Alternate Tau Qath'Fannor fleetlist

[seraphim]

I found a link to a fan-made Tau fleet list for the Qath'Fannor (forgeworld fleet).

After reading over it, it looks a lot better than the old one, mainly because it actually seems different to the original list, not the same with different models, and a few changes.

So, rather than the Protector being a Hero with longer range Ion Cannons and less hit points, its actually quite different now!

So, here it is.

Commerce Protection Fleet

Oh, unlike the Forgeworld rules, this list has been playtested ;D

I found it on Advanced Tau Tactica, here's a link

[Ravager Zero]

Nice find Seraphim, but I still prefer the FW Kor'or'vesh list, as it actually has more power on most ships than this lot.
There is also a much older version of the CPF rules, no longer in circulation, that are very similar to these rules.

[Lord Callum]

I like it... The cover looks like taels drawings (from ATT)

[seraphim]

Yep, that's Tael's picture.

The things I like about this list especially is the new Emissary rules (big improvement, slightly weaker, but more manouevrable and actually DIFFERENT than the merchant)

The thing that has won me over to this list, however, is the new Protector and Warden's. 2 lances on a 30 point escort? Awesome. And the protector can shell out some serious hurt now, and most importantly its different from the Hero.

Personally, i'm going to use this list.

[Ravager Zero]

Seraphim, have you seen the KOV list, the one on the FW site?
A Protector there has S6 Taupedoes, 3 x S2 45cm WB, 2 x S2 45cm Lances and 2 Launch Bays.
It puts out a bit more hurt than the 'house rule' version.

I prefer the KOV version of the Warden actually
S1 Lance + S2 WB imo, is better than a S2 Lance.

I actually think, given the only minor discrepancies between these lists, that some of us should get together on VASSAL and ultimately test to see which one is better.

[seraphim]

Ok, I'm going to do a comparison of all the ships here, cause I'm bored, and because I can.

Entire List Changes
The new list has a few changes
1)Teleport Attacks, yep, we've got them now. Fluff wise their long range boarding pod things, but they do the same thing, but smaller ships in squads can combine their attack together to board larger ships
2)Faster AAF and +1 Leadership for CTNH, AAF and BR. So, we can now get there faster... and more reliably, and stop better too...
3)Combined fleets. the Lar'shi, Gal'Leath, Il'Porrui ECT can all be used in this list, with less restrictions than on the FW listings.

Ok, onto some ships

Protector Class Cruiser
Ok, the major warship of the bunch here. Lets compare stats.

FW version
Front, S6 Railgun, S2 Ion, all to 45 cm, S6 torpedo, 2 Fighter squads

House Rules
Front, S6 Railgun, 45 cm, S4 Ion, 30cm, S4 Torpedo, 1 Fighter Squad. Also has a tracking system and can teleport attack.

Ok, so the FW version has the advantage in long range firepower, but the house rules has more lances close up. It also has less Ordinance, but re-rolls turret misses and can teleport attack (big big thing) Both same points.

Warden Class Gunship
Alright, my favourite change.

FW version
F/L/R S1 Ion cannon, S2 Railgun forward

House Rules
F S2 Ion Cannon. Also 5cm faster and can be brought on more things (Emmissary and the Custodian)

In the House Rules, Wardens can be brought in greater numbers. Also, being 5cm faster, I can see them being used more aggressively, and a real danger to Capital Ships. Statistically, this should hurt somewhat like an Eldar Hemlock Destroyer. While it looses the fire arc advantage of the original version, its added speed i imagine would make up for that.

Castellan Heavy Gunship
Interesting change here

FW Version
S2 Taupedo's, S3 railgun F/L/R

House Rules
S1 Taupedo's, S4 Railgun F

Ok, i see the house rule as the less offensive here, with only 1 torpedo, i don't see it much use as a torpedo destroyer, running round the flanks shooting torpedo's ECT. However, you can use a defender for that. Also, S4 weapon batteries and 6 frontal armour? 200 points of that is the broadside of an Emperor class Battleship, and not very easy to kill either. Add in the 5d6 AAF, it can get in range sooner as well.

Emmissary Class Light Cruiser
Very big changes here...

FW version
S3 Taupedo, S8 forward railguns, 4 to 45cm, 4 to 30, 2 fighters

House Rules
S3 Taupedo's, S3 railguns 30cm F/L/R, either 2 Wardens or S2 Ion Cannons, has a 90 degree turn, 1 fighter Ironically enough, it can put more hurt into the broadsides than the FW version, even without the Ion Cannons.

Outfitted with Ion Cannons, i can see the House Rules one being a real nuicense. While it lacks the all out firepower of the FW version, i think the turnage should be able to make up for that. Also, it can bring a bit more firepower to its broadside (but like you'd plan to have the enemy there...)

The real advantage I can see in the new Emmissary is the more mobile hitting power, the first really manoeuvrable Tau cruiser. It will be a very different ship, playing on flanks ECT. Also, as it has teleport attacks now, and can combine in a squadron to make them more effective. 3 of these can run after a Battleship, hit it from a flank or behind, and then Hit and Run it (hopefully).

All for now, more will come later.

I'm on study vac for exams ATM, so I should be around to playtest a bit.

EDIT
Custodian

FW variation
2 more railguns, 2 more Fighter Squadrons

House Rules
1 less turrets, 2 more Taupedo's, 1 more shield (3 shields on a Tau ship, woot) Also has a 20cm range Tracking System, and costs 10 points more.

Well, I think the less fighters will hurt the Custodian, but with a 20cm tracking system, that will be a really good feature. More Taupedoes, well, if you like missiles, thats good, I guess. The new one should also die a bit less, due to extra shields.

Ravager Zero
I prefer the KOV version of the Warden actually
S1 Lance + S2 WB imo, is better than a S2 Lance.

Personally, I disagree. 60 points of new wardens has the shootiness of the broadside of a Gothic class cruiser. I see S1 Lance = S3 WB, but that may just be me

[Wargamer]

I think this version of the CPF is very balanced. It's certainly fun to play with!

I really hate the Forgeworld version. I guess I still have very old-fashioned views about what a Tau fleet should be; a collection of merchant ships with ad-hoc gundecks attached.

And before someone has a go at me, I led those ramshackles against a Necron fleet and won! ;D

[antonious]

I don't think the Tau fleet should be a collection of merchant ships with Ad-Hoc gundecks wargamer. You read the fluff about the Tau Fire caste and you think. "Young army, young race but with an open mind and good technology advancement (as oppossed to re using technology they try and develop and understand it).

So i see the Tau more like the CPF, or FW version. A fleet with young ships, perhaps not as battle hardened as the imperial fleet. Maybe a bit under gunned and as a result suffer from some weaknesses not expected. Don't get me started on the imperials ability to outgun AND out manouver the Tau at Range and in Close!!
The CPF plays nicely to this theme. Their ships have some interesting doctrines and tactics, utilising Tau mobility to bring guns to bear. (i always see Tau as a more heavy hitting but less mobile eldar as oppossed to a 'shooty' army)

Things like a 90 degree turning light cruiser, capable of carrying 2 escorts with 2 lances gives the Tau some nice little quirks. The fleet still has a large amount of Ordnance capable of being put up. The ability to include a Hero for every protector gives the Tau a cruiser that is very powerful if they want.
The Custodian works well with other ships which also fits the role of Tau leader units as being support and directive units as oppossed to heroic front line units in the Imperial sense, though of course they are still capable in their own right!