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My point with infantry weapons at 15 cms is that is FF range. So to make use of the FW ranged combat to the full extent you must move into FF range. AHHH I thought Tau were supposed to remain at a distance and destroy with firepower not trust to the inability of the enemy to discern that FF is much better for them.
They do remain at distance and destroy with firepower and when they do manouvre into 15cm it's a gamble on whether you'll do enough shots to disrupt things before being assaulted. OW is simply part and parcel of the game that any formation can enact. Like I said, tactics need to be developed to combat an OW formation.Or you need to hit them when they aren't OW'ing.
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In assaults no amount of ranged firepower matters, and over watch while wonderful is not the preferred action for maneuver elements.Perhaps the difference is in the perceived aspect. I believe all elements of the Tau should be regarded as maneuver.
I agree, but not all FW formations are manouvre elements and you can't always manouvre when you are mobile as you have to be cautious at some point.
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With that in mind I favor mobile ranged firepower and the ability to shoot and scoot. I personally am still struggling with the pathfinders, to meet my demands they must be either doubled and dismounted or foot moved.
You couldn't see them as a "hide and co-ordinate" formation? Like Pathfinders of the British Airborne forces?
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In my current ops doctrine it becomes better to attach a skyray than a unit of devil fish mounted PFs to FW formations, both AA and ML in one unit for 25 pts more.
GB, you don't ever intend to use the PFs ability to co-ord fire? It's where they truly shine as an attachment for Mech FWs IMO. I use it just about every game I play. Plus they provide scout ZOC in certain situations. I'm sure you know this already but I'm just highlighting their use further.