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Made in dk
Khorne Veteran Marine with Chain-Axe






 casvalremdeikun wrote:
Shield Drones still have a purpose. A Commander can put his drones so he can't be shot.

And this brings them in line with everything else that performs this function. It was a mistake for it to be any other way.


Exactly, still a damn effective and cheap soluiton for bodyguards

6000 World Eaters/Khorne  
   
Made in au
Regular Dakkanaut





fe40k wrote:
I'm not surprised Xenos get nerfed - Never forget that you're not a Space Marine, and in the eyes of GW, this means you get nothing.
.


Except being overpowered and broken for many many years?

   
Made in us
Chaplain with Hate to Spare





Sioux Falls, SD

 44Ronin wrote:
fe40k wrote:
I'm not surprised Xenos get nerfed - Never forget that you're not a Space Marine, and in the eyes of GW, this means you get nothing.
.


Except being overpowered and broken for many many years?

Indeed, other than one specific build, Space Marines were upper middle tier for all of 7e. The most notoriously broken armies have been Xenos for several editions.

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Made in ca
Fresh-Faced New User




First reply here!

Just reading the Saviour Protocols: It simply says for infantry and suits, you can allocate the wounds to a drone. RAW, it says nothing about mortal wounds like you see on SM Command Squad Bodyguard If I'm reading this correctly, the shield drone can still use the invuln. Am I missing something?
   
Made in us
Chaplain with Hate to Spare





Sioux Falls, SD

woby99 wrote:
First reply here!

Just reading the Saviour Protocols: It simply says for infantry and suits, you can allocate the wounds to a drone. RAW, it says nothing about mortal wounds like you see on SM Command Squad Bodyguard If I'm reading this correctly, the shield drone can still use the invuln. Am I missing something?
If you allocate a wound to a Shield Drone through Savior Protocols, the Drone takes a Mortal Wound. You can't activate Savior Protocols on Mortal Wounds in the first place.

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Deathwatch: 1500 pts
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Made in dk
Khorne Veteran Marine with Chain-Axe






woby99 wrote:
First reply here!

Just reading the Saviour Protocols: It simply says for infantry and suits, you can allocate the wounds to a drone. RAW, it says nothing about mortal wounds like you see on SM Command Squad Bodyguard If I'm reading this correctly, the shield drone can still use the invuln. Am I missing something?


Hey woby! Welcome. Yeah its because was a change from the new FAQ in the Xenos 2 index

https://17890-presscdn-0-51-pagely.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/40K_8th_ed_Update_Index_Xenos_2_ver_1.0.pdf

Page 1 bottom left corner.



Here is the link to the other FAQ's https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/07/02/warhammer-40000-faq-now-available-july2gw-homepage-post-1/

Edit: Didnt notice you allready got replied, ill just let the post hang for the links.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/03 01:06:36


6000 World Eaters/Khorne  
   
Made in ca
Fresh-Faced New User




Thanks for the welcome! Loving 8th edition BTW.

Didn't see the FAQ, thanks for the link. Well I guess on that basis, just take whatever drone for the same job (Gun Drones are probably preferable, as per a lot of the previous posters).
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut





To steal my comment from the FAQ thread:

Shield drones are still good to take over Gun drones to prevent an enemy from just primarying all your drone-pair units for easy KPs and an effortless First Blood. Two gun drones being easier to kill over two shield drones.

It is kind of silly in that it does reduce the main perceived purpose of the shield drone - a more durable sacrificial unit than a gun drone, in lieu of having weapons; however, drones still make superb bodyguards thanks to their ability to guarantee taking a wound (compared to others who still require a 'look out sir!' kind of roll that can potentially fail)...

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/03 02:01:23


 
   
Made in us
Regular Dakkanaut




GhostRecon wrote:
To steal my comment from the FAQ thread:

Shield drones are still good to take over Gun drones to prevent an enemy from just primarying all your drone-pair units for easy KPs and an effortless First Blood. Two gun drones being easier to kill over two shield drones.

