Engineer Calm Mind (Tell me what you think, dakka)

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**Necroes**

Fio'El T'au Doran'ro Kais Il'Shas, lead commander and founder of the Experimental-Designs Unit of the Tau Empire. Also known as Engineer Calm Mind, the last word in his name was given to him by Aun'Va himself. Meaning 'short flame' it marks him as an honorary member of the fire caste, and thus allowed to participate in open warfare.

He gained his position under the command of Commander Farsight. During an ork surprise attack, he took command of a Crisis Suit, pulling its pilot out of the command seat and taking control. Having logged many hours test-piloting that particular model, and having actually been responsible for part of its design, he was able to pilot the suit with some ease. Rushing onto the battle field, he lead a direct assault under the guise of the actual pilot, cutting a swath through the ork horde with a flamer and a burst cannon. Commander Farsight had been engaged with an Ork Boss during the battle, and was unable to lead effectively. It was only through Commander Calm Mind's action that day that the Tau prevailed.
Later, at his trial, he would have been executed for stepping outside of his cast, had Aun'Va not proclaimed him a hero. Giving him his honorary title of Il'Shas, and a modest unit of fire warriors to command, Calm Mind was put in charge of coming up with, and testing, many of the various experimental and signature systems used within the Tau army.

Cost: 180 points

Jet Pack Infantry (character) (unique)

WS: 4
BS: 3
S: 5
T: 5
I: 3
W: 3
A: 4
Ld: 10
Sv: 2+

Wargear:
XV8-02 Crisis 'Iridium' Battle Suit*
Dual Onager Gauntlets*
Shield Generator
Cyclic ion Blaster*
Airbursting Fragmentation projector*

Special Rules:
Independent Character
Support Fire
Very Bulky
Prototype Army
One-Two Punch
Hatred (Orks)
Redundant Systems

may take up to two drones from the drone list.
may select systems from the signature systems list.

Prototype Army: Commander Calm Mind never misses a chance to field-test any system he can.
The standard restriction of one signature system per army is removed for Commander Calm Minds army. As many copies of any given system may be taken as desired for standard point cost. Command Calm Minds own Airbursting fragmentation projector and cyclic ion blaster do not count towards the standard restriction on these items. Crisis Battle Suits in Commander Calm Mind's army may also take the Proto Blade as a Support System choice.

One-Two Punch: Having designed the Onager Gauntlet himself, Commander Calm Mind has clocked more hours with it than any other. When designing his custom suit, he had two such weapons installed and has experience in using both.
Commander Calm Mind may sacrifice all attacks to use his onager gauntlets and make two (2) Strength 10, AP 1 attacks.

Redundant Systems: Any Crisis Battle suit in Commander Calm Mind's army may take up to four (or five, for Commanders) weapon systems and/or support systems at standard point cost. At the start of each turn, they must declare three (or 4, for Commanders) systems they are using, and may not use any others until the start of the next turn.

Proto-Blade:
Uses same profile as the Dawn Blade, but with the Gets Hot Special Rule............Cost: 25 pts.

**NL_Cirrus**

He definitely needs to be more expensive, 230 to 300 points may be.

**curran12**

Insanely undercosted, considering the benefits he brings to the army as a whole. 300-350 points minimum.

**Necroes**

Okay, so increase the point cost... other than that, is there anything obviously wrong with it, conceptually or mechanically?

**rohansoldier**

Necroes wrote:
Fio'El T'au Doran'ro Kais Il'Shas, lead commander and founder of the Experimental-Designs Unit of the Tau Empire. Also known as Engineer Calm Mind, the last word in his name was given to him by Aun'Va himself. Meaning 'short flame' it marks him as an honorary member of the fire caste, and thus allowed to participate in open warfare.

