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 Dreadclaw69 wrote:

MarsNZ wrote:
Fond memories of 2e where Chaos was the faction who 'souped-up' their plasma technology to a level which threatened the user.

It wasn't because it was souped-up, its because the Traitors had the original plasma weapons which were still experimental tech at the time of the Heresy (according to the fluff at the time), and were therefore less reliable and prone to malfunction.

Actually I remember that it was because the Chaos intentionally overcharged their plasma so that it would always be at full strength, but as a result became more likely to explode in their users hands, while the Imperium used a weaker variant, but it was more like the tau, it wouldn't blow up inhand.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Actually I remember that it was because the Chaos intentionally overcharged their plasma so that it would always be at full strength, but as a result became more likely to explode in their users hands, while the Imperium used a weaker variant, but it was more like the tau, it wouldn't blow up inhand.

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to disagree with you. It was in the 2nd Edition Chaos Codex, and White Dwarf Issue 199 were they discussed how they differentiated Loyalist and Traitor Marines through the differences in technology in the intervening 10,000 years (including the introduction of the Reaper Autocannon)

 Mannahnin wrote:

Lilrys wrote:
Things that are just as likely (or more) to happen: (as a crisis suit taking a wound due to it gets hot)

1: Surviving a direct hit from an orbital bombardment (1/6)
2: Land raider getting stuck in a shrubbery (1/6)
3: Ewok arrows penetrating terminator armour (1/6)
4: A space marine missing the broadside of a barn (1/3)
5: A 40k gamer killing a power axe wielding Space marine, with his bare hands (1/18) (ws2 str3 a1)

Awesome, awesome quote. If I had room I might sig that.

 Melissia wrote:

 Mannahnin wrote:

Lilrys wrote:
Things that are just as likely (or more) to happen: (as a crisis suit taking a wound due to it gets hot)

1: Surviving a direct hit from an orbital bombardment (1/6)
2: Land raider getting stuck in a shrubbery (1/6)
3: Ewok arrows penetrating terminator armour (1/6)
4: A space marine missing the broadside of a barn (1/3)
5: A 40k gamer killing a power axe wielding Space marine, with his bare hands (1/18) (ws2 str3 a1)

Awesome, awesome quote. If I had room I might sig that.

I wanted to do the same

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Actually I remember that it was because the Chaos intentionally overcharged their plasma so that it would always be at full strength, but as a result became more likely to explode in their users hands, while the Imperium used a weaker variant, but it was more like the tau, it wouldn't blow up inhand.

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to disagree with you. It was in the 2nd Edition Chaos Codex, and White Dwarf Issue 199 were they discussed how they differentiated Loyalist and Traitor Marines through the differences in technology in the intervening 10,000 years (including the introduction of the Reaper Autocannon)

My mistake then, while I remember a bit from RT and 2nd, many of the fluff differences between then and now sometimes get mixed or blurry.

No problem Besides, its not like the fluff has ever contradicted itself

 Redbeard wrote:
That's always been one of the things that separated the Tau from the Imperials - the unwillingness to view troops as expendable.

The very fact that they are troops means they are expendable. A trooper is there to fulfill whatever role command thinks will either save the most lives and/or win the day. No sane commander willingly throws the lives of their army away... Hard to recruit if you do that. However, every commander knows that in war people die. It's just a matter of killing the enemy at a rate that is unacceptable enough to cause them to back down.. or, failing that to the point that the enemy can no longer wage war.

That said, the Imperials do go a step further than the Tau. Imperials will seek out and engage xenos for no other reason than to kill them. Tau resort to war when other means have been exhausted and they don't have a choice. There lies your difference.

Regarding the weapon itself. That ability exists for when the warrior finds itself with no other option. As has been pointed out, the chance to possibly kill your opponent and walk away versus a sure death at the hands of something like a Hive Tyrant is preferable.

Couldn't this 'experimental weaponry' which can kill the user when he decides that combat effectiveness is more important than survival be a Earth Caste plot to thin out the more extremist positions among the Fire Caste...for the Greater Good?

After all, if all of the 'hotheads' are out there overcharging their weapons and killing themselves, then the more calculated and rational amongst the Fire Caste will be more likely to survive (and then they get the safe version, after an unfortunately necessary 'testing' period).

Da Butcha wrote:
Couldn't this 'experimental weaponry' which can kill the user when he decides that combat effectiveness is more important than survival be a Earth Caste plot to thin out the more extremist positions among the Fire Caste...for the Greater Good?

After all, if all of the 'hotheads' are out there overcharging their weapons and killing themselves, then the more calculated and rational amongst the Fire Caste will be more likely to survive (and then they get the safe version, after an unfortunately necessary 'testing' period).

HAHAHAHA underlying conspiracy FTW!!!!!!!!