Tau Rumours 3.0 (see first post for round-up)

[BillyBones]

The new battalion contains a battlesuit though. I like the way those suits look but I can understand it if someone rather has a fresh suit.

You can wait with assembling the suit until the new codex and do some conversion if necessary or use it like counts as, either way the box is worth buying.

[Tastyfish]

Plus the Battleforce is a saving even if you throw away the Crisis suit.

[Tokamak]

It's not saving if the next battle force is a better deal. The whole thing comes down on whether or not you like the suit for what it is and are prepared whether or not you keep it in your army regardless.

[Tastyfish]

It's still a saving, just not the best one you could get, £5 rather than £20. I also think we're likely to see quite a different set with the new book given the amount of new plastics and the potential complications with the battlesuit redesign. If we're looking at a box that can make three models as diverse and large as Broadsides, Commanders and Crisis suits (+ drones) then I don't think we're going to see an individual model sprue like we have now since they'll be wanting to use space to the absolute maximum they can.

Wouldn't be surpised to see the new sprue replacing the devilfish, and then either the stealthsuits or kroot (+ the current Crisis suit) being replaced with a new kit. Probably the stealth suits as that'd swap out two small sprues for a new unit sized one. Possibly a second battlesuit sprue (which would make it a really great kit) or the assault transport. Can't see one of the new auxiliaries making it in as they are one of the big draws for older players whilst the Battleforce would then reassert the prominence of the Kroot. Two Merc units and two Tau units feels a little diluted.

[overlordofnobodies]

Than buy it now, while it's still available. Who knows what the next box will have in it (you may want to buy it in addition to what the first box provides).

But as for a date, current rumor is saying somewhere around March 2012 for the next codex, but there is some discussion about if it's Tau or Black Templar.

Either way, we probably won't have confirmation ahead of time any sooner than we did for Vampires.

Oh I thought the rumor was for February. IF that the case I will wait as my birthday before that.Look like I will be getting those Necropolis Knights and Thundertusk after all.

[BillyBones]

It's still a saving, just not the best one you could get, £5 rather than £20. I also think we're likely to see quite a different set with the new book given the amount of new plastics and the potential complications with the battlesuit redesign. If we're looking at a box that can make three models as diverse and large as Broadsides, Commanders and Crisis suits (+ drones) then I don't think we're going to see an individual model sprue like we have now since they'll be wanting to use space to the absolute maximum they can.

Wouldn't be surpised to see the new sprue replacing the devilfish, and then either the stealthsuits or kroot (+ the current Crisis suit) being replaced with a new kit. Probably the stealth suits as that'd swap out two small sprues for a new unit sized one.

If this would be the case, I'd wait until they are depleting the stock before the new codex goes out, you might get it with considerable discount.

[Tastyfish]

Oh I thought the rumor was for February. IF that the case I will wait as my birthday before that.Look like I will be getting those Necropolis Knights and Thundertusk after all.

Could still be, Feb would have two slots open before the new 40K edition (if we're alternating systems each month). If you want the models in the battleforce, go ahead and get them - they aren't going to get cheaper. If you just want a start for Tau and don't care particularly which units you get, or don't like Kroot then I'd wait for the new set. The old set is pretty good value though, and the only force to give you a fully legal force out of the box.

GW are unlikely to discount the old sets, but if you know a FLGS who might, then again I'd wait*.

[edit]*But then again, I've been waiting for new Dark Riders, so my timescales might be a little more...geological than what you're looking for.

[Charistoph]

Oh I thought the rumor was for February. IF that the case I will wait as my birthday before that.Look like I will be getting those Necropolis Knights and Thundertusk after all.

Could still be, Feb would have two slots open before the new 40K edition (if we're alternating systems each month). If you want the models in the battleforce, go ahead and get them - they aren't going to get cheaper. If you just want a start for Tau and don't care particularly which units you get, or don't like Kroot then I'd wait for the new set. The old set is pretty good value though, and the only force to give you a fully legal force out of the box.

GW are unlikely to discount the old sets, but if you know a FLGS who might, then again I'd wait*.

[edit]*But then again, I've been waiting for new Dark Riders, so my timescales might be a little more...geological than what you're looking for.

Indeed it could be still coming in February. I only say that as some of the more well known rumor mongers were expecting a wave of models in February. Doesn't mean a Codex isn't coming then, too, though. And if they plan on 2 Codecies before the Olympics, February makes it a lot easier to squeeze in.

[Rogerio]

My MOT and service for my car is in febuary.....and a new Tau codex....ah alas wages we hardly knew ye.

