Disruption Pod
Shroud at over 12", To put it simply all vehicles with this upgrade get +2 to their cover save if the enemy is shooting at over 12". (For those of you that already know that i'm a fan of the Tetra which already comes with this upgrade, you know that i'm ecstatic. This isn't to mention that my squadrons can split fire with the Target Lock). What does this mean, well it means that our vehicles have almost twice the survivability that they did before. It means that the Hammerhead is contending with the Broadside for a Heavy Support slot, and that taking Pathfinders isn't completely worthless anymore.
Hammer Head Variants
If you are not completely hell-bent on only taking a Railgun on your hammerhead, Forgeworld has provided plenty of cool options that you can use. These can be found on the Forgeworld website under the Tau update.
Long-Barrelled Burst Cannons
At 15 points your turret can pump out 6 TL S 6 AP 4 shots, serves the same function as the submunition round, with the advantage of being able to threaten somoe fliers.
Missle Pods
At 15 points, It's just like the missle pod mounted on a battle suit, with the addition of being twin-linked with the blast templaem te thrown into each shot. Might as well take something else as this weapon does little more than look cool.
Fusion Cannon
Being the most expensive FW world option, at 30 points it's only second in points to the Railgun. 24" melta and blast, this fusion blaster is a risk as it threatens to make the disruption Pod upgrade useless as you need to be within bolter range to use it. Though with the increase of Armor we're going to see, it makes it's mark with being able to threaten, terminators, MCs, Obliterators, and almost anything with a 2+ save.
Plasma Cannon
If you're going to take the Ion Cannon you might as well swap it out for this bad boy, at 48 inches, it falls behind the ion cannon by 12" but at the same points cost it offers an extra shotand also make all its shots twin linked, This is by far my favorite MC hunter as well as my favorite FMC and Flyer Hunter. It makes Space marines beg for cover saves and provides an attack on light transports.
Mechanized Tau
For all of you Mech fans out there (Tau who use tons of transports), you're in luck. With the Pulse Rifle having it's threat range increased tossed in with the extra survivability provided by the Disruption Pod, Tau have a chance at capturing objectives again. I can't cover what hasn't already been covered by dozens of other people. But with TLOS you might want to take advantage of the taller flying base provided in the Devilfish Sprue as you won't block LOS of your disembarked Fire Warriors.
Thought For the Day
The Advanced Stabilization System is available to a Tau Commander, So why would a relentless suit want to take this upgrade? Well Slow and Purposeful has now become transitive, meaning if one guy has it in a squad everyone has it. So give an 'El this upgrade and attach him to a unit and you can have mobile Tau/Eldar pathfinders, mobile Eldar Dark Reapers, or mobile Space Marine Devastators. Happy Hunting.