It is kind of silly in that it does reduce the main perceived purpose of the shield drone - a more durable sacrificial unit than a gun drone, in lieu of having weapons; however, drones still make superb bodyguards thanks to their ability to guarantee taking a wound (compared to others who still require a 'look out sir!' kind of roll that can potentially fail)...

Are they, though? I mean, in most cases they aren't going to be hitting the Gun Drones with -AP weapons, which is the only time the Shield Drones are ever more durable. Most of the time they're going to be hit with bolters, lasguns, etc. The cheap, basic infantry guns that don't care if you have a 4+ or a 4++, in which case they have identical durability, but Gun Drones can actually shoot back.

If someone were actually foolish enough to target the Shield Drone with a lascannon, melta, etc... That's already a victory because they're attacking a drone that costs less than the weapon attacking them.
   
Made in us
Stealthy Kroot Stalker





There is a strange inclination by some people that Shield Drones perform a function if the enemy isn't a complete idiot.

Let's imagine an enemy is firing AP -1 or better weapons at the drones instead of the target the enemy wants dead.

THAT MAKES THE ENEMY AN IDIOT. If he fired those AP-1 weapons at the target, he's either damaging the target (primary goal) or each and every successful wound is COMPLETELY ignoring the armor/invulnerable of a drone (treated as AP-3 or better against gun drones, and ignores the shield drones).

If an enemy is smart, they fire AP0 weapons at the drones - Shield Drones and Gun Drones both die in droves, and all the important awesome multiple-wound-good-rend firepower goes towards its intended target. Any high quality firepower that the squad had to use because it was firing AP0 is applied to the battlesuit... which you either let get damaged (and thus the enemy's primary goal is achieved) or your pass onto your drones as MORTAL WOUNDS (and thus the enemy never needed to bypass any saves, even if the commander OR the drone could have potentially tanked the shot.

THERE IS NO ROLE FOR SHIELD DRONES in an universe where the enemy doesn't act like an idiot. It has NO PURPOSE and will NEVER be taken if you can't convince your opponent to PROXY gun drones with your shield drones.

THAT is unbalanced, and THAT leaves shield drones in a BAD PLACE that they shouldn't be in. Units should be WORTH THEIR POINTS and not nerfed into oblivion because a prior incarnation of the rules tricked foolish players into shooting the wrong target because 6 to 12 bolt gun hits is too much to ask.

I'm probably better off giving up on this. Apparently being completely undifferentiated in benefits from another unit that costs the same points when that other unit ALSO have exceptional firepower is totally fine, you guys, because otherwise someone might be stupid enough to shoot the battlesuit when there's 3++ drones nearby instead of just dakka-ing down two T4/3++ models, and a change that makes one drone practically worthless compared to another is perfectly balanced because Shield Drones made me mad.
   
Made in us
Focused Fire Warrior




Cincinnati

The biggest problem with this nerf is that ultimately it will stifle drone diversity. In actuality the nerf has very little effect, since most tau players were opting to take gun drones anyway. However, they should be trying to make all options more appealing, not just making it such an obvious choice on which drones to take.

I would've like to see more drone choice diversity. This decision certainly kills that.
   
Made in us
Stealthy Kroot Stalker





That's essentially it. Shield Drones function fine as ablative wounds, but Gun Drones function exactly as fine and they do other stuff (awesome, amazing, wonder levels of other stuff, as it happens), so there's essentially no articulable reason anyone can give why you'd take a Shield Drone over a Gun Drone that doesn't involve the enemy utilizing no more tactical reasoning than a developmentally challenged two year old.
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut





 Brutallica wrote:


I wish my lords could have drones buzzing around doing 3++ and 4++ saves, its still a good uitility for commanders that are out in the field. I dont see how granting a stormshield 3++ to all suits within 3" (with wounds that never carry over) for 11 points becomes remotely fair.
Seeing a tau army (shadowsun static gunline) just save everything from the first turn of a IG tank army loosing a couple of drones, and then pop units left and right in return. That is just crazy.

I get it, you played against it once... Felt it was overpowered, which corrupted your view point.
Since everything you have said so far in this thread has been illogical based on some false understanding of the greater picture.

1 - It's 4++
Only Commander Shadowsun, a named character, brings the 3++ Shield Drone. A maximum of only 2.

