New GW "update style" codexies

Next weeks white dwarf has an interesting section regarding the new Tau codex (link to the original german image):

Quote :

Picture of new codex... its the old cover... and all the text indicates to the codex beeing the old one with only added content.

left side italic
"2 The rules of the previous codex where brouth up to date with datasheets for all new units, formations and the new hunter contingent."

last textblock of main text:
"The new rules in this edition of codex: tau empire are also included in War Zone Damocles: Kauyon. Tau-Collectors who want all rules in one place(and also lots of artwork, background and uniform[they mean battledress] advice), wil enjoy the reworked codex. if you already own the previous version of the codex, Kauyon will supply you with all new content. How you get all tau rules will be your choice."

So it looks like GW is experimenting with patch/update style codexies? Does that mean we might get an update/patch sooner than we think? Thoughts?

Dare we hope?

I would not be sad about that.

I will not hope, for the sake of my internal balance and harmony.

I very much doubt it. First, for us to get something like this, they'd have to give us some new units, and I don't see them doing that, given that we didn't even get new units when our current codex was released. Second, as I understand it, all of the existing Tau rules are staying the same. Even if we were to get a new unit or two and a release like this, all of the problems with our current codex would likely remain.

After watching GW largely ignore Dark Eldar for 17 years now, I still think it will probably be a number of years before we get a new codex, if ever.

We already got a new codex, why should they want to make another one?
But this keeping the rules crushed my hope about a better chaos codex

Somehow I'm not surprised that the 'new' codex involves not actually writing a new codex. Just bang the new units in there and reprint the old one. Save a load of money and watch as the '20%' of your customers that play the game decide whether to bother buying it or just wait for Bran Stark's photocopier and scanner to warm up.

I like it. I've never been a fan of rewriting all the rules every couple years. I always feel like, "I already bought this game. What do you mean I have to buy it again?" And I end up with a bookshelf full of invalidated purchases.

I somewhat agree, but it I shell out forty to sixty dollars for a new book, I expect some new fluff, rules, and art to justify it.

The fluff has been updated a bit on the new Tau dex.

Not a fan of this format, but can see some merit to it.

GW doesn't seem to be able to keep to a single format of writing so this is something I wouldn't expect to last long

Without a doubt we will get a mini update.
They need to take away "skilled rider" from our reavers, and need to add 5 pts per model on those overpowered wyches!

I'm okay with this mainly because you can simply buy the new campaign book with the unit/formation rules and get new fluff with it. I actually like this idea assuming the original codex is sound.

That being said, I'm really disappointed that they potentially aren't updating marker light rules and cheap interceptor. If DE needed to have things nerfed/cleaned up I'd like to see other codexes get the same treatment.

A girl can dream.

They won't stick with that concept. So don't worry.

Calyptra wrote:

After watching GW largely ignore Dark Eldar for 17 years now, I still think it will probably be a number of years before we get a new codex, if ever.

As a DE player i understand this.....but then a friend of mine has a Sisters of battle army LOL

I have both armies.

As I recall, I took our last update with a grain of salt until models showed up in stores and I could hold them in my hand.

Also in all fairness, GW copy pastes most entries when they release new codexies anyway. At least this time they are owning up to that fact.

I think that whatever GW decides to do with the Ork or Nid codex is probably a better indicator of what they will do with DE, as it seems that all of those codices are in similarly dire need of an update.

That doesn't mean that they get the same treatment. For me, it seems totally random.

CptMetal wrote:

That doesn't mean that they get the same treatment. For me, it seems totally random.

Lots of this^

if patching thing includes making better codices faster then im in

also does anyone know what comes after tau and in the future ?

doriii wrote:

also does anyone know what comes after tau and in the future ?

Current rumors say more Age of Sigmar and plastic 30k.

Tyraniden

The word a little while back was Tzeentch Daemonkin as a joint release, so therew would be units for 40k and AoS.

Rumors I am seeing are that Age of Sigmar are getting some more, Then Horus Hersey(no details), then Nids are getting a large update.

The new Tau codex is insane... the stormsurge's destroyer missile can use one markerlight token to become strength D. Maybe that will remove knights from the meta?

Quote :

Hunter Contingent

Consists of:
0-1 Command
1+ Basic
1-10 Auxiliaries

0-1 Command:
- 1 Commander or Shadowsun
- 0-1 Ethereal or Aun'va or Aun'shi
- 1-2 Crisis bodyguards

1+ Basic (Hunder Cadre):
1 Commander
0-1 Fireblade
0-1 Crisis Bodyguards
3-6 Strike, Breacher or Kroot
1-3 Stealth Suits, Ghostkeels, Riptides or Crisis.
1-3 Pathfinders, Piranhas, Vespid, Drones
1-3 Broadsides, Hammerhead, Stormsurge, Sniper

1-10 Auxiliaries:

Retallion Cadre
- 1 Commander
- 3 units of Crisis
- 1 Broadside unit
- 1 Riptide unit
Rules: Relentless
+1 BS when Deep striking
May choose to enter from reserves in turn 2 via Deep Strike. This includes Broadsides.

Heavy Retribution Cadre
- 2 Stormsurges
- 3 Ghostkeels
Rules: If target is at 12" or less from the Ghostkeel, reroll to hit. It two units of the formation, shoot at the same target, target unit cannot run or move flat out next turn, and assault distance is halved (rounded down)

Infiltration Cadre
- 3 Pathfinder units
- 2 Stealth battlesuit units
- 1 Piranha unit
Rules: If one unit of the formation is destroyed, rest of the formation enters from reserve next turn automatically.
If an enemy unit gets hit by 3 or more markerights from this formation, you get a free Seeker missile hit to this unit.

Optimised Stealth Cadre
- 1 Ghostkeel
- 2 Stealth Suit units
Rules: Ghostkeels and any Stealth Battlesuit unit in the formation at 6" of the Ghostkeel ignore cover, add +1 to BS and hit vehicles in the rear

Firebase Support Cadre
- 2 units of battlesuits
- 1 unit Riptides
Note that they do not have to be max size like before
Rules: They formation can combine their shooting attacks and shoot as a single unit. When doing so, they get Tank and monster hunter SR.

Armored Interdiction Cadre
- 3 Units of Hammerheads
- 1 Unit of Sky Rays
Rules: Choose a point in the battlefield. When shooting to a unit at 6" or less from this point, reroll to hit.

Air Support Cadre
- 1 Sun Shark Bomber
- 1 Razorshark Strike Fighter
Rules: Ignore shaken and stunned with 2+.
Beginning of the turn, roll a D6 for each lost hull point. If you roll a 6, recover 1 HP.

Allied Advanced Cadre
- 4 units of Kroot
- 2 units of Vespids
Rules: Vespids get Infiltration and Stealth (Forests)
Kroot at 12" from Vespid units, get Obscured (Forests) instead of Stealth (Forests), and get +1 BS
They all get supporting fire with other units of the formation.

Rules for Hunter Cadre:
- Supporting Fire at 12"
- Can run and the shoot. In this order.

Rules for Hunter Contingent:
- Reroll Warlord trait
- Units can combine their shooting attacks, and shoot as if they were a single unit. So they can get benefit from special rules and the same markerlight, for example. This is really, really powerful.

Other Changes:
Fire Team SR - +1 BS when 3 or more models in the same unit fire at the same target (or is it maximum squad size?)
Sky Rays/Hammerheads can now be taken in Squadrons of 1-3
Riptides can be taken in units of 1-3

So maybe an update codex wouldn't be too bad for us.