[TheLetterV]

I was looking through the ol' dex, and it hit me that I have still yet to place a KrootOx in any army. I began thinking, "What would make you worth it?"

Do you think, that you would use the KrootOx more if it could be an IC, or in it's own unit of Ox?

I began to think, it might be nice to have a single KrootOx running around by itself so I can remove some of the missile pods on my crisis, and maybe provide somewhat a little support with assaulters.

Fluff wise, I could see why the hounds can't be by themselves, but the Ox has a Kroot riding it.

However, the idea of still having no save blows. I figured with the IC, at least he would be able to avoid hits.

Anyone ever have any luck with a KrootOx?

[canderous]

Well correct me if I'm wrong but the kroot gun is rapid fire, yes? That means it has a 48inch range but if you move its only 12"! Was going to get one but it doesn't really fit my playstyle.

[khanaris]

The Krootox used to be a single choice, counting as Heavy Support. No one took them then, either. It just doesn't really have a place in the current Tau list. If it didn't take away Infilitrate, I might use one to make my Kroot a more effective lure.

[GeekyGator]

The Rapid Fire designation is what really kills it. You either have a single shot, which isn't that great with kroot BS, or you have to be 12" away, which without the kroot save means you never get there.

If it was assault, though... >

[Silver Surfer]

Originally Posted by Khanaris

The Krootox used to be a single choice, counting as Heavy Support. No one took them then, either. It just doesn't really have a place in the current Tau list. If it didn't take away Infilitrate, I might use one to make my Kroot a more effective lure.

I think you are right, in order to correct the problem in the codex as it stands removing the "No Infiltrate" penalty would at least make me consider them. It would give the Kroot a little extra muscle and would make them a much more valuable for enemy forces to target - thus saving my more effective troops from fire.

[Aun]

I personally wold never consider putting a KrootOx in a Mech Tau force, but they are gold in defensive army that uses Kroot for counterattacking. I have never used them but I have bin on the receiving end of more than one assault with 20 kroot, 3 krootOx, and several kroot hounds and its like getting hit by a power fist for most units. the best part is that they make the kroot a more valuable shooting element for a defensive army, while still packing a power fist.

[Bird III]

Ah, the classic "what's wrong with my krootox" thread.

Like I've mentioned a number of times before, one local player plays relatively static. He uses large Kroot squads to protect his broadsides and be general pains. He calls his Krootox his "powerfists." They work for him because he has a plan for how they would work in what I consider a theme army.

But let's face it, Tau need speed. Kroot are only useful to most of us if they get a head start. That means infiltrate is more useful than extra strength.

The kroot are intentionally jumbled into a single squad to give it a primitive feel. All the designers' notes are pretty clear about that. So I'll preface my comments by saying that we will not see krootox herds in the near future.

That said- how useful would they be?
Pros:
High strength weapon
High strength attack
Good efficiency by not mixing weapons
Low cost

Cons:
No infiltrate
Low toughness
Low numbers
Short rapid fire range
Likely a coveted Heavy selection

So in essence we have a unit that can deal damage, but not take it and has a high efficiency but will have trouble maneuvering with regular Tau forces.

When would such a unit be useful?
I could see it in low point games. For the price of a devilfish you could field enough firepower to deal with an Eldar skimmer or midrange target. Or in games where you just don't have the points for another hammerhead.

But will it replace the other options in the midrange firepower units?
A helios suit fits in much better with the Tau- more expensive but faster and much more survivable with JSJ/toughness/armour.
Broasides, pirhanas, crisis suits, sniper drones, stealth suits will also compete with this unit. That's some tough competition.

Bottom line: I don't see a krootox-only unit as viable under most conditions.

Okay- so what can we do make Krootox useful?
1) As most have said- let them infiltrate. This would help them keep up.
2) Make the Kroot guns assault weapons. The extra range would make them respectable.
3) A real increase in toughness. Obviously this would have to be done in a way that mixed armour rules wouldn't screw with the uprgrade (ie- allowing a larger ratio of Krootox), but this would make them better at exchanging fire or surviving combat.
4) Allowing Kroot units to fleet. Another way they could keep up.

These are what I've thought of. But really, Krootox are destined to be curiousities and nothing more in the near future.

[Polzinator]

these guys are better off in an all kroot army

[cyberzomby]

Maybe a bit of a topic hijack but what about hounds ?

[MYcrimsonTEARS]

it could be noted that the kroot could be used as a counter assaulter, in this role they dont move that often when protecting static units, in this way the kroot Ox has a place in laying dowm some support fire and adding a much needed punch when needed... they have a use but only a limeted one.