Quote:
A list cannot "have it all"
I'd just like to be quite clear here, Honda. I'm not asking to "have it all". I simply want something that either doesn't cost 350 to be shot down without a shot being fired, or a squadron that can at least get in there with a bit more aplomb for 350 points. I don't want weapons upgrades and I don't want DC.
Quote:
why all of a sudden is there a lament about the dearth of TK weaponry?
Sorry Honda, I have to set you straight. If this is your understanding, and I say this with respect, it seems you haven't been paying enough attention to these forums in the past. I (and others) have stated across all list incarnations that the Tau have had a dearth. It's nothing new and this isn't our argument now. It's just now the one unit that does shoot WEs is so weak and fragile that it's become a talking point.
Quote:
So, in general, don't be surprised that the AX-1-0 doesn't dominate a battlefield unless the Tau have achieved air superiority in some manner and from a fluff perspective, it is certainly in character for the Tau to struggle against WEs
I'm not surprised at all, as one squadron cannot be assumed to defeat all WEs in one army.
The problem is achieving air superiority is not as cut and dry as some seem to think.
Quote:
I know that may not be what everyone wants to hear, but those are the current consequences of the recent actions
Again, I think you're misunderstanding the point. It's not about the loss of a couple of units types it's about the tweaking of one in the current iteration up for proposal. In all the times i used a Scorpionfish it's MW missiles did very little. I'm not saying it's wasn't helpful, I'm saying 4x MW missiles do not a Reaver-killer make.
Quote:
I can tell you they are wing'ed death to Marines, wether its terminating terminators or dealing with grounded thwaks. Hell they even shoot warhounds
Terminating
a terminator a turn does not equate to winged death to marines and completely wastes its points cost. Again another argument in my favour. Who would spend 350 points to kill one marine unit a turn? The squadron is already wasteful if you come against a marine army without WEs let alone that it risks being shot down by Thunderbolts. You're better off not bringing it on board at all than risk that. Which again means it's points are wasted. See the pattern?
Quote:
Against Eldar I would at best hope to force the nightwings to go on CAP and trying to maintain an activation advantage so if I do have to fly I do so after them. On the plus side Nightwings cost 300 points per flight.
Well if they're on CAP they're waiting for you to activate so no help there.... Plus Nightwings for
300 points will eat the AX1-0 for breakfast with 2x 30cm AA4+ on intercept. You don't even have reply flak from the Tau plane against those as it has a 15cm range and AA6+.
Quote:
Against orks its random depending on what the orks have, what air cover is operating and so on.
That's correct but 2 Fighterbomber Skwadrons would be more than enough to account for the AX1-0 unless you spend more points on Barracudas thus reducing your ground effectiveness.
Quote:
Dobbsy how much AA are you taking? Really you need about 500 points worth, for tau that's 3 skyrays (dual purpose in the E&C list) and a flight of barracudas. Thats just a baseline to fend off air assaults and the like.
Perhaps you're right here. I don't spend that much usually. However increasing Air assets means reducing ground assets, which in turn reduces the ability to fight the ground war. I'm having trouble finidng a balance.
Hey here's an idea. Reduce the cost on the AX1-0 and I can increase my ground AA assets... (yes that was tongue in cheek) ÂÂ
Quote:
You have a manta which can orbital insert in anywhere on the board end of turn 1.
Sure if you'd rather blow 700 points than take a strong ground force to win a game, that's a fair option. Manta isn't worth taking unless it's in a bigger points game. At 3k it's a massive points sink for a 1 TK shot weapon per turn. It's worse than taking the AX1-0... ÂÂ
Quote:
Sorry, but that just sounds like bad luck, or was it just marshalling?
Purely marshalling and raising revived shields etc Being BTS I was kinda forced to try to kill it.
Quote:
Quite a few armies have the same problem with this as well though dude.
I know that they do not have Titans. Personally, I try to avoid 500+ point war engines when playing a battle. They can deny up to 3 VP which is a problem, however from what I saw of the Tau last night, their shooting would account for quite a large portion of the rest of the opposition army.
Yes I agree other armies do have an issue. However, I would surmise the majority don't and that is a issue for other lists. Those of us asking for a change aren't asking for the list to, all of a sudden, become a WE killing death machine. Just a tweak to provide a more favourable balance for 350 points.