He gained his position under the command of Commander Farsight. During an ork surprise attack, he took command of a Crisis Suit, pulling its pilot out of the command seat and taking control. Having logged many hours test-piloting that particular model, and having actually been responsible for part of its design, he was able to pilot the suit with some ease. Rushing onto the battle field, he lead a direct assault under the guise of the actual pilot, cutting a swath through the ork horde with a flamer and a burst cannon. Commander Farsight had been engaged with an Ork Boss during the battle, and was unable to lead effectively. It was only through Commander Calm Mind's action that day that the Tau prevailed.
Later, at his trial, he would have been executed for stepping outside of his cast, had Aun'Va not proclaimed him a hero. Giving him his honorary title of Il'Shas, and a modest unit of fire warriors to command, Calm Mind was put in charge of coming up with, and testing, many of the various experimental and signature systems used within the Tau army.

- I like this background. Well thought out and in keeping with existing Tau fluff. Not sure about the execution part though, would Tau do that?

Cost: 180 points

WS: 4
BS: 3
S: 5
T: 4
I: 3
W: 3
A: 4
Ld: 10
Sv: 3+

Wargear:
Crisis Battle Suit
Dual Onager Gauntlets

- Fair enough. Having two is OK as he is a special and he is responsible for testing new kit.

Special Rules:
Independent Character
Support Fire
Very Bulky
Prototype Army
One-Two Punch
Hatred (Orks)

- No problem with any of these.

may exchange his Dual Onager Gauntlets for a Proto-Blade for free.

- I don't like the fact he has other characters wargear, even with a downside. Keep with the Onagers imo.

may select up to four weapon systems and/or supports systems to make use of in a single turn.

- Special characters usually have pre defined wargear so I see no reason to give him varied options. Perhaps a cyclic ion blaster and airbursting frag projector in addition to the Onager gauntlets (that way all his weapons are experimental tech which fits with the theme).

may take up to two drones from the drones list.

- See above re: wargear.

may select systems from the signature systems list.

- See above re: wargear.

may take *Proto-Paradox - 50 pts.

- Again, not a fan of him using other characters wargear. Maybe give him an item that means he ignores a hit if he can roll over the strength value of the attack (a 6 always being a pass)?
It is unique and could easily be described as an an experimental Tau defense system.

Prototype Army: Commander Calm Mind never misses a chance to field-test any system he can.

Every Battle Suit in Commander Calm Mind's army gains the *Prototype and *Redundant Systems special rules, including himself. In addition, the standard restriction of one signature system per army is removed for Commander Calm Minds army. As many copies of any given system may be taken as desired for standard point cost. This rule extends to the Airbursting Fragmentation Launcher, Cyclic Ion Blaster, and *Proto-Blade.

- Fair enough, an army led by an engineer would have access to more specialised kit. I have commented on the Prototype and Redundant Systems rules below.

One-Two Punch: Having designed the Onager Gauntlet himself, Commander Calm Mind has clocked more hours with it than any other. When designing his custom suit, he had two such weapons installed and has experience in using both.
Commander Calm Mind may sacrifice all attacks to use his onager gauntlets and make two (2) Strength 10, AP 1 attacks.

- Fine.

Proto-Blade:
Uses same profile as the Dawn Blade, but with the *Highly Unstable Special Rule. Cost: 25 pts.

- See above about copying other characters wargear.

Proto-Paradox:
Gives model same rule as the Paradox of Duality, but gains the *Highly Unstable Special Rule.

- See above about copying other characters wargear.

*Prototype: Any time a model would make use of a signature system, Airbursting Fragmentation Launcher, or Cyclic Ion Blaster, they must make a d6 roll. On the result of a 6, the model suffers a Strength 4, AP - wound that does not allow saves.

- Keep it simple. Use the gets hot rule instead (or the nova charge rule from the Riptide if you want an existing Tau precedent).

*Redundant Systems: Any Crisis Battle suit in Commander Calm Mind's army may take up to six weapon systems and/or support systems at standard point cost. At the start of each turn, they must declare three (or 4, for commanders) systems they are using, and may not use any others until the start of the next turn.

- I think this is messy and could easily get complicated, especially during the army list writing stage. Perhaps allow crisis suits (not just squad leaders) to take signature systems instead (this is assuming they can't already).

*Highly Unstable: Wargear with this special rule is still in early testing stages, and is prone to catastrophic failure. Any time such a system is used, roll a d6. On the result of a 5+, the model using the wargear takes a strength 8, AP - attack with no saves allowed.

