[knightperson]

Here is yet another thing that GW needs to add to the Tau FAQ. Tau skimmers can land in their movement phase as long they didn't otherwise move, but the codex says you can't claim they have landed on the first turn (basically, they had to get to the battlefield so they are considered moving). Fair enough, but what about this? Pathfinder devilfish, as long as the pathfinders are in them, get the scout rule, which means they get a full move before the first turn. Since a skimmer can land in its movement phase, can you land the pathfinders' transport in front of them? This would block LOS to the pathfinders for your opponent's first turn if he goes first, and the disruption pod will protect the devilfish quite well. Granted, if your opponent does manage to wreck or immobilize the 'fish then the pathfinders are out of action and can't see anything. Once it's your turn the skimmer can take off, assuming your opponent didn't kill it, opening the LOS for the markerlights.

Do you think this is legal, either under RAW or RAI?

[Pseudomancer]

While the scouting move occurs just as if it were moving in the movement phase (and so, imo, permits stuff scouts can normally do in the movement phase, including disembarking, activating the turbo boost, etc), Codex Tau Empire overrides this by saying Landing Gear's benefit does not apply on the first turn of the game. I'd say it's barred by RAW and RAI.

If you want to fluff it, just remember how much flexibility and movement is implied by being allowed to take the scout move - landing would imply the Devilfish hadn't 'scouted' at all.

[Kovash745]

Originally Posted by Pseudomancer

If you want to fluff it, just remember how much flexibility and movement is implied by being allowed to take the scout move - landing would imply the Devilfish hadn't 'scouted' at all.

They could have scouted ahead, found the enemy and set down while the pathfinders observed the enemy positions. Its not that far fetched an idea.

[khanaris]

There are ways to justify it, but I think the codex does make it pretty clear that it can't be used in the first turn.

[monocleman]

There's an FAQ about this on the Games Workshop website. The Scout special rule extends only to the Pathfinders, not the Devilfish.

Sorry...good idea though.

[knightperson]

Originally Posted by monocleman

There's an FAQ about this on the Games Workshop website. The Scout special rule extends only to the Pathfinders, not the Devilfish.

Sorry...good idea though.

That was the case in 4th edition, not 5th. The 5th edition rulebook specifically states that scout units embarked in (ie currently riding in) their dedicated transport confer the scout rule to their vehicle. So if you deploy the pathfinders in the fish, then the fish can make a regular move and have the pathfinders jump out. If you deploy the pathfinders on foot then they can walk but the fish has to hold still.

You're probably right about the question at hand, but it's an interesting one that wouldn't have been considered in 4th edition because the devilfish could never scout.

[cykosis]

The codex says "the benefit does not apply on the first turn of the game" I take that as meaning you cannot start the game landed.

The scout move "This is done exactly as in their movement phase" you can turbo boost as a scout move so why could you not land?

I do not see a valid argument against being able to land. Nice tactic knightperson.