Defeating 6th edition TAU

[Justicar Enethys]

5th Edition - Measuring Distances, Page 3:

"In general, players are NOT (Emphasis mine) allowed to measure any distance except when the rules call for it (e.g. after declaring an assault or firing at an enemy, to work out a rule's area of effect, when deploying their forces, etc)."  

 

6th Edition - Measuring Distances, Page 4:

 

"In games of Warhemmer40,000, distances are measured in inches (") with a tape measure or measuring stick. You can always check any distance at any time." (Emphasis GW)

 

 

You mentioned being 100% sure. You are 100% wrong. As Thade stated - this was one of the big changes in 6th. I still feel like I'm cheating or being unsporting when I pre-measure in 6th sometimes - but it is there in black and white for all to see as a legal action.

[Vash]

5th Edition - Measuring Distances, Page 3:

 

"In general, players are NOT (Emphasis mine) allowed to measure any distance except when the rules call for it (e.g. after declaring an assault or firing at an enemy, to work out a rule's area of effect, when deploying their forces, etc)."  

 

6th Edition - Measuring Distances, Page 4:

 

"In games of Warhemmer40,000, distances are measured in inches (") with a tape measure or measuring stick. You can always check any distance at any time." (Emphasis GW)

 

 

You mentioned being 100% sure. You are 100% wrong. As Thade stated - this was one of the big changes in 6th. I still feel like I'm cheating or being unsporting when I pre-measure in 6th sometimes - but it is there in black and white for all to see as a legal action.

Yah this has been a huge tactical impact to the game. With careful planning, many things can be avoided, such as the Helldrake. 

 

It didn't really change that much for my play style with grey knights. I pretty much had 24" burnt into my eyes where it was. And that is basically the only range I needed, and of course 6" charge. 

My grey knights didn't mind shooting, nor did they run away from a fight. Well I guess thats how it is for most of us playing Grey knights (not henchmen in this case).

[Justicar Enethys]

To pull this back on topic - does the ability to pre-measure distances benefit Tau in a large way? I am not experienced with Tau, having never played them. I have played against them on many occasions, though not so much in 6th - yet . . .

I would imagine that with their forces being so dependent on shooting - pre-measuring would be a huge boon. Or do they all have such good ranges on their weaponry that it is largely irrelevant? There's not much we can do about that aspect - as a core rule is a core rule, but I'd be interested in a Tau player view on this

[Vash]

To pull this back on topic - does the ability to pre-measure distances benefit Tau in a large way? I am not experienced with Tau, having never played them. I have played against them on many occasions, though not so much in 6th - yet . . .

I would imagine that with their forces being so dependent on shooting - pre-measuring would be a huge boon. Or do they all have such good ranges on their weaponry that it is largely irrelevant? There's not much we can do about that aspect - as a core rule is a core rule, but I'd be interested in a Tau player view on this

It has a huge impact on tactics.

One is for Fire warriors lists.

They will include an ethereal, and use the +1 shot at rapid fire range ability to all units within 12".

It is important to be at say 14" away from the enemy, and perhaps one at 16" to get one who must shoot at long range (so the unit can kill further than 15"... acording to the latest FAQ as my friend interpret it).

So premeasuring for these guys is very important. Getting to close is a risk for getting charged, to far away and the +1 ability is wasted.

Crisis suits use this premeasuring also a lot. Knowing how far the suit needs to jump back (or forward) is really important to counter act what the opposing player might do in his turn. Keeping at safe distance but within weapons range if he tries to retreat.

Pre measuring distances to other friendly units is also a major key to Tau. Keeping units within 6" will support any unit getting charged (supportive fire rule).

So expect a lot of pre measuring from a veteran Tau player.

[IndigoJack]

Thade is right, premeasuring is a new hotness for 6th. I remember being quite upset because I spent a long time in 3rd mastering the trig of a 6' x 8' table then 6th ed rendered that skill useless

[thade]

Thade is right, premeasuring is a new hotness for 6th. I remember being quite upset because I spent a long time in 3rd mastering the trig of a 6' x 8' table then 6th ed rendered that skill useless

It's actually still very, very useful. Sure, you can measure anything you want to, whenever you want to...which simultaneously gives you immediate and exact distances while simultaneously tipping your opponent off to precisely what unit(s) you are considering.

If you don't have to measure (i.e. if the rules don't require it and you have a good sense of the distances) don't. You can use this to throw your opponent off: measure things you're not concerned with, avoid measuring things that concern you the most. With GK we have an advantage here as it's also reasonable for us to measure just about everything (but the order is still important at times) but, in general, I know my assault distance very well (most seasoned players do), I know rapid-fire range pretty well (as most players do), and I can use table width to eyeball rocket range within six inches or so. Those metrics are often all you need.

It's very nice we can measure (for those times when you absolutely need to know within an inch for a decision) but if you don't have to measure, I recommend not measuring.

In the context of Tau, their 72" guns can hit anything they can trace LOS, so that's something you can definitely avoid measuring.

[Gentlemanloser]

I used to know my assault distance very well. :(

[thade]

In particular I meant each of those as a general unit of measure, i.e. 6", 12", 48", that you can use; I didn't mean specifically per action.

Though average assault distance is now 7", so 6" is still not a tragic estimate for a safe-ish lower bound.

[Reclusiarch Darius]

 

5th Edition - Measuring Distances, Page 3:

 

"In general, players are NOT (Emphasis mine) allowed to measure any distance except when the rules call for it (e.g. after declaring an assault or firing at an enemy, to work out a rule's area of effect, when deploying their forces, etc)."  

 

6th Edition - Measuring Distances, Page 4:

 

"In games of Warhemmer40,000, distances are measured in inches (") with a tape measure or measuring stick. You can always check any distance at any time." (Emphasis GW)

 

 

You mentioned being 100% sure. You are 100% wrong. As Thade stated - this was one of the big changes in 6th. I still feel like I'm cheating or being unsporting when I pre-measure in 6th sometimes - but it is there in black and white for all to see as a legal action.

I stand corrected. I distinctly remember pre-measuring in 5th though, as well as opponents doing it. Ah well, at least its the case now. 

[thade]

I stand corrected. I distinctly remember pre-measuring in 5th though, as well as opponents doing it. Ah well, at least its the case now.

Don't sweat it; we all make mistakes with the rule set, big and small. Good news is, we got pre-measure. Hopefully it's here to stay.

Pre-measuring against Tau xenos makes me chuckle, since virtually every time I wonder if the Tau target can hit me the answer is "Very, very probably" so measuring seems silly. "You've got power armor," I tell my models. "And the Emperor protects."

[Reclusiarch Darius]

Pre-measuring against Tau xenos makes me weep, since virtually every time I wonder if the Tau target can hit me the answer is "Very, very probably" so measuring seems silly. "You've got Terminator armor," I tell my models. "And the Emperor protects."

My version. And then they proceed to roll 1's like no tomorrow for saves.

Any suggestion for the OP guys? I did some editing but it could probably use some more work