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| Quote (Hena @ 28 Mar. 2006 (22:42)) | There is a sniper ability which most do not have. Actually I don't know what has it apart from Vindicare Assassin. I haven't read the IG codex, so cannot comment on ratlings.
Then there is sniper rifle, which every marine scout can have. Then there is rail rifle which up to 3 pathfinders can have. Sniper rifle is more effective against targets which have very high toughness and small save while rail rifle is better against most other targets. Both cause pinning (eg. may prevent opponents unit from acting next time).
Best sniper in game as far as I know is Vindicare Assassin. |
Guess you are referencing 40K here.
Vindicare has a BS5 if I recall, which makes him hit on a 2+. Unfortunately, he only has 3 shots that are good. He carry's a very limited amount of ammo.
One of his shots tank bust. One of his shots character bust. and I've forgotten what the other shot did.
In general though, they guy is very single shot special interest.
The vindicare is 1 model and is very expensive (over 100 points if memory serves). From game play, he's actually not a very good SNIPER at all. What he is good at is being an assissin. One shot = One kill.
If you want to talk about the best SNIPER in the games, look at death world veteren catachans. They are forward reconnisence. They get dug in and spot targets of opportunity ahead of and during main engagements in a front. They use deathworld toxins on their amo and can fire every round. They always hit on a 4+ regardless of cover. Then they always wound on a 2+, regardless of toughness. Then they get to reroll failure to wounds (toxins). They are cheap and disposable. They snipe out good targets that might be otherwise a pain. Wounding hits cause pinning tests.
Pathfinders fall in the category of the Catachans more than vindicare. They are definitely not Assassins like the Vindicare.
Their ML now work brilliantly for the sniping aspect. They paint targets which allow other weapons in the army to utilize that paint to hit better. That's huge.
They are causing pinning tests when units are using the ML as they are marked and are being sniped with deadly accuracy by the shots coming in.
The Rail Rifles themselves cause pinning tests which significantly can disrupt an entire formation from doing what its supposed to do. A key element of any quality sniper. Troops that aren't firing the painting the target with ML deliver this crucial rail rilfe shot. Squads can be 4 men strong with 3 of those being rail-rifles and 1 being a ML. They get get as large as 7 men strong plus a upgraded sergent with his own special gear. 3 of the seven would have Rail rifles in this config while the other 4 would have ML. Regardless of formation size, with target locks - the sergent is allowed to snipe one target, while each of the 3 rail rifles is firing at their own targets, and the remaining infantry - if any are taken, may mark the same 5th target for further sniping via larger weaponry or furthering pinning tests. This is due to the versatility of targetting and individual targetting from within the unit. Also, the deadly accuracy the PF's have with the rail Rifles and the AP3 of the Rail rifle - allows their shots to go straight through a marine giving him no save whatsoever. Therefore, they are sniping in a general since with ML, with Rail rifles, and with the vet sergents gear of choice.
As auxiliary - when the situation becomes uncomfortably close, their assault weapons come out. Their pulse carbines allow them to be mobile, deliver a potent S5 shot which is more powerful than a bolter or storm bolter, and stick to the Tau firing discipline of mobility and combat avoidance. Furthermore, the carbine lobs gernades at targets that get too close - pinning and further disrupting the enemy.
PF's are the absoulte best in 40K at forward reconissance, securing a DZ, sniping, becoming the eyes and ears of an approaching Tau army, and maintaining a forward mobile scouting force role.
Heh - thus their name - "pathfinder"... see new codex for more specific supporting fluff as needed.
BTW: somewhat off topic and perhaps unrelated, see realworld reference of an 'ironic' British Pathfinder... maybe you'll see some parrellel. LINK - PF - LINK.
If you would like an excerpt...
The original Pathfinder unit was formed during formed during World War II. It's main role was to jump ahead of the main force and secure a DZ (or Drop Zone)for allied Paratroopers. In September of 1944 Pathfinders of the 21st Independent Company dropped into Arnhem to clear and secure a DZ. The operations went off with out a hitch. After the war the pathfinder unit was disbanded and all members were sent to other units.
In 1981 2 Para again saw the need for a pathfinder platoon. Although it was officially called C Company, it strength was only that of a platoon.16 soldiers took part in the first Selection process for the new Pathfinder Platoon. It had the same role as the original pathfinders of WWII. They were tasked with dropping in and securing a DZ, they would then dig in and perform reconnaissance duties. They became the Regiments "eyes and ears".
In 1982 2 Para's Pathfinders platoon was broken up into two platoons (it was now at Company strength): the Patrol Platoon and the Recce Platoon. Both units were trained the same and held much of the same duty as they did as Pathfinders.
In 1985 5 Airborne Brigade formed the current Pathfinder Platoon. Again it would reach Company level but still retain the title of "platoon". Any male in the British Army can apply for the Pathfinders, however the core is taken from units in 5 Airborne Brigade. ... |
**Personal Opinion** - I'm thankful that CS likes them with sniper as I think its proposterous to invision them in any other way. The formation works, is attractive to the tau general, distinguishes itself nicely from the FW, and his balanced in the tau list overall.
If there's a small lobby out there from generals of other lists (tyranids) that have a formation that has a weakness to sniper (tyranid warriors) of which they are dependent upon, then perhaps that list's general should consider not relying solely on such formations as part of their tactica and thus not fearing the possibility of sniper in general whether it be from Tau PF's, IG ratlings, marine scouts, eldar rangers - or whatever the heck comes out in the future.
Cheers,
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Rob
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