2 - It doesn't grant a "Stormshield" to all units in the area. It literally REDIRECTS a wound to the 4++.
You make it sound like buy this for 8 points, and everyone gets 400 points worth of equipments.
NO, that is NOT how it works. After the drone fails a SINGLE Invuln save it DIES

3 - There is no 'DOUBLE DIPPING ON SAVES'
The redirection occurred AFTER toughness BEFORE saves.
Meaning in the past it was only a single Save.

4 - "I wish my lords could have..." 1 - Different Armies, Different Bonuses.
I wish my Tanks could have 5++ naturally and Heals for 1 every turn. I wish my basic unit could have 3+ Armor. I wish my army could melee successfully.
I actually don't wish any of those things, since I realize that different armies have different benefits.

5 - This nerf really only affects Shield Drones, You will still see 10 Lascannon shots be redirected to Drones.
The difference is that instead of Shield Drones WHO BRING NO GUNS
You will be getting shot to death by Gun Drones who are ALSO protecting our Commanders from 10 Lascannon Shots.


6+ = 6/36 | Reroll 1s = 7/36 | Reroll Misses = 11/36 ||||||| 5+ = 12/36 | Reroll 1s 14/36 | Reroll Misses = 20/36 ||||||| 4+ = 18/36 | Reroll 1s 21/36 | Reroll Misses = 27/36
3+ = 24/36 | Reroll 1s 28/36 | Reroll Misses = 32/36 ||||||| 2+ = 30/36 | Reroll 1s 35/36 ||||||| Highest of 2d6 = 4.47
 
   
Made in dk
Khorne Veteran Marine with Chain-Axe






 Talamare wrote:
 Brutallica wrote:


I wish my lords could have drones buzzing around doing 3++ and 4++ saves, its still a good uitility for commanders that are out in the field. I dont see how granting a stormshield 3++ to all suits within 3" (with wounds that never carry over) for 11 points becomes remotely fair.
Seeing a tau army (shadowsun static gunline) just save everything from the first turn of a IG tank army loosing a couple of drones, and then pop units left and right in return. That is just crazy.

I get it, you played against it once... Felt it was overpowered, which corrupted your view point.
Since everything you have said so far in this thread has been illogical based on some false understanding of the greater picture.

1 - It's 4++
Only Commander Shadowsun, a named character, brings the 3++ Shield Drone. A maximum of only 2.

2 - It doesn't grant a "Stormshield" to all units in the area. It literally REDIRECTS a wound to the 4++.
You make it sound like buy this for 8 points, and everyone gets 400 points worth of equipments.
NO, that is NOT how it works. After the drone fails a SINGLE Invuln save it DIES

3 - There is no 'DOUBLE DIPPING ON SAVES'
The redirection occurred AFTER toughness BEFORE saves.
Meaning in the past it was only a single Save.

4 - "I wish my lords could have..." 1 - Different Armies, Different Bonuses.
I wish my Tanks could have 5++ naturally and Heals for 1 every turn. I wish my basic unit could have 3+ Armor. I wish my army could melee successfully.
I actually don't wish any of those things, since I realize that different armies have different benefits.

5 - This nerf really only affects Shield Drones, You will still see 10 Lascannon shots be redirected to Drones.
The difference is that instead of Shield Drones WHO BRING NO GUNS
You will be getting shot to death by Gun Drones who are ALSO protecting our Commanders from 10 Lascannon Shots.



1. Shadowsun, exactly. And occasionally a 109 for another 2x 3++.

2. Even worse, when the save is failed all wounds spilling are wasted.

3. Double dipping? When i faced it (all 5 times and spectated 3times) it was roll to wound against suit (because drone is out of LOS), Tau player chooses if take chance on suit save or flying stormshield. Im quite sure this was how it is meant to be played pre FAQ correct me if im wrong.

4. Say what you will, but flying stormshield for anyone free to use and abuse is downright unbalanced.

5. Yeah, i know, but atleast i know after wasting his drones on my barrage, he will be running low on drones and i can use range to my advantage just alittle bit, and not the endless 3++ and 4++ saves nightmare from turn 1 to turn 5+. And please dont make it sound like this is no nerf, you wouldn't be writeing these points so passionatly if you didnt care about this change (which is a big nerf). And specially for good stratagist Tau players with good awareness and delployment.

