"New" Tau Detachments

[Tawnis]

While it may seem like we didn't get all that much new stuff, one actually new detachment and two modified ones, I'm actually pretty excited on the list building opportunities here. 

1. Advanced Acquisition Cadre: 

I've been asking for a scout/recon focused detachment since the codex dropped without one, so I'm really glad it's finally here. At only 1 DP, I think it will also pair pretty well with the Kroot Hunting Pack. Have a few Pathfinder and Steathsuit units be able to sit back and shoot / do objectives safely while you jam up the midfield with Rampagers, Krootox, and Ghostkeels seems pretty solid. The main problem with Kroot in Aux Cadre was loosing the 5+ invul and damage boots was pretty detrimental, but now we can keep that with some additional thematic utility to the T'au side of things. 

I could also see the extra damage from something like Mont'ka going well with this in a much more T'au centric list. Punching hard early while being fairly safe from retaliation.

While the rules so far only mention the Ghostkeel, Stealtsuits, and Pathfinders, I'm hoping that somewhere in there there will be a little love for the Piranhas as well since they do fit into that recon/scout mold. 

 

2. Auxiliary Cadre: 

While just being a refresh of the existing detachment, there have been some significant changes. First off, the downside is that we're loosing +1 AP for +3" detection range, which is a pretty sizable nerf. I loved jamming these in with breachers, Flamers suits, and other close quarters units that really benefitted form this extra AP and the Kroot's aggressive style. I just don't see that extra 3" range come up often. 

 

The flip side is a small buff as Kroot near Tau units can shoot while staying hidden. However, this is really only a buff to Krootox units and the Lone Spears are already Lone Op, and everything else wants to close into melee. Technically a buff, but pretty negligible. 

 

Some things remain the same, like Student of the Kauyon enabling a massive Farstalker Lethal hits ambush at the risk of telegraphing your target early. Guided by unity is fine, but nothing too amazing since it only effects 1 unit. Overall, unless the remaining strats and enhancements are VERY strong, I see this as a major downgrade to the detachment; though perhaps that is because at 1DP, you can combine it with plenty of other things and get your additional damage buffs from there (though sadly not KHP). 

3. Experimental Prototype Cadre: 

I haven't had much chance to play around with this detachment yet myself, but I do see some solid potential here at only 1DP. Any suit focused like that doesn't want to run Ret Cadre will love the addition buffs here, but in addition to that, I can see a world where jamming a bunch of high wound durable bodies up the board just works. Combine the extra strong suits here with a bunch of Rampagers and Krootox from KHP and that's a serious stat check for most armies. Fireknife suits initiating for a KHP army was always something that was theoretically good, but never really materialized, it could really see some play here.  

Looking forward to the rest of the reveals and the interesting combinations that we'll be able to make. 

 

[Happy-inquisitor]

We have to suspend judgement on a lot of this for now - for example Aux Cad works a lot better if the Fanatical Convert enhancement is still available and would arguably be very strong if its an upgrade. That is largely because at 1CP it will be able to combine with other detachments that give you good stuff while guided. Kroot with Lethal Hits is nice. All the stuff manipulating the hidden rules will struggle to find value in my opinion, I didn't find I did a lot of shooting beyond 18" in 10th edition so finding my self sometimes limited to 15" in 11th might not be worth a whole detachment to have. Assault enemies staged behind terrain will negate all this trickery. Defensively Kroot/Vespid being hidden does not appear to have much value against melee armies.

 

I can see a lot of players taking EPC to make the Twin Lance even better, with more range you can alternatively play them as a unit that dances around outside Lone Op range and 1CP for +1S on all their weapons is far from bad (not sure about the option to go Hazardous however, too many little weapons). This detachment helps Commanders, including Farsight and Shadowsun, crisis teams with those commanders and the Twin Lance. It honestly does seem rather nice if you want a splash of those units in a list that's not leaning hard enough into those to want to take Ret Cad.

 

I think AAC looks nice but  you don't really take either of these units for the raw power of their shooting so does this matter than much? If your opponent brings loads of shooting chaff its relevant, if they bring anything much else I think it is niche.  The power of this will lie with the upgrades and stratagems, both of the examples seem nice enough.

[Tawnis]

Yeah, we just have teasers so far, so it's hard to say for sure. I agree on Fanatical Convert though, if that can get passed out to more units, that would be a strong incentive to Aux Cadre.

Good call, I didn't even think of Twin Lance since I haven't gotten them yet. 

 

Yeah, I think AAC is going to be a solid second detachment in so much as it will be the one that everyone takes when they have a spare point. In that There are always going to be some Stealthsuits running around at the very least so it will give any army something.