Quote: (Chroma @ 19 Apr. 2009, 12:45 )
I'm quite interested in how this aspect of your design works out... as Guided Missiles (not Markerlights, as they have multiple uses in 40k) *ARE* supposed to be a "secondary" weapon for the Tau in general warfare, not a primary weapons system except in long range ambushes and such.
Not to put to fine an edge on it; in the 'fluff" one of the two engagement envelopes the Tau use is ambush. So for a large portion of the agreed doctrine GM would be the weapon of choice. So are GM weapons of choice here? The logical extension of the ML to launch long range weapons makes the Tau the only race to require interaction with a forward observer for the weaponry to be used. Perhaps we should apply the rule to ANY IF weapon I am sure IG players would love the introduction of another soft unit the destruction of which would make the manticore or basilisk batteries useless.
The extension of largely skirmish 40K to justify the exclusion of weapons systems that operate at longer range seems a bit extreme.
Perhaps the thought that Tau operate much like modern armies could lend us some help. Current armored cavalry doctrine is very much the Tau. Gather information, screen flanks and engage only in COORDINATED attacks at range then move and shoot again. maneuver warfare. The current Cavalry doctrine assures all vehicles carry target designation equipment as well as most infantry formations , strangely all the laser based designators operate at a greater range than the weapons the are directly attached to. One vehicle can designate for any other. Perhaps the most telling, close air support is "organic" to the cavalry.
I will broach a suggestion at this point: allow coordinated fire to include air assets. Operate the piranha as helicopters, stand-off missile platforms.Tetras as OBS platforms.
Calling in a coordinated air strike would be a valid tactic.
Bear