This toolset pre faq, was probably not too nasty in the hands of a casual happy go lucky Tau player, but in a WAAC player, a freaking gamebreaking nightmare.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/07/03 05:02:27


6000 World Eaters/Khorne  
   
Made in us
Frightening Flamer of Tzeentch




Love how many had no clue how this worked i.e. That we somehow got to try to re save a wound. And that some see shield drones as still good (if they are the same point costs as guns then they are not worth it)


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Brutallica wrote:
 Talamare wrote:
 Brutallica wrote:


I wish my lords could have drones buzzing around doing 3++ and 4++ saves, its still a good uitility for commanders that are out in the field. I dont see how granting a stormshield 3++ to all suits within 3" (with wounds that never carry over) for 11 points becomes remotely fair.
Seeing a tau army (shadowsun static gunline) just save everything from the first turn of a IG tank army loosing a couple of drones, and then pop units left and right in return. That is just crazy.

I get it, you played against it once... Felt it was overpowered, which corrupted your view point.
Since everything you have said so far in this thread has been illogical based on some false understanding of the greater picture.

1 - It's 4++
Only Commander Shadowsun, a named character, brings the 3++ Shield Drone. A maximum of only 2.

2 - It doesn't grant a "Stormshield" to all units in the area. It literally REDIRECTS a wound to the 4++.
You make it sound like buy this for 8 points, and everyone gets 400 points worth of equipments.
NO, that is NOT how it works. After the drone fails a SINGLE Invuln save it DIES

3 - There is no 'DOUBLE DIPPING ON SAVES'
The redirection occurred AFTER toughness BEFORE saves.
Meaning in the past it was only a single Save.

4 - "I wish my lords could have..." 1 - Different Armies, Different Bonuses.
I wish my Tanks could have 5++ naturally and Heals for 1 every turn. I wish my basic unit could have 3+ Armor. I wish my army could melee successfully.
I actually don't wish any of those things, since I realize that different armies have different benefits.

5 - This nerf really only affects Shield Drones, You will still see 10 Lascannon shots be redirected to Drones.
The difference is that instead of Shield Drones WHO BRING NO GUNS
You will be getting shot to death by Gun Drones who are ALSO protecting our Commanders from 10 Lascannon Shots.



1. Shadowsun, exactly. And occasionally a 109 for another 2x 3++.

2. Even worse, when the save is failed all wounds spilling are wasted.

3. Double dipping? When i faced it (all 5 times and spectated 3times) it was roll to wound against suit (because drone is out of LOS), Tau player chooses if take chance on suit save or flying stormshield. Im quite sure this was how it is meant to be played pre FAQ correct me if im wrong.

4. Say what you will, but flying stormshield for anyone free to use and abuse is downright unbalanced.

5. Yeah, i know, but atleast i know after wasting his drones on my barrage, he will be running low on drones and i can use range to my advantage just alittle bit, and not the endless 3++ and 4++ saves nightmare from turn 1 to turn 5+. And please dont make it sound like this is no nerf, you wouldn't be writeing these points so passionatly if you didnt care about this change (which is a big nerf). And specially for good stratagist Tau players with good awareness and delployment.

This toolset pre faq, was probably not too nasty in the hands of a casual happy go lucky Tau player, but in a WAAC player, a freaking gamebreaking nightmare.


On 2 you know you made the saves one at a time and if failed the target unit had to eat them

1 and 3 you act like the 3++ are common yet I only saw plain 4++ ones and even then where mixed in to try to tank a big shot now and then

4 and other bodyguard units get the save before the guard takes it tau had the order switched (and drones have much worce saves )

5 we know it's a nerf and the only big problem is shield drones have no place at all now

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/03 05:16:34


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Oldmike wrote:
Love how many had no clue how this worked i.e. That we somehow got to try to re save a wound. And that some see shield drones as still good (if they are the same point costs as guns then they are not worth it)


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Brutallica wrote:
 Talamare wrote:
 Brutallica wrote:


I wish my lords could have drones buzzing around doing 3++ and 4++ saves, its still a good uitility for commanders that are out in the field. I dont see how granting a stormshield 3++ to all suits within 3" (with wounds that never carry over) for 11 points becomes remotely fair.
Seeing a tau army (shadowsun static gunline) just save everything from the first turn of a IG tank army loosing a couple of drones, and then pop units left and right in return. That is just crazy.

