Long Ranged Stealthsuits

[Skaorn]

So now that the rules have changed and GW is seems fine putting out things like the Raven Guard chapter trait, it would be nice to see stealthsuit squads that can be set up with long ranged weapons, rather than short. I know that they wouldn't give them missle pods or rail rifles with JSJ and rolling 3d6 to see if you can target them, even if such a unit makes sense to have. Now though it seems like such a unit is less likely to cause other players to cry foul.

[Panzer]

A Stealth Suit unit with Rail Rifles would be awesome as hell, but unfortunately they seem to go the Space Marine way with only one heavy hitting weapon and lots of mediocre shooting in a single unit with those. ^^

[Skaorn]

You'd think the Tau would at least let a few swap out for flamers at the very least.

[Panzer]

Stealth Suits with Rail Rifles or Flamer...now that would be my dream unit. :D

[Skaorn]

My dream unit version would involve giving stealthsuits a new plastic based off the original design, as the originals were my favorite models in 40K, and divide them into the two hunting philosophies. One getting any of the Crisis Suit weapons save missile pods or anything they might add more than 24". The other getting MPs, RR, and maybe that LS Pulse Rifle if you want a cheap option to go with a targeting system that lets them target characters. I never really liked the concept of the sniper drones even when they were equipped with rail rifles. Sadly I know getting this is up there with winning the lotto, but it's nice to dream.

[Panzer]

Heh, I love the current Stealth Suits and prefer them over the old design. Even better since the new design is explained in the fluff. :P

Although I admit the current Stealth Suits using a Rail Rifle would look pretty weird...

 

I think the Sniper Drones with a Marksman are a great concept, however they'd need either their Rail Rifles back (of course with the Sniper rule added) or the same Mortal wound rule others have. And the Marksman should add +2 to-hit because hitting on 4+ for a "Sniper" unit that even gets supported by a character is just ridiculous.

[Skaorn]

Everyone has their own tastes. I'm not one who hates the new design like some do, I just like the old better.

 

Yeah, 4+ isn't exactly a marksman. my original thoughts on them was that it seemed silly to fire a projectile several times the speed of sound from a floating platform. While they fixed that conceptual issue now, sadly, I think they should have looked at predator drones for sniper drones would have been better. Even if it was just a cheap platform for a seeker missile.

[Panzer]

Yeah I can understand that. I don't hate on the old models either, I just love the current ones too much. They're one of my favorite T'au models and one of the reasons why I started playing T'au. :D

 

Another solution would be to simply scrap the Sniper Drone unit and give the Pathfinder Rail Rifles the Sniper special rule.

I mean I would be kinda sad to lose the Sniper Drones because they are thematically pretty cool, but 1. they are still not in plastic, 2. their rules were never done properly and 3. Pathfinder with Rail Rifle seem like a unit that's supposed to be able to snipe things. ^^

[The Yncarne]

I'd rather give crisis suits or broadsides the option for stealth drones rather than give stealth suits longer range weapon options.

[Skaorn]

I'd rather give crisis suits or broadsides the option for stealth drones rather than give stealth suits longer range weapon options.

While this would be good option to have, the way I look at long rang stealth suits is that they are the one battle suit that is roughly man sized. Unless a building or something is scaled for something smaller than modern humans then a stealth suit could conceivably fit into that others can't. Having a stealthy unit that could fly into the top floor of an office building and use it as additional cover to conceal their sniping position would be a good thing to have in my book. I'd probably want more Crisis Suits for firepower and flexibility but I'd definitely like the stealth suit options too.

[Panzer]

I'd rather give crisis suits or broadsides the option for stealth drones rather than give stealth suits longer range weapon options.

That's thematically something completely different tho.

[The Yncarne]

Sure it's thematically different, but if stealth can take the same weapons as crisis or broadside it diminishes their role in the army. I don't understand what reason to take non-stealth suits if the stealth suits could take just about any weapon.

 

I prefer an army with each units role clearly defined. I must be in the minority.

[Panzer]

And giving Crisis suits a form of stealth wouldn't dimnish the Stealth Suits role in the army? There's a reason why they went with the bigger Ghostkeel and skipped the Crisis size.