[sturguard]

Anyone think they will replace the kroot? It seems the kroot models are still decent (though a pain to put together). I could see new Kroot Hounds and Krootox but your basic kroot seems fine?

[Charistoph]

Haven't seen any rumors to that affect, but if they do, it would be a great opportunity to reassess the number of spues, along with the types of sprues, in the box.

[MajorWesJanson]

Haven't seen any rumors to that affect, but if they do, it would be a great opportunity to reassess the number of spues, along with the types of sprues, in the box.

Kroot are OK sprues. They could make a new sprue with parts for a krootox, kroothounds, and shaper, however, and either replace some normal kroot or make the box larger and price it up. That would be second/third wave though.

the new plastic suit box is a good idea because they can sell more suits in a three box, and remove 2 hybrid kits from the shelves.

Firewarriors really could use a new sprue, however, as their current one is terrible. So much empty space. They could easily add pathfinder options to the sprue and have room to spare.


That said, my expectation for the first Tau wave:
Codex
Crisis suit 3 box with options for 1 commander, one broadside, and one "sniper suit" (Killa Kans price point)
Demiurg troops/elite box set
Barracuda (or GW version thereof)
Vespid stingwings/new option box set

Demiurg ancient
Anghor Prok
Icewind (Tau SC)
Etherial

Some Finecast updates of current kits- pathfinders, krootox and hounds, until their eventual replacements with plastic.


This is speculation, not a new rumor.

[Wrath]

Icewind (Tau SC)

I think current rumors have him as a Demiuge SC.

[sturguard]

You really think they will keep the current hounds? I know the sabertusks in finecast are absolutely horrible for how basic the model is (not alot of detail). I ordered 2 from GW and it took me around and hour each to fix them up so they looked decent.

[Draconis]

I think current rumors have him as a Demiuge SC.

I thought it was Iceheart?

[Charistoph]

Kroot are OK sprues. They could make a new sprue with parts for a krootox, kroothounds, and shaper, however, and either replace some normal kroot or make the box larger and price it up. That would be second/third wave though.

I don't find that much wrong with the sprues themselves, either. However, they come 16 to a box and 12 in the battalion, but run 10-20 as a unit. But if they managed to get them to 5 Carnivores a sprue, and the Hounds to 3 on a plastic sprue, and then fit 2 of each in a box...

Either that or add one more set to the Carnivore box so they can at least hit max size in one box, then create a 12 Hound box and a 3 Ox box to go along with it.

[SabrX]

I substitute Kroot hounds using Chaos Warhounds. 10 plastic hounds at $24.75 USD, which is super cheap! I then buy plastic 25mm round bases through e-bay. I don't think GW will ever sell plastic Kroot hound box sets.

[Wrath]

I thought it was Iceheart?

Oops, you are correct.

The Demiurg Special character is apparently the one called Iceheart.

[MajorWesJanson]

I thought it was Iceheart?

Yeah, that was my mistake. Before we got the tidbit about Iceheart being a Demiurg, I assumed that the character was supposed to be Icewind, the third of Puretide's students along with Farsight and Shadowsun.

I don't find that much wrong with the sprues themselves, either. However, they come 16 to a box and 12 in the battalion, but run 10-20 as a unit. But if they managed to get them to 5 Carnivores a sprue, and the Hounds to 3 on a plastic sprue, and then fit 2 of each in a box...

Either that or add one more set to the Carnivore box so they can at least hit max size in one box, then create a 12 Hound box and a 3 Ox box to go along with it.

No need to redo the Kroot sprue completely, just drop the box to 8 of the existing kroot, and make a new sprue with 2 kroot, a shaper, a krootox and 3 hounds to toss in to replace the other 8 kroot.

[dangerboyjim]

the new plastic suit box is a good idea because they can sell more suits in a three box, and remove 2 hybrid kits from the shelves.

No, it's a terrible idea, it would mean buying three boxes to build one full strength squad of Broadsides.

I think on the rest of the stuff you are saying it makes sense, but...

It would make more sense to release a hybrid Broadside/sniper/uber suit, and keep the existing suits as they are, with maybe a commander upgrade sprue with new guns/drones/snazzy bits/heads etc.

Loads of models and they only need three boxes (or two if the new kit has huge amounts of redundant plastic). If they are doing that (and I have no idea - this is speculation) that would also account for the new suit rumour flying round.

I can't see GW retiring a perfectly good plastic kit. (anyone know what the last plastic kit they retired was?)


Having said that, GW do some very odd things sometimes.