I get it, you played against it once... Felt it was overpowered, which corrupted your view point.
Since everything you have said so far in this thread has been illogical based on some false understanding of the greater picture.

1 - It's 4++
Only Commander Shadowsun, a named character, brings the 3++ Shield Drone. A maximum of only 2.

2 - It doesn't grant a "Stormshield" to all units in the area. It literally REDIRECTS a wound to the 4++.
You make it sound like buy this for 8 points, and everyone gets 400 points worth of equipments.
NO, that is NOT how it works. After the drone fails a SINGLE Invuln save it DIES

3 - There is no 'DOUBLE DIPPING ON SAVES'
The redirection occurred AFTER toughness BEFORE saves.
Meaning in the past it was only a single Save.

4 - "I wish my lords could have..." 1 - Different Armies, Different Bonuses.
I wish my Tanks could have 5++ naturally and Heals for 1 every turn. I wish my basic unit could have 3+ Armor. I wish my army could melee successfully.
I actually don't wish any of those things, since I realize that different armies have different benefits.

5 - This nerf really only affects Shield Drones, You will still see 10 Lascannon shots be redirected to Drones.
The difference is that instead of Shield Drones WHO BRING NO GUNS
You will be getting shot to death by Gun Drones who are ALSO protecting our Commanders from 10 Lascannon Shots.



1. Shadowsun, exactly. And occasionally a 109 for another 2x 3++.

2. Even worse, when the save is failed all wounds spilling are wasted.

3. Double dipping? When i faced it (all 5 times and spectated 3times) it was roll to wound against suit (because drone is out of LOS), Tau player chooses if take chance on suit save or flying stormshield. Im quite sure this was how it is meant to be played pre FAQ correct me if im wrong.

4. Say what you will, but flying stormshield for anyone free to use and abuse is downright unbalanced.

5. Yeah, i know, but atleast i know after wasting his drones on my barrage, he will be running low on drones and i can use range to my advantage just alittle bit, and not the endless 3++ and 4++ saves nightmare from turn 1 to turn 5+. And please dont make it sound like this is no nerf, you wouldn't be writeing these points so passionatly if you didnt care about this change (which is a big nerf). And specially for good stratagist Tau players with good awareness and delployment.

This toolset pre faq, was probably not too nasty in the hands of a casual happy go lucky Tau player, but in a WAAC player, a freaking gamebreaking nightmare.


On 2 you know you made the saves one at a time and if failed the target unit had to eat them

1 and 3 you act like the 3++ are common yet I only saw plain 4++ ones and even then where mixed in to try to tank a big shot now and then

4 and other bodyguard units get the save before the guard takes it tau had the order switched (and drones have much worce saves )

5 we know it's a nerf and the only big problem is shield drones have no place at all now


In regards to point 2, yeah, resolved it one drone save at a time, until the drone failed...which was not often and usually also 3 drones more to take on the job against the random lascannon here and there and couple of krak missiles or Battle cannons.

So i have been playing against it correctly, good to know! Then my corrupted mindset remains happy its gone.

In regards to point 4. In other bodyguard units you probably wont have to walk through roadblocks of kroot while getting shot to pieces. Atleast against tyranid i have options in that regard, both in melee and shooting.

Could drones have another place or been handled differently in this FAQ? Most likely, but rather a full stop for this crazyness than nothing at all, it had it coming.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/07/03 05:34:13


6000 World Eaters/Khorne  
   
Made in ca
Been Around the Block




Pretty bad nerf.



   
Made in dk
Servoarm Flailing Magos






Metalica

fe40k wrote:
I'm not surprised Xenos get nerfed - Never forget that you're not a Space Marine, and in the eyes of GW, this means you get nothing.


