-linked ion rifles under the wings, not fusion. They are actually on Drones that can detach from the aircraft similar to the gun drones on Devilfish. Missile pods on the tail, and a bomb underneath. This is the bomber version of the flyer.

8- Sunshark 2
This is the RazorShark fighter version. It has a quad ion turret on the tail and bigger jets instead of the drones on the wings.

All of this information is freely available on the GW website - look at the description of the kits in the Warhammer 40,000 Armies section (the shop).

I highly recommend the ATT website (AdvancedTauTactica.com) for all you Tau needs - be warned, the standard required of its members is high, but you will learn valuable insights and tactics that have kept the Tau competitive through the entire 5th edition without an updated codex. And you won't have to put up with the attitudes of the likes of the other people in this thread.

For the Greater Good!

Thanks for the help Jimsolo and Alabaster.clown

I agree that knowing the names is somewhat pointless without actually owning the codex, knowing rules, stats, ect. but it does massively help with labeling until I can get it (which, at this rate is looking to be a very long time!).

hotsauceman1 wrote:
Just get the codex man. People wont play you unless you have it.

No problem for me. I play with a small group of other 'budget-inhibited' gamers - we all use proxies or scratch built models. I wasn't thinking of playing as 6th edition Tau until we get the codex, but I do need to know the names of the weapons/wargear so I can correctly label the proxies I'm making up.

pretre wrote:
Dakka is not a replacement for a codex.

True that. I'm not asking for stats, rules, or prices though, just names. I would like to correctly label the proxies I'm making up so that they are both easier to find when I get the codex, correct when I share them with others, and so I don't have to go back and re-name them later.

Alabaster.clown wrote:
All of this information is freely available on the GW website - look at the description of the kits in the Warhammer 40,000 Armies section (the shop).

This was actually the first place I looked, but couldn't find anything on the new models, just the old. Thanks for your help, very detailed and informative.



I reckon I have enough detail now to label the new proxies I've made up - but if anyone has any more insight into the wargear on these models I'm more than happy to hear it.

Thanks a heap guys,


40k Pirate

Alabaster.clown wrote:

Krellnus wrote:Step 1: Buy Codex
Step 2: Read Codex
Step 3: ?????????
Step 4: Profit (in knowledge)

Step 3: Regret buying "limited edition" codex?

And my limited edition copy of the codex has what to do with this discussion exactly?

Alabaster.clown wrote:

hotsauceman1 wrote:Just get the codex man. People wont play you unless you have it.

Yep, no-body has ever had a game of 40k without the latest codex.

pretre wrote:Dakka is not a replacement for a codex.

What exactly is Dakka a replacement for?

Somedude593 wrote:^what they said

A lot of thought went into this one. Yay! My post count just went higher!

Krellnus wrote:Step 1: Buy Codex
Step 2: Read Codex
Step 3: ?????????
Step 4: Profit (in knowledge)

Step 3: Regret buying "limited edition" codex?

hotsauceman1 wrote:He is going to need to codex to play the models either way, so he might as well get it.

Only in a tournament, or against an unknown opponent, or in a GW store - all of which are equally remote.

Somedude wrote: Doesnt matter he shouldnt be playing the game with models he doesnt have the rules for and then coming here to get details on them

I only come to Dakka to troll. What are you here for?

Belly wrote: You picked the wrong hobby... or you need to get a job son

Maybe he has a job. I have a good job, and I cant afford house repayments and this hobby at the same time.

Nice attitudes.
Did GW tell you to say that? Of course they did! Can't play this game unless you spend the $$$$$$.
I can see none of you have never proxied a new unit the see how they perform before forking out big bucks for the real thing.

Must be nice to have mommy buy you whatever you want.

Don't be butt-hurt, peer reviewed scientific research shows that the more well off you are is inversely proportional to your worth as a human being in things like honesty, trustworthiness and compassion.

The OP is just asking for identification, not the rules for them.
How about being just a little bit helpful before being a shill? Who knows, maybe they will enjoy the new models so much they might actually buy the new codex when the funds are available.
You might be so addicted to this hobby that you need to buy limited edition FineKirby belly button fluff that is only available by direct order (bitz sales on ebay is against God's will, remember?), but most people in the current economy have more important things to spend money on.

@OP
1- Crisis Commander:
On the other arm looks very similar to the Ion cannon from a Hammerhead tank, so I would guess its the Cyclic Ion Blaster (CIB)
The one on the back looks like a mortar - maybe its the Air bursting Fragmentation Projector (AFP)

2- Broadside
Definitely a twin-linked Plasma rifle on the shoulder. The drones are probably the Missile drones that have been quickly FAQ'd to be only available to the Broadside and Riptide battlesuits

3- Another Broadside
Smart missiles for the main armament, Smart missiles for the secondary armament, and a seeker missile on the back. There are only two weapon systems here, both SMS. Seeker missile is probably a wargear option the same as what a vehicle can take.

4- Riptide
Lots of stuff you are missing - the Riptide is completely new and has different options to the other battlesuits. There is a Heavy Burst cannon, a new Shield generator, and I guess twin-linked Plasma and access to the usual battlesuit armoury options.

5 - Riptide 2
A big Ion weapon, and obviously some Fusion Blasters underneath the Shield generator.

6 - Pathfinders get ion weapons now, like small versions of the ion cannon - just like the small versions of the rain gun they have.
The drones are all new - a burst cannon armed Recon Drone, a Pulse Accelerator Drone, and Grav-inhibiter Drone.

7- Sunshark 1
Those are twin-linked ion rifles under the wings, not fusion. They are actually on Drones that can detach from the aircraft similar to the gun drones on Devilfish. Missile pods on the tail, and a bomb underneath. This is the bomber version of the flyer.

8- Sunshark 2
This is the RazorShark fighter version. It has a quad ion turret on the tail and bigger jets instead of the drones on the wings.

All of this information is freely available on the GW website - look at the description of the kits in the Warhammer 40,000 Armies section (the shop).

I highly recommend the ATT website (AdvancedTauTactica.com) for all you Tau needs - be warned, the standard required of its members is high, but you will learn valuable insights and tactics that have kept the Tau competitive through the entire 5th edition without an updated codex. And you won't have to put up with the attitudes of the likes of the other people in this thread.

For the Greater Good!

Don't feed the troll, he's on a, "I'm going to personally assault every poster" rampage in the thread. Just ignore... report... and move on. As for the OP, the statement "Dakka is not a replacement for a codex" is a forum rule, were sorry your financial situation cannot allow you the codex or the models but if this is the case, the game isn't for you/this forum isn't the place to help you as a supplement.

It's against forum policy to post anything other VERY broad strokes regarding rules/classifications.

You really should buy the codex if you plan to play Tau. I know that I, for one, would never play a game against someone who did not own the rules for his own models.