I think it can 'partly' be seen that we have these situations:
- Sudden combat drops(typically Mantas/Orcas), can go from 'orbit' to ground, fully armoured and resistant. - Non-combat drops where ships can land and unload properly, or spend a long time allowing couriers, other shuttles and such to deploy as needed. - 'Strike' insertions: The above require full orbital superiority*, as I see it the Emissary should be capable of inserting past light enemy orbital defences, or in a full fleet engagement 'maybe' slipping past and making it through to the Low Orbit Table(as designed). From here, the 'drop bays' of the Emissary allow around one cadre and a contingent or two of craft to insert directly to the ground from some atmospheric altitude.
Note that the Protector 'could' also do the above role, but it's outfitted with dedicated lander craft so it can keep fighting. The Emissary seems a prime role to work 'all ends'. A proper 'strike cruiser' in that respect.
I don't see why we can't have it at 'hover level', above the level that support craft fly at(or on that level, but since it's a full blown starship, there's really no point pointing standard groundbased weapons at it, or the flights of bombers and stuff found in Epic Games, nothing 'really' stands much of a chance against it[we can say]).
Personally, this has a few more points going for it:
1- It adds massive character to the Emissary ship, allowing for simply awesome and heroic/adventurous actions. 2- It allows for incredible thematics and imagery 3- It borders the line between Manta and 'civilised landings' quite nicely. 4- It's actually a plausible idea, with models we already have, and doesn't require a creation of a new model/roled ship for the lists.(That said, a 'deployment' Manta makes perfect sense as well, but does it make perfect tau-sense?)
EDIT: * Moving from a BFG PoV, getting a squadron of attack craft down to the ground is pretty difficult, especially considering people are out to stop the drop. For an Emissary it's a simple fly by with everyone ready to drop out, the nose weaponry fires down, the assorted escorts holding down opposition/adding to the fire/holding off attacks from elsewhere, the missiles simply 'fall out' automatically. Seriously, I think this has amazing potential to be a simple 'oooh, wow!' factor for the Tau. Especially given Nerroth's description of the Manta visiting the Trade Delegation over on the SG sight, replace the Manta with a bit better a description of the Emissary and what you've got is legendery imagery IMO.
Xisor
_________________ "Number 6 calls to you The Cylon Detector beckons Your girlfriend is a toaster"
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