Tau Spoilers From Deadly Salvage

Boundless Hate arrived on the shelves of your friendly local gaming store just a couple of weeks ago. As we all start altering our decks or throwing together all new ones with the two included warlords, the next War Pack Deadly Salvage is already on the horizon. Fantasy Flight Games was kind enough to provide The Tactical Squad with some spoilers from that very pack. We thought we would try a different format for this spoiler article, so let’s sit in as Alex and Jon discuss the three Tau cards from Deadly Salvage.

Jon Yeo: Boom, first card…

montka-strike

JY: So apparently Mont’ka is one of the two primary Tau combat tactics, the other being Kauyon Strike.

Alex Cybulski: Yeah, Liz said something about this being the “ambush tactic,” and Kauyon being something about air superiority.

AC: If you ask me they are both pretty damn big surprises.

AC: WE BROKE UR TANK.

JY: Actually, Kauyon is the ambush, this is more the patient strategic strike.

AC: It’s getting so I need a damn interpreter for Tau culture.  Anyways, little blue men jump up and say SURPRISE.

JY: Haha. Enough fluff though. This card is pretty interesting, it provides a first strike attack, which can happen even before ranged.

AC: Pretty great with Space Marines or Traitorous AM.

JY: Yeah, you were running a Commander Shadowsun deck with mostly Space Marines in it weren’t you. Are you planning to throw this in?

AC: Anything with Soldiers is going to get a nice little alpha strike. People might be down on this because of no attachments or groupie modifiers. But something like Standard Bearer from the Necron Deluxe Box or For The Tau’va and you’ll have tons to attack with.

JY:  Yeah, there are some limitations with it and I think that makes it a little more situational than Kauyon Strike.  Plus the fact you have no choice and all soldier units get exhausted might cause some timing issues as well.

AC: Still, ambush cards that make the Tau outside Aun’shi more ambush-y is welcome IMHO.

JY: Yep, it does do some interesting things in Aun’shi, by keeping Ethereal units around. Overall, decent card, one or two of in a deck maybe, especially with Shadowsun or Commander Starblaze.

JY: Next card in the pack is a unit, and a big one at that.

prototype-crisis-suit

AC: This guy has the best stereo system of the Tau spheres.

JY: Haha. Another suit Tau unit that loves his attachments. Although, I don’t think his ability works with Shadowsun’s Stealth Cadre or Gun Drones though. (Editor’s Note: Alas, it does not.)

AC: Ugh, he is great Even The Odds fodder though. Deploy him, dig deep. Then ETO one of his attachments onto a friendly and swing for MASSIVE CRAB DAMAGE.

JY: Yeah, I think pretty much any combination of Tau attachments on him is pretty good.

AC: This is only going to get better with more attachments. But, he’s a 6/5 with Auxiliary Armor and and he’s got 2 command icons for 5 cost. Pretty good, all told.

JY: The shuffle mechanic is a nice bonus as well if you whiff on your Earth Caste Technicians.

AC: Or end up burying your signature support. Among which Tau have the best.

JY: I know the feeling. What would your ideal combination of attachments be?

AC:  Ground effects and thick rims.

JY: Haha.  I’m not sure if the Ethereals will allow Xzibit near this thing.

AC:

 4211624

JY: Haha. I think the best combination of attachments would be two Auxiliary Armor for a 8/6 for 5 cost.

AC: Last card?

saelum-enclave

JY: I think this is mainly for Commander Starblaze, but this works great in the Commander Shadowsun deck you are running, Alex. Are you sure you can’t somehow see the future and were planning ahead.

AC: Hopefully prophetic visions would have helped my W/L ratio lately. This obviously plays well with Starblaze and maybe Shadowsun, but clearly no love for our little monk Aun’shi.

JY: Not sure if Aun’shi needs any more support love. I feel like this should have been the original cost reducers from the core. If those cost reducers were -2, I think we would see more of them.

AC: I think the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Fugliest, most boring art evaaar tho.

JY: Yeah, I agree, although most of the cost reducer art is so-so.

JY: Oh man, I am just thinking of all the money that Starblaze can save. Assault Valkyries for 2 are so dreamy.

AC: Yeah, like all cost reducers, just a risky proposition.

JY: I think the -2 is worth the risk though in this case, especially with his signature support, you can get a discount than swap it out for the fully costed tau unit.

AC: Tau’s economy game is getting very very real.

JY: Yeah, I really want to build that Shadowsun/SM deck. Alex, you have inspired me.

AC: That’s why I’m such a trendsetter. Alright, Jon, it’s been fun!

JY: It has been. We should do this again some time, Alex!

 

We would like to thank Fantasy Flight Games for letting us share these spoilers with you. So, what do you guys think of the new Tau cards, how well do they serve “The Greater Good”? Let us know in the comments. Also, let us know if you liked the format. We look forward to hearing from you.

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