Tau Wishing listing for 9th, why not?

[Triszin]

i would like to see a "electric smoke" defensive system.

 

Add a suit system, that can be used once per game, where it "deploys" electric smoke around the model, any enemy model within engagement range takes 1 mortal wound on a 4+ or 2 mortal wounds on a nat 6

[DietOfLiquor]

I’d love to see a return of JSJ and BS 3+ Crisis Suits.

 

A plastic farsight. And maybe actual clam pack like marines get for other tau septs.

 

Give us an updated Kroot line with Krootox riders and greater gnarlocs again since forgeworld discontinued them, bust also new Vespid.

 

I’m a firm believer that the funky Xenos artwork that they spent a good deal talking about at the beginning of 9th edition that’s in the Rulebook might be some of the new mercenaries for them, like the funky tri legged aliens shooting with what almost looks like Tau weaponry.

 

Updated rules for path finders

 

Bring us back to 5th edition tau markerlights where you can spend them instead of just granting universal usage of them with little to no benefit.

 

The list goes on. I look forward to the day of fielding them again!

[Panzer]

I'd honestly like to see a complete rework of the Markerlight system. Having to hit with a weapon that has trouble hitting so you can hit better is just ... bad.

[WrathOfTheLion]

I'm wanting a plastic Farsight. Starting a small Farsight Enclaves force, so to me that's the big thing I want.

I've only read bits of the current codex, I'm not really willing to purchase that at this moment in time.

[Skaorn]

Since GW is doing crazy things like 2 wound marines and toughness 5 orks, why not go crazy and go with pulse weapons being 2 damage.

 

3+ shooting for suits or Shas'vre at the very least (so Riptides and such).

 

Kroot going back to S4 and 2A and the crazy option of a Kroot Merc codex

 

Stealth Suits getting expanded special weapon choices, maybe rail rifles or ion guns.

 

Vespid matriarch monsterous creature.

 

A Demiurge unit design to sit and hold objectives like a space dwarf should.

 

Ethereals giving access to advanced tech that can be used in place of psychics.

 

JSJ back on jet packs

Edited August 26, 2021 by Skaorn

[drakheart]

Always liked the idea of an earth caste engineer with repair and support drones to patch up and buff tau vehicles and battlesuits. 

 

But otherwise crisis battlesuits need to be much more viable, possibly make them a troop choice.

 

Plenty of scope for more variety of auxiliaries, certainly to add melee and psychic proficiency to a tau force.

[USNCenturion]

I feel like marker lights should provide a Lieutenant or captain aura on a targeted unit; that would be fluffy, within the rules, useful, and tactical. I don’t know if that should be taken farther (if it’s too powerful or not) and I don’t know how multiple targeting hits would affect the bonus; maybe they wouldn’t, you just have a good chance of getting the bonus the more lasers you point at the enemy?

 

Tau infantry should definitely not be so weak in melee; that was fine in 3rd but the advances the game has undergone means tau should at least be guardsmen level capable. Leaning into their technological preferences I can see a chaff/electric grenade they can pop in combat; you can have them fight first or reduce the enemies weapon skill or toughness (something to play around with here).

 

Battlesuits should absolutely have JSJ back and should be able to shoot everything in melee, reflecting the agility and flying capabilities of the suits.

 

I’d think hard about giving ethereals some kind of psychic phase abilities, either offense or defense or both. It gives us another phase to play in, provides much needed psychic defense, and makes ethereals more useful and important. You can explain it away as psychic evolution or it’s just their mental power reflected in a “psychic” phase.

 

Kroot should play the role of Native Americans to Taus line infantry in the French and Indian War; scouts, numbers, and close combat prowess give tau something they otherwise lack and need. The pathfinders themselves fulfill the role of light infantry with additional scouting and the obligatory marker lights and long range sniper weapons.

 

Keep the devil fish as a great workhorse transport for fire Warriors and pathfinders.

 

Do away with the heavy reliance on drone protection; I’m personally not a fan and it makes for too much hurt feelings and bad blood. The gun and marker drones are fine, the shield drones should be for suits only, and have a cap on unit sizes. I’m more harsh with my drone rules to make the infantry and suits more effective.

 

Make the Stormsurge useful. Keep the riptides and stealth units special and fun to bring.

 

Finally, as the outlandish what if; recall the old WHFB Empire faction and their detachment special rules. Make Kroot and/or Vespid detachments of fire Warriors/battlesuits. You take one fire Warriors unit, for each unit you can attach a kroot unit to it. The kroot unit can make a heroic intervention when the fire warrior unit is charged for free. That gives kroot a use, and negates the fire Warriors ineptitude in combat. Etc etc.

