Quote:
[] Razorshark Strike Fighter armour changed from 6+ to - (none)
Why the big difference in save between this fighter and the sun shark bomber. I mean they are based on the same chassis. Does the latter have some kind on shield in 40k (I have to admit I don't know their individual 40k stats)?
It will be +25pts for the squadron and back to armour 6+ when the development version goes up. I was struggling to find a distinct, justifiable role for the Razorshark when the Barracuda exists, but think I have the solution now. In 40K, they fill similar roles (Razorshark being new Tau Codex, Barracuda being a rare Forge world item), so the two were too similar in this Epic list to really justify having both.
Having looked into all the differences between the two when actually used in 40K since I wrote the old profile, what I have found is that the unique selling point of the Razorshark is actually the fact it has a 360' rotating rear turret, so unlike the vast majority of flyers in 40K it can fly past targets and shoot them in the rear or sides.
The only way to represent that turret effect accurately in Epic is to make it 360', similar to the Ork Fighta Bomba. To do that without ruining the balance of the unit means dropping the range of the weapon, because otherwise at 30cm the Razorshark would be able to set up wide 'umbrellas' of AA fire.
Internal Balance:
Barracuda Fighter 6+ n/a n/a Ion Cannon 30cm AP4+/AT5+/AA5+, Fixed Forward Arc
Twin Burst Cannons 15cm AA6+
Twin Missile Pods 45cm AP5+/AT6+, Fixed Forward Arc
Razorshark Strike Fighter 6+ n/a n/a Quad Ion Turret 15cm AP4+/AT5+/AA5+
Twin Burst Cannons 15cm AA6+
Comparison: The Barracuda can hit aircraft from outside of the range of many of its targets, and has 45cm AP5+/AT6+
The Razorshark has nothing over 15cm so has to get into range of most enemies, lacks the the long range missile pods (AP5+/AT6+), but is 3 for 175 instead of 2 for 150
External Balance
Fighta-Bommer 6+ n/a n/a Heavy Shootas 15cm AP5+/AA5+
Tankbusta Rokkits 30cm AT4+
Comparison: The Razorshark has a similar 360' turret, doesn't have a 30cm gun, is slightly better vs air and worse vs vehicles. It is also more expensive and can't be spammed by adding more to a unit.
The result is a scrappy little brawler of an aircraft, not capable of stand-off shooting, but happy to get right into the thick of it and mess things up.