Thoughts on Tau Strike Craft

[Alexi_Menser]

I may be remembering this wrong, but Tau Bombers are considerably larger than normal bombers aren't they? Do you think they would perform in the same fashion as regular craft (Maybe replaced with an alternative design) or will we see a unique slow moving but heavy hitting bomber unit.

[Bludfist]

I may be remembering this wrong, but Tau Bombers are considerably larger than normal bombers aren't they? Do you think they would perform in the same fashion as regular craft (Maybe replaced with an alternative design) or will we see a unique slow moving but heavy hitting bomber unit.

because tau bombers were so massive didnt they get a 4+ save or something?

or was that a ship....


i think it will be the latter

[Alexi_Menser]

I may be remembering this wrong, but Tau Bombers are considerably larger than normal bombers aren't they? Do you think they would perform in the same fashion as regular craft (Maybe replaced with an alternative design) or will we see a unique slow moving but heavy hitting bomber unit.

because tau bombers were so massive didnt they get a 4+ save or something?

or was that a ship....


i think it will be the latter

They were "Heavy Bombers", closer to an undersized escort than a bomber I believe.

[randuir]

I may be remembering this wrong, but Tau Bombers are considerably larger than normal bombers aren't they? Do you think they would perform in the same fashion as regular craft (Maybe replaced with an alternative design) or will we see a unique slow moving but heavy hitting bomber unit.

because tau bombers were so massive didnt they get a 4+ save or something?

or was that a ship....


i think it will be the latter

They were "Heavy Bombers", closer to an undersized escort than a bomber I believe.

They weren't quite that big, but still quite large. They could carry an entire huntre cadre (Tau ground company, includes vehicles and battlesuits) and had firepower almost comparable with a titan.

Forgeworld actually sells a 40k scale model of the vessel: https://www.forgeworld.co.uk/en-GB/Tau-Manta

comparison shot with tanks and thunderhawk gunship:

[Alexi_Menser]

Considering a Thunder-hawk is bigger than most other interspacial strike craft, the Manta is certainly a Heavy Bomber.

Sorry on the sizing mistake though.

[randuir]

Considering a Thunder-hawk is bigger than most other interspacial strike craft, the Manta is certainly a Heavy Bomber.

Sorry on the sizing mistake though.

Yeah, my reaction had more to do with the "under-sized escort" definition. I completely agree that it's a heavy bomber.

[Owl]

I was just thinking of this.

The Tau Bomber (AKA Manta):


See those large arrays of turrets along the body of the craft? I think that the Manta should not only serve as a powerful bomber, but also be able to provide formidable anti-fighter coverage en-route to a target. Think along the lines of the B-52s.

But what about there remarkable slowness? Their 50-50 invulnerable save is great, but it doesn't help if the attack craft can't make it to their target. To be clear, I am referring to the turn-away-and-boost tactic.

EDIT: Then again, if your enemy keeps running away from your persistent but slow bombers, you buy more time with which you can attack them at your preferred range.

[Kadaeux]

I was just thinking of this.

The Tau Bomber (AKA Manta):


See those large arrays of turrets along the body of the craft? I think that the Manta should not only serve as a powerful bomber, but also be able to provide formidable anti-fighter coverage en-route to a target. Think along the lines of the B-52s.

But what about there remarkable slowness? Their 50-50 invulnerable save is great, but it doesn't help if the attack craft can't make it to their target. To be clear, I am referring to the turn-away-and-boost tactic.

EDIT: Then again, if your enemy keeps running away from your persistent but slow bombers, you buy more time with which you can attack them at your preferred range.

The Bombers actually aren't any slower than Starhawks. (The IoM Bombers) but, on TT, each Marker represented a single Manta, where the Starhawks etc represented three craft, (In the lore Squadrons are larger, but not by much).

However. The Barracuda (the Tau's fighter) IS slow, possessing only the same speed as Ork Fighta-Bommerz, the Barracuda's in the 2010 update are actually specifically noted for having inferior technology. (This is in comparison of course to the Fury Interceptor, Swiftdeath Fighter and Darkstar Fighters.)

[Owl]

(Thanks Kadaeux)

I have an idea!

The Manta class attack craft is armed with powerful, forward mounted Ion Cannons, capable of knocking out if not out-right "destroying Warhound Titans with a single shot". That sounds like starship level weaponry to me!

So what if each Manta bomber squadron has two Mantas, but no escort craft due to the inferior engines aboard Tau fighters. Each Manta has 2 hull points, a 50-50 chance to ignore damage, and the equivalent of two fighters worth of PD weaponry. Here's where it starts getting interesting: as the Manta's close with their target, their fore mounted Ion Cannons(covers the forward arc) start opening fire. Each shot (two shots per Manta) would do 2-4 damage to the enemy ship; the result would be making the Mantas operate like miniature escorts, increase their damage potential the farther away the Manta's mothership is from the enemy, and incentivise the Manta's target to meet the Manta head on, rather than run away from it.

This is a really rough idea, but I want to know what you guys think about it.

[Kadaeux]

(Thanks Kadaeux)

I have an idea!

The Manta class attack craft is armed with powerful, forward mounted Ion Cannons, capable of knocking out if not out-right "destroying Warhound Titans with a single shot". That sounds like starship level weaponry to me!

Starship level weaponry is "wiped out your game board, and the next two as well" in space I think they depend on missile armaments. (Hence the "Manta Missile Destroyer")

So what if each Manta bomber squadron has two Mantas, but no escort craft due to the inferior engines aboard Tau fighters. Each Manta has 2 hull points, a 50-50 chance to ignore damage, and the equivalent of two fighters worth of PD weaponry. Here's where it starts getting interesting: as the Manta's close with their target, their fore mounted Ion Cannons(covers the forward arc) start opening fire. Each shot (two shots per Manta) would do 2-4 damage to the enemy ship; the result would be making the Mantas operate like miniature escorts, increase their damage potential the farther away the Manta's mothership is from the enemy, and incentivise the Manta's target to meet the Manta head on, rather than run away from it.

This is a really rough idea, but I want to know what you guys think about it.

Interesting, hard to really say without testing.