[Evil Eye]

Oh boy, I nearly started 40K with Tau before going for Tyranids instead. I really don't need yet another project, but if GW were trying really really REALLY hard to make me start them (or one of my projects evaporated in the night), here's what I'd say:
 

First off, no more absurdly large battlesuits. We've already got the Riptide and the Stormsurge, both of which are enormous, and those are just the plastic ones! If we were to get another BIG kit, I'd rather we got a plastic Orca (with better rules). It's a fantastic design, and IMO the non-Battlesuit Tau vehicles are majorly underrated, plus if they wanted to get more mileage out of it they could give it a gunship option.

 

That said I wouldn't mind more medium sized/light weight battlesuits, be they new designs or plastic renditions of FW models. The XV9 springs to mind with its awesome and Obari as all feth design, and likewise a "generic" XV22 HQ would be nice, as currently the only tabletop XV22 is Shadowsun.

 

New Kroot stuff is an obvious choice of course. I'd love to see some Vespid love too, for that matter.

 

More tanky goodness! Be it stuff on the Devilfish chassis or completely new. I'd personally like to see an artillery/heavy mortar equivalent (think the Wraith and its plasma mortar from Halo), and also I'd love to see the FW turrets make a return for the Hammerhead, though that's a pipe dream.

 

Finally, speaking of FW units getting Plastic Love (thank you Maria Takeuchi) I'd love the old drone turrets to make a comeback. They were far nicer and simpler in design than the plastic faction terrain we got- I think they'd be pretty good if you could actually buy them!

[jarms48]

More tanky goodness! Be it stuff on the Devilfish chassis or completely new. I'd personally like to see an artillery/heavy mortar equivalent (think the Wraith and its plasma mortar from Halo), and also I'd love to see the FW turrets make a return for the Hammerhead, though that's a pipe dream.

 

Finally, speaking of FW units getting Plastic Love (thank you Maria Takeuchi) I'd love the old drone turrets to make a comeback. They were far nicer and simpler in design than the plastic faction terrain we got- I think they'd be pretty good if you could actually buy them!

 

Damn, I'd love to see all those alternate turrets for the Hammerhead come back. I think it's time to focus on the infantry, auxiliary, and hover tanks. We don't need more mechs. 

 

Seeing the turrets come back as cheap fortifications would be nice too. 

Edited September 9, 2021 by jarms48

[chapter master 454]

I always felt tau were a faction that would be suited to the more reasonable method of dealing with big targets: just put a big gun on a mobile platform. To me the Tiger Shark X-01 (the one with the massive rail cannon) is a terrifying concept in terms of titan hunting. Having air superiority is something tau seem quite able at, so having bombers just pepper titan's void shields with payloads designed to bust them followed by a tiger shark just putting rail rounds clean through the machine gods is something that is devastating.

 

Similar thing with tanks, I would imagine tau trying to figure out a way to put such a gun on a devilfish like chassis, or heavily modified one, to act as a long range tank destroyer for things like baneblades.

 

To me, Tau are the faction where we have giant robots but they keep to a smaller scale of it. Their true power is how they take small amount of resources and make them count effectively, which is how they manage to hold back the Imperium. Not that they have bottomless resources, it is just they are incredibly good at using what they have...which is being able to use materials harvested from black holes apparently.

[Skaorn]

That's how the Tau were depicted when they originally came out. The idea of giant robots was impractical to them. The Manta was their titan equivalent. This obviously didn't last as giant robots are seen as cooler than tanks or aircraft.

[chapter master 454]

That's how the Tau were depicted when they originally came out. The idea of giant robots was impractical to them. The Manta was their titan equivalent. This obviously didn't last as giant robots are seen as cooler than tanks or aircraft.

 

 I would say the bigger battlesuits are more in line with being considered like Wraithlords, Dreadnoughts and Dreadknights really. They are Tau making bigger battlesuits which isn't a big stretch as it is just like going from a piranha to a devilfish, Crisis suit to Riptide and they had lore to point to the idea of trying to mount bigger weapons on battlesuits but needed a bigger suit that was bigger than a broadside but with mobility.

 However I think at this point we need more battlesuit variants. This is where the faction shines and while their tanks are neat, it really isn't possible for their lore unless they start manning them with Auxiliaries. Battlesuits offer tank firepower in the hands of veterans, that is what Tau is about: Quality. Right now though...there is no quality...other than the dreams of mecha fans.

[Panzer]

 

That's how the Tau were depicted when they originally came out. The idea of giant robots was impractical to them. The Manta was their titan equivalent. This obviously didn't last as giant robots are seen as cooler than tanks or aircraft.

 

 I would say the bigger battlesuits are more in line with being considered like Wraithlords, Dreadnoughts and Dreadknights really. They are Tau making bigger battlesuits which isn't a big stretch as it is just like going from a piranha to a devilfish, Crisis suit to Riptide and they had lore to point to the idea of trying to mount bigger weapons on battlesuits but needed a bigger suit that was bigger than a broadside but with mobility.

