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Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:12 am Posts: 2241
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Quote (Jaldon @ 12 April 2006 (00:10)) | I vote for option two to make a clear identification as to what the problem is, before attempting a fix. |
Jaldon,
thanks for the vote, I'm with you. I'm hoping Tepoc gets the message - or at least gives us a response one way or the other.
MC23,
E:A Eldar are a growing infactuation of mine. So I respect the passion and commitment to seeing the force done justice. I have a similar commitment to seeing the Tau done justice in E:A. So I genuinely do appreciate your work and development with the Eldar. I do hope you'll stay the course with us and help us get the SS rule replaced with something that better suits the list - where needed.
I can't help but think about the 50% wins in turn 3 and 4th turn wilt comments as it may relay to other non-eldar armies. When I read this, I can say "me too" with my IG and my Tau for example.
Moreso with Tau than IG. IG have commissars afterall. Their titans also have initiative 1 so it makes activating them a bit easier.
The main reason for my feeling this way with Tau is because almost all of the formations (crisis are the only exception currently) are at base initiative 2+. So initial activations don't always cooperate - creating the hold blast marker. Furthermore, with enemy nearby, I am already at a 3+ to get rid of BM in the end phase - and that only gets worse as the game gets into latter turns. So without the titans init 1 relieving some of the potential for failed activation and end phase BM removal, my Tau seem to suffer from BM management moreso by comparison.
Furthermore, the tau can't fight themselves out of a wet paper bag in close combat when compared to an Eldar, Chaos, or Orks CC and FF scores. So if I've not shot the opponent to pieces and manouvred to set up for a turn three land grab, I can find myself in a bad situation quick - sometimes before turn 3! So if anyone can empathise with turn 4 wilt - the Tau general can.
I think the Tau are interesting observation for the Eldar Champion(s) because the SS rule was looked at early on to solve the very similiar Tau problems witnessed in development - but under the lable of "bonding" - in the end, we realized an army wide rule would not be effective at solving the real problem. Part of our problem was initiative. Part of our problem was leader.
With initiative, we are exploring which units/formations should have init 1 by background and by balance. So far - its only crisis, but its being considered for the large Manta, moray, as well as the elite Stealths. We'll see how that goes. The initial results with Crisis have been very promising. Not only has the formation seen more use, its init 1 has worked to address part of the BM problem as its one less unit that has a chance to generate the hold BM and thus, with BM, it also rallies better in the end phase. This helps the army as a whole as its lowered the overall percentage of the army generating BM from a statistical perspective across 3+ turns. Of course, the formation can be eliminated and thus bring that percentage back up if the opponent seeks to remove this benefit from the Tau general.
Somewhat like Eldar, Tau don't really rely *as heavily* on the traditional 'leader' per se like IG and marines do though. Tau do rely on their commanding officers so you'll find leader on a limited basis on the infantry, but those are a bit rare in the E:A Tau army. On the other hand, Tau rely heavily on technology to solve their problems. So the advent of Network Drone upgrade for the Tau vehicles came to pass. Currently, that is only being explored on one formation - the HH cadre. However, that has proven to yield good returns as well for a formation that severely needed it. A main fighting element of the tau that can make or break the Tau general's entire game. Its generating BM constantly and its nowhere the size of an IG LRMBT co and it doesn't have RA. So the Network Drone (leader) upgrade for the Hammerhead formation is 1) paid for in actual hard cost of points available, 2) takes up one of the precious 3 upgrade slots for the formation, and 3) is a targeted solution to the unit/formations that need it. We are also looking at the possibility of extending this solution to the Scorpionfish, the Stingray, & HH contingent formations. For now - its only on the HH Cadre but results have all been positive for several months since its inception. The present mood is to cautiously move forward with the concept.
So, I think there are solutions to explore for the Eldar MC23 (and Tepoc - whereever you are...) I just hope the both of you can recognize the public plea to move down the proactive path sooner rather than later.
See my item 2 above in color that Jaldon was referencing. In test - eliminate the SS rule and play some games for observation of issues. Document findings as previously outlined. Move down the path of a targetted solution as needed.
I don't think anyone wants to see the Eldar fail. I know I don't, I just spent several hundreds of dollars on a very large force. I'm looking forward to much enjoyment and many hours of play from owning my own models (instead of repeadidly burrowing my bud's!).
Cheers for listening MC23 (and Tepoc),
_________________ Rob
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