- Keep it simple. Use the Riptide Nova Charge rule instead (str 8 also means you would be ID'ing battlesuits if they fail this roll).

Automatically Appended Next Post:
My version of him would therefore be:

Necroes wrote:
Fio'El T'au Doran'ro Kais Il'Shas, lead commander and founder of the Experimental-Designs Unit of the Tau Empire. Also known as Engineer Calm Mind, the last word in his name was given to him by Aun'Va himself. Meaning 'short flame' it marks him as an honorary member of the fire caste, and thus allowed to participate in open warfare.

He gained his position under the command of Commander Farsight. During an ork surprise attack, he took command of a Crisis Suit, pulling its pilot out of the command seat and taking control. Having logged many hours test-piloting that particular model, and having actually been responsible for part of its design, he was able to pilot the suit with some ease. Rushing onto the battle field, he lead a direct assault under the guise of the actual pilot, cutting a swath through the ork horde with a flamer and a burst cannon.

Commander Farsight had been engaged with an Ork Boss during the battle, and was unable to lead effectively. It was only through Commander Calm Mind's action that day that the Tau prevailed.

Later, at his trial, he would have been executed for stepping outside of his cast, had Aun'Va not proclaimed him a hero. Giving him his honorary title of Il'Shas, and a modest unit of fire warriors to command, Calm Mind was put in charge of coming up with, and testing, many of the various experimental and signature systems used within the Tau army.

Cost: 180 points

WS: 4
BS: 3
S: 5
T: 4
I: 3
W: 3
A: 4
Ld: 10
Sv: 3+

Wargear:
Crisis Battle Suit
Dual Onager Gauntlets
Airbursting Frag Projector
Cyclic Ion Blaster
2 Missile Drones
Drone Controller
Fluctuating Defense Shield

Special Rules:
Independent Character
Support Fire
Very Bulky
Prototype Army
One-Two Punch
Hatred (Orks)

Prototype Army: Commander Calm Mind never misses a chance to field-test any system he can.

The standard restriction of one signature system per army is removed for Commander Calm Minds army. As many copies of any given system may be taken as desired for standard point cost. This rule extends to the Airbursting Fragmentation Launcher and Cyclic Ion Blaster.

However, in an army containing Calm Mind, all signature systems, the Cyclic Ion Blaster and Airbursting Frag Projector gain the Get Hot rule each time they are used.

One-Two Punch: Having designed the Onager Gauntlet himself, Commander Calm Mind has clocked more hours with it than any other. When designing his custom suit, he had two such weapons installed and has experience in using both.

Commander Calm Mind may sacrifice all attacks to use his onager gauntlets and make two (2) Strength 10, AP 1 attacks.

Fluctuating Defense Shield: Calm Mind's battlesuit is surrounded by a constantly shifting field of energy, which can be directed to absorb enemy attacks from any direction. However, the shield is subject to often catastrophic overload which can cause further damage to the suit and it's occupant.

Calm Mind may roll a D6 every time he suffers a wound (this does not extend to the unit he is with).

If the roll is higher than the strength value of the attack then the wound is disregarded (a 6 is always a pass regardless of the Strength of the attack). However, for every attack that is not absorbed by the shield, he must make an armour save or take a wound.

NOTE: The Fluctuating Defense Shield may only be used against attacks that bypass Calm Mind's armour save.

**Necroes**

@rohansoldier

Giving him standardized wargear is all well and good (though he'll need a shield generator to fill his third slot), save for the drones. Even shadowsun has to pay for her drones, and there's no point in giving him something that will reduce his usability by upping his point cost unneededly.

As for using the wargear of other characters.... that's neither here nor there for me. I like the idea because the items are powerful, and making them available to the majority of tau forces seems like an acceptable goal for an engineer to have.

As for the Fluctuating Defense Shield; I don't like it. It's not really helpful in any way. If something has a high enough AP to get past his standard 3+, then it's not likely to be a low-strength weapon. Even more so, if the weapon Does get past his armor save, then the only thing the shield will accomplish in giving him an additional (likely 6+) save that will also wound him if he fails. That's not experimental, that's pointless.
If he got it in addition to his armor save, maybe, though I'd still up it to a d6+2.

