Tau Codex Review: Fast Attack: Piranha TX-42 Light Skimmer

Did you want a slightly chubby, less efficient brother of a vehicle almost no one likes? Because if so, have I got the deal for you, friendo! Click to read on or check out the Tactics Corner for more reviews and strategies.

Overview

Although the familiar variant of the Piranha (the TX-4) is far and away the most common, it is certainly not the only one- in fact, Imperial observers have noted that the same chassis has been reused for almost innumerable different configurations in all walks of Tau life, from the oft-seen light attack vehicle to a civilian transport to a messenger relay; whatever the origins of the airframe, it has shown itself to be almost infinitely customizable as needed. The TX-42 variant is an update to the basic Piranha, giving it heavier armor plating and main armament at the expense of some of its maneuverability and flexibility in filling different roles. However, when the Empire needs to hit hard targets in close confines that make battlesuit use prohibitive, no other unit can compete.

On the tabletop, the TX-42 is very, very similar to the standard model in most respects. A 16″ movement means it can scoot around at high speeds (especially as it also can Fly), and with ballistic skill 4+ it is reasonably accurate when doing so. Weapon skill 6+ and two attacks are, of course, complete garbage, but no one was expecting a Tau vehicle to win any fights. Its big upgrades over the Piranha are in survivability- with toughness six, seven wounds, and 3+ armor, it is significantly harder to bring down than the codex version; of course, it’s still a light vehicle at the end of the day, but it’s actually pretty close to a Rhino in terms of survivability all things considered. However, all of those comes with a significant price tag- at 106pts for the stock loadout, it’s nearly double the cost of the normal one.

Special Rules and Wargear

TX-42 Piranhas come with only two special rules, both of them negative; Slaved Targeting Array forces it to fire all its weapons at a single target, although you usually would want to do so anyways in order to ensure at least one of them punches through. Explodes is the standard thing, causing a single mortal wound to anything within 3″ when it does on a 6.

The real feature of the TX-42 variant is its heavy armament; although it gives up the Gun Drones, it carries two “main” weapons compared to the TX-4’s single gun, which is a significant boost. The stock model carries a pair of Fusion Blasters (18″ S8 AP-4 DmgD6 melta), which makes for a pretty hard-hitting anti-tank platform, especially given how fast it is. These can be exchanged for two Missile Pods (36″ S7 AP-1 DmgD3 Assault 2), which give it a bit more flexibility in engaging targets as well as a much longer standoff distance, which help keep the TX-42 safe.; this option is a 6pt discount over the normal one. A twin Rail Rifle (30″ S6 AP-4 DmgD3 Rapid Fire 1 6s are mortal) is also available, which gives an odd sort of mix, giving better AP than the missiles but at the expense of standoff distance and strength and saves you a further 6pts. Finally, you can go with a pair of Plasma Rifles (24″ S6 AP-3 Rapid Fire 1) if you just… don’t really want guns that matter at all, as they are a complete joke. Don’t bother with them, even to save that 10pts.

(Note that unlike the normal Piranha, a TX-42 cannot mount Seeker Missiles.)

Uses

So what is a TX-42 Piranha good for? Sadly, even as a Piranha aficionado I have to answer that there is nothing, because the TX-42 is junk.

Its problems exist in a multitude of layers that prevent it from being good in any role, or compared to most any other unit from the book. First off, While it is more durable, it isn’t twice as durable as a basic Piranha- and given its cost, this is a problem. While it can’t be downed by a single Lascannon, it still is pretty easy to drop overall and won’t stand up to any significant amount of enemy attention. 3+ armor definitely helps, but the many, many autocannon-style weapons out there will make short work of it, as will heavier fare.

Secondly, while does mount two “main” guns, most of them are… pretty bad, especially for the price. 100ish points isn’t a good price of entry into getting two standard weapons; a Crisis Suit can carry three for a lower price, and a number of other units can do so as well. The Missile Pod is likewise just not that amazing for what you pay, and it has far better ways to bring it into the army, including some of the most efficient shooters in the game (like Broadsides.) Even the Rail Rifle available elsewhere only to Pathfinders, is simply not exciting enough to seek it out- it’s not particularly good at killing most types of units, at the end of the day.

Third, one of the best features about the regular Piranha is its carrying a hefty heaping of anti-infantry on three different mount points. The TX-42 gives up its gun drones for heavy weapons, but gives up its own heavy weapon for… nothing, apparently, as it has no special rules that grant any benefit, Even if you just want Fusion shots, a basic Piranha is almost better- you pay a handful of points more to buy a pair of them, but they have more total wounds and more other guns. Lacking the ability to carry Seeker Missiles just adds insult to injury, as that’s often a Piranha’s secondary role.

Countering

There’s no real need for anything special here; if you have guns (or melee) that can kill generic vehicles, they will work on TX-42 Piranhas. They are fast and scooty but put out limited firepower and have very poor survivability against most shots.

Final Thoughts

Sadly, the TX-42 is a major missetep, and this has been the case for a number of years. Until it gets a major rules (or points) overhaul, don’t expect to be seeing it on the top tables, or even on the table at all, anytime soon.

Remember, as always you can buy your wargaming supplies at great discounts from the Frontline Gaming Store every day, whether you’re looking to start a new army or expand an existing one.