This is the kind of baseless victimisation that keeps dakka from being the stimulating conversations it could be, and instead makes it the cess pool that it is.

The single only points buff in the faqs was for Xenos, and it was massive. Purestrain GSC going from 18 (which was stupidly high) to 10 (which is clearly a few points too low) doesn't fit your narrative, but it did happen.

On topic, though, the faq for shield drones is stupid. If they were too cheap for what they did, the fix should never have been to break them, and while they can still be used as bodies in front of a character, it just makes them bland and takes away their entire personality.

Hopefully this kind of faqs is now going to be something GW does consistently, and we can write these kind of things up to them dabbling, and call it growing pains. Better now than to have these things happen to the real codexes.

 
   
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 Purifier wrote:

This is the kind of baseless victimisation that keeps dakka from being the stimulating conversations it could be, and instead makes it the cess pool that it is.

Gonna be a minor pedant here: They also changed the cost of Ministorum Storm Bolters from 4 to 2. '4' was almost certainly a typo, since every other army got 2.
   
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Servoarm Flailing Magos






Metalica

Waaaghpower wrote:
 Purifier wrote:

This is the kind of baseless victimisation that keeps dakka from being the stimulating conversations it could be, and instead makes it the cess pool that it is.

Gonna be a minor pedant here: They also changed the cost of Ministorum Storm Bolters from 4 to 2. '4' was almost certainly a typo, since every other army got 2.


Yeah, and a power sword got 1 damage instead of 0. I'm not counting things that seem fairly certain to have been typos. As an Ad Mech, my most used melee unit lost an attack per model. Hurts, but I'm pretty sure that was a fix to how they were supposed to be from the start, so I stay strong in the face of insurmountable suffering.

 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





I often find drones to be the 'connective tissue' between units for supporting fire. That alone should give some reason to take shield drones in some cases.
   
Made in us
Stealthy Kroot Stalker





Daedalus81 wrote:
I often find drones to be the 'connective tissue' between units for supporting fire. That alone should give some reason to take shield drones in some cases.


...What does this mean? Drones are their own units now, so having a conga line of drones from one unit to another more than 6" away is not going to let either of the units Overwatch for each other. I'm not sure what you're trying to convey here.

Regardless, what benefit does a Shield Drone provide in that role that a Gun Drone does not? What benefit would a Gun Drone have in that role that Shield Drone would not?

I'm honestly curious where people are seeing a role for Shield Drones in particular after this change, presuming your opponent isn't a fool.
   
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Missionary On A Mission



Eastern VA

The only slight case I can see for shield drones specifically - and it's a really marginal one - is to be the "closer unit" protecting a Commander who's ranging forward to attack things. They might be subject to weapons like plasma guns or heavy bolters, and the 4++ might help a little there. Otherwise? Gun drones all day every day, maybe supported by a Stealth or Crisis team with a drone controller.

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 Unusual Suspect wrote:
Daedalus81 wrote:
I often find drones to be the 'connective tissue' between units for supporting fire. That alone should give some reason to take shield drones in some cases.


...What does this mean? Drones are their own units now, so having a conga line of drones from one unit to another more than 6" away is not going to let either of the units Overwatch for each other. I'm not sure what you're trying to convey here.

Regardless, what benefit does a Shield Drone provide in that role that a Gun Drone does not? What benefit would a Gun Drone have in that role that Shield Drone would not?

I'm honestly curious where people are seeing a role for Shield Drones in particular after this change, presuming your opponent isn't a fool.


Still good for bodyguarding you commander when you are making agressive moves on the table. Forceing the opponent to shoot drones because its the nearest target, its increases chances of surviability. And they can still jump in an do their one use save. 8 and 11 points for shield drones is not what busts the budget either i might add.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/07/03 16:06:44


6000 World Eaters/Khorne  
   
Made in gb
Shas'la with Pulse Carbine




Eastern Fringe

Perhaps the Shield drones could be modelled on their sides, at various heights, so that they could interlock and create a super 4+ Inv save Shield drone phalanx wall of doom?

The first rule of unarmed combat is: don’t be unarmed. 
   