But, yea, I'm thinking his point cost would be better set at about 200-250.

**rohansoldier**

It surprises me that you are worried about the gets hot from the FDS, when the unstable rule you included is strength 8 so could ID your character.

I just thought it was more original to create a unique character instead of one who borrows items from other characters.

I see what you mean about the FDS. Making it D6+2 would help I guess.

I mainly included the missile drones as they are new, experimental wargear so I thought it fit the theme. I haven't read the new Tau codex so didn't know that Shadowsun paid for drones.

How about changing the FDS to function like the Riptide Nova Shield? I imagine that an Engineer could find a way to install it on a smaller battlesuit.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
It surprises me that you are worried about the gets hot from the FDS, when the unstable rule you included is strength 8 so could ID your character.

I just thought it was more original to create a unique character instead of one who borrows items from other characters.

I see what you mean about the FDS. Making it D6+2 would help I guess.

I mainly included the missile drones as they are new, experimental wargear so I thought it fit the theme. I haven't read the new Tau codex so didn't know that Shadowsun paid for drones.

How about changing the FDS to function like the Riptide Nova Shield? I imagine that an Engineer could find a way to install it on a smaller battlesuit.

**uberjoras**

Where are people getting the 250/300 points cost from here? None of the signature systems are really even that good, and crisis suits still are target #1 and will just get squished like normal.

I also don't think changing wargear mid-game is really a good idea. it's like tailoring your list by saying 'oh, since you're unpacking all those vehicles, the plasma I had bought for my troops is actually melta.' The question also arises - does this guy make it so you pay 22 points for fully-geared crisis suits? That's just silly.

What I would do is keep your guy the same, remove his silly assisted suicide wargear, cost him about 150 points, comes default with cyclic ion blaster/AFP/shield gen and dual onager gauntlets, and can buy signature systems for himself. He then lets all signature systems (not AFP/CiB) be taken by any eligible character in his same detachment, with no limit. This is actually what those items would cost on an actual commander; his perk is that he unlocks the systems for others, not that he's a particularly scary beatstick himself.

What this would do is make character upgrades become next to mandatory for crisis/stealth teams, and certain items of wargear a bit more common on crisis/stealth teams, without giving anybody stuff for free.

The proto-blade is an interesting thought, though. If it didn't blow up or require so much bookkeeping then it might be better. How about proto-blades are Dawn Blades, for 25 points, but gets hot? It has a similar effect but uses a current rule, and makes them good but not crazy good, especially on a 3A model that's probably sporting dual flamers and a Repulsor field to keep costs down and would-be assaulters at bay, all on the cheap at 77 points, potentially with a dual-melta and target lock buddy in the squad so they can melta one thing and charge another, and have extra wounds.

My issue with allowing dual-AFP spam is that, really, that's not a good idea. Those will likely put more wounds on almost any target besides MC's and vehicles, than dual plasma/Missile pods would, but for the same price. The CiB isn't that good now, so I would simply suggest limiting it to purely signature systems, just to keep the rule concise and remove silly cheese like that.

**DarknessEternal**

uberjoras wrote:
Where are people getting the 250/300 points cost from here? None of the signature systems are really even that good, and crisis suits still are target #1 and will just get squished like normal.

Well he's edited the first post quite a lot since most of those suggestions were made, but mostly it comes from allowing every suit in the army to fire 3 weapons.

**Necroes**

DarknessEternal wrote:
uberjoras wrote:
Where are people getting the 250/300 points cost from here? None of the signature systems are really even that good, and crisis suits still are target #1 and will just get squished like normal.

Well he's edited the first post quite a lot since most of those suggestions were made, but mostly it comes from allowing every suit in the army to fire 3 weapons.

Nothing in my original post suggested anything about allowing every suit to fire three weapons. They'd be limited to firing two weapons, they'd just get to pick which two out of up to six they fire.

The only things I changed in the original post were adding the rules for the proto-blade and updating his point cost to something a bit less potent.

**Necroes**

Updated his rules. Going back over it, I think his point cost is now fair.

**DarknessEternal**

So he's better in close combat and harder to kill than nearly all special characters and gives you army wide benefits? You're still like 50 points too short on your estimate.