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Hi dakka people,

I have a question regarding the Signature Systems and the artefact rule. Are signature systems deemed as relics/artefacts like in other codex's or are they a separate entity.
I ask as the new Errata and FAQ has said that no character can have more than one relic/artefact. Now a couple of friends are saying that these FAQ/Errata are only a first draft and hold no water and they are dubious whether they should even follow these as they are only half done.

What do you guys think let me know.

Darkhorse19


Automatically Appended Next Post:
And while We are on the subject of Errata.

I posed a question to the rules team about Canoptek Wraiths and the "Wraith-flight" rule and asked if they were penalised by terrain (i.e if they assaulted through terrain do they become initiative 1 for assault purposes.).

Due to being beasts already ignoring the effects of terrain except impassible terrain i thought that Wraith-Flight would make sure that we were not penalised. but since the FAQ came out a week or 2 ago and had my question on there I was dismayed to find that this is not the case and that Wraiths are hindered by terrain in combat and that Wraith-flight is now a redundant special rule.

Would love to hear other Necron players views on this matter.

DH19

No, Tau Signature Systems are not Relics. They do follow similar rules, but not the same limits. While they are still unique per army, Tau units that can select Signature Systems are not limited to one per model.

SJ

 jeffersonian000 wrote:
No, Tau Signature Systems are not Relics. They do follow similar rules, but not the same limits. While they are still unique per army, Tau units that can select Signature Systems are not limited to one per model.

SJ

This is correct.

It makes sense from a lore standpoint if you consider the difference. Something like a Space Marine Relic is an ancient, battle tested, handed down piece of equipment. It's extremely unlikely that a single Captain/whoever would have access to multiple Chapter treasures, which would probably 'belong' to different companies. Having one Captain loaded up with Relics would mean that he effectively cleaned out the Chapter vault of all the coolest pieces. A bad day of battle and the Chapter loses all the relics. Marines tend to be somewhat cautious about handing out relics.

By way of contrast, Tau Signature Systems represent prototype or otherwise unique upgrades. It makes perfect sense for the Commander who has access to Puretide's Engram Chip to also have the ability to requisition his Battlesuit be upgraded with the latest systems that haven't yet been rolled out for mass production. "Hey, Earth Caste Engineer #423... while you're installing that Engram Chip, upgrade the armor plating with the latest Iridium tech. Also, I'll be testing out the Onager Fist, so coordinate the Mk.17 prototype installation with Earth Caste Engineer #127." If this Commander dies in battle and his battlesuit can't be recovered, the Earth Caste Engineers will review the battlefield data and build a Mk.18 prototype Onager Fist. After enough iterations, the Onager Fist will become a standard option. From a rules standpoint, I believe two weapons went changed from Signature System status to standard availability between 6th and 7th... representing the weapons now being available to mass production.

I would say no to Sig Systems being relics.

It's been stated before and are described in the codex as new, experimental, or limited production pieces of technology rather than unique, ancient pieces of tech. Tau have always been able to take multiple sig systems on the same character, even though each system could only be taken once.

Some sig systems turn into regular wargear - such as the Cyclic Ion Blaster.

Also look at the coldstar commander. What HQ has ever been disallowed to take relics? (aside from named hq's with specfiic wargear). The coldstar suit dicates 2 of the 4 harpoints tau command suits have - with the HOBC and missile pod. I guess, from a fluff standpoint, it doesn't have space for sig systems because of the required gear to make him a FMC minus the MC.

As for necrons,

I hope that ruling is overturned.

I would also add that Torchstar (one of the special characters from the eight) has two signature systems.

fresus wrote:
I would also add that Torchstar (one of the special characters from the eight) has two signature systems.

Special characters tend to break the rules and really shouldn't be used as proof.

Ghaz good point on the unique characters and thanks guys just cleared up the tau for me so i don't have to fret.

Naaris i seriously hope they overturn it as well maybe when they do the official FAQ

Although in the case of the eight; you are just told to build those suits as you normally wiuld but with the specific gear(and no mention of torchstar getting to break a rule as is the case with the new-style detachments)

Then, again, 2 formations in deathwatch include formations in their composition without rules or notes to allow such a thing, so...