Made in gb
Mighty Vampire Count






UK

On topic, though, the faq for shield drones is stupid. If they were too cheap for what they did, the fix should never have been to break them, and while they can still be used as bodies in front of a character, it just makes them bland and takes away their entire personality.


Isn't that exactly what their fluff says they do?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/07/03 16:51:52


I AM A MARINE PLAYER

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We should strive for a balanced game at all times. Celebrating and defending a model being made useless is not justice for being OP in the past, it's just petty revenge.

The old meta is dead and the new meta struggles to be born. Now is the time of munchkins. 
   
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Metalica

 Mr Morden wrote:
On topic, though, the faq for shield drones is stupid. If they were too cheap for what they did, the fix should never have been to break them, and while they can still be used as bodies in front of a character, it just makes them bland and takes away their entire personality.


Isn't that exactly what their fluff says they do?


Sure, but now they do it the same way a kroot does, and the fluff doesn't end with "just like if some poor schmuck was standing in front of you"

 
   
Made in gb
Scouting Shadow Warrior






 Brutallica wrote:
 Unusual Suspect wrote:
Daedalus81 wrote:
I often find drones to be the 'connective tissue' between units for supporting fire. That alone should give some reason to take shield drones in some cases.


...What does this mean? Drones are their own units now, so having a conga line of drones from one unit to another more than 6" away is not going to let either of the units Overwatch for each other. I'm not sure what you're trying to convey here.

Regardless, what benefit does a Shield Drone provide in that role that a Gun Drone does not? What benefit would a Gun Drone have in that role that Shield Drone would not?

I'm honestly curious where people are seeing a role for Shield Drones in particular after this change, presuming your opponent isn't a fool.


Still good for bodyguarding you commander when you are making agressive moves on the table. Forceing the opponent to shoot drones because its the nearest target, its increases chances of surviability. And they can still jump in an do their one use save. 8 and 11 points for shield drones is not what busts the budget either i might add.


Ergh, so that's another advantage for Commanders over normal XV8s. Hooray...

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I don't play Tau and haven't seen a local Tau player yet so bear with me. I had to go find the rules for the various drone types to understand some of this. I think some people are missing that the savior protocols aren't unique to shield drones, but are something shared by other, equally priced, drones that have other abilities as well.

I do think this is a move towards rules consistency. But, given the other differences I'm seeing between this rule and the rules its now "more consistent" with, I think it missed the mark.

Saviour Protocols: If a <Sept> Drones unit is within 3" of a friendly <Sept> Infantry or <Sept> Battlesuit unit when an enemy attack successfully wounds it, you can allocate that wound to the Drones unit instead of the target. If you do, that Drones unit suffers a mortal wound instead of the normal damage.
Necron Lychguard;
Guardian Protocols: Roll a D6 each time a frindly <DYNASTY> CHARACTER loses a wound whilst they are within 3" of this unit; on a 2+ a model from this unit can intercept that hit - the character does not lose a wound but this unit suffers a mortal wound.

Yeah, drones are now denying saves for wounds in exchange for a 100% success rate at intervention.

So... this is a nerf to savior protocols on all drones. It just particularly hits the shield drones, due to their improved (invuln) saves.
Shield drones are, base, the same prices as gun drones... for what?

That makes shieldies seem pretty worthless.

Now, here's another weirdness that only exacerbates the issue-
The pulse carbine on gun drones are free.
Arguably, the shield generators on the shield drones cost as much as the drone itself. (Entry on the wargear list for Shield Generator (all other units)).


Some combination of items selected from the following is needed;
a) Gun drones need a price increase (probably).
b) Pulse Carbines need a price. (didn't look at what else this would impact)
c) Shield Drones need a price drop. (maybe)
d) Shield Generators for shield drones need clarification. (definitely)
e) Shield Drones need an extra wound. (maybe)
f) Shield Drones need a special rule that makes intercepted wounds Mortal only after they get some sort of save. (ehhh....)


Of course, looking at these things, why are the unfeeling drones that are designed to suck up wounds for their living associates running around with a Ld value on par with your average Astra Militarum Guardsman?

   
 
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