Tau Deflector Shield - Special Rule Concept |
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Post subject: Tau Deflector Shield - Special Rule Concept  Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 6:33 am |
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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am
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All,
Baron P had an idea to revise the Deflector to a static save in a seperate thread concerning various changes. That got me thinking to pull that topic out into a seperate thread as its around a special rule that effects 3 units in our WIP v4.2 list (Dragonfish, Moray, Manta).
Many have commented on this Deflector Shield topic previously and if memory serves, a variable save deemed more 'tau-ish' and fluffier to the deflective qualities intended in its vision. A static shield of 4+ invulnerable or 5+ invulnerable was desired by some, but more or less voted down - again, as I recall.
I'm curious as to what opinions are of that now, in lieu of the 40K Manta coming out with a 4+ invulnerable save always on.
Personally, I was convinced some time ago that it probably should remain variable (and less effective) vs. always on at top energy levels (as it would be with a static save). However, I do think the existing Deflector Shield rules can be cleaned up.
I think it should be written to say that its a 6+ vs. weapons that both allow armor and reinforced armor saves to work normally (like AT shots). It should be 5+ vs. any shot that doesn't allow both armour and reinforced armor saves but does allow one of them (like Macro-weapon and Lance). It should be 4+ against anything that doesn't allow any armor saves (like Titan Killer).
This is basically what it does today, but we don't use words like Macro-weapon and Titan Killer to limit its effects. In that regard, it becomes 'future proof' and will work against any future weapons of high power that are not really labled "TK" or "MW" but do just that effect.
Eldar Lances for example have the net 'effect' of a MW against our Manta, but we only get our 'AT' invulnerable save of 6+ against the weapon because of the way the rule is currently written.
So instead of the v4.1 text,
Tau deflector shields work like an invulnerable save in all respects, with the single exsception that they will not always save on the normal 6+, instead the score is dependent on the impact engergy of the hit: The deflector will save on a 4+ agasint weapons with the Titan Killer ability (roll for variable damage first and then save agasint each hit seperately, as attacks might be only partially deflected), a 5+ against Macro Weapon hits, and a 6+ against AT attacks. It does not work at all in assaults, where the angle of incoming attacks does not allow for deflecting shots completely away from the craft. |
I would change it to,
The Tau Deflector Shield is an invulnerable save that has no effect against base-to-base combat attacks, but against other attacks the invulnerable save roll will be 4+, 5+ or 6+ instead of only 6+. It's a 6+ vs. weapons that allow both Armor Saves and Reinforced Armor Saves to work normally (e.g. AT shots). Its a 5+ vs. any shots that don't allow both Armour Saves and Reinforced Armour saves but does allow one of them (like Macro-weapon and Lance). Finally, its 4+ against anything that doesn't allow any armor saves (like Titan Killer). |
This works to 1) make it effective in FF (which the 40K shield does)
2) keeps it variable (which the 40K shield is better, always 4+)
3) makes it future proof - as intended when invisioned
4) and clean up/shorten the text in the rule
Thoughts?
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Post subject: Tau Deflector Shield - Special Rule Concept Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:57 pm |
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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am
Posts: 2241
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All,
Thank you for taking the time to way in.
Asaura,
There's plenty of overly complicated rules in E:A and various lists. I don't think this rule is overly complicated, and I think the gaming community is more than capable of understanding this as written in WIPv4.2. As proposed, it works to solve the v4.1 problem of not being future proof.
baronp & Col_Sp,
Reasoning is the deflector is first a lessor version of the 40K invulnerable shield to add a level of fluff to the E:A vehicle and balance the vehicles resilience in E:A.
FF is representative of a 40K game.
There is a precident of shields working vs. shooting and FF but not base to base. This precident fits with the Deflector in E:A.
Manta was also overpriced in 4.1 for what it yielded in value to the list this minor change does help add value.
NH, Steele,
Agreed.
Cheers,
_________________
Rob
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And I like the fact achieving base-to-base would mean something.