[olean]

Hi

I am in the process of starting up a Tau army, and therefore try to decide on some options before I start buying all the models I need.

Instead of going for Hammerheads or Broadsides, I am considering using the VDR (Vehicle Design Rules) to build 2 or 3 Tau Walkers armed with Railguns (incl submunitions).

If my calculations are correct, a Walker with AV 12 front and sides and AV 10 rear, armed with Railgun (incl submunitions) and targeter for BS4 would come to 135 points. Not too expensive for a VDR vehicle?

These would hang at the back and fire away, therefore the low AV for the rear should not prove too risky.

What are your thoughts in this? I hve a great model kit in mind for the conversion that I think will look good in a Tau army. And a walker should be ok for Tau fluff-wise?

[khanaris]

Welcome to the forums!

For starters, I would make sure that whatever you build is substantially different from a Broadside in both appearance and armament. When GW was writing Tau, they started by making all Crisis and Broadside suits Walkers. This proved hard to balance (as they were all but immune to most close-combat troops and basic weapons). But I see no problem with representing weight classes larger than 8 as Walkers instead of infantry. It would basically be just a very heavy Battlesuit, a continuation of the ideas that brought forth the Broadside. How big would this thing be?

[calmsword]

in addition, where did you get the Tau version of the design rules? good luck on your own project (it could be a four legged suite or something) lol.

[olean]

The size of the model kit I plan to use is slightly larger than a sentinel, I think, here's a pic:



It's a Robogear T-rex, and they are quite cheap too. With some chopping, re-arming and scratch-built Tau-looking armour plates it should look the part.

I use the VDR calculator online ( http://home.freeuk.com/theuk/vdr/ ) and the Tau update in UK WD 272.

Do you think that the stats I came up with would make it a cost effective addition to a Tau army (as VDR vehicles usually tend to end up prohibitively expensive)?

Thanks for all replies!

[GeekyGator]

What are these VDR rules you speak of? >

[ShadowCrawler]

They are "Vehicle Design rules," used to create your own vehicles. Until just a little while ago they did not have a version of this for Tau :P. And Olean, that looks like a good base walker for what your planning ;D. Are you planning on having just a rail gun or like some burst cannons or SMS?

[GeekyGator]

Oooooooh!

Sweet I want some!!!

Where do you find these? Internet? WD (which means i won't be able to get them )

[zero]

that's a cool sentinal. How do you get the tau update again?

[olean]

You can buy these kits from many web stores all over the world, try googling for Robogear or Imex (as they are called in the US, I think?)

Seekers could be added if I feel I need some in my army, these could perhaps be switched on and off as needed?

If I feel I need some protection against deep strikers and the like, would perhaps a flamer be a good chice? Or would a TL Burst cannon be better? Or would the submunitions be enough for close defence? Maybe a Flechette discharger to fend off assaults? Ah, so many nice options!

I'm not sure if the VDR and updates are available on the GW websites - you could check there?

[calmsword]

the Tau version isn't there- could you PM me a copy?