So I got a chance to page through the new codex(sadly didn't buy because my store ran out of copies) and man can I say there are some things there that are easily identified as pretty darn nasty! Fun that my 6k of Tau will now be classed as the "new kids on the block"! Here are some things that really stood out to me in the new Tau dex:
1. Drone Squadrons
While last edition these were never taken because they were expensive and kinda useless, I think the Marker Drones are now superior to Pathfinders for a few reasons. But first let me explain the differences from last edition:
-14 pts/model
-Pulse Carbines now Assault 2
-Shield Drones can replace Gun Drones in the Squad, for free.
-Marker Drones can now be upgraded from normal Gun Drones in a Drone Squad. For. Free. That's right, you get the staple wargear of Tau augmentation for 14 points, and you can run them in squads just like Pathfinders...Except Marker Drones have a 4+ save and are Jump Infantry, whereas Pathfinders have a 5+ save.
Combine these two and you can get, say, 3 Shield Drones protecting 5 Marker Drones for 112 pts. It sounds pretty hefty, but you get 5 Markerlights per turn protected by 3 Shield Drones (you can easily ditch the Shield Drones and keep the squad cheap at 70 points). I will likely do the latter as it is wayyy cheaper.
2. Fire Warriors
While last codex they were decent, now they got way better in a few ways:
-Supporting Fire rule allows units to Overwatch at enemies charging friendly units within 6"
-They now come with Defensive Grenades
-Cheaper by 1pt
They got cheaper, and are now able to defend themselves ALOT better with supporting Overwatch and Defensive Grenades. I think my 108 Fire Warriors will be coming to play...
Another unit that rarely saw the tabletop, Tau Piranha's used to be too expensive for their fragile hulls. Now they:
-20pts Cheaper
-Access to a better Vehicle Armoury
Being 20pts/model cheaper is huge! They can sport a Fusion Blaster(now 18" range), as well as the two Gun Drones. Throw 2 of these down the flanks for super cheap harassment.
4. Tau Vehicle Upgrades
While the Disruption Pods are no longer crazy(+1 Cover Save for 15 points...) we all saw that coming. But one definite winner is the Point Defense System. It allows the vehicle to Overwatch with weapons s5 or less, and gives it the supporting fire rule. This may sound meh because it wouldn't add many shots, but the Piranha Squadron comes in mind here. Maybe keep them with the Burst Cannons(Now Assault 4) and run 3 of them at the enemy peppering them with 18-24 s5 shots, and getting Overwatch when charged! Not overpowered, but a definite help for the measly 5 points.
5. Sunshark/Razorshark
I was concerned Vetock would make these similar to the DA fliers, criminally overpointed and not very offensive (sorry but I am really just not impressed by them). The Tau fliers on the other hand are a whole different animal...
-For a measly 3(three) points you can get a 4++ against weapons with the Interceptor rule. This is huge as it means you never to jink when you come in from reserve, and get a pretty good chance to shoot for at least one turn. For three points...
-More s7 shots than you can shake a stick at...Missile Pods, Interceptor Drones with s7 Interceptor guns, and can take Seeker Missiles for more missiles (though these are s8!). In short, you stand a pretty darn good chance of taking out enemy fliers and ruling the sky!
I will say I am iffy on the bomber...a s5 ap5 large blast is good for hordes you have Pulse Rifles for that...Razorshark is definitely going to be a great one though!
The winners from last codex are still great! Though for totally different reasons, as the railguns are now s8. However, switch them out for High Yield Missile Pods and you are ploppin 4 s7 ap4 shots downrage! Add that they can have Skyfire and you can see why I believe that Tau are going to be Meta-changers in that fliers will now have a crazy hard time not dying against the Greater Good!
7. The Characters...
I know this is broad, but I seriously didn't see a character in there that *wasn't* good. Though the Cadre Fireblade is meh imo
Darkstrider: He is expensive(100) but for what he can do he is worth it in a Fire Warrior based army. He and his unit treat enemies Toughness as being one less(t3 marines lolz) and this affects the Instant Death Threshold. Oh and he and his unit can consolidate after Overwatch. Stick him in a Pathfinder squad with a Grav Inhibitor(-d6" to enemy assault range) and it is incredibly hard to ever manage a successful charge!
Longstrike: 45 points if I remember correctly, for making your Hammerhead BS5, and it can now Overwatch...multiple times! Combine this with Supporting Fire, and you can have the Hammerhead shooting Overwatch at half a dozen units charging. It adds up!
Shadowsun: I always loved her, and now she got better! Fusion Blasters are buffed as previously explained, and the Command Uplink Drone is now great! One unit within 12" rerolls 1s in shooting for the turn. This doesn't have to be her own unit. Which brings me to the next great thing about her now: She is an IC! And though she only comes with one Shield Drone now, hers are special: they provide a 3++, and she can buy 2 more if she wants. All in all I think Shadowsun benefited most from the new rules.
So there ya have it for now! The codex is great, and I think we can finally have something that will lessen the amount of fliers people bring, as Tau seem to be made to fight them! I will do a more detailed analysis for them once I actually have the book, but that's it for now
Have you got the Tau codex? What stands out most to you?