 However I think at this point we need more battlesuit variants. This is where the faction shines and while their tanks are neat, it really isn't possible for their lore unless they start manning them with Auxiliaries. Battlesuits offer tank firepower in the hands of veterans, that is what Tau is about: Quality. Right now though...there is no quality...other than the dreams of mecha fans.

 

 

The thing is, they did that step (Piranha to Devilfish) with the Riptide already, which even uses an experimental reactor so it can use all its systems. Anything bigger used to be deemed impractical by the T'au. Queue GW seeing big mechs selling like hot cakes and suddenly we have abominations like the Stormsurge and even more huge suits like the Ta'unar instead of relying on aircraft and tanks like they were supposed to.

[Skaorn]

XV22 generic commander.

 

The return of Shas'els

 

XV46 Vanguard suits, mostly because I like the idea of suits meant to board starships and navigate other tight spaces. They're said to be armed most frequently with a burst cannon, flamer, and fusion torch (not sure if it's all three or just one) but I'd personally like to see an upscaled version of the pulse blaster to differentiate it from all the other burst cannon carrying suits. https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/XV46_Vanguard_Void_Battlesuit

 

Some sort of siege skimmer. Narwhal- I imagine a tank designed around a fixed large gun rather than a turret. The heavy armor would be as much for protection as to keep it from cooking the crew or shaking apart, depending on what it was firing.

 

Possibly a suit between Crisis and Riptide, dreadnaught size instead of knight. Bulwark- going with a heavy armor suit, like a broadside, for this example. Designed for the purpose of dealing with heavy infantry and nid warriors while at medium ranges. Maybe equipped with 4 hard points or the ability to equip long barreled Crisis suit weapons like on the fw hammerhead turrets.

 

A skimmer between the size of the piranha and hammerhead for fast attack. Mako- an afv designed to engage targets at medium range. Not as versatile as battle suits but easy to produce, they often serve for garrison, patrol, and even law enforcement duties. I'm thinking a turret with long barreled crisis suit weapons.

 

Artillery platforms. Anemones- open topped skimmer platforms that house a big gun. One obvious choice would be a larger version of the AFP that delivers over longer range.

 

A better looking flyer. The sharks are uggos next to the barracuda and tiger shark.

 

Edit: I needed to add examples I had in my head so I can hopefully get sleep now.

Edited September 16, 2021 by Skaorn

[Triszin]

New leaks images in news and rumor.

 

New things for Pathfinders?

[Panzer]

Also now to be seen in an article on WarCom itself: https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/09/16/gen-con-tau-pathfinders-rumble-with-all-new-novitiate-sisters-in-the-first-kill-team-expansion/

 

Honestly, while they do look nice they don't offer enough for me to buy the box considering I already own 30 Pathfinder. A bit underwhelmed but not too surprised. Something that does surprise me a little bit though is the complete lack of drones considering even in main 40k Pathfinders come with a bunch of specialised drones as well.

[Shas'El Bo'Drop]

I've been thinking that there should be a way to make Fire Warriors survivable when they're holding objectives. Maybe a piece of wargear that acts like a claymore type mine when they don't move. Replace the overwatch rule with a unit specific, reactive attack against chargers?

[Triszin]

Seeing the new bt codex. I assume Tau get squad level "relics" expirenental tech they can buy for points

[chapter master 454]

Considering the ork codex, we will likely see experimental options that are buy ins rather than relic replacers. I think they realised the mistake with tyranids and their warlord traits (yea, tyranids have warlord trait guys. Who knew XD).

 

However that being said our options for relics and warlord traits is so anaemic that it doesn't take much to out do them.

 

Will say that I hope if that is a thing however that Bork'An get a benefit or some manner to get more experimental stuff.

And going to just drop this here because I am a wild dreamer:

Y'Varha and R'Varna to main codex with kit.

This is a wishlisting thread after all ;)

[Tawnis]

What I would love to see for the Tau, even if they don't get their own codex, is something Kroot centric. 

 

With they way codices have been going in 9th, Kroot will likely not get the <Core> Keyword which means they will loss some of the few benefits they actually can still get (like the Ethereal Aura and buffs). Kroot are already barely scraping by as it is, and with the chance of new models being very small, there are a few things that could be done with what they have. 

 

1. Bring back the Knarlocs: FW made these before, it's not strange to think they could bring this line back. Even if it's not in plastic, just having them available to purchase and no longer being Legendary would be huge. If they stay roughly as strong as they are now, the Knarloc riders are a solid melee option and they Greater Knarloc is very strong. I don't think Tau themselves should have much melee, but the Kroot can and should fill that role for them. 

