m_folais wrote:
The Tau 3rd phase list is solid.
Widely agreed and used, eg Epic UK approved, AS WELL AS, NetEA.
Looking at the Epic UK army lists sections there is ONLY ONE list with a Manta.
So clearly a sub-optimal choice as we have been discussing. Only point this out
since there are also data about the selection of Crisis Cadres.
I do think that the Crisis Suits are still currently a very sub optimal choice.
Keep taking them for fluffy reasons but every time the only crisis they deal
with is their own crisis of under performance. Otherwise only take them for
a supreme commander (and this rather less often than those who play in
Epic UK tournaments, see below).
Out of 28 army lists taken to Epic UK tournaments only 6 took more than one Crisis Cadre.
21 lists took just one Crisis Cadre, in essence to get access to a Supreme Commander re-roll.
Of the 6 lists that took more than one Crisis Cadre FIVE took at least 2 Fire Warrior Cadres.
The Win/Loss/Draw ratios for the armies that took more than one Crisis Cadre was:
35% (8) / 52% (12) / 13% (3)
This compared with the the W/L/D ratios for the other 22 Tau lists:
40% (35) / 28% (25) / 32% (28).
Twice as likely to lose with more than one Crisis Cadre with Shas'o upgrade. I realise that
this sort of analysis it biased by the results of a few good players but the army selection
decisions of good players is entirely relevant to the argument. 5 of 8 wins for the two plus
Crisis Cadre armies were by Steve Gullick (one a BYE).
EDIT - to add:
Over all those Epic Uk lists of the core choices: 68 Fire Warrior Cadres compared to
36 Crisis Cadres (again in 21 cases to give access to a supreme commander).
We got a small upgrade with the inclusion of a Shas'el in the Crisis Cadre basic formation.
I think it would be good to add an AT5+ shot to the Plasma Rifle of the Crisis Suit
making it a 30 cm AP4+/AT5+ weapon. Most plasma weapons have similar AT hit
numbers to the AP values. Having NO AT capacity on the weapon seems wrong,
currently 30 cm AP4+.
In the fluff "the Plasma Rifle can be considered the equivalent of an Imperial Plasma Gun."
Presumably with a longer range. Imperial Plasma Guns have 15 cm AP5+/AT5+.
The Crisis Suit weapon is twin linked hence the AP4+. I'll also admit that the fluff adds,
"the Tau favour a form of technology in their Plasma Rifles that uses lower overall temperatures
of plasma gas. This exchanges a degree of damage output for increased safety for the user by
almost completely eliminating the risk of a potential catastrophic overheat of the weapon."
But then they also impact "with the fury of a supernova and scything through steel, flesh
and bone as if they were nothing." So don't increase the AT5+ to AT4+ as might be warranted
by the twin linking. Even a conservative AT6+ to the stat-line would be a useful boost.
I realise that there is no traction for giving the Fusion Guns (small arms), MW. Despite
the modest FF5+ for the Tau Third Sphere list. It would put them on par with a Marine
Land Speeder in Fire Fight, hardly an overpowering engagement weapon. And the stat
could still Close Combated out.