You cannot simply introduce my Markerlight rule proposal to the ERC list as it is, because all that will happen is you'll have a list where every formation has a de-facto +1 to-hit, and Synergy is lost, because all formations have organic Markerlight capability.

List mechanics and army rules work hand-in-hand, not in isolation of each other.

Cheers, I appreciate that my proposal is being given serious consideration.

However...

You've met a new girl, she's very attractive and she wants to go out with you. After you get past the hormonal responses, what will living with her be like in 5 years? 10 years?

You haven't a clue.

Some of you don't care. I do.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

I knew I was opening myself up for abuse with my analogy, but the state of the new proposal just brought it to mind. Alls fair and your points are taken.

I can tell you right now that some (about 10) units need stat nudges if they are to work under my proposal with my proposed points costs.

And yes, just like rules and list choices, some point cost and a few stat changes are integral to my proposal.

_________________
Honda

"Remember Taros? We do"

- 23rd Elysian Drop Regiment

So, which are the 10 or so stats you think need reducing in your 'new girlfriend'? And are you sure that's the best way rather than leaving them as they are and tweaking the +1 to hit mechanism to apply only sometimes as per others suggestions?

Epic is supposed to be an 'elegant' game system, where rules don't have loads of exceptions.

I'll post a revised list soon, which will include some unit stat changes based on discussion we had after the game Ryan and I played.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

I think given the Taus propensity for AP and AT weapons on the same unit tweaking the rule to either +1AP or +1AT when firing (choice to be made before rolling dice!) would limit the tweaks somewhat and make the tau seem more of a 'balanced' force unlike other units where the race is to have mono mission weapons profiles.

_________________
If using E-Bay use this link to support Tac Com!
'Abolish red trousers?! Never! Red trousers are France!' – Eugene Etienne, War Minister, 1913
"Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography."
General Plumer, 191x

I would prefer the +1 to apply universally, in the aim of having simplicity.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

Here's our initial stat change thoughts, available for your consideration and maybe even gaming.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

Not convinced the suggestions are that big or complicated exceptions to be dismissed out of hand are they? - Markerlights will be a core global special rule that tau players would be aware of, not something occasional or obscure. Special rules from the main list have exceptions too e.g. some Ork units (but not others) having bonuses to certain orders (but not others).

The player having to choose a unit to have +1 for AT OR AP (in W40k the tau player has to target particular units to mark rather than everything within range) isn't an especially complicated exception and adds an extra layer of tactics. Nor would the suggestion I threw in from ages ago that it could be +1 to hit for anything unit not on Sustained Fire be, and it would encourage a mobile style of play too.

If the well-tested stats are about right for the units and guns now is artificially distorting them to make the markerlighting reasonable the best approach? Markerlights should be pretty important tactically but should players who choose not to make use of them for some or all formations have their effectiveness penalised? I'll likely go with whatever you opt for, but I'm dubious you're going the right way here.

I'm definitely bearing it in mind as a possible balancing mechanism down the line.

Markerlights should be pretty important tactically but should players who choose not to make use of them for some or all formations have their effectiveness penalised?

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

Typo on the Seeker Missiles on the Skyray - you have them down as AT5+ rather than AT6+ you said you're changing them to.

Do Markerlights work vs aircraft too? Can aircraft make use of them? I'm assuming it's 'yes' to both, but work checking.

Do the same weapons like the Twin Missile Pod or Ion Cannons on the Manta, Orca and aircraft change too for consistency? Or be left as is?

Fixed. Version number not updated as I was just fixing a typo.

Do Markerlights work vs aircraft too? Can aircraft make use of them? I'm assuming it's 'yes' to both, but work checking.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

Here's a version that includes updated Manta and Orca stats, sorry that v1.04 didn't last all that long.


I believe this list is now ready for testing.


EDIT: Quick update to clarify what part of the Manta's notes had changed (only the Transport rule, to make it more accurate, as a Manta cannot carry 8 Piranhas it can only carry 4 of them).

EDIT2: Fixed typo on Broadside armour save.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter

Your updated list looks pretty good to me.  Just had a quick re-jig of the list i took last time out and i'm pretty damned happy with it.

Moving HHs to the support section is, on reflection, a good idea.  Although it's still possible to ignore FWs in favour of crisis suits and HHs there will be much less ML support available and little to no AP fire so the army will suffer - as it should.  Although hard to quantify, sometimes you look at a list and it just "Feels right". personally this one works for me.

E&C, what stats are you testing the FWs at?  I've been using 2x AP5 30cm.

List i came up with using the updated version is remarkably similar:

Mech FWs + HHs + Skyray: 525
Crisis + Shas'O - 350
Crisis - 250
Stealths - 275
Broadsides - 300
Pathfinders - 175
Recon - 150
Recon - 150
HHs + HHs + Skyray - 675 (BTS)*  (Although could consider dropping the HH upgrade for another flight of Barracudas)
Barracudas - 150

3000

Has anyone else looked at the list yet and come up with any rough ideas of army selection?