 

2. Kroot HQ: Make Shapers HQ units, OR even better, make a "new" unit that uses the same profile as the Shaper with some stat/ability changes to be an HQ unit. No new model needed, though GW could do that and also milk this with a limited edition promo model; they love that kind of thing, and for something like this, yeah I'd buy it.

 

3. Improve Kroot utility: Fix the wording on the Hidden Hunters stratagem to make it good. If we get a new HQ, some kind of new buff from them. Add a few new stratagems, at least one melee focused one for Carnivores. Make a "Sept" for the Kroot that doesn't effect Tau units just like the Septs don't effect Kroot. 

 

3.5 Food Buffs: Each Kroot unit can select a pregame buff based on the food they most commonly consume and are "Shaping" into. This could be done for "free" buy giving them a general points hike, or better yet, keep the points low and make these optional for point increases. Since GW like's their D6's for randomization, I'll list 6 potential options. 1) Psyker Powers: The unit can manifest / deny 1. It knows Smite and a custom Kroot one, likely a stealthy/defense buff (though I would love a whole Kroot Psychic table). 2) Ork Ferocity: +1 A and +1 Advance/Charge. 3) Astartes Resilience: +1 T, 6++ FNP. 4) Human Tenacity: +1 Ld, +1 BS if remained stationary. 5) Eldar Alacrity: +1 M, +1 WS. 6) Beastial Nature: +1M, +1 S, +1 T, +1 A, +1 W. This unit must always move at maximum speed to the nearest enemy and must attempt to charge it if possible. This unit may not shoot. 

 

Lore wise, Kroot don't feed on Tau, Necrons (they only made that mistake once), Tyranids, or Chaos. 

 

4. Krootsade Support: Kind of like what I said in 3.5, there is so much potential customizability with the Kroot and if we get it nowhere else, we should at least get it in Crusade. 

[sitnam]

Whilst I prefer a Krootdex, those are atleast changes I can get behind as a Kroot fan. I think something like the Militarum Tempestus would be a great way to handle Kroot: a faction within a faction.Tau could still take Kroot units, but a pure Kroot detachment could benefit from KINDREDS instead of SEPTS.

[Jacques Corbin]

What would make a cool battlesuit, something like a Crisis or Broadside, but heavily shielded with at least a 4++ and a 3+ armor save, and shoulder- or wrist-mounted pistol weapons. Now, it gets into melee, you have to beat it in a roll off to fall back from melee with it, and friendly tau units can shoot units that it is in melee with.

 

Would that be cool? More mobile Broadside type suits, charging into a vehicle, monster, or horde, holding them at bay, but still allowing the rest of the tau force to shoot at them. And if the enemy tries to fall back, then the suit does its best to hold them in place.

[Triszin]

Ehh.

This codex I don't think we'll get any new new units.

 

Unless darksrtrider is in a prototype ultra light stealth/pathfinder suit

 

Instead just big fixes to how Tau work.

Hopefully it means more viable, more diverse lists.

 

 

I'd like for marker lights to auto hit, and generate marker light tokens for the next round. And can be consumed during the psykic phase, To effect the next round.

 

Like, spend 6 market light tokens on this, 5 on that, 2 on this.

 

 

On my wishlisting, I would love for a barrier shield drone.

-2+ barrier shield drones can work in tandem to generate barrier shields that count as cover/fortifications. Can be used to gate sections of the board

Edited November 1, 2021 by Triszin

[Galron]

I am hoping that tanks will increase in usefulness without Longstrike. Maybe go back old school when we got Dispersion Fields that were a cheap upgrade that gave vehicles a 5++ outside of 12" from the shooter. Maybe allow drones to tank shots at tanks. 

 

I also would like to get back alternative turrets for Hammerheads. Kind of annoys me that I had just finished getting hold of and building three of the High Yield Missile turrets for my Hammerheads and then 9th came along and stuck them into Legends.

 

So yeah, Tank viability is my main request. Oh and make Hazard Suit burst cannons legal with the custom trait. Stupid that they arent already with so many other codices having things like "Anything with flame in the name is affected by..."

[Triszin]

I am hoping that tanks will increase in usefulness without Longstrike. Maybe go back old school when we got Dispersion Fields that were a cheap upgrade that gave vehicles a 5++ outside of 12" from the shooter. Maybe allow drones to tank shots at tanks.

 

I also would like to get back alternative turrets for Hammerheads. Kind of annoys me that I had just finished getting hold of and building three of the High Yield Missile turrets for my Hammerheads and then 9th came along and stuck them into Legends.

 

So yeah, Tank viability is my main request. Oh and make Hazard Suit burst cannons legal with the custom trait. Stupid that they arent already with so many other codices having things like "Anything with flame in the name is affected by..."

All vehicles in general, save a few exceptions, need to be reworked, discounted and or buffed this edition