Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi

I have a question about drone exchanges on vehicle.

I always thought that when it says the following under fx hammerhad gunship:

Any TX7 Hammerhead Gunship may exchange both MV1 Gun Drones for one of the following: Twinlinked burst cannon or Twinlinked smart missile system.

that it would be drones with those weapons and not just a weapon. Ergo the twinlinked burst cannon would be mounted on a drone with BS2.
Or is it a weapon (twinlinked burst cannon) with BS4?

Thanks for any answer.

Best regards
The Tau noob

It says may exchange MV1 Gun drones in that quote, not the twinlinked pulse carbines (on the drones). Just out of curiosity where do you get the drones are getting the weapons?

Edit:ah,The model is a a little deceptive as you place the burst cannon/ sms in the same place as the drones would be.

The drones transform to being integral to the hammerhead, and they become bs (vehicle) on your upgraded devilfish etc..
IMO the vehicle weapon options, i'd always take them. drones are non-scoring, and bs2, and shorter range than either other weapon. and the sms have the longest range, no los needed, and ignore cover at same strength. please and thank you

The drones are completely replaced by integrated weapon systems that use the vehicle's ballistic skill and obey the vehicle's rules for shooting.

I personally like the SMS on hammerheads and skyrays to make use of the BS4. These tanks also tend to be towards the back of the table making use of their long range. I keep the drones on the devilfish to detach as a buffer, as it often gets up into my opponent's army. The drones can be detached and placed 2" apart from each other creating a 6" wall that the opponent cannot pass through. This is often best used to halt the progress of assault units.

I still think it was an oversight to give HHs and Skyrays FREE SMS. I agree the Burst Cannons are fine being free as they really aren't much of an upgrade, but the SMS should cost something...

They technically aren't free, as they are replacing two 12-14 point Drones.

SJ

 jeffersonian000 wrote:
They technically aren't free, as they are replacing two 12-14 point Drones.

SJ

Two 12-14 point drones that are included in the base cost of the tank, that are inferior to the SMS. The SMS is an UPGRADE and should probably cost at least 5-10 points.

Nocturus wrote:

 jeffersonian000 wrote:
They technically aren't free, as they are replacing two 12-14 point Drones.

SJ

Two 12-14 point drones that are included in the base cost of the tank, that are inferior to the SMS. The SMS is an UPGRADE and should probably cost at least 5-10 points.

Except the drones have the ability of detaching and firing and moving independently of the vehicle. They also provide a very nice screen in case your enemy gets into assault range.

notredameguy10 wrote:

Nocturus wrote:

 jeffersonian000 wrote:
They technically aren't free, as they are replacing two 12-14 point Drones.

SJ

Two 12-14 point drones that are included in the base cost of the tank, that are inferior to the SMS. The SMS is an UPGRADE and should probably cost at least 5-10 points.

Except the drones have the ability of detaching and firing and moving independently of the vehicle. They also provide a very nice screen in case your enemy gets into assault range.

I didn't say they don't have their merits or uses. I'm simply saying the SMS is better.

And that's where the issue is. I don't think that the sms is better than the Drones at all. Better than the Burst Cannon, for sure, but not the Drones. The ability to fire independent of the tank (especially on a hammerhead that's targeting a vehicle), detatch to provide cover via being an intervening model, spoil assaults, spoil movement, launch assaults against av10 rear vehicles and on the odd occasion, force a pinning check, is far superior to 4 str 5 ap 5 shots.

Don't get me wrong, the TL SMS isn't a bad subsystem, and far superior to the sponson heavy bolters on an imperial tank, but I prefer the gun drones. IMHO, a 5-10 point drop on the hammerhead and devilfish and the Burst cannons as std with either the Drones or the sms as a 5-10 point upgrade would be a better set up. Same for the Skyray, but it doesn't need a point reduction.

Actually attached drones do have to fire at the same target as the tank. That is a difference listed in their description.

Not if they've detached whereas you don't have that option if you're taking sms. Passable against Rhinos or Daemon chariots but not against anything heavier.

Can also contribute to supporting fire without an upgrade when detached.

Thanks for all the answers.
Dakka dakka is a grat forum