More Tau Madness...

...at least in terms of releases.

As regular as clockwork, a GW promo email popped into my inbox the other day with lots of new info on even more new releases (see here for previous), this time in the form of Commander models, Codex Tau Empire Ghostkeel Edition info and more.

Some first impressions below.

Tau Empire Commander

Love the look of this model. It feels very dynamic and the pose actually makes you feel as though he is getting into the thick of things. This is particularly true if (like me) your current Crisis suits are the "original" models, which were really, really static. It is just a small point, but the hands also look much better than they used to in the old models too.

For comparison, here is my "Old" commander. Dredging up this photo really reminds me of how I should go back and revisit my entire Tau army and put what I learned painting my Skaven to good use (washes, weathering etc.)

My "old" Commander

Codex Tau Empire Ghostkeel Edition

I'll be honest and say that initially I was a bit confused by the number of options GW now provides to get hold of the rules for different and new models. I have the "latest" Codex (it has the Riptide in it) so what do I get now? 
Actually, GW has tried to make things clear (if you read the entries on the website). If I understand correctly for me the "Ghostkeel" edition ISN'T the place to start.
However, it actually looks like a nice set, with a variety of objective markers (x6) and objective cards (x36). Unfortunately (or fortunately for my wallet), by the time I clicked on the email, this was already listed as sold out anyway.

Instead I'm supposed to go with..

War Zone Damocles: Kauyon

...as this contains "an 88 page hardback rule book containing all the new rules" and I would already be "...a hardened Tau Empire Collector". 
I'm glad that this option exists! 

Although I'd like to get all the bits and pieces that come in the special edition I don't need another copy of the rule book. Also, I also get the White Dwarf Games Workshop digital edition on my tablet, but if you are going to play I feel like you really need one printed source that pulls things together (until of course GW decides to grace those of us with Android devices with an ebook that is actually usable in game terms - the ibooks version is great, the epub versions however can at best be called "useless" for using at a game.)

XV8 Crisis Battlesuit Team

3 lovely suits! 
I think these are new poses? They certainly look more dynamic than the original suits I started with a few years ago. You can get a sense of the dynamism from the pose shown above, and more if you visit the GW website.
Again for comparison, a couple of shots of my "old" suits. I went to considerable trouble to try to pose these, but you can see they still look very static.

Here's my Broadside (as a bonus) :

Tau Empire Drones

Because, really, as a Tau player you don't have drones?
Seriously, I have to say that I love drones (especially in a group of eight, dropped behind enemy lines and harassing light armour!) but just TWO in a box? Not going to cut it!

With all these new models, there really is just too much to buy. What the hell am I going to do?

Greater Goods for the Greater Good

Wow, it has been a long time since I updated the blog (because ya know, LIFE 2.0)...

...but as a Tau player all this recent news can't be ignored. There have been a load of new releases for the Tau that are managing to not only add some great capabilities to their armies, but also start a new chapter for GW as well. The images below are the models that I find most interesting, but don't represent an exhaustive list of all the new units.

The Eye of the Storm

Take a look at the "Stormsurge" below. 

Quite a beast! This is a variant of the now infamous Riptide, designed by the looks of things for support. It mounts a really REALLY big gun, and also has a shed-load of missile launchers. It reminds me a lot of the Mecha units from old series like Robotech Monster or Phalanx (or a cross between the two). 

KV128 Stormsurge Battlesuit www.games-workshop.com

I'm not exactly sure that is a good thing though. The Stormsurge looks a little bit "off". Not sure why? Could be a combination of the stabilizers and the position of the pose above. Also, the shorter ranged weapons tacked on under the missile pods seem like an afterthought. 

Do I like the idea? Hell yes! 
Aesthetically though it doesn't do it for me (or that is what I'll tell myself as long as I don't have the money to get one haha!)

Love:
+ "MOAR MISSILES"
+ Big gun!

Hate:
- Lack of arms
- Extra gubbins
- Rinkydink stabilizers

Ghost in the Shell

XV95 Ghostkeel Battlesuit www.games-workshop.com

(Sorry, couldn't resist!)

If you take a look at my Tau page you can see that I like Stealth suits. They always made the Tau army interesting and added a bit of spice to the battlefield. This unit looks to do that in spades. 

Love:
+ The name
+ Weapons (Cyclic Ion Raker and Fusion Collider)
+ Model comes with a choice of male/ female pilots and a cockpit option

Hate:
- The design of the head 

I'm not sold on the logic (a giant battlesuit is stealthy?) but hey, logic only goes so far in Warhammer 40K. I like the idea of this unit being an electronic warfare platform though, and I can see it leading other stealth units into battle (oh, there's a profitable idea!), all at the low, low price* of just 45 of your Pounds Sterling.
(*Sarcasm)

Castle in the Sky

Tau Tidewall Rampart www.games-workshop.com

Er, its a wall...

...but not just any wall! 

It floats, it shoots (check out the twin-linked Rail Cannon "Tidewall Gunrig"), AND it protects your squishy units. Just what any Tau commander needs. Especially if you need to replace all the home-brew Tau scenery you probably have as a Tau commander...

Love:

+ the overall design

+ the gunrig

+ the blue energy wall

+ the integrated drone emplacements

Hate:

- the price (21,000 Yen, or 113 pounds)

Lambs to the Slaughter

Fire Warrior Breacher Team www.games-workshop.com

"The Fire Warriors Breacher Team specialises in brutally effective close-range assaults..."

Wait, what...?

Wow, talk about a change in approach. Tau closing for close combat?

Well, at least at first glance!

Take a closer look at some of the rules out there and it seems as though "assault" in this case doesn't mean "hand-to-hand", but more like "I'm going to stick my pulse blaster right up in your ugly face and let loose" (and if I don't wipe you out, you will then bring me the pain).

The Pulse Blaster seems to be the key here. Get it within 5 inch range of the enemy and it is going to hurt them some with Strength 6 AP 3 Assault 2...

...looks like the "Fish of Fury" could make a comeback to help with that (not to mention to help sell more Devilfish). Drive up, hop out, shoot, shoot, shoot!

Love:

+ Tau, up close and personal.

+ Pulse Blasters

+ Tactical Support Turret that you build anywhere you stay put (Missile Pod or SMS options)

+ Guardian drone with 6+ invul for the unit

Hate:

- With my dice rolls, these guys will whiff everything, and then get slaughtered! ;-)

Overall, I'm quite excited by the quality of these models, the look and feel, and the new challenges these units will bring to the enemies of the greater good. If I had the money, I would probably try to get all of these models, but there is no way I can do that! I will get the new Codex first of all, and then take it from there...

Cheers