 

I mean I agree with you that Stealth Suits shouldn't have as many weapon options. Rail Rifles are fine since you only find them on Pathfinder otherwise. Flamer would be okay still as well since they basically have the same role as Burst Cannons. More shouldn't be the case tho.

Also it's important to mention that Stealth Suits are only equipped with a single weapon while Crisis can have up to three.

 

 

Anyway, that's all wishlisting for something that's extremely unlikely to happen anyway.

[Skaorn]

Stealth Suits would be tailored to fit a specific hunting role, probably outfitted with mostly similar weapons to fulfill that role. Crisis Suits get up to 3 more weapon systems and more support systems so they can cover multiple roles on the fly. In 8th Ed CS can put out far more firepower than SS than in previous editions. I think all this would do is make SS more of a viable option.

[Panzer]

Stealth Suits are no hunter tho. They are wild cards who cause havoc and confusion behind the enemy lines while the rest of the army rains coordinated dakka on the enemies.

[The Yncarne]

Here's how I see each suits current role:

Stealth - short range (>18") mass light infantry targets. Occasional vehicle buster (fusion gun which was not an option for the original model release)

Crisis - intermediate range (18-36") versatility. Tailored to a specific role of anti infantry or anti light vehicle.

Broadside - long range support. Primary targets are vehicles or the old monster roles.

 

I can't speak to the newer models like ghost keel, riptide and storm surge. The impression I get is these are mostly just giant versions of the stealth suit, crisis suit, and broadside respectively.

 

I'm not exactly a fan of drones, but I believe adding stealth drones as an option for other suits or Tau infantry offers the player options without detracting from other units.

 

If stealth suits could take rail rifles then I'd only consider pathfinders or sniper drones with rail rifles based on points.

 

Different strokes for different folks as said above.

[Panzer]

Broadside - long range support. Primary targets are vehicles or the old monster roles.

 

Except that they are much better at killing multi-wound infantry with HYMP now than at killing vehicles.

[The Yncarne]

I have no experience with HYMP. Were they used for anti-infantry in the previous versions or were they mostly light vehicle punishers? I can't claim the changes to the game in 8th don't change anything, but I believe the core argument stands.

 

I don't understand how it invalidates my specialization or range mental model. Does one keep HYMP suits near the back of the lines and rarely move them? Does one use them just like crisis or stealth suits?

 

I prefer each unit to have a role. Probably partially explains why I enjoy playing aspect warriors more than tactical marines.

[Trevak Dal]

Well all suits need to be 3+ bs anyways for their points.

 

And if they aren't bringing back jump shoot jump, burst cannons need a 6" increase in range.

Edited July 28, 2017 by Trevak Dal

[Panzer]

I honestly think BS4+ is fine for Stealth Suits with how cheap they are compared to the rest, but yeah every other suits definitely needs a drastic points decrease or a BS3+ buff.

[Trevak Dal]

They just didn't get any more expensive they cost the same.

[Panzer]

They just didn't get any more expensive they cost the same.

Exactly. But they got +1T +1W and a neat -1 to-hit modifier special rule even in melee. Not to forget the option to take a Homing Beacon and the ability to let Drones tank for them. Very well worth their points now imo.

[Skaorn]

If someone decided Tau should be BS 3+ I would certainly keep my mouth shut about it, even if it was for Shas'Ui and up. Part of me does like the idea of basing them around IG being the standard stat line rather than SM, though. I do agree that burstcannons could use some love though, especially if cyclic ion blasters aren't limited to 1 anymore.

[Panzer]

The thing is, if they stay BS4+ then we need a real improvement on the markerlight table and their cost would have to get reduced a good bit. Which I would be totally fine with, really. T'au are described as being shortsighted and generally physically less capable as the average human so BS4+ would make totally sense.

The problem is how hard it is for an army that can't do anything else besides shooting to do just that right now. That's what they invented all their technology for. Especially Markerlights. So please GW let them hit their targets again, one way or another. :D

[Skaorn]

GW has done some questionable nerfs to Tau. Broadsides heavy rail rifle demotion isn't nearly as bad in this edition and we let Kroot hit in melee at Str 4 again... let's screw with markerlights and shield drones to make up for it. Hopefully these will see changes when the codex comes out along with point drops. And LR Stealthsuits. And an ethereal in armor like was on the cover of our codex once.