Does Imperial Armour: Aeronautica remove earlier options?

[Mozzamanx]

Hiya, a relatively quick question for you all today.

When a unit has its rules redone, it generally goes without saying that we use the most recent version. However, the new IA:A book contains units which straddle the line between new rules and an entirely new unit. I am curious as to whether this replaces the old version entirely, or if both are available as separate units.

Specifically, I am referring to the Ork Flakk Trukk and FlakkTrakk. Both of these have new rules listed in Aeronautica. However, the earlier book IA8: Kastorel-Novem lists Bigtrakks and Gunwagons as available units. Each of these has the option to buy Flakkgunz as weaponry.
There are significant rules differences between the older Gunwagon-with-Flakks and the new Flakkwagon. Similar situation with the 'Trakk. These rules are significant enough that I am not sure which I would prefer.
Would the new Flakk Trukk completely replace the option for Flakk Gunz on a Gunwagon, or am I free to choose between them? Would the Gunwagon still be legal with a different weapon, such as Lobba or Kannons?


Thanks for any help.

[trigger]

It sounds like they are too different things TBH. But with out looking at the rules ect .... I'd suggest consulting your gaming group to see what they say.
I see this as the biggest fault with FW , they keep moving the goal posts , changing rules or points costs with out letting people know.
A mate had a dread drop pod for his angels ( ok it was over the top doom with blood talons ) then one day new rules and he can't use it.
I don't think it's fair or right that people should have to spend £40+ for rules for one model ..... Sorry got varied away in rant mode.

[Finn]

Because of the Forgeworld stigma, I think if you're already blessed with playing an opponent or opponents who let you use Forgeworld units, they probably won't have any problem letting you use options you previously had, even if the RAW ruling ends up being that the latest set supersedes what you want to use.

[Hawkkf]

There is a related issue with the manticore in IA:A. In IA:2 it has 3 missile options, in the guard dex there is just the 1 option, and in IA:A there is the 1 AA option from IA:2 that has been updated. I assume that things will be clearer when they finish the FAQs. From my understanding standard dex will still only have the one option, I can take the AA varient from IA:A, or run the old one in an Armoured Battlegroup list from IA:2 with any of the 3 options. In this case the AA Manticore is listed in IA:A as a varient which means it wont overlap with the codex version. I suspect any overlaps will get FAQed to match or only be allowed in the forgeworld army lists.

[Corporeal]

I spotted the same thing when it came to the barracuda. Sure, they dropped the point cost (which is good.. the old cost was hilariously stupid) and changed its' slot, but they decided to remove the ability to give the 'cuda ANY tau vehicle upgrades. why?

As far as I'm concerned, the 'cuda can still take any vehicle upgrades it used to take. I think they're going to make a faq/errata update for IA:A and re-include the upgrades sometime soon.

And they didn't bother to include the Skyray. Again: why? When they've included other anti-air vehicles.

[ehlijen]

My recommendation would be to use the latest rules you have available for reference at the gaming table. This is based on the assumption that the closer the rules are temporally to the current edition, the better they'll fit in, as for was actually working and balance are concerned. Then adjust together with the other player(s) until everyone is happy to fix rules that are still not working well (such as deciding to treat old AA mount as new Skyfire).

If you want to use the older trucks or tracks with other weapon options that aren't in Aeronautica, just do so. Aeronautica is only concerned with updateing Air and AA units to the radically new way the rules treat them. Unless your old unit is a flyer or AA unit, don't worry about Aeronautica.

As for the Barracuda, if the entry says no upgrades, they don't get any. May be annoying, and if your opponent is ok with houserules fix it, but it's how FW wrote the entry.

A FAQ may be coming (for example, what does 'drone controlled' mean for the Manta burst cannon?). But until then, RAW says no upgrades for the Barracuda.

As for the Skyray? No clue. I guess it's no longer intended to be an AA unit?

[Konovalev]

for example, what does 'drone controlled' mean for the Manta burst cannon

I know previously this meant it fired at drone BS and could pick a separate target. I'm guessing this is no longer defined in the latest book?

[ehlijen]

It doesn't say that, nor does it list what the seperate BS of a drone would be.

[Corporeal]

As for the Barracuda, if the entry says no upgrades, they don't get any. May be annoying, and if your opponent is ok with houserules fix it, but it's how FW wrote the entry.

A FAQ may be coming (for example, what does 'drone controlled' mean for the Manta burst cannon?). But until then, RAW says no upgrades for the Barracuda.

well, does it make any sense to you in the least to have a tau vehicle with no tau vehicle upgrades? It really seemed like an oversight at best, and laziness at worse to me.

As for the Skyray? No clue. I guess it's no longer intended to be an AA unit?

This doesn't make any sense either, seeing as it was designed to be a defense against flyers. It would be like piloting a boat through the neighbourhood.

but it's not a huge deal, seeing as it says in the big rule book that the most important rule is to have fun.

[ehlijen]

The Barracuda does actually get vehicle upgrades: seeker missiles. So clearly they didn't just forget to include the appropriate paragraph alltogether.

Not sure why it can't get the same upgrades the other flyers get (d-pods or filters). They probably wanted to give it agile without allowing for 2+ cover saves (which the d-pod would grant). And it ignores most AA fighter cover with its burst cannon, so I guess the filter wasn't deemed neccessary?

This is all just guesses.

Although 'autotargetting' says cover saves or bonus from 'supersonic' is ignored...but it doesn't grant one. What's the deal with that?

[Mr_Rose]

That's a typo, or C&P error, I believe. Might call FW to ask what's up.