Tau Drones in 9th Edition: From Independent Badasses to Discount Ablative Wounds
Ah, Drones. The buzzing little buddies of the Tau. Once, they were fearless warriors in their own right, zipping around the battlefield soaking up bullets like a malfunctioning Roomba. But those days are gone, replaced by a more... bureaucratic existence. Fear not, fellow Tau enthusiasts! This guide will unravel the mysteries of drones in the grim darkness of the 9th millennium.
Gone, But Not Forgotten: The Independent Drone Days
Remember the good ol' days? Back in 7th edition (and even 8th, bless their cotton socks) a squad of drones was a force to be reckoned with. They could detach from their parent unit and become a whole new squad, ready to harass the enemy and cause merry havoc. Those were the days... Now, however, your drones are stuck like glue to their parent unit. Like an over-enthusiastic barnacle clinging to a whale shark.
So, How Do These New-Fangled Drones Work?
Think of them as glorified ablative wounds. They're part of the unit they're attached to, sharing the same wounds and using the unit's toughness for wound allocation. That's right, your fancy Shield Drones won't be waltzing in front of your Crisis Suits and shrugging off Lascannon blasts anymore. But fear not! They can still soak up some punishment, using their own save rolls instead of the unit's. It's like having a squad of tiny, expendable bodyguards... except way less dramatic.
But Wait, There's More! (Because in 40k, there always is)
There are a few things to keep in mind with your drone buddies:
- Valued Sacrifice: This nifty ability means that when a drone gets blasted to bits, you don't have to worry about your main unit's morale taking a nosedive. They were expendable after all, right? Just don't tell them I said that.
- Splitting Up is Hard to Do (and Usually Not Worth It): There's a fancy stratagem that lets you detach your drones, but honestly, unless you're facing a particularly juicy target (or have a real grudge against some nearby terrain), it's probably not worth the hassle. Sticking with the squad is the name of the game now.
- Markerlight Shenanigans: Marker Drones are still the MVPs for buffing your firepower. They can move and perform the Markerlight action, which is fantastic news for vaporizing enemy armor. Just remember, with great markerlight power, comes great markerlight responsibility.
In Conclusion: Drones - Still Useful, But Different
Drones may not be the independent heroes they once were, but they still play a vital role in the Tau army. Think of them as the duct tape of the battlefield - they might not be glamorous, but they'll get the job done. So, embrace the new drone meta, and get out there and show those squishy squishy enemies what the